“Chapter 11”

"Chapter 11"

"On the surface, everything seemed normal in the Daylight district, but Rei occasionally overheard low, cautious murmurs among the insectoids."

"'Something urgent seems to have happened in the upper ranks; all available high-class insectoids in the Daylight district have been urgently summoned.'"

"'Strange, if it’s a matter of war, wouldn’t a quantum computer communication suffice? Why resort to such an inefficient face-to-face method?'"

"'Wonder how long this will last...'"

"Rei, undisturbed, leaned against a partially collapsed wall, idly counting the fallen bullet casings on the ground."

"It wasn’t curiosity about the insectoids’ conversation that interested her, but the recent increase in the frequency and scope of their patrols made finding a quiet corner nearby almost impossible."

"Fortunately, maintaining her 'concealment' was as natural as breathing for Rei, undetectable even by the powerful high-class insectoids, let alone the second-class ones."

"This was an ability she developed early on, driven by the instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm."

"But now, Rei felt a tinge of frustration. Arriving on a new planet should have been a novel and fun experience, yet she had been habitually hiding, confined within the insectoids’ controlled areas."

"After counting the bullet casings, Rei looked up. The steel structures in front were all blown to pieces, leaving an unobstructed view. The sky was dark and oppressive, more and more warships roaring overhead, over a landscape of gray ruins, with occasional black dots moving and vanishing."

"Like the dying cries of lost lives, the planet, riddled with scars, seemed to emit a faint but unheard lament."

"—It had become a place of no return."

"Rei was acutely aware of this."

"Where to next? Rei pondered her next move."

"Ural had told her, upon returning from searching for food, that he had seen Levi, who was still showing strong vital signs and was far from the brink of death."

"Dropping her concealment would mean undergoing identity checks to enter any district—a routine and simple procedure, but Rei lacked a legal identity within the insectoid community."

"They were now on the very edge of the Daylight district, and Rei decided to venture deeper inside."

"When Ural returned with a heavy backpack, his eyes curved in joy as he exclaimed, 'Rei, I'm back.' He then began to carefully remove items, attentively watching for any change in Rei’s expression."

"Rei’s emotions were exceptionally subdued, occasionally showing a hint of curiosity and observation towards new things, and a general wariness towards other insectoids, but never exhibiting any other preferences."

"Most queens of the insectoids through generations had clear likes and dislikes, making Rei's calm and enigmatic nature all the more unusual."

"Seemingly tranquil, yet hinting at an undercurrent beneath the surface, unpredictable as to when it might stir up a storm."

"Rei picked up a sharpened dagger, idly played with it for a while, and then fastened it at her waist."

"Ural always managed to bring back supplies besides food, using means unknown to Rei. Although he always sincerely swore he did nothing wrong, Rei remained skeptically half-convinced."

"'What's that?' Rei asked, finishing her nutrient drink, her eyes casually catching sight of a soft white fabric pressed at the bottom of the backpack."

"'It's the clothes Rei gave me before,' Ural said."

"Rei: '...'"

"Throughout their journey, they had found more suitable black combat attire. Rei had always assumed Ural would discard old items like she did, seeing no need to keep unnecessary baggage—though Ural always carried the backpack, sometimes resisting and even getting upset when Rei offered to carry it, asking if he had done something wrong."

"'Alright,' Rei said, not dwelling on it. 'Pack up, and let's go.'"

"Ural nodded obediently."

-

"The inner part of the Daylight district was noticeably more peaceful, with ordinary residents and even shops open for business. However, the insectoids passing by still showed a listless spirit, many bearing red cracks on their bodies."

"A human passed by Rei."

"Rei paused in her steps, detecting an odd smell. A familiar scent of decay, so repulsive she didn't even want to recall it."

"Turning to look, the person quickly disappeared around the corner."

"He had deliberately concealed his scent, deceiving even the insectoids. Unfortunately for him, Rei was adept at sensing, not missing the faint trace in the air that others would overlook."

A human appearing alone in an area densely populated by insects?

"'Go have fun by yourself,' Rei told Ural. 'See you later.'"

"Connecting a black line to Ural, it was easy to find his location."

"The boy’s shoulders drooped, his face tinged with melancholy. He preferred to stick close to Rei at all times, but clearly, Rei didn't feel the same."

"Still, he replied, 'Okay… I’ll wait for you.'"

"Rei slipped away from Ural and silently followed the male youth, disappearing into a winding alley strewn with broken steel and wooden planks."

"Suddenly, the youth stopped in a dead-end of the alley, looking back warily—not from sensing Rei, but out of habitual caution."

"Then, bizarrely, he raised one hand and pressed it against the air, and a vast, flat protective shield stood before Rei, dividing the world into two. The shield, pulsating with glimmering energy patterns, was impenetrable and opaque, concealing its interior."

"Quickly, a slit tore open in the shield, like a curtain being parted."

"The human figure stepped halfway through before the entrance began to fade. Reacting swiftly, Rei seized the fleeting moment to follow inside."

"A dense, putrid stench of decay hit her."

"Rei’s eyes narrowed in shock at the sight of a massive, blood-red heart, ten meters tall, shackled with long, heavy chains. Transparent tubes connected it to the ceiling, thumping dully."

"What is this? Rei wondered, slightly taken aback."

"Upon close observation and sensing, she discovered about two or three life forms encapsulated within the heart."

"Looking around, Rei found herself in a sealed, expansive laboratory. Several humans were submerged in tanks filled with light blue liquid, some showing insectoid limbs, others with fine scales on their extremities, or malformed thin wings protruding from their backs."

"—Hybrids."

"Sorry," the young man said lowly, connecting to his cyberbrain, "The recent batch quality is poor, and we haven’t found suitable embryos for a while. Even the Monstre insects aren’t that easy to negotiate with; they seem unwilling to give us many embryos lately…"

"After completing the call, the youth, as usual, began his work. He put on a metal face shield, cautiously kept his distance from the enlarged heart, and finally, with a grit of his teeth, activated the device."

"The heavy chains restraining the heart started to pull, clanking metallically. The heart expanded and contracted. Tubes fixed to the ceiling actively detached, transferring blood from the human tanks, bathing the entire space in a dangerous red glow, creating an eerily beautiful atmosphere."

"Suddenly, Rei experienced an intense pain, her vision dimming momentarily. Caught off guard, she stared blankly at the colossal heart."

"Encased within were female insectoids, the source of the stabbing pain stemming from their mental broadcast as they neared complete extinction."

"The rotting stench in the air peaked."

"[Nurtured by death, arises new life.]"

"This could have been her potential future."

"Rei experienced what could be called 'anger' for the first time. Instantaneously, the ground teemed with dangerous black lines that spread throughout the enclosed space, severing all chains and tubes, causing blood to splatter everywhere. Some of the lines transformed into sharp thorns, winding around the heart."

"The youth watched the scene unfold in almost terrified disbelief, sweating profusely, unable to move."

"Frowning, Rei used the black lines to sever the bottom of the tubes, but blood still flowed from the heart like the rotting juice of floral stems."

"'Make it stop,' Rei said softly, her tone not severe."

"But the youth understood the undeniable command in her words. Powerless against such a formidable insectoid, he complied, shakily operating the equipment."

"As the device stopped, the heart also ceased bleeding in a way that defied logic."

"Then, the thorns tightly entwined around the youth's entire body, forcing him to his knees, cutting both deep and shallow wounds into his fragile human skin, rendering him unable to struggle."

"Rei clenched her fist slightly, standing before the youth, manipulating the thorns to force his head up."

"The youth was compelled to look into a pair of cold, heterochromatic beastly eyes."

"He thought in despair, when had this insectoid appeared?"

"He had been conducting this underground work on R27 for many years without fail, so why today of all days…"

"'Now, answer my questions,' Rei said."

"The youth didn’t immediately respond, and the thorns tightened, suffocating him to the brink of death before suddenly loosening."

"'Hah,' he gasped for air, weakly responding, 'Yes.'"

"'What do you use to hide your scent, avoiding the attention of other insectoids?'"

"Within his capacity to answer, he immediately responded, 'A cloaking agent I acquired from the Monst Insectoids.'"

"'Monst Insectoids?'"

"'Yes. They require a large number of mid-to-low-level hybrids, and in return, they provide me with certain protective benefits.'"

"Rei paused, then decided to clarify further: 'What are the Monst Insectoids?'"

"The youth perceived this as a threatening probe and hurriedly appeased, 'Of course, they are unforgivable traitors to you, such as those who deny the Queen. We also believe it’s just a distortion of thought. How could evolution lead towards a queenless direction?'"

"Is this how divisions within the insectoids work? Rei wondered."

"'What qualifies as a suitable embryo?'"

"After a brief hesitation, sensing the thorns intensifying, the youth hurriedly answered, 'Any psychically endowed female can suffice, but ideally, a princess with the potential to evolve into a queen.'"

"'And after use, they're refilled into the heart?'"

"At that moment, the decaying scent slightly faded, the few female insectoids within the massive heart barely clinging to life."

“Correct.”

"Rei glanced at the humans in the cultivation blood, all uniformly in slumber, their faces subtly contorted in pain."

"Seeing Rei's momentary silence, the youth volunteered, 'They are just low-grade rejects, naturally posing no threat to you.'"

"He had encountered many insectoids and escaped death countless times. After the initial shock and fear, he saw an opportunity."

"Moreover, the female insectoid before him seemed quite young, at least very stable emotionally."

"'Is that so?' Rei said, 'I see.'"

"Rei calmly watched him, countless thorns wrapping around the human body, layer upon layer, consuming his last exposed patch of skin."

"The youth's eyes widened in terror, his fleeting sense of luck and self-satisfaction completely extinguished."

"—She never intended to let me live."

"Minutes later, the mound of thorns slowly receded, leaving behind a small pool of black blood on the ground."