---
Five tres distance between them. The cat beast sensed him, wheeled, hiss echoing canyon. It lunged with speed shocking for its bulk. Kai slid under a slash, spear raking belly but failing to penetrate its thick fur. He felt turbulence above as claws scored rock where his head had been.
He sprang, stabbed hind‑leg tendon. Cat roared, tail whipping him aside. His ribs rattled (Ding! HP‑120). He rolled, popped up, triggered Tiny Tank.
Cat charged again. Kai jamd spear butt into sand, vault‑poled over its skull, twisting mid‑air to land astride shoulders. He stabbed behind the ear seam repeatedly. Blood gushed out, the beast bucked like a storm. He clung, but the cat rolled, crushing him against sand (Ding! HP‑160). Armor held.
He snarled, bit down, and activated Devourer’s Bite, his mandibles lengthening, aura surging. He latched onto the exposed wound, tearing its flesh. Cat shrieked, trying to shake him off. But venom from the bite (launched by sub‑skill) seeped into nerves, slowing it down.
Kai released, leapt clear, spear flicking final thrust through palate into brain. Cat slumped.
[Ding! System notifications:
Sand Saber‑Cat (3★) defeated.
EXP 300
Three star Core ×1]
Breathing ragged, Kai knelt down to pick up the star core, it pulsed gold. He invoked Essence Eater and an earthy‑copper tang, primal, essence liquid coursing down his throat.
[Ding! System notifications:
Essence liquid consud.
Unallocated Stat Points 5]
He now had 20 spare. EXP tally reached 900/1 000; one more two or three beast would push him to Level 28.
But at Peak midday the heat beca brutal. He drank water from a ration gourd, then he sensed so vibration, a group of smaller beasts converging on blood scent: Sand Jackal‑Kites, dozen one‑star scavengers desert beast. Not worth the ti. He hoisted core, headed back toward the Mia location.
Hundreds of kilotres away, he spotted dust plus to southwest columns of marching ants, banners snapping scarlet and gold. Gleaming ranks stretched miles: the main army had arrived.
His heart thudded. "Thea was fast." At vanguard marched heavy chitin phalanxes; above them soared Sky‑Hornets mount, bearing golden palanquins, sign of Eight‑Star generals. Behind, a monstrous carriage of woven adamant shell carried the Queen herself, though veiled curtains hid her majesty’s face.
Kai sprinted to the ridge above Mia’s hideout; signalled with mirrored shards. She erged from the hideout eyes wide. Kai points at the army.
"They’re here already?" She said in a low voice.
"Yes. Thea must have reported the route. Looks like they spotted us. Few people are coming." Kai replied.
So strong ants descended to et the scouting detachnt. Imperial trumpet clicked; a captain approached. "Princess Mia!"A five star ant bow, "Lady Thea awaits at the forward post. She inford us that you fell into the ruler den. The queen was worried about your safety. Her Highness the Queen will be happy to see you Safe."
Mia’s jaw tightened, she thinks, "That cunning bitch Thea, she didn’t tell mama, how she attacked . And because of her I fell into the pit. Whatever, the queen doesn’t care about that. She just acts to care in public."
"Lead on." She ordered the five star ant.
Kai hefted sacks; they followed the escort across dunes toward a sprawling tent city blooming like red poppies on sand. Horde of a million ants bustled, siege beetles dragging ballistae, healer fly drones erecting honey‑salve vats, rune‑smiths carving sigils.
At a central pavilion Thea stood in black armour, hair like streaming moonlight. Thea’s lips curled. "Little sister, you finally scraped yourself from whatever hole you fell in. I am glad that your weak self makes it out alive." Her gaze swept to Kai, lingering a breath. "And you kept your ornant alive."
Mia ignored barb. "I’ve surveyed a stable cleavage on eastern flank. Safe for supply lines."
Thea smirked. "Already mapped. My scouts are thorough." She flicked a nail toward Kai. "If you are tired of diocrity then join winners." Snickers from her cadre.
Kai t her gaze calmly. "Appreciate the offer. But I’ll stick with the commander who doesn’t ambush allies and runs away like a chicken."
Thea’s eyes flashed but she waved dismissively. "How dare you mock royalty. I will kill you. Try not to die before this princess makes you beg for rcy."
"Sister please stop. Don’t attack him. Otherwise I will take action. I want to see what the queen will say when she finds out about your nightly affairs..." Mia knows a secret about Thea. That is why she wants to kill Mia. That secret could destroy her royal position. But Mia doesn’t want to use that as blackmail. The reason is, She will be affected too.
"You dare? You will be punished too, for hiding it for a long ti. You wanted to destroy everything for this worker ant?" She looked at Mia’s face. It looked very serious. There is a chance she might reveal everything. "Fine! I will let it slide this ti." After giving a cold and murderous look to Kai she left.
Mia exhaled. "Thank you."
"For what?" Kai replied.
"Standing up. And staying."
Kai shrugged. "It’s my duty." He hesitated, then added, "Besides, I like you... Ahem I an your leadership."
A faint blush ward her cheeks. She cleared throat. "Let’s requisition a rest tent."
A few hours later...
Dust painted the desert brown when a colossal Mirage‑Stone Platform unfurled in the plaza. Torches ringed it, flas dancing violet. Soldiers flooded, kneeling row after row. Generals perched on hornet saddles overhead. Kai stood beside Mia’s squad near the front. They all reunited in the camp. Thea’s unit was opposite of them.
Drums bood, the Queen rose upon a floating obsidian disk. Though the veil hid her face, Eight spiralling rays of aura blazed above the crown, power authority on ants like a descending sky.
Her voice rolled, not thunderous but infinitely steady. "Children of the Ant Kingdom."
A million thoraxes straightened.
"The Desert Ruler, A’zhorath, Warden of Endless Sands is approaching his final slumber. His passing leaves a throne unguarded, treasures unclaid, and power ripe for harvest." (A’zhorath is the desert ruler’s na.)
---
Authors Note: 100 Chapters milestones reached. Thank you everyone for reading my book until now.
User Comments
0 comments from readers