Chapter 104 - Against The Ant Champions

Without hesitation, Aldrin's refined energy churned and oozed out of his feet before it took an almost colorless hue.

Shadow Steps!

Using that Concept, Aldrin charged through the blossoming Life Energy explosion, ignoring the fact the four other Ant Champions were all put a target on his back, keen on preventing him from doing what he planned.

They got careless, or rather, they hadn't expected that Aldrin could be that crafty. Like he said, the Ant Champions who was like the pinnacle of strength among their Colony was confident that Aldrin wouldn't be able to get past them.

Despite the third tier of the multiplier, his own estimated strength was only around early Stage 2 Energy Refiner or a little above it. He could solo a Guardian Ant or a Spider Sentinel without the help of his Dimensional Clones or using an Essence Grenade.

Those two were only Level 21. 6 levels lower than the weakest Ant Champion. He could certainly fight against Ant Champion Kata and defeat it along with his Dimensional Clones, however, the other Ant Champions were a different matter.

That's why Aldrin had to stick to his plan of reducing their numbers. And the only chance to do it was at the beginning of their battle.

He was relieved that they didn't attack him right away and just imposingly stood before him.

So, to thank them for that chance…

"Let me send one of you to a nice place!"

At the same time as Aldrin shouted that, the three Dimensional Clones and the four Summoned Units; comprising of two Guardian Ants and two Spider Sentinels received their orders from him.

'Prevent the Champions from disrupting my kill!'

The Spider Sentinels' eggs that they laid when they entered this Royal Ant Queen Chamber all cracked open.

The Spider Sentinel Spawns that Aldrin somehow dreaded to face by himself crawled towards one of the Champions. The Level 30 Ant Champion Ahab.

Its eerie head that of a woman with antennae shriek in disgust as the spawns started climbing her insect body, halting her movements to stop Aldrin.

They're weak, true. However, their purpose was only for distraction. And they're the best suited for it.

Ahab flailed with its many daggers to cut away the spawns. However, they're all ordered to just cover the Champion's body. Since they're only alive for a limited time, there's also no reason for them to fear for their life.

Although not the same scene, the Dimensional Clones wielding Grade 2 Weapons and Guardian Ants marked the other two Ant Champions and successfully deterred them from aiding the ant that was blasted by an Essence Grenade.

That's three out of four.

The last one that they failed to keep in check was actually, the strongest. The Level 39 Ant Champion Sira!

It showcased a speed even faster than Aldrin's Shadow Steps. That's even when it dragged the thick and heavy greatsword with it.

Aldrin's sight was still blocked by billowing smoke or the hungry fire generated by the Life Energy explosion when he felt the presence suddenly appearing in front of him.

And along with it, the extreme sense of danger coming from his side.

"Already?!"

That's all he could mutter when he hurriedly twisted his body, partly abandoning his plan to locate Kata through the IDLE Database's information bar that showed its information as well as its pained screeching.

"Invader. Die. You."

At the same time as he felt his back being slashed open by a thick blade, that screeching voice of the Ant Champion Sira rang in his ears once more.

The Dark Warrior Battlesuit had been slashed away but at least, it protected the supposed vitals of the Dimensional Clone that he's controlling. And luckily for him, he unequipped the sixth piece gifted by Janet or else, that attack by Sira could destroy it.

He had learned his lesson during the first Dungeon, after all. Champions were no joke. He could earn back the IDLE Points he used to buy the set of Battlesuit so it's fine for him even if it broke and became a useless piece of junk but for the sixth piece, it's unobtainable through the Idle Shopping.

Nonetheless, even if he didn't die from that attack, the pain receptor was also at 100%. Aldrin gulped down a scream of pain as vividly felt the large wound on his back that at the moment might be proven fatal due to how severe the warning began flashing in front of him.

"No! I will not die just like this! I will finish this dungeon and conquer this Dimension!"

Whether that was what's truly in his mind or not, Aldrin deliriously shouted in slight frustration as he pulled something out.

The Allcure Elixir.

He had to survive or else… the Dungeon Raid would end without him and he had no idea if he could win on his next attempt.

Before crashing on the ground because of lost balance, Aldrin threw it in his mouth.

[You consumed an Allcure Elixir]

[Essence transformed into particles to accelerate regeneration to its maximum limit]

[Consuming another Allcure Elixir within 30 minutes will cause no effect]

Along with that notification, Aldrin felt an extreme heat burning his innards even if it was Poker's body. Moments later, the pain and the feeling of the open wound at his back gradually disappeared.

By the time he felt his knees crashing on the ground, Aldrin's head hurriedly moved to locate his target.

As soon as his eyes caught sight of the writhing ant along with the information bar showing its name and level, Aldrin pulled out another weapon from his Spatial Pocket.

The Obsidian Blaster.

With his accuracy near perfect when using it, Aldrin aimed the gun and unhesitatingly pulled the trigger, shooting Kata before it could even think of struggling onto its insect feet.

Not only that, Aldrin once again used Shadow Steps, racing along the bullet shot by Obsidian Blaster to reach the blasted ant. And by using the Winterthorn, a crescent blade of shadow slashed its body. 

And if that's not enough or he's just hurrying himself before Sira could notice that he survived, Aldrin also used Ripple, activating an unknown source of power from the Dimensional Clone he's possessing.

The angle of his body changed as the Winterthorn quickly changed into a downward slash, breaking into different branches as it snaked through anything it hits.

Before Aldrin's eyes, the effect of Winterthorn took effect as soon as the Shadow Blade slashed open its insect carapace.

Soon after, the crisp sound of shattering ice reverberated. The bullet from Obsidian Blaster broke through its body.

Even if Kata tried to desperately stand up and get away from where he was lying down after the blast, Aldrin's ruthless triple attacks robbed it of that chance.

By the time the Ripple Skill reached the poor Ant Champion, two notifications quickly blocked Aldrin's eyesight.

[IDLE Points +500]

[Ant Champion Kata's corpse has been transferred to Idle Storage]

A lot has happened however, all of that took only a few seconds of time.

As the corpse of the Ant Champion disappeared from his sight, Aldrin had no time to rejoice from his success.

"INVADER!"

Aldrin had no idea if it was a mournful shriek from Sira or not. However, one thing was definite, he better get out and retreat before the intense killing intent from the Ant Champion reached him and put an end to his goal.

He's in no condition to counter, dodge or even block its attack. His back was still searing with pain. The Allcure Elixir still hadn't completely fixed his body!

"I told you! That's overconfidence!" Aldrin replied in kind as he dashed away.

Taking up his place were three Shadow Clones.

Without looking back to the fate of his three Shadow Clones, Aldrin continuously used Shadow Steps to reach the vicinity of the Spider Sentinels.

The two huge eight-legged freaks were just starting to weave their reddish silk towards the second weakest Ant Champion.

However, right as Aldrin cast his eye on it, a strong surge of water suddenly appeared as it swirled around it.

And by doing so, the small Spider Spawns were washed and plucked away from its body, revealing the incensed womanly face of the Ant Champion.

Its eyes glared at one of the Spider Sentinels before throwing the four oceanic blue daggers from its insect hands.

Although the daggers aren't as quick as Aldrin's bullet, the surge of water that suddenly appeared actually originated from them.

As they flew through the air, those swirling surges of water akin to a whirlpool shot towards the first Spider Sentinel.

"K-KRILL!" The Ant Champion Ahab shrieked.

Upon seeing that, Aldrin immediately backed away and sent a hurried command to the targeted Spider Sentinel.

Unfortunately, that's all too late.

Because of its huge body, the four daggers homed towards its swelling abdomen.

Without any chance to scream. The Spider Sentinel reverted back to a Core before disappearing.

"Is that a Concept? These Champions can really use a Concept?"

Although Aldrin was bitter about losing the Spider Sentinel, that was overtaken by his surprise from what he witnessed.

Even if it's not truly a Concept and just utilization of Dimensional Energy, Aldrin feared for his completion of the Dungeon.

Reducing their numbers seemed effective at first but if every single Champion left behind could do the same thing as Ahab, they would be picked off one by one.

"Screw this! How do you expect me to win here if they're all monsters out of my league!" Aldrin frustratingly shouted above.. Hoping it would reach whoever bestowed him the IDLE Database.