By IMERPUS RELUR
--
The Hive did not rest.
It pulsed.
Like a heart preparing for its next beat.
---
> [Time Until Next Wave: 5 Hours 58 Minutes]
Forecast: Tier 2–3 Wild Beasts
Beast Trait Detected: Burrow Adaptives
Estimated Count: 400+
[Lord Level: 5 – 63% EXP to Next Level]
---
Lin Shen stood at the Hive's Command Node, neural threads wrapping his mind into the systems. For the next six hours, he would not wait. He would forge.
"Bring me every surviving Ant General. Now."
Moments later, two towering forms entered—their mandibles sharp, their frames reinforced with black-banded chitin.
> [Ant General – Krakk (Tier 5)]
[Ant General – Vurax (Tier 5)]
New Order: Split Hive Into Quadrants – Establish Defensive Coordination Cells
Krakk bowed his head. "Hive will obey. We segment, we specialize."
---
Phase 1: Defensive Upgrade
> New Defensive Structures Ordered:
– Dual-layer Spike Tunnels (x3)
– Burrow Collapse Chambers (x2)
– Acid Vent Repeater Nodes (x5)
Completion ETA: 2.5 hours
Worker Assignment: 230 units
Lin Shen optimized every chokepoint.
He narrowed tunnels, expanded kill zones, and lined chamber ceilings with loose gravel sacks designed to cave in at will.
"Burrow Adaptives mean they dig. Let's collapse their guts before they ever surface."
---
Phase 2: Evolution Forge Activation
> [Ant Forge Online]
Available Resource Cores: 7
– Spiked Worker Ant (Tier 2) × 3 = Eligible for Fusion
Fusion Result: Tunnel Ripper Ant (Tier 3 – Siege Variant)
Traits: Reinforced mandibles, seismic detection, tunnel destabilizer
One by one, new forms emerged—sleek and brutal.
Designed not for defense.
But for reverse tunneling ambush.
---
Phase 3: Mirrorling Training Loop
> [Echo Chamber – Training Relay Active]
Subjects: Mirrorling Ant × 1
Simulated Patterns Loaded:
– Boar Charge Trajectory
– Triple Claw Swipe
– Side-Winding Fang Burst
The Mirrorling stood in a room of illusory enemies. It mimicked them, adapted to them, then destroyed them.
> [Trait Awakened: Battle Mirror – Copy physical movements of known foes up to Tier 3]
Duration: 8 seconds
Cooldown: 90 seconds
Lin Shen smiled. "You'll kill the enemy using their own instincts. Perfect."
---
Phase 4: Hive-wide Buff Cycle
> Activated Trait: [Swarm Instinct – Lv. 2]
Effect: +10% Coordination Speed in Combat
New Buff Activated: Resonant Core Pulse
Origin: Lord-Hive Emotional Link
Effect: Boosted morale and growth for 60 minutes
Lin Shen didn't need to speak.
The Hive felt his intention.
And responded.
Faster digging.
Sharper movement.
A subtle rhythm of confidence pulsing through the ground.
---
> [Region 7 Channel – Excerpts]
[Lord ViciousBlade]:
Anyone else seeing Tier 3s with rock armor now? WTF?
[Lord EchoBurn]:
One of mine got pulled underground. These bastards dig.
[Lord ShadeFeather]:
Prepare tunnel traps. They're learning us too.
[Lord WhisperWind]:
Day 3 and already hell. What's Day 5 going to look like?
[Lord LinShen]:
Day 5?
They won't reach it.
---
> [System Prompt – Beast Tide Wave 2 Incoming]
Arrival Time: 2 Minutes
Direction: Eastern + Southern Ridges
Tier Estimate: 2–3
Count: 430+
Warning: 5 Signature Beasts Detected (Probable Command-Type)
Lin Shen opened the command relay.
"All tunnel guards into Pattern Sigma. Mirrorling—deploy west flank. Let them come."
He closed his eyes for one breath.
Then opened them with clarity.
---
"This Hive is no longer prey."
"This Hive is judgment."