Infestation I

I went down to the first floor to go outside so I could take a better look but I was stopped by Mr. Julio.

"Unhand me."

"No, you can't! It's too dangerous!"

"I'm not scared of a few bugs."

"These bugs are the demon king's soldiers! They are not normal bugs!"

"You think I don't already know that?"

Mr. Julio wasn't the only who to try and get me to stay. The others around me were also attempting to keep me inside.

"Fine. I'll stay."

I ran back up to my room and I saw a soldier trampling through the streets. I noticed that he had green slime on his shoulders which gave off steam and it looked like he was trying to get it off. But when he turned his head in my direction, I already knew there was no hope for him.

"HeEEEelp!!"

He yelled as he stumbled onto the ground, his face melting off. I looked away in disgust. Not even I can look at that.

A few seconds later, I saw what looked like a mutant ant that was leaking red substances everywhere it walked and it picked the soldier's corpse up. No, it didn't just pick it up; it devoured him whole.

I felt my stomach twist as I witnessed this.

After it devoured the soldier, it looked up at the sky and shrieked. It wasn't as loud as that bug yesterday, but it was enough to rattle the window.

The ant then began to wander away.

I knew that if it was left alive, it would go for the others. I should take it out if that soldier was unable to take it out itself.

I ran to my closet and equipped my gear. After sheathing my Ninjato into the sheath on my back and my Katana on my waist, I snuck down to the first floor.

I didn't really need to sneak past them since they were unable to sense or hear me. My boots had soft soles which allowed me to walk without making a single noise.

When I snuck out through the back door, I pulled my hood and my mask on, then shadow traveled away.

I got up to the highest point in town which was the clock tower located in the eastern district. Once I took a look around, I understood the situation, and it was not good.

The bugs or whatever they are called have already broken past the walls and they were currently being fought off by every soldier there. However, they were unable to defend against the bugs in the air. There were only a few soldiers fighting them off but I doubt they will be able to fend all of them off.

The same went for the other parts of town; the north, west, south, they were all being attacked, though in my eyes, I think the east part was having the most difficulty. I should help them out but first, I need to hunt that ant down.

I hopped back onto the ground and ran through the streets.

It was like a ghost town; no one was in sight.

I heard some noise coming from the alley. It sounded like chewing sounds.

I stopped and looked down the alley. There the ant was with glowing red liquid dripping from any part of its body. I noticed that there were body parts lying around the ant. Looks like it already got its hands on someone. I'm hoping it was a random unsuspecting criminal and not an innocent person.

Anyway, I should take it out before it does any further damage.

I unsheathed my Ninjato and the ant quickly spun towards me. It shrieked at me and scampered towards me. I quickly took a step forward and swung my Ninjato and with the help of the shadows around me, I was able to phase through the ant without it hitting me.

I turned around and sheathed my Ninjato, watching the ant split horizontally into two.

Huh, that wasn't hard to deal with. But, it was alone so it couldn't have done much.

Looking down, I was standing in a puddle of red liquid. Crap, what the hell?

However, it didn't burn like the one the flying bugs gave. It smelt like blood... or maybe it is blood, the blood of anything it eats mixed in with its own.

I took out an empty vial from one of my compartments and a swab as well. I then stuck it in the liquid and placed it in the vial, then stuffed it away. I should give it to my uncle, he likes to do research on weird stuff.

"Now then, to the gate."

***

When I appeared at the east wall, it seems that everyone was already worn out. They had taken out the ones that had broken past the walls. I assumed it was over but I saw a horde of flying bugs and ants approaching towards us from the outskirts.

That may pose a problem since everyone here is already worn out from fighting the earlier force but it doesn't look like they'll arrive here until approximately 30 minutes. There were like 2 miles away but I was able to notice. Why? Because who wouldn't be able to spot a massive army of mutant bugs.

I took a quick look around and noticed that there were only soldiers. Where are the others? I assume the teachers and the other nobles should be here to fight right now.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" A soldier yelled as he approached me.

I turned and took my hood and mask off. When he saw my face, he immediately stopped and a troubled look appeared on his face.

"Oh crap, s-sor-"

"No need, it's understandable."

I was hiding my appearance so it's obvious no one would recognize me.

Sigh...

I hate being famous...

After all the things that happened previously, I've been known even through the military. I was even invited but I politely declined. This was before I became a noble.

Anyway, the others had managed to arrive, most of them were unfamiliar faces. The only person I was able to recognize was Marth who was wearing light iron armor.

That was a bit weird because why would a noble wear such cheap armor? I expected him to wear the blue armor he used during the exam.

Marth spotted me and he walked up towards me.

"Seiya, how convenient to see you here."

"Mhm, is that a problem?"

"No, I expected you to be stationed in another part of the city. But I guess it doesn't matter now."

A piercing cry echoed through the air and we turned towards the horde that was approaching our way. They were only a few thousand feet away but they were closing in fast.

Huh, that was faster than I thought. Only took them a few minutes to get here.

"Everyone, attack them before they get here!"

Someone shouted and immediately everyone rushed forward, leaving only me and Marth behind.

"Well that's pretty foolish, to rush forward without a plan," Marth said.

"It's either that or we can let a few into the city. Which one do you think is better?"

"The prior sounds better."

"Guess we should join them, don't you agree?"

Marth hesitated for a second and crossed his arms. I looked over at the others that went ahead and they had engaged with the horde. I put my mask on and tied my hair back, then shifted my attention to Marth.

Then he opened his eyes and turned towards me with a smirk.

"Let's go. Try not to show off while you're at it."

"Last one there is buying drinks."

"I thought you didn't drink."

"This'll be an exception."

"Heh, I'm looking forward to seeing you wasted."

I smiled under my mask and cracked my knuckles. Then I boosted myself forward and soared through the air.

I looked down at the ground and Marth was already catching up to my speed.

Eventually, I was the first one to arrive. He was still behind but not that far. Anyway, that isn't what I should be focused on.

In a matter of seconds, I was surrounded by these large looking fireflies. They were glowing green and I drew my Katana.

The first one charged towards me and I quickly shredded it into pieces, its flesh and blood dripping off my blade.

One of them looked like it was about to explode when suddenly it shot out green goo. I quickly swung my sword as a reaction. However, that just split the goo into two. One landed on my eyes and the other landed on my left leg.

I wiped the goo away from my eyes but suddenly my vision blurred. Then they began to burn and I yelled in pain.

Fuck! Why did I think it was a good idea to swing my blade there?!

I quickly poured mana into my wings and shot an explosive force around me. Then I flew backward and landed on the ground.

However, when I landed, I immediately sensed multiple enemies around me. I quickly wiped the acidic substance on my eyes off and looked around. Though my vision was blurred, I could tell I had just stepped into the middle of the horde.

I quickly used Tyrannical Fist and struck the ground, sending the enemies around me flying away.

I got up on my feet and looked at my leg. I noticed that despite the acid landing on my pants, it wasn't affected at all. Could whatever these pants are made out of be resistant to this acid?

"Behind you!" Someone yelled.

I turned and an ant was heading straight for me. Crap, I have no time to react!

But before it was about to tackle me, it was suddenly blown into pieces.

I watched as its corpse fell onto the ground and I sighed in relief.

"Don't get so lax yet, there are still more coming," Marth said, pointing behind me.

"I know, thanks for having my back there by the way."

"Huh? Should I remind you there should be less talking during a battle? I don't recall me being the serious one here."

"Oh shut up. Anyway, let's get to business. It seems the others have already gone without us."

I watched as the others clashed with the new horde which wasn't far. Marth patted my shoulder and went forward. I followed him right after.

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