Intelligent Hunter

The air at the valley entrance tightened once more under the strain of battle. Dust churned in the sunlight, mingling with the smell of blood and acid until breathing became difficult. Cracks and scorch marks covered the muddy ground, while wisps of white smoke rose wherever acid had splashed. The air seemed steeped in both fire and poison.

Ryan stood at the center of the battlefield, his twin blades crossed as he breathed heavily. Sweat slid down his temples, mixed with blood, and dripped bit by bit into the mud beneath his feet. The wound at his shoulder had split open again, blood running down his sleeve, yet the surging aura within him forcibly held it at bay. His gaze was cold and sharp as he fixed it on the tall black figure in the distance.

That was a Squadron Leader-level Ant-Man. It still stood quietly in the rear, its back armor gleaming like metal beneath the sunlight, the spines behind it standing straight like rows of spears. Its eyes were calm and emotionless. It showed no hurry to attack, merely issuing orders through a deep, constant hiss. The Soldier Ants around it moved in perfect formation with every hiss, as though entirely subject to its will.

"It's giving orders," Ryan warned quietly, his voice hoarse but firm.

The Lead Hunter immediately nodded. "I noticed that too. The formation of these Soldier Ants is far too orderly. It doesn't look naturally formed."

Sure enough, the Soldier Ants did not charge at once. Instead, they gradually split into two wings, moving in unison as they encircled them in an arc. They no longer attacked mindlessly, maintaining their spacing so that whenever one was killed, another immediately filled the gap. Their tails lashed about, spraying acid and forming a threatening semicircle.

Ryan