[NR] Chapter 366 - Ambush In Coyote Territory (Patreon)

At first things seemed to settle down as most of the snakes grew larger and tended towards being constrictors. In fact, Jason and Lily spent a number of relatively peaceful days, even managing to pass through the halfway point and into the coyote territory. While the constrictors had a very threatening bulk to them, only so many could live in an area. Combined with the active war going on, there just aren’t enough to bar their way.

The coyotes on the other hand did a better job of protecting their territory. This was partly because of being led by a Trickster Coyote, a species known for their cunning. While this didn’t translate into traps, it did mean a bunch of ambushes and monsters actually knowing how to retreat when injured.

Quite the annoying situation as it means that Jason’s growing pile of teeth and claws has stopped growing. While the fights are enjoyable and Lily is growing from it, not getting any loot dampens the mood. If it wasn’t for how clever the coyotes were he might have been lulled into a sense of security.

This would have been devastating for him as just before leaving the coyote’s territory many days later an ambush happens. Not the usual coyotes though. Rather, it seems that while not as clever as the trickster coyote, the titan python wasn’t a complete slouch and had sent some forces around to attack from behind.

From every direction, including below, vipers spring out. Lily is safe in the harness, but even as Jason jumps away to dodge, multiple snakes sink their fangs into him. While he was already pretty resistant to the paralysis venom that they used, these weren’t the normal vipes. They might not have evolved into a new form, but most of the ones that managed to hit Jason were well above the average level.

Plus, sometimes quantity has a quality all its own. Even if you are immune to venom, things aren’t going to end well for you if enough gets pumped in and Jason definitely isn’t immune to the stuff. Still, his resistance skill had managed to get just high enough that he didn’t freeze like a statue.

This didn’t mean he was in fighting shape, and was rather more in the shape of a rusted automaton. Each move a jerky approximation at half the speed. This wasn’t exactly slow as even at half speed Jason was still above average. Rather, it is more the jerky motions and time lag between his thoughts and body that almost did him in.

Off to the side of his vision he could see his HP drip away. Jason didn’t give up though, if given a few moments of time to meditate he could use the active ability of his skill. Right now though that wasn’t an option as not only were the vipers still attacking, but the sounds of coyotes could be heard approaching.

It takes Jason a few moments of running before he sees a way out. First he releases Lily. The ambush was over and she could contribute to the fight without fear of something swooping in to grab her, a thing that had been a constant threat in the snake side of the conflict.

The second the harness opened, Lily was out and attacking with her fur already charged and her claws gleaming. Not expecting such a sudden attack, two snakes fall to her in the first moments. Compared to how many snakes there are around, this isn’t much, but it is a start.

Next Jason angles his run so as to put the snake swarm between him and the coyotes he can hear. They are going to catch up soon enough as the snakes aren’t out running them and Jason currently can’t out run the snakes.

A wise choice as the new enemies are soon upon them and while Jason is a tempting target, the snakes are a long standing enemy. Nevermind the fact that despite not “knowing” it, the coyotes could tell that more of their numbers had been missing in this direction. It had to be the snakes and these coyotes weren’t about to let them off.

On the other hand, they weren’t going to let Jason off either. Though seeing his current speed only three of them split off to go after him. Honestly, this would probably be enough to take him if he didn’t already have a plan.

The snakes were easily distracted by the coyotes as planned. Jason had figured that with their rivals right there they would ignore the poisoned prey. Sure, he was still able to move around a bit, but the snakes likely didn’t have a concept of him being able to continue moving. Not that Jason had planned to.

No, as the majority of the snakes turn towards the coyotes, Jason calls Lily back to cover him. She isn’t quite able to keep all the remaining snakes busy and he suffers a couple more bites, but it gives him the time to put his plan in motion. One of the trees just a bit ahead of him had a very prominent Y split about twice his height up in the air and he was going to make use of it.

Jason wasn’t in any shape to swing around like a monkey at the moment, but he was still more than able to climb a tree. It wasn’t quick to do and he likely only managed it because most of the remaining snakes decided to also turn back and join the fight against the coyotes, especially the three that had broken off to kill steal their prey. After all, a lunch in a tree was just as fine for them as one on the ground.

With the number of enemies reduced so much Lily is soon able to hold her own as Jason reaches the split and settles himself securely. He doesn’t know exactly how long it will take to purge the venom so had to prepare for the long haul. At least the coyotes seemed to be a legitimate threat to the mass of vipers.