Chapter 442

Chapter 442: Unique Skill – Plunder

“Unique Skill – Plunder”… This skill was identified upon examining the mountain of flesh.

This implied that the monster suddenly appearing and wreaking havoc across the empire was indeed a reincarnator? Or rather… an out-of-control, rampaging reincarnator?

No trace of reason or intellect emanated from it. Moreover… this identification yielded results unlike any before; the screen displayed a chaotic blend of legible text and garbled characters.

Only the words “Unique Skill – Plunder” remained discernible. Beyond that… the name, race, attributes, and level were all obscured by indecipherable static.

Yet judging by the battle waged by the three adventurers ahead, this berserk reincarnator likely surpassed Class S in level.

Class S… was beyond their capacity to handle. Still, their mission to investigate the “Devouring Demon Mountain” was essentially complete. So then…

Approximately fifty to sixty meters from the flesh mountain, atop a rooftop, a little girl stood cradled before a woman. The girl propped her chin thoughtfully with one hand while resting her other small palm on the woman’s shoulder.

They were the “mother and daughter” rescued earlier by Lloyd and his companions.

In truth, they belonged to the Stealth Ants.

Having activated the skill “Invisibility,” their bodies now turned transparent, rendering them undetectable to the nearby trio.

Their primary task involved intelligence gathering and expanding the ant network within the empire. Thus, when news of the “Devouring Demon Mountain” surfaced, they naturally came to investigate.

The little girl was Stealth Seventeen; the one holding her was Stealth Eighteen.

Among the ant clan’s daughters, lower numerical names signified higher rank, power, age, and seniority. Consequently, Stealth Seventeen and Stealth Eighteen served as regional overseers of the ant clan’s imperial operations.

Since even higher-numbered daughters like Stealth 3000 and Stealth 3001 had achieved human forms, Stealth Seventeen and Stealth Eighteen had naturally succeeded as well.

Though their transformed appearances suggested a significant age gap, their features bore striking resemblance: both possessed long, silver, slightly wavy hair and pale pink eyes.

Thus, despite being sisters, they consistently adopted a “mother-daughter” guise while operating in the human world.

“Seventeen, what should we do now? Continue observing?”

As Stealth Seventeen pondered, the woman behind her spoke timidly. Her demeanor revealed that despite Stealth Eighteen’s older appearance, leadership rested with Stealth Seventeen, whom she held in her arms.

“Mother only tasked us with investigating the ‘Devouring Demon Mountain’s’ identity and strength. We confirmed its identity but couldn’t gauge its power accurately. Now these human race interlopers complicate matters…”

Stealth Seventeen paused thoughtfully before continuing:

“We might deduce this flesh mountain’s strength by observing these humans’ battle. Still, we must relay this intel to Mother and our elder sisters. I’ll remain here to monitor—you return and brief them.”

“Huh?? But… I don’t want to go alone. I want to stay with Seventeen…”

Hearing this, the tall Stealth Eighteen panicked, instinctively tightening her embrace.

“It’s not like we’re parting forever. Deliver the message and return immediately! Or ask other sisters guarding the ‘space gate’ to relay it…”

Stealth Seventeen trailed off, noticing Stealth Eighteen silently bowing her head.

“So stubborn.”

Resigned, Stealth Seventeen reached back to gently pinch her sister’s nose.

Contrary to appearances, Stealth Eighteen now seemed the dependent child while Stealth Seventeen exuded maternal authority.

“Fine. We’ll both stay and observe.”

*After all, Mother will contact us eventually…* Stealth Seventeen mused.

“Mm!”

After she finished speaking, the woman behind her revealed a warm smile.

Just as the two women shared this profound bond, the situation of Lloyd’s trio nearby was deteriorating rapidly.

Sherry fared slightly better, but both Lloyd and Rocco had half their bodies stained crimson with blood. Their abdomens, arms, and thighs bore wounds from battles with the tentacles, bitten by gaping maws.

Beyond these injuries, worse still was their utter exhaustion. Their weapon-wielding hands trembled faintly, as if they might lose grip of their heavy arms at any moment.

While their condition worsened, the enemy showed no signs of weakening.

Moreover…

Though devoid of intelligence, the flesh mound possessed fierce combat instincts.

Frustrated by its prolonged failure to subdue the trio, the creature sprouted over twenty additional tentacles, drenching the already overwhelmed Lloyd in cold sweat.

“Rocco, Sherry! Run! We’re no match for this thing!”

The man decisively retreated while bellowing at his two disciples behind him.

Neither was one to hesitate. Understanding they’d hinder Lloyd if they stayed, they gritted their teeth in frustration and began their retreat.

They hadn’t run far when Lloyd’s agonized scream pierced the air behind them.

His body was hurled upward like a kite with severed strings by a tentacle, doubled over as he slammed to the ground, carving a bloody trail across the earth…

“Master!”

“Master!”

Rocco and Sherry cried out in alarm.

“Guh… Run! Get away!”

Lloyd vomited a torrent of blood, sensing several ribs shattering from the impact. Darkness pulsed before his eyes.

Yet seeing his foolish disciples not fleeing but rushing toward him with frantic expressions, the man inwardly sighed with bitter resignation.

This is the end. What manner of monster is this flesh mound? Are S-class monsters truly this formidable?

Complacent from minor renown, he’d believed himself invincible… To think that after half a lifetime as an adventurer, he’d fall prey to underestimating the enemy—a blunder only novices should make.

Just as Lloyd resignedly prepared to shut his eyes, arrows wreathed in violent elemental storms streaked through the air, blasting gaping holes into the attacking tentacles!

“Ho, Lloyd! Take your apprentices and flee!”

The distant shout reached his ears simultaneously.

Hearing that voice, Lloyd’s nearly closed eyes snapped wide open.

There was no time to identify their savior. Summoning unknown strength, he roared and surged upright, grabbing both apprentices before sprinting away at full speed.

The Hyena Adventurer Team joined the fray. Simultaneously, outside the town, a fully armed hundred-strong cavalry arrived—warriors clad in black armor astride equally armored steeds.

“Crush the monster, in the name of the Black Ant!”

“Roar!!!”

Morale soaring, the black-armored cavalry charged with murderous intent toward the distant flesh mound.