Once they found a target, they hunted it without mercy, devouring the planet's life essence to strengthen their species.
Their homeworld had long since been destroyed. Their entire species lived aboard warships, sustaining themselves by plundering other life. Every successful hunt made them stronger, while prey that failed to escape became lifeless worlds.
"Bring up the hunting records," Karax ordered.
The holographic screen displayed their past victories:
Third spiral arm of the Andromeda Galaxy: twelve awakened planets. Hunting duration: three years. Life essence harvested: 4,700 units.
Outer reaches of the Andromeda Galaxy: a life network consisting of seven awakened planets. Hunting duration: five years. Life essence harvested: 8,200 units.
Core region of the Cygnus galaxy: a single super-awakened planet. Hunting duration: ten years. Life essence harvested: 15,000 units.
"This target may yield more than our harvest in Cygnus," the adjutant analyzed. "Especially that energy crystal. Its purity has reached the theoretical limit."
Karax nodded. "Dispatch cloaked reconnaissance ships. I want detailed intelligence. Remember, don't reveal yourselves too soon. Observation is enough."
"Yes, Commander."
Three cloaked reconnaissance ships broke away from the fleet and slipped toward the Solar System. These ships were only a hundred meters long and equipped with the latest cloaking technology. Even awakened planets would have difficulty detecting them.
A week later, the reconnaissance report arrived.
"Commander, the situation is more complicated than expected," the reconnaissance captain reported over quantum communications. "The life-forms in this system are extremely unusual."
A holographic projection displayed detailed scans of Earth.
"The creatures on this blue planet have established an unprecedented collective consciousness network. Each individual possesses weak supernatural abilities, but together they form a powerful whole."
Karax frowned. "How strong, exactly?"
"Their individual combat strength is low, but the network effect is astonishing. Their consciousnesses are also connected to eight awakened