13 Nemesis

The insect's copper-brown head was accentuated by its vibrant orange skin, which glimmered in the light and was dotted with black spots. Its hard exoskeleton protected it, and its six spindly legs kept it rooted in place. Despite being typically found in warm, tropical climates, the creature was somehow present in a completely different ecosystem.

Without hesitation, the fire ant charged at Cyrus, displaying no fear. Unconcerned, Cyrus waited for the ant to enter his ability radius. However, when it did, he was taken aback by the amount of damage it inflicted, as a series of notifications popped up indicating the extent of the attack.

[You have dealt 0.3 damage]

[You have dealt 0.3 damage]

[You have dealt 0.3 damage]

"N-No way!"

Cyrus was unaware of the Ant Queen's powerful skill, [Sacrificial Birth], which required a significant amount of life essence to create a unique type of ant capable of countering her enemies' characteristics. This ability alone made it extremely difficult for most hunters to successfully clear the gate when the boss was still alive. Recognizing her opponent's trait, she summoned an entity that would ensure victory for her colony.

Cyrus was left stunned by the fire ants' seemingly unbeatable fire resistance. His attacks barely made a dent in them, and the damage he received in return was overwhelming. With limited health vials left, he knew he couldn't afford to prolong the fight, especially with the added threat of the two irregular monsters. It was clear he needed to utilize every option available to him if he wanted to increase his strength and stand a chance against these formidable foes.

"System! Allocate all my attribute points into Vitality."

[Level: 01 -> 03]

[Experience: 0/400]

[Vitality: 15 -> 25]

[Health: 150 ->250]

[You have lost 2.5 hp]

[You have dealt 0.5 damage]

Cyrus was in a dire situation as he frantically ran in circles, trying to evade the pursuing ants. He had already used up three health vials, but the damage he had dealt to the ants was insignificant compared to the injuries he had sustained. Time seemed to drag on, and the ants continued their relentless pursuit. With his options running out, Cyrus quickly searched for anything that could help him in this predicament. That's when he noticed the queen ant, who remained motionless in her spot. Realizing that the queen was helpless without her soldiers to protect her, he decided to make a desperate move. With a sudden burst of courage, he charged straight at the queen, hoping to defeat her and claim an item that would aid him in his fight against the other ants.

[You have dealt 25 damage]

"GIIIIIIIIII!"

"Ha! Your lack of resistance to fire is going to cost you!" the fire ant taunted as Cyrus watched in horror as his mother writhed in agony.

With each passing moment, the fire ant's attacks grew more ferocious. Cyrus did his best to keep his distance, running circles around the queen and chipping away at her health. But in his eagerness to dodge the ant's pursuit, he failed to notice the queen's abdomen swelling with deadly venom.

Before he knew it, Cyrus was slammed against the nearest wall with a crushing force that left him gasping for breath. His left shoulder throbbed with pain, and he struggled to rise to his feet.

*Boom*

"GAH!"

[You have been dealt 70 damage]

[You have lost 2.5 hp]

[...]

[Health: 53/250]

Cyrus sprang to his feet and gulped down his second-to-last health vial, while deactivating his ability to avoid further danger. Though he had been thrown by the queen's brutal strike, he saw a new opportunity before him. A few meters away lay the fire ants, impaled in the stone walls by the queen's attack. This gave Cyrus a glimmer of hope and a potential path to victory.

He sprinted back towards the queen's location, deftly dodging her abdomen strikes and quickly reactivating his Overloaded Heat skill. The intense heat emanating from his body was so strong that it caused the monster to burst into flames, writhing in agony as it was being consumed by the scorching blaze.

"GIII!"

The sound of her screams jolted the dazed fire ant back into battle, causing it to snap out of its trance. Upon closer inspection, it was evident that the fire ant had already sustained severe damage. As a general rule, those who excel in one area often lack proficiency in others. While the fire ant boasted high resistance to fire, its defense against physical attacks was negligible. Given the extent of its injuries, it was likely that the creature would soon succumb to its wounds. The ant's body was riddled with numerous open wounds, and grotesque fluids oozed out from them, a testament to the damage that it had just taken place.

Cyrus moved with quick reflexes, anticipating the same attack from the queen. As expected, the massive abdomen slammed towards him and his pursuer. Without hesitation, Cyrus dropped down to the floor, narrowly dodging the blow. However, his pursuer was not as lucky and took the full impact of the attack. The force of the friendly fire devastated the fire ant's remaining health, killing it instantly

[You have Killed the Fire Ant; You have gained 300 experience points.]

"Hahahaha!"

Without further delay, Cyrus latched onto the queen's back and began to use his abilities to gradually burn her to death. Despite her attempts to fight back by swinging her tail-like abdomen, she was powerless against the relentless parasite draining her life away.

[You have Killed the Queen Ant; You have gained 400 experience points.]

[Level: 03 -> 04]

[Experience: 300/500]

"Ha~Ha~Ha~..."

"... I-I survived..."

After confirming his victory, Cyrus lay on the floor, gasping for air. The only sound he could hear was his own heartbeat pounding in his chest. He had exerted an incredible amount of stamina and faced a situation that had induced intense anxiety, leaving him completely exhausted. However, despite the physical and mental toll, he knew it was all worth it. In front of him lay the fruits of his labor, two books with divergent designs, one in each hand.

"Skill books!"