Chapter 68

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Chapter 68: You’re the Next Target!

Another dozen days passed.

The ant colony’s development progressed smoothly.

Though daily casualties occurred during hunting expeditions, they remained within acceptable limits, with no deaths reported among Acid Ants or Iron Armored Ants thus far.

Not only Iron Armored Ants and Acid Ants, but the Military Ants were also steadily growing stronger.

Regarding colony numbers:

Through Red Pupil’s daily experience feeding these past days, Lin Yu had leveled up four times. Utilizing naturally accumulated Magic Value before leveling and fully restored Magic Value post-leveling, she produced fourteen batches of ant eggs.

Egg-laying always occurred after Red Pupil and Little Tear left the nest.

Though none of the fourteen batches yielded individuals above C Qualification, the colony’s population increased significantly.

Total egg production reached 2,000: 600 Weak Ant Eggs, 600 Worker Ant Eggs, 400 Military Ant Eggs, 160 Iron Armored Ant Eggs, and 240 Acid Ant Eggs.

The population surge accelerated forest exploration and extended the tunnel network, with construction commencing on the third northern nest.

Progress remained smooth until…

…The western Fog Zone, discovered during initial westward exploration.

This area’s tree roots emitted white mist that perpetually shrouded the region. Proximity to trees increased fog density, complicating exploration.

Monster ambushes in the fog were common, and thick mist hampered movement. After several peripheral explorations, Lin Yu temporarily halted westward probes to focus on other western areas.

Only after exhausting nearby exploration targets and facing lengthy travel times to distant zones did Military Ants begin deeper Fog Zone incursions.

Through her "Unique Skill – Queen Ant," Lin Yu tracked all ants’ positions without worrying about teams getting lost.

Initial days passed uneventfully, with several fog-adapted monsters specializing in ambushes being eliminated. These shared species with outer-region monsters but possessed environmental adaptations.

Then abruptly:

An eight-Military-Ant squad perished in the Fog Zone, their mental markers vanishing instantly.

The incident occurred too rapidly – distress signals barely transmitted before annihilation. Lin Yu couldn’t even shift her vision to the squad in time, leaving the enemy unidentified.

Instant elimination of eight Class D Military Ants suggested formidable opposition.

Had deeper penetration encountered stronger monsters like northern counterparts? The unseen enemy remained troubling.

Regardless… Such losses couldn’t be ignored. Retrieving bodies and avenging them became imperative. Moreover… The Fog Zone demanded attention now.

Decision made! Following the Goblin Tribe’s eradication, new objective: conquer the western Fog Zone!

Cave noises interrupted:

"Mom, I’m back."

"I’m back too, Mom! Me too!"

"Good you’re safe."

Post-massacre, Lin Yu recalled all Fog Zone teams and contacted northern hunters Red Pupil and Little Tear.

After explaining:

"What’s Mom’s plan?"

"Hmm… Comprehensive sweep?"

"Little Tear will spearhead! Destroy enemies!"

"Mom hasn’t decided yet. No interruptions."

"Wah…"

Red Pupil raised forelimbs as Little Tear preemptively covered her head with hers, summoning tears preemptively.

"Remember where sisters were attacked?"

"General location recorded."

The vanished markers’ approximate position had been noted. Searching there should yield minimal deviation.

"Any plans, Red Pupil?"

It feels really good to have someone to discuss things with.

"No, following Mom’s suggestion of a thorough search should suffice. Since our sisters managed to send distress signals before being killed, it indicates the enemy’s strength isn’t overwhelmingly superior. They were likely eliminated simultaneously, which prevented Mom from transferring her perspective in time."

"Then… could there be multiple enemies?"

"Correct. They’re probably group-type monsters with high agility or long-range attack capabilities."

That makes sense… Hmm, as expected of Mom’s true daughter—just as wise as her!

"So we’ll launch a thorough assault on the Fog Zone?"

"Yes. Given the current strength of our ant colony, no enemies here should rival us. But as a precaution, we’ll deploy scouts to probe ahead, just like during hunts. If our assumptions are wrong and the enemy exceeds our capabilities, we’ll abandon the Fog Zone."

"But… what if we’re killed after sending a distress signal like that Military Ant squad…"

"Leave the scouting to me."

"Oh, you’ll handle it?"

"Mom knows my capabilities. I’m the most suitable vanguard."

"Ah! Vanguard! I want to be… ouch…"

After finally being bonked on the head, Little Tear retreated.

"You’ll protect Mom."

"Oh! Protect Mom!"

"Protect me? Must I go too?"

"I won’t feel at ease leaving Mom in the nest since we don’t know how long we’ll stay in the Fog Zone."

"Hmm… fine."

Staying in the nest *is* safe—if overwhelmed, we could retreat underground. But Red Pupil probably needs to keep me in sight to feel secure.

Through recent hunts, Red Pupil has grown stronger. With her "Life Connection" skill, even if I accompany them, there’s little danger—especially with Little Tear guarding me. Plus, I might contribute somehow.

"Shall we depart now?"

"When does Mom think we should leave?"

Hmm…

The Fog Zone’s mist never thins or thickens—any time works. Wait… why does this feel like a test? *I’m* the mom here! *You* should answer!

"When does Red Pupil suggest we depart?"

Don’t deflect again, or I’ll… get upset?

Red Pupil stared at Lin Yu until the white ant fidgeted before replying:

"What about night? We have night vision—enemies may not. Since our sisters were attacked during daylight, the foes are likely diurnal. We’ll conserve energy and strike the Fog Zone after dark."