Chapter One-Hundred and Fourty-One: More Trouble than it’s Worth.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Where exactly have you two been?” Chelsea asked, her arms crossed as she stared at the two troublemakersing back into camp.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You know this whole, camp mom thing is getting out of hand. My own mom isn’t even this nosey,” Drake said, giving a tired sigh.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Who said I was your mom? Do you know how long Theo and I have been waiting here for you two? We were about to go out and search for you instead of the Ant’s Nest!” she answered back.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No need for that. We already found it,” Bjorn said evenly.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What?” Chelsea replied.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, we found it already, and it’s big. Like Texas kinda big,” Drake added.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“What? That doesn''t even make sense, Texas isn’t even thergest state,” Chelsea scoffed.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Doesn’t matter, their line is ‘Everything’s bigger in Texas’ and the inte never lies so,” Drake shrugged.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“My Lord,” Theodore interrupted, “If we have found the Nest, shall we depart immediately then?” he asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake shook his head, “Nah, we have a slight problem,” Drake began exining, “Looks like there are far more and far stronger Monsters inside than we thought. From what Bear saw of one of their stats, it''s about as strong as him. At least stat-wise.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I didn’t say that, I said it had a lot of stats,” Bjorn corrected.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“A lot of stats trantes to strong in my book, and since we’re screwed if it’s as strong as I am, it has to hopefully only be as strong as you. Therefore it''s about as strong as you are,” Drake reiterated.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Who says you’re stronger?” Bjorn asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I won the fight, didn’t I? Drake scoffed.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You didn’t win. It was a tie bro,”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Really? I canceled thatst spell. You know what, never mind. Fine, it''s very strong, happy?” Drakeughed.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Bjorn nodded, “Ok, as long as we have that straight, you may continue.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Right… So the problem is we have one Ant that is <em><span style="font-weight:400">very strong</em><span style="font-weight:400">,” Drake said looking at Bjorn, “But that isn’t the half of it. Rather it’s a third of it.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake looked at the quest they had both gotten since finding the monster, and it was indeed a problem if the Ant was as strong as its stats said.


    <strong>[Subjugation Quest! Subjugate the Three Princes of the Ant Hive]</strong>


    <strong>[The Hive has grown to monumental proportions and as such has birthed three heirs of the Hive. You must enter the Hive and kill the royalty inside.]</strong>


    <strong>[Reward: Experience. TP. Choice of Epic Grade Equipment]</strong>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“This is the first regr quest we’ve seen that has vor text, which is bothering me for one. And two,” Drake said scratching the back of his head, “The monster was level 29 and named. I expected there to be strong monsters, but this level of strong might be too dangerous for anyone but Bear and I.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Doth my Lord, then expect us to waiteth here? Surely not?” Theodore questioned.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake pursed his lips taking a nce and Bjorn.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sighing briefly before answering, Drake turned back to Theodore, “That is exactly what I’m saying.”


    <hr>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No. No, no, no! I aming with you! You said you’re just going to protect us anyway right?” ire pouted.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake looked at the rest of the group present at the campfire. He had gathered everyone to exin the situation and it was going sorta ok?


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I did say that, but stop being a child. ns change,” Drake responded.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m not a child. I’m angry and stubborn. I don’t see how this changes anything. Can’t we just stick together like we nned and go?” ire asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake sighed, “It’s not that easy. The Hive is filled with more monsters than we expected, not to mention they are stronger as well. There are three powerful Ants already on the brink of Ranking up to E. With who knows how many more?”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake paused for a moment looking at everyone in turn.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I simply don’t know the extent of the monster’s capabilities and strength,” he added.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Seems like a shite n either way. That bloody treasure that important?” Jacqueline asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, what’s so special about the loot in there?” Tom asked as well.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t have any idea what is in there,” Drake said honestly, “But. We- I need to go in there.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Why’s that pup?” Hudson asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m d you asked, my emotional support hillbilly!” Drake smiled.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You''re what now?” Hudson replied back confused.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Nevermind. But the reason I have to go is because I need to keep up my growth. I don’t know what is waiting for us as the tutorial progresses for one, and I also don’t know how strong the rest of the world is going to being out of their tutorials. The only measure I have against that is getting stronger myself. And seeing as these are the only monsters around right now. I don’t exactly have a choice,” Drake exined.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That doesn''t mean you have to go alone!” ire interjected.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It does if it means keeping everyone else alive. I won’t put everyone in danger that I’m not sure I can protect you from,” Drake said evenly.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I make my own decisions and I’m going,” ire said ring at him.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Fine,” Drake replied.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I said I’m fu- what? You agreed?” ire said, astonished.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, Sir Shot, did you not just say it was too dangerous?” Amir asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I did,” Drake said, looking at ire in the eyes, “If you want toe along, I can’t stop you. But if you’reing along, that means, I have to be twice as careful to make sure I protect you. That means I’m always looking over my shoulder, always having to think about if a monster is lying in wait to get at you. This isn’t like with the Goblins like I said. And because of what we saw at the entrance, we can’t even set up a base near the Hive. There are just that many of them. But if you want to create more trouble for me. Fine. You cane.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">ire looked back at him incredulously.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That isn''t fair….”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“No one said it was,” Drake replied.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Then, you expect us all to wait here, and just await your return?” Julia asked, stepping into the conversation.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Unfortunately, yes,” Drake answered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That seems rather selfish,” Julia stated.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m not saying it isn’t. But I care too much about everyone here to put the odds against us. And look,” Drake said, his eyes going soft, “I’m not saying I won’te back when we have more information. I’m just saying that now it’s too dangerous.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">“But not too dangerous for you?” Megan scoffed.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yup. I’m a one-man wrecking crew,” Drake chuckled.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Bjorn coughed behind Drake.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Ok, two-man wrecking crew,” Drake amended.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Aren’t you worried about something happening again? Ya know like with ire?” Tom asked, concerned.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“They would be stupid to try. After what I didst time, I don’t think anyone would even entertain the thought,” Drake answered.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“But there is still the possibility ya idjit,” Hudson said.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“That’s why we have you, lots of guns to stop the bad guys,” Drake smiled.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“So we’re supposed to stay in the camp at all times until youe back or what, the tutorial ends?” Megan asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yeah, that about sums it up,” Drake nodded.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“So you want to cage us?” Julia asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Pretty much,” Drake agreed.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Fuck that, I’m going,” Chelsea spat.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Damn right. I’m going as well, I’ve been sitting my ass here long enough,” Hudson added.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You’re all being incredibly selfish right now,” Drake said.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Then why are you smiling, Mr. Shot?” Harley asked,ughing.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I was hoping everyone woulde regardless, but I thought I’d give discouraging everyone a go,” Drake sighed.


    <hr>


    <span style="font-weight:400">The rest of the night was very rxing despite the discussion the group just had. Eventually rolling into the group dismissing and going to sleep for those that needed it.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The n was to reconvene in the morning to assess the Ant’s Hive and their n of conquering it.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake was slightly uneasy for the first time in a while. Not because he feared his own safety, but as a result of having more to lose now that he held the group dear in his mind.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He didn’t want to see anything happen to any of them, regardless of how some of them still held animosity for him. They had all been through a lot recently. And the Goblin Horde was a great hurdle they all overcame, some going through more hardships than others but each one had to carry the burden of suffering in one form or another.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake was aimlessly thinking and ying with his elements. The motion of practicing now deeply ingrained in him, even if he couldn’t advance his skills further at the moment for them.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The mindless practice almost calming to his senses as it helped him somehow focus.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">You could have just forced them to stay if you felt this concerned could you not?”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Natto asked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I could have, but I don’t want to impede on their rights as people. It wouldn’t sit right with me,” Drake sighed, crushing and reforming a ball of water.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">Even if they could perish?”</em><span style="font-weight:400"> Natto added.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I will do everything I can to not let that happen… But yes. I can’t control their lives and how they want to live them. It''s a weird feeling. Comforting to know they want toe despite the danger. But also frustrating that they won’t see reason for the obvious. I don’t want to see any of them get hurt. So…” Drake mused trailing off.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">So?” Natto asked.</em>


    <em><span style="font-weight:400">“</em><span style="font-weight:400">So. I’ll just have to go Super. Plus Ultra, and the whole shebang to make sure everyone gets back in one piece. Shouldn’t be too hard right? It’s only a couple of bugs…” Drake said pensively.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“<em><span style="font-weight:400">Are you trying to convince yourself or I?</em><span style="font-weight:400">” Natto scoffed, “<em><span style="font-weight:400">It will be difficult Drake. The Ant’s hierarchy is even more extensive than the Goblins. There will be almost no end to their ranks. And who knows if one has reached E Rank already. I advise you to also be cautious if not abandon this altogether.”</em>


    <span style="font-weight:400">“You know I can’t. There’s too much I don’t know about what is going to happen when we leave the tutorial. And too much you can’t for some reason tell me…” Drake said irritatedly, “So my only option is to grow, no matter the risks. I’ve already proven power is everything when they took ire. It just cemented it. There’s nothing I won’t do to protect what’s mine. Not against Goblins, bugs, or even this godforsaken system.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake gritted his teeth as his elements red with mana briefly before he squelched them all.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Sighing he moved to his bed and fell face-first into thefortable sheets.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Ha….. I miss my bed. And my anime… and my minifridge….” Drake heaved another sigh, turning over as he ced his hands over his head, “I hope mom and the others are ok… Wish there was a way to tell.”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Drake needed no sleep but closed his eyes all the same. Doing his best to let his mind rx as he waited for time to pass and the sun to rise the next day.