I Am The Swarm

After several days of post-battle recovery, the hive not only replenished its losses but also slightly increased its total population.

As the Brood Nest grew, its daily egg-laying capacity also improved. Depending on the complexity of the insects being bred, it could now produce anywhere from a few to dozens of eggs daily without overburdening itself.

Eggs that hatched into Soldier Ants were the least produced. Their complex genetics demanded significant resources, making them a costly but powerful asset. Even with the support of four ant nests, Luo Wen’s hive could only sustain fewer than a hundred Soldier Ants. On his own, such numbers would be entirely unfeasible.

Today, Luo Wen had a critical mission in mind. One that had been gnawing at him like a thorn in his side. Although he didn’t consider himself a vengeful insect, the matter of losing an appendage demanded retribution.

He set out with a formidable force of thirty Soldier Ants, one hundred Worker Ants, and all the Scout Bugs at his disposal. The group advanced in a grand procession.

The spider’s ambush had occurred five or six meters up the cliff. Though Luo Wen’s pheromone markings from that time had long since dissipated, he could still discern the general direction. His sharp, high-resolution vision compared the current landscape to the mental image he’d retained.

It didn’t take long for him to identify the area. Crawling along the base of the cliff, he soon found the rocky crevice where the spider had hidden.

With the location confirmed, the group began their ascent. As they neared the crevice, the formation spread out to encircle it.

While Luo Wen was sure of the location, he couldn’t guarantee the spider was still there. Cliff-climbing insects were rare, and with a spider of that size, waiting idly in one spot would likely lead to starvation.

Carefully, Luo Wen poked his head out. His massive compound eyes, occupying nearly half his head, allowed him to observe the crevice with minimal exposure.

Inside, he spotted a spider crouched in a corner, camouflaged perfectly against the rocky background. If Luo Wen hadn’t known to look for it, he might not have noticed the creature at all.

However, this spider differed slightly from the one that had attacked him. It appeared leaner, and its back was swollen with a writhing mass. A closer look revealed the movement came from dozens of tiny spiders crawling over the adult’s back—a harrowing sight for anyone with arachnophobia.

Beside the living spider was another spider, long dead and reduced to a desiccated husk.

Luo Wen quickly deduced the situation: the female spider had devoured the male. While he had always known that male insects often met grim fates, witnessing it firsthand still sent a shiver through him.

Whether the spider that had attacked him was this female or the deceased male no longer mattered.

Luo Wen didn’t hold grudges—this was simply a convenient excuse. The real objective lay in the genetic fragments the spiders carried. The timing was perfect; the female had just given birth, making her the ideal target.

Despite his determination, Luo Wen remained wary of the spider’s venomous fangs. While he would be the main combatant, he couldn’t risk attracting the first wave of attacks. A solid strategy was essential.

The idea of throwing rocks to test the waters crossed his mind, but given his physical limitations, such actions were impractical.

Instead, he relied on his Worker Ants. Using his antennae, he relayed pheromone commands to the nearest Worker Ants, which quickly spread the instructions throughout the group.

The ants chattered through antennae taps, and soon the entire formation was briefed on Luo Wen’s plan.

Without hesitation, the Worker Ants began the assault. They scurried into the crevice, leading the charge.

The Soldier Ants followed closely behind, while Luo Wen lingered at the rear to oversee the operation.

The spider reacted swiftly. An experienced ambusher, it immediately rose to face the intruders. However, the sudden influx of prey left it momentarily indecisive.

The Worker Ants moved quickly. Equipped with their spring-loaded launch systems, they reached the spider’s legs in an instant, biting down with their mandibles. Unfortunately, the spider’s legs were too thick, and their efforts failed to inflict damage.

Recovering from its hesitation, the spider lashed out. Its legs moved with blinding speed, striking down the surrounding Worker Ants. Half were sent flying; the luckier ones hit nearby walls and rejoined the fight, while the rest plummeted from the crevice to the ground five or six meters below.

The fall wasn’t fatal, but their poor vision made it nearly impossible for them to find their way back.

Anticipating this, Luo Wen had stationed his Scout Bugs at the cliff’s base. These large-eyed insects were tasked with locating and recovering any fallen comrades.

While the Worker Ants failed to harm the spider, they effectively absorbed its initial attacks, successfully drawing its attention.

The Soldier Ants, all equipped with spring-loaded launch systems, arrived next. Unlike the Worker Ants, their weaponry was designed for combat.

Giant Mandible Soldier Ants and Giant Fang Soldier Ants attacked the spider’s legs, each limb gripped by multiple ants pulling in opposite directions. The spider was lifted slightly off the ground, its legs flailing in a desperate attempt to break free. However, the Soldier Ants’ immense strength, combined with their unyielding grip, kept the spider immobilized.

The Hook Soldier Ants joined in, leaping onto the spider’s back and startling the smaller spiders, which scattered in all directions. Using their hook-shaped mandibles, they latched onto the spider’s head, their teeth piercing its eyes and driving deeper.

The spider let out a sharp screech, retracting its front limbs to bite a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant clamped onto its leg. Unfazed by the attack, the Soldier Ant ignored the venomous fangs and continued its mission.

Meanwhile, Worker Ants climbed onto the spider’s legs, working their way to its back. The Hook Soldier Ants withdrew their weapons, allowing the Worker Ants to gnaw at the exposed wounds.

Unable to penetrate the spider’s tough exoskeleton, the Worker Ants exploited the damaged areas, tearing at the vulnerable flesh. Gradually, they burrowed into the spider’s body through its injuries.

Despite its size and strength, the spider couldn’t overcome the combined might of over twenty Soldier Ants. Its resistance waned as wounds accumulated and Worker Ants infiltrated its body. Finally, its struggles ceased, and its piercing cries fell silent.

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