<The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 63>
Crunch, crunch.
A Giant Ant stirs around the forest. Frantically poking the forest with its proboscis, it seemed to be searching for food as far as one could see.
One, two, ten… twenty. An innumerable number of Giant Ants were similarly stirring up the forest.
Park Jin-yong, hidden behind an unknown giant flower bud, let out a low whistle as he watched the scene.
“…….”
Was it really true? What Park Ki-hyuk had said.
“The reason Giant Ants are acting more passively compared to other monsters isn’t because they’re weak or cowardly. It’s to protect their queen.”
“The Giant Ants revolve entirely around their queen. They won’t move unless her safety is secured.”
“Once settled and safety is assured, the queen begins breeding more aggressively. And that’s when they’re most violent. Why is that…?”
“Because she lays all her accumulated eggs at once.”
This was newly acquired knowledge.
It was clear that Giant Ants revolve around their queen. It was also known that the population increases after the habitat stabilizes.
However, Park Ki-hyuk’s level of knowledge—like a researcher who had specialized in studying the Giant Ants—went much deeper, even into their behavior and physiology.
“……d*mn, they are what they are.”
Time for personal thoughts to end.
Park Jin-yong refocused on the mission.
His eyes darted around as he compared the figures written on the orb with the number of Giant Ants passing below.
‘211.’
The number of Giant Ants counted by the detection equipment he had set up earlier.
‘As expected.’
His current location was Region 1, the area closest to the Giant Ant’s habitat. Logically, it should have been the most populated area, but it wasn’t like that now.
Park Jin-yong activated the comms with a grave expression.
“Status of the count in other areas?”
– Region 2, 182.
As expected, under 200.
– Region 3, 159.
Also as expected.
The final region, Region 4, which was the core of this operation.
– Region 4, 387…… just added one more, making it 388.
Thankfully, it was as expected.
If asked why so many were gathered there rather than near their habitat in Region 1, it was because that place bordered the Mantis territory.
In other words, it was a place rich in “prey.”
– Whoa… Seriously. It’s hilarious just watching.
“Why?”
– Team leader, the ants are hunting the Mantises here.”
“So? Speak clearly.”
– They carry them off alive! Severing limbs and the body… it seems they’re eating them alive. Whoa, the Giant Ants are crueler than they look.
“……Focus, stop wasting your energy on useless thoughts.”
Whether they were severing limbs and presenting them or eating them alive, it didn’t matter to the investigation team. What they should care about now was not about the delivery method of these creatures, but something else.
“Everyone must remember the operation plan, but let me explain it again. Team 1诱导s the ants to the ‘operation location’ once the barrier is set. Re-check the route and pay attention to the timeline. Too fast or too slow is unacceptable. That’s all.”
Yes! Confirmed! Got it! Understood!
Replies came through.
With that, we’re done.
Now it depends on them. Adjusting the mana frequency of the transmission orb,
“Team 1’s done. We can move as soon as the barrier installation is complete.”
– …Hold on a moment. Let’s wait and see.
“…Hold on. Let’s wait… it’ll be done in a moment. Got it. Sorry.”
After disconnecting the transmission, Jeong So-i’s eyes glared with anger.
“d*mn, this is a bloody mess.”
Jeong So-i, usually someone cheerful and unfazed by minor things—this cheerfulness was only her usual demeanor. Now, being in an operation, it was possibly one of the crucial moments that would determine her future and her team’s.
Would she make a mistake during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
“Is your head just for show? Are you thinking or not thinking?! We stressed at the meeting how important it was to bring the barriers, and you come without them, huh? Mana Stones?”
“Hold on, Jeong So-i.”
“Aargh! I’m pissed! So embarrassing!! Park Jin-yong pointed it out, and I couldn’t even say a word. Not a single word! Can you believe that?!”
“…”
“If anyone finds out about this later, how much will they mock us? Ha, I can’t believe I’m laughing even now. Team Leader, maybe we’ve been too lenient with the rookies. If we had instilled more tension, they probably wouldn’t make such mistakes in real operations, right? What do you think?”
“Whether we crush them or do something else is something to consider after the operation ends. Calm down. You know you make more mistakes when you’re worked up. Take a deep breath and force yourself to smile.”
“Whoosh…”
With those words from the deputy team leader, Jeong So-i calmed her excitement and smiled.
Her usual friendly smile.
While this smiling demeanor could give the impression that she was naturally cheerful, in fact, this smile was more of a daily routine for her, a forced action to stay in peak condition.
“Are you okay?”
“Much better. Let’s take a moment to review the operation’s last check.”
“Got it.”
Jeong So-i activated the transmission.
In her usual cheerful tone,
“Everyone from Team 3 in your positions? I apologize for the accidental delay in our operation. Stuff happens, you know. Anyway, we have some time left, so let’s do a final check.”
Team 3’s mission was to install recognition-blocking devices around the Mantis territory, officially called ‘Impeding Barrier Magic’, and clear a path when Team 1 drove the Giant Ants to the ‘designated location’.
“What do we need most?”
Everyone responded simultaneously through the transmission.
– Agility!!
“Great. Team 3 needs to act faster than anyone. Buffs are essential. Check your equipment and don’t hesitate to use your haste potions in emergencies.”
In the middle of her speech, the deputy team leader drew a circle.
The barrier had arrived.
“One last request. Don’t get injured.”
No matter how much of a pain or irritation it might seem, these words were genuine right now. No matter what, I can’t see my subordinates getting hurt or dying.
Shortly thereafter, a milky white mana barrier stretched across the field.
The obstruction magic was activated.
The Mantis swarms, which had been wandering aimlessly, turned away from the barrier and fled. Between this, Jeong So-i and all members of Team 3 raced wildly into the forest.
Operation name: Kingmaker.
This operation began to uncover the ‘essence’ of the collapse phenomena from its root.
Gate ecosystem collapse.
A phenomenon where a new species of monster appears through a gate, attacks the existing monsters residing there, and destroys the ecosystem.
Currently, gates around the world are undergoing collapse phenomena, evolving in various ways.
Extinction, absorption, mutation, evolution, and so forth.
Variables add up upon variables, creating a wide range of uncertainties, and humans cannot predict where this ecosystem collapse phenomenon will lead.
One cannot possibly understand the will of nature, it seems.
This is what we know so far about the collapse phenomena.
This is common knowledge, a fact that shocked the entire world.
But, what if I told you that Park Ki-hyuk’s perspective on it is slightly different?
“Why should this be shocking?”
The appearance of a new species? The destruction of the ecosystem? A phenomenon made up of numerous variables?
Yes, it’s surprising. But…
That’s as far as it goes. The collapse phenomenon itself is surprising, but the changes it brings are not surprising at all.
Rather, it’s something that’s bound to happen.
Just as humans age over time.
Just as the seasons change from spring to summer, autumn, and winter.
Change is one of the most natural flows in the universe.
“Rather, isn’t it more strange that the gates didn’t change until now? I think I mentioned something similar to Yggdrasil before; it’s time for a change. Wanting the gates to remain unchanging forever is just human greed.”
That’s why he viewed the collapse phenomenon as a natural flow or change.
Then, what is the essence of this collapse phenomenon?
Simple. Just look at the results.
No matter how this collapse phenomenon turns out, it ultimately culminates in one thing.
“The gates are ‘strengthening.’ That is the essence of this phenomenon.”
In the collapse phenomenon, the word ‘collapse’ is no longer the central issue. Strengthening is the essence and the core.
Back to the main point.
The essence of the collapse phenomenon is strengthening. Although it involves many variables, it ultimately concludes with strengthening.
Then, what should we attempt now?
Park Ki-hyuk’s belief was that there was only one course of action.
“Block the conclusion.”
Artificially adjust the collapse phenomenon to re-balance both sides.
Sustain the battle without allowing any side to win.
“If the story doesn’t conclude, it will continue indefinitely.”
What happens if a power to match the Mantises appears in the “Queen Mantis’ Palace” Gate?
If the battle continues, if the stalemate extends?
Could the collapse phenomenon then become a truth rather than just a phenomenon?
“There’s a prerequisite that must be met in all these assumptions.”
Kingmaker.
King Maker.
“A king, a king that can vie with the Queen Mantis is required.”
Create a king.
We must establish a new king that can fight on equal terms with the Mantises, who are the sovereigns of this land.
A man slipped through the gaps between branches, agile as a squirrel, dashing through narrow spaces.
“Whoosh! Whoosh!”
Using graceful movement to roll on the ground and stand up instantly, he ran off. He was running for dear life.
No kidding. Late will mean real d*ath.
If he so much as slows down, he’ll definitely be trampled under the mad swarm of ants.
Crash!
Shriek~!
Squeak-Squeak.
The tree the man had just pushed through just now was broken by the Giant Ants and disappeared under their stampeding feet.
The fleeing man and the relentlessly pursuing swarm of Giant Ants.
Ordinarily, humans wouldn’t be so relentlessly chased. The Mantises, an excellent source of prey, are everywhere. Why would they chase a human?
But a few factors drove the Giant Ants into a frenzy.
One, the queen needed high-quality nutrients for her intensive breeding season.
Two, the erected barriers prohibited Mantises from entering the ants’ territory.
Three, the ‘Advanced Magic Gem’ carried by the herder was perceived to be an overwhelmingly nutritious target.
Combined, these factors made the fleeing human interpreted by the swarm of Giant Ants as ‘essential nourishment for the queen’s reproduction.’
And this situation was unfolding simultaneously in various places on the field.
“d*mn!”
“There’s no break!”
“It’s tough!”
“Restore stamina! Restore stamina!”
The investigation team circled the field in perfect, calculated routes, forming perfect circles to gather as many Giant Ant swarms as possible.
1300… 1400… 1500…
More! More! More ants were needed.
And finally, when the elite force known as ‘soldiers’ from the Giant Ants’ habitat emerged.
1800!
This was the end. This was the current limit of the Giant Ants’ numbers.
“Let’s go to the ‘location!'”
Led by Park Jin-yong, the investigation team running through the forest made a sudden dash toward a specific location.
“All those not herding, evacuate immediately!”
From upon a giant flower, Jeong So-i, and others like her who had been hidden around, providing buffs to the herders, turned away, retreating from the operation area.
“10 seconds to arrival.”
The herders paired up in twos.
“9.”
One carries the ‘Advanced Magic Gem’, while the other evacuates from the operational area.
“8.”
The two reunite.
“7.”
They pass the gem to another member, who evacuates.
“6.”
They reunite again.
“5.”
Evacuation once more.
“4.”
Another reconnection.”
“3.”
Evacuation.
“2.”
Only Park Jin-yong was left.
The numerous Advanced Magic Gems hung on him glimmered in a luxurious fashion.
“1.”
Finally reaching the target location.
Still, nothing seemed different. Similar forest, similar plants, similar sky.
The terrain was identical.
The only difference was that the Giant Ant swarm was approaching from all sides.
Step by step, the swarm of Giant Ants drew closer.
To Park Jin-yong’s eyes, they resembled a tidal wave of d*ath. Once they enveloped him, they’d erase every trace of him. And if he opened his eyes again, he’d find himself already at the gates of the other world.
But no worries.
There was absolutely no possibility that he’d be swallowed by this d*ath tsunami.
A man emerged through the rustling forest.
“Bringing them here and then dumping cleanup on me? Come on.”
This man with slightly sleepy-looking eyes. But behind this look, his gaze was sharp and piercing.
This man, who possessed a cold and fearsome light like the edge of a blade.
“Just stay still.”
Graceful, proud, elegant.
The most exquisite swordsman of them all.
The dancer, Han Jun-woo.
The greatest blessing given to humans?
The blessing of being able to forget.
The blessing of oblivion.
The Dance of Oblivion.
The two disappeared without a trace.
In the space left behind by their disappearance, three Advanced Magic Gems were left there alone.
Soon after, the swarm of Giant Ants arrived.
As the leading Giant Ant’s proboscis was about to touch the Advanced Magic Gems,
KOOOOOOOM!!!
Rising up from the ground came…
A Sandworm.
That’s right.
This place was a Sandworm’s habitat.
But the story wasn’t over yet.
WHOOSH-!
Breaking through the air like a streak of light and arriving at the designated location.
It seemed the operation had proceeded safely. The Sandworm and the Giant Ants were already locked in fierce battle.
“Let’s retrieve them first, Jin Yu-ri.”
“Ung.”
A streak of red descended, and shortly afterward, Jin Yu-ri ascended with Han Jun-woo and Park Jin-yong dangling underneath.
“Is this ‘Dance of Oblivion’ thing not actually about spatial teleportation but about fading away from aggression?”
“What were you expecting?”
“Still, he’s a senior, he could talk a bit more.”
“He’ll talk more if you beat him in a fight.”
Even though they were dangling, their banter was fierce.
“Jin Yu-ri, lower us somewhere safe, and you can rest. You don’t have to come back.”
“Rest? I’ll be back quickly.”
Jin Yu-ri departed from the battlefield, and now I was the only human in this battlefield.
Relaxing a bit and watching from above, the Giant Ants and the Sandworm were engaged in an intense fight.
The Giant Ants for the Advanced Magic Gems and high-quality food. The Sandworm to defend its territory from intruders.
Neither side showed an inch of retreat.
The battlefield was intense.
But it fell short of what I imagined.
Honestly, if this was the end, I wouldn’t need any supplies; just me and Jin Yu-ri would suffice.
“It’s about time.”
After hitting the beehive with two waves of Apocalypse, it would be embarrassing if they didn’t show up.
In the distance, a black fog swept toward us from the sky. The insect-like monster that used wind-attribute magic so uncharacteristically—it was also called the Black Storm.
The Killer Bee.
They joined the fray.
“And now, k*ll each other.”
