Evolution begins with an ant colony

John's face twisted in agony as he clenched his teeth, a mix of anger and despair boiling within him. He couldn't fathom the depths of cruelty that Ken had sunk to. "You monster," he growled, his voice trembling with a combination of fear and rage, "what do you think you're doing?"

Ken's grin only widened, a sinister light dancing in his eyes as he taunted his injured foe. "It's obvious, isn't it?" he sneered, his voice laced with malice. "I want to make you suffer before eventually putting you out of your misery."

The chaos mana sword in Ken's hand gleamed malevolently, its dark energy casting an eerie shadow over the battered battlefield. John knew he was in dire straits. His left arm, having already been shattered by the relentless force of Ken's attack, was now joined by ruptured internal organs. The pain surged through him, and he realized that he was in no position to block another strike.

The odds were stacked against him, and time was running out.

A sudden tornado conjured from wind magic struck Ken, hurling him violently away from John. The powerful gusts sent Ken hurtling through the air, crashing unceremoniously onto the ground.

Amid the chaos, John's thoughts raced. "Huh," he pondered inwardly, confusion mixed with a glimmer of hope, "I don't know who did that, but I guess now is my chance to get out of here."

Just as John was about to make a move, a voice called out to him. "John!" It was Mina, her figure almost ethereal as she levitated towards him with the grace of wind magic. She landed beside John, her eyes widening in shock as they fell upon his shattered arm, now an unpleasant shade of purple, with bone shards piercing through the skin.

"What happened to you?" Mina gasped, her concern palpable.

John's face contorted in pain as he explained, "I got hit by that monster over there." He nodded towards Ken, who was slowly getting back on his feet, despite the earlier assault. The gravity of his situation was evident as his arm hung limp and mangled.

Mina's determination shone through as she decided to act. "Hang on," she assured John, her voice laced with resolve, "let me fix you up." Kneeling beside him, she extended her hands, her fingers traced intricate patterns in the air as she began to cast powerful healing magic.

As Mina's magic took effect, soothing warmth coursed through John's injured arm. Slowly, the pain began to recede, and he could feel his shattered bones mending. "Mina," John pondered inwardly, his thoughts taking on a new direction, "she's a very powerful mage. I could use her for my escape. After all, I was hoping to find a way to sneak away from the battle and escape.

But I don't see that happening with the undead just getting back up over and over again after they are struck down." He knew he had to seize this opportunity to ensure his survival.

With a gentle smile, Mina withdrew her healing magic, rising to her feet. Her magic had worked its mending wonders, and John could sense the strength returning to his arm. He flexed it, marveling at how it felt as good as new.

Mina's enthusiasm was evident in her next words. "All done now," she declared, ready to dive back into the fray. "Let's get back into the fight."

John, however, had a thought tugging at the back of his mind. "Hay, Mina," he called out before he could continue, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Don't you think we..." His words were abruptly silenced as a chilling scream pierced the air.

"Aghhhhhh!" The voice was unmistakably Chris, who was now sprinting toward them, his sword gripped firmly in his hand. Behind him, a horde of zombies and skeleton soldiers gave chase with relentless determination, their bony limbs clattering and rattling with each step.

Chris, fear in his eyes and desperation in his voice, called out to his companions. "Run!"

As Chris sprinted toward them with an undeniably panicked demeanor, John and Mina exchanged bemused glances, a blend of confusion and irritation etched on their faces.

With a hint of exasperation, John muttered to Mina, "Please, save that idiot."

In response, Mina extended her hand with a graceful wave, conjuring a powerful gust of wind magic that swept through the chasing horde of undead monsters. They were sent tumbling and crashing, temporarily disarrayed.

Chris finally arrived at John and Mina's side, gasping for breath as he relayed his frustrating encounter. "Damm, these monsters are not going down," he panted heavily.

"I've been going in full swing, giving it my all, even using my aura blade, but these guys just reassemble like nothing happened." His frustration was evident as he wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling utterly overwhelmed by the relentless opposition.

Chris expressed his gratitude to Mina, his weary smile failing to conceal his exhaustion.

John, however, couldn't contain his frustration, and he interrogated Chris. "Hey, what the hell, Chris? Why are you screaming like that and running in this direction? You'll let everyone know about my grand escape plan."

Mina, bewildered by the conversation, chimed in, "Grand escape plan?"

Confusion shrouded Chris as he responded, "What are you talking about? We're the only people left on this battlefield."

John's bewilderment grew, and he pressed Chris for clarification. "What the hell are you talking about?" he inquired, his face contorted in puzzlement.

Chris turned to the battlefield, gesturing toward the grim scene. "Just look," he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Everyone has already died and joined the horde."

With mounting dread, John followed Chris's gaze. What he witnessed was nothing short of horrifying. Every adventurer and guard had fallen in battle, only to rise again as part of the relentless army of the undead. The realization left him utterly dumbfounded, and the magnitude of the impending peril settled heavily upon his shoulders.

John's thoughts raced with disbelief as he contemplated the grim reality. "Wait... they are all already dead, but it hasn't even been up to ten minutes since the battle started. That is just... impossible."

Just then, a voice broke through the weight of the situation. "Darn, Mina, that attack of yours was really powerful. If I were a normal person, that attack of yours would have completely shattered my ribcage with the way it hit me at my side like that." Ken, couldn't help but express appreciation for Mina's formidable magic. Enjoy new tales from empire

Ken's voice pierced the air, revealing his presence as he approached the trio. His tone was unsettling, and his words carried an ominous offer. "You know, Mina, if you decide to become my woman, I will spare you. But John and Chris, your days are numbered."