Chapter 88: Questionable deal.

Chapter 88: Questionable deal.

The insects' mandibles snapped shut as the person it was chomping on disappeared, teleported out of the arena. I cut its head in two before it could react to this new development, pulling out my greatsword with a wet squelch.

That should be the last of them I muttered to myself. The few stubborn contestants that had stuck around after my announcement had now all been sent away. They would rejoin the competition in 10 or so minutes, but my hope was that they would now understand the implications of trying to muscle their way into my territory.

With a predatory smirk, I continued my slaughter, since tier 2 bugs really werent much of a challenge.

Over the next hour, I continued killing the bugs that assaulted me. The hivemind had tried to attack me in every way. Sending squadrons of bugs to attack me from below, sending flying bugs to attack me from the air, even everything at once, but it was futile. I really had to thank my maelstrom for my success. Those without AOE skills would be crying right about now.

As time passed, I racked up more and more points, though I noticed their numbers start to thin near the end of it. Sure, more insectoids popped up with every few kills, but it seemed the hivemind had caught on to my strategy, because fewer and fewer were appearing to reinforce their assault. It wouldnt be willing to infinitely supply me with more fodder, anyway.

As I killed the final bug present, no more new ones dug themselves out of the earth to replace them. In fact, I couldnt even hear the sound of their burrowing anymore. The rumbling and shaking had stopped, the only sign that there had ever been a hive of bug monsters here being the corpses left behind.

All of this led me to believe that my well of points had dried up, that I would have to search for another crown to farm for points. That would waste valuable time though

Before I could finish that thought, the rumbling and shaking picked up again, louder and heavier than last time, respectively. I searched for its source with my mana sense, but had no luck. Whatever was causing that ruckus, didnt have enough mana on its own to be picked up on. Helios, I couldnt wait to tier up that skill.

Because of that, all I could do to prepare was keep my blade at the ready and my senses alert, so that I could jump out of the way if it emerged below me.

This turned out not to be necessary, because when the rumbling intensified and the earth split to reveal my opponent, the humongous bug kept a respectful distance.

It was easily the size of a house, its mandibles and legs as long and sharp as swords. This time, I was faced with a centipede-like creature, though it still shared some features with the bugs I had been fighting before, mostly its color palette.

It snapped its mandibles as it took in the sight of me, as well as the carnage Id left behind. I wasnt sure if it understood the implications of the bodies next to me, if it wanted vengeance for the death of its brothers and sisters or just saw me as a tasty snack. Hell, I didnt even know if this thing was attached to the hivemind or not!

It didnt matter though. Our battle was inevitable.

I reacted as the creature dove back underground, the dry earth parting for it as it moved. I ran up to its twisting body that was quickly submerging itself and attempted to leave a curse mark on its shell. Unfortunately, the shell's defensive property was outstanding and my blade just glanced off with a twang. Before I could aim for its softer underbelly, which it had kept close to the ground to prevent me from reaching it, the creature twisted further and disappeared underground completely.

Damn it. Too arrogant of me. I shouldve gone for the underbelly. I mumbled frustratedly. I had aimed for the shell because I could reach it far faster and because I had believed that my strike would have been strong enough to crack the shell, but it seemed that was not the case.

It continued to burrow under me, until it eventually attacked from below. As it rushed out of the ground and nearly took flight, I dashed out of the way and realigned my body with its own, leaving a cut in its belly before it managed to submerge again.

From here, things would become easier. I placed my focus in sword arcs and overloaded orbs which I sent into the sky above me. My skills would then turn around and head for the curse mark I had left behind, whether I wanted them to or not. This meant that my attacks followed the creatures movement to the minutest detail, and dug their way into the ground to reach their target. In the orbs case, they just blew up instead, sometimes revealing the monsters tunnel as the dust cleared.

I managed to force it out of the ground that way, and force it to scuttle rather than dig to get around. This caused the fight to turn into a melee battle. I didnt bother holding my mana intrusion back and sent a little bit into its body everytime its pincers clashed with my sword. This was only possible because the knicks my tier 4 sword left in its pincers technically counted as cuts for the system. Still, it did the job.

The fight intensified as the creature started to realise it was dying, because its attacks became borderline suicidal. It rushed forward with no way to retreat, either sending me flying into a boulder or causing it to accrue more egregious wounds along its underbelly. A few minutes later, its wounds and overloading mana intrusion finally got the best of it.

No, my last crown was cleared. I explained, leaving out a lot of crucial details.

Apparently, Karon caught on anyway.

So you got rid of your alliance, then? Not entirely unexpected, I suppose

The alliance members that Karon led recoiled a bit at the implications of what their leader had said.

I didnt bother making conversation and gave him an ultimatum.

Stop bothering me and leave. This crown is mine. I declared. The welcoming smile on Karons face became a little strained, hearing that, while his subordinates started to draw their weapons in anticipation. Karon lifted a single hand to calm them.

Do you really believe that you can defeat us all by yourself? Im not weak either, you know he said threateningly.

I do. Your move. I replied confidently.

Karons smile widened as he cooked up another scheme.

How about we make a deal, then. he said, sounding like a merchant selling snake oil.

A deal? I asked. I dont need to make deals to get what I want. I replied, uncompromising.

Just think about it Karon said placatingly. We could fight right here. No doubt, you would win in the end, if only because of your healing capabilities. However, you wouldnt gain many points, if any, doing so. We could fight to stall and keep you from clearing this crown for a long while. That, I am certain of. he said slowly.

I grunted, acknowledging his threat.

The deal I had in mind is simple the B alliance shall leave you to clear this crown and in return you owe me one favor, to be cashed in in this round, at any time. Dont worry, I wont order you to defeat yourself or take up too much of your time with my favor. he proposed.

After thinking about it for a few seconds, I agreed.

As long as it doesnt cost me too many points to do so, I will complete your favor.

Then it seems we have a deal Karon announced, smiling.

We shook hands on it, and the B alliance left me to my devices.

When I heard the ground start to rumble again, I knew they had left the canyon.