Chapter

A month had passed since Gerhan first began his journey as a sentient ant. The forest, bathed in the golden light of the sun, was alive with the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. Among the bustle of the forest floor, a long procession of ants—20 in number—moved steadily toward the colony. Each carried food scraps salvaged from various sources, their small bodies working tirelessly.

The bear carcass that had once been a bountiful feast was now reduced to bones and scraps. Another predator had come and devoured what remained, forcing Gerhan's colony to scavenge elsewhere.

Still, Gerhan was confident. "My colony is bigger now," he thought, watching the steady flow of workers. With his increased numbers, he felt an undeniable sense of pride and power. "Even if I can't defeat a big beast yet, I'll make myself the overlord of this forest."

But there was something Gerhan didn't fully grasp—this forest held dangers far greater than he could imagine.

New life had emerged in the colony over the past month. The [Random Egg] skill had shown its first results: three small ants, designated as diggers, and one massive ant nearly the size of a human palm—twice the size of Gerhan's regular workers, which were about the size of a human finger. The diggers, in contrast, were three times smaller than the standard workers, making them highly efficient at tunneling through the earth.

Gerhan inspected the massive ant closely. Its size and bulk gave it an intimidating presence, and its mandibles looked much stronger than those of its smaller siblings. This was a warrior ant—a crucial step in defending the growing colony.

The colony itself had become a thriving network of chambers. The stockpile room was brimming with food scraps, the egg chambers were bustling with activity, and the nursery teemed with larvae and pupae.

"I think I can pause exploring for a bit," Gerhan thought as he reviewed the food supply. "We should grow even more before heading out to scavenge again. But I also need a better food source. Maybe the trees… if I find one bearing fruit or something edible, it'll be good."

He paused, considering the seasons. The warmth of the forest suggested it was summer, but Gerhan was cautious. "You can never be sure in this world. I should always leave the longest-lasting food for emergencies and only eat it when I have a surplus."

He looked back at the worker ants moving diligently, storing the food with precision. A sense of satisfaction washed over him. His colony was growing stronger, and he was beginning to see the possibilities of what they could achieve.