“Ugh... look at the sheer number of them. Where’d they all crawl out from?”
“Who knows? Word is that those eastern rocks are their main habitat.”
Zephyr and Rick stared out across the plains to the east of Berhes. Countless black shapes writhed in the distance, seemingly blanketing the entire horizon. From this far away, they looked like nothing more than scattered specks, but they were actually beetle-type monsters known as Chrome Beetles. Their threat rank ranged from C to B. Apparently, there were several subspecies; the rhinoceros beetle and stag beetle types were reportedly formidable enough to qualify as B-ranks.
“Alright, is every party here?” one adventurer barked.
He was the designated leader for this operation, a B-rank adventurer based out of Berhes. Given his extensive experience with Chrome Beetles, he was a logical choice for the role.
“As explained earlier, we'll try to keep pace with one another, but you're expected to operate as individual units. With these numbers, we shouldn't have any issues, but I'll signal the retreat with a whistle if things go south. Keep your wits about you.”
Roughly twenty parties had gathered for the Chrome Beetle Extermination Operation, including Zephyr’s group and mine. Every participant was at least C-rank. Because of the sheer volume of monsters, the guild had issued a formal summons to all qualified adventurers in the area.
It wasn't a mandatory order, mostly because Berhes wasn't in immediate danger. Chrome Beetles were fiercely territorial, but they rarely left their nesting grounds to hunt humans. Still, the city couldn't afford to ignore a mass outbreak so close to home, hence the large-scale request.
Morale was surprisingly high. Most of the adventurers seemed eager to wrap up this chore so they could get back to enjoying the upcoming Arena Contest.
We advanced in a wide formation, leaving enough room for each party to maneuver. As the silhouettes of the Chrome Beetles came into focus, a few of the more aggressive insects took flight and surged toward us.
“Combat positions, everyone! Don't let your guard down!” the leader shouted.
He didn't really need to tell us; most of the veterans were already braced for impact. We were ready, too. Since we were expecting a swarm, Allen and the others were operating in their life-sized bodies.
Four massive beetles swooped toward our group. All four were the rounded variety—no sign of the more dangerous rhinoceros or stag types.
“Shall we take two each?” Zephyr suggested from beside me.
“Works for me.”
I lobbed Fireballs at the two closest beetles. They managed to dodge since the distance was still significant, but it successfully drew their attention. Meanwhile, Rick peppered the other two with arrows. Just like that, we split them into manageable pairs.
“Yah!”
Halfa unleashed a Shock Voice once they were in range. Even though it was a direct hit, the two beetles only wobbled for a moment. Their flight speed slowed, but they kept coming.
“They're tougher than they look,” I noted.
“Indeed,” Lowell agreed.
They were remarkably sturdy for C-ranks. The fact that they could take a Shock Voice and keep flying so calmly was unexpected.
“Well, I can handle one,” Lowell declared.
He could certainly take care of a single beetle on his own. I was just about to decide what to do with the remaining one when Allen and the others spoke up.
“Master! Let us handle the other!”
“Wait, you guys? Are you sure you're up for this?”
“Leave it to us!”
They were clearly determined, and they were even readying their weapons—doing so without relying on the enchanted magic tools I’d given them. Allen and his crew were golems, but I wasn't entirely sure how they stacked up in a real fight. Their movements were light-years ahead of their old haniwa bodies, but since I couldn't see their stats with Appraisal, their true strength remained a mystery. If golems didn't possess levels or skills, a direct confrontation might be reckless.
Still, they were raring to go. The Chrome Beetle was almost on top of us; there was no time for a debate.
“Alright. Go for it.”
I gave my consent while staying ready to jump in the moment things looked dicey. Allen and the others grinned and charged the insect.
First up was Lowell versus the Giant Drone Beetle. The fight was over before it even started. Lowell swung his sword in a single, fluid motion as the beetle lunged past him. That was all it took. The beetle’s body was sheared perfectly in half. Carried by its own momentum, the two halves tumbled through the air before slamming into the dirt. It didn't so much as twitch.
He’d used the Blade Through skill, something he'd picked up from a skill scroll we found back in Aingurna. It improved the user's ability to cut through hard materials as the skill level rose. Even though he’d only just learned it, his natural technique made the move devastatingly effective.
To my surprise, Allen’s group was holding their own quite well. Allen caught a ladybug-type's charge with his shield, and Milly immediately followed up by slamming her hammer into its side. A split second later, Pino hammered it again with her blunt weapon.
Then Shara did something that genuinely shocked me.
“Fireball!”
She extended her palm toward the reeling beetle and chanted the spell. A sphere of flame erupted from her hand and scorched the insect.
The power wasn't overwhelming, but that was undeniably fire magic—and she’d cast it without a single enchanted tool from me.
Since when could she do that?!
Ultimately, Allen and his team finished off the Chrome Beetle without breaking a sweat. It looked like they had been growing while I wasn't looking. I suppose even golems can improve.