Chapter 76: Fighting the beetles These look significantly more threatening. Other demon hunters were already engaged in combat, providing Noah with valuable intelligence about his next opponents. He positioned himself behind a convenient boulder and observed the battles unfolding before him. The grass beetles defied his expectations of what insects should look like. Each creature stood roughly the size of a cat, their carapaces gleaming with emerald and gold colouration that would have been beautiful if not for the obvious malicious intent behind their movements. Although they look disgusting, their colours are gorgeous, and probably deadly. Six legs ended in razor-sharp points that dug into the soil, their heads bore mandibles that opened and closed with audible clicking sounds. Click! Click! They were designed for cutting through obstacles...or prey. But the wings drew Noah’s primary attention. Gross membranes that caught sunlight like stained glass, capable of lifting the beetles several feet into the air for short-distance attacks that bypassed ground-based defences. They can fly...that complicates things considerably. One beetle engaged with a young demon wielding a warhammer. The creature took to the air, diving toward its opponent with mandibles spread wide for a killing strike. The demon barely managed to roll aside as the beetle’s aerial assault carved furrows in the ground where he’d been standing. Speed, flight capability, and natural weapons. These aren’t practice dummies like the slimes. As Noah studied their movement patterns, he checked their information. The nearest beetle turned its attention toward Noah, its eyes reflecting his position with an unsettling stare. This is it. My first real fight against something that wants to kill me. Noah drew the Zealous Quickblade slowly, keeping his movements controlled and non-threatening while he assessed the situation. The beetle stood about twenty feet away from him. It was close enough to launch an aerial attack, but far enough to give him enough time to react. Don’t rush it. I need to plan the engagement. Valeria always said strategy beats recklessness; that’s what separates monsters from humans. The creature’s wings buzzed annoyingly, testing their readiness for flight. Noah noticed how other beetles in the area had positioned themselves, too. It seemed like they preferred open ground for their diving attacks, whilst avoiding areas with overhead cover. ’I need to limit its aerial position...’ He thought, looking around him for things to use. His eyes brightened as he thought about the boulder nearby. This should do. Noah sidestepped toward the large rock he’d been observing from, keeping his blade in a defensive position. The beetle tracked his movement with its eyes, its head rotating to maintain visual contact. It’s patient...waiting for the right moment to strike. The standoff stretched between Noah and the Grass Beetle for several heartbeats. Noah used this time to study his opponent’s position, looking for tells that might indicate when it would attack. The beetle’s rear legs seemed to shift slightly each time it prepared to move. There. I think it’s rear legs adjust its launch angle. I need to keep an eye on that. The beetle’s legs shifted. Noah dove sideways just as the creature launched itself through the air, its mandibles spread wide for a decapitating strike. Screech! Wind from its passage ruffled his hair as he rolled behind the boulder, narrowly missing the attack of the beetle. That was way too close. The beetle landed heavily where Noah had been standing, its claws gouging deep furrows in the packed earth. Screech! It screeched once again, turning with surprising agility, already repositioning itself for another attack. It has quite a fast recovery time. I can’t assume I have breathing room after dodging. Noah kept the boulder between himself and his opponent, using the cover to reassess. The creature’s aerial attack was devastating but predictable after watching; it needed a moment to reposition between strikes. It seems like I will need to deploy my secret art...Hit and run. Strike when it lands, retreat before it can counterattack. The beetle circled the boulder, seeking an angle that would allow another diving assault. Noah moved in the opposite direction, maintaining cover while looking for an opening. Patient. Stay patient. One mistake and it will injure me. When the beetle committed to another aerial attack, Noah was ready. Instead of dodging away, he stepped into the creature’s landing zone with his blade held high. The Zealous Quickblade caught the beetle across its midsection as momentum carried it forward. Shing! The katana bit deep into the beetle’s natural armour, drawing a spray of greenish fluid that steamed where it hit the ground. It has acidic blood...I can’t stay too close, lest I get sprayed too. Things got more complicated... He frowned. The beetle shrieked and whirled to face Noah with obvious rage. One of its wings hung at an awkward angle, damaged by the sword strike. Looking at its wing, Noah’s eyes brightened. "Good, it’s not able to fly as good as before." But the creature’s ground-based attacks proved equally dangerous. It charged with surprising speed, its mandibles snapping at Noah’s legs. He backpedalled immediately, using his agility to stay ahead of the clicking death. This thing doesn’t give up. It just keeps coming like a wild dog. Noah circled back toward the boulder, looking for another opportunity to strike safely. The beetle’s injured wing limited its mobility, but its rage seemed to compensate for the handicap. Need to end this quickly. Before I make a mistake. The beetle lunged again, overextending itself in its eagerness to reach Noah. He sidestepped the attack and brought his blade down across the creature’s neck with all the force he could muster. COME ON! DIE! The Zealous Quickblade severed the beetle’s head cleanly, sending it rolling across the grass while the body convulsed once before going still.