Indeed, there were many wild magic beasts within this nation. Although their numbers were far fewer than those in the Border Forest, the accumulated reserve of magic cores over the years was quite substantial. In this time of war, the Yelu people, lacking in strength, were naturally very willing to rent these highly combat-capable, self-destructing magic beasts from the Zerg at a "low" price.
Ultimately, they agreed to hire the Swarm at a cost equivalent to one Tier 6 magic core per unit (which could be paid using multiple lower-tier magic cores of equal value).
However, the Zerg specifically required that the elf bugs be disguised and prohibited any promotion suggesting these scourges originated from the Zerg.
Both parties signed the agreement that very night.
According to the terms, the first batch of 2,000 scourges was to be delivered to the Yelu Empire within a week. The Yelu side would pay a thirty percent down payment upfront, with the remainder to be settled upon delivery of the bugs.
With the contract finalized, the elf bugs returned to the Mis Kingdom.
This trip was not in vain; at the very least, they had gathered a significant amount of intelligence after entering Yelu.
This nation had learned much from their enemy, the Dawn Empire, and was working hard to develop its own technology.
Unfortunately, overall, they were far less powerful than the Dawn Empire.
That same night, the Zerg performed temporary genetic adjustments on the scourges. Their chitinous shells were changed to a metallic color, essentially by adding a layer of iron.
The tails were modified and wings were added, making them look just like fighter jets.
Of course, this change in appearance undoubtedly significantly reduced the scourges' speed, but that did not matter; the Zerg were not using them themselves anyway.
Xia Jin estimated that after suffering attacks, the Dawn Empire would likely suspect the Zerg. However... the appearance was too different, and the venom released upon explosion had been dyed. Even if they confirmed it, they would probably second-guess themselves instinctively.
The next day, the Zerg first handed over 1,000 bugs to the other side.
After testing, the power of these scourges left the people of the Yelu Empire shocked and thoroughly satisfied.
“Very impressive. These creatures will greatly enhance our naval strength. It is no longer impossible to even sink the Empire's large ships.”
The testing officer evaluated the units upon returning to his superiors after the handover.
“Then put them into use immediately.”
The situation on the Yelu Empire's front lines was dire, especially recently as the Empire's fleets had increased in number, suppressing Yelu from all directions.
The nation naturally would not share naval intelligence with the Zerg, but based on what they had seen so far, they likely held no advantage.
With the deal concluded, the Zerg harvested magic cores roughly equivalent to 80,000 high-energy crystals.
This greatly accelerated the accumulation of resources and saved on the loss incurred when converting standard energy into high-energy crystals.
The following day, with the delivery of the second batch of bugs, Xia Jin finally gathered enough resources for the upgrade.
“It is about time. Let us prepare for the next stage of the Hive.”
New genes were about to be unlocked, and she looked at the distant Hive with immense anticipation.
【This Hive upgrade will involve a significant increase in volume. It is recommended to move to an open area.】
“Phew, a major growth spurt?”
That was easy enough. Xia Jin had the Hive move a certain distance, and once she felt it was sufficient, she chose to upgrade.
In the next moment, the giant Hive before her eyes began a new surge of activity.
“Seeing this art style always feels quite strange.”
Starting from this point, its volume truly began to explode.
Its length broke through to 200 meters in one go, its width reached 30 meters, and its height was 20 meters.
A gargantuan beast.
After a day of waiting, the Hive upgrade was complete.
【Zerg Hive LV9】
【Recruitable (Land/Air): Tier 5 drone, Tier 5 scourge, Tier 7 zergling, Tier 7 elf bug, Tier 7 baneling, Tier 7 hydralisk, Tier 7 infestor, Tier 8 roach, Tier 8 ravager, Tier 8 swarm host, Tier 8 lurker, Tier 9 mutalisk, Tier 9 nydus worm, Tier 9 queen, Tier 9 ultralisk, Tier 9 primal brain bug.】
【Recruitable (Aquatic): Tier 4 Swimmer (three types), Tier 5 Floating Hive Bug, Carrier Bug, Escort Carrier Bug】
【Recruitment Cost: Swimmer 40 units/each, drone 60 units/each, scourge 100 units/each, zergling 450 units/each, baneling 800 units/each, Floating Hive Bug 800 units/each, hydralisk 1,200 units/each, infestor 1,500 units/each, elf bug 4,000 units/each, roach 4,500 units/each, ravager 5,000 units/each, lurker 6,000 units/each, swarm host (Type I) 10,000 units/each, mutalisk 12,000 units/each, nydus worm 20,000 units/each, queen 16,000 units/each, ultralisk 60,000 units/each, primal brain bug 120,000 units/each, Escort Carrier Bug 150,000 units/each, Carrier Bug 2,000,000 units/each.】
【Drone Evolution: Body structure strengthened; carrying capacity significantly increased.】
【Zergling Evolution: Frenzy state duration extended; can be used once per day for 5 hours; possesses greater strength during combat.】
【Hive Evolution: The Hive can move at a speed of 8 kilometers per hour, and its own larva production has increased to 100 per hour. In the presence of sunlight, the Hive can absorb the energy from the rays.】
【Hydralisk Evolution: Building upon Tier 7, the hydralisk's bone spines have a longer range, reaching up to 5 kilometers.】
【Upgrade Cost: 3 billion units of standard energy, 5 million units of high-energy crystals, 5,000 units of mithril, 50 billion tons of minerals.】
【Description: The nascent Hive of the Zerg. Although it has evolved, it remains quite primitive. It serves as the reproductive center of the Swarm, replacing the Queen.】
Rate on N.U.
