Chapter 76: A Strange Discovery

Ethan and Aria followed the Shadow Wraiths through the tunnels.

The deeper they went, the fewer Worker Ants they encountered.

At first, Ethan didn’t think much of it. However, through One Mind, One Legion, he noticed that many of the Worker Ants were moving toward the same area.

Some carried food, while others carried white eggs. A few even moved alongside Soldier Ants.

It seemed the colony had started responding to their invasion.

"Why are so many ants going in the same direction?" Aria asked.

"They might be gathering somewhere deeper in the colony."

"Are they preparing to attack us?"

"Maybe."

Ethan wasn’t particularly concerned.

Even if the ants were gathering their forces, they would still have to face his Shadow Wraiths.

He sent several Wraiths ahead to investigate.

Soon, the Wraiths reached another large chamber.

Hundreds of Soldier Ants were gathered inside.

However, unlike the previous group, these Soldier Ants weren’t rushing around aimlessly. They stood in an orderly formation, guarding a narrow passage at the far end of the chamber.

Ethan watched through the Wraiths’ eyes.

"Interesting."

The Soldier Ants seemed to be protecting something behind them.

"What’s interesting?" Aria asked.

"They’re guarding that passage."

"So?"

"So, let’s see what’s behind it."

Ethan gave the order.

The Shadow Wraiths immediately rushed into the chamber.

The Soldier Ants reacted at once. Several charged toward the approaching Wraiths while the others remained in formation, protecting the passage behind them.

The Wraiths attacked from several directions, their claws striking the Soldier Ants’ hard shells.

However, the ants didn’t scatter like the previous group.

Whenever a Wraith tried to surround one of them, another Soldier Ant moved in to help.

Their mandibles snapped at the Wraiths, forcing them back as the ants continued attacking

Although the Soldier Ants couldn’t match the Wraiths individually, their coordination made them more troublesome to deal with.

If his summons attacked one side, the ants would reinforce it. If the Wraiths tried to move around them, the ants would adjust their formation.

They were clearly trying to prevent the Wraiths from reaching the passage.

Unfortunately for them, Ethan had no intention of fighting on their terms.

He sent another group of Shadow Wraiths through the surrounding shadows.

While the first group continued attacking from the front, the others appeared behind the Soldier Ants.

The ants immediately tried to turn around, but the Wraiths were already moving.

Several Phantom Chains shot forward, wrapping around the Soldier Ants’ mandibles. The Wraiths pulled in opposite directions, forcing the massive jaws apart.

Before the ants could break free, other Wraiths struck with Spectral Claws, tearing through their hard shells by ignoring part of their physical defense.

The formation quickly fell apart.

Without their orderly defense, the Soldier Ants could no longer protect one another effectively.

The Shadow Wraiths continued their assault.

One Soldier Ant after another fell, and the notifications began appearing before Ethan.

[You have killed a Level 15 Soldier Ant. EXP +750]

[You have killed a Level 16 Soldier Ant. EXP +800]

[You have killed a Level 15 Soldier Ant. EXP +750] ℯℯ𝘭.

...

The Soldier Ants fought back fiercely, but their efforts were futile.

Within minutes, the chamber was littered with fallen Soldier Ants

The last Soldier Ant collapsed, and the notifications stopped appearing.

Ethan checked the chamber through his summons.

The passage behind the Soldier Ants was now unguarded.

"Let’s see what they were protecting."

Aria followed him into the passage.

However, after walking for a short while, she noticed something strange.

There were even more tunnels ahead.

Some sloped downward, while others twisted deeper into the underground colony. Worker Ants could still be seen carrying food through several of them.

Aria looked around.

"How big is this place?"

"Pretty big, apparently."

Ethan continued exploring through his Shadow Wraiths.

The colony was much larger than he had expected, and the tunnels seemed to connect in every direction.

Ethan sent the Shadow Wraiths into the surrounding tunnels.

As he followed their movements, he noticed that several tunnels had far more ants than the others.

Worker Ants carried food and eggs through them, while Soldier Ants patrolled the passages.

Ethan directed a few Wraiths toward one of the busier tunnels.

They hadn’t gone far when a group of Soldier Ants appeared ahead.

Unlike the ones they had fought earlier, these ants weren’t standing guard. They were escorting several Worker Ants carrying large pieces of food.

The moment the Soldier Ants noticed the Wraiths, they abandoned their escort and charged.

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"They’re getting more aggressive."

"Who?" Aria asked.

"The ants."

Aria looked at the Soldier Ants rushing toward them.

"Well, I certainly hope they don’t get any bigger."

Ethan chuckled and ordered the Shadow Wraiths to attack.

The battle ended quickly.

After the last Soldier Ant fell, Ethan turned his attention to the Worker Ants. Most had already fled into nearby tunnels, leaving the food they had been carrying behind.

He looked at the discarded pieces for a moment before turning back to the tunnel ahead.

The ants weren’t simply gathering food.

They were moving it somewhere.

Ethan sent a Wraith after the fleeing workers.

Through One Mind, One Legion, he followed it as it moved through several winding passages. Along the way, it encountered more Worker Ants carrying food, all heading in the same direction.

Eventually, the tunnel opened into a much larger passage.

Soldier Ants stood along both sides, while Worker Ants continued carrying food toward an opening at the far end.

Ethan stopped walking.

"So that’s where they’re taking everything."

Aria looked at Ethan, then peered into the passage.

"What’s over there?"

"Let’s find out."

Ethan sent several Shadow Wraiths ahead to scout the area.

Through One Mind, One Legion, he followed their movements as they slipped through the passage and emerged into a massive chamber.

Numerous tunnels connected to the chamber, all leading toward the same place.

The Ant Queen occupied the center of the chamber, surrounded by Soldier Ants. Worker Ants arrived from the tunnels carrying food and eggs, delivering everything directly to her.

The Queen devoured the food brought by the Worker Ants while others carried eggs toward a section hidden behind her enormous body.

Moments later, the eggs began to dry up.