As the group moved deeper among the trees, the air grew heavy and humid. Sunlight barely filtered through the dense canopy, and a low, almost imperceptible hum began to vibrate through the surroundings, making every muscle tense.
Thunder, walking at the front beside Lusian, neighed uneasily. His body sparked with blue electricity; the beast's instinct warned him of danger."What is it, boy?" Lusian whispered, tightening the reins as he scanned the forest.
A flash cut through the dimness between the trees, so fast it was barely visible. Before anyone could react, a yellowish blur slammed into the ground, kicking up dust, dry leaves, and broken branches.
It was a giant bee, nearly the size of a horse. Its wings beat violently, producing a deafening buzz that made the air tremble. Its black, gleaming eyes tracked the group's movements with unsettling precision.
Albert stepped forward, his movements precise and calculated. With a swift turn of his blade, he sliced off the creature's wings and drove his sword cleanly through its head. The insect twitched for a few seconds, spilling a thick violet fluid, before going still.
The veteran studied the body grimly."A swarm must be nearby," he said firmly. "Individually, these bees are Class C; in a group, they could reach Class B. A hundred of them could bring down a magical beast of this level."
The group exchanged tense glances. One of the knights murmured cautiously,"We could try to capture them… their venom and stingers sell well."
Albert shook his head slowly."Five or six of us would die before we managed it. Not worth it."
Lusian frowned, imagining how deadly a full swarm must be."That dangerous?"
"More than they look," Albert replied. "Their venom doesn't just burn flesh—it also blocks mana flow."
Then the veteran discreetly pointed at the silver piercing in Lusian's left ear."This artifact protects you from most poisons."
Lusian touched it, surprised."This? I didn't even know I was wearing it."
Albert raised an eyebrow."It's a Douglas family artifact. If you channel mana into it, it activates a purification spell. It'll heal you almost instantly… if one of those bees stings you."
"Almost all poisons?" Lusian asked, intrigued.
"Almost. Only three can't be neutralized. Two are extremely rare and absurdly expensive—even the emperor of Itaca wouldn't risk them. The third… is more dangerous, because it works in seconds. It paralyzes the body and blocks mana flow. If it hits you, you wouldn't even be able to activate the artifact."
A chill ran down Lusian's spine. He imagined his mana blocked, like a river stopped by stone, and felt a faint tingling alert spread through his body. The knights glanced at each other, aware that the forest hid dangers far greater than giant bees.
Silence fell again, heavy and expectant, as rays of light danced through the mist and branches. Every breath seemed to amplify the distant buzzing, reminding them that in the Cymopelia Forest, even the smallest creature could be lethal.
Albert stepped forward, his voice firm among the trees:"Keep your eyes open. If you hear a loud buzzing, don't try to fight—fall back and shield yourselves with barriers. We won't let a swarm wipe us out."
Lusian looked at the bee's corpse and the venom still bubbling on the ground. The forest was alive… and hungry.
Thunder snorted, a spark running across his body. Lusian nodded, tightening his grip on the reins."Let's move," he said quietly. "This is just the beginning."
As Albert and Lusian discussed the dangers, the knights returned in haste, bringing news of the hive.
Contrary to what Lusian expected, the hive contained only about 130 bees. In his previous world, a normal hive would have tens of thousands. But here, the balance made sense: magical bees required large concentrations of mana to grow. The more mana they absorbed, the fewer individuals the hive could sustain. A simple rule of nature.
Albert frowned at the report."If they all attack at once," he said gravely, "not even Thunder could protect us. We'd all die."
His decision was immediate and prudent: abandon the attack.
But Lusian didn't take his eyes off the faint smoke rising from the hive. He remembered countless battles from the game; there, mistakes had no weight. Here, every error could cost lives. Still, the magical honey was tempting—rich in mana, capable of strengthening body and spirit, and valuable for potions and rituals.
Finally, he spoke calmly:"Albert… we could do it, if we split them."
The veteran raised an eyebrow."Split them?"
"Yes," Lusian explained. "We attack from four different points, forming an X, keeping distance between the groups. The swarm will divide and lose coordination. They'll be easier to handle."
Albert studied him in silence."And where did you learn that?"
"I heard it in Trhuin," Lusian replied, trying to sound casual. "Some adventurers were talking about hunting similar nests."
The veteran crossed his arms."If you're wrong, men will die. Can you carry that?"
Lusian swallowed. He wasn't used to strategies involving real lives."Yes," he said firmly. "If the plan fails, I'll take responsibility."
Albert watched him a few seconds longer, then nodded slowly."Fine. We'll do it your way. But remember, Lusian… a strategy is worthless if you forget that lives don't reset."
The group reorganized. Four squads, each with three knights and one mage. Fire would be the main element.
Albert raised his hand, channeling blazing energy into his sword:"Now!"
Several fireballs streaked through the air and exploded against the hive. A roaring buzz filled the forest. Just as Lusian predicted, the bees scattered in four directions.
The plan worked… until Lusian's group took the brunt of the attack. Twenty-nine bees swarmed toward them.
Thunder neighed, releasing an electric burst that surged through ground and air, stunning dozens of bees. Lusian, protected by his bond, suffered no harm, but the knights recoiled from the shock.
Five bees, immune to the lightning, lunged straight at him. Lusian swung his sword, mana gathering along the blade—but Albert arrived first, cutting down two in a single motion. The knights finished the rest with coordinated strikes.
On the other fronts, the squads fought their own battles. Some men were stung, but antidote potions worked immediately.
When the last buzz faded, the air filled with smoke and the scent of burned honey.
Albert surveyed the field critically."Twenty-one dead before contact…" he muttered. "That worked better than I expected."
Lusian lowered his gaze, relieved. No one had died.
Minutes later, the buzzing returned—deeper, more menacing. From within the nest emerged a colossal creature: the queen, flanked by four guardians, her body covered in black mana crystals that reflected the light ominously.
Thunder neighed, lightning crackling across his body. Lusian raised his sword, feeling mana pulse through him."Now," he whispered.
Thunder shot forward like a bolt, striking the queen with a direct discharge that shattered her carapace. Lusian leapt from the saddle and slashed diagonally, splitting the creature in two.
The guardians tried to react, but the knights overwhelmed them. Within minutes, silence returned.
Albert nodded with respect."Well done, young master."
That night, the group made camp. During dinner, Albert produced a small jar of magical honey.
"With the young master's permission," he said, "we'll share this."
Lusian nodded."Go ahead. We earned it."
Each knight took a spoonful. Warmth spread through their bodies, revitalizing them.
Lusian felt it too—the mana blending smoothly with his own, strengthening him subtly.
Albert commented,"It's saturated with mana. That explains their resilience."
Charles Grell added,"This could be used for potions… even class ascension elixirs."
Murmurs spread among the soldiers.
Lusian watched their hopeful faces and thought how strange it was: in his old life, strength came from grinding battles. Here… it could come from something as simple as food.
A world where food was power.