Chapter 59
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Chapter 59: The Daughters Venture Out to Hunt
The acid’s potency exceeded Lin Yu’s expectations.
Upon contact, it inflicted excruciating pain while continuously corroding the target’s surface defenses.
Moreover, the acid could penetrate a target’s body through Acid Ant bites, causing secondary internal damage.
Next, she tested the "Acid Spray" skill.
True to its name, activating this skill enabled Acid Ants to eject acid from their mouths.
The acid could be concentrated into a single projectile with a range of approximately fifty meters, traveling at speeds comparable to fireballs cast by Goblin Wizards.
Alternatively, it could be dispersed in a fan-shaped spray covering a wider area, though this reduced the effective range to about ten meters.
However, both methods expended over half of their abdominal acid reserves in a single use, significantly diluting subsequent secretions.
The "Acid Spray" skill only maintained maximum effectiveness for the initial two to three volleys.
Yet even this limited capacity proved formidable.
Lin Yu felt thoroughly satisfied with the results.
The colony finally possessed ranged offensive capabilities!
The highly corrosive acid would make armored foes like the Goblin King far less troublesome to handle.
Wait—Acid Ants could actually coordinate with Iron Armored Ants…
Having them ride atop Iron Armored Ants would create mobile platforms: the armored carriers providing protection while acid shooters delivered firepower!
Hmm, essentially biological tanks.
The limited ammunition capacity was regrettable, but considering multiple Acid Ants could mount a single Iron Armored Ant—five shooters could unleash over a dozen volleys collectively!
What enemy could withstand such concentrated acid bombardment?
Certainly none of the monsters encountered thus far.
Not even Red Pupil herself.
Speaking of whom, she seemed upset about my earlier recklessness.
The sudden silence felt oppressive.
After murmuring something to Little Tear—even that crybaby quieted down.
Though wanting to apologize, their stony silence felt intimidating.
Conversation had always been Red Pupil’s initiative; initiating dialogue myself as a socially anxious individual was…
As Lin Yu wrestled with this dilemma—
"Mom, I’m taking my sisters hunting."
"Huh?"
"We’ll return by evening. Don’t worry."
"But we still have meat…"
"Let the others eat that. I’ll bring back more."
With that declaration, Red Pupil tapped Little Tear’s head with her forelimb and dragged off the sniffling ant, trailed by 10 Iron Armored Ants and 20 Acid Ants.
The cave retained its population of mature Weak Ants, Worker Ants, Military Ants, plus 10 Acid Ants and 8 Iron Armored Ants.
Outside, sufficient Military and Weak Ants remained to guard both the captive goblin and the nest containing the Queen Ant.
…Definitely angry…
But apologies would have to wait until their return.
Still… How does Red Pupil command other ants without my authorization? Is it her A-grade qualification enforcing obedience? Or simply her status as the colony’s strongest combatant?
Hmm…
No, the ant tribe is fiercely loyal, so their response to Red Pupil’s actions must also adhere to this principle.
They follow Red Pupil to hunt in order to grow stronger and better protect me. – That’s the correct interpretation, right?
With nothing to do in the Second Ant Nest for now, Lin Yu shifted her perspective to an Acid Ant trailing behind Red Pupil.
She could have focused on Red Pupil or Little Tear instead, but fearing Red Pupil might still be upset, she hesitated briefly before settling on an Acid Ant at the rear of the group.
…
Red Pupil led the Iron Armored Ants and Acid Ants northward, advancing swiftly to save time.
However, due to the vast difference in size, the Acid Ants struggled to keep pace with the Iron Armored Ants and fell behind.
"Stop."
Red Pupil’s soft, sweet voice startled Lin Yu.
But recalling the command was directed at all ants—including the Acid Ant she was currently "attached" to—she relaxed.
*I thought I’d been discovered… That scared me half to death!*
*Wait, why am I even afraid of this?*
"Acid Ant sisters, climb onto the backs of the Iron Armored Ant sisters. We’ll handle the travel, but your main task is to search for monsters."
Following their leader’s order, the ants began pairing up. Based on their numbers, each Iron Armored Ant would carry one or two Acid Ants.
The Acid Ant linked to Lin Yu also approached an Iron Armored Ant.
But then—
"Let this sister ride on me."
Following the voice… it was Big Sister Red Pupil! Or rather, Red Pupil’s eldest daughter?
*Huh?? Did she figure something out?*
*I wasn’t even watching her the whole time! How? Wait—did she actually notice or not?*
While Lin Yu froze in confusion, her linked Acid Ant nodded and obediently climbed onto Red Pupil’s back.
The view abruptly rose.
"More! I can carry more!"
A peculiar shout came from nearby.
It was Little Tear, already bearing two Acid Ants on her back. Seeming to enjoy it, she crouched to let a third Acid Ant climb aboard.
Then a fourth.
Admittedly, the Iron Armored Ants’ broad backs could easily accommodate several Acid Ants.
As a fifth tried to mount—
*Thwack!*
Red Pupil smacked Little Tear’s head with a foreleg.
"Ow! Why hit me, sis?"
"Five is too many. It’ll hinder movement."
"Fine… Take this one."
Reluctantly, she lifted the fifth Acid Ant and placed it atop another Iron Armored Ant’s head.
"?"
Lin Yu could almost see the bewildered expression on that Iron Armored Ant’s face.
"Move out."
At Red Pupil’s tender command, the ant group resumed their march.
Minutes later, they encountered enemies—a familiar "old friend."
A pack of 15 Granville Wolves.
Though their exact levels were unclear, Granville Wolves in this area typically ranged from Level 7 to 10 (Unranked), with a few barely reaching Class D.
Positioned behind and at a distance from the wolves, Red Pupil’s squad went unnoticed as the pack prepared to ambush three wild boars further ahead.
