Chapter 33: Flying bosses do not care for level differences - Part 1

The tension in the room was palpable as the party debated their next move.

“I’m just saying,” John began, arms crossed but voice soft, “these people are clearly suffering. We can’t just leave them like this.”

Nancy rolled her eyes, her frustration evident. “It’s not our responsibility. We barely made it out of the last dungeon, and now you want to jump into another one? I don’t think so.”

“It’s more than that,” Miles said, his tone calm but resolute. “If this dungeon keeps spreading its influence, it won’t stop with this village. It’ll just keep growing.”

“And what are we supposed to do about it?” Nancy shot back. “We’re not heroes. We’re adventurers, and barely that. This isn’t our fight.”

Lancy, who had been quiet for most of the discussion, finally spoke up. “Nancy’s right.”

That caught Miles off guard. He glanced at her, confused. “You think we should leave them to fend for themselves?”

“No.” Lancy’s gaze fixed on Miles, her expression unreadable. “I think we should leave you out of this. It’s too dangerous, especially for someone at your level.”

Miles blinked, her words hitting harder than he expected. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “You’re reckless. You push yourself too far. And you’re...” She hesitated, but the weight of her words lingered. “You’re important.”

Miles shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. Something about her protectiveness felt... off.

John cleared his throat, sensing the awkwardness. “Look, maybe we’re overthinking this. We can at least scout the dungeon’s perimeter, right? See if it’s something we can handle before making a decision.”

Nancy sighed, clearly annoyed but unwilling to argue further. “Fine. But I’m not promising anything.”

“Agreed,” Lancy said curtly.

As they reached this tentative consensus, the air outside filled with a sudden, piercing hum. It grew louder, an unnatural vibration that seemed to shake the very ground.

Miles tensed. “What’s that?”

Before anyone could answer, a villager screamed in the distance. The party rushed to the window and saw chaos unfolding in the streets. A massive, chitinous creature hovered above the village—a Killer Wasp Queen. Its enormous stinger gleamed in the dim light as smaller wasps swarmed around it, attacking anything that moved.

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“Get ready!” Lancy shouted, already drawing her swords.

Miles instinctively reached for his dice pouch. “System, roll for insight—what’s this thing’s level?”

The dice spun in his mind before the system’s voice returned.

Level 12. Flying enemy. High mobility and poison resistance.

Warning: Approach with extreme caution.

“Great,” Miles muttered. “It’s over-leveled, and we’re grounded.”

Nancy groaned. “Not for all of us….but still, I told you this wasn’t our fight!”

“Tell that to the people getting stung!” John barked, raising his shield.

The wasp queen let out a shrill cry, its minions diving toward the villagers. Miles felt a surge of determination as he turned to his party. “We can’t let this thing wipe them out. Let’s move!”

Despite their hesitation, the party sprang into action, ready to face the new threat. Miles just hoped their luck—and his rolls—would hold.

The battle seemed hopeless.

The Killer Wasp Queen, her massive wings beating in the air with unnerving speed, zipped through the sky, attacking from every angle. Her minions swarmed in waves, stinging anything that moved with precision.

Lancy, despite her overleveled strength, struggled to land a hit. She swiped at the air with her twin swords, but the Queen’s quick movements kept her just out of reach. The Queen darted away every time Lancy got too close, her wings buzzing like a storm of rage.

"Dammit, why can’t I hit her?" Lancy growled, frustration lining her voice as she twirled, trying to track the Queen’s erratic movements.

Miles, who had been gearing up for a roll to strategize, felt his heart drop as he was suddenly targeted by the queen. He wanted to roll the dice, but he was not able to get any chance to use his skill.

The moment the Queen locked onto him, he felt it—her piercing gaze, her focus narrowing in on him. His stomach churned, panic rising in his chest. No matter how many times he reached for his dice, the rolls refused to cooperate.

"Stay away from me!" he shouted as he ducked and weaved, trying to avoid her vicious stings. But with each dodge, she was already there, moving faster than he could comprehend.

The more he tried to dodge, the more he forgot about his skills. All of his focus shifted toward his survival.

John raised his shield in front of him, trying to protect Miles, but the Wasp Queen’s high mobility and poison resistance made even his best efforts seem futile. “We need to do something, fast!”

But just as all seemed lost, a voice pierced through the chaos.

“Wait!”

Miles glanced toward the direction of the shout, and his eyes widened. It was the woman—the mother—the one they had helped earlier. She was standing in the middle of the battlefield, a bag in her hands, holding it out toward the Wasp Queen.

“Are you insane?” Nancy shouted. “Get back!”

But the mother didn’t listen. With a resolute look on her face, she walked toward the approaching Wasp Queen, undeterred by the danger. In one swift movement, she opened the bag, revealing bundles of food and fresh herbs. The smell of sustenance seemed to catch the Queen’s attention.

Miles, who noticed her decided to lead the boss toward the mother.

“Don’t come hear us. I have a plan…I think. Just let things happen as they are,” Miles huffed out as he ran toward the mother.

The Killer Wasp Queen hesitated, her antennae twitching as she hovered in midair. Her glowing eyes shifted away from Miles and they locked onto the food, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. The buzzing of the other wasps slowed to a halt as they followed the Queen’s lead.

Then, to the shock of everyone watching, the Wasp Queen gently descended, her massive wings slowing their furious beat. With cautious movements, she extended one of her long, jagged legs to take the food from the bag.