BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM-Chapter 1295: The bugs (21)

Erik hid behind a fallen pillar, watching the Silver Line Corporation's building in front of him. Once a monument to human ingenuity, the building was now no more a testament to what humanity had lost.

He pressed a button on his radio. "I'm in position; status report."

"We are in position, too. Southeast corner secured. I count at least three hundred bug movements along our side of the perimeter. We will kill them as soon as you give the order."

"Emily?"

"In position," she said. "The situation is similar here, on the northeast side. My rifle's charged and ready."

"Mira?"

"We are ready," her voice came through.

Erik nodded to himself and took a deep breath. The plan wasn't complicated. They would create enough chaos to force the queen bug to come out and face them. Then, while his teams would fight off the swarms of smaller bugs, Erik would focus on taking down the queen.

"Remember the goal," Erik said into his radio. "Once I engage the queen, your priority is containment. Don't let any warriors or leaders flank or target me. The workers aren't the primary threat, but their acid spits could distract me long enough for the queen to land a dangerous blow, so be thorough in your culling."

A chorus of acknowledgments came through the radio.

"On my mark," Erik said, rising from his position. "Three, two, one..."

Erik walked out into the courtyard, not even trying to hide his presence. The area was going to serve as the perfect killing ground. Open space, minimal cover, and direct line of sight for his companions' ranged attacks.

Of course, that meant the bugs would have the same advantage.

He channeled mana, sending the energy rippling across the ground—it was something that no thaid could miss.

The worker bugs scattered. Some fled toward the building while others charged at Erik, mandibles clicking frantically.

"Contact initiated," Erik said. "The first wave is approaching. It's relatively small. Take care of them."

The team killed them with minimal effort. Now that they had the space to use their Starlight Fireball brain crystal power, the clones were having a lot of advantages. However, they could use it just because they knew Erik was here and that he would take care of most of the thaids if things turned bad.

[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[0%...1%... 5%... 30%... 70%... 100%]

[Mana successfully absorbed, starting conversion procedure.]

[3...2...1...0]

[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

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[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

"Some of the workers have reached the building," Mira said. "I count at least a dozen entering."

Erik nodded. "Good. Stand by for the main force."

Almost immediately, the doors the bugs had made exploded open, and bugs swarmed into the courtyard.

The Guards came out first, followed by the leaders.

"They are here," Erik said. "Engage at will."

Projectiles filled the air as Emily fired. Her mana bullets pierced the guards' carapaces, exploding inside and downing multiple targets at once.

Mira's arrows did the same, but she was forced to aim at the creature's weak spots, rather than aiming at whatever part of their bodies like Emily did. The difference in firepower was simply too great.

The clones attacked using fire to do the same. They had enough mana, and the creatures were weak enough for them to set them on fire instantly, as if they had thrown oil on them. It took some time for the creatures to die, but the fire spread, getting onto other bugs with the clones not even trying to harm them.

"Keep going!" Erik said. He was doing nothing but waiting for the queen to come. He couldn't waste mana, nor stamina, if he wanted to win.

[Bellator thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Dux thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Dux thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Bellator thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Operarius thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Dux thanatocoleoptera killed: mana-absorbing process starting.]

The bugs kept coming from the building like a torrent of water. Their numbers were endless, but the clones had been able to keep them in check.

Erik took his chance to analyze both kinds of newcomers.

—[Analysis]—

-Name: Bellator Thanatocoleoptera

Physical Description: Combat-focused insectoid thaids with armored exoskeletons and sharp protrusions. They have thicker plating than workers, with weak points at limb joints and neck. Their mandibles are strong enough to cut through metal and concrete. Enhanced musculature gives them the ability to make rapid speed bursts. Their internal organs have some protective sacs, vulnerable to prolonged freezing/burning. They hunt in groups and serve as the hive's main defense. Can execute basic tactics if separated from the leaders.

-Brain Crystal Powers: Acid Spray (B45C): Releases corrosive acid from specialized glands that can melt through organic matter and weaken structural materials.

{Attributes}

-STRENGTH: 245

-INTELLIGENCE: 10

-DEXTERITY: 150

-ENERGY: 467

{Others}

-Power Level: 693

-Estimated Experience per kill: 13,430,310.63

—[End]—

—[Analysis]—

Name: Dux Thanatocoleoptera

Physical Description: Dux Thanatocoleoptera have reinforced exoskeletons that serve as armor. They have some specialized appendages for communication. Overlapping plates protect vulnerable areas, though weak points exist at the thorax base. They have higher cognitive functions.

Brain Crystal Powers: Domination (B45A): Creates a telepathic network allowing simultaneous coordination of multiple units and enhances the intelligence of the creatures under the telepathic network. When a Dux is killed, the subordinates briefly become disoriented before reverting to instinct or falling under another Dux's control.

{Attributes}

-STRENGTH: 194

-INTELLIGENCE: 61

-DEXTERITY: 150

-ENERGY: 467

{Others}

-Power Level: 667

-Estimated Experience per kill: 12,935,832.17

—[End]—

<So, the guards are physically stronger than the workers and the leaders. It's not like Amber and the others said.>

[I wonder why they assumed it was the opposite,] the system said. [Anyway, the guards are just specialized workers. They have the same powers; the only difference is that they have better attributes.]

<Yeah, while the leaders are smarter and have a brain crystal power that helps with coordination and increases intelligence.>

[There is no point in getting this power. The clones are smart already, and normal humans are smart enough to follow basic orders.]

<Most of the times…>

[Yeah, not always.]

The warriors tried to break through the perimeter established by Erik's companions but couldn't as the others kept killing them, and Erik kept amassing experience points.

[LEVEL UP.]

[LEVEL UP.]

[LEVEL UP.]

[LEVEL UP.]

[LEVEL UP.]

[LEVEL UP.]

[LEVEL UP.]

[LEVEL UP.]