CHAPTER 48: STONEBACK BEETLES

Their horses carried them at an easy pace across the farmland, their hooves thumping against the dirt road that cut through rows of crops.

From up on the saddle, Wade could see the damage more clearly now.

Rows of plants gnawed down to their roots, and patches of soil overturned as if something had clawed its way through.

It wasn’t hard to imagine the beetles scurrying under there, waiting.

When they reached the end of the field, Rowan slowed his horse and brought it to a stop near a weather-worn post.

They each dismounted, tying their horses securely.

Wade gave his a few pats on the neck before stepping away.

Both men reached for their weapons. Rowan unsheathed a plain, straight-edged sword, taking a moment to admire its blade.

Wade followed suit, his own blade leaving a low whistle as it left the scabbard.

"Wait a second," Wade said, tilting his head. "Where’s your staff?"

Rowan chuckled. "Not today."

He gave the sword a little flourish, testing its balance in his hand. "Thought I’d give myself some exercise. Haven’t had a good sword fight in a while."

Wade blinked at him. "You... you’re joking, right? You actually choose to make this harder?"

Rowan smirked. "Sometimes you’ve got to sweat a little. Besides, I can’t let my sword skills get rusty. What if I run into something immune to magic?"

"That’s a nightmare I don’t even want to think about," Wade muttered, shaking his head.

After a beat, he glanced sideways. "So, how does your staff actually work? I’ve seen you use it, but I don’t really get it. Do you use spells like a wizard or what?"

"Ah." Rowan tapped his chin with his free hand, as though lecturing. "Well, my staff isn’t just a fancy stick."

"It comes with channels and nodes that help focus mana. It helps cut down mana costs and increase damage. Not always, depends on the skill, but when it does, it saves me a ton of energy."

"So it’s basically like free damage and discounts?" Wade asked, arching a brow.

Rowan laughed. "Exactly. That’s why it’s one of my most important pieces of gear. Without it, I’m strong. With it, I’m dangerous."

"Noted," Wade said, his grip tightening around his sword. "Remind me never to try bargaining with you when you’re holding that thing."

They walked side by side down the farmland, eyes sweeping over the ruined crops and ragged patches of earth.

The breeze was gentle, carrying the faint smell of grass. It might have been peaceful, if not for the fact that both men knew what lurked nearby.

Then Wade froze. His ears caught something faint at first, then clearer with each step.

An eerie, grating sound, like claws raking against stone.

Scratch. Scratch. Scratch.

Rowan’s head tilted. His smirk faded into something serious. "Hear that?"

"Yeah," Wade whispered, lowering into a ready stance. "They’re close."

And the scratching grew louder.

Slowly, the scratching built into a frenzy, the earth itself trembling beneath their boots.

Wade gripped his sword tighter, heart thumping, and then...

The ground split apart.

Three Stoneback Beetles erupted from the soil in a spray of dirt and stones.

Their bodies gleamed like slabs of jagged granite, each segment covered in a dull, rocky shell.

Their legs were sharp and hooked, designed for digging and tearing.

They clicked their mandibles, the sound loud and grating, like knives grinding together.

"Scouts!" Rowan barked, swinging his blade into a ready stance.

Wade barely had time to move before the first beetle lunged.

Its body slammed against his chest, only a hastily erected Basic Ward saving him.

The impact jarred his bones and he staggered, gritting his teeth as the monster scrabbled at him, claws scratching against the barrier.

"Keep it off balance!" Rowan shouted, already engaging the second one.

His sword rang as he slashed across the beetle’s back, sparks flying uselessly against the stone-like carapace. "The shell’s too hard from above. You’ve got to flip them!"

Wade growled, shoving the beetle back with a surge of effort.

The barrier disappeared and he slashed downward, but his sword skittered off the armor, barely leaving a mark.

The beetle hissed, lunging at him again.

Fine. If cutting won’t work...

He dropped low, pivoting on his heel.

As the beetle charged, Wade slammed his shoulder under its side and heaved.

With a grunt, he managed to tip the beetle onto its back.

The effect was immediate. The beast flailed wildly, its legs scrabbling in the air, leaving its pale, vulnerable underbelly exposed.

"Got you," Wade snarled.

He plunged his sword down. The blade punched through the soft flesh, sliding deep until it struck earth beneath.

The beetle let out a screech that vibrated through his bones, then went limp.

A foul stench rose instantly, like rotten eggs and burning tar.

Wade gagged, yanking his sword free as thick, blackish-green blood poured from the wound, steaming as it touched the soil.

Across the field, Rowan had already flipped his own. He’d hooked his sword under one of its legs, using leverage to topple it.

Then he stabbed his sword straight through the belly, twisting hard.

Blood sprayed across his boots, hissing in the air. He wrinkled his nose. "Gods, I forgot how bad they stink."

The third beetle came charging at him from the side.

Rowan turned to brace, but Wade was already moving. He slammed his shoulder into the creature, halting its momentum just long enough for Rowan to slice low, sweeping the legs from under it.

Together, they tipped the monster, its heavy body crashing onto its back with a dull thud.

"Your turn," Rowan said.

Wade didn’t hesitate. He leapt forward and drove his sword down into the exposed gut.

The beetle shrieked, its legs thrashing once, twice, before going quiet.

Another rush of vile smelling ichor flooded out, thick and cloying, making Wade’s stomach churn.

The field was silent again, save for their heavy breathing.

Wade wiped sweat from his brow, grimacing at the acrid stench clinging to the air. "You weren’t kidding about the flipping."

Rowan gave him a crooked grin, though his face was pale. "That’s the only way. You either spear them from underneath... or get your blade broken trying to hack through stone."

Wade stared down at the black pools soaking into the dirt, nose wrinkling. "And I thought I’d smelled the worst the world has to offer. This is worse."

"Get used to it," Rowan said, flicking his sword clean. "There’s more of them. That was just the scouts."