Arrival at Nak City’s Underworld

After some conversation, Ming Yu learned that the two girls were together; they were, in fact, sisters. The elder was called A-Bai, while the younger introduced herself as Xiao Qing.

As A-Bai recounted their story, Ming Yu finally gained a preliminary understanding of this world. Beneath their feet lay a colony planet of the Human Federation, and they were currently within an expansive underground city carved into the planet’s crust.

“Miss Ming, I imagine this is your first time here. While there are many differences between the underground city and the surface, the most significant one for us is the housing prices. Even though our parents were among the first colonists and enjoyed a period of prominence, our good days ended when they were ousted. We were left with no choice but to move here and eke out a living.”

A-Bai gestured to the glowing dome above. “It’s not that the underground city has a bad environment, it’s just… you might not understand yet. It’s like a besieged fortress: those outside want in, and those inside want out. Speaking of which, you probably don’t even know how this underground city came to be, do you?”

A-Bai seemed quite eager to share, happy that someone was willing to listen to her chatter, while Xiao Qing, trailing behind her and Ming Yu, remained notably silent.

Hearing this, Ming Yu nodded slightly. “I’m all ears.”

“Hehe, actually, the space here wasn’t dug out. It’s a naturally occurring giant cavern that was later modified into its current state.”

“Is that so?” Ming Yu glanced around, a slight hint of surprise in her eyes. She hadn’t expected such a vast space to be naturally formed.

However, at that very moment, Vera, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly let out a sneer in her mind.

‘Heh, you lowly minnow. This isn’t some naturally formed underground cavern. It’s the Thorin Primordial Worm’s former breeding ground. Tsk, it seems this city is about to fall, doesn’t it?’

Vera chuckled with malicious delight.

‘What do you mean by that?’ Ming Yu asked internally.

‘The swarm has subterranean branches that can burrow. Your human armed forces are stationed outside the city, but these ground-dwelling insectoids can easily break through the earth and enter the underground city as if returning home.’

“Ah?” Ming Yu uttered softly.

‘However, without direct command from the Overlord, the swarm often acts purely on instinct. That’s why this place has managed to survive until now.’

Vera was proudly explaining her knowledge about the swarm when a powerful tremor suddenly struck. Ming Yu staggered a few steps, nearly losing her balance. It wasn’t just her; the entire underground city began to shake.

Accompanied by a violent roar, several gigantic worms burst through the earth, converging in the central plaza. These monstrous, grotesque creatures immediately drew all eyes, causing a massive commotion.

“What the hell are those things?”
“I don’t know!”
“Don’t just stare, let’s get out of here!”

****

Perhaps because they had never directly faced Thorin Primordial Worms before, the people nearby were only slightly panicked, not yet gripped by the true terror of confronting death. The next moment, several of the gigantic worms abruptly burst open, and countless horrifying alien insects swarmed out in all directions.

The slaughter had begun.

****

Outside Nak City, at the temporary command post.

The remaining company commanders of this defense sector had gathered, overseen by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Federation’s Second Army Corps, to discuss city defense matters. Just as they finalized their basic tactics, a report was delivered to the meeting. It stated that a massive number of Thorin Primordial Worms had appeared within Nak City.

Upon hearing this, the lieutenant originally responsible for guarding the supply station seemed to recall something. He spoke with a grave expression, his eyes widening in astonishment. “What? Damn it! They’re the swarm’s burrowing units!”

“What?” Colonel Mordred, seated at the head of the table, furrowed his brows. “Is this true? Why wasn’t it reported sooner?”

The lieutenant’s face flushed red, and he stammered, “I submitted a combat report, and it contained descriptions of the Thorin Primordial Worm’s burrowing units…”

“This…” Mordred was momentarily speechless. The front-line situation was critical; he had no time to meticulously read through every excuse and pretense of defeat. He never imagined such crucial information would be hidden within the logs. “Such vital information… why couldn’t you report it in person? Never mind.”

Now was not the time for accountability. In times of crisis, unity was paramount. Soon, Colonel Mordred assigned tasks. A portion of the forces was to enter the city to suppress the rampaging insects, while another portion continued to hold their ground outside.

He himself retrieved the combat reports, rapidly scanning the information. In the supply station lieutenant’s report, he discovered something unusual. During the Battle for the Highlands, an unarmored clerical officer, wielding only a Gamma Light Blade, single-handedly confronted the insect tide. She had fought for a full thirty minutes in front of a heavy artillery tank and emerged with no significant external injuries. It was almost a flawless victory.

The number of alien insects that fell to her glowing blade numbered in the hundreds, possibly even thousands. According to the report, the female officer seemed to be a wounded soldier who had just retreated into the supply station, and her specific unit designation was unknown.

‘Whose subordinate is this, to be so incredibly brave?’

****

Within the underground city, numerous armed factions were entrenched, guarded by private security personnel. Now, with the sudden invasion of the Thorin Primordial Worms, they were compelled to seek an alliance.

The entire underground city descended into chaos. By the elevator platform, A-Bai, holding her sister’s hand, gazed gratefully at Ming Yu and bowed slightly. The alien insect tide had swept through, devouring all organic matter. Had Ming Yu not escorted them back, they likely wouldn’t have reached the escape exit safely.

This underground city, which had daily accommodated humanity’s desires, had finally become a cage. Ming Yu waved her hand casually, bidding farewell to the sisters, then turned and strode toward the direction of the insect swarm.

‘As expected, I still didn’t get paid in the end. However, escorting them out of this troubled place should be enough to cover the guide’s fee, right?’

Along the way, Ming Yu drew her Gamma Light Blade, effortlessly dealing with small groups of Zerglings. She also witnessed numerous horrifying scenes. She felt she should do something for the innocent people within her capabilities. After all, they were her own kind, far more amiable than the grotesque insects.

Ming Yu adjusted her black mask. Her blood-red pupils erupted with a long-dormant, bloodthirsty glint, revealing a predatory desire no less intense than that of the swarm. In truth, ever since her revival, Ming Yu had felt a gnawing hunger, which only intensified with time. She had believed that a new body would prevent this, but to her surprise, the symptoms persisted.

‘I wonder what roasted alien insect tastes like.’