Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 56: Familiar Face

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"The wild doesn’t give second chances. And I have... I have no choice but to keep pushing, I must keep leveling up. I must find more beasts to kill. I have to gain enough strength to face down any predator that stands in my way. My harem is waiting for me. In this life my only worry should be how to enjoy life with beautiful girls."

A faint hush followed Lomar words. The other ants, Thren, Vexor, and Renna absorbed the gravity of that truth. The day’s battles had underscored how swiftly nature’s apex could turn the tide, and Lomar reminded that a three-star predator might well be unstoppable, forcing them all to consider the precariousness of their mission. Yet, in the same breath, it reaffirmed that star crystals found in the hidden mine. They must find it and get back as soon as possible.

Kai shifted slightly, the pain from his bruises a steady, throbbing note in his body. Though exhausted, he felt a small spark of eagerness. Every small edge he could gather would be necessary if he meant to survive not only the wilderness but also the silent sabotage of Darius.

No further words needed to be spoken. The reality settled among them, a communal acceptance of the day’s savage cost. Over the flickering glow of the fire, battered exoskeletons gleaned in tired reflection, and fatigue etched deeper lines into each ant’s eyes. With a murmur of finality, Lomar bowed his head, letting the conversation’s weight linger in the hush.

Kai’s thoughts churned as he reviewed the new stats he had stolen from the alpha beast, he got a total of twelve unallocated points. "I will keep it for emergency use." After that he closed his eyes for a moment, letting the wind carry away the tension from his body. Tomorrow, they will continue. And tomorrow, the wilderness might test them once again.

Morning came swiftly, rousing them from a restless sleep filled with faint nightmares and unsettled dreams. The forest canopy overhead shimmered with dew, and the steady rustle of leaves whispered of challenges yet to come. With no fanfare, the expedition prepared themselves—bandaging cuts, gathering meager rations, and ensuring their battered weapons were still serviceable.

Captain Darius, looking the most healthy amongst all, addressed them with a clipped tone: "We march further into the unknown. The map from Princess Mia indicates the star crystal mine lies beyond this forest. That means we have to face more beasts, or even predators, and more ways for you to die if you’re not careful. Keep your eyes open, your reflexes ready. If anyone’s die it’s not my responsibility."

His gaze slid over Kai with chilling malice, and Kai forced himself not to flinch, he Let him glare without saying anything. The events of yesterday had proven that survival and progress hinged on cunning and hidden strength.

And so, under the shifting canopy of the wild, the group stepped out from their campsite, forging deeper into nature’s labyrinth. Every footstep on the rough ground was a resonant echo of promise. A promise of finding star crystal mine and the reward from princes Mia, promise of new perils that would test them to their limits, and promise of the hidden war between Kai and Darius that overshadowed every moment.

Kai remained ever alert, scanning each shadow, each swaying branch, and the shapes that lurked behind every trunk. Danger would come again, no doubt. But he had resolved to greet it with unyielding resolve.

In the quiet hush of the morning, the entire expedition advanced, guided by the cryptic map. Day by day, they were getting closer to their destination.

They had not traveled far when something unusual caught Kai’s eye. Between the thick trunks of old trees, a shape moved gracefully, almost dancing with the morning breeze. At first, Kai thought it was just another forest creature. Then he realized that the shape wore clothes. And large, twitching ears rose above its head.

"Wait," he murmured to himself. His antennae trembled in excitement. "That’s... Luna?"

His heart thumped. He remembered the bunny girl from before—her silver hair, her soft voice, and her enticing aura. He stepped forward, peering through the green shadows. There, standing in a small sunlit clearing, was Bunny Girl Luna. She wore a dazzling outfit that hugged her curves. Her long, plush ears flicked and twitched, and her eyes gleamed with playful mischief. She had come to visit someone in a nearby village, it seemed, but now she was here, in their path.

Kai felt a strange relief, mixed with warm excitement. He called out quietly, "Luna... is that you? What are you doing here?"

She turned and smiled. A spark of friendly joy lit her face. "Kai! I never imagined I would find you here," she said, her voice sweet and clear. "I’m on my way to a village. I have some business there. Where are you going?"

Kai replied, "Well... I am here on a mission. These are my teammates."

Luna with a lustful voice says, "Why don’t you and your team rest with me for a bit? You all look exhausted."

Captain Darius stiffened at the sight of a stranger. His cold mandibles clicked, and he stepped forward. "We don’t know you," he said bluntly. "We can’t just follow someone we don’t trust."

Kai’s antennae twitched, irritated by Darius’s tone. But he kept his voice calm. "I know her," he told the group. "She is a good friend of mine, and I trust her. If she says there’s a village, I believe we can rest there. We need a place to heal properly. Lomar is injured. We can find some medicine there. Don’t we all want that?"

Renna and a few others nodded in quiet agreement. The day’s dangers had been many, and a safe haven sounded like a gift from the gods. Darius glared at Kai but did not argue further. At last, with a grudging huff, he conceded. "Fine," he said. "But if we can’t find any medicine, we will immediately leave."