---
He caught his breath, checked the arrow path, still towards the fort. Timer now 7d 20h.
Kai grumbled, "I'm still two days out. Maybe three with patrol dodges. System, can you point to the fastest route?"
[Ding! SYSTEM: Recommended path uploaded yesterday, host ignored. Current deviation: 14 leagues.]
"Wonderful," he snapped. "Any more wisdom?"
[System Observation: Average search time for a conscious ant brain to open a menu is 4 seconds. Host required 48 hours. ]
Kai flipped the spear in mock salute. "Very funny. Lead on."
A dotted line highlighted a narrow canyon network eastward. It was shorter but infested with higher-rank beasts or predators at night. He accepted. High risk, but more EXP and maybe cores to barter for inside help.
