Standing there, in the blown open tunnel entrance, a tall human wearing a pure white robe with a golden engraving that flowed down to form a mysterious holy symbol quietly examined the interior of the underground space that served as the core of the giant ant nest and residence of the now dead gluttonous giant ant queen.
If it was just a person showing up to look around, Scaly wouldn’t have cared much, as it wouldn’t make any difference in what she was planning to do, but... The person standing in the blown open tunnel was far from simple, as Scaly couldn’t help shrinking back from doing anything to the injured group of adventurers after she observed the person who had just appeared and saw just how terrifying this person was.
[Human, Holy Flame Judge, lvl 151]
By far, this was one of the strongest enemies she had encountered so far. Only the thunder wielding adventurer from Howling Cave City was comparable, but different from back then, this person was essentially right next to her. If she made a move on those injured adventurers like she had originally been planning, she was almost certain that this person wouldn’t just be staring at her now but would have already rushed over to attack her.
Because of this, she remained frozen on the spot while silently trying her best to urge the gate of dreams to activate faster and take her away from this deadly situation that she had suddenly ended up finding herself in just after killing the gluttonous giant ant queen. Just holding on for a few seconds in the staring competition that had begun between the two of them would be enough for her to escape into the dreamscape, as she was under no delusion that she would be able to stand up against this powerful human. Especially considering how she had just used up all the mana she had recovered since the death of the gluttonous giant ant queen to use the gate of dreams and had no way to fight this person even if she wanted to.
Yes, only because she had already used up all her mana. If not, she would still have the strength to challenge this person... At least that was what Scaly told herself as she looked on as that holy figure slowly began making his way towards her.
Fearful as she was about the approach of this person on the inside, she didn’t dare to show any of this as she continued keeping her confident expression while silently feeling overjoyed over how this person had decided to slowly approach in such an obviously confident manner.
With how slow he was moving, Scaly felt confident that the gate of dreams would activate and take her to the dreamscape before he could get anywhere near close enough to harm her, something that was soon enough proven correct, as she watched with glee how the calm confident expression on the face of the powerful human shifted to one filled with shock the second the now familiar colorful clouds engulfed her and swallowed her up. Taking her away from the material plane and back to the calm lake within the dreamscape.
The dreamscape might be filled with all kinds of dangers that she had yet to learn about due to her little time inside the dreamscape, but at least it didn’t have the same terrifying human as the gluttonous giant ant queen’s little home currently had. Not to mention, the little time she had spent inside the dreamscape so far didn’t result in her encountering anything dangerous nor even seeing anything that might pose threat to her.
The dreamscape beyond the small floating island might be dangerous, but she had no intention of exploring any of it before she recovered.
So... For now, Scaly allowed herself to float gently around the crystal-clear lake that took up most of the floating island connected to the gluttonous giant ant queen’s nest. Only after recovering from the exhausting battle, she had just gone through against not just the gluttonous giant ant queen, but also the raging giant ants who had gone insane following the death of their queen.
Having absolutely no plan of ever returning to the gluttonous giant ant queen’s nest even after she recovered.
Not because she feared that powerful human still being around! No... It was because she felt curious about exploring the dreamscape that she had just been able to enter. Yes... That was it!
...
A few minutes earlier before Scaly’s return from the dreamscape, Elise, a knight of the Red Dawn Legion, was facing the trial of her life, as she stood face to face with the gluttonous giant ant queen that had already knocked aside and killed several of her companions. Even using the holy scepter, a special artifact powerful enough to kill an ordinary S Rank Monster, they hadn’t been able to kill this monster. Proving just how powerful its defense was.
But even knowing that she stood no chance in the face of this powerful monster, she had to stand her ground or those behind her would be the ones to face this terrifying monster, something she couldn’t allow.
"Is this the end...?" Muttering this to herself as she moved her shield in front of herself, Elise steeled herself for the inevitable as she used her mana to enhance the defensive power of her shield. Hoping to at least survive one attack from the gluttonous giant ant queen. Buying more time for her companions.
Whoosh~ Thump~!
But before the gluttonous giant ant queen could attack her, something suddenly appeared directly above her. Pushing her down flat on the ground as it landed on top of her the next second.
Wha-what is that!? Can’t... Move...
Struggling to free herself to no avail, Elise understood that this might be the end for her, as she might have been caught off guard by one of the gluttonous giant ant queen’s attacks-
"Aaaaah-!"
However, before she even had the chance to take in these negative thoughts, she suddenly felt herself being dragged backwards at a terrifying speed. Watching amidst her own panicked screaming, as the gluttonous giant ant queen swung down on the now empty ground behind her. Making it clear to her that whatever had landed on top of her had clearly ended up saving her instead of ending her life like she had originally thought.
"Let go of Elise you-"
Bang!
Hearing the call from one of her companions from the side, Elise didn’t even have the chance to register what was happening, as she soon enough found herself flying through the air towards this loud companion of hers. Slamming directly into him before everything around her went dark.
For the next few minutes, she was lying unconscious on the ground. Waking up to see what could only be described as the divine messenger that they had been searching for, Elise quickly realized that the divine messenger seemed to be struggling against the gluttonous giant ant queen. Clearly wanting to target the already injured part of the gluttonous giant ant queen but finding itself unable to reach it.
So, with what little strength she could muster, she rushed over and informed her companions about the situation. Having them momentarily focus their attention on the smaller giant ants carrying the gluttonous giant ant queen around. Hoping that this would give the divine messenger the chance to kill the gluttonous giant ant queen.
And... In the end, this succeeded, as the divine messenger unleashed a powerful attack the second the gluttonous giant ant queen faltered. Kill the queen on the spot, but at the same time also causing the remaining giant ants to fly into a rampage, becoming far stronger and deadlier compared to before.
Because of this, they ultimately ended up in a struggle for survival together with the divine messenger. Doing their best to survive in the face of the endless swarm of giant ants.
That was, until the divine messenger suddenly retreated. At first confusing, but as the blocked tunnel entrance was blown opened followed by a familiar figure from the church appearing, Elise understood that the divine messenger should have sensed the other party and knew that their assistance wouldn’t be needed any longer with the reinforcements they had requested from the church through a special communication method the second they entered the gluttonous giant ant queen’s nest.
Originally, the reason for the communication hadn’t been because they needed help, but instead because they thought they had located the divine messenger... And... Well, they were correct, but they also did end up needing help.
Now with that powerful figure present, everything would work out just fine, but... Before even a word was spoken, the divine messenger was enveloped by countless small colorful clouds before disappearing entirely from view, even bewildering that senior figure, who directly used his power to sense if the divine messenger had somehow used spatial magic to leave, but there was clearly nothing from his reaction.
The divine messenger had just seemingly disappeared into thin air... Truly befitting of the title of a divine messenger, even that senior was rendered speechless...