"Where is the Hive Queen?" Claude complained, kicking at the grass. He stomped lightly, frustration written all over his face.
We had been roaming the forest for a long minute, but there was still no sign of the Queen.
"Patience, Claude," Dahlia said, shaking her head. She folded her arms and glanced around cautiously.
We continued looking for signs of the Queen and soon arrived at a quiet area in the forest.
"Look! What is that?" I said, pointing with confusion.
Claude followed my gaze. A cluster of silky vines clung to one of the tall trees, swaying slightly as if alive.
"The Hornet Hive Queen's nest!" he exclaimed, eyes widened.
[Danger: Boss Area Detected!]
A notification appeared in front of each of us.
A loud buzzing returned. But this time, it was heavier, deeper, and dominating.
We stepped cautiously into the central clearing of the vine-covered plains. Massive trees twisted together, forming a natural dome. At the center hung a hive—bulging and pulsating faintly, dripping green venom. The sound of wings vibrating through the air.
Claude swallowed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
Dahlia tightened her grip on her trident, her eyes narrowing. "That's the Queen."
From the hive, a massive figure emerged, its four wings beating with a terrifying rhythm. Its body was twice the size of a Giant Hornet, and its stinger, longer than my spear, dripped venom that hissed when it hit the ground. Its multifaceted eyes locked onto us.
[!] Boss Detected [!]
[Monster: Hornet Hive Queen]
[Rank: C-Class]
The Hornet Hive Queen commands all hornets in her territory. Possessing immense speed, agility, and venom potency, she can summon swarms and fire multiple piercing stingers.
Special Traits:
[Gale Wings] – Flaps create strong winds, knocking back or disrupting enemies.
[Volley of Stingers] – Shoots multiple venomous stingers at once.
[Hive Summon] – Calls nearby hornets to swarm and protect her.
‹ Hornet Queen ›
HP: 500 / 500
Claude gulped and stepped back a little, waving his hand nervously. "So… anyone want to tell her we're just passing by?"
The Queen screeched, and dozens of Giant Hornets swarmed around her, forming a shield.
I tightened my grip on my spear and raised it in front of me. "Positions!" I said.
The swarm launched forward first, firing venomous stingers in our direction.
"Claude!" I shouted, pointing at the nearest hornets.
"I'm on it!" Claude shouted back. He planted his feet, gripping his whip tightly, and glanced at the swarm. "One… two… three… four…" He muttered under his breath, counting rapidly.
"What are you doing?" I asked, furrowing my brows.
"Counting them. There are seven!" he replied, smirking nervously.
I noticed the Queen flapping her wings rapidly. She moved faster than I expected, appearing directly above and behind us. Her stinger raised, ready to strike. Multiple stingers flew toward us, venom hissing and splashing across the ground.
"Cresting Wave!"
Dahlia shouted, swinging her trident forward. A water wave surged, washing away the stingers just in time.
"I'll take the swarm! You two handle the Queen!" Claude said, giving us a cheeky wink. He then dashed toward the hornets, cracking his whip in wide arcs.
"That idiot!" I muttered, rolling my eyes as I readied my spear.
The Queen shrieked and rose higher, wings beating so fast that a gust of wind nearly knocked Dahlia and me off our feet.
"She's fast… too fast," Dahlia muttered, gripping her trident tighter. "We need to coordinate carefully."
I took a deep breath, tightening my grip on my spear. I stepped forward slightly and pointed at the Queen. "I'll go first," I said firmly, giving a small nod to and Dahlia.
Dahlia glanced at me and nodded. "Be careful."
Claude, still fighting the swarm, shouted over his shoulder, "Don't die before me!" He spun his whip, sending dozens of ice shards streaking toward the hornets.
I smirked despite the tension and adjusted my stance, raising my spear toward the Queen. "Let's end this quickly," I muttered, readying myself for the first strike.
I planted my feet and focused, flames erupting along my spear.
"Phoenix Flare!"
I shouted, slamming my spear into the ground. The fire roared upward, lifting me into the air as I swung toward the Hornet Hive Queen.
My chest tightened as I saw her dodge instantly with a swift side motion. I landed back on the ground; the flames had scorched the grass.
I gritted my teeth. I have to make this one count. I repeated my technique, leaping into the air, spear burning with fire.
"Dahlia! Cover me!" I called, eyes fixed on the Queen.
"I've got you!" Dahlia's voice came from below. She raised her trident, water spiraling around the tip.
"Water Jets!"
Six sharp streams shot forward. The Queen twisted in mid-air, dodging each stream with frightening speed.
"Hyaaa!" I gritted my teeth, spinning my spear in my hand. I'll find an opening.
The Queen flapped her wings violently. A strong gust tore through the clearing, lifting leaves and dust into the air.
I twisted mid-air, rotating my spear to block the wind, and landed safely, glaring at her.
Suddenly, Claude appeared above, spinning his whip rapidly with a grin.
"Cascade Arc!"
A wide arc of slicing water streaked through the air. The Queen didn't notice in time and screeched as the wave struck her abdomen, slashing across her chitinous body. She fired her stinger immediately, but Claude twisted just in time to avoid the strike.
The Queen's eyes glowed crimson with rage. She summoned five Giant Hornets beside her. They darted straight at us, stingers gleaming like blades.
"Great… more trouble," Claude groaned, spinning his whip to strike the incoming hornets.
I clenched my spear tighter. Now's my chance.
"Malachi, now!" I muttered to myself and leapt high, landing on one hornet and using it to spring toward the Queen. Flames ignited at the tip of my spear as I twisted through the air.
"Scorching Surge!"
I yelled, driving my spear into her side. Fire flared along her body. For the first time, she faltered mid-flight, wings flapping erratically.
"Nice hit!" Claude cheered when I landed. Our teamwork was finally paying off.
Dahlia didn't waste a second. She fired a precise stream of water at the Queen's wings.
"Take that!" Six streams struck, splashing across her wings and slowing her just enough, forcing her lower in the air.
Claude sent a flurry of ice shards at the remaining hornets.
"Glacial Shards!"
I glanced at her HP display. Her HP was now halfway. Just a few more hits, and it would reach half. We were making progress.
The Queen shrieked, sending another powerful gale toward us. I twisted and dodged instinctively.
Dahlia and Claude leaped backward, avoiding the gale.
I spotted an opening with her in the lower air. "Now!" I shouted, flames bursting along my spear as I lunged forward.
"Burning Armament!"
I slashed rapidly, spear tip blazing, striking her midsection. The Queen screeched in pain, venom splattering across the ground.
Claude seized the chance immediately, spinning his whip and lashing a tide of water at her.
"Take this, you overgrown hornet!" he shouted.
"Tidal Smash!"
The Hornet Hive Queen was smashed, her massive body slamming into the ground from Claude's attack.
‹ Hornet Hive Queen ›
HP: 250/500
All our attacks, but her HP seemed to automatically stop at half. We froze, staring at her in disbelief.
Then, her body trembled violently. A strange, low hum filled the air as her wings stretched wider, shimmering with a darker aura.
Her stinger lengthened, curving like a sharp sword, and green venom began dripping faster, sizzling where it hit the ground. Her eyes glowed brighter, crimson radiating with fury.
She let out a deafening screech, and her entire body expanded, muscles bulging under her chitin as if she were feeding on her rage.
It was clear—she was now furious.
I tightened my grip on my spear, feeling the weight of her presence.
Dahlia and Claude tensed beside me, their weapons ready. The Queen was evolving into something far more dangerous.