2-20 Grilled Crab
Ree, ree—the chirping of insects echoed through the air.
It was noisy, yet somehow quiet. A strange sensation.
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In the end, we couldn't reach the Ferregen nest on the second day of the operation, so we ended up spending the night in the forest.
I'd been excused from watch duty the previous night, but today I was pulled into the late shift. The warrior squad's night watch was basically a three-shift rotation: early, late, and morning. They'd paired me with Sasha out of consideration, and from the magic squad, we had the taciturn old man Senka with us too. ...Which meant zero conversation.
Mages were expected to play the role of fixed artillery here as well, so we took up position at the center by the campfire, staying vigilant.
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I'd prefer to close my eyes to activate Presence Detection, but I didn't want to look like I was slacking off asleep, so I held off.
Keeping my eyes peeled for visual threats, I figured I'd practice probing with Presence Detection at the same time. Push a little harder.
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The crackling pops of the campfire filled the air.
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Hmm. Peaceful.
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"...Hey, Senka."
"Hold."
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Unable to endure the silence any longer, I tried to strike up some light chat, but Senka shut it down and suddenly stood up.
He glanced around warily and grabbed his bow.
The watchmen deployed around us were exchanging hand signals.
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I crouched halfway, gripping my sword, ready to draw at any moment.
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After a bit, Senka silently nocked an arrow and loosed it into the darkness.
It must've missed—nothing happened, and silence reigned once more. Senka nocked another arrow, holding his position, staring intently into the distance. Tense minutes dragged on until he finally exhaled softly and released.
I watched its path. The arrow veered sharply just before embedding in a tree, dodging it neatly. ...What the hell? Even after it vanished into the shadows beyond, we kept glaring in that direction. Then a beastly screech echoed, followed by the delayed thud of something hitting the ground.
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Nearby watchmen headed that way, returning with a small, monkey-like creature slung over one's shoulder.
A monster, probably.
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"A Hider."
"Hider?"
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Senka, who'd identified it, slit its throat with his knife and extracted a pale green object. A magic stone, no doubt.
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"Small subhuman. A pain."
"Strong?"
"Nah, combat-wise, not really. But as the name implies, its hiding ability is top-tier. Not that it matters right now. The real issue is that this subhuman showed up here."
"...Meaning they shouldn't be around here?"
"Not just here—the entire Teba Region hasn't reported any. Must be a new spawn."
"Got it."
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Spawn points close after a few years or decades, only to open anew elsewhere.
Nothing strange about a new one popping up around here, but not knowing what monsters it'd spit out was a hassle.
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"No spawn points supposed to be around here, but one might've formed somewhere."
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Maybe that's why there'd been more monsters lately—a new spawn point. The warrior squad would have their hands full, but it didn't really affect me.
...Actually, it did. If it started spawning strong ones, hunting around Cross Point could get risky.
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Since Hidirs operated in packs, we stayed vigilant for the rest of the night watch, but nothing else happened until shift change.
I roused Firo and the others, who were cocooned in their sleeping bags like caterpillars, then bedded down. No personal tents allowed in this barely cleared forest spot—we were all just inching into gaps between the caterpillar squad. Good night.
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We pushed through the dense forest again today, cautiously heading for the nest.
With confirmation of a new monster species, we scouted even more meticulously, staying on high alert. Of course, a Ferregen could strike anytime, so we watched for that too. Progress slowed to a turtle's crawl—slow enough even I could keep up effortlessly. Would we make it today? I wondered.
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We ate snake meat for lunch, caught en route. One of the greatsword squad handled the hissing beast without issue. Made me realize this world had normal animals too, and they could still be threats.
The snake meat? People say it tastes like chicken, but honestly, no clue. Bony as hell—that's my take.
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The sun dipped low, cool air brushing my cheeks. The calendar read August now, autumn creeping in. Seasons here aligned more with the calendar than Japan—June hottest, December coldest. So August brought real chill.
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The captain signaled a full halt.
Camping here? The thought crossed my mind, but his strained voice dashed it.
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"...Nest is just ahead. Everyone, tighten up."
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We'd arrived. Finally.
All nodded silently. Alright, time to not die.
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A sheer cliff blocked the front, a hole at its base—the presumed Ferregen nest. The trees thinned there, with the Armesian squad deployed in hiding a bit back in the forest.
Up front: captain's squad center, greatswords left, standards right. Magic squad a step back.
Right behind us, two support squads for rear guard and reserves.
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Scouts reported man-eating crabs swarming the nest area. Ferregen location unknown. Worst case: one returns from hunt mid-fight, hitting us from behind.
Hence, extra scouts from each squad gathering intel.
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Tension mounted as the nest-watch scouts reported to the captain. His go-signal, and we'd engage.
The captain turned back.
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"...Ferregen sighted. Near the nest. Let's do this!"
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His hushed voice boomed in my ears.
Everyone crouched, advancing in sync. Soon the forest edge appeared, revealing the earthen cliff and tiny hole beyond. Right in front, pale blue shapes writhed—a cluster of man-eating crabs.
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Captain signaled. Senka raised a hand, eyes forward. Drop it, and magic barrage starts. I caught his motion peripherally, thrusting my magic sword for spell prep.
Not yet.
Not yet.
Hand drops!
I charged a bit, loosing Fire Arrow. Firo's thunder orb followed a beat later.
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A beat later, bowstrings twanged and arrows whistled everywhere. My Fire Arrow sailed true, exploding in the crab cluster's center. A muffled boom, bodies flung skyward.
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Then a massive ochre shadow emerged from the nest.
Crustacean body with eight legs, topped by a human torso—an abomination. Ferregen!
Different hue from the river one, smaller too. Makes sense—cliff habitat, away from water.
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Frontline hadn't engaged yet. Rear needed to harass. I conjured fireballs in rapid succession, hurling at the Ferregen.
It swung its human-hand shears—water orbs appeared. Fireballs collided and vanished.
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...Defense magic?
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Handy when I use it, annoying as hell from the enemy!
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While I dithered, one frontline runner blurred, leaping skyward. Captain, if I wasn't mistaken. ...And plummeting straight into the enemy mass.
What kind of attack was that? RPGs had stuff like it, sure.
Greatswords and standards pinned the crabs; captain's squad spears jabbed at the Ferregen.
Distracted, it exposed its back—the falling captain stabbed down.
No flashy effects, but it hurt; the Ferregen bucked like a wild horse in agony.
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Captain's squad had it surrounded 5-6 strong—tough for magic support.
Time to firepower the flank mobs.
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Glancing for situational awareness—then Sasha and Don's voices hit.
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"Master, Don-chan's—!"
"Gii! Kyuu!!"
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Don's cry matched that time it snuck up on me sleeping—pure urgency.
I whipped around to Sasha's back. Don had poked from the rucksack onto her shoulder, nose twitching frantically.
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"Enemy!?"
"I-I don't know."
"Kyuu! Gii gii!"
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Don whipped its head, sniffing directions, but unsettled. Rear attack, probably—but couldn't pinpoint.
Pulled up status, set Job 3 to Vigilante. Presence Detection out.
Too many moving signatures to narrow... Faced rear, focused range, filtering intel.
Where? Where?
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!!
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Faint... but there! Something big—human-sized or larger—closing fast.
Direction fuzzy... left? Right? Wait, this?
Rear guard squads oblivious. A few tensed from our exchange, but no prep.
Staring into the vibes—something off.
Sharper focus, gauging distance... There. Two meters tall, crustacean body, human torso. Ferregen, no doubt.
Why'd we miss it? Camo blended, but charging, it stuck out. Once noticed...
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Big fireball, lobbed 30 degrees left.
Sword ready, body enhancement magic on.
Charge to close.
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"Flank attack! Left's yours!"
That's all I yelled. Fireball'd clue some in.
Magic-charged blade glowed faintly. Low stance, rising slash incoming.
Had to—closing too fast.
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"Uoooooh!"
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It noticed me spotting it, rearing shears for charge.
Collision—insane impact through sword hand, arm.
Without enhancement and practice, I'd be crushed, mangled.
It caught my blade in both shears, rear leg? swinging follow-up.
Momentum left me floating—dodge impossible.
Let momentum flow, kicked its humanoid gut, backflipped away.
Water orb formed overhead—Air Pressure, retreated further.
Dodged, lunged again, swung.
Left shear parried easy; dodging right unbalanced me, front leg countered.
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"Guheh!?"
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Light tap motion, but chest throbbed heavy. Breath caught.
Can't win close-up!
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Enhance legs, kick off, gap.
Its eight legs scrabbled—it closed instantly.
Left shear thrust—parried, blade-lock push. Bad matchup. Slid back.
Three head fireballs—water orbs neutralized 'em simultaneously, steamy air grazed cheek.
Need distance. It's intercepting fire magic—effective or hates fire?
Then this.
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Shgoooo...
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Released left sword hand, thrust—Flame Thrower, flamethrower spell.
It tried water orb at first, but as I swept the stream, endless inferno panicked it—shrill screams, backed off.
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Finally some space. Relief and wry smile; swapped Job 3 from Vigilante to Swordsman.
No time till now. Needed combat job.
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"Switch!"
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Roar behind—no detection needed, presences dashing here.
Low shadow rushed left flank.
Support fire: fireballs at its torso.
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Corner vision: crackle, glowing something.
...Firo's lightning, probably. Position suggests other left Ferregen.
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Rest of magic squad incoming.
"Reckless!" Tsuburaka's voice; arrows whistled past.
Charger: Torabutosu the Brawler, brass knuckles on, counter straight to Ferregen.
Unique steps kept distance, torso weaving under shears. Like watching boxing.
Water magic clipped him though—staggered each hit.
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Support: beat later, right-side shorty with sword and buckler passed—Kerusumeme kid.
Matched raised front leg with shield.
Shield surface... wriggling? No clue.
Off-balance, Torabutosu uppercut with full-body spring.
Ascending Dragon Fist! Brain dub.
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"Tough bastard!"
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Barely flinched; magic counter.
Arched back, reared on rear four legs, kicked with unused pair—Torabutosu airborne.
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"Tch!"
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Arrows flew; right shear swatted 'em. Six-limb barrage on Kerusumeme: pair shears, four legs.
Bad.
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Enhance again, thrust pose, close fast.
Left shear parry—zero-range fireball from blade tip.
Stunned; pumped two more.
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It redirected limbs—slack off, retreated.
Torabutosu flank smashed humanoid side.
Kerusumeme reset, pressuring.
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Torabutosu's aura? Battle-manga style. Ignore or lose.
Then foot aura shot to face.
Oh, projectiles too.
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Kerusumeme drew aggro cautious sword-shield.
Chance for me.
Arrow timing—accelerate, thrust.
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Humanoid torso reactive; targeted raised leg instead.
Vs humanoid/bear types, I'd aim weak joints—but shears looked tough.
Eight legs thinner, joints soft spots.
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If frontline launched, enhance + Air Pressure evac.
Gap? Close, slash intercept legs.
Simple in-out; Torabutosu drew heat.
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Third pass, joint hit—shriek, bucked wild.
Don't miss—full enhance, Air Pressure spin, jammed sword. Snap feel; leg tip airborne.
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"One down."
"Gioooooh! Guooooh!"
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No blood spray, but nerves hit—louder wails.
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Perfect timing—something dropped from sky.
Landed on carapace: captain, longsword plunged.
That jump attack—what is it?
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"You good?"
"Captain!"
"Captain~!"
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Squad eyes sparkled.
Glance back: front cleared. Distant crabs still pinned. Left: 10+ on one Ferregen, some down. Right: 5 on another, fresh ones too.
Stalemates. Finish ours quick, turn tide.
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Front again. Captain yanked sword, circling to confuse. Torabutosu/Kerusumeme disrupted for strikes. Captain two legs, kid one—slowing.
Just support... but captain too zippy, hard target.
Hates fire magic bad...
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Shgogoo...
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Close wary, Flame Thrower head-roast.
Defends head? Belly, legs.
Grilled crab.
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"Giii...!"
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Persistent grill—damage or heat hate? Visibly slowing.
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"Hmph."
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Finale: captain jump-landed, decapitated.
Maybe died on impact pierce—who knows weak spot.
Humanoid fakeout or real structure?
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Anyway, magic squad victory—rushed left. Captain right. Tide turned, battle ended soon.
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"...Five, huh."
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One more I missed—five Ferregen corpses piled.
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"Entering nest now. Monsters may lurk. Stay sharp."
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Captain-led entry team dove in.
I stayed out—first to detect rear Ferregen, on watch.
Nest mouth: wounded strewn.
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Many critical—limbs gone, careers doomed.
No deaths yet—small mercy.
Post-battle first aid + lone healer saved lives.
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Eyed sidelong, scanned forest. Straggler return possible.
Don alerted to rear Ferregen. Repeat? Doubtful.
Had to. MP under 10—Presence Detection up.
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Half-hour tense wait—entry team returned.
Carrying silent comrades.
...As feared: "half-eaten" inside. No live saves.
Three skeletons, three partials. Too late. Futile sigh.
Innumerable eggs destroyed too.
No nearby stragglers, and if stealth unique to this nest's Ferregen, no more losses.
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"That ability... Scouts missed every one..."
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Captain sighed.
Senka talking. "Every one"—rear stealth one. Front was bait. Scouts duped.
Self-praise, but my delay = deaths certain.
First squad half-wipe? Stealth ambush likely.
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"Presence block... no, perception jam closer. Never heard of stealth Ferregen."
"Yeah. Eggs mean not spawn—hope so."
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This southern Cross Point Ferregen logged as stealth type—ongoing probes.
Area depopulates, traffic shifts. Rookies skip Cross Point, Eneito Base north booms?
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Gazed at piled Ferregen and crabs, pondering.