Chapter 136: Infiltrating the Hive

Along the border between the wizard-occupied territory and the insect hive, a series of small war fortresses stood guard. Given the numerical disadvantage of the wizards compared to the insects, the wizards maintained a strategic defensive stance along most of the front lines.

In these defensive positions, the White Wizards used the fortresses as bases to monitor and harass the hives, generally avoiding large-scale offensives. However, with the command for infiltration missions issued, these White Wizards had to provide cover for the Black Wizards' infiltration.

"Gather up."

The White Wizard squad leader sent the order through the soul network.

Each war fortress housed only about twenty White Wizards. This number maintained the minimum required to ensure the White Wizard Corps' advantage in group combat; any fewer, and they would lose their edge.

As the White Wizards assembled, they noticed a group of black-robed wizards already waiting in the hall.

"What are these Black Wizards doing here?"

"Aren't they supposed to be clearing out the insects from the hives?"

"Could they be here to help us defend the line? Surely they're not starting infiltration missions already."

...

The White Wizards communicated through mental messages, while the squad leader in the center of the hall cleared his throat and announced their task: "The command requires us to cover the Black Wizards. Today, we need to coordinate with surrounding fortresses to launch an active assault, drawing the Black Crystal Insects' attention to facilitate the Black Wizards' infiltration of the hive."

The White Wizards' chatter ceased immediately upon hearing this.

Infiltration missions are an essential part of planar expeditions and also the deadliest. Black Wizards infiltrating enemy lines lose support from their peers and face potential threats from all directions.

Barring accidents, most of the White Wizards here could survive until the war's end, but many of the Black Wizards infiltrating enemy lines might not return.

The White Wizard squad leader silently offered a wizard's salute to the Black Wizards in the hall, followed by the other White Wizards. 

This was a long-standing tradition.

Honoring those who march toward death.

Soon, the White Wizards formed ranks and set out. The Black Wizards employed their own abilities to conceal themselves as they advanced toward the hive.

Richard activated his Cloak of Shadows, becoming a shadowy figure. In the perpetual night of the hive world, his disguise was nearly flawless.

Boom!

With the sound of explosive spells, the White Wizards launched their assault.

In response, the insects in the hive scrambled to counter the sudden attack, hastily mobilizing their forces. Under the direction of the priest insects, the warrior insects retaliated, while the Mother God Cannons spewed deadly acid spheres, their energy arcs lighting up the sky alongside the White Wizards' spells.

With the insects' attention drawn to the White Wizards, it was now up to the Black Wizards to demonstrate their skills.

...

The Black Crystal Insectoid's hive was enormous, its surface dotted with countless entrances. Although the insects had tried to seal these off, many passages remained unguarded.

With the White Wizards' assault drawing defenders away, Richard's infiltration proceeded smoothly.

Blending into the shadows, Richard used Shadow Step to enter the hive. Once inside, he didn't rush further in but instead took out a microwave revealing crystal ball to survey the surrounding terrain.

These crystal balls had been refined by the Black Wizards and improved by the logistics wizards, enhancing their stealth and performance.

As long as he didn't use it within five meters of a first-tier insect, fifty meters of a second-tier insect, or one hundred meters of a third-tier insect, there was no risk of detection.

With the microwave scan complete, a three-dimensional map of the hive appeared before Richard.

Studying the terrain, Richard pondered his next move.

The Black Wizards' infiltration had a purpose. As a first-circle Black Wizard, causing disruption behind enemy lines was his primary objective.

Thus, he needed to reach the underground hive, the Black Crystal Insectoid's rear, rather than operate in the exposed upper hive.

However, the map indicated that to reach the underground, he had to traverse a passage heavily patrolled by insects.

Without sufficient skill, entering the underground would likely lead to discovery and a swift end to his mission, if not his life.

Alternatively, he could scan for a new route, risking detection.

The upper hive housed many first, second, and third-tier insects. Each crystal ball scan increased the risk of discovery. If detected, a thorough search would ensue, complicating his mission and potentially endangering other wizards.

Richard was caught in a dilemma.

As he deliberated, the sound of footsteps and the low hum of warrior insects echoed down the passage, setting Richard on edge.

Had he been discovered?

There was no time to think; Richard wrapped himself in his cloak, blending seamlessly into the shadows.

The Cloak of Shadows' inscribed Shadow Merge was finally proving its worth.

As the footsteps drew nearer, Richard's tension escalated. Soon, two warrior insects passed by, oblivious to the wizard hidden in the shadows.

"What's with these wizard creatures today, launching such a widespread attack?"

"Not sure, but the priest said they must be plotting something evil. They wouldn't attack without reason."

"What's the plot?"

"How should I know? We're warriors; thinking is the priest's job."

...

The two warrior insects continued past, unaware of the wizard lurking in the shadows beside them.

Once they were gone, Richard emerged from the shadows, musing, "The logistics wizards have really nailed the Black Crystal Insectoid language translation."

Over the past two years, logistics wizards had deciphered and translated the insect language, creating crystal balls for wizards to learn from.

Richard had picked up the language when he collected his mission items.

Based on results so far, Richard understood about eighty percent of the warrior insects' conversation, with the rest likely being filler words or verbal quirks.

From the conversation, it seemed the Black Crystal Insectoids were unaware of the Black Wizards' infiltration, granting Richard some time to act.

Once the insects caught on, a thorough search would inevitably follow.

However, given Shadow Merge's effectiveness, descending to the lower hive seemed feasible; the first-tier warrior insects couldn't detect him in the shadows.

Without hesitation, Richard began his descent toward the lower hive, guided by the map.

As he progressed, Richard observed the hive's inhabited sections.

Under the insects' care, the upper hive wasn't as dry as Richard previously encountered. The insects coated the hive walls with secreted mucus, maintaining humidity and nourishing the fungal mycelium within the walls.

These mycelium thrived on the mucus, supporting the hive's structure. Meanwhile, the insects lived within the hive, continually supplying the mycelium with mucus.

A symbiotic relationship, of sorts.

However, for infiltrating wizards, this environment was far from pleasant.

Frowning, Richard carefully used Levitation to pass through a recently-maintained tunnel. The walls were coated in fresh, greenish mucus, emitting a foul, sour stench that was nauseating.

Clearing the tunnel, Richard reached the most perilous stretch leading to the lower hive.

At least twenty insects patrolled this passage.

If discovered, Richard might survive, but his infiltration mission would be over.

The White Wizard Corps wouldn't launch another diversion for him alone. Attempting a second infiltration would exponentially increase the risk.

Pulling his cloak tight, Richard silently entered the passage.

The low hum of warrior insects echoed intermittently in Richard's ears—mostly idle chatter, devoid of useful intelligence.

For Black Crystal Insectoids unfamiliar with the Battle of Black Bone Plains, while wizards were formidable, they were not feared.

As the dominant species of a conquered world, the sky, earth, and underground posed no threat to their rule. Their innate pride and confidence assured them of continued victory.

Current setbacks were mere strategic maneuvers.

Richard moved silently through the passage, sticking to shadows to mitigate unexpected risks.

But his caution seemed unwarranted. Most of the passage was uneventful.

The Black Crystal Insectoids couldn't fathom a wizard lurking mere meters away in the shadows.

As Richard crossed the final junction, he exhaled slowly.

The path ahead was clear… insects were coming.

The sound of rapid footsteps echoed, signaling a group of insects approaching quickly.

No time to think, Richard wrapped himself in his cloak, merging instantly into the shadows. Within a second, a squad of at least twenty warrior insects rushed past.

"Orders from the priest: search the area! Search the area!"

"A wizard creature infiltrated the hive during the attack! All insects start patrolling. Report any traces immediately!"

The lead warrior insect's high-pitched call mobilized nearby insects instantly.

The leader, a second-tier creature, exuded formidable power with every move.

Meanwhile, in the nearby shadows, Richard held his breath, watching the insects mobilize.

The gap between first and second-tier creatures was vast. Richard could flee a group of first-tier insects but had no choice but to rely on Ulysses against a second-tier.

The two-star warrior insect stood nearby, sweeping its compound eyes around.

An evolved instinct made it feel watched.

Its gaze scanned the vicinity, examining every crevice and shadow.

But after a thorough search, it found nothing.

In the tunnel, nothing could conceal itself.

The two-star warrior insect shrugged its antennae, suddenly slashing at a nearby shadow!

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