Read Tandem :: 16. Regicide

Crunch!

Ahhh, refreshing!

I kinda suck at keeping time, so I don't know exactly how long it's been, but I've been in here for a while.

My ant corpse stockpile is noticeably lower than it used to be.

I've still got a lot left though, I won't need to worry about it for a while.

I've gotten some good training done so far, a lot of skills are way higher level now. I even managed to get health regeneration to level up enough to become accelerated health regeneration!

<H: 30/30>

<M: 20/20>

<E: 98/125>

<Skills:>

<Slash 8> <Cut 6> <Tunneling 4> <Scale armor 6> <Minor paralysis resistance 2> <Planning 6> <Prediction 5> <Fear resistance 1> <Camouflage 6> <Stealth 5> <Danger awareness 9> <Soul control 2> <Accelerated health regeneration 2> <Touch enhancement 3> <Soul defense 9> <Insight 9> <Artistry 4> <Lessened energy drain 4> <Energy regeneration 6> <Pain tolerance 9> <Exhaustion tolerance 8> <Mana perception 4> <beginner’s magic understanding 3> <enhanced eyesight 5> <dark sight 5> <Mana manipulation 1> <Nausea tolerance 1> <Soul manifestation 2> <Black magic 1> <Collaboration 1> <Earth magic 1>

As you can see, I've been hard at work.

Slash and tunneling weren't too difficult, I just had to hit the wall over and over again.

Unfortunately, it seems cut only levels up when it's used on living things

I don't really get why it's like that, but eh. Whatever, nothing I can do about it.

Back to my successes, I got scale armor to go up twice!

That one was a bit tough... I had to drop rocks on myself over and over.

But it was probably worth it! Tougher armor is obviously super duper important, right?

Planning went up just from me coming up with all the different training methods for the skills. Kinda like two birds with one stone, I guess.

Lessened energy consumption, energy regeneration, and exhaustion tolerance were probably the easiest of them all. I literally just had to work on the other skills, and they'd go up!

I'm confused by what lessened energy consumption turned into though... it became lessened energy drain, which... I mean, isn't that literally just the same thing?

Well, whatever. At least it's probably better, right?

Ahem, moving on...

Enhanced eyesight and dark sight also went up passively, though I did strain my eyes to try to level 'em even faster once I saw them go up the first time.

All in all, I did a pretty great job, if I do say so myself!

I'm definitely getting suuuuper sick of this place though, so I think I'm gonna leave.

Oh yeah, and Fir hasn't come back yet.

I'm still holding onto hope though!

Now, let's bust through this wall of rocks I blocked off the tunnels with.

Oooraa!

With one powerful hit, the barricade of rocks explodes open.

Hehehe, I'm super strong now! The training was worth it!

Time to head out!

I'll come back if I don't manage to find food, but I should be fine.

Hmmm...

I've passed by some ants as I've been walking, but... they aren't attacking me...

They just move aside as I walk by, like they're clearing a path.

A little while back, they blocked off one of the exits to the room I was in, while leaving the other one open.

I coulda just killed the ones blocking the way, but I decided to play along, for now at least.

I kinda wanna know where they're taking me.

The more I follow the ants, the more ants I see. Are they taking me deeper into their territory?

Why would they do that? Especially after I killed so many of them, including that really strong one.

Hmmmm...

I don't trust it.

They definitely wouldn't do this unless they were up to something.

But what?

Suddenly, a shiver goes through my whole body as I look into the dark chamber in front of me.

It's too dark to see, but I can tell something incredibly dangerous is in there.

I need to leave.

I turn around, but the exit has already been blocked by a horde of ants.

Shit!

Sensing something approaching me quickly, I dodge to the side.

A huge glob of green liquid shoots past me, and hits the ants blocking the exit.

Unfortunately, the ants that died from the attack were almost instantly replaced.

Is it another one of those super strong ants?

I don't have a choice here, I have to fight it.

I turn around as fast as I can, and run into the dark chamber the attack came from.

As I get close, I use insight to see what the enemy is.

It looks similar to that strong ant from before, but... I think this one might be even stronger.

It's head is covered in spikes, some of them coming together to make the shape of a crown on the top of it's head.

This thing's gotta be the leader.

Does that mean all the other ants will scatter once I kill it?

I guess I know what I gotta do then.

The ant readies itself into a strange stance, and an orb of green liquid begins forming in it's jaw.

Let's do this!

As soon as the ant releases the shot of green liquid, I jump to the side and run towards it.

It immedietly begins readying another shot, but before it has a chance to fire, I hit the ceiling above it, dropping massive chunks of rock down onto it.

Right before they hit the ant, it swiftly moves to the side.

Tch, that bastard's faster than I expected.

It's not over yet though!

Have another!

Once again, I launch myself towards the ceiling, hitting it and dropping another group of rocks down onto the ant.

It dodges again, but I accomplish my goal of interrupting it's attack.

Not missing this chance, I kick off the nearest rock, shooting myself towards the ant as it begins preparing another attack.

Oooooora!

I pass directly over it scraping it with my claws as hard as I can as I pass by.

Haha!

The ant stumbles, and the attack it was preparing falls to the ground with a loud sizzle.

Ready to give up yet? No?

Alright then! Let's continue!

This time, instead of beginning to prepare another long ranged attack, the ant uses it's speed to run up to me and attack with it's mandibles.

I dodge as fast as I can, the mandibles just barely snagging my back as I move aside.

Tch, looks like this thing's good in close combat too.

Guess I'll have to rethink my strategy.

Aha!

That's a good idea... time to get to work!

As soon as I see an opening, I run for the exit to the chamber.

Trying to stop me, the ant begins prepping another ranged attack.

Too bad buddy, but you aren't hitting me with that!

As I near the exit, I jump, hitting the top of the doorway as I pass through it.

The exit collapses just as I make it through, closing off the chamber.

The weakling ants are still here blocking the exit though, so I can't leave.

They aren't attacking either though, so it's time to put my plan into action~

Phew!

That took a while!

I'm starting to get a bit hungry...

Well, I guess I can eat once I kill this ant~

Let's begin!

I emerge from the tunnel I dug out into the tunnel that connects the leader ant's chamber to the rest of the cave system.

Mmm, yep, fodder ants are still here blocking the path.

That's fine, I'll come for you guys soon~

For now...

Ooraaa!

I attack the top few rocks of the blockade I made, opening a small hole that I can get through, but the ants can't.

I peek inside, and see the leader ant standing around idly.

Helloooo~

I'm baaaack~

Ready to start again?

Doesn't matter, we're starting anyway!

Before it takes notice of me, I lunge at it, digging my claws deep into it's back.

It shakes wildly, trying to throw me off.

Are you mad? Hm? Hmmm?

Are ya? Are ya?!

Well, come get me then!

I let go, jumping to the ground.

As I hit the ground, I strike it as hard as I can.

Cracks form, and stretch out across the whole chamber.

Everything's set up now~ Let's start for real this time.

The ant charges me, and I hop to the side right as it reaches me.

Gonna have to try harder than that, pal!

I jump to the ceiling and hit it, making some rocks to fall down.

They miss the ant.

But that's fine.

Now, I'm standing in the center of the chamber.

The ant is standing at the edge.

And there's a pile of rocks that looks a hell of a lot like a ramp right between us.

So, what will the ant do?

Run at me, making use of the ramp of course.

It jumps off the ramp, into the air, coming straight towards me.

I've won.

I run towards the exit as fast as I can, climbing the pile of rocks and getting to safe- but more importantly, stable ground, as the ant crashes into where I was standing.

As soon as it hits the floor, the ground cracks apart, swallowing up everything in the chamber.

Including the ant, of course.

Complete.

And total.

Victory!

Hehehe, Fir would be so happy if he were here.

Buuuut, he's not. So, I guess the choice of what we evolve into is all up to me now!

<Two possible evolutions found:

•Cavern beast

•Soricingulata>

Hmmm?

Why's that option a different color?

Well, now I just have to choose that one!

Besides, we've already had cavern beast as an option!

So, Soricingulata it is!

<Soricingulata chosen

Beginning evolution>

<Beginner's magic understanding has reached level 4>

<Beginner's magic understanding has reached level 5>

<Beginner's magic understanding has reached level 6>

Darkness.

Nothing.

But.

Darkness.

I think I'm going crazy.

I've been here for so long.

And I don't even know where here is.

Just endless nothingness, and the occasional rotten taste in my mouth.

I don't know how much longer I can take this.

I've held out for what feels like forever, yet still nothing happens.

I don't think I can take even another half of what I've already gone through.

I want to be-!

Light suddenly floods my eyes, and the stench of blood invades my nostrils.

-free?

Huuuuuh?

Where... is this?

It's obviously the same area we were in before, but...

There's a giant pit in the middle of the chamber we're in, and the only exit is blocked off by a bunch of rocks.

I'm kinda glad it is though, because I hear some terrifying noises on the other side.

{Gloria?}

No response.

Hm...

Well, I should probably see how we're doing. I don't feel any pain or injuries, but it couldn't hurt to check.

<H: 45/45>

<M: 40/40>

<E: 135/135>

<Skills:>

<Titles:>

•increases XP gains for mind-related skills

•Increases mental clarity

•Allows for increased understanding and cooperation between different minds

•indirect kills caused by the user are counted as direct kills

•applies camouflage effect proportionate to user’s camouflage skill to traps

•increases XP gains for knowledge related skills

•unlocks hidden evolution options

•(Locked)

•Increases regeneration

•Increases magical understanding skills

Umm... what?

'Soricingulata'?

What's that?

A ton of skills are way higher level now too...

Wait, even magic understanding?

Did Gloria manage to figure something out?

No, no way! Gloria figuring out something I couldn't? No waaaay.

And this new title...

Ancient being...

We're quite young though?

Seems a little rude, honestly...

Ah, one of the locked options of the discoverer of the dead title opened up.

'Unlocks hidden evolution options', huh. I guess that explains why we suddenly aren't a cavern pest anymore.

Man, this is a lot to take in.

A lot happened while I was out.

Well, I guess I should just be glad I didn't die.

I'm probably only back because of that new soul regeneration skill.

I'm very glad Gloria didn't get us killed while I was gone.

Actually...

The thought of death makes me think of something... scary

We were reincarnated into this world.

Typically, reincarnation means dying and being reborn.

Same soul, different body.

That means death does not mean the end of the soul.

In that case, what would have happened to me if my soul sustained any more damage during that battle...

Judging by how many levels of soul regeneration we have, and by assuming they were all gained from my soul regenerating, my soul must have taken a lot of damage back then.

If I had been hit even a single time more than I was... what would have happened to me?

Would I have completely... faded away?

I think it may be a good idea to seal any soul related abilities again for the time being.

The risk is too high.

...

It sure is taking a while for Gloria to wake up.

I assume we just evolved, which is why she's asleep right now.

Maybe I'll try to figure out some magic stuff while I wait.

Can't let those three extra levels go to waste.

Hmmm...

It's... well, it's something, but this still isn't enough for me to actually start using magic.

So frustrating!

Why can't there be some kind of skill shop I can use to just pay to win!

Skill shops are a staple of so many good reincarnated-as-a-monster stories! Why don't I get one!?

<*crackle*>

Hm?

Hmmmm?

<45%>

<87%>

<99%>

H-huh?