Although the quality of the light clusters he had obtained was high, the quantity fell short of his expectations.
Even the light cluster provided to Ronnel by a powerhouse like the Royal Guards was somewhat lacking. So, looking across all six continents, how many corpses could truly bring him massive gains?
Aside from those with unique constitutions or abilities, only a handful—figures like Ging, Maha, and Netero—stood out.
Ronnel eagerly anticipated what he could obtain from the Ant King.
His hunger for power had only grown. But for now, the current Ant King wasn't even worth considering.
What he truly desired was to claim the remains of a far more formidable Ant King—one who had already devoured the three Royal Guards.
And once he killed the Ant King, what transformations would occur with [Game Upgrade]?
His strength was already unmatched across the six continents. After slaying and absorbing the Ant King, what heights would he reach? How would the world react?
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Ronnel raised a hand in invitation toward the Ant King, then stepped back, giving him ample space.
The Ant King looked from Ronnel to the lifeless bodies of the three Royal Guards. He remained silent for a long time before finally sitting cross-legged.
Then, with a flick of his tail, he pulled Shaiapouf's body closer.
Fixing his gaze on Ronnel once more, he then lowered his head and began to eat.
Yes—the Ant King had accepted Ronnel's unspoken command and started devouring the Royal Guards.
As Ronnel had pointed out, he knew little of his opponent's true strength—especially when that opponent was a human trusted by an old warrior who had left a lasting impression on him.
Recovering his stamina and healing his wounds was the logical first step.
Coupled with the ominous malice he had sensed from Netero earlier, the Ant King's decision was an easy one.
After all, his battle with Netero had been long and grueling. He was exhausted.
And he was starving.
The last time he had consumed a special human was days ago—the commander's guard he had killed while storming the palace of the East Gorteau Kingdom.
Shaiapouf and the others had been his most devoted followers.
But they were dead now.
And in death, their final act of loyalty was to nourish their King.
Without hesitation, the Ant King bit into Shaiapouf's flesh.
Perhaps, even in death, the Royal Guards would find comfort in knowing that their bodies had become part of their King. If they were capable of thought, they might even rejoice, embracing in the afterlife with tears of devotion.
To them, failing to eliminate their enemies in life would have been an unforgivable failure.
But in death, their remains still served a purpose—continuing to strengthen their King. What greater honor could there be?
Such was the twisted loyalty of the Chimera Ant Royal Guards.
"Indescribably delicious."
The Ant King's eyes widened slightly as he chewed Shaiapouf's flesh. His hands paused mid-motion, as though absorbing the overwhelming sensation spreading through his taste buds, his nerves, his entire being.
After a brief moment of stillness, he ate faster.
"It's like breathing in paradise itself… like inhaling the mist of the divine."
"I can't stop. If I experience this flavor once, I may never desire anything else."
Before long, Shaiapouf's body was completely devoured.
The Ant King closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, exhaling slowly. Without hesitation, his tail curled around Youpi's corpse next.
By this point, the wounds on his body—his tail, his limbs—had vanished entirely.
Lost in the ecstasy of his feast, he hadn't even noticed that the fatigue and pain from his previous battle had long since disappeared.
"This flavor… so rich, so potent—it's like an angel's blessing descending from the heavens."
That was the Ant King's verdict on Youpi's taste.
"There's no way to compare them, but I can say without hesitation—they are all equally exquisite."
"It's not enough. I want more—all three of them!"
With Youpi's body completely consumed, the Ant King's tail swiftly coiled around Neferpitou's corpse.
...
Ronnel observed the entire process, his gaze never wavering.
He could sense everything—the Ant King's transformation, the surge in power.
From the moment he swallowed Shaiapouf, the Ant King's wounds had healed. And with each bite, his strength skyrocketed.
Ronnel could feel it, as clearly as if he were witnessing a storm gathering strength before his eyes. With every second, the Ant King was evolving—ascending to a level beyond imagination.
"Yes… that's right… just like that."
Unconsciously, a grin crept onto Ronnel's face.
"Eat. Feast. Once you're done, you will be reborn as the true Ant King. And then… you will be the strongest being across the six continents—the one I will face and destroy."
His grin stretched wider.
A smile of sheer exhilaration.
A smile overflowing with fighting spirit.
Ronnel didn't interfere, nor was he disturbed by the grotesque sight before him.
And then—
The moment the feast ended, an overwhelming aura erupted into existence.
...
Several kilometers away from the battlefield—
Meleoron carried Netero on his back, moving cautiously through the terrain.
Even with his enhanced abilities, he dared not move too quickly for fear of worsening Netero's condition.
Just as he crested a hill—
"…?!"
Meleoron's body went rigid.
For the first time, Netero's eyes cracked open, though only faintly.
A suffocating, inescapable aura crashed down upon them.
An aura so overwhelming it sent shivers of despair through Meleoron's entire being.
"This aura… is that… the Ant King?!"
Impossible.
Meleoron had witnessed the King's strength firsthand during his battle with Netero. Even as a monster, the Ant King's power had limits.
But this…
This was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
Cold sweat dripped down his back as his mind raced.
"No… No way… What the hell happened back there?!"
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Fanfic is completed on patreon.com/FanficsHub (799 chapters in total)