Evolution begins with an ant colony

Darius occupied the seat of the coachman on the carriage that was being drawn toward the enigmatic depths of the godforsaken forest.

His body bearing the marks of recent wounds inflicted by Vector, sat with torn clothes that bore evidence of the recent struggle. His gaze inadvertently locked onto Akun, suspended in the air, his chilling stare penetrating Darius's very being and sending shivers down his spine.

Darius's mind churned with uncertainty as he contemplated his options. "Should I just turn back?" he mused. "After all, there's no guarantee that he won't just kill us after what we did." His thoughts quickly shifted, a sense of duty overpowering his fear. "No! If not him, no one will heal them." His gaze shifted towards the interior of the carriage, where his comrades lay in a grim state.

Bandages crisscrossed their forms, attempting to stanch the flow of blood from wounded bodies and mend broken limbs.

He then redirected his gaze towards Akun, his expression a mixture of determination and fear.

As Akun observed Darius's return to the anthill, his mind couldn't help but ponder the audacity behind the man's actions. "What gives him the courage to come back after everything?" Akun wondered, a mix of curiosity and anger stirring within him. But as his eyes locked onto Darius's face, a deeper realization dawned on him.

"He looks desprate," he concluded, recognizing that look of determination tinged with fear. Akun's gaze shifted to Darius's battered state – torn clothes, wounded body – a visual testament to the lengths he was willing to go for his comrades.

Upon reaching the forest, the familiar phenomenon of their levels and grades dropping occurred once more. Darius quickly noted his party members wincing in pain as the effects of their diminished levels and grades became apparent

Darius hurried over to his companions as their cries of pain echoed through the forest. "What's happening? Are you guys okay?" he exclaimed, worry etched across his face.

– a stark reminder of their weakened state compared to when they were outside the forest.

With the carriage halted, Darius descended from it, his apprehension growing more palpable as he faced Akun's intense presence. As Akun gracefully descended from the sky, a cold, assertive tone pierced the air. "You have twenty seconds," Akun's words hung there, a stark ultimatum that demanded clarity from Darius.

The weight of the situation pressed heavily upon him, and his heart raced as he knew he needed to provide a compelling explanation – and quickly.

Darius's voice trembled as he knelt on the forest floor, his desperation evident in his words. "I-I'm so sorry," he began, his voice choked with regret. "We were threatened by Vector, he forced us to reveal the anthill's location. We... we didn't want to do it, but he left us no choice." His eyes welled up with guilt and fear, and he continued, "Please understand, we didn't want any of this to happen.

My comrades... they're hurt badly, and I knew coming back here was risky, but I had to try to make amends somehow. I hoped... I hoped you could help heal them."

As Darius's words hung in the air, Akun's thoughts raced like wildfire. "Vector, huh?" he mused internally. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together. "That must be the name of the guy who led the adventurers' intrusion into the forest." Yet, even with this newfound understanding, Akun couldn't shake the fact that Darius and his party were still partially responsible for the situation.

His frustration simmered beneath a stoic facade. "Yes, Vector might have pushed them, but if they hadn't yielded, he wouldn't have known the location in the first place." He concluded.

Akun's response to Darius was measured, his words carrying a weight that hinted at both caution and authority. "Darius, don't mistake my mercy for kindness," he began, his tone firm yet tinged with a detached air. "When I spared your party that one time, it was a calculated decision based on avoiding unnecessary complications while developing the anthill."

His gaze locked onto Darius, a mixture of contemplation and sternness in his eyes. "However," he continued, "now that your group has compromised the secrecy, I'm left to wonder why I shouldn't simply get rid of you and your injured comrades. After all, the dead tell no secrets."

The statement hung in the air, the weight of his words pressing upon Darius as he awaited Akun's final verdict.

Darius's voice trembled with fear as he mustered the courage to speak. "Please," he implored, desperation evident in his eyes. "I'm willing to offer everything we have, anything you want. Just... just heal my comrades." Tears welled up in his eyes, streaming down his cheeks as his emotions overwhelmed him.

The raw sincerity in his plea was palpable, a reflection of the dire situation he and his comrades were in. It was a desperate plea for their lives, a plea that held a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming fear that gripped him.

Akun's voice remained cold and detached as he responded to Darius's plea. "I highly doubt that you possess anything remotely valuable to me," he stated, his tone unyielding. "Listen, Darius, just let it go. I'll spare you and your comrades again this time, but only this time.

You seem like a decent person, so take your troubles and leave this forest." With those words, he turned away from Darius and started walking back toward the anthill, leaving a tense silence hanging in the air.

Darius's desperate plea echoed through the tense atmosphere. "Wait, please wait," he called out, his voice laden with urgency. Akun reluctantly turned back to face him, his patience clearly wearing thin. "You're testing my patience," Akun retorted, his voice stern. Darius, his anxiety palpable, began to stutter as he spoke, his words coming out in a rush. "We...

we will offer up our souls."

Akun's confusion was evident in his tone. "Huh? I don't know where you got that idea, but I don't need your soul. And how would I even take it?" His voice softened slightly as he continued, "Besides, shouldn't this be a decision discussed with your party, rather than blurting it out in the heat of the moment?"

Darius was quick to amend his offer. "Our unwavering loyalty," he stated, his voice steadier now. "We pledge our loyalty to you. You can do with us as you please. If you're curious about the outside world, we'll dedicate our lives to exploring and reporting back to you.

If there's any information you want, we'll help you gather it." His words hung in the air, a tentative offering in the hope of redemption.

With an air of desperation, Darius added, "Just please... Please heal them." He lowered his head to the forest floor, his plea echoing in earnest as he begged for the lives of his wounded comrades.

As Darius earnestly pleaded, Akun's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. "What use could I possibly have for a group of experienced adventurers?" he mused, his internal contemplations racing. He found himself unable to pinpoint a clear answer, yet a nagging feeling persisted that there might be something valuable in this offer.

His thoughts continued to churn. "Perhaps they could be a useful addition to my journey in this world," he considered. "They possess knowledge and experience that I lack, especially when it comes to navigating the outside world beyond my small map." The idea of having skilled companions to guide him through the complexities of this unfamiliar realm began to take shape.

Akun's uncertainty gave way to a cunning idea. His lips curled into a smug grin as he considered how to approach this situation. "If I accept their loyalty pledge, I could use their dedication to my advantage," he thought, a sense of satisfaction creeping into his mind. "With their loyalty at stake, I could ensure their cooperation while preventing any potential betrayal."

With this newfound strategy forming in his mind, Akun turned back to Darius, his gaze sharp and calculating.

"But, how will I handle them, and prevent them from betraying me?" Akun pondered, his mind engrossed in the intricacies of this newfound opportunity. Suddenly, a smug grin stretched across his face, revealing a calculated scheme taking shape within his thoughts.

"System," he called out mentally. The system's virtual presence responded.

[What is it player?]

inquiring about his query. Akun's question was direct, "The taming skill I obtained, yet never used, could be used on humans." The system confirmed.

[It is indeed possible, but I must emphasize that doing so would effectively transform it into an enslavement skill.]

The widening of Akun's grin seemed almost malevolent, casting an unsettling air over his countenance. Darius, observing this transformation, couldn't help but shiver at the chilling change in Akun's demeanor. Fear began to tinge his thoughts, as he wondered. "What the hell, what's making him smile like that."

Akun's steps carried him closer to Darius, his intent clear in his focused gaze. "You mentioned pledging your loyalty to me," Akun stated with a measured tone. Darius, taken aback but reaffirming his earlier words, replied, "Yes," confirming his commitment.

In the next moment, Akun's words took a turn that caught Darius off guard. "That implies you have no problem about becoming my slave," he declared.

Darius, his confusion evident, stuttered in response, "W-what?"