I waited for the dots to get closer, downing one more potion to bring me to full HP. Shit. They weren’t quite sprinting to us, but I still had little time. I barely had enough time to look at my new skills! I quickly opened up the notification I received from slaying the boss, and looked at the skill from the shoulder pardon as well.

  [Battering ram]

  Type: Active

  Cooldown: 2 hours

  Enough of defensive skills. You’re not going to be getting more skills like that from us! We’re bored of you guys surviving. You’ll finally be going on the offensive. Kind of.

  This skill does exactly what a battering ram does - but uses the super-advanced tool that’s called “your arms”! You’ll look like a toddler bullying a fellow kid on a playground. Yes, it’s okay to feel embarrassed using it. We adore that.

  This skill charges a hit for 5 seconds, enhancing your next attack. Super effective against walls and inanimate objects.

  I sighed. So this was useless in any scenario in which we were heading toward a fight. I quickly opened up the other new skill.

  [Vibrant rage]

  Type: Passive

  Cooldown: 1 day

  Did you know that in the animal kingdom, most animals have bland colors on the outside? Or at least colors that fit in with their surroundings. It’s the most common strategy. You would think that the Mantis Shrimp would evolve with this in mind as well, right? And they did!

  For the most part. Then, there’s you. Peacock Mantis Shrimp, the colorful freak of nature. You can thank your colors for the fact that you were a prized collection piece in museums. Your kind apparently didn’t get the memo.

  Anyway, this skill allows you to enter an enraged state for the duration of 10 seconds once you lose half of your total hit points in a fight. It will multiply your STR and DEX stats with 1.5 multiplier.

  Okay, the remarks about my colors aside, this one was useful! I tried my best to commit using it to memory. Or would it be automatic?

  “Crudia, does the system always have remarks about how you suck? Or is that just me?”

  Her confusion was answer enough. “It actually talks pretty nicely about my species’ capabilities, Shrimpie. Is it a meanie to you?”

  Great. Was it only like that to me, or to some other players as well? Was Mark writing the descriptions in secret? That would certainly explain some aspects.

  I didn’t have the time to spend my points before the players started closing the distance.

  Despite the fact that there was such a large group of people, I could see a collection of players as similar to each other as Crudia and I were . White, blue, red, every color of skin, each wearing different armor and holding a different weapon. Eight guides levitated behind them, their shapes and sizes lost to the distance.

  The one thing they had in common was the aura of seasoned fighters. These were not the same kind of players like the ones that entered the dungeon before us.

  One, a woman, was walking in front of the crowd, undoubtedly their leader. I gasped when I could finally use [Analyze] on her.

  Player - Xila

  Race - Orchid Mantis

  Level - 24

  Class - None

  She was one of the top players! The one with an evolution! I couldn’t see anything that seemed off, however. I had no clue how an Orchid Mantis should look like, but her sharing a name with me, even a part of me, made me like her already.

  Maybe she was a fan of my species? Yes, you silly little lady, you can use a part of my name! Go ahead! Though I did have to admit that there was something off about her, otherworldly almost. I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it yet.

  Her hair was short, sakura pink, as if she dyed it in the flowers themselves. Porcelain white skin made her stick out in the night as something more, something elegant. Her walk was graceful, undoubtedly enhanced by her slim physique and the white dress she was wearing, that itself adorned with even more flowers. Her whole visage was honestly entrancing, though I could see the two short scythes in her hands, which broke the illusion of a defenseless player from anyone who even dared to think as much.

  Her companions were similar, though only one of them was a level 24 like she was. Then there were three level 23’s, and three level 17’s. All high level, but not the maximum. Though the level wasn’t what spoke about their capabilities the most. It was their looks, the equipment that had an air of power to them, the way they thumbed their weapons. I could not analyze their equipment or their skills, but I was sure about one fact - they were nothing to scoff at.

  Xila the Orchid Mantis stopped barely a few paces away and seemed to analyze us as well. She scoffed when her gaze left Crudia and analyzed me. “Peacock Mantis Shrimp? They couldn’t make one new name for you, so they instead mashed three others together?”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  ….

  I hated her. It was OBVIOUS that they named the other animals after me, trying to emulate at least a fraction of my power. If I could feel pity for the creature, I would probably sob at her stupidity.

  Mark scoffed behind me. “Those are some strong words for someone named after a flower.”

  Yes! True! Show them hell, Mark!

  Wait, no. It was you stupid humans who gave us such stupid names! Screw you too!

  ….

  Ah, dang it. Now the situation was awkward. I needed to speak before the silence got unbreakable. “Can’t change what the humans named me. Anyway. What brings such a large group here, so late in the evening? Quite a beautiful night, don’t you think?”

  “We’re not here to talk about the weather or the skies, for one.” said the other level 24, a guy called Max that was apparently a Giant Red Velvet Worm. His size definitely reflected the name giant, though his clothes seemed off for the setting. He looked more like a weird cowboy than anything else - a red cloak, big boots, the garb and belt. No hat though. Wait, was that a GUN in his hand?

  “We came here to recruit you, little ones.” said Xila, not even trying to sound as if we were on equal footing. Her eyes seemed to move from one of us to the other, as if deciding who to devour first. “We want a ten man group for the next floor, to get as far ahead as possible.”

  I didn’t like the fact that it wasn’t even a true question. One thing bothered me even more than that, however. “How do you know it requires ten people? The guides freeze the moment they start talking about it, as far as I know.”

  She scoffed. “What, you haven’t read the texts inside the dungeons? Each of the three dungeons we cleared had clear indications as to what the next floor will be. How did you get this far if you’re that clueless? Although, I have to admit, clearing a boss with just the two of you is impressive. It seems you need some guidance, at least, so there might be a use for you.”

  “Fuck n-” I started gently refusing their proposal, but got stopped by Crudia placing an arm on my mouth. I was thankful to her for saving my life back in the cave, but whoah! Gained some confidence there, huh?

  “We are happy for the offer. We are, really! Right, Shrimpie?” Her voice was even higher-pitched than usual, the words flying out of her mouth so fast that they almost blended together. She looked me in the eyes, her eyes begging me to say yes to her statement. Rolling my eyes, I gave in, and nodded. “See? Even Shrimpie is. But we are sadly not interested in joining. Sorry!”

  They seemed to have expected as much, and their postures did not change at all, still looking us over like vultures. “She was not asking.” said Max the worm guy, his gruffy voice colored by a new emotion I could not identify.

  “I guessed so. Doesn’t change our answer. Sorry.”

  Saying sorry took way more energy than I thought it would. Was that always so hard?

  "Ah, what a shame. Why does it always end like this..." she asked herself, staring at her scythes, her tone eerily neutral. "Do you not see the advantage of grouping with us?"

  I’d bet my gold on the fact that she hoped for this outcome. I ground my teeth, fighting to not show my anger. “I do see the advantage. We just like choosing our own path.”

  “Truly a shame then.” Her voice took a sinister tone, amusement mixed with a hint of anger. “And a mistake. You won’t get far by relying on your emotions and natural instincts. I’d expect so from a mammal, but I didn’t know crustaceans were this prone to irrationality as well.” She sighed, she turned her back toward us. “The equipment and XP you’ve got better not go to waste.” Her head turned toward the lower levels of their group. “You three! Up you go. Catch us in town once you’re done.”

  And with that, the other higher levels turned, and off they went. Three guides remained hovering in the air, not even communicating with the players. They just… stared at the ground, silent. What kind of guides were these? Where do I get a silent one? Hello? Anyone wanna trade?

  Also. A town? No, wait, I had bigger problems.

  My pulse spiked as I watched the rest stalk away, and then eyed the three remaining players even more closely.

  We were at a severe disadvantage. I was already tired as hell, and the fact that [Bullet Strike] was on cooldown didn’t improve my chances. I used [Analyze] on our three opponents, hoping that the knowledge implanted in my head identified at least some of them.

  Narwhal, German Yellowjacket and Yellow Mosquito. Weird as hell names, too, but the names wouldn’t matter. Great. Two insects that were pests on earth, and a dude with a horn. Though the Narwhal didn’t have a horn on his head, exactly - it was instead on the end of his spear, serving as a weapon.

  “Crudia.”

  “Yes?” For all her bravery a few seconds ago, now she sounded like she was about to try running away. Hell of a time for that, Crudia! I needed her here, with me. I wouldn't win alone. A 2v3 was already disadvantageous. I just needed to motivate or calm her somehow. Whatever it took. I needed her now, in top form.

  I stepped closer to Crudia so just she could hear. “You take the big guy. The Narwhal.”

  Shock in her eyes. “You want to fight two at once?”

  “No other choice. You take care of him quickly, and come help.” I looked her into the eyes and squeezed her shoulder. “I trust you, Crudia. You can do it.”

  She looked at my hand, then into my eyes, and nodded. She still looked scared, but deep underneath, deep in her eyes, I saw it. . The resolve I’ve seen when she saved me. The courage hidden in her somewhere deep, buried in something else. She wasn’t as brave as a Mantis Shrimp, but she did her best, and that’s what mattered.

  The damn mosquito, true to his annoying nature, interrupted the conversation. “Done flirting? We’re meant to fight, you pests!”

  Mark laughed, and looked at Talisha, who didn’t look amused at all . “Am I the only one finding this ironic? C’mon, Tal! It’s a Mosquito calling someone-”

  “I got the joke. Just don’t feel like laughing.” Her eyes shifted from Mark to me. “Survive, Shrimpie. We need you. Let’s go, Crudia!” Her gaze lingered on me for just a moment longer, an expression I couldn’t read, and then she followed Crudia who was already stepping away. She took a few steps to split the enemies. her dagger motioned to the Narwhal, who seemed to accept the duel and he followed.

  Who did she think she was talking to? Sure, I was tired as hell, and I had two opponents, but they were literally insects! I looked over my weapons, the chitinous shields as pristine as before the boss fight. They were common weapons, but they were still the best item I had for sure.

  These fuckers wouldn’t win against me. I’d swat them away like someone should have done long ago. And who did that pink lady think she was? I felt myself getting angrier by the second. Who was she, to steal a part of my name, and then act as if she was something more than I was?

  [Bullet punch] and [Dash] were down. [Battering ram] would be mostly useless in a real fight. But I still had some other skills. I still had my shields. My stats. My items. My killer shrimp instincts. It would have to be enough. The two insects crept closer, not taking me as a serious threat for some reason. Misplaced confidence? A bluff? I didn’t know.

  I planted my feet solidly into the ground, and dashed toward the Mosquito.