The weight of what we'd discovered still hung heavy on me as we made our way back to the base. Zainab moved beside me, her four heads swiveling every now and then to check for threats. She didn't say much—she never really did—but her presence was solid, dependable. Nibbles, now fused with me in the possession state, was silent, but I could feel his light energy pulsing through my veins, adding a faint hum to my heightened senses.
The footprints, the hulking stone behemoths, the oppressive air around that cave—it all screamed one thing: danger. No way were those cursed giants something to tackle without careful planning. At their size, 30 meters tall, they were even larger than Zainab. They'd make her look like a pet. And compared to the Earth Dragon? Well, they stood on equal footing when the dragon raised itself to full height.
This wasn't just any random encounter in the wilds. This was the kind of thing that could spiral into disaster.
When we finally arrived back at the base, I let out a small sigh of relief. The ants were busy, their movements precise and tireless as they patrolled the territory. Obsidian, ever the picture of indignant efficiency, was waiting near the queen's chambers. The moment it spotted us, its antennae twitched, likely annoyed that we'd been out without notifying it of our intentions. Too bad—Obsidian was going to be even more annoyed by what I had to say.
The Earth Dragon wasn't far off, its massive form coiled around a small hill it had claimed as its resting spot. Its eyes gleamed with intelligence as we approached, its scales shimmering faintly in the dim light. If I didn't know better, I'd say it had been expecting news.
I started with the basics, explaining the footprints, the cursed stone giants, and their connection to demonic energy. As I spoke, I watched their reactions.
The dragon listened with an eerie calm, its massive head tilting slightly as I described the behemoths. When I got to the part about their size and their corrupted nature, its mouth curled into what I could only describe as a draconic grin. The air around it seemed to heat up as it let out a low rumble that I felt more than heard.
"Interesting," it finally said, its voice a deep, guttural growl. "Creatures of similar rank and alignment… Their cores would be... nutritious."
I knew enough about beasts to understand what it meant. Intelligent ones like the Earth Dragon didn't just devour anything they could. Sure, they ate cores, but they were selective. Creatures of a similar affinity—ones that shared their elemental nature—offered far more benefits. Long-term strength, enhanced potential, even evolution. Eating something of the wrong alignment might give a temporary boost, but it wasn't worth the risk of stagnation or worse.
The dragon wasn't just thinking about fighting those giants. It was thinking about eating them.
Obsidian, on the other hand, was less impressed. Its antennae quivered furiously as it clicked its mandibles, a series of sharp, chittering sounds that I was starting to recognize as its version of exasperation.
"Relax, Obsidian," I said, smirking at the ant. "I'm not suggesting we pick a fight with them right now. I'm just saying we need to be ready in case they wander too close."
It didn't look convinced. Then again, Obsidian never really looked anything. Its shiny black exoskeleton didn't lend itself to expressive reactions. Still, I could tell it wasn't thrilled with the news.
The Fire Ant Queen sent a mental pulse through the air, a sensation I felt rather than heard. It was a command, a reassurance to her brood. The ants resumed their work, seemingly unaffected by the looming threat.
As we spoke, another thought crossed my mind. "What about the elite ant we upgraded last time?" I asked, turning to Obsidian. "How's it holding up?"
Obsidian's antennae twitched again, and I followed its gaze to where the newly evolved Master-ranked ant was stationed. The thing was enormous, easily double the size it had been before its transformation. Its carapace shimmered faintly with a metallic sheen, and its movements were fluid, purposeful.
I studied it for a moment, a mixture of curiosity and unease bubbling up inside me. This creature, once just another soldier in the colony, now held a rank that technically outclassed me in raw power.
"Three Master-ranked cores," I muttered under my breath, remembering the cost of its evolution. That's what it had taken to push this thing to its current state. It made me wonder: Was that the price for all creatures to reach this level, or did it depend on their innate potential? Either way, it was a sobering thought.
As the ant moved, its mandibles clicking softly, I felt a pang of something I couldn't quite place. Resentment? No, not exactly. It was more of a grim acceptance. Humans were pitiful compared to beasts like these. For us, reaching this level of strength was impossible. For these creatures, it was as simple as consuming the right cores.
"Guess even an ant can surpass me," I muttered, shaking my head. The thought wasn't bitter, just... factual.
Still, the sight of that evolved ant wasn't all bad. If nothing else, it was a reminder of what was possible. Strength wasn't a static thing. It could be earned, built, taken. And if an ant could climb the ranks, then so could I.
The dragon's voice rumbled again, breaking me out of my thoughts. "You hesitate," it said, its golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Do you fear these giants?"
I met its gaze evenly. "Fear isn't the right word. Respect, maybe. You don't charge into a fight with something that size without a plan. And right now, we've got more to lose than gain."
The dragon let out a snort of smoke, clearly amused. "Prudent. For a human."
I ignored the jab. "For now, we focus on preparation. If they come our way, we'll deal with them. But we're not picking a fight unless we have to."
Zainab let out a low growl, her four heads nodding in unison. She agreed with me, at least. It was a rare thing, but I'd take it.
As the conversation wound down, I turned my attention back to the ants. They were already moving with a renewed sense of purpose, their intricate communication network spreading the queen's commands throughout the colony. Even Obsidian seemed a bit less agitated, though its antennae still twitched occasionally.
I gave the dragon a nod and started to walk away, Zainab falling into step beside me. For now, the plan was simple: wait, watch, and be ready.
And if those cursed giants decided to wander too close? Well, we'd see who was really at the top of the food chain.