BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM



Meanwhile, Erik, Marcus, Alexia, and Garrett were sprinting through the Frantian camp, their hearts racing. The camp was a labyrinth of tents and erected barricades, teeming with soldiers frantically mobilizing to face the monstrous threat bearing down on them, the Ursus Glacialis. Their arrival was not ignored for long.

A Frantian soldier spotted them, his armor glinting in the sporadic light. "Who are you?" he demanded, instinctively reaching for his weapon. However, he was unable to continue acting. Alexia moved as quickly as a hawk diving for its prey.

An arrow that glowed with mana was knocked from her bow. She let it fly in an instant. The mana arrow pierced the air with a deadly streak of light and found its target. The soldier collapsed to the ground with an arrow lodged in his skull.

[FRANTIAN SOLDIER KILLED: MANA ABSORBING PROCESS STARTING.]

[0%...1%....5%...30%...70%...100%]

[MANA SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED, STARTING CONVERTING PROCEDURE.]

[3...2...1...0]

[MANA SUCCESSFULLY CONVERTED INTO EXPERIENCE. 341 EXPERIENCE POINTS AWARDED TO THE HOST.]

When Erik received the notification, the soldiers around him let out a collective gasp. There was a brief moment of stunned silence, as they had not expected humans to target them, especially in their territory.

They sprang into action like a hornet's nest that had been kicked. The loud roars of laser rifles broke the silence. The laser and the mana-infused projectiles filled the air, a lethal hail aimed at the intruders.

Marcus reacted instantly. He stepped forward, putting himself between his comrades and the onslaught of firepower. He closed his eyes and concentrated, his mana responding to his command. In front of him, a shimmering dome appeared, a wall of rippling energy that absorbed the onslaught.

The projectiles collided with the shield, sending a burst of light against the mana barrier. Marcus remained steadfast; his determination was fuelled by a desire to protect his friends. His body trembled under the strain of having to endure all those attacks, but he didn't falter; his eyes filled with steely determination.

Erik, Alexia, and Garrett stood in awe as Marcus held the shield against the oncoming barrage. They knew they had to act quickly to take advantage of this protection window. They didn't even wait for the barrage to end, since they got closer enough to wreak havoc.

Erik focused his eyes on the enemies in front and used his mana to connect with the plants surrounding them. He compelled the plants to obey his will with a quick mental command.

Vines and branches twisted and turned, moving with defying speed and dexterity. They whipped out at the soldiers like a swarm of serpents, striking with lethal precision. Each lash was lethal, slicing through armor and flesh alike and dispatching the soldiers right there.

[FRANTIAN SOLDIERS KILLED: MANA ABSORBING PROCESS STARTING.]

[0%...1%....5%...30%...70%...100%]

[MANA SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED, STARTING CONVERTING PROCEDURE.]

[3...2...1...0]

[MANA SUCCESSFULLY CONVERTED INTO EXPERIENCE. 2387 EXPERIENCE POINTS AWARDED TO THE HOST.]

Alexia was a study of calm amid a storm. She moved with the fluid grace of an experienced archer, each arrow drawn and released with ease. Her mana arrows were deadly accurate, each hitting its target and dispatching the soldiers standing after Erik's assault.

Marcus was a staunch defender, his mana shield absorbing the onslaught of Frantian soldiers. As he continued to protect his friends amidst the chaos of the battlefield, his concentration never faltered.

At the same time, Garrett waded into the fray, his Aclaitrium longsword gleaming in his grip. Infused with wind mana, the sword became an extension of his will, amplifying its power many times. Each swing was a burst of lethal force, severing the soldiers' waists with terrifying ease.

The fight was intense, with the outcome depending on the group's skill and determination. Erik's control over the plants created a lethal obstacle for the soldiers, a trap they could not see or anticipate, and that eased Marcus's burden many times.

Alexia's arrows were deadly accurate; each shot reduced their enemies' numbers. Marcus' shield was a deterrent to their attacks; his unwavering resolve shielded his friends from harm.

Garrett was a destructive force, his longsword leaving a trail of dead enemies in his wake. His mastery of wind mana transformed his sword into a weapon of devastating power, and his skill with the blade was unrivaled.

As they kept fighting, they moved deeper into the Frantians' camp. Each fallen soldier brought them closer to their goal.

Erik caught sight of their goal after ten minutes of fighting, immersed in the heart of the battle amidst the chorus of clashing steel and the roar of mana. The Auburn Pine stood tall and radiant, a luminous beacon amid the chaos.

He felt a wave of relief wash over him. Turning to his companions, he shouted over the clamor, "I'll go take the seeds; you cover me!" His voice rang with determination, echoing amidst the chaos.

Understanding the urgency of his words, they nodded, their faces set in grim resolve.

Erik dashed towards the Auburn Pine while his friends shielded him. As he weaved through the battlefield, dodging attacks and shrugging off minor blows, his heart pounded in his chest. He didn't pause for a second when he arrived at the tree. He climbed the massive trunk as quickly as a mountain cat, his hands finding traction on the rough bark.

He spotted the coveted pine cones high up among the branches. Each one was a veritable treasure trove of seeds, brimming with promise. He harvested three of them with deft movements, carefully stowing them in his pouch.

Erik descended the tree with a grace that belied the urgency of his actions; his task was completed. The descent took only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity to the young man and his friends. Each second was a heartbeat, a ticking clock amidst the chaos of the battle.

When he was back on solid ground, he turned to face his companions, his voice echoing with a command. "Retreat now!" he yelled. His voice cut through the din, pointing the way forward.

The time for confrontation was over; the time for escape had begun. With the prized seeds secure and their mission accomplished, they were ready to retreat, to escape from the confines of the Frantian camp and the perils of the Lumisgrove.