Chapter 335: One million seven hundred thousand and forty-nine drones
Jormungandr soared above the massive mountain range that divided the Monsoon Continent from the Asani Continent, his sharp, solemn eyes gazing into the distance. What lay before him could only be described as a black sea in motion.
Millions upon millions of black drones surged forward, packed so tightly together that not a single speck of ground was visible beneath them. The sheer density of their numbers transformed the landscape into a twisting, undulating mass, like a colossal swarm of locusts blotting out the earth itself. The only things untouched were the trees, which the drones navigated around as though they were immovable stones in a river’s path, careful not to shatter them in their wake.
The hive’s meticulous care around vegetation, contrasted with their absolute disregard for sentient life, filled Jormungandr with questions. There had to be a reason why they cared so much about one and saw the other only as food. But now was not the time to dwell on them.
The drones moved with unnerving synchronicity, their countless pincer legs clicking in unison, creating a cacophony that echoed like the drums of an approaching storm. Their dark exoskeletons gleamed under the dim sunlight, reflecting an eerie sheen that added to the foreboding atmosphere. As they advanced, the ground trembled under the weight of their collective march, a relentless tide intent on consuming everything in its path.
The massive wave surged north toward the mountain range, and its goal was clear: the Asani continent and the rich biomass it contained. The hive must have likely already devoured the Moonson Continent’s organic biomass, and now they were ready to claim the lives of every man, woman, and child in Turkin Country, expanding their reach from there.
It had been less than two months since Jormungandr returned from Karman Country—far too little time to gather an army large enough to hold back the millions of drones now advancing. Yet, the small yellow cat showed no fear. His gaze was cold, his determination unwavering as he kept his eyes locked on the hive, his presence hidden among the clouds above.
The drones pressed forward, reaching the base of the mountain range. While this rugged terrain would have been a significant obstacle for most humanoids, the creatures’ small bodies and countless pincer legs allowed them to traverse it effortlessly. They scuttled over steep cliffs and jagged rocks with mechanical efficiency, their movements disturbingly fluid.
Jormungandr didn’t blink, not wanting to miss a single moment. He watched as the drones swarmed over the mountains, their sheer numbers resembling a dark, seething mantle spreading across the landscape. From his vantage point, it appeared as though a shadow was creeping across the earth, ready to consume everything in its wake.
Translucent-winged aerial drones moved alongside their ground-based counterparts. Despite their ability to fly, they stayed low, conserving energy. It seemed they would only take to the skies when absolutely necessary, perhaps due to the immense stamina required for sustained flight.
A small, knowing smile tugged at Jormungandr’s lips as he observed this, but his expression quickly hardened when he spotted the hive’s warriors at the rear. Dozens of towering, humanoid-insect hybrids had yet to reach the mountains, but their presence was unmistakable.