The Eccentric Entomologist is Now a Queen's Consort

Blood trickled down Mikhailis's temple, pooling at the edge of his cracked glasses before dripping onto the cavern floor. He wiped it away with a trembling hand, his breathing heavy, uneven. His fingers tightened around the halberd, its dark energy pulsing faintly, a reminder of the borrowed strength he wielded. Before him, the Crystalgloom Serpent coiled in the mist, its crystalline body shimmering ominously in the dim light.

How the hell do you kill something that refuses to die?

He grimaced, shifting his weight to steady himself. The serpent's glowing eyes bore into him, unrelenting and full of malice. It wasn't just a monster—it was a predator, patient and calculating. Each time he struck, it seemed to adapt, its movements sharper, more deliberate. Every shallow breath Mikhailis took echoed in the cavern, drowned out only by the occasional hiss of the beast.

<You are nearing physical limits, Mikhailis. Continued engagement without strategic planning will lead to catastrophic outcomes.>

"Thanks, Rodion," he muttered, his voice laced with sarcasm.

"Very encouraging."

<You misunderstand. Encouragement is unnecessary. Survival, however, is imperative.>

A bitter smile tugged at his lips. He flexed his fingers, feeling the weight of the halberd, the power coursing through its darkened blade. A quick glance over his glasses show the feed that revealed Cerys, still resting near the faintly flickering fire. She hadn't stirred, her breathing steady but shallow. Her pale complexion struck him harder than any blow the serpent had delivered.

If I fall here, she's next, he thought grimly.

And that's not an option.

Mikhailis's grip tightened. He'd fought battles before, been in situations that pushed him to the edge, but this felt different. The stakes were higher. Not just his life, but hers. Well, his fights were in the previous world, not in a fantasy setting like this one. And the sheer power of the Crystalgloom Serpent loomed over him like an insurmountable wall.

"You keep saying that, but it doesn't feel like it," he retorted, his voice strained. His sharp gaze remained locked on the serpent as it shifted, its tail curling dangerously close to the ground. The faint glow of its mana core pulsed beneath its crystalline armor, tantalizing yet unreachable.

<Feelings are irrelevant. Action, however, is critical.>

He exhaled, steadying his breathing. The Frog Variant's boots, fused to his legs, thrummed softly, their power an extension of his own movements, as if his thoughts were directly guiding his body. With a deep breath, he surged forward, the halberd slicing through the air like a dark crescent, closing the distance between himself and the beast with breathtaking speed. Each step felt like a calculated explosion, light yet powerful, the boots amplifying his agility to superhuman levels. He zigzagged unpredictably, each movement precise, his body weaving through the chaos of the battlefield like a wisp of smoke. The serpent's glowing eyes tracked him, but its strikes, swift and brutal, found only empty air.

He lunged low, using the momentum of his enhanced steps to feint right, then spun sharply left, narrowly avoiding a crystalline projectile that shattered the ground where he had just been. Dust and shards erupted in a deafening blast, but Mikhailis had already moved. With the halberd poised, he launched himself upward in an arc that defied gravity, his boots propelling him with a power that felt almost intoxicating. Twisting mid-air, he aimed the halberd for a vulnerable fissure along the serpent's crystalline armor. The blade struck true, sending a spray of crystal shards flying in all directions, each one catching the dim light like tiny, deadly stars.

Landing in a crouch, his boots absorbed the impact with a fluid grace, allowing him to transition seamlessly into another strike. He surged forward again, his steps a blur, delivering a series of rapid, calculated blows to the same fissure. Each hit resonated with a crack that echoed through the cavern, chipping away at the serpent's defenses. Despite the precision of his attacks, the beast's movements were relentless, its massive tail sweeping toward him with a speed that belied its size. Mikhailis pivoted sharply, his enhanced boots propelling him backward just in time to avoid the tail's devastating arc, which obliterated a nearby column of stone into a cascade of rubble.

The halberd pulsed in his hands as if sharing his frustration. Mikhailis pushed forward again, this time ducking beneath a sudden lunge of the serpent's jaws. He twisted, delivering an upward slash along its underbelly. The strike connected, carving another jagged crack into its crystalline armor. The serpent let out a hiss, its movements growing more erratic and violent. Each breath Mikhailis took felt heavier, but he refused to relent, his boots carrying him into yet another daring maneuver as he sought the smallest edge against his colossal foe.

The halberd's blade met the serpent's side with a resounding crack. Crystal shards exploded outward, scattering like deadly confetti. Mikhailis pivoted, using the momentum to strike again, this time aiming for the fissures he'd created earlier. Each blow was precise, deliberate, chipping away at the creature's armor.

"Did I get him,"

<Mikhailis! Duck!>

The serpent hissed, a sound that reverberated through the cavern like shattering glass. It reared back, its crystalline tail whipping around with terrifying speed. Mikhailis ducked, the enhanced boots propelling him low and fast, narrowly avoiding the devastating strike. The tail smashed into a nearby rock formation, obliterating it in an instant.

Close. Too close.

<Focus, Mikhailis. One hit and it could incapacitate you immediately>

"Yes, Rodion," he gritted out, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I totally planned to just stand here and get crushed."

The serpent twisted with lethal grace, its glowing eyes locked onto Mikhailis like a predator savoring its prey. It lunged, its massive crystalline jaws snapping shut with a thunderous clap, missing him by the barest margin as he vaulted upward. The explosive power of the Frog Variant boots launched him into the air, his body twisting mid-flight with precision honed by sheer desperation and determination. The cavern blurred around him, the roaring of the serpent mingling with the thrum of power in his halberd.

As gravity reclaimed him, Mikhailis swung the halberd in a wide, devastating arc. The blade descended with the force of a thunderclap, striking the serpent's exposed back with unrelenting fury. A jagged fissure erupted across its crystalline surface, shards scattering like a violent rain of deadly stars. The impact resonated through the cavern, the sound sharp and deafening, as though the very air recoiled from the blow.

But the serpent was far from defeated. Its glowing core pulsed ominously, casting flickering patterns of light across the walls as its crystalline armor began to shimmer and shift. The cracks he had inflicted started to seal with an unnatural fluidity, the regeneration almost mocking his efforts. Mikhailis landed lightly, his boots absorbing the impact with a subtle hum of energy that allowed him to roll smoothly into a defensive stance. He steadied his breathing, each inhale sharp and labored, as he kept his eyes fixed on the serpent.

The beast reared back with a hiss that reverberated through the cavern like the shattering of glass, its massive tail lashing out in retaliation. The movement was sudden and ferocious, a blur of glittering scales and raw power aimed directly at him. Mikhailis pushed off with the enhanced speed of the boots, twisting mid-air to evade the tail by the width of a hair. The tail smashed into the ground where he had stood, the force of the impact splintering the rocky floor and sending shards of stone flying in every direction.

Mikhailis hit the ground running, his body a blur of motion as he darted around the serpent, searching for another opening. The halberd pulsed in his hands, the energy within it resonating with his own rising frustration. He feinted left, drawing the serpent's gaze, before springing sharply to the right and driving the blade toward another weak point in its armor. The halberd struck with a resounding crack, carving a second fissure that radiated out like spiderwebs across the crystalline surface.

The serpent roared, an earth-shaking sound that sent tremors rippling through the cavern. It whipped its tail again, this time faster, more precise. Mikhailis ducked low, the enhanced boots propelling him forward in a slide that carried him beneath the beast's massive form. He twisted, slashing upward with the halberd in a desperate bid to reach its underbelly. The blade connected, sending another shower of shards cascading down like a deadly rain, but the core remained maddeningly untouchable.

"You've got to be kidding me," Mikhailis muttered under his breath, his chest heaving as he darted out of the serpent's immediate reach. He cast a quick glance toward the Chimera Ant soldiers still fighting valiantly against the colossal foe. Their movements were swift and coordinated, but the serpent's sheer size and power made it an almost impossible adversary.

The serpent twisted again, its glowing eyes narrowing as it coiled, preparing another devastating strike. Mikhailis could feel the air shift, the oppressive weight of its presence growing heavier with each second. Sweat dripped down his brow, mixing with the blood already staining his face. Despite the mounting exhaustion, he tightened his grip on the halberd, determination flickering in his eyes.

"Alright, you oversized gem collection," he growled through gritted teeth.

"Let's see what you've got."

But even as the damage spread, the serpent's armor began to shimmer, the cracks sealing themselves with an unnatural ease. Mikhailis landed lightly, his breath coming in sharp bursts. He stepped back, putting distance between himself and the beast.

<Regenerative properties detected. The serpent's armor is self-repairing at an accelerated rate. Current damage output is insufficient to counteract this ability.>

"No kidding," Mikhailis muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. His mind raced, calculating his next move. The serpent's tail lashed out again, forcing him to sidestep. The impact sent tremors through the ground, dislodging rocks from the cavern ceiling. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire

The Chimera Ant soldiers swarmed the serpent, their movements coordinated and precise. They clawed at its armor, their sharp limbs scraping against the crystalline surface. The serpent thrashed violently, its tail sweeping through their ranks with devastating efficiency. Mikhailis winced as the feed from one of the soldiers cut out, replaced by static.

<Remaining soldiers: 60. Casualties escalating. Immediate action required to prevent total unit loss.>

Mikhailis's frustration bubbled over. Every move, every strike felt like trying to chip away at a mountain with a spoon. His chest heaved as he stared down the serpent, its glowing mana core mocking him with its faint, rhythmic pulse.

"Rodion, any bright ideas?"

<Mikhailis, retreat is not cowardice; it is strategy. The current situation is untenable. Your continued survival relies on adaptability, not recklessness.>

Mikhailis scoffed, his grip on the halberd tightening.

"Yeah, because running away sounds like a great plan when there's nowhere to go."

The serpent reared back, its crystalline body glowing brighter. The light emanating from its core intensified, casting eerie shadows across the cavern walls. Rodion's voice cut through the rising tension.

<Mikhailis, the serpent's mana output is increasing exponentially. Indicators suggest an imminent transformation. Immediate action is required.>

"Damn. Is that thing- Ugh!"

BOOM———!!!

Before he could react, the serpent's tail struck with terrifying speed, catching him off guard. The impact sent him hurtling through the air, slamming into the cavern wall with bone-rattling force. Pain exploded across his back as he crumpled to the ground, his vision swimming.

Mikhailis, you idiot. You let it get the better of you.

He groaned, pushing himself to his hands and knees. Dust and debris rained down around him, the cavern shaking from the serpent's movements. Through the haze of pain, he heard Rodion's voice, sharp and commanding.

Mikhailis chuckled weakly, the sound tinged with bitterness. "Quite the laugh, isn't it? To die like this."

But then, something caught his eye. The serpent's glowing core pulsed brighter, its radiance spreading through its crystalline body. The light was almost blinding, an ethereal glow that filled the cavern with an otherworldly brilliance. Mikhailis's eyes widened as he realized what was happening.

It's evolving.

The thought sent a chill down his spine. The serpent—already powerful beyond measure—was changing, growing stronger. The crystalline armor shifted, reforming into smoother, sharper structures. Its size increased, its coils stretching impossibly long. New appendages sprouted from its body, spiked tendrils that swayed menacingly in the glowing mist.

<Transformation complete. Crystalgloom Serpent rank elevated from [Viscount] to [Duke]. Projected threat level: catastrophic. S-rank difficulty.>

Mikhailis's jaw tightened as he forced himself to his feet. His body protested with every movement, pain lancing through his ribs. He leaned heavily on the halberd, his sharp eyes fixed on the newly evolved serpent. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, its predatory gaze unyielding.

"I guess I have the worst luck," he muttered, his voice low and grim.

As he adjusted his grip on the halberd, he felt something unfamiliar in his hand. His fingers brushed against smooth, thin paper—several sheets, glowing faintly with runic energy. He blinked, his mind struggling to process their sudden appearance.

Rodion's voice cut through his haze, urgent and commanding.

<Use them, Mikhailis. Now.>