Ah that jerky hit the spot, coulda used something a little larger in portion. Whatever it's time to get to work. Erik has already gathered up the required members. In the end the people taking part are me, Erik, Max, Brandon, Derek, Sandra, Jacklyn, Andrew, Allen, and Steven.

They were a little startled when they found out we were going to be teaming up with some ants and spiders. After Erik explain the situation they calmed down though. Right now Erik is about to explain the rules of the battle arena function, mostly to do with the swarm mode we will be playing.

"OK guys, it's really not that hard to understand. Each person needs to pay a hundred evo points to play in the swarm mode. It is mostly wave based combat, each wave will progressively get harder and once you complete a wave you get a reward of a certain amount of evo points. The only thing is the rewards only start once you pa.s.sed the fifth wave, probably to stop the weaker contestants from earning anything. If we complete the sixth wave we get five evo points and the reward doubles from there, if you want your hundred evo points back we need to beat the tenth wave."

Huh, well seems simple enough.

"The only thing is we don't get any weapons unless we pay up extra evo points."

Ouch, so most need to go complete even more than ten waves to make a profit huh.

"Depending on the weapon we are looking at anywhere from ten evo points to well there isn't really a cap. You can totally pay to win but that requires evo points. Don't go overboard when picking weapons got it."

Erik looks around to make sure everyone is listening and not just nodding. I wonder if I should get a weapon or not? I kinda liked the feeling of killing those goblins with my bear hands, it would be good to practice my bare handed combat.

"Ok go lay down and get comfy, we will hopefully be in the virtual arena for a while. I'll invite you to my group once your in."

With that everyone went back to their rooms and I did the same. I explain the situation to the twins and had them take Frost and Victor to play elsewhere. As for Ca.s.sandra, she was still sleeping so I let her be. The experience with the goblins must have taken a lot out of her.

I laid back on my bed and got comfortable, turned on my system interface and selected the battle arena function.

Would host like to enter the battle arena server

Yes.

Commencing login

Whoa, that was a weird feeling. It was almost like I pa.s.sed out, but without the vision going back thing. Instead so many colors started to a.s.sault my vision. Ugh, that is an unpleasant feeling.

Once I got used to it I looked around. It looks just like the real world, I almost wonder if I was teleported somewhere instead of using a virtual reality interface. Got to give it to those AI for this, I'm impressed. Now only if they could get a better hobby.

Ah Erik sent the party invite, Accept.

Wow, I got moved to a private room. Looks like I was the last one to login.

"Ok, guys. The two leaders will meet up with us inside the arena, remember we are trying to open up the possibility for future cooperation. Try not to be rude, overly aggressive, or other things that might screw this up."

Everyone turned and looked at Derek and Andrew.

"Huh, why are they looking at us Derek?"

"Don't know."

For some reason everyone started to shake their head, I was confused until Brandon let me in on the story. Apparently they had to escort a VIP before out of a hot zone. They almost made it out in good shape before Derek and Andrew got a little hot headed and started to unload some large explosives at the enemy. They got so much attention that they almost couldn't complete the mission and the VIP was so enraged that they were almost killed by his people.

"Ok, anyways. Like I said keep it under control. Try to work together at least and don't get to hot headed. Our goal is at least ten waves to test out our ability to cooperate, try not to die. First one dead has to do the dishes tonight."

Everyone laughed at that and started to do some side bets between each other. Brandon came over to me.

"Hey Hunter, heard you have some tier 1 nervous system naites. Want to bet a hundred against a hundred of my tier 1 muscular naites?"

"Sure Brandon, just don't whine when I win."

"I'll do my best, I just hope you won't cry to much when you lose."

Erik got everyone's attention.

"Ok guys here we go. Remember, go easy on the cost of weapons."

A timer started to count down from ten in the corner of my eye, once it hit zero my vision went blank. A screen popped up giving me lists of possible weapons and protective gear. Everything had a corresponding price, there is literally almost anything you could want. From a simple kitchen knife to an attack helicopter. I wonder if anyone has used the tank? It's fairly expensive though at ten thousand evo points.

Ok lets just grab a machete like I usually use, it's an extra fifty evo points but you never know what we could be fighting. I'll try to mostly use bare handed combat though.

I entered my choice and it let me customize it a bit to make it more to my preference. Once that was done I found myself in the middle of a colosseum style of arena. Kinda reminds me of the overlord game, ah good times.

Oh, people and others. The ants showed up all at once, the queen is probably the largest ant. She is about a meter tall and three meters long, her exoskeleton looked like it was made from rubies. Her mandibles looked like they could snap a small tree in two, definitely don't want my limbs anywhere near her mouth. The soldiers are all about half a meter tall and two meters long. The queen's exoskeleton is a bright red like a ruby but the soldier's exoskeletons are a deep dark red like dried blood. They all look like small tanks with blades for mouths, I kinda understand what Erik meant when he said he would run for the hills if these guys were swarming him.

Right after the ants appeared twenty spiders appeared as well. It seems like there is fifteen wolf spiders and ten daddy long legs. The wolf spiders were about the size of small dogs, while their leader who I a.s.sume is the tier 1 is about the size of a wolf. I won't lie they give off an intimidating vibe. The daddy long legs are a little smaller over all but their leg span is about twice the size of the wolf spiders, also the wolf spiders have thick st.u.r.dy legs the daddy long legs have long, slim legs that seem to be a bit more nimble.

The large Wolf spider walked towards the middle of the groups, Erik, and the queen fire ant followed soon after.

"Ruby, Camille, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, I'm so glad the battle arena as a auto translate function."

"I agree, it was a good call to come here Ruby."

The ant had a slightly squeaky voice while the spider's voice was a bit deeper but not much. Huh, I guess the spider leader is also a girl. I wonder if my brother really is into monster girls and can't help but stare at him.

"So should we jump right into fighting and just let it play out or do you two want to go over a game plan first?" (Erik)

"Game plan?" (Ruby)

"What's that?" (Camille)

"A strategy, or a plan of attack." (Erik)

"Oh. No, I think it will be fine to just start fighting." (Camille)

"I agree, we should just feel it out this time." (Ruby)

"Ya, I guess after getting to know each other's fighting style we could plan a bit better." (Erik)

"So let's begin."

After the three came to an agreement about just wingin it, great plan by the way Erik, a countdown appeared in the middle of the arena up in the air. Everyone got ready, the spiders spread out a little, meanwhile the ants made a formation that reminds me of the romans. They surrounded Ruby in the middle with two rows in all four directions. I would lie if I said I wasn't impressed by their orderly movements.

Finally the timer got close to zero.

3

2

1

WAVE ONE START

As soon as the timer ended I heard a familiar sound of something scratching the dirt. Along the arena's wall were several doors in each direction, at that moment they opened and a black tide rushed out in a frenzy.