Chapter 11: Invading The Colony
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[#/System Notification/#]
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[Updating Undead Registry...]
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[New Undead Registered.]
└ ■ Zombie Blood Ant (F) ×8
***
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[#/Undead Registry/#]
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[Current Registered Undead:]
└ ■ Zombie Blood Ant (F) ×8
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[Total Undead Under Authority:]
└ ■ 8
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The system screen hovered before Ethan’s eyes. After infecting the first blood ant, he used the same method and subdued seven more.
However, he didn’t immediately infect the last surviving blood ant.
"If I capture the last blood ant as well, it’ll alert the entire colony. In the worst-case scenario, I’ll be forced to run away just like before." Ethan was cautiously moving forward with his plan, avoiding any possible mistakes.
***
A few minutes ago.
Ethan had finally succeeded in subduing the eighth blood ant by relying on his two skills—Dormant Infection and regeneration.
Previously, when he killed one to lure the ants, the system had already revealed its name. As for its information, he could now easily get it.
Touching one of his subordinate ants’ heads gently, he noticed a screen emerge before his eyes.
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[#/Information/#]
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[Target Identified.]
■ Blood Ant
[Classification:]
└ Blood-Type Monster
[Rank] - F
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[Description:]
A mutated ant born after generations of exposure to blood-rich environments and ambient mana.
Usually lives in colonies consisting of hundreds or even thousands of individuals, instinctively obeying and protecting their queen.
Possesses a strong sense of territory and unwavering loyalty toward its queen.
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[Characteristics:]
└ ■ High physical strength for its rank.
└ ■ Hardened crimson exoskeleton.
└ ■ Crystal-coated mandibles capable of easily crushing flesh and bone.
└ ■ Functions efficiently in large coordinated groups.
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[Weaknesses:]
└ ■ Low individual intelligence.
└ ■ Relies heavily on swarm tactics.
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[Evaluation:]
└ ■ Suitable target for the current user.
└ ■ Highly compatible with Dormant Infection (F).
└ ■ Successfully zombified individuals will remain under zombie sovereignty.
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Staring at the system screen, Ethan’s smile vanished without a trace.
"As I expected, the numbers resemble a small ant colony. And the ants instinctively obey the queen? Is it perhaps E-rank?"
Ethan’s thoughts were merely speculation. However, the more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
Unlike normal animals, monsters only followed and obeyed the strong. And to dominate over hundreds of F-rank monsters, one naturally needed to be E-rank.
"This is tricky; my dormant infection is only F-rank. Who knows if it’ll even work against the queen? And even if I somehow turn it into an undead, zombie sovereignty won’t take effect unless I personally assert dominance." His brows furrowed.
"Krieeek!"
The only surviving ant noticed the other ants and came running from afar. Ethan’s eyes briefly noticed its behavior and affection for its kin.
Before it could even close the distance or spot Ethan, he thought of an idea.
Ethan stared at his left arm.
"No other choice..."
Taking in a long breath, he filled his mind with courage and softly held onto his left arm.
Then, his grip tightened as he began to exert his complete strength. Letting his left arm loose, he pulled it relentlessly.
Being a zombie, Ethan’s senses had dulled greatly. However, he could still feel pain if it surpassed a certain threshold.
Right now, he could feel his tendons splitting apart and veins struggling to hold themselves together.
Although the pain was numbed, it was just barely enough not to let him lose consciousness.
At the same time, Ethan was resolutely holding his breath.
"If I create any sound, the ant will be alerted, and my plan will fail! I must do this as soon as possible!" Thinking so, he tightly shut his eyes.
*Squelch!*
Soon, his efforts came to fruition as Ethan successfully pulled his arm apart. Deep jade green blood poured from his shoulder and split arm like a fountain. Blood vessels dangled out of his body, while his clay-white bones were exposed!
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[#/System Notification/#]
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[Significant damage to the user’s body has been detected.]
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[Racial Trait Activated.]
└ ■ Regeneration (C)
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[Repairing damaged tissues...]
[Estimated recovery time:]
└ ■ 2 hours 15 minutes
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Without wasting any time, Ethan opened his eyes and threw his torn-apart arm towards his subordinate ants.
"Bite it down and go give it to the ant coming here. Tell it that the killer has been killed and these remains of his shall be shared between our family. Under any circumstances, do not let the ant approach here or follow it back to your hiding." He instructed in a low, barely audible voice before quickly hiding behind the tree.
As he moved, he left behind a trail of his blood. However, his subordinate ants acted quickly and stood in front to hide it.
The zombies Ethan had tamed before were mindless. Their bodies had rotted to the point that their flesh would fall apart at even a small shock.
These ants, however, were freshly turned zombies. While they could not access their memories, they could easily understand Ethan’s will and act accordingly.
Of course, the main reason was...
[Your skill—Undead Command—has been activated!]
[All of your subjects in the vicinity submit to your command.]
Immediately, one of the ants clasped onto the arm hard, its mandibles digging deep into the flesh.
Then, it ran towards the incoming ant. Coming together, both touched their antennae and exchanged information.
"What is this?" The blood ant asked in confusion.
"T-The killer... killed... His b-body... sh-share... family..." Even though the zombie ant’s body hadn’t deteriorated, it was clear that turning into a zombie had affected its speech.
The blood ant, however, didn’t suspect a thing. Instead, it was happy to know the other ants’ feelings.
"Yes, I will share with family. Come with me; we have to report this to the queen!"
"Y-You go... First... We w-will... Guard..." The zombie ant was barely able to hold onto the conversation.
"Okay. Be safe." Not suspecting a thing, the clueless blood ant grabbed the arm in its mandibles and ran towards its home.
On the other hand, watching the scene unfold, Ethan smiled victoriously.
His sacrifice was not in vain!
"Soon, the entire colony will fall into my hands!"