Deep within the NGL Autonomous Region.
In the Chimera Ants' underground nest.
The air was so thick it was suffocating.
The smell of blood mingled with the stench of rotting flesh.
It forced its way straight into every nostril.
In the enormous birthing chamber at the heart of the nest.
The Chimera Ant Queen was screaming in agony.
Her massive body convulsed violently beyond her control.
Her sharp limbs plowed deep furrows into the dirt.
Squadron Leader Colt stood a few meters away.
His fists were clenched so tightly they had turned white.
His nails dug deep into his flesh.
Green bodily fluid seeped out.
He wanted to step forward and help.
But he could not move a single step.
The unknown pressure emanating from the Queen's abdomen.
Bore down on every ant's spine like a mountain.
It demanded absolute submission from the depths of their genes.
Riiip-
A teeth-grating sound of tearing flesh exploded through the cavern.
Every ant shuddered violently.
The huge, tough carapace covering the Queen's abdomen.
Was forcibly torn open from within by a pair of small, sharp hands.
A horrific, bloody hole appeared.
Green bodily fluid mixed with dark red blood.
Gushed out like a waterfall.
Covering the floor of the entire birthing chamber.
A dark green figure.
Trod over the scattered flesh and blood.
And emerged from the hole.
A hard, helmet-like carapace covered his head.
A thick tail tipped with a deadly stinger trailed behind him.
The King of the Chimera Ants.
Meruem.
He had been born ahead of time.
He did not spare a glance for the dying Queen lying in a pool of blood.
He merely shook the sticky bodily fluid off himself.
His dark green eyes.
Held nothing but innate, absolute arrogance and cruelty.
The penguin Squadron Leader Peggy saw