By IMERPUS RELUR
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Lin Shen knelt beside the dirt mound where his ants had clustered. The system interface hovered beside his vision, displaying the only structure currently available for construction.
> [Build Option: Basic Nest]
Cost: 20 Units Assigned, 1 Hour Build Time
Function: Central base for ant troops. Unlocks hive command protocols.
Status: Available
He inhaled deeply. "Begin construction."
The moment the order was given, twenty ants broke off from the mass. Without hesitation, they burrowed into the soil in coordinated patterns, their legs moving with mechanical precision.
No grumbling. No wasted movement. No need for tools.
> [Nest Construction Started.]
[Estimated Completion: 59 minutes, 48 seconds]
Lin Shen sat down beside the forming tunnel, watching with quiet awe. These weren't just insects. This was a living system—one he could command.
And he felt it. A pulse. Something subtle.
It wasn't just obedience. There was a low thrum in the air, almost like… connection. His thoughts brushed against theirs faintly. Intent more than words.
> [Your mental signal has been partially synchronized with Swarm Type Unit: Worker Ant.]
[Hive Mind Sync Progress: 3%]
Trait Unlocked: Swarm Instinct (Lv. 1)
— Passive link allows basic emotional resonance with all ant units. Improves reaction time and responsiveness.
Lin Shen's eyes widened. "So that's the real trick."
He wasn't just ordering them. He was becoming one with them.
---
He stood and opened the Lord System panel again.
> [Resources: 0]
[Population: 980 / 1,000]
[Hive Status: Larval Stage]
[Fusion Trait: Locked]
[Fusion Progress: 0 / 3]
He noticed the last line.
"Fusion progress…?" Lin Shen narrowed his eyes.
Suddenly, three ants scurried near his feet, twitching in unison. They circled each other, their movements speeding up, as if waiting for a command.
Something stirred inside him. Not a thought—an instinct.
He reached out with his mind.
> [Fusion Attempt Available: Combine 3 Tier 1 Units?]
[Result: ???]
"...Yes," he whispered.
A faint hum vibrated the air. The three ants clicked together—literally. Their bodies shimmered, merged, and twisted. Light flashed once.
Then it was done.
> [Fusion Complete.]
New Unit Formed: Spiked Worker Ant – Tier 2 (Trained)
Traits: Hardened Mandibles, Light Armor Plates, Basic Tunnel Defense Protocol
Quantity: 1
A single ant, slightly larger than the rest, stood proudly. Its back now sported fine black ridges like armor, and its jaws were visibly sharper.
Lin Shen laughed under his breath. "You're beautiful."
And the system whispered again:
> [Fusion Progress: 1 / 3]
He grinned.
Time to build a kingdom—from the dirt up.