System decided to strengthen his [Mental Transmission] ability before he started searching for frost slimes, since expanding the ability's range would allow him to find the slimes much faster.

  As a result, [Mental Transmission] was upgraded by two levels, but the search range didn't significantly improve. Instead, System obtained a new Derived Skill, [Mental Network].

  Because snow had covered Lilt Forest so suddenly, there were only slimes left in the area. No rge creatures were avaible to prey on, and only snow mice and snow rabbits appeared occasionally. Otherwise, with Shava's ability, hunting a wild boar or elk shouldn't be a problem.

  As long as she hunted one, the colony would obtain enough meat for the dozen or so ants that would complete their second pupations soon to grow to their limits. The meat could also be safely stored for a long time due to the cold temperature.

  Because System was unable to think of any good sources of meat, he pnned to take Shava and the two new worker ant knights out to look for frost slimes. On the way, he could also test how much the physical fitness of these worker knights had changed.

  ...

  However, just after System had decided to go out, Bck, System's favorite little worker, appeared and blocked his way.

  Although Bck was very intelligent, she didn't know how to lie or hide her inner emotions.

  System could feel that Bck was very envious of the two new worker ant knights after their pupation, and she also felt a little jealous.

  Although she wouldn't do anything to harm her fellow ants out of jealousy, if possible, Bck would definitely use some tricks to cause trouble for these less-intelligent worker knights.

  "What's wrong, Bck? Do you want to go out with us to look for frost slimes?" System gently patted Bck's head with a tentacle, ignoring Shava who was obviously unhappy.

  "No, King. It's the meatball you were studying earlier. Something strange happened to it."

  When System patted her head, Bck's face showed an excited expression, and she quickly transmitted a mental video of the little meatball to System over the [Mental Network].

  The lumpy insect-flesh core in the video turned into a smooth little meatball, and tiny buds that resembled tentacles started growing out of it. The little meatball seemed to be alive.

  'Could it be that he wasn't completely dead?'

  System's expression became solemn. If that meatball with the [Devour] ability was still alive, he'd undoubtedly be a time bomb for the ants in the nest.

  Although this little meatball had excellent research value, if it was too dangerous, System didn't mind destroying it in advance.

  After instructing Shava and the two worker knights to disband and rest, System headed over to the chamber the meatball was in.

  However, before System was able to take two steps, he was blocked by Shava, who had an expectant look on her face.

  She didn't transmit any mental messages to System, but her expression and emotions undoubtedly revealed what she wanted.

  Extending a tentacle and rubbing Shava's head, System said helplessly, "Okay, you can come with me and Bck."

  Although the twin bdes on Shava's forelegs were broken, she could still deal with the little meatball effectively if it attacked again.

  ...

  Upon reaching the chamber, System saw that the little meatball had changed a bit since Bck st saw it. Several small meat buds were now sprouting from its body.

  These meat buds gradually extended into their surroundings. One of them gathered some soil from the ground, then retracted back into the meatball's body along with the dirt.

  "King, it seems to be eating the soil, but I think it prefers eating moss," Bck mentally transmitted to System.

  "What about meat?"

  "It likes that too, but it seems to like moss more."

  After sending that message, Bck picked up a clump of moss and pced it near the meatball. The little meatball soon stretched out its fleshy buds to pick up the moss, then pulled it into its body.

  System nodded, and carefully used [Mental Transmission] to sense the little meatball's emotions.

  Confusion, loneliness, hunger, worry...

  The little meatball's emotions were complicated, and System was able to confirm that he was definitely alive.

  "What did you mean when you said it was nice outside?"

  System sent a mental message to the little meatball, but he didn't answer. Instead, he expressed curiosity and joy when he received System's message.

  The few buds on the little meatball's body all retracted. At the same time, a single, much longer bud stretched out, slowly reaching toward System.

  When System touched the meatball's fleshy bud with his own tentacle, the meatball quickly retracted the bud back into his body as if he'd been frightened.

  However, not long after, the little meatball's bud stretched back out and approached System again.

  System could sense the little meatball's emotions. The meatball had originally seemed to think that he was all alone in the world, but had suddenly found something that seemed to be just like him. His loneliness had disappeared, and he was now expressing curious and happy emotions.

  System was now certain that the meatball that had once tried to catch him was completely dead. This little meatball in front of him was a new life form that had just been born.

  It was like the original meatball's soul had died, and a new soul had moved into his former body.

  In his current state, the little meatball was just like an insect egg that was ignorant of its surroundings. However, compared to other eggs, the meatball could grow fleshy buds to help him explore the world around him.

  ...

  'Should I kill him, or should I keep him?'

  System stared at the little meatball in front of him and thought for a long time. Eventually, he decided that keeping him was the better option.

  Although this little meatball didn't have the innate discipline of an ant, he had more wisdom than ordinary ants. He could fully understand the meaning of System's mental messages and was also able to follow instructions.

  The predecessor of the little meatball had been a very powerful insect. As long as the meatball could recover even half of his predecessor's strength, that would be enough to let him become System's right-hand meatball.

  "Are you hungry? Eat this."

  System transmitted a mental message to the little meatball and pushed a small ball of moss next to one of the meat buds.

  The meatball was still a little timid. After touching the moss, his meat bud immediately shrank back. However, the little meatball soon mustered up his courage and stretched out a fleshy bud again. He dragged the moss inside his body and began digesting it.

  System was pnning to brainwash the meatball.

  In fact, it couldn't be said to be brainwashing in the truest sense. He didn't intend to deceive the other party. If the little meatball really recognized System as his king, System would treat him the same way he treated his ant subjects.

  After a few more minutes, the timid little meatball became more familiar with System. He stretched out his fleshy buds to touch System's tentacles. System sensed that the meatball was feeling confused emotions, as if he was wondering what System was.

  "Like you, I'm an insect," System transmitted.