Chapter 7 : Progression

  Months passed quietly after the battle with the Rock Beetle.

  Aspen, now twelve, taller and stronger though his blue eyes still held that quiet gentleness.

  He continued his training in secret with his uncle.

  Each day he grew stronger, his movements sharper, his focus steadier.

  His new dagger, made from the Rock Beetle’s fragments, gleamed faintly in the light. Every swing he made was smooth, silent, and precise.

  Odin often watched from the side, arms crossed, eyes soft with pride - though he never said it aloud.

  _ _ _

  The room was faintly filled with herbs and oil.

  A little girl sat grinding something with a stone pestle, different bits of plants scattered across the table.

  “Mia, here’s the herb you asked for.” Aspen said, handing it over.

  “And really… you have been grinding since morning…”

  “Thanks, brother!” she said, taking the herb.

  “I’m making a new medicine!!” she added proudly.

  “New medicine…” he leaned closer, curious, “and what is it for?”

  “It's a secret!” She grinned, eyes shined as she worked.

  “Fine, fine. Lunch’s ready - don't stay too late.” Aspen turned to leave, shaking his head smiling.

  _ _ _

  He knocked on another door.

  No response.

  “Elis, It's lunch time!” He called.

  Still nothing.

  He sighed and pushed the door open.

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  “I’m coming in- ”

  Inside, Elis sat buried in books, finger tracing a page.

  Aspen raised a brow. “You didn’t even hear me knocking.”

  “Oh! Brother Aspen, when did you come in? I’ve told you to knock first!!” Elis said, startled.

  “I did knock. Twice.”

  Elis grinned sheepishly.

  “And what’s got you focused this time?” Aspen asked.

  “Ants!” He replied, holding up the book.

  “Do you know what ants like most?”

  Aspen scratched his head.

  “Biting? One bit me this morning…”

  “No, even a little kid like me knows it's wrong~ ” Elis teased him.

  “Alright, genius. What's the answer?”

  “It’s sugar! When ants find food, they leave a trail called pheromone - it helps others follow! Isn’t that cool?”

  “Hmm. I didn’t know that. You’re smarter than me” Aspen said, patting his head before leaving with a soft click of the door.

  He walked down the hall thinking,

  “Both of them are really smart. To be precise… even smarter than me…”

  He sighed low.

  “Leave knowledge I only know about hunting… that's fine for me. I guess…”

  _ _ _

  At lunch, he looked around.

  “Mr. Anders, did Father leave already?”

  The old chef stirred a pot.

  “Yes, young master. He said he had business in the next city.”

  Aspen nodded. “Probably about that renovation he mentioned…”

  After eating, Aspen wandered through the market.

  The sweet scent of apples caught him, and he bought one.

  Nearby, two women were talking.

  “Oh Mrs. Richard! Did you hear about that traveller who was attacked by burrow ants?”

  “Yes, the poor man nearly died! They even sent hunters, but no one found the nest.”

  Aspen took a slow bite of the apple, thinking.

  “Burrow ants… they dig tunnels deep under the ground. No wonder no one can find them.”

  He left the market, heading to the spot mentioned.

  “Nothing here…” he muttered, scanning the ground.

  Then something clicked. He turned on his heel, went back to the market, and bought a whole sack of sugar.

  Just then, someone called, “Aspen!!”

  He turned to see Ryl, grocery bag in hand.

  “Oh hey, Ryl! Shopping?”

  “Yeah. Mom sent me to get some stuff. And what’s that sack?”

  “Why don't you come with me? It’ll be fun!”

  Ryl narrowed his eyes. “I know… it's hunting. The only fun you can have…”

  Aspen grinned. “Come on! You’ll see.”

  “Fine, fine. let me drop these things out first.” Ryl sighed, already regretting it.

  _ _ _

  Later, they both met at their usual spot and Aspen explained everything as they walked.

  He poured the sugar on the ground and crouched behind the bushes.

  “Are you sure this’ll work?”

  Ryl whispered, clutching twigs like a weapon.

  “Yes! It should work. Elis told me about it.” he whispered back.

  “Honestly… you're thrusting a little kid’s bug story?”

  “Don’t underestimate him. Just wait.”

  Aspen squinted at the twigs.

  “Why are you holding those?”

  “It's for protection!!”

  “Protection? You poked your own eyes earlier.”

  “You know nothing Aspen! It works!” He puffed up.

  “If any ant sees me I will cover my face so it thinks I'm part of a plant!”

  Aspen face-palmed so hard that the leaves shook.

  “You're just jealous of my knowledge.” Ryl hissed.

  Minutes passed.

  Ryl yawned, half - asleep, then Aspen suddenly tensed.

  A soft rustle.

  A Burrow Ant crawled out and took a bite of sugar then marched away.

  [ BORROW ANT : Low-rank beast. Known for its tunneling skills and group work. ]

  Aspen nudged Ryl. “See? It works. Let’s follow it.”

  They moved quietly, following the ant through bushes until the ground opened into a hollowed pit - dozens of ants crawling in and out.

  Ryl’s face paled. “Aspen… there’s too many.”

  “Yeah,” Aspen muttered. “Even if they’re weak, we can’t handle this alone.”

  “Let’s just tell the hunters and leave,” Ryl whispered.

  Aspen nodded.

  Suddenly-

  A massive shadow swallowed light around them.

  Ryl squinted up. “There are no clouds. Why is it dark?”

  Hisss. Hisss.

  “What's that sound?” Aspen turned and froze.

  Ryl frowned at him.

  “What? Did you see a ghost or someth- ”

  As he turned his breath hitched.

  A huge creature towered above them.

  Its shell gleamed black as glass and its mandibles clicking as saliva drooled - grass dried making a faint hiss sound.

  “W-what is that thing?!!”

  Ryl hissed.

  Aspen pointed his orb at it.

  It flickered red

  “it’s… It's a Queen Ant! And this is very, very rare to be seen…”

  *****

  Chapter 8 : The Hunter's Might