Chapter 79: Battle Against the Big-headed Ants (5)
The acidic solution in the trenches gradually drained and dried up. The number of Big-headed Ant troops was also steadily decreasing. Although reinforcements sporadically arrived on the battlefield via the bridge, their numbers were negligible.
By the time the main forces of the Big-headed Ants crossed the trench to rejoin the battle, the original force of over 500,000 had dwindled to fewer than 100,000.
As reinforcements arrived, the Swarm troops fought and retreated. Once the number of Big-headed Ant troops crossing the trench reached a critical level, the same tactics were employed again.
Through two cycles of attrition, the Big-headed Ants lost around one million soldiers. Unfortunately, the Worker Ants of the Swarm had exhausted their reserves of acidic solution and could not repeat the tactic a third time.
Luckily, no further reinforcements emerged from the Big-headed Ant nest at this point. The forces on the ground appeared to represent their entire remaining reserves. Luo Wen estimated their numbers to be around four million.
The Swarm, having lost approximately 100,000 troops during the two bouts of attrition, was left with around 2.9 million soldiers.
2.9 million vs. 4 million.
Considering the numerous miniature combat units among the Big-headed Ants, the battle would still be a tough one. The next stage would be a head-on confrontation.
The fighting was fierce. Luo Wen even joined the fray personally. As a unique colossus on the battlefield, he could kill numerous Big-headed Ants simply by smashing his massive pincers into the ground. However, this move was indiscriminate and risked injuring his own troops.