Chapter 8 – Remodeling and Evolution (3)
“Is it too difficult right now…?”
To modify the genes as I desire required much more effort than I had anticipated. And an overwhelming amount of nutrients were necessary.
It was unavoidable, a natural occurrence.
Even at our current state, we have already evolved into a completely different species from the original Black Rot Insects.
The Queen does not breed through direct copulation with males but instead mass-produces over a hundred eggs automatically through numerous artificial wombs.
The ones born from those eggs are divided into Workers and Soldiers. Be it Worker or Soldier, they have almost entirely lost their original forms.
But what I aim to do is to advance even further beyond this point.
A complete transformation that would sever even the remaining ties with the handful of Black Rot Insects, essentially leaping into a new species.
“To reduce the consumed nutrients and shorten the required time, further enhancement of characteristics is needed.”
The system message instructed me that to achieve what I desire, I must steadily accomplish achievements and strengthen traits.
It was advising against overstepping too much and suggesting to properly step through the stages of evolution.
“If that’s the limit, then there’s nothing to be done.”
There was no way not to comply.
So, for now, I decided to start with what can be done immediately.
“Bring that one down!”
Naturally, it was a hunt.
Upon regaining my awareness, I instructed the Soldiers surrounding the monstrous organism to attack.
That monstrous organism was a colossal larva the size of a truck. It was a beast that devoured any of the coarse, poisonous plants and certain tree leaves of the Demon Realm indiscriminately.
What I covet is the digestive capability of that larva.
If we can seize that ability, the range of things we can consume and convert into nutrients will increase further.
“—!”
The larva wriggled furiously, trying desperately to escape our hunt. Moreover, the densely-packed spikes on its body acted as a robust armor against predators.
But my Soldiers, armed with sharp spines and venomous fangs, ruthlessly pierced holes into the larva’s body, tearing its flesh apart without mercy.
As several of them simultaneously clung to it, injecting venom and inflicting wounds, the larva eventually succumbed, becoming a hauled-away prey to our Nest.
“Good… but the plants we can consume aren’t just those.”
Having satisfactorily observed the result of the hunt, I shifted my gaze.
Hunts like these were continuing in all directions.
Our scouts were continuously venturing into new areas, discovering new terrains and organisms, expanding the world we must pioneer.
The increasing population is now over 300. Every single one of them, without exception, worked tirelessly every day to gather nutrients, expand the Nest, and hunt.
“If we can hunt most Tier-2 Mana Beasts without trouble, how about Tier-3 ones?”
My purpose in enhancing and remodeling them is ultimately to capture stronger foes.
Capturing stronger foes and obtaining their powers allow us to strengthen ourselves once more.
Currently, even without further enhancements, we have no difficulty in hunting the majority of enemies I classify as Tier-2.
If it’s a slightly challenging opponent, we can just deploy more Soldiers.
There’s no business in terms of quantity. If there is an enemy we can’t handle despite our current numbers, that means it’s located in a much higher Tier.
“Baby dragon, Lagadon.”
In the field of vision I am observing, a large lizard is resting.
A creature that has claimed a single forest basin as its Territory. It is a Mana Beast that also appears in games.
This lizard the size of a school bus features tough scales and a toxin-spraying mechanism within its body as its characteristic.
True to the name ‘spraying mechanism,’ it expels potent poison like an enormous spray. This acidic poison is so toxic that it can dissolve almost anything.
Even with the partial poison resistance we currently have, it would be difficult to endure.
[A well-considered decision is necessary]
“No, it’s worth a try.”
Contrary to the system’s warning, I smirked.
It was thanks to the ability extracted from the prey hunted yesterday.
‘Lvathos’ Acid Resistance.’
Lvathos is a Tier-1 monster, a primarily tree-top dwelling herbivorous giant snail.
Through the process where my Soldiers killed the creature and digested it back at the Nest, we discovered its extremely powerful acid resistance ability.
An ability that perfectly counters the capacity of Lagadon, though their habitats are different, so they most likely never encountered each other.
I have stolen this ability and am now planning to apply this trait to my Soldiers in order to hunt the Tier-3 monster, Lagadon.
“How long am I going to keep being attacked by stronger foes and only defend? Now it’s our turn to hunt.”
For this hunt, I’ve prepared a hundred Soldiers.
Lagadon, apart from its acid poison, is a formidable adversary with its incredible strength and tough scales.
If invested poorly, it would be a big loss. It’s better to go all out from the beginning.
[The gathered Soldiers have all departed]
While the monster slept, our scouts continuously monitored it.
During that time, the hundred prepared Soldiers simultaneously began crawling towards their target.
I once again sat alone in the deepest part of the Nest, overseeing and guarding them through the connected consciousness.
Frankly, it would be easier to lead directly, but preparation is still insufficient. During our first deployment, the situation was dire, but now it’s not that critical yet.
*
[Lagadon has detected the tremors]
A hundred troops moving at once are not something that can go unnoticed, no matter how light our Soldiers’ bodies are.
“The encirclement is complete.”
However, the Soldiers I command have already surrounded the sleeping Lagadon from all sides.
The colossal lizard slowly opened its eyes, flicked its tongue, and began looking around.
There was no need to hide. Our Soldiers were revealing themselves, gradually tightening the encirclement around it from all sides.
‘Is it startled?’
The creature’s movements were not particularly agile.
It merely stared vacantly as we approached.
Until now, the highest-tier enemy I’ve observed has been Recus, a Tier-4 creature — a massive bird the size of a small aircraft that flies around in the sky.
In other words, a Tier-3 monster would be one of the top predators in this forest.
For such a beast, it must be absurd to see numerous creatures of unknown identity dare to attack.
“—.”
“Eliminate it!”
Finally, the moment we closed the distance, we simultaneously lunged from the layered encirclement.
The moment Lagadon opened its mouth wide was also the exact second this took place.
[An acidic venom baptism]
The purple mist that sprayed was so strong that it could even set the ground ablaze.
No matter how powerful a life form is, if it lacks immunity to acidic venom, it cannot survive contact with it.
The venom was sprinkled over all of my Soldiers rushing forward.
‘But they’ve withstood it…!’
My Soldiers, upon receiving the venom, merely swayed slightly in place but did not dissolve or fall apart.
Lagadon’s startled, hesitant movements were evident.
Then it was our turn. While the front Soldiers swayed, the Soldiers attacking from other areas now simultaneously attacked the reptile’s body.
They leapt up in an instant and clung to its body, attempting to inflict dents on its tough scales.
“Hang on. Don’t fall.”
With a violent shake, the powerful large lizard sent some Soldiers flying like autumn leaves in the wind.
Several Soldiers were squashed and broken by Lagadon’s thrashing tail, dying instantly.
‘Truly a formidable enemy.’
Even with our current level of evolution, we’re struggling against such a lizard.
Clenching my teeth, I didn’t give up.
Because we realize our weakness now, we must knock down even stronger enemies by all means.
Only then can we become stronger.
[Lagadon seems tired.]
We had one definite advantage.
That was the overwhelming number we had brought with intention.
Lagadon’s movements, which had been efficiently crushing many Soldiers, began to slow down gradually.
The stamina simply didn’t match its immense power.
I clenched my teeth and transferred my consciousness into one of the Soldiers’ bodies.
On top of the giant lizard now, I moved my legs desperately to reach its head.
Our eyes met for a moment, those vertically slit pupils flashing — did it realize what was affixed to its face?
“—!”
It wasn’t my concern.
In an instant, I fiercely jabbed my hooked arms into the lizard’s eye, piercing it relentlessly.
I could feel its eyeball bursting as I struck my front claw into it.
“Kk—.”
In the increasingly violent struggle, I felt my body being torn into its mouth and immediately disconnected the consciousness.
Even if I were to die, it wouldn’t matter. There are still dozens of Soldiers I can directly control.
[Lagadon has fallen. It will soon expire.]
Thus, the persistent attack finally overpowered the mighty beast.
The last scene I saw before disconnecting my consciousness was Lagadon’s end, being overwhelmed by dozens of charging Soldiers to the point of being barely visible.
