Chapter 51: The Sulxe

Kaiden peered somewhat darkly ahead, his thoughts interrupted abruptly by a sudden awakening from his reverie.

"No break, huh?"

Zack remarked, slapping Kaiden on the back with a grin. Giving a wry smile, Zack turned his gaze towards the battlefield.

They arrived quickly, practically neighbors with the raw force of the frontline. The sounds of clashes grew louder, interrupted by a booming male voice.

"Team 6, is that you?"

After a brief glance and exhale, he continued without waiting for an answer.

"Of course... You must locate and eliminate the Sulxe in the western region from here. I'll send you further intel shortly."

The man, cloaked in black uniform, clenched his fist to his chest and swiftly departed in the opposite direction.

"And one more thing, don't be heroes!"

His voice fading into the distance left a peculiar aftertaste.

'Heroes? Who wants to be one anyway... I only want one thing,'Kaiden thought to himself, trailing slightly behind the others.

The pace slowed, the sounds of gunfire drawing nearer. The ground trembled in a natural rhythm, with individual rocks seeming to linger in the air.

Eventually, they grew accustomed to the once unbearable ringing and crackling in their ears, though it persisted.

Ren shouted into the crowd, pointing his finger in a direction.

"Only a..."

But a gigantic shadow loomed over them, causing the ground to quake even more. The previously suspended rocks scattered meters away, while larger ones were hurled into the air.

Their mouths agape in awe, they beheld a massive metal-like structure, towering over 10 meters tall.

Limbs elongated like those of a giraffe, it moved swiftly despite its apparent sluggishness. The noise and darkness faded, but their objective remained clear. It was right to their left.

A fortress of trees, tropical and secluded, akin to what one might expect in a rainforest. In a humorous tone, Mark quipped, "I think we're in the right place," as another beep sounded, this time from their own hologram. It contained the essential information about the Sulxe.

[SulxAS]

[SulxAS is a worm-like creature with an acidic skin. They thrive in darkness and moisture. They are fast underground but the opposite on land.]

[Each specimen is worth 5 meters of preater for compensation.]

'$50, that's 20 for a whole Preater,' Kaiden thought, his steps quickening with newfound purpose.

'Money, money, money!'

Hastening his pace, he restrained himself.

After all, he shouldn't bite the grass just for $50.

'Wait, reap, then enjoy!'

They proceeded, the vegetation growing taller and denser, until Ren used his tentacles to clear the way, painting the towering grasses in vivid colors.

Even this forested and swampy area differed greatly. The ground, though soft and yielding, didn't seem to stick to their shoes or skin, despite its reddish-brown hue.

Zack, wearing a grin, remarked, "Any Sulxe in sight?"

"Negative," Ren replied, grimacing as he peered into the distance, his tentacles retracting in length.

"Finally out of the maze!"

The previously towering vegetation now seemed almost identical, albeit without the high obstacles.

-Shhingggg

Suddenly, metallic clangs echoed through the tropics. Giant worm-like figures sprang from the underground. Kaiden's arms trembled with the resistance on his blade.

"On your right!"

'Damn, why are they so strong!'

His arms shook, but not for long. The golden blade, once as small as a ruler, extended to the length of half a grown man.

Their eyes widened for a moment.

"What are those sounds these damn creatures make!"

Kryptids truly had a mysterious quality to their voices. They were sounds not meant for human ears, yet somehow audible. But still, they fought on.

Zack evaded every attack, serving as bait, while Kaiden pierced the two-meter creatures with his shinogi.

Elly kept the worms at bay with her fire, preventing them from all surfacing simultaneously, unless they wanted to end up as grilled food.

Max and Ren fought as a team, Ren immobilizing the Sulxe with his tentacles while Max dispatched them effortlessly with physical strength and a sword. He also used his invisibility to scout for more Sulxe or even more monstrous cryptids.

And lastly, there was Mary, who handled everything alone.

Literally, she walked through the Sulxe without fear of even a drop of their acid touching her.

"Kai.. -Below you!"

Springing away and looking downward, he conjured air before him to reach the Sulxe he had previously defeated.

He reached out his hand and felt the grip of his shinogi in his palm. Firmly grasping it, he turned towards the living enemy, his blond hair stained with red dye streaming behind him. His gaze was serious, yet tinged with greed.

Stretching his left hand backward, he propelled himself forward with another burst of air. A few drops of acid fell on his red-painted uniform. Holes upon holes, but they fulfilled the conditions.

[First Frontline Battle: Successful]

[Karma points: 23]

[0.5 Preater credited to you]

A wave of stabbing pain washed over Kaiden, causing him to briefly falter and clutch his temple.

'So that's what happened,' he thought, turning to Zack in a somewhat unfriendly yet not particularly hostile tone.

"Shall we go now?"

They looked at him confusedly but agreed nonetheless.