Chapter 70
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Chapter 70: Dead Yet Undead
"Mom! Ride me! Ride me now!"
"Alright alright, such an impatient… big girl."
This would be her first time riding Little Tear, having always mounted Red Pupil before.
An inexplicable unease lingered…
Despite reservations, Lin Yu climbed onto Little Tear’s back.
Three Acid Ants also boarded.
"Do well now."
The white ant patted the Acid Ants’ green heads with her forelegs.
…
The ant army began its march.
Nocturnal monsters proved scarcer than daytime ones, most having hidden in bushes or grass to sleep.
Yet the ant battalion’s movement stirred many slumbering creatures. These monsters first froze in shock upon seeing the swarm, then fled in panic.
Those unable to escape curled into quivering balls.
Lin Yu forbade pursuit – these low-level monsters offered minimal Experience Value, unworthy of their time.
Casualties from accidental trampling couldn’t be helped.
Iron Armored Ants’ steps alone could erase half a weak monster’s Health Value.
Maimed creatures were left for nearby ants to handle.
After two hours, the 2,233-strong force reached the western Fog Zone’s edge.
"Mom, which direction were the sisters attacked from?"
"Northeast."
After Lin Yu indicated where the Military Ant squad fell, Red Pupil selected twenty Iron Armored Ants and twenty Acid Ants.
"I’ll lead the vanguard reconnaissance."
Red Pupil entered the mist-veiled forest first, Acid Ants clinging to her back. Other ants followed closely behind.
Through her brood link, Lin Yu sensed forty-two luminous dots penetrating deeper into the Fog Zone.
"Shall we proceed too, Mom?"
"Mm."
At her command, the army fanned out horizontally – different ant species intermingling as they surged into the mist.
Their primary heading remained northeast toward the fallen Military Ants’ location.
Lin Yu focused her perspective through an Acid Ant riding Red Pupil’s carapace.
Twenty Iron Armored Ants advanced in three staggered rows, forming a chevron formation.
Within the fog, only small monsters crossed their path… until nearing the designated coordinates.
The mist erupted with rustling noises – countless targets converging from all directions.
"Stop, prepare for battle."
Almost simultaneously with Red Pupil’s command, clusters of dark shadows leaped from the surrounding white mist!
The moment they appeared, they mindlessly assaulted the Iron Armored Ants, some even lunging to bite.
Health Value-0
Health Value-0
Health Value-0
…
These assailants couldn’t breach the Iron Armored Ants’ two-digit Physical Resistance Ability.
They were monsters from the mist—White Apes mutated from Blue Apes to adapt to the environment, white Granville Wolves, pale Swift Leopards…
Some retained their original fur colors: Giant Mouth Frogs, Dazzling Poison Snakes, Yellow-Haired Pigs, and even two Long-Toothed Brown Bears.
Though none could harm the Iron Armored Ants, Lin Yu watching nearby sensed something amiss.
How could these diverse monsters cooperate? Some were natural predators and prey.
"Something’s wrong. These monsters are already dead—and likely being controlled, Mom."
"Dead? Controlled?"
Lin Yu observed closely. The attacking monsters indeed bore what should have been fatal wounds.
But…how could corpses keep moving?
"Mhm. The Identification results show ‘Death’ and ‘Puppet’ statuses. Their Health Values were initially full."
After Red Pupil snapped the neck of an equally massive Long-Toothed Brown Bear, its Health Value hit zero. The ‘Puppet’ status dissolved, and it collapsed thunderously—killed anew.
Red Pupil commanded the remaining Iron Armored Ants and Acid Ants:
"Eliminate them all. Use acid if they retreat into the fog. None escape."
Assured of her troops’ dominance, Red Pupil turned to the Acid Ant on her back.
"Mom could have projected her vision through me."
"…I feared distracting you."
*And I won’t risk you overhearing my inner monologue again!*
"Thank you for considering me, Mom."
Red Pupil nodded. "Beyond the ‘Puppet’ status, these monsters appear skill-locked."
Indeed, they merely clawed and bit mindlessly. More troubling was…
"Puppet status… You implied they’re…"
"Confirmed. A stronger entity controls them."
During their exchange, the remaining monsters fell to the Iron Armored Ants.
Despite being outmatched, none fled—as if incapable of such concepts.
"Most are low-tier Class D, skillless. Not the killers of our Military Ant sisters."
"Only stronger monsters could’ve slain them so swiftly."
After explaining, Red Pupil advanced with the Iron Armored Ants.
At the death site, faint mist revealed eight glossy black ants bearing horrific injuries—gaping slashes, punctured carapaces. All mortal wounds.
Red Pupil cast Identification.
"Statuses: ‘Death’ and ‘Puppet.’ They’re controlled, Mom."
The eight dead Military Ants instantly lunged, biting Red Pupil and three Iron Armored Ants.
Health Value-0…
"What do we do, Mom?" Red Pupil’s gentle voice wavered.
Lin Yu’s heart sank. She felt no connection to the eight—proof they were truly gone.
"They’re already dead… End this."
