Centipede Extermination 2

Alright, nap time's over.

To be honest, I didn't really sleep as much as I wanted to, the anticipation is getting to me. Oh well, I have to begin the plan soon if I want to succeed quickly.

Shaking off the residual drowsiness from my body, I proceed to leave home base in a spritely manner, making all kinds of weird positions as I squirm my way to what the centipede tunnel. I'm making sure I'm wide awake and ready for whatever gets thrown my way.

...

As I approach the centipede tunnel, I carefully observe the motley crew of acid centipedes for any changes. It appears that nothing has changed, and I strongly believe that their operations continued overnight, which may be an issue. What if the longer patrols ended up coming back after I went back home? Truthfully, I mulled over it all the way back yesterday and here we are again. It's just a risk I'm going to have to take.

I feel like I have to clarify some other things as well, if only for my own sanity, or maybe just to see if Jeremy is listening.

[...]

That's a green light, though it begs the question of if Jeremy is always listening, though I feel as if I shouldn't doubt it. Anyway, point one is why I'm going for the stronger patrols. I've already explained that they will give me more experience, but I also want to emphasize that I need to give myself enough time to get away without alerting the main nest, if it even alerts them at all.

Alright, that about sums it up! Well, not really, but I have just spotted a good prospect. This particular group of many-legged fiends consists of six Acid Centipedes a little lower level than myself, led by one about my strength.

Three of the Acid Centipedes in question are undoubtedly knight types. Their bulkier physique and really just the strength I can feel oozing out of them can prove that fact pretty easily. Following those are two I guess skirmisher types? It's hard to identify these, but they look like they would be the ones to initiate combat with speed and pure offense. After that is one very obvious assassin centipede, and rounding out the squad is the mage type leader.

The only thing that concerns me is that leader. It looks to be about the same as me in both strength and specialty, though I have the advantage of muscle. Still, that makes him the priority target, preferably the first one I take out, followed by the assassin centipede, who i just annoying in general.

By now I've followed the Acid Centipedes for about an hour and a half or so, definitely far enough away from the nest. It's about time to make my move too, as they are steadily inching closer and closer to the expanse.

I start by closing the distance. I squirm as fast as I can, simultaneously surrounding myself with void particles. With my presence disguised, I"m not noticed at all, or am I? The assassin centipede squirms slightly. A dud. Phew! My blood is pumping now.

First order of business, the mage. Though it's the strongest, its body is weak, so it's in the middle of the squad. I could use terraform, but I don't want to take any chances. It's time to try something. JUMP!!

I scrunch my worm body as tight as I can before launching myself into the air and at the mage. Nobody was expecting this, so I soar through the air and into the mage unimpeded.

Chomp!

Yes! A masterful bite! I completely sever the head of the mage, ending it's life. Now the skirmishers have finally reacted running toward me. Not today! I quickly burrow beneath the ground, circling my prey and throwing them into confusion. I'm loosening the dirt as I search for the assassin, who has already gone into stealth. It doesn't matter though, my void sense mostly nulls that skill. There he is! Right on time!

Spotting the assassin lurking around the knights, I quickly decide how to deal with it. I burrow straight upwards, slamming the assassin into the air. Before the knights can take action, I disperse a massive cloud of void particles, stunning them. With the knights distracted, and the skirmishers far away, I use void control and nail a spike through the assassin's head. Two down! I dive into the side of the tunnel.

Next up, the three skirmishers. It's going to be a lot harder now though. The six remaining centipedes have grouped up. No matter. I check my magic reserves. A little under half, okay. It seems I need to get rid of them without magic. Well mostly. Oh, a skirmisher is a little far away!

Seizing the chance, I burst out from the ceiling and wrap my body around the skirmisher, using crush. Blegh! I accidentally got splattered centipede all over me. Yuck. Back into the walls!

Alright, this is easy! I can't let my guard down though. Five left. Taking advantage of the remaining void particles in the tunnel, I form another blade that stabs through the head of a knight, killing it. Four more! The dirt is really soft now, allowing me to easily navigate around the remaining prey. I think I just discovered a new use for terraform! Alright, two of each left. let's get another skirmisher.

Again, I burst from the side of the tunnel, using bite on a skirmisher and splitting it in half! This time, however, I get hit by the spike of the other skirmisher. Shit! I really hope it doesn't have poison on top of the acid. I burrow back under.

Not good, I can feel the acid in my body, though luckily it's at the back. On top of that, I'm getting worn out. All of these moves are starting to take a toll. Not to mention that both skirmishers are still alive, albeit barely. I have to finish this fast.

The remaining skirmisher has left its harmed comrade in favor of the knights' cover. Good. I manipulate the earth around the wounded skirmisher and suffocate it. Three left. It's not looking good though. I'm quickly losing stamina, and the remaining three are too close to each other. I need a good plan.

Oh, I've got it! How much mana do I have left? around a quarter. Okay. I can pull this off. It'll be a little risky but I have to. Here goes nothing.

I quickly stick my head up from the ground away from the prey, before quickly ducking the acid sent at me. Good, I've got their attention. Using almost all of my remaining mana, I materialize void particles directly over the eyes of the centipedes. Success, they're blinded! I take this opportunity to finish them off, each with a separate bite. The knight nicks me with its spike, though it only leaves a tiny scratch, nothing more. Finally, the battle has ended. Time for loot!