Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Ant Nest (3)
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After that, we pressed on for another thirty minutes or so, slashing our way through Bat Monsters.
Thanks to the sweltering heat and humidity, plus constantly swinging my sword, sweat was pouring down my neck.
And I was just rear guard. Victor and Zeke up front had it even worse.
I could see sweat cascading off them like waterfalls from swinging their heavy armor-clad bodies nonstop.
Just as I was wondering if we were pushing too hard, Victor spoke up.
"Looks like we've cleared out most of the Bat Monsters—they're not showing up anymore! Whew... This seems like a good spot to use a Presence Blocking Scroll and take a break. And there's a nice little side cave right here!"
His words brought a wave of relief, easing the tension from our faces.
A small dug-out cave nearby. Just big enough for five or six people to rest in.
It was a welcome respite for us. Monaka was the first to duck inside and flop down.
"Haaah... Good work up front, you guys..."
"You too, Monaka."
Victor, Zeke, and I followed suit, entering the cave and leaning against the walls to rest.
"I beseech the One True God Freya... May her holy light envelop us and shield us from our foes..."
The only one still standing, Andrei, pulled a scroll from his backpack and cast a presence-blocking spell over us.
Then he finally ducked inside after us.
"Yawn... I'm beat. The second we enter a labyrinth, time flies, all we do is sweat, and it's exhausting."
"......"
-Swish.
"Huh? What's this?"
"...Here."
Zeke handed Monaka a handkerchief.
Monaka pretended to shiver in disgust and said,
"What... You carry stuff like this? No thanks. I don't use other people's used things."
And it made sense— it was an adorably dainty handkerchief that clashed wildly with Zeke's rugged look.
"Never used it once."
"Still no."
"......"
Monaka turned her head away. Zeke scowled at her, then pocketed the handkerchief again.
Watching that, I thought to myself,
'That handkerchief... is ridiculously cute. Doesn't match Zeke's image at all.'
Why would he carry something like that? Not that I'm judging or anything...
It looked brand new, never used. So maybe he bought it as a gift for someone?
'...Huh?'
But just now, Zeke had tried to give that handkerchief to Monaka.
A gift handkerchief?
To Monaka?
Hmm...
Suddenly suspicious, I glanced at Monaka.
She was fanning herself with her hand, pointedly avoiding Zeke's gaze.
Observing quietly from the edge, I noticed her peeking at him through half-closed eyes, clearly aware of him.
All my questions clicked into place.
'...Does Zeke like Monaka?'
That was when it hit me.
"...Tch."
Zeke shot to his feet.
"Huh? Zeke! Where are you going?!"
"Macho."
He flashed something in his hand to Victor, then left the cave.
"Man, that guy's such a chain-smoker! Who knows how many he smoked before we even entered the labyrinth..."
...What was that about?
Smoking macho?
What's macho?
No way... not the dangerous stuff I was thinking of, right?
"Victor, um... what's macho?"
"Huh? You don't know macho? Weird. Even Ariel Academy professors smoke it."
"Ahaha, I don't have friends and I'm a freshman, so I'm clueless about stuff like this."
"Tch... Yeah, fair enough! My little bro Sian wouldn't know even rumors about my brother Barrian!"
Victor rubbed his chin, gathered his thoughts, and continued.
"It's commonly called 'macho.' Official name is mana weed. You mix various mana-recovery herbs per a recipe, grind 'em up, roll 'em in paper, light it up, and smoke it! Supposedly recovers mana and fatigue temporarily when you puff."
"Ooh..."
Phew, not what I feared.
There's still stuff in this world I don't know... Intriguing.
"By the way, Victor, does smoking it... make you feel good?"
"Huh?"
Victor's eyes widened.
"How'd you know, kid? Didn't you say you didn't know macho?"
"Ah, I've heard bits and pieces about similar things indirectly. Not exactly sure."
"Hmm. Yeah, it relieves fatigue and lifts your mood. But it's temporary. Overdo it, and it drains your body instead—pure poison."
"Ah, got it."
As I nodded in admiration, Monaka muttered under her breath,
"There are plenty of other ways to recover mana, so why bother smoking macho..."
She sighed, then shot a disdainful look at Zeke smoking outside.
"Especially that guy's bad. Puffing constantly—feels like he's smoking for other reasons, not mana recovery. Looks like he has no self-control. Hate that."
Curious, I asked Monaka,
"Self-control... Does macho have addictive qualities?"
"Yeah. People keep coming back for that mood-lifting buzz."
I see.
Basically like a healthy cigarette for the body.
Intriguing, but addictive? Pass.
"Back already! What a chain-smoker."
Victor stood as Zeke returned to the cave.
"Alright, up we go. Rest too long, and we'll lose our edge. Gotta keep fighting."
"Yep."
We all rose, following Victor's lead.
About ten minutes of rest, it felt like.
We grabbed our weapons, formed ranks, and advanced again.
"This is weird..."
Victor rubbed his chin, tilting his head.
We'd reached a fork.
Our push through the labyrinth had been smooth sailing.
We figured it'd stay that way.
Until we saw the three branching caves.
"Intel said only two paths...?"
Victor puzzled over it, eyeing each tunnel in turn.
'This... must be it.'
Fuzzy memory, but I recalled.
Ant species breeding season.
Ant species monsters in labyrinths or caves dig an extra tunnel during breeding season.
Two becomes three. Six becomes seven.
To make space for eggs.
Lay a ton in the new one, then move their nest there.
"Trouble. Intel said the last path leads to the Giant Ant... but now we can't trust it."
Probably outdated intel.
They'd relocated by now, like I said.
So we need to scout for the new nest.
'...The quietest presence likely hides the Giant Ant queen.'
Ant species usually cluster presences thickly, but during breeding, they're sensitive—so they post minimal guards near the nest.
Meaning the other tunnels swarm with max forces.
'Time to move a bit.'
As Victor, Andrei, Zeke, and Monaka huddled indecisively, I walked to the three cave mouths.
Closed my eyes, crouched at each entrance, placed a hand on the ground, and calmly circulated my dantian.
-Shoooo...
"Huh? What's Sian doing now?"
Monaka blinked at me breaking formation.
"Tch, what can a kid do? Let's keep talking."
"Hey, why do you talk like—"
Zeke cut Monaka off and resumed the debate.
...Ignore them. Focus on the dantian circulation.
Presences beyond the dark veil thread toward my hand like silk.
'...Thirty—no, at least fifty.'
First and third caves teem with them.
Second feels lighter, but not conclusive.
I kept sensing. Tracked their movements.
'......'
Minutes passed.
I mapped their frequent paths, avoided zones, formations.
Key clue: Ant monsters avoid the second cave in droves.
Solid lead.
But be thorough.
Finally, I circled the entrances, checking floors.
'First and third are trampled uneven—tons of ants passing through... Hmm.'
Second was bumpy as expected, but fewer breaks and dips.
...Answer found.
I approached the still-arguing group.
"I say second!"
"No, third."
Victor and Zeke at it again.
Victor for second. Zeke for third.
"First and third have headwinds! Fighting there sucks if it's wrong!"
Victor said.
"No. Third for sure. Heavy presence—must be guards around the Giant Ant queen. No brainer."
Zeke countered.
Valid points... but pre-breeding logic.
Now it's probably the opposite...
Monaka and Andrei wavered between them.
...No choice.
I wedged into their circle.
"I agree with Victor."
I said casually.
Zeke's face darkened instantly.
"...Kid, stay out."
"Kahaha! What's wrong, Zeke? He might just agree with me!"
Victor beamed and turned to me.
"Yeah! Sian, why second?"
"First and third mean headwinds—draining fight, and retreat if wrong. Better hit second first; regroup and retry if not."
"Kid. You saying retreat over a mere Giant Ant? Adventurer's Guild'll call us rabble!"
Zeke bristled openly.
"I get your point, Zeke. But if second's right?"
"Eh? Sian knows where the Giant Ant is?"
Monaka sidled up, eyes sparkling.
"Not sure, but I suspect. Breeding season."
""Breeding season?""
I explained to their puzzled faces.
"Yes. Ant species dig extra tunnels then for eggs. They minimize guards at the nest."
"Whoa... Sian's amazing. Where'd you learn that?"
"Overheard from an adventurer acquaintance."
"You're the best! So we don't have to fight?!"
Monaka hooked my arm again.
Sigh, used to it now.
Guess that's her personality.
"...And if you're wrong?"
Then Zeke stomped over, face twisted.
"Pardon?"
"If no Giant Ant in second, then what?"
"......?"
...Is he nuts?
Zeke loomed threateningly.
I just gave logical party advice.
Now he's picking a fight openly? What's his deal?
Like this, I had nothing to say back.
I met his glare calmly, silently.
That's when...
"Hey, Zeke! What're you saying to the kid?! Sian, don't worry—big sis'll handle it."
Monaka hugged me protectively, snapping at Zeke instead.
"Um... sorry to interrupt, but I think second's best too. Mana drain from light spells on the way..."
Andrei chimed in wearily.
"Can't be helped! Second it is, like I said. No more arguing! Forward!"
Victor grinned triumphantly.
"Yeah! Second first! Who cares about rep? Survival matters!"
"......"
"......"
Monaka fanned the flames. Everyone shuffled silently toward the second cave.
But then...
-Grind...!
A faint teeth-grinding sound echoed from somewhere.
No one else seemed to hear.
I glanced toward it.
"......"
"......"
There, beside me...
Zeke glared sidelong, face more twisted than before.