The Evolved Hunters' Charge to the Queen
The hunters held the line against the fire ants. Red, hardened shells. Jaws grown larger, strength amplified—evolved specimens. But evolution wasn't exclusive to the ants. On the surface, the ants looked overwhelmingly more impressive with their increased size and color, but a hunter's evolution ran far deeper than superficial changes.
"Bring it on!"
The hunters naturally formed ranks. Melee fighters stood front and center, checking the fire ants, while long-reach hunters struck immediately.
-Keeek!
Kwajik!
No sooner had the creature staggered than the lead hunter smashed his hammer down, severing its lifeline cleanly. No gaps, no injuries, no losses.
"My turn this time."
"Cover me for a sec."
Rotations flowed seamlessly. Fire ants slipping through barricade gaps? They could handle them all day. Physical prowess, stamina, flexibility—survival-honed evolution that ants couldn't touch.
-Kigeek!
That was when it happened. As if testing the hunters, a particularly resonant screech echoed through.
A new arrival mixed into the fire ants: one with spines jutting from its shell. A red soldier ant. The queen's elite guard.
"Ha. There you are."
The hunters didn't flinch. No one had expected zero soldier ants anyway. Their response was fluid as water.
"Now!"
Kwajik!
Someone thrust a spear, shattering a fire ant's joint.
"Okay! Ready... set!"
The follow-up hunter swung the flat of his greatsword into the severed head. Kaang!
With a crisp ring, the head rocketed forward.
-Keeik, keugik!
-Kaaah...!
The nerve-severed head collided with the approaching soldier ant, then thrashed wildly, jamming its massive jaws into its kin's body.
"Nice shot!"
Finishing the wounded soldier was straightforward. Even a first-time encounter sparked no fear. Every hunter adapted fluidly, dismantling the red soldier ant.
...Something's off.
Honestly, even Yeonwoo was stunned. Maybe because of the rampage-fueled senses from her past life, she'd underestimated them.
The most crucial part of a hunter's evolution: judgment. Crush that, and no amount of strength saves you from crisis. Like Babel's total wipeout from a bad call. Like the hunters who'd answered Babel's call.
So the Ant Nest hunters' judgment was spot-on. They'd chosen the best survival play, excelling in their roles. Masterful work.
Which meant Yeonwoo had to make her call now.
No guarantee this standoff ends here.
They couldn't block ants forever. To resolve the anomaly, they had to tackle the root—[1]. Same for Gate Liberator status.
"Mikael."
"Yes?"
"One more boost? Full power this time."
No need to explain. Mikael nodded slowly.
Heading down to [1] felt like reliving the start. Mikael realized anew how much time he'd spent with Yeonwoo. And this moment was the path forward.
Mikael drew his staff—taller than him, topped with a hefty cross.
"Be careful. I've told you a hundred times, but I'm strong."
"Yeah. Let's see the real show."
Yeonwoo grinned as Mikael lowered the staff. She stepped lightly onto the cross.
Whoosh—!
Riding Mikael's full-powered recoil, Yeonwoo's body shot into the air. Acceleration incomparable to before.
"Hoo."
But her gaze didn't waver. Even upside down, 'Gyroscope' etched the vista into her eyes.
Wasteland. No—a red wasteland. Sky and earth one crimson wave. Everything but the sky was ants.
And.
"There you are."
The queen ant loomed, radiating overwhelming presence. Easily five times a fire ant's size, surrounded by soldier ants.
"What do you want?"
Hovering midair, Yeonwoo's eyes tracked the queen's head. Straight along that line: a sealed gate entrance.
"Ah."
It clicked. With a short gasp, her body plummeted.
"Careful...!"
Mikael rushed to catch her. He cradled her safely in both arms, exhaling in relief—but.
"Hup."
Thud.
His body trembled as he dropped her instantly.
"Ha, you little shit."
"Pardon? Uh? Sorry, but sh-shit...?"
Yeonwoo grumbled reflexively, hauling herself up. Mikael, though, was shell-shocked on multiple levels. The sensation of catching her. The softness against his palms. The stabilizing scent. And that gruff remark.
But no time to dwell.
"We gotta go."
"Pardon?"
"The queen. Take her down now."
"..."
Quiet words, but they hit everyone like thunder.
"You mean charge through that horde?"
"Yeah."
"That casually? Wait, let's observe more—"
"No. It'll never end."
Yeonwoo shook her head. No hesitation, no second thoughts.
"We end this."
End. Crystal clear.
"...If so, why not move as one?"
"Can't."
Someone had to guard camp.
"If they reach it... it might go berserk."
"...Gasp."
Mikael's eyes widened in horror. He inhaled sharply.
"What...?"
Not just him. 'Berserk' from Yeonwoo's lips made every hunter gasp in unison.
Gate berserk—worse than any anomaly, pure disaster. Unpredictable doom for those inside. And Ant Nest was at Gimpo Airport. Heart of the city. Crowded transfer paths between platforms and gates.
No longer personal survival. City-scale catastrophe.
"Mm."
"Whoa."
"..."
True dilemma. No future without braving the horde, death be damned.
"I'll go. I'll go!"
A middle-aged hunter raised his hand. Polite demeanor, bold claim.
"Hate to brag, but honestly, even among you young ones, my skills top the charts. So I'll handle it. Guaranteed help."
"Wait, our party's going solo?"
"No choice. Together it is."
Three hunters stepped up.
"Hey, you go too."
"Me?"
"We'll hold 'em. You go wild."
A comrade shoved his buddy forward.
"Fuck it, why not."
"If we don't, we all die. Can't let sis go down."
"I wanna see that queen with my own eyes too."
Defenders and attackers split naturally. Over 20 days together bred deep understanding. These were Ant Nest standouts—post-clear, they'd shine anywhere.
"Let's move."
No more words needed. Do the job. That sufficed.
Whew. Gotta give it all.
Yeonwoo steeled herself. Responsibility weighed heavy now. Repayment? One way: rampage full-tilt so their resolve held.
She bolted to the lead.
"We're counting on you!"
"We'll hold camp—don't worry!"
She blew past the stay-behinds. Past the front line. Slammed her greatsword into a blocking fire ant.
Kwajik!
Blade sank into its head. Yeonwoo swept sideways, clearing ants.
"Hoo."
Her gaze sharpened as she exhaled. All-out. Body-be-damned mindset. Grip tightened on the hilt.
"Pardon me."
A petite woman slipped past, cradling her iron dagger like treasure. She leaped at an ant showily.
"Eh...?"
No time to stop her. Arrogant even to think it. The woman danced across the ant's body, dodging jaws and legs, stabbing joints precisely.
-Keeek...!
Nerve-cut ant thrashed. Chaos in the horde.
"Hoo. Time to push."
A white-haired middle-aged hunter next. Kwoong!
He slammed his shield down. Muscles swelled in shoulders and arms, shredding his clothes.
"Huh?"
Physical trait holder. Amid Yeonwoo's surprise, he charged.
Kwoong! Bang! Kwajik!
Shield bulldozed ants aside.
"Go! Hurry!"
Hunters followed, unleashing honed stigmas and traits. Irresistible momentum shredded the horde. Like one organism. Blazing speed forward.
No need for Yeonwoo to lead the charge.
"All thanks to Hunter Yeonwoo."
A young hunter spat flames from his staff nonstop.
True. Yeonwoo's actions evolved them. All Tier II threshold, Ant Nest veterans with rich experience. Growth wouldn't stop here.
Influenced by her, they'd dominate outside with prowess and mindset. Carve names across hunter society.
But that's future talk. Irrelevant now.
Only one thing mattered.
"At last...!"
They reached the final [1]'s red queen ant.