The former Black Flag Nation capital of Uze had now been completely occupied by parasites. Only a very small number of humans remained hidden in corners of the city, barely clinging to life.
Although the main force of Ascendants resisting to the bitter end surpassed the parasites in individual ability, they were utterly unable to contend with such a desperate disparity in numbers.
Moreover, the parasites possessed a unique advantage.
Espionage.
Parasites could distinguish their own kind from humans, but humans could not distinguish parasites in return.
This allowed the parasites to send spies to infiltrate human groups, serving as informants or waiting for opportunities to sabotage them.
Many of the humans in hiding had been captured because parasites mingling among them had betrayed them.
By now, the Black Flag Nation's native resistance Ascendants had either been eliminated or captured, then subjected to continuous brainwashing for conversion.
But for the parasites, the crisis was far from over.
At this moment, hundreds of parasites had gathered inside a vast hall.
This hall had originally been the Black Flag Nation's national temple. The sacrificial statues had now all been smashed and removed, and it had become a place for the parasites' decision-makers to deliberate.
What they were discussing was precisely how to respond to the UHC coalition's impending offensive.
"Why not do what we did against the Black Flag Nation? Send some of our kind disguised as human refugees to infiltrate the coalition forces. They can relay vital intelligence to us or wait for chances to assassinate important figures in the coalition."
"I'm afraid that won't work. This coalition is made up of soldiers led by North Star, Suoloma, and Xisiya. Their combat strength and vigilance are far beyond what Black Flag Nation soldiers possessed... Besides, they'll surely learn from the Black