Global Survival: I Have Endless Skeletons

Chapter 317: Mantis Dune Striders

"So, you only arrived on the second floor less than two weeks ago?" Orric asked while staring at the silver haired young man beside him with widened eyes.

Thoren nodded calmly without adding any further explanation. He had already expected such a reaction from Orric and the others.

Ever since he helped them capture the thief, Orric and his party members had begun looking at him differently.

At first, they merely thought he was a wandering awakener traveling alone across the Crimson Dunes. However, after witnessing his overwhelming pressure and terrifying summon, their attitude changed completely.

Now, they looked at him as though he was a monster wearing human skin.

"You..." Orric swallowed hard before shaking his head helplessly. "Forget it."

A deep sigh escaped from his lips afterward.

Throughout his year within the Bleeding Desert, he had heard countless stories about talented awakeners. However, compared to the silver haired young man beside him, those so-called geniuses suddenly appeared painfully ordinary.

He had spent nearly an entire year struggling across the second floor.

He survived countless battles.

He escaped death repeatedly.

He clawed his way upward through blood and desperation.

Yet the young man beside him had only spent less than two weeks here and already possessed strength terrifying enough to crush experienced awakeners effortlessly.

It felt absurd.

It felt unreal.

To Orric, it almost seemed as though the dangerous Bleeding Desert was merely a playground for Thoren.

While he remained lost within his thoughts, the party scout suddenly raised his hand sharply.

Instantly, everyone’s expression changed.

The entire group halted immediately.

Weapons quietly shifted.

Breathing slowed.

Even the atmosphere became tense.

Thoren narrowed his eyes slightly.

What is happening? he wondered inwardly.

The previously friendly expression on Orric’s face disappeared completely. His gaze became sharp and vigilant as he quietly approached the scout.

"What is it?" Orric whispered cautiously.

The scout swallowed nervously before speaking in a grim voice.

"Captain... Bone Crushing Wyrms."

As he spoke, he slowly pointed toward a distant section of the crimson dunes.

Orric nodded stiffly before lowering his body toward the sand. Carefully, he crawled up the slope while trying not to make any noise.

Slowly, he peeked over the tall dune.

The moment his eyes landed upon the creature below, his breathing nearly stopped. A massive night black beast slowly burrowed beneath the crimson sand.

Its body resembled a horrifying mixture between a serpent and a worm. Thick armored plates covered its body while rows of jagged bone spikes protruded from its back like sharpened blades.

Its enormous mouth remained partially open, revealing countless rotating teeth capable of crushing bones instantly.

The surrounding crimson sand trembled faintly whenever it moved.

Orric held his breath instinctively.

Cold sweat slowly formed across his forehead.

That thing was far too close.

Very slowly, he crawled backward before returning toward the group. His clothes were already drenched with sweat.

Bone Crushing Wyrms were not considered the strongest creatures within the Crimson Dunes. However, they were among the most troublesome monsters to encounter.

Their bodies could burrow through the desert rapidly.

They specialized in ambush attacks.

Worst of all, they hunted in enormous packs.

Kill one, and dozens more would emerge from beneath the dunes seeking revenge. Because of this, many awakeners learned to avoid them whenever possible.

Returning toward the group, Orric lowered his voice further.

"We need to wait until the Bone Crushing Wyrms leave the area."

Listening quietly, Thoren became slightly confused.

This was the first time he had witnessed experienced human awakeners avoiding a battle against beasts entirely.

Still, he wisely chose to remain silent.

This was clearly not the right moment to reveal his lack of knowledge regarding the inner region. Quickly, the group lowered their presence while hiding quietly between the dunes.

Everyone held their breath carefully.

Weapons remained unsheathed.

The atmosphere became suffocatingly tense. Every single person appeared prepared for battle at any moment. Even the wind sounded louder than usual.

Five long minutes passed slowly.

Finally, the scout returned once more. Relief was clearly visible across his face.

"Captain, the Bone Crushing Wyrms are gone."

"Are you certain?" Orric immediately asked.

"Yes, Captain."

"That is good." Orric released a deep breath afterward. "We need to move immediately. Remaining here any longer is too dangerous."

Everyone nodded quickly before resuming their journey. However, their earlier relaxed mood had vanished completely.

Now, every pair of eyes constantly scanned the surrounding dunes nervously.

Some gripped their weapons tightly.

Others repeatedly looked behind them. It was obvious the Bone Crushing Wyrms left deep fear within their minds.

Fortunately, their worries proved unnecessary. The terrifying creatures never reappeared.

After traveling another thirty minutes across the crimson dunes, Thoren finally noticed the outline of a large settlement appearing in the distance.

Tall walls rose proudly from the sea of red sand while numerous watchtowers surrounded the outer perimeter.

"That is our base." Orric announced proudly.

A grin slowly appeared across his face.

"Among the surrounding settlements, this town ranks among the strongest."

He raised his chest proudly afterward.

"More importantly, this place serves as the headquarters of the Crimson Arc Guild."

The moment he announced those words, the surrounding guild members visibly straightened themselves proudly.

For them, becoming members of the Crimson Arc Guild was both an honor and a source of pride.

"We should hurry." Orric waved his hand energetically. "I cannot wait to show everyone this damned thief."

Hahaha!

Several guild members laughed loudly afterward.

Now that they were approaching familiar territory, their earlier tension gradually faded away.

Their pace also quickened noticeably.

As the group approached closer toward the settlement, Thoren finally noticed something unusual. Not only humans were entering the town.

He also noticed unfamiliar Beastmen walking calmly nearby.

The creatures possessed lean humanoid bodies covered with dark pale green exoskeletons. Their forearms resembled elongated mantis blades sharp enough to slice flesh effortlessly.

Their narrow heads possessed multiple blinking eyes capable of tracking movements rapidly.

Long powerful legs allowed them to move swiftly across the dunes with unnatural grace.

Meanwhile, overlapping shell segments covered portions of their torsos like flexible armor plating. Sensing Thoren’s gaze upon them, several of the creatures slowly turned toward him. Their multiple eyes narrowed sharply with visible hostility.

"Do not stare at them for too long," Orric whispered quietly beside him.

Thoren nodded calmly before averting his gaze politely. "What exactly are they?" he asked afterward.

"They are called Mantis Dune Striders," Orric explained while lowering his voice.

"That is simply the nickname humans gave them."

He moved slightly closer before continuing.

"Their true race is known as the Mantis Beastmen."

Although they normally avoided unnecessary conflict, everyone understood how terrifying they became once angered.

"They usually remain peaceful unless provoked."

"But if they become enraged, they are extremely troublesome opponents."

"I understand," Thoren replied softly.

Still, before withdrawing his gaze completely, he glanced toward the Mantis Dune Striders one final time.

His deep blue eyes flickered thoughtfully. This was his first time encountering a Beastmen race vastly different from the Jackal Beastmen.

Compared to the savage Jackal race, these Mantis Beastmen appeared colder and more disciplined. Their movements resembled trained hunters patiently observing prey.

Interesting thoughts surfaced within Thoren’s mind. However, he quickly shifted his attention toward the massive settlement gate standing ahead.

The enormous gate towered above the surrounding dunes like a fortress guarding the Crimson Dunes themselves.