Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Eryn was not the sort to panic. He had endured far too much to allow fear to cloud his judgment.

When the barrier protecting his home began to dim and lose its light, he remained calm. When the occasional monster breached their defenses and attacked the village, he stood firm.

Even when the Mezus declared war on the Gozus, plunging the region into chaos and further destabilizing the illusion barrier concealing their settlement, Eryn maintained his composure. He knew that if they were careful, they could still remain hidden from the outside world.

When the other elders began discussing the possibility of abandoning their home, he did not falter. Even when one elder suggested moving closer to human settlements to escape the growing number of monsters, and the others began to consider it, Eryn kept his resolve.

But now, his hands trembled as he stood atop the tallest tree, watching the scene below.

Ants.

Dozens of them, gathered just beyond the borders of the village. For the first time in years, Eryn felt a chill of dread creep into his heart.

He was terrified.

Ant monsters were universally despised, by the higher races, humans, and even other monsters. That hatred was rooted in fear.

The reason stretched back nearly three centuries, to a time when the barrier protecting the land was newly erected and at its strongest. Back then, ant monsters were considered minor threats, ranked as Rank C monsters, with their queens barely reaching Rank B.

But everything changed when a queen evolved. No one knew the exact cause of this evolution, some speculated it had devoured a powerful Majin, while others believed it had been granted a name. Regardless of the catalyst, the result was a Rank A ant monster with intelligence.

Within a single week, the Great Forest of Jura was overrun. Millions of ants swarmed through the land, consuming everything in their path. The surrounding nations teetered on the brink of collapse, unable to hold back the tide.

In a rare display of unity, those nations formed an unspoken alliance to push back the threat. The queen was eventually slain, and every last monster ant was hunted down.

Since that cataclysmic event, new colonies of monster ants occasionally emerged, but they never lasted long. Without time to establish defenses, they were easily exterminated before becoming a true threat.

Which was why this scene defied all reason.

Eryn's hands trembled as he gripped the branch of the tallest tree in the area. His sharp eyes tracked the movements of the ants below, and his heart sank. These weren't the monster ants he had grown accustomed to seeing over his long lifetime.

They moved on two legs, their strides purposeful. Their actions were coordinated yet bore the hallmarks of individual intelligence. Their sleek, carapaced forms glinted in the faint light, radiating an aura of power.

"How?" Eryn whispered, his voice barely audible. His mind raced, trying to grasp what he was witnessing.

These ants had evolved.

And if history had taught him anything, it was that this could be the beginning of another nightmare.

However. "They're not doing anything." Eryn muttered under his breath.

He knew he had been spotted. The younger elves nearby couldn't hide their fear before he sent them to warn the village.

The largest of the humanoid ants, its crimson eyes glowing faintly, had locked its gaze onto him. Yet it didn't attack. It simply stood there, surrounded by its kin, as though it were waiting.

Eryn's sharp instincts told him this wasn't a mere scout. If it had been, the village would already be in chaos, evacuating under his command. No, the overwhelming aura emanating from the creature marked it as something far more dangerous—a Rank A monster.

Moments later, reinforcements arrived. Two elders and a dozen warriors joined him, weapons drawn, tension radiating from their forms. Among them was Gin, a prodigious archer who had surpassed Eryn himself in the way of the bow.

The warriors held their ground, ready to strike at his command, but Eryn wasn't about to waste their lives recklessly. Not yet.

Suddenly, there was movement among the ants. The crimson-eyed leader shifted slightly, and the atmosphere grew heavier.

A flash of light erupted from the center of the group, stealing the breath of everyone present.

As the light dimmed, the figure of a human woman stood in its place.

"A human?" Elder Finneas whispered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

It was true. Standing amidst the towering humanoid ants was a human female.

Instantly, the air grew impossibly tense. Eryn's eyes widened in shock, and absolute terror. From her very presence emanated an overwhelming aura, heavy and oppressive. It was not the kind of power any ordinary human should possess.

"Such... presence. Is she a monster?" Kaius, the second elder, trembled as he whispered the question.

Even from this distance, they could feel it. The sheer force of her aura demanded submission, it was a power that could not be ignored or denied.

Eryn fought to keep himself upright, his willpower the only thing keeping him from collapsing to his knees. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to bow, but he refused to yield.

His courage seemed to inspire the others, as the elves steeled themselves, drawing upon their resolve to resist.

The woman began walking toward them, her steps brisk yet deliberate. To Eryn and the others, each step felt like an eternity.

Eryn stood his ground, though every instinct in his body screamed at him to act. The human woman continued her approach, her movements measured yet deliberate. The oppressive aura radiating from her hadn't diminished, and every elf behind him remained tense, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Eryn's sharp eyes darted to the massive humanoid ants still lingering behind her. They remained unnervingly still, their postures more like disciplined soldiers than feral monsters. But it was the human herself that demanded his attention.

As she drew closer, Eryn raised his hand, signaling his warriors to hold their positions. His voice, firm and unwavering, cut through the palpable tension.

"Stop right there."

The woman halted immediately, her movements precise, as though she had anticipated the command. She raised her hands slightly, a gesture meant to reassure, though it did little to calm the storm within him.

"I mean no harm," she began, her tone steady, yet carrying an authority that was impossible to ignore. "My name is Kaede. My people and I have settled nearby. I only wish to speak."

Eryn's sharp gaze didn't leave her for a moment. He scrutinized her every word, every subtle movement. Her demeanor was calm, but the overwhelming presence she exuded spoke of something far greater than a mere human.

His eyes flicked past her, toward the shadowy figures lingering in the trees behind her. The massive ants remained motionless, but their intent red eyes betrayed a readiness that put his people on edge.

"Those creatures," Eryn said, his voice sharp, "are they yours?"

The woman -Kaede- glanced back briefly before answering. "They are. They're my allies and my people. They only act on my command."

The words hung in the air, and a murmur rippled through the elves behind him. Eryn felt the weight of their unease but did not share in it. His mind worked quickly, analyzing her claim.

Before he could respond, the faint sound of rustling leaves reached his ears. He tensed, his grip tightening on his staff, but the woman didn't flinch. Instead, her head turned slightly, and for a moment, Eryn saw a flicker of acknowledgment in her eyes.

From the trees emerged two more figures—both monstrous in size and presence.

The first was a towering seven feet tall ant creature with an even more menacing aura than the others. Its carapace gleamed darkly in the fading light, and its crimson eyes burned with intelligence.

The second figure was a smaller plant humanoid, though no less imposing. Its sharp features and confident stance suggested it was no mere subordinate.

"Mother," the larger ant said, its voice low and reverent, carrying a weight that sent chills down Eryn's spine. "Do you require assistance?"

Kaede turned to face the ant briefly, offering a small, calm smile. "Not yet. Just stand by."

The exchange sent another ripple of unease through the elves. Eryn could feel his warriors shifting behind him, their weapons held tighter than ever.

"I see you've brought quite the entourage," Eryn said, his voice even but laced with suspicion.

Kaede turned her attention back to him, her expression as calm as before. "As I said, they're my people. I take their safety seriously, just as you would for yours. But I'm here to talk, not fight."

Her words were reasonable, but Eryn wasn't convinced. He had seen too many deceptions, too many false pretenses of peace. Yet, the power been displayed spoke differently.

He studied her for a long moment, his mind weighing the risks and possibilities. Finally, he gave a slow nod.

"Very well," he said. "I am Eryndor, one of the elders of this settlement. Speak, Kaede. What is it you want?"