Chapter 213 Contac (1/2)

The Marsh Expanse is still teeming with monstrous life. I can see monsters creeping out of connected tunnels, making their way deeper into the recesses in order to meet up with whatever is compelling their behaviour. Even without the steady trickle of captive beasts, there is plenty of stuff to fight around us.

The ever-present, ever hungry flora dots the mounds and rises out of the waters regularly. The plants don't seem to want to eat each other much but they are always waiting for a juicy meal to wander past, ready to fall into their clutches.

Then there are the crocs.

Lounging there and there, yawning mightily with their enormous jaws, the Croca-Beasts t.i.tan Crocs and beyond can be seen almost everywhere. Never too many in one place, but little posse's of three or four, wading through the waters or lying on the raised earth.

I think there's more of them here than the last time we came. Or maybe they are gathering on this side since we raised a ruckus last time.

At any rate, they haven't seemed to have spotted us.

I think the best course of action is two lure them into the tunnel group by group, keep the combat out of sight so we don't draw the lot of them down on our heads at once. Nice and steady, that's the play.

….

So why is Tiny over there punching a t.i.tan Croc in the face?

DAMMIT!

[”Let's go! Move quickly to support Tiny! Crinis! Don't let him get surrounded and try not to get flame throwered!”] I cry as I rush forward.

This stupid ape! How could I forget his habits so quickly?! Last time we were here I was pleased by his self-control and ability to control his seemingly endless hunger for battle. The reality is he was unsettled, even a little intimidated, by the oppressive aura that hangs over this Expanse.

How did I expect a maniacal, famously thick battle addict to react to his first taste of fear? An emotion that he probably hadn't felt in his entire life? After taking out his frustration on smaller and weaker, unsatisfying foes and getting a power buff from taking the time to actually increase the level of his skills, not to mention the ma.s.sive boost he received from finally mutating to over +5.

Now he's back, large and in charge and he couldn't wait to punch some face in.

So he didn't!

The second he laid eyes on a Croca the urge to redeem himself in a battle of old fas.h.i.+oned fisty cuffs must have been irresistible!

He didn't get far. The closest group of Croca beasts was within a hundred metres. When they saw the giant ape eagerly flinging himself forward, swinging from tree branches like a demented, overweight Tarzan, they roused themselves to fight. Claws out and jaws agape they met Tiny's charge with all the fury they could muster.

Fists ablaze with light, Tiny smashed their faces in within ten seconds and then stood pounding his chest as he roared out a challenge to the Expanse as a whole.

…..

Because of course he would.

When we rush up to his side Tiny is still bellowing his challenge and it's safe to say he has drawn a fair bit of attention.

All around us small gangs of Crocs are staring with undisguised hostility at my pets and I. I'm quietly confident even the plants are giving us a full dose of the stink eye, even though they don't have eyes.

….

I think I'm feeling a headache coming on…

Actually. You know what? Who cares!? Instead of chipping away at the enemy tactically over an extended period of time, THIS stratagem has little more chest hair! I'm with you Tiny! Bring it on!

I immediately kick my sub brains into gear and get them weaving up a water transformation construct. It shouldn't take long for them to get it set up and pumping out water attributed mana. If any of these monsters decides to start spitting flame at us, I want to be ready.

[”Get ready folks, they're coming in!”] I cry.