Astroth : The Last Dragon

Dungeon (4)

Breaking the melancholy and solemn heart of Kazuma, a voice echoed in the caved dungeon, "Let's go, Astroth! We have to move faster to conquer the dungeon sooner or the ants will gather after hearing the crackle of those dead ants."

Kazuma turned to Zoukar and stared at him for a while. From his statement, he could infer this dungeon had a lot more monster ants than he thought. However, he had yet to believe everything Zoukar said since he had never witnessed his might other than the soul binding.

Keeping his faith in Zoukar aside, they marched forward while carefully sneaking their way further into the dungeon. Even so, nothing contrasting or particularly strange crossed their path; everything was the same dark cave.

While on their way, Zoukar suddenly began speaking to Kazuma, "This dungeon had lots of ants around. Even the cave is larger than one could think. If you felt we were at the beginning of the dungeon, then you’re outright wrong. We’re in the middle of nowhere in the ant hill."

He paused his statement with a reverie as if some strange memory had resurfaced in his head. Kazuma, however, had no idea what Zoukar was thinking or contemplating in his crazy head. His lonely self sometimes captivates Kazuma since even he was lonely all his life, but Zoukar’s nutty head was far apart from Kazuma's.

That insaneness freaked Kazuma out from time to time. He wanted to escape Zoukar’s grasp as soon as he could, but before that he needed to learn more magic spells for his growth and strength.

After that momentary pause, Zoukar continued, "Ants have an enormous family which consists of soldiers, workers named drones or something along the way." His conversation again caught Kazuma's attention.

Zoukar continued his lecture, "The one to rule these laborious beings is their imposing mighty queen, who rules them on her mighty throne. She continues to conceive numerous soldiers and workers for her army, who resolve themselves every second to die and fight for the said queen. We invaded the home of such a large army. What do you think? Can we survive or will this dungeon become our grave?"

After reporting the knowledge, he let out a hysterical laugh. That giggle of his resembles the wacky personality just as his name suggests. For a while, Kazuma thought this man had a vulnerable side with a hidden past. However, after that laughter, all his doubts vanished.

Kazuma confirmed this man as nothing but a crazy madman who just wields this type of personality. His sudden seizures of solemnity and chuckling with timely gaps had no profound meaning.

Then Kazuma contemplated Zoukar's last question. He had no idea whom Zoukar had directed them to. Whether it was towards Kazuma or himself, no one knows. However, Kazuma realized this place was more threatening than whatever he saw in the last battle.

While pondering over the facts, Kazuma heard another one of those rumblings from deeper into the dungeon. Startling from those noises, Kazuma frowned and glanced at Zoukar. Kazuma needed his reaction because he didn't have much strength or will of his own.

Zoukar glanced back and whispered, "There must be some kind of anthill chamber further there. We should sneak on our toes to not alert any of the ants. Don't make any noise, Astroth."

"It's not like I would do anything that would threaten my life. Still, thanks for your advice, damn mage!" Kazuma thought inwardly.

Gradually, they reached the entrance of a huge chamber. Kazuma sneaked into the chamber, and the view bewildered him. He saw numerous large eggs of a yellow shade spread all around the hall.

Even some ants, similar to the ones Kazuma faced, defended and cared for the eggs. Their attention revolved around those numerous eggs rather than any invaders. Whereas beside them, some red ants with fierce tentacles roamed around. They had what one could refer to as weapons since those pointy and sharp limbs could leisurely pierce even Kazuma’s scales.

Zoukar chuckled at the sight of that chamber and whispered, "This must be the egg chamber where more of these monsters increase their numbers. The black ants are nothing but workers, while the red ones are fierce soldiers."

He again paused in his talk that he casually does. After a moment, he resumed, "I found a good way to call forth their attention here. We can assume the number of red ants from the eggs. Even if we go the hard way, we may get drained and tired from fighting non-stop with first black ants and then red, whereas the difficulty would move forward to the sky. While we should remember the queen, who had even more strength than these pawns.

Hence, I would plan to use their only weakness to drive the queen and her soldiers out of their camp... haha "

As before, Zoukar giggled with his ominous smile. His sinister vibe chokes even Kazuma, even though he has become a reptile-like monster. Zoukar’s plan would certainly be even more malevolent than his personality.

However, after these few moments of sticking with him, Kazuma could somehow infer how brutal the next action could be. Since that strategy would increase his survival rate, Kazuma had no qualms about it.

"So, what is the plan? Just blurt it out like you always do and cook my ears with your blabbering?" Kazuma sneered inwardly.

Even so, it's not like Zoukar knew Kazuma, or to say his slave beast has a wise consciousness of its own, he always blurts his strategy anyway. Kazuma was expecting the same from Zoukar as always.

Zoukar whispered with a light giggle, "Listen to my plan, Astroth... hahaha"