By IMERPUS RELUR
--
The world did not scream—
It vibrated.
Tunnels shook. Dust cascaded from the ceilings.
The second wave had come.
---
> [Beast Tide – Wave 2: Initiated]
Enemy Type: Burrow Adaptives – Tier 2 to Tier 3
Count: 437
Command Units: 5 Detected
Bonus Objective: Kill All Command Units Within 30 Minutes
Reward: 1x Rare Evolution Pod + Bonus EXP
---
Lin Shen stood with his mind synced to the Hive Network.
Every heartbeat, every quiver in the ground, echoed into his consciousness.
They were already coming.
> Tactile Detection Report:
– East Tunnel: 291
– South Ridge: 124
– Surprise Shaft, North: 22 (Tunneling Below Defense Zone)
"They're smarter now," he muttered. "They want to bypass our walls."
But he had built for that.
---
Defense Formation: Sigma Array – Activated
> – Spike Tunnels collapsed in sync
– Acid Repeater Vents ignited on trigger
– Tunnel Ripper Ants led a preemptive dig to intercept the North Flank
The Hive didn't defend—it broke them before they entered.
---
> [Enemy Breach: East Tunnel – 47 Units]
Engaging: Soldier Ants (Tier 2) + Acid Spitters (Tier 2.5)
Status: Holding – 90% efficiency
> [Enemy Breach: South Ridge – 16 Units Penetrated]
Engaging: Mirrorling Ant (Tier 3 – Adaptive Variant)
Status: Lure Phase Active – Copying Beast Patterns...
---
Mirrorling Combat Log:
— Swiped twice. Counter-clawed using reflected motion.
— Engaged enemy Tier 3 Razor Boar.
— Copied charge. Used its own attack against it.
> [Beast Kill: Tier 3 – Razor Boar]
EXP Gained: 1,000
Echo Instinct Uploaded to Chamber
Lin Shen smirked. "That one's learning too fast."
---
Meanwhile…
> [Hive Depth Alert – North Shaft Breach Detected]
Emergency Trigger: Tunnel Rippers Engaged
Enemy Commander Detected: Burrow King – Tier 4 (Mini-Boss Type)
Trait: Burrowing Roar, Hive Disruption
The Hive shuddered.
Ants paused. Coordination broke for half a second.
Just one scream… and it rattled the neural flow.
Lin Shen bit down, reinforcing the mental bridge with sheer will.
> [Override Triggered: Lord Will Surge]
Swarm Morale Restored
Trait Activated: Hiveborn Resistance
"Counter-roar," Lin Shen whispered. "Tunnel Rippers—focus!"
---
Special Operation Triggered: Ripping Storm Formation
Three Tunnel Rippers circled from below.
Each struck at a blind angle, destabilizing the ceiling and forcing collapse.
BOOM.
The Burrow King was caught mid-roar.
Its mandibles cracked as rocks poured down, limbs flailing—
—and then the Ant Generals struck.
Krakk and Vurax slammed into the stunned creature from opposite flanks.
Their synchronized strike pierced its armored joints.
---
> [Commander Beast Slain: Burrow King – Tier 4]
EXP Gained: +3,000
Evolution Pod Obtained: [Deep Core Type]
Hive Morale Boosted
Lord Sync Level: 41% → 47%
---
The rest of the wave?
It collapsed.
Leaderless.
Outmaneuvered.
Crushed in their own tunnels or melted by acid volleys.
---
Thirty minutes later, the Hive was silent again.
No enemy beasts.
No fallen ants.
Only the quiet hum of victory.
> [Wave Cleared – Bonus Objective Complete]
Rewards:
4,700 EXP
Deep Core Evolution Pod
Fusion Recipe Unlocked: [Crimson Tunnel Knight – Tier 4.5 Siege Unit]
Lord Level: 5 → 6
---
Lin Shen exhaled slowly.
But just as he turned to rest, the Hive Core pulsed again—
> [Unknown Message Detected – Origin: Lord Plane Outer Layer]
Message Fragment: "The Eye watches. Your evolution has been noted."
He froze.
"…What Eye?"