Eternal Winter's Reign - Book 2 - Chapter 50 - The Bugs
Added 2024-06-11 17:53:39 +0000 UTC----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't mind this. It's so that free readers can't see half the chapter.
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Alexander North
I end up having to search through at least a few different malls, and for some reason, every last one that I search is filled to the brim with bugs. Frozen one insects of all kinds, whether spiders, beetles, roaches, mosquitoes, wasps, and mutated ones that don’t resemble any normal bugs on this planet.
And at this point, there are only two possible reasons.
Something strange is going on here, likely involving some sort of really powerful frozen one bug that I can’t sense due to the overwhelming energy given off by that powerful Frozen Lord sleeping away in the capital. Or there’s just some massive bug infestation in this part of the capital that all turned into frozen ones somehow.
If I had to guess, it’s likely the former.
Because the latter would be very unlikely, considering how I’ve never heard of any sort of infestation in the capital on this world before.
Plus this is just too many bugs.
And too many different types of bugs at that.
I frown down from the balcony of one of the large malls at the windows of another mall. Where I spot a swarm of what look like two-meter-tall pale blue praying mantises. Except with ice as the little scythe hands they have. And, of course, the usual glowing blue eye rings within pitch black eyes.
But if my theory is correct and there’s some sort of Frozen Lord bug in the area… just where is it?
I cross my arms for a few seconds before sighing and turning back to grab the shirts I found in this mall.
This should be enough. I’ll just take them back to-
My thoughts are interrupted when the ground begins to shake, almost making me stumble.
I quickly look around, but I don’t see anything in the building. So I look out over the balcony again at the city, where I almost immediately find the source of it.
A large chunk of the street collapsing in on itself, forming a fissure leading underground.
Guess my question was answered.
A large swarm of bugs of all kinds immediately begin to flow out of the fissure. Ranging from flying bugs to land-bound bugs. And they all begin to rush up the sides of the buildings, heading straight towards me and any other frozen one that isn’t a bug yet is nearby.
My frown grows as I watch the bugs for a moment. Then I drop the shirts, hoping against hope that they aren’t ruined by the time I return, before jumping out of the balcony to a different balcony.
After landing on the balcony, I go ahead and wait for several seconds so that the bugs can reach me. And once they do, I immediately use Cold Burst, sending a wave of cold energy flying all around me in a pulse. One that sends the bugs flying while freezing them at the same time.
Not long after sending them all flying, I hear them shattering on the ground below. Meanwhile more bugs reach me, so I repeat the process, sending another burst of cold energy outwards.
Then I do it again, and again, and again. Repeatedly sending the frozen one bugs flying.
Eventually the bugs begin to avoid me and focus on the other frozen ones instead. And after they finish devouring them, they all rush back into the ravine below.
I look down at them with a frown on my face. Briefly wondering if I should chase after them.
The problem is that these bugs may very well spread throughout the capital. Which could possibly put Alexia and Cynthia in danger should they spread to our district of the capital.
So I really should deal with the problem.
I purse my lips.
But am I strong enough to fight them? I’m not sure.
The bugs themselves aren’t that strong. So they won’t be a problem.
What will be a problem is the Frozen Lord leading them. Assuming it is a Frozen Lord that’s leading them.
It may not even be a Frozen Lord for all I know. Considering that a Frozen Lord’s status isn’t determined simply by them being strong frozen ones.
But chances are, it is most likely a Frozen Lord.
I stare down at the ravine for a bit more before sighing and jumping down from the balcony. Using my wings to fly down towards the ravine.
Well, all things considered, the thing already sent its bugs to attack me. Which very well may mean that I’ve become its target already.
And if I head back to the others now, it may make them targets too.
The moment I step near the ravine, I feel a strange sensation. Like something is watching me.
Probably the leader of the bugs.
After a brief hesitation, I move around the streets to collect the energy from the bugs I’ve already killed. A process that takes quite a while to complete, simply due to the massive number of the bugs.
Then I move back to the ravine and jump down into it. My decision made, at least partially due to the amount of energy I got from the bugs. And when I do, I find the place to be filled to the brim with bugs and ice. Going deep down into the Earth for quite a ways.
But, to my surprise, the majority of the bugs avoid me. All of the ones at Tier 1.
Meanwhile the Tier 2 bugs attack me with wild abandon.
I start using one cold burst after another, freezing the bugs one after another. Both the ones attacking me and the ones leaving me be. And I absorb the energy from each one of them, taking the time to do so instead of simply rushing down the ravine.
Because I’m starting to think of this place as a goldmine for energy rather than a threat. Even if it’s still a threat.
And I’m reminded of that when I get deeper and begin to find some Tier 3 bugs as well.
