WorldCrafter - Building My Underground Kingdom

Meanwhile some distance away, One moved swiftly, his sharp eyes tracking every shadow, every slight movement within the twisted mushroom forest.

Behind him, the ten Krell moved quietly yet swiftly, footsteps barely audible as they weaved through the towering fungal structures.

Five Scouts swiftly leaped across the mushroom tops, their bows drawn tight, explosive arrows glowing softly as they maintained a higher vantage point. Four Soldiers kept formation below, spears ready, eyes scanning carefully.

In the center, a single Tank moved steadily, heavy footsteps marking their path—but drawing enemy attention exactly as planned.

Behind them came the Ravagers, closing fast. Three massive Brute Ravagers bulldozed forward, their claws smashing mushrooms aside like paper, raw power radiating from every move. Five smaller Ravagers sprinted at their sides, their shrieks piercing through the mushroom forest.

But One's greatest concern was the Phantom Ravager. Its form shimmered, distorting and fading from view, appearing and disappearing in sudden flashes of stealthy movement.

Only a faint ripple of distortion showing it's location. 'Patience,' One ordered through the Hive Mind. 'Keep retreating. Maintain formation.'

They continued their careful withdrawal, luring the enemy deeper into their trap. Mushrooms grew denser, narrowing the path, forcing the Ravagers closer together.

Suddenly, One's eyes flashed with a cold, calculating gleam. 'Now!' his mental command rang clearly.

Instantly, the Scouts unleashed their arrows.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions shattered the mushrooms above, collapsing them down onto the Ravagers, forcing them to scatter chaotically. The Brute Ravagers roared, shaking off debris, but their formation had already crumbled.

"Soldiers, pin the brutes!" One's next order echoed instantly.

The four Soldiers rushed forward, moving precisely in pairs. Their spears stabbed through gaps in armor, weaving carefully between the brutal swings of claws. One Soldier leaped upward, stabbing directly into a Brute's unarmored neck. Dark blood gushed as the beast staggered, roaring furiously.

The Phantom Ravager moved swiftly, its distorted form come out from the shadows, targeting the vulnerable Soldiers. But One had anticipated this. 'Tank, intercept now!'

The Krell Tank dashed forward, its heavy, armored form slamming directly into the Phantom. The Ravager shimmered into view, momentarily stunned.

Without hesitation, One directed two Scouts to fire at it simultaneously. Twin explosive arrows struck home, engulfing the Phantom Ravager in flames, but it was quick—dodging enough to avoid a direct kill. Still injured, the creature vanished back into camouflage, wounded but now cautious.

The remaining normal Ravagers quickly reorganized, shrieking angrily as they closed ranks. Their clawed limbs tore into the ground, launching themselves toward the Krell Soldiers' exposed backs.

But One anticipated this. He swiftly directed the Scouts to reposition, their arrows already glowing brightly as they took aim.

Swoosh—BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosive arrows streaked through the air, igniting upon impact. Two Ravagers were consumed by the blasts immediately, their mangled forms hurled violently across the mushroom-covered battlefield.

The remaining three staggered, heavily wounded, yet their ferocity only intensified. Their pain-fueled roars echoed defiantly through the fungal forest.

One grimaced. His own strength was nearly spent. His body shivered from the strain of maintaining mental commands through the relentless chaos. He was designed as a strategist, never meant for the frontline. 'Steady,' he commanded, his thoughts sharpened by necessity.

The Soldiers formed a defensive line, spearpoints gleaming, braced for the approaching enemy. The wounded Ravagers barreled forward, their wound only make them even more savage.

The first Ravager slammed against a Soldier's shield, teeth scraping harshly against the metal. Another slipped around, claws slashing fiercely, drawing deep gouges into the armor of a second Krell Soldier. The Scouts repositioned again, but the chaos of close combat made their shots risky.

One's eyes narrowed, his senses heightened by the tension. His body trembled, the strain of command nearly overwhelming him. He sensed something subtle—a ripple of mana behind him.

'Behind!' Instinct surged. One spun sharply, claws sweeping forward with desperate strength—

CRACK! His strike connected. The Phantom Ravager materialized with a distorted shriek, black blood splashing as it stumbled back.

One breathed heavily, claws trembling from the impact. The Phantom's form flickered, its stealth fading momentarily as it fell lifeless to the ground.

But there was no time to rest. Behind him, the fighting intensified. Brute Ravagers, ignoring their injuries, rampaged fiercely.

Their massive claws crushed shields, tore armor, and sent Soldiers sprawling across the battlefield. Krell Soldiers fought back courageously, stabbing upward with their spears, piercing through gaps in chitinous armor. Still, they suffered injuries, each hit weakening their ranks.

One's mind raced, quickly formulating a desperate strategy. 'Tank, hold the center. Scouts, support from above! Soldiers, flank now!'

The Tank surged forward, roaring defiantly, drawing the Brute Ravagers' attention with its armored body. Claws struck, armor cracked, but the Tank endured, standing firm. Above, Scouts fired arrows precisely, explosions raining down to stagger and disorient the enemy.

Soldiers swept around, encircling the Brute Ravagers, spearpoints thrusting toward vulnerable joints. Yet the Ravagers were relentless, thrashing violently, knocking Soldiers aside like a toy.

One, despite his exhaustion, continued coordinating desperately, his thoughts sharp as knives. His limbs trembled from fatigue, but the fight was far from over. He raised his claw, signaling a final strike, and the Krell responded instantly, moving together as one.

Two Soldiers fell, mortally wounded, their bodies crushed beneath powerful Ravager limbs. Yet their sacrifices provided crucial openings. Scouts fired their final explosive arrows, blasting chunks from the armored hides of the Brute Ravagers.

With an enraged bellow, the Tank gathered its remaining strength, smashing directly into the largest Brute. Both crashed heavily to the ground, wrestling violently.

A nearby Soldier seized the moment, spear stabbing through the Ravager's throat, finally silencing it.

Only two Brutes and one severely wounded Ravager remained. The Scouts fired another volley, explosions finally driving the last Ravagers to their knees. Soldiers moved swiftly, spears striking decisive blows.

At last, they finally won. The mushroom forest lay devastated, littered with shattered armor, broken spears, and fallen Krell.

One trembled, barely managing to stay upright, his breath heavy with exhaustion. 'All threats eliminated,' he relayed through the Hive Mind, voice strained yet unwavering. 'We move… regroup with the Sovereign now.'

Gathering their injured, the surviving Krell moved swiftly, but still maintain their formation.