Daily News: Insect Girls' Heavy Dependence

Richard's playful expression gradually faded, and his brows furrowed again.

This guy...

It doesn't seem like they're bluffing.

Its tone was so calm, almost like a statement of fact, or at least it was something it was absolutely certain of.

Moreover, this mushroom-man's previous fighting style leaned heavily on defense and brute force. It lacked cunning and strategy, and didn't seem like a character adept at weaving lies or employing schemes.

"The mycelium doesn't die?"

Richard muttered the sentence to himself, his mind racing, his thoughts wandering and forming associations:

Does this mean that after an individual dies, its consciousness or some kind of information can be transmitted and preserved through the hyphal network?

Similar to the collective consciousness or pheromone transmission of certain insects? If it's such a fantastical tale, then even if this mushroom-man dies...

They also cannot hide their team's information, and they may even be "watched" by that so-called master right now.

"And...the master unleashed his anger?"

Richard's thoughts stirred again as he secretly contacted the dream-like little girl deep within his consciousness to confirm her life level.

It's like everyone has a master, even the little girl Mengchong calls me master!

"Master, this big guy is at the early stage of the fourth-tier complete form. But he's so weak, he doesn't have the prestige of a fourth-tier at all. He's like a fake product that was artificially ripened."

The little girl, Dream Bug, responded promptly.

Ignoring her complaints, Richard continued to share the available information:

Early stage of fourth rank...? Then the master it mentioned is at least no weaker than this level, and may even be stronger.

An existence that can command such respect from a fourth-tier fully evolved insectoid beast, who so firmly believes in its ability to quell its rage...

Richard's gaze swept over the dark outline of the forest illuminated by the firelight.

The night was deep, and the Mushroom Forest was unusually quiet, like a lurking beast.

Apart from the sounds within the camp, not even the chirping of insects or the roar of beasts could be heard in the distance.

He recalled the unusual events that had occurred since he entered the forest:

Instead of the expected large number of ordinary mushroom people, the gathering points were frequently damaged by third-tier insect beasts, and there was this red mushroom person in front of them that was clearly a variant or evolved form of the mushroom person...

All of this seems to point to some unknown, dominant entity deep within the forest.

"Your lord," Richard said slowly, his gaze sharp as he fixed on the mushroom-man's eight eyes, "what is he? Where is he?"

The red mushroom-man remained silent for a moment, then its body began to tremble and emit a low-frequency buzzing communication.

Is it trying to connect with something? Decide whether to answer this question.

A moment later, its friction-like sound rang out again, but the content sent a chill down Richard's spine:

"The Lord is the forest, and the forest is the Lord. All blasphemous lands are under his watch. The time is running out... Humanity, make your choice."

As soon as the words were spoken, the light in the mushroom man's eight small eyes suddenly dimmed, as if it had exhausted some kind of energy that supported its conscious activity.

Its massive body completely relaxed, becoming silent, leaving only a silent shell encased in thick armor.

Is he dead?

Or rather, was his consciousness taken back?

Richard stood there, his face grave.

That master? The sovereign? Is it the forest itself? A unified consciousness? Or some kind of super-being powerful enough to extend its will to cover the entire area?

Tier 5? A colossal insectoid beast?

Either way, it means that their team may have stepped into a dangerous area far beyond what was expected.

"Young Master?"

A battalion commander approached and whispered his instructions:

"Is this mushroom monster's story... believable? Should we evacuate tonight?"

Richard did not answer immediately. He glanced around the camp at his men, whose morale remained high despite the fierce fighting.

He glanced again at the silent, red mushroom-man corpse on the ground, and finally turned his gaze to the boundless darkness deep within the forest.

Retreat? Leaving with a pitiful sixty bottles of essence insect liquid, some insect beast meat, and a mediocre fourth-tier prisoner?

What a joke! I've been out here for so long, I can't afford to lose face like this!

But if what the mushroom man said is true, they really have been targeted by some unknown forest lord...

Would it be more dangerous to venture deep into the forest at night to evacuate?

Stay? Fortify the camp and hold out until dawn? If that guy's wrath really comes, can they withstand it?

Both options come with significant risks.

The night wind rustled through the woods, creating a soft, whispering sound, as if the entire forest was whispering.

Richard took a deep breath, the cold, humus-smelling air filling his lungs and clearing his chaotic thoughts slightly.

He turned to face all the pioneers who were watching him, his voice steady and clear, echoing throughout the camp:

"All personnel, listen up! From this moment forward, the camp is on high alert! Add fuel to all campfires and keep them lit! Double the number of patrols and expand the perimeter to 200 meters beyond the low wall! Non-combat personnel, assemble in the center of the camp. Tier 3 members will take turns resting, and weapons must remain with them at all times!"

He neither suggested retreating nor suggested holding out to the death.

Instead, they chose the safest approach, making thorough defensive preparations to remain unchanged in the face of any change.

"As for this guy,"

Richard kicked the unresponsive red mushroom man at his feet.

"It was dissected..."

The order was swiftly carried out. The camp was busy again.

But this time, the atmosphere was noticeably more tense than before, with a sense of impending doom permeating the air.

Richard walked to the edge of the camp and gazed into the depths of the pitch-black forest.

No new, strong threat signals came from the sniffling insect cocoon on my waist.

But the feeling of being watched by something invisible lingered faintly... This was a warning from the malevolent insect.

Although the fourth-order cocoon, which had repeatedly protected itself from danger, issued a warning, this warning was not strong; rather, it was very weak.

There was even a hint of Astelle's...disdain?

This is the main reason Richard didn't leave! He chose to believe in his sister... her unseen guidance!

"The Lord of the Forest?" he murmured to himself, his hand unconsciously stroking the cocoon belt around his waist.

How many Tier 3s does it have? How many Tier 4s? If it doesn't have a hundred Tier 3s, don't mess with it. If its Tier 4s are all weaklings like the Red Mushroom Man... that would be even more ridiculous!

I'll avoid your sharp edge?!

Richard mocked in his mind.

In any case, this journey to collect the essence of insect sap in the northern snowfields was far more complicated and dangerous than I had imagined... but it hadn't yet reached the point of serious injury or a life-or-death situation.

After daybreak, whether to continue exploring or decide to retreat.

It seems like every battle will be tough, and how can a team transform itself without going through tough battles?

The night was deep, and the firelight flickered.

Richard's shadow stretched out very long.

The forest was silent, as if waiting for something.