A Race Against Time: Desperate Defense. (101)

[Health:

105,400.

Endurance:

102,000.

Regeneration:

70,100...]

The cacophonous hum of flying insects permeated the expansive space, their brown silhouettes looming above a grotesque landscape littered with corpses and carcasses. They hovered ominously in the air, casting long shadows over the battlefield where the fighters stood.

"Infernal Wasps!"

"There's a swarm of them!"

"Stay close to me," I commanded, activating the Shield of Light and scanning our surroundings.

The nightmarish creatures were closing in, not forming a complete circle but instead converging on us from various angles.

The Infernal Wasps didn't keep us waiting; they descended upon the nearest creatures and beasts, their relentless onslaught unforgiving.

Once again, the Caretakers had thrown us into a perplexing situation. According to Madeleine, the Spiritual Stones hadn't arrived yet. Did that mean they were waiting for the ranks of the fighters to thin out?

These Infernal Wasps were bred in captivity, specifically for experiments. It seemed we had been sent straight into their cozy breeding grounds. My knowledge of the Arena was limited to what my Spectral Familiars could perceive, yet even this fragment revealed the grim truth: we were in dire straits.

These Infernal Wasps were created through the hybridization of several dangerous insect subspecies. They boasted formidable exoskeletons for defense and venom potent enough to decimate entire giant settlements. Though they ranked lower in the hierarchy, they were governed by primal instincts—ensuring the survival and reproduction of their colony, generating new subjects for their queen. Currently, it appeared as though we were ensnared within their damned hive.

With a sigh, I summoned my Spectral Familiars and began exploring the cavern's brittle walls. The peculiar structure on the ceiling resembled an inverted fortress.

"GYAYAYA!" Panic rippled through the ranks as one fighter tripped over another's tail and fell onto his stomach. The merciless mandibles of a pair of wasps began to voraciously strip the skin from his back.

The defenders breached the luminous barriers, mercilessly pouncing on the weakest among us.

[Participant 137 activated the Thousand Dreams Lamp.]

"We need to find a way out, or we're all dead!" one fighter shouted, thrusting his claws into an approaching wasp's stinger.

"Now!" A winged creature beside him screamed, but before it could take flight, it plummeted into the clutches of a wasp. The sound of a skull shattering reverberated through the hearts of the onlookers.

"To the end..."

Bam.

One of the wasps collided with a Shield of Light, filling the air with the acrid scent of burnt flesh and ammonia. Its substantial stinger melted, and the wasp screeched in agony before plummeting backward, its black limbs twitching uncontrollably.

"The Leader of the Infernal Legion has slain the first Infernal Wasp. Two points awarded to all members of his team."

A distant explosion echoed through the chamber.

"General Medusa has vanquished four Infernal Wasps. Eight points are awarded to all members of her team."

"Gh-H." A beast groaned involuntarily. This barrier wasn't just protecting us; it was sapping our health points as well.

"Which one of you can strengthen the barrier?" I queried, scrutinizing the fighters' pallid faces.

"I can," a creature with a narrow mouth and a thin hand raised his arm. His rank 5 badge marked him as a Colonel, designated by the dark gray hue.

Several figures took to the air, circling above us. Things were looking dire. The Thousand Dreams Lamp was still in the process of absorbing, rendering it useless for the moment.

BAM. BAM. BAM.

The Infernal Wasps relentlessly battered the barrier, their numbers multiplying exponentially.

We had drawn their attention, and this was an open invitation to our doom.

"I can, but I must confess, my control over this ability is somewhat limited," a diminutive creature spoke in hushed tones.

Upon closer inspection, I recognized him as Ralph. A runt with long arms and blades protruding from his clenched fingers. It truly was a small world.

I offered a reassuring grin and nodded. "That'll do. Madeleine, use the Artifact when the time comes."

"Y-yes. What are you planning?" Madeleine had a unique talent for controlling insects, but her expertise was with smaller creatures, and Infernal Wasps were far beyond her capacity.

"In the last encounter, I expended a significant portion of my energy reserve. Now, I shall replenish it. You must hold them back."

I peered at the Passive Revitalization loading window and continued, "For at least two hours. Can you manage?"

One creature collapsed to the ground, overburdened by the surplus of light magic confined within the barrier.

"Leave it to us," the fighters exclaimed resolutely. "Even if the barrier falters, our weapons shall not."

Then.

[The handbrake is activated in 5, 4...]

"Take care of yourself."

I settled down on the cold, metallic floor and closed my eyes. I couldn't participate in a full-scale battle like this. If the queen decided to send her Guards, my current strength wouldn't be sufficient for a full-fledged confrontation.

My Spectral Familiars sensed several strong waves of presence emanating from the ceiling. That's where the main arthropod offspring and the queen herself were located. Only a fraction of the worker wasps were currently against us.

These defenders were only 15 days old, and while robust, they attacked with little finesse, relying on sheer numbers.

[The Passive Revitalization is activated.]

Now, all I could move were my eyes and my mental tendrils.

I sensed a massive cluster of wasps and creatures defending themselves vigorously.

Surges of unfamiliar energy from the ceiling grew increasingly worrisome, and I didn't like the ominous pulsations.

The Shield Of Light barrier had shifted into a patterned water barrier, and the fighter inside consumed a vast quantity of Elixirs to make it last as long as possible.

My breathing remained steady, but it concealed the fierce battle occurring just beneath the surface.

The poison within me had penetrated as deeply as it could. I could vividly feel the searing pain returning with tripled intensity. Regeneration was working tirelessly to eliminate the drops of poison that had been previously suppressed by the aura.

But the poison, relentless, stirred once more, tormenting me as it coursed through renewed veins. I attempted to cough up the poisoned blood, but my rigid muscles stifled the impulse, allowing the festering clot to remain in my stomach and multiply the toxins.

Damn.

The poison needed to be completely eradicated.

The fever was supplanted by an icy chill as my system operated at maximum capacity, expelling the blackened blood from my body. However, my condition only seemed to exacerbate the situation.

A peculiar stench began to emanate from my body as the skin on my abdomen rotted, a putrid fragment falling onto the metallic floor. This was the only way to rid myself of the poison—through excruciating pain.

My bones, now cracked, released the dragon's energy, and I diligently channeled this energy through every meridian, strengthening my vulnerable points.

My blood was tainted with toxins, traces of Spiritual Stones' energy, various poisons, the boiling power of Dragon Pollen, and numerous impurities. A desperate desire for cleansing washed over me.

My hands convulsed, my legs tingled, my insides throbbed, and purple rivulets flowed from beneath my eyelashes, nose, and ears. Blood could not escape from my mouth, given my tightly clenched fangs.

I yearned to curl up on my side just to escape the pain, but instead, I felt the presence of cold, intrusive fingers. They probed where I least wanted them.

I lost all sense of time as my entire consciousness and reason were submerged in this crucible of torment. Elevating the Iron Stomach skill promised two distinct privileges:

First, immunity to most poisons.

Second, the ability to harness destructive skills, turning my entire body into a formidable weapon, down to my very nails.

Trapped in the recesses of my mind, I was assaulted by the System's relentless tendrils.

Gradually, the excruciating pain transformed into a soothing warmth, dispelling the frigid chill. The toxins dissolved entirely, leaving empty voids beneath my skin.

Seizing the opportunity, I extended my mental tendrils outward, surveying the bleak aftermath.

Only a meager 20 remained on the battlefield, a far cry from the 700 creatures and more than 15 teams that had initially engaged the enemy. The distribution of Spiritual Stones had occurred in accordance with the fighters' strength, and we had obtained several. There were significantly more wounded fighters who had likely acquired them while defending me.

My heart swelled with a mix of joy and sorrow.

[Until full recovery:

14 minutes and 6 seconds.]

"Now that we've shared the reward, it's time to leave this shitty place," the speaker began, his aura carrying a somewhat somber air.

"Yes, indeed," responded one of his nearby companions.

"The exit should be located on the ceiling. All the wasps emerged from the abyss below us. Let's make our way there and take a break from these vexatious insects."

"It's not fair!" protested a creature with fewer allies.

"What fairness are you talking about?" bellowed the beast from my team, its voice hoarse. "Fairness is dictated by those with power and strength! As for you, you sniveling fool, keep crying into your pillow, and don't forget to change your diapers before bedtime!"

"Ha, ha, ha," echoed the creatures who had received the lion's share of the stones.

"If you want to acquire more gems, why not take them from the Infernal Legion?" The fighter continued with a malicious grin. "Look at them, barely able to stand on their feet. It would be easier to snatch their reward than to take candy from a child."

"Bastard, you think I'd fall for your provocations?"  the creature hissed, though its covetous gaze betrayed its inner turmoil.

"Heh. I'm telling you, those who don't seize opportunities are weaklings who endlessly lament their tough lives. Open your eyes; no one's stopping you," the fighter goaded on.

Madeleine couldn't tolerate it any longer. She remarked, "I think I know exactly whose tongue needs to be shortened."

Her words sounded weary, but she stood tall, right in front of me. It was ironic that a wounded fighter was my protector.

[8 minutes and 58 seconds.]

"Whether that tongue gets trimmed or not, that's not for you to decide. We earned our rewards through our own efforts, while you merely exploited your dwindling reputation."

"Heh," Ralph chimed in, "And this is coming from the one who squealed like a girl when the Guards appeared!"

"SILENCE! " the fighter barked, "If you don't want to die by my hand..."

But his words were cut short by a derisive laugh.

"WELL, WE'VE WITNESSED THE BEGINNING WITH 765 FIGHTERS, THE DRAW WITH THE EXTERMINATION OF THE WEAK, THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEROES IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS, THE CRISIS WITH THE ELIMINATION OF ENEMIES, AND EVEN THE CONFLICT WITH DIVISION. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE GRAND AND UNIQUE CULMINATION?"

A heavy silence descended, freezing everyone in place. The fighters' former arrogance had crumbled to nothing.

"How... Is this not the end?"

BZZ~

BZZ~

A colossal crack fissured open in the ceiling, ominous sounds emanating from within.

With a sickening squelch, thousands of Infernal Wasps spilled forth.

"YOU WERE TRYING TO KILL US! THIS ISN'T AN EXIT; IT'S AN ENTRANCE TO THEIR HIVE!"

"SOMEONE, RAISE A BARRIER!"

---

"Protect the Leader," I heard a fighter say, and I felt myself being surrounded. I almost sobbed.

Madeleine pulled out a pointed cone and directed all her energy into it.

"SHE HAS A PROTECTIVE ARTIFACT!" someone noted her actions and rushed toward us. "LET ME IN!"

The enormous stinger, measuring at least two meters, pierced through the creature's body, slicing it in half.

"THEY'RE STRONGER AND FASTER! EVERYONE, GATHER!"

Someone pounded on the barrier, pleading to be allowed inside. Madeleine was deaf to their pleas, continuously channeling her energy.

At this rate, the barrier would hold for only three more minutes.

[5 minutes and 4 seconds to complete recovery.]

"AREN'T YOU A LITTLE BORED? GENTLEMEN CRAVE EVEN MORE ENTERTAINMENT! THE CLIMAX MUST BE UNFORGETTABLE!"

With the Caretaker's words, the floor began to tremble and crumble.

"DAMN IT. THEY REALLY WANT US DEAD!" the giant yelled, thrusting his sword into the ground.

The floor shifted, tilting upright.

"THE LEADER OF BLACKBEARD HAS KILLED 9 INFERNAL WASPS, EARNING A TOTAL SCORE OF 1900 FOR EACH MEMBER."

Allies grabbed me by the scruff of my neck, and the barrier flickered dangerously, as though on the verge of deactivating.

"Why is the Leader asleep?" The fighter with a fluffy tail, asked.

"Do you assume he's so strong just because he's an elf?" Ralph mumbled before slapping my cheek. "OW! We're getting raped!"

"What are you—" Madeleine tried to say something, but spat out blood. She pressed her forehead against the wall, continuously draining her energy.

"THE ATLANTEAN GENERAL HAS KILLED 17 INFERNAL WASPS, EARNING A TOTAL SCORE OF 2,400 FOR EACH MEMBER."

Damn. Damn. Damn.

"We need to switch," the beast suggested, preparing to take the cone in his paws.

"Are you insane?" the Colonel erupted. "This artifact is disposable, and the barrier wouldn't last a minute in your hands. It generates so many magical elements, consuming the energy of 10,000 Spiritual Stones per second. The Leader instructed us to use it only in dire circumstances, when we had no other choice."

"Then what will we do when the barrier vanishes?" 

Ralph donned his gloves and unsheathed two blades. "Fight and enter the VOID with honor!"

[1 minute and 7 seconds until complete recovery.]

The barrier wavered and began to dissipate.