A Novel Concept - He Who Eludes Death Chapter 80: To err is human

As Priam fled in the direction of New Earth, the wave of locusts reached the wyvern's corpse. The hive mind created by the Tribulation was programd to pursue three objectives. To increase the volu of the swarm. To devour everything in its path once it had reached a certain critical mass. To focus on the one who had triggered the Tribulation.

That's why the locusts stopped for a mont, hesitating between pursuing Priam and devouring the wyvern's body. The insects' ability to split was linked to their energy consumption. As a Tribulation, the System allowed them to absorb ambient aether to use their Talent, but this aether was not infinite on the Moon. Although not unlimited, the amount of energy contained in the corpse was colossal. Enough to considerably increase the size of the swarm.

Finally, the hive-mind decided that the current priority was to increase the number of locusts. The insects began their feast, devouring the exposed body parts of the monster.

A second later, most of the grasshoppers exploded. The energy in the wyvern's at was pure enough to kill them in monts. The next second, the locusts’ swarm doubled in size.

A cycle was created. The swarm proliferated, multiplying its initial numbers a hundred tis over in just a few minutes. Tens of thousands of insects blocked the sun, artificially creating an impenetrable cloud.

While the Sun's rays could pierce the Damocles cloud, they were unable to penetrate the locust's tallic body. The Sun's protege thus lost its regeneration power.

Soon, all that remained on the ground were the wyvern's scales and bones. Defeated by thousands of insects, the mythological animal died for good. The satisfied swarm flew off in Priam's direction, letting the deadly rain wash away the shiny bones. Only one locust remained behind.

Drawn in from the start by a shadow, the insect slowly disappeared, as if consud by a puddle of liquid night. Pride's Shadow, the shadow of one of the seven deadly sins, digested its prisoner, analyzing and blocking its power.

The locusts' power had succeeded in killing its host thanks to their immortal spirit and adaptation. This power interested it. Pride's Shadow, like its origin, had to be the best. Its host had to be at the peak of evolution. If a locust could resurrect and double its power, so could it.

As the cloud of insects disappeared over the horizon, the shadow of the carcass trembled. A second later, two Heaven Wyverns appeared on the desolate plain. Their glare was brighter than before and their power was greater. One of the reptiles pounced on its clone to devour it. Its black shadow seed to be sleeping, exhausted.

Purifying its bloodline by absorbing the other’s, the Heaven Wyvern roared with rage, then took to the air.