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Vel, already relaxing in the water, reached out and flicked Sha’s antenna. "Co now. Let’s clean off the blood and battle." She lathered up so soaproot and began scrubbing Sha’s shoulders, humming.
Naaro added from behind, playfully massaging Sha’s upper back. "You fought bravely. This is your reward, big sister."
"Mmm... wait! That’s my—don’t touch my thorax plates like that!" Sha hissed, squirming.
"But they’re soft," Naaro said, reaching over. "So squishy! Are you sure you’re an assassin ant and not a fertility matron?"
"I’ll kill you all!" Sha shrieked—face glowing with heat—but she made no move to escape the massaging hands or the laughter bubbling around her.
Xxx and Xxx were already reclined beside Akayoroi, who allowed them to brush her long hair-like filants and polish her chitin gently. She tilted her head, eyes half-lidded.
"Sisters," she said softly. "Do you not find it strange... How did that handso male appear? As if sent by fate."
"He fell from the sky, Queen," Vel murmured. "Right in our darkest hour."
"His aura still lingers," Naaro whispered, her fingers drifting over Sha’s lower body. "It feels... addictive."
Akayoroi exhaled through her nose. "He’s strong. And yet..."
"You like him," Vel sang across the spring.
"I respect him," Akayoroi replied evenly. "But I also admire the fire in him."
"And his body," added Azhara. "You know it makes itchy down there... whenever I see Sir’s body, especially when I look at his at. It looks like there is a big thing hiding inside his pants."
The queen allowed herself a small smirk. "That... I don’t know how to respond to your bold comnt."
They fell into silence for a mont, soaking in the warmth, the weight of their recent survival settling like steam on their shoulders.
Then Naaro leaned toward Sha, scooping water and soaproot over the ant’s chest again. "One more wash—gotta make sure you’re properly clean. Sister’s co and help . It’s very big."
Sha kicked under the water. "I-I am not that big! I’m still... pure! I read it becos big when a man plays with them."
"Oh? You read about reproduction..." Vel teased. "So perverted."
Sha buried her face in her hands. "Please don’t talk about that in public... I was just curious."
Naaro grinned. "Don’t worry. We all kept ours too. We made a promise, rember? That we’d only give our virginity away to soone who has a brave heart and looks unfairly handso."
A beat passed. All five assassin ants slowly turned toward the far tunnel wall, where Kai had disappeared.
Akayoroi narrowed her gaze. "He ets both conditions. So, do you want him all together?"
Azhara smiled wickedly. "Oh no... are we falling for the sa ant?"
They all groaned or laughed but none denied it.
anwhile...
Kai sat on the moss-draped ledge just beyond the eastern alcove of the carpenter ant colony’s inner tunnels, where bioluminescent vines clung to the rock like sleeping serpents. The canopy above shimred with droplets of dew, refracting the dying light of dusk into patches of gold and soft green. Shadows moved between the trees like whispers of forgotten beasts, but none dared approach him. Not now.
He rubbed his forehead. "Luna. Miryam... are you safe?" he whispered.
The essence points he’d absorbed sat heavy in his core, unassigned, burning faintly. But his thoughts were elsewhere.
His gaze wandered into the horizon where the forest parted like a jagged wound in the land—toward the direction of the east, where his mountain awaited.
"They’re probably worried. Or maybe mad. I said I will be back in a few hours... I sent them ho. I can’t connect with anyone (Subroutines) through my soul link(Monarch mark). I need to find a way to increase my soul power. I got a feeling that if my soul power is strong enough... then I can communicate with them, no matter how far I am. I will ask the system about it, is it possible or not?"
His voice was quiet, more a confession to the air than a true question. His hand moved instinctively to his side, brushing the carved armor plate that hung like a totem from his waist—scuffed, splintered at one edge, but still warm to the touch. Luna’s gift. A keepsake carved with her own hands, etched with tiny swirls and stars like the stories they once told under the mountain sky.
His fingers lingered over the cracks. It was slightly torn now, from battle. He sighed.
The wind stirred again, sweeping the scent of scorched moss and blooming spore flowers into his lungs. It grounded him, reminded him he was alive, far from ho, and surrounded by creatures who had every reason to distrust the unknown. Also, So Ants started to trust him.
"I’ll return soon. But if I can take these ants with ... maybe it’s worth the delay."
His words carried softly into the trees, lost among rustling leaves and the quiet heartbeat of the forest.
From far below, echoing through vine-wrapped tunnels and the stone hollows that housed the bathing chambers, ca a burst of laughter. Wet slapping, the splashes of bare limbs in spring water, and the unmistakable squeals of assassin-class ant girls reveling in stolen joy. Their musical tones bounced off the cavern walls like the playful shrieks of distant spirits.
A breeze stirred the leaves. Far below, the laughter of naked assassins splashing in hot water echoed faintly.
Kai blinked. "...Definitely worth the delay."
He sat back, arms folding behind his head, and let the steam-scented wind tease across his face. The guilt didn’t vanish but it faded into sothing gentler, sothing hopeful.
He wasn’t lost. He was simply on a longer road ho. A few monts later...
Steam curled softly from the tunnel’s end as Kai approached. The scent of floral herbs, crushed moss, and warm mineral water still lingered in the air. Light from bioluminescent fungus scattered soft hues over the stone walls—glowing blues, greens, and the occasional twinkle of purple.
Akayoroi stood waiting at the corridor’s mouth, her silhouette frad in the misty light.
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