Chapter 35: To The Infector Nest (1)

IT WAS ALMOST AFTERNOON when Wrik and the others arrived in front of the entrance of the Infector Nest. Wrik was wearing the hideous helmet for the first time, after buying the armour set, while others don't have any helmet on but none of their pieces of equipment was cheap compared to his. Maybe he and Anton were the poorest of the group.

"This is it," Wrik said, looking at the entrance of the burrow. Though it was afternoon, the burrow was seething with gloom.

It didn't take any less than five hours since they travelled their way in here. They didn't come across any Infectors in their way, making their journey fast and easy. And it seemed the hard part was about to begin.

"Let's go," Tanya opened her blue lime lamp from the accessories before advancing towards the entrance. The other four guys in the group followed.

The moment they landed on the burrow, a message greeted all of them.

[You have entered the Infectors Nest.]

So, they were in the right place

[You have triggered the main quest of the Trial Phase-II]

[Main quest: Clear out the Injectors from the Infector Nest.

The Infector Nest was the primary source of all the infectors in the Trial. You have taken the first step in locating the underground lair. Now the only thing left is to clean this lair out. Beware, there are more than a thousand Infectors here.

Rewards:

- Omega credits according to contribution to the mission's competition.

- Omega points after the completion of the mission.

- ???]

Well, that was a shocker, but no one in the group looked apprehensive at that. They didn't have much time to follow the task here. Their principal goal was to save their companion. Besides, there were thousands of Infectors here; Wrik didn't know how strong they would be, but compared to the Goblins, it should be a step further.

"Do not utilize any amount of Mahamana until it is needed." Tanya reminded again.

Wrik nodded unconditionally with the others. As Tanya had already taught them that the infectors were attracted to Maha Mana, and it tried to destroy or devour anything that had a smell of Maha mana in it.

"It's a bit creepy here," Davin said in an unnatural tone.

Yes, it's spooky here. In the strangling gloom, the light was lost after a few distances. Wrik might see better if he triggered the [Eye of Insights], but he didn't take the chances, as he had to save that for an emergency. Who knew what this awful place would throw at them?

The group of five advanced into the subterranean passage. The one in the front was, as usual, Anton—and Wrik was beside him, equipped with his long sword. Followed by Tanya in the middle and Evan and Davin in the back. It's the most aggressive and defensive standpoint for them.

Wrik checked the map on the emergency quest again and couldn't help but sighed. There's no path showed on the map, only the location of An Byul on a red dot. And there's a blue dot now, indicating their location. It would have been much easier it's a straight path or a straightforward way towards her. But it looked like it was more complicated than the first time he saw it.

"It's a damn maze!" Exclaimed Anton, resting his ear from the sidewall. He marked an arrow sign in the wall before continuing. "We have to hurry. It seems the whole subterranean region is an enormous maze."

Wrik's expression darkened, and so did the others. They were in a hurry in the beginning and now they have to solve this maze to make their way towards their colleague.

"We should hurry then," Tanya said in a flat tone. In the dim blue light, she appeared to be anxious, as a frown was present on her brows. Her facial expression was not present as well.

As they raised their pace in the maze, at least double, but still maintaining the form. And moving a quarter of an hour before the Tracker—Anton stopped in his lead.

"Incoming," Anton equipped his blade on the right arm from his waist while a short knife on the left. "Get ready."

They didn't utter a word, got themselves ready for their first battle with the Infectors.

And soon the screeches of the dead men reached their ears as the infectors detected them and rushed in madness towards them. The numbers were over a dozen.

Wrik gripped the hilt of the sword in his upper right as he waited for it to come. Anton was beside him, ready as well.

"Remember to behead it or assault its head…" a familiar female voice came into his ears.

Wrik braced himself as he sensed the incoming hideous creature towards him. He shoved his leg further as the grip on the hilt tightened. He didn't change from the defensive stance and waited for the right moment. And after only one block, it came.

He pierced the head of the first one that came towards him from his upper right to down. The impact he felt was that it's quite tough, tougher than the goblins. And it seemed it didn't have any fear the goblins had. The Infectors lunged towards him as the screeching raised to another level. 'It's as hideous as the legend goes,' he mused. 'Loud too.'

Wrik activated the [Eye of Insights] and checked an inspection on the target to have a clear idea of their strength and weakness.

Soon a minimal window appeared in front of him; nonetheless, he found reading while in combat was quite inefficient. He took a mental note to never make this type of blunder again.

[Target: Infectors (Humanoid)

Height: 160cm - 190cm.

Mass: 60kg - 100kg.

Rank: E

Private Attributes :

Strength: 15

Agility: 12

Constitution: 16

Vitality: 18

Perception: 10

Intelligence: 4

Magic Power: 7

Description: The targets are the lowest level of Infectors with no intelligence. It only attacks with the instinct of hunger and destruction. Anything that has a whiff of Maha is its enemy. Advising the user to slit its neck or piercing its head in order to kill.]

He didn't have the time to read all the information as a couple of Infectors charged at him. While another was coming from behind.

A flying knife pierced the infector that was about to assault him from the side. It would have been dangerous if not for Anton.

"Do not get distracted," Anton yelled and continued with the assault.

Wrik dismissed the window, as he took the stance with the sword in his middle-front pointing angularly towards an infector. It's good that it didn't have any weapons or have any understanding of mana. If not, it would be messier than they could handle.

He dodged the claw of the infector sideways as he swung the sword to its neck. He had to force out most of the muscle power before he could sever its head. Its head fell on the ground with thick liquid, then its body.

Now the numbers of the infectors were equal to them, five against five, but the infectors didn't have any fear, lunged at them with some intensity.

Wrik finished up another one to notice that some of them on the ground have ice spikes pierced in their body and while few had their heads fractured or severed.

"Crap! More is coming," Anton cursed, inhaling a deep breath. He sighed as he took the stance. "Looks like An Byul and Kevin have to wait longer."

__________