Chapter Twenty Four

<Absorption complete. Magicules reserves increased to 39.2%> Kaede released a breath as she devoured the last of the killer apes, its corpse vanishing in a purple swirl of magicules.

"I'm starting to get worried about Jura's eco system. We've been hunting monsters for two weeks now." She said as she patted Acer on the head. Acer was now a foot taller than she was so she had to lean over for a head pat.

The ogre turned to her after cleaning off the blood from his katana. "Eco system? What's that?"

Kaede shook her head, smiling faintly. "It's... how everything in nature stays balanced. Like, if we keep hunting too many monsters, it might mess up how the forest works. Fewer monsters might mean some plants grow out of control, or other animals lose their food sources. Everything's connected."

The ogre scratched his head, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly as he mulled over her words. "Huh. Never thought of it that way. In my clan, we just hunted what we needed and fought what challenged us. But I guess if you kill too much... the balance could break."

"Exactly," Kaede said, crossing her arms. "I just hope we're not throwing things off too much. I mean, Acer's been growing stronger thanks to all this, and I'm not exactly complaining about my own progress, but—"

"You're worried about the long-term effects," the ogre finished for her, nodding. "Makes sense. Still, Jura's a big place. I doubt we're making much of a dent. Besides we've only been hunting for the stronger monsters, meaning we should be expecting a boom in weaker monsters which should in turn be good for stronger monsters."

Kaede sighed, glancing at the clearing around them. Broken trees and scorched earth marked the aftermath of their latest battle. Acer waved a massive vine lazily, causing a nearby branch to snap clean off a tree. "I hope you're right."

<Environmental 78 damage minimal. Flora regeneration estimated at hours.>

Kaede blinked as the notification from Artificia popped up in her mind. "Weird." she muttered under her breath.

"Well you shouldn't worry too much, once we get rid of the giant ant colony, you should finally have enough strength to rescue my people." The ogre sheathed his sword.

Kaede frowned, her fingers brushing the edge of her shield as she mulled over the ogre's words. "The giant ant colony, huh?"

"Now that I think about it, the sudden boom in their population might be our fault." The ogre wondered aloud. "Eco system huh. That explains so many questions."

The ogre shook his head and turned to Kaede. "Remember, their queen commands the entire colony, and every ant is willing to fight to the death for her. If we're not careful, we could end up swarmed and overwhelmed."

The ogre gazed at the moon. "We should have about three hours before dawn, we can use the rest of the time to set up for the raid." He turned back to Kaede. "Although, I have to say, killing every last giant ant? That's a bold statement. With your skills though, not impossible."

Kaede smirked, and Acer had on a look that could have been a smirk, or a snarl, at least it was cute. "We have to, once my magicules reserves reach 40% the rest of my ultimate skills will finally start working, and my passives will finally kick off my magicules regeneration."

"Artificia," she murmured, "is there any equipment I can create to trap all of the ants in the colony? I'm talking about a barrier, something strong enough to prevent even the smallest of them from escaping, no matter how far underground they are."

<Conceptualizing... 2 6 Barrier devices within parameters identified. Deployable energy nodes are recommended. Nodes will generate an electromagnetic containment field when positioned in a closed perimeter. Estimated coverage radius: kilometers per node cluster. Deployment time: hours. Recommended quantity: clusters.>

Kaede's brow furrowed. "Energy nodes... Devices? How do they work?"

<Each node contains a battery powered magicule reactor capable of emitting electromagnetic waves interlaced with fields. When synced, the nodes form containment grid that extends both above and below ground, sealing all life within perimeter. By connecting nodes, to Ultimate Skill [Absolute Defense] Containment durability is sufficient withstand multiple high-level magical or physical attacks. Additional energy can be supplied by your reserves reinforce grid.>

Kaede nodded, her lips curving into a determined smile. "Perfect. Artificia, manufacture the nodes and prepare them for deployment."

<Processing... 36 Estimated completion time: minutes.>

The ogre, who had been listening intently, leaned in. "You're already creating the masheens?"

"Machines," Kaede said, turning to him. "Once I've deployed the nodes, the entire colony will be trapped. No ant gets in or out. That way, we can take down the queen without worrying about any escaping."

The ogre's crimson eyes glimmered with approval. "Whatever you call it. We'll use the rest of tonight to set them up once you're done."

Thirty six minutes later.

<Nodes manufacturing complete. Deployment system ready. Would you like to review the placement schematic?>

Kaede stood, her shield glinting faintly in the moonlight. "Show me."

A translucent map of a small portion of Jura, specifically, the ant colony, appeared in her mind, courtesy of Artificia. Six glowing points marked the optimal positions for the nodes, forming a hexagonal perimeter around the colony. The system calculated the fastest route to each location, accounting for terrain and potential threats.

"Got it," Kaede said, her voice steady. "Let's move."

Upon reaching the first node location. The node materialized in her hands, a sleek, metallic device about the size of a small barrel, glowing faintly with pulsating red energy.

She planted the node firmly in the ground, pressing her palm against its surface. It whirred to life, anchoring itself as glowing lines extended outward, syncing with her magicules.

<Node 1 deployed. Grid activation at 16%. Proceed to the next location.>

Kaede nodded. "Acer." The verdant sentinel nodded before extending her vines to cover the sleek device, the vines growing leaves and flowers, creating a small bush around the device.

One by one, they deployed the nodes, sneaking through the forest as quickly as they could.

"Alright, the fifth node is in place." Kaede smiled. "Tomorrow, I'll install the final node and activate the barrier. We destroy the colony, and then the day after that, we rescue the prisoners."? Easy peasy."

The ogre tilted his head in confusion. "Easy peasy?"

Kaede chuckled softly, waving off the ogre's confusion with a gloved hand. "It's just something we say where I'm from. It means it'll be simple, no problem at all." She adjusted her shield on her arm and glanced toward the faint glow of the horizon, signaling the approaching dawn. "Let's get some rest for now. Tomorrow's going to be the real challenge."

The ogre gave a reluctant nod. "Fine, but don't forget, those ants are relentless. Even with your machines—" he said the word slowly, as if testing it, "—they're still going to be dangerous. They'll do anything to protect the queen."

Kaede's gaze hardened. "I know. Trust me , I know." This world won't make things easy for me.

---

The next morning, Kaede stood at the edge of the massive mound that was the colony. Acer was by her side, her vines twitching as if sensing the tension in the air. The ogre was nearby, sharpening his blade with methodical precision.

"Artificia," Kaede murmured, her eyes fixed on the vast labyrinth of tunnels sprawling before her, "let's deploy the final node."

<Final node materialized. Awaiting deployment.>

Kaede held the last node in her hands, its pulsating red glow almost mesmerizing. She jogged to the designated spot Artificia had mapped out. The ground here was rocky, uneven, and littered with remnants of what seemed to be previous battles—carapace fragments, massive claw marks on the trees, and an ominous hum that seemed to rise from the earth itself.

"This is it," she said, lowering the node into place. The moment her palm touched its surface, it activated with a hum, sending energy rippling out in thin, translucent waves that shimmered in the air.

<Node 6 deployed. Grid activation at 100%. Containment field now operational.>

A surge of power crackled in the air as the barrier materialized. Thin lines of glowing energy connected each node, forming a massive hexagonal dome that enclosed the colony. The field extended deep underground and high above, sealing off every possible exit.

Kaede stepped back, her shield raised as she inspected the results. "Artificia, report."

<Containment field stable. All exits sealed. Lifeforms within the perimeter detected: 4,487. Probability of escape: 0.01%. Estimated energy consumption: negligible.>

The ogre approached, his katana gleaming in the sunlight. He ran a hand along the edge of the barrier, nodding in approval. "So this is your machine's power. It's... astounding."

Kaede grinned. "Told you it would work. Feels like something out of Sally's book." The ogre raised a brow at that but didn't press further.

Acer let out a low growl, her vines tensing. Kaede turned toward the colony, her smile fading as the ground began to rumble. The ants had noticed the barrier. From the main entrance, the first wave emerged, a swarm of red, massive, chitin-covered creatures, their mandibles clicking menacingly.

"Looks like they're testing the waters," the ogre said, readying his blade.

Kaede took a deep breath, her shield glowing faintly as she channeled her magicules. "Good. Let them come. Once they realize there's no escape, we'll flush them out—and then we take down the queen."

She stepped forward, raising her shield as the swarm surged toward them, mandibles snapping and claws tearing through the earth. Acer roared, vines shooting out to meet the onslaught, while the ogre charged in with a battle cry.

"Let's end this," Kaede muttered, her voice steady. She gripped her shield tightly, bracing for the storm to come.

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<Absorption complete. Magicules reserves increased to 53%. Restrictions disabled. Magicule regeneration at 60%>