Where is this place?
Li Yang felt himself in a strange place, surrounded by water, yet he could breathe easily. It was cramped, and he couldn't move his hands or feet freely. Soon after, a wave of weakness and fatigue overcame him, and Li Yang once again sank into a deep sleep.
I need more nourishment.
A gigantic creature resembling an ant swallowed the ball of flesh in its hand in a single gulp. The ball was covered with strange substances and looked extremely repulsive.
Oh, I feel it moving. My King, go and prepare more of that nutritious food for me.
Yes, my Queen, a group of equally strange monsters replied.
Power… I feel so full of power.
When Li Yang awoke, he felt stronger than ever. Unlike before, this time he felt he could easily free himself from the confines of this place.
No, my King, not yet. It's not time.
Li Yang heard a gentle voice whisper this to him. For some reason, that voice made him inexplicably restless. But he felt it was for his own good, so he suppressed his unease and continued to sleep. A strange liquid flowed through his body from a tubular organ attached to him, and once again, his body began to change.
What is this surge…? Why does it keep growing?
Far away in the mountains, an old man with a long white beard and hair stared wide-eyed at a cluster of strange mound-like structures resembling termite nests. To be precise, he was looking in Li Yang's direction.
It's increasing… more and more.
No, this can't continue, the old man muttered, having made up his mind.
Morel, Knov stay here. I'll go alone.
Chairman Netero…
President…
No need to say more. I can handle this alone. That's an order.
The old man, Netero, was the chairman of the Hunter Association the most powerful organization in the world. In his youth, he had been known as the strongest Nen user alive. Even now, though age had reduced his power by half, he remained one of the most formidable Nen users in existence. But even such a man wasn't optimistic about this mission. It was likely to be his most dangerous yet and possibly his last. As he thought this, Netero touched his chest. If he failed, this would be his final act.
Yes, sir.
Hearing his command, the two said no more. Though they didn't know the full power of the strongest Chimera Ants, those they had fought before posed little threat and they had absolute faith in their chairman's strength. He was, without question, a man among the strongest.
Netero's muscles bulged, his lower limbs bent, and with a powerful kick, he shot toward the massive anthill, flying like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Hmm?
At that moment, the three beings near the Queen Ant sensed something and turned simultaneously toward the direction Netero was coming from.
We noticed him earlier, but since the King's birth was imminent, we chose to ignore him to avoid unnecessary trouble. Who would've thought he'd come knocking on death's door himself, said an attractive man with purplish skin and large butterfly wings on his back.
Pfft. Our duty is to protect the King. The rest can be left to the Division Commanders, said a muscular man with crimson skin. Pitou, what do you think?
Meow~ I wonder how long this toy will last this time, said a white-haired, cat-eared girl with a long feline tail.
These three were the Royal Guards of the Chimera Ant King the only ones absolutely loyal to him, and the most powerful Chimera Ants aside from the King himself. As for the Queen Ant, in their eyes, her only purpose was to give birth to their King.
Enemy attack! Enemy attack!
By the time Chairman Netero reached the nest, the other ants had already noticed him but it was too late. Panic spread quickly. The soldier and captain-level ants were utterly incapable of harming him, or even slowing him down. In truth, they weren't even qualified to serve as cannon fodder.
A rank above captain was the Division Commander. These commanders were far superior, powerful enough to stand among top-tier Nen users. Yet even they could not halt Netero's advance. His power was overwhelming the difference between a master and a legend.
Damn it, if this keeps up, that damned human will reach the Queen! We can't let that happen!
An ant resembling Lei Zhenzi gritted his teeth in frustration. He felt powerless why did such a monster exist among creatures that had once been mere food?
It seems we have no choice but to call them.
He knew his own limits about as strong as the other Division Commanders, but still far too weak. He meant the Royal Guards the three he had spoken to earlier. Only they had the power to stop such an intruder.
You're called Colt, right? Why have you come here?
Among the three, the butterfly man, Pouf, though temperamental and dramatic, was the easiest to reason with.
I see… I didn't expect those Division Commanders to be so useless. They couldn't even stop a single man.
Youpi, the largest and most physically powerful of the three, grumbled. His body was made entirely of magical beasts making his raw power unmatched, though his intellect was somewhat lacking.
Don't be careless, Youpi. That opponent is strong. Those missing captains and commanders were likely all killed by him, warned Pouf. Still, he trusted in Youpi's power he couldn't believe that a human, once mere prey, could surpass them.
Don't worry, Pouf. Watch how I handle this.
The burly Youpi cracked his knuckles and stepped forward, his muscles radiating explosive power.
Oh-ho-ho~ It seems I'm getting closer to the Queen, Netero chuckled as he crushed a struggling Division Commander in his hand and continued moving forward.
It seems someone stronger has arrived.
Human, were you the one causing all this trouble earlier? You don't look like much just an old man, Youpi said as he emerged from the opposite tunnel, sizing him up.
Oh-ho-ho, let's go then.
Facing one of the Royal Guards, Netero grew solemn. Though he didn't know exactly who or what Youpi was, the immense aura emanating from him was undeniable. Though weaker than Netero, he was still incredibly powerful.
Oh~ heh-heh~
The air around Netero shifted. A colossal aura burst forth from his aged body.
What is that?
Behind him appeared a massive statue resembling both Guanyin and the Great Buddha the ultimate manifestation of his enhanced telekinesis. The old man before them was no ordinary foe.
Bang!
Before Youpi could react, he was slammed into the ground. A storm of palm strikes followed, crushing him as he sank deeper and deeper. One of the Royal Guards utterly powerless before Netero's might.
Ahhh! Damn you! Who are you? I'm one of the King's Royal Guards!
Youpi's aura exploded, unleashing a massive blast that forced back Netero's Hyaku-Shiki Kannon.
What a monster! Netero exclaimed, narrowly dodging the explosion's center.
The violent clash between the two shook the entire nest. Only then did the remaining commanders truly understand the despairing power of the Royal Guards the vast, hopeless gulf between levels of strength.
Damn it! What's that fool Youpi doing? Doesn't he realize this will disrupt the King's birth?
Pouf's face twisted with anger as he stared into the distance.
That human he's fighting isn't ordinary. He's incredibly powerful. I didn't think such a master existed among humans, remarked the cat-woman, Pitou.
Oh, my King, no, not yet… just a little longer. Please, be patient… please…
The massive, swollen-bellied Queen gently stroked the enormous egg before her. With supernatural tenderness, she whispered, Yes, this egg… I'm nurturing it with my very life.
Even if the one within were to leave her the moment it hatched, even if it never cared for her life or death, she loved it still. Perhaps that was maternal love something beyond race or reason.
Patience? Who are you? So gentle… so warm. And who am I? Oh, I'm Li Yang… but I'm also the King.
Inside the cocoon, the consciousness within pondered and spoke to itself.
King? Yes… I am Li Yang, and I am the King.
As time passed, Li Yang's soul gradually merged with the consciousness of his new race. There was no longer devouring, no annihilation only rebirth.
A new hope.
A new future for the Chimera Ants.
(End of Chapter One)