Chapter 77: Golden Egg

Something about this scene reminded him of a piece of information from his previous life.

During the Swarm Dungeon Challenge, a Beast Tamer had obtained a powerful ant with a rare bloodline. The creature had attracted considerable attention because of its strength and potential.

If Ethan remembered correctly, the Beast Tamer had discovered it inside the Ant Colony.

At the time, Ethan hadn’t paid much attention to the news. He had been focused on developing his own profession and had no reason to concern himself with another player’s pet.

But now, watching the Queen and the strange activity in her chamber, he began to wonder.

Could this be where that ant came from?

He couldn’t be certain. The Ant Colony was a large dungeon, and there was no guarantee that the two events were connected.

Still, it was worth investigating.

“Ethan, why don’t you just set everything on fire?” Aria asked. “We can deal with the Queen and all these ants at once!”

“Not yet.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“I think there’s something worth looking into first.”

Ethan directed several Shadow Wraiths toward the section behind the Queen. They slipped through the shadows, carefully avoiding the patrolling Soldier Ants.

Soon, one of them found a narrow gap between the Queen’s body and the chamber wall.

Beyond it lay a small hollow filled with eggs.

Most were ordinary, but one caught the Wraith’s attention.

Its shell had a faint golden color.

Ethan focused on it.

Unlike the other eggs, which had dried up after their energy was absorbed, this one remained intact. A faint golden glow pulsed beneath its shell.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

A rare bloodline… Could it really be that ant?

He didn’t rush to a conclusion. Instead, he ordered the Wraith to move closer.

The golden egg was slightly larger than the others, and its shell appeared much harder. Even from a distance, Ethan could sense a faint fluctuation of energy coming from within it.

The Queen’s strange behavior suddenly made more sense.

She wasn’t simply laying eggs. She was using the life energy of her other offspring to nurture this one.

So that’s why the other eggs are drying up.

Ethan watched as another Worker Ant carried an egg into the hollow. Before it could leave, the life energy inside the egg began to disappear.

The golden egg glowed a little brighter.

Ethan’s interest grew.

If his guess was correct, this was the creature the Beast Tamer had obtained during the Swarm Dungeon Challenge in his previous life.

But there was one problem.

If he killed the Queen now, he might lose the chance to obtain the Golden Ant himself.

The egg was still developing, and the Queen was supplying it with the life energy it needed to hatch. Killing her too early could leave the egg incomplete.

Ethan decided to let her continue.

He ordered one of his Shadow Wraiths to monitor the egg and report every change in its energy. That way, he could keep track of its development without having to remain in the chamber.

“Ethan, what exactly are you looking at?” Aria asked.

“I found something interesting.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll explain later. For now, we need to change our plan.”

Aria glanced toward the Queen. “You don’t want to burn everything anymore?”

“Not yet. There’s something I want to obtain, and I don’t want to destroy it.”

Aria gave him a suspicious look but didn’t ask any further.

Ethan turned his attention to the battlefield.

The Waykeeper and the remaining Soldier Ants were still in their way. He would deal with them while the Queen continued nurturing the egg.

Once it had absorbed enough energy, he would make his move.

Time passed as the Queen continued transferring life energy into the golden egg.

The faint glow beneath its shell gradually grew brighter. With each transfer, the golden light became more intense, spreading across the egg’s surface until its entire shell shone with a soft golden radiance.

Ethan kept track of every change through his Shadow Wraith.

Finally, the Wraith reported that the egg’s energy had reached a stable level.

It was ready.

“Aria, get ready,” Ethan said.

She turned toward him. “For what?”

“Just be ready to run.”

Before she could ask anything else, Ethan issued his command.

Several Shadow Wraiths emerged from the shadows behind the Queen. They moved swiftly, snatched the golden egg from the hollow, and immediately retreated.

The Queen let out a furious screech.

Every ant in the chamber reacted at once.

Soldier Ants abandoned their positions and rushed toward the Wraiths. Worker Ants scattered in panic, while the Waykeeper turned its attention toward the intruders.

But Ethan was already prepared.

The moment the Wraiths returned, he stored the golden egg in his inventory.

At the same time, he took out his Mana Reservoir and activated it.

A brilliant flame appeared in his hand.

Divine Flame!

Ethan immediately threw the flame toward the densest cluster of ants.

The golden fire struck the swarm and spread from one ant to another. The ants caught in its path began burning, and the flames quickly engulfed the surrounding area.

“RUN!” Ethan shouted.

He and Aria turned and sprinted toward the tunnel behind them.

Behind them, the Queen’s furious screeches mixed with the sounds of burning ants. The Waykeeper roared as the flames spread through the chamber, forcing the remaining ants into chaos.

Ethan and Aria ran through the tunnels as notifications flooded their visions.

…

[You have killed a Level 15 Worker Ant.]

[You have killed a Level 16 Soldier Ant.]

[You have killed a Level 16 Soldier Ant.]

…

The notifications continued as the Divine Flame spread through the nest.

Behind them, the Waykeeper struggled to escape the flames. Its hard shell couldn’t protect it forever, and soon, its roars fell silent.

…

[You have killed the Level 19 Ant Waykeeper!]

[You have cleared the Ant Colony on Hell Difficulty!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained the first-clear reward for the Ant Colony on Hell Difficulty.]

[You have obtained: Waykeeper’s Twin Mandible Blades.]

…

Ethan slowed down when the notifications appeared.

The Waykeeper was finally dead.

He opened his inventory and checked the new item.

[Waykeeper’s Twin Mandible Blades]

Rank: Uncommon

Type: Twin Swords

Description: Two blades crafted from the hardened mandibles of an Ant Waykeeper. Their sharp edges can pierce tough shells and armor.

Effect: Increases physical attack power and improves damage against heavily armored enemies.

Ethan nodded as he checked the weapons. They were valuable loot, but since he was a Summoner, he would probably sell them or give them to someone who could use them.

Before he could inspect them further, another notification appeared.

…

[You have killed the Level 20 Ant Queen!] ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

[Ant Queen’s Carapace Armor]

…

The Queen had finally fallen as well.

Ethan opened his inventory and checked the golden egg.