Butcher bypassed several areas of dense vines, avoiding the zones where the swarm was most active, and continued his approach toward the ant nest.
When Butcher was about a kilometer away from the ant nest, Su Wan’s brow twitched slightly.
Her mental power sensed an invisible wave.
It was Butcher’s mental power, spreading toward the ant nest.
The mental power of a Level 4 Shadow-type Ability User was like an invisible net, unfolding from Butcher’s position in all directions and silently probing every inch of space around the nest.
Su Wan held her breath. The effects of the Breath Cloaking Spray caused her energy fluctuations to vanish completely; to Butcher’s mental detection, she was as good as non-existent.
Butcher’s mental power swept over her position without stopping.
His mental power continued deeper, probing the entrance of the ant nest. It moved along the main tunnel, bypassed several forks, passed through the brooder room and the Storage Room, and finally reached the Core Chamber at the deepest part of the nest.
Then, he “saw” it.
In the center of the Core Chamber, the massive body of the Queen was coiled. In a hidden hollow beside her, a fist-sized, purple-black crystal emitted a dark, alluring glow.
A Shadow Crystal!
Butcher’s breathing grew rapid in that instant.
His mental power was like a greedy tongue, repeatedly licking the energy fluctuations emitted by that crystal, confirming its authenticity.
Yes, it was a Shadow Crystal!
Medium Purity, perhaps even higher!
The energy it contained was pure and dense—exactly what he needed most right now!
Butcher retracted his mental power, and his figure launched out from the shadows where he was hiding, his speed several times faster than before.
Approaching from the west, he charged toward the nest entrance at an extreme speed.
Su Wan did not hesitate. Through Swarm Command, she issued an order to the Soldier Ants in the Core Chamber.
“Transfer!”
The hundreds of Soldier Ants surrounding the hollow moved simultaneously.
The few Soldier Ants in the innermost circle picked up the Shadow Crystal in their mandibles and turned to surge toward the other side of the Core Chamber.
The Soldier Ants in the outer circle followed closely behind, forming an airtight protective ring that layered around the ants carrying the crystal.
The swarm was like a blood-red river, pouring out of the Core Chamber and moving rapidly toward the surface along the main tunnel.
Butcher’s mental power remained locked onto the Shadow Crystal.
He felt the crystal moving, and it was moving fast.
He was startled for a moment, the swarm’s movements filling him with confusion.
What was the swarm doing, moving that crystal?
Shadow Crystals had no value to Blood-Scythe Ants; they didn't absorb energy, nor did they eat minerals.
Why were these ants moving it so frantically?
The thought flashed through Butcher’s mind, but it was quickly suppressed by an even more burning desire.
No matter the reason, he had to get that crystal.
His speed increased even further. His figure moved through the vegetation like a ghost, covering several meters with every step. The humus beneath his feet was trodden down, letting out muffled thuds.
The swarm was surging toward Su Wan’s position.
At the very front were the Soldier Ants carrying the crystal, followed by a dense mass of Worker Ants and guards, layer upon layer, like a flowing tide of blood.
The swarm stopped in front of Su Wan.
The lead Soldier Ants, carrying the purple-black Shadow Crystal, carefully placed it at Su Wan’s feet.
Then, all the ants retreated simultaneously, forming a semi-circular array in front of Su Wan, shielding her and the crystal in the center.
Butcher’s perception had been following the Shadow Crystal the entire time. This was the scene his consciousness witnessed.
A person, standing in the center of the swarm.
The Shadow Crystal was placed right at that person’s feet.
The swarm had offered the crystal to that person!
Butcher’s figure came to a sudden halt, stopping behind a large tree about half a kilometer away from the swarm.
His pupils constricted slightly, and his heartbeat accelerated sharply. His yellow-green vertical pupils churned with disbelief.
That person… can command the swarm?
He had seen Ability Users who could control Aberrants, but most of them relied on forceful mental suppression or established connections through some kind of contract.
The number of Aberrants controlled by those Ability Users was limited, and they could usually only issue simple commands.
But the person before him was different.
This person had the swarm voluntarily offer up the crystal.
This wasn't control. This was… submission!
Tens of thousands of Blood-Scythe Ants were willingly submitting to this person.
Cold Wind’s words flashed through Butcher’s mind.
“That person can control Aberrants.”
“Even with the four of us Level 3s joining forces, we didn't even have a chance to fight back in front of him.”
“He is at least Level 4, maybe even higher.”
Butcher’s breathing grew slightly shallow.
He concentrated his mental power, attempting to focus his entire perception on the figure standing in the center of the swarm. He wanted to see the person’s face clearly.
But he couldn't!
The person’s body seemed to be shrouded in an invisible perception blurring field.
In his perception, the person’s outline was blurry, distorted, and warped, like a mist of unidentifiable shape.
He could sense the person’s presence and location, but he couldn't perceive any specific characteristics.
Male or female? He didn't know.
How old? He didn't know.
What did they look like? He didn't know.
He couldn't even sense if there were any energy fluctuations coming from the person.
Butcher’s heart beat faster and faster.
Level 4 Mid Stage?
No, possibly higher!
His intuition was screaming warnings at him. His logic told him he had to leave this place; this person was dangerous.
But he was unwilling to let go!
The Shadow Crystal was right there in front of him! It emitted an irresistible, alluring glow.
He had only recently reached Level 4, and his realm was not yet stable.
If he could obtain this crystal and absorb the pure energy within, his foundation would be completely stabilized.
Only then could he truly exert the strength of a Level 4!
He knew all too well how rare and difficult it was to find a Shadow Crystal. If he missed this one, he had no idea when the next one would appear!
He couldn't bring himself to give up this chance to become stronger!
Butcher grit his teeth.
In the moment he hesitated, the person moved.
The person picked up the Shadow Crystal and left.
Their speed was extremely fast, their figure moving through the vegetation like a gray flash.
Butcher was stunned.
He watched as the person walked away with the crystal, the swarm scattering behind them and vanishing in the blink of an eye.
That person… is running?
The thought flashed through Butcher’s mind, and then his body reacted faster than his brain.
His figure launched out from behind the tree, chasing in the direction Su Wan had fled.
The Shadow Crystal!
He must get the Shadow Crystal!
As for whether that person was stronger than him, or if they were setting a trap—
None of that mattered anymore.
The temptation of the Shadow Crystal was enough to make him risk everything!
Rate on N.U.
