By IMERPUS RELUR
--
A quiet hum echoed through the Hive.
The scent of scorched dirt still lingered from the battle, but the silence wasn't defeat—it was reverence. Lin Shen stood at the center of his nest, staring at the new panel that had emerged before his eyes.
---
> [Lord Level Up Complete – Tier 4 Achieved]
Trait Evolution Available: Choose One
---
Three glowing options materialized, each pulsing with a different rhythm—each one ready to shape the future of the Hive.
---
1. Hive Pulse Synchronization
> Your instincts fuse with the swarm.
Effect: Units within your command radius gain +10% reaction speed and situational awareness.
Additional Bonus: You may mentally access the senses of any Hive unit in real-time.
2. Apex Mutation Instinct
> Your swarm follows your hunger.
Effect: All future fusions have a 15% chance to gain a random bonus mutation.
Additional Bonus: Hive Champions gain a unique passive aura tied to your dominant emotion.
3. Dominion Will
> Your presence solidifies command.
Effect: All units within your territory fight with +5% attack, +5% defense.
Additional Bonus: Territory structures gain minor auto-repair when idle.
---
Lin Shen studied the options. Each one felt like a whisper from a different future. The tactical advantage of Hive Pulse… the unpredictable evolution of Apex Mutation… or the stability of Dominion.
He made his decision.
> [Trait Selected: Apex Mutation Instinct]
Confirmation: Complete
The Hive pulsed.
A low rumble echoed through the tunnels, and deep within the Spore Garden, the mutation pods shimmered with new patterns. Something ancient had stirred.
Something hungry.
---
> [Swarm Mutation Instinct Unlocked]
All future Tier 2+ fusions now have a chance to gain special mutations.
Mutation Library Initialized: 0 / ??? Traits Collected
---
Before he could process further, another ping arrived.
> [Regional Announcement – Region 7 Open Channel]
---
[Lord AshThorn]: What was that quake just now? Anyone else feel it?
[Lord WhisperWind]: Reports say a Flame Ravager showed up. Did someone actually kill it?
[Lord FangBreaker]: Not possible. That's a Tier 6 Beast! No one's strong enough yet...
[Lord ShadeFeather]: Wait… Lord Lin Shen, was that your territory?
[Lord ViciousBlade]: You killed a Ravager?! How?
---
Lin Shen didn't reply.
Instead, he opened the war council interface. The Lord System had just unlocked a new function.
---
> [New Feature Unlocked: Swarm War Council]
Status: Available
Eligible Members: Tier 4 Lords Only
Function: Organize Hive Sub-Leaders, Assign Hive Roles, Discuss Swarm Expansion Strategy
Bonus: Up to 3 Hive Lieutenants may be selected. All receive 10% buff when in designated battle zones.
---
He looked across the expanding underground network. His ants were evolving. His structures were alive. And now…
His Hive needed leaders.
> [Candidate Selection Available:
– Ant General Rax (Tier 5 – Commander)
– Venom Fang Matriarch (Tier 4 – Support Class)
– Burrow Sentinel No. 3 (Tier 3 – Defense Instinct AI)]
He selected Ant General Rax as his First Hive Lieutenant.
---
The war was far from over.
But now, Lin Shen didn't stand alone.