Elemental Cats

After everyone whose assistance wasn't needed for phase three was cleared out of the circular area and had moved a great distance away from the entire wasteland, it was time for the part of the plan some of the crazier types in the camp were looking forward to most. The first two phases were pretty inconspicuous in comparison to the third phase. Especially since the amount of explosive and volatile materials for the first round is more guesswork and based on the explosion will be increased, or decreased next time.

But there was a general consensus at the planning table that it's better to use too much than too little, and really make sure the rats get sent flying to and past the afterlife. And it's during the third phase the ridiculous amount of explosives are ignited. Compared to the first two phases it's going to be a lot more action.

The first part of phase three was waiting and preparing. To make sure as many of the tunnels get collapsed as possible and to make sure as many of the rats they can reasonably expect to die, actually die, they had to wait for all the water and chemicals and whatnot they had poured into the ground to trickle down and reach as deep as it can before the rats start to wake up.

Letting the water soak into the dirt and turn the earth that the rats have made tunnels in into mud will also help destabilize the entire construction and make sure that the tunnel system crashes even if it turns out the amount of explosives wasn't enough.

The mages needed for phase three weren't waiting idly as they began to prepare in the ways they could. Previously wood and life attribute mages had gathered the rats, after that earth mages had walled in the rats, and now it was time for fire mages to pull the heavy load.

Summoning balls and streams of fire, similar to what Toz and Mindle did when they counterattacked in the canyon, was one way many of the fire attribute mages prepared.

Other mages with different but similar attributes started conjuring bubbling lava or heating up materials that had very heat-conductive properties.

Mages and fighters who could withstand high temperatures brought out special containers filled with preheated items and magma that were stored in those containers ahead of time in order to not waste as much mana and energy heating and conjuring enough at the moment.

Although it might be overkill since the initial explosions will start a chain reaction, the planners had the same thought regarding the ignition of the explosives as the amount of explosive materials. It's better to use more and make sure it's enough than use too little and regret it.

While the ruckus of collapsing tunnels and being flushed with water and various substances might not wake the rats up, a lot of time had passed since they had fallen asleep, and the mages were currently working with tremendous amounts of mana, something the rats were very sensitive toward.

The stirring mana on the surface might be enough to awaken and attract the rats. Since most of the mages had cleared out and the remaining were either preparing to pull back the exhausted ones who were the main offensive force of the all-out attack that was phase three, those attacking ones, or mages specializing in perception. None of them had the leeway or ability to fight off the rat's inevitable attack if they were to wake up.

Everyone was doing their best to either get away but still stay within range of the trapped rats in case they escape and flood the ground so they can fight them back, or preparing the containers and fireballs and whatnots so everything can be blasted down into the tunnels at once and everyone close can take cover before the explosions begin. While carefully preparing the one thing everyone was anxiously waiting for was the signal. The signal would come from the mage who would first discover signs of the rats waking up.

The rats will undoubtedly wake up and try to flee above ground as soon as phase three officially begins, but it's a world's difference between them fleeing above ground while being chased by an explosive hell, and innumerable rats charging because they sense delicious packets of mana and vitality swarming the ground.

As soon as the rats begin to show signs of stirring, it will be the beginning of their end.

The mages directly using magic to prepare various ways of attack were fully concentrated on controlling their mana, being careful not to leak anything, or letting any accidents happen, while at the same time trying to create as much of an impact as possible.

Some with more finesse and control created several powerful streams of flowing fire that after circling the mage would enter several different holes at the signal.

Others had found a larger hole they could launch a singular impressive strike that would pierce through the flimsy tunnels, loaded with rats and explosives.

The ones who weren't actively attacking with their magic had set up several containers that, with the pull of a string, would empty their contents into the tunnels. That, or preparing to grab everyone else so they can make a quick retreat.

Sitting on their fastest beast with an arm outstretched, ready to grab their designated mage. Charging up wind and lightning magic to tackle and carry everyone in their way out of the danger zone. The rare space attribute mages were setting up their mana for bending space so everyone can travel a great distance instantaneously, almost like teleporting.

The ones who weren't directly involved in phase three were also waiting. If the rats left their holes alive and tried escaping into the wasteland, they would be the primary force in stopping the rats. Not to mention their desire to witness what would be an incredible explosion up close.

No one counted the time, but mere moments turned into what felt like hours as nothing happened except the magic getting more powerful.