The colony of ants looked exactly like sothing out of a forest docuntary. Each mber was at least half a ter long, their movents precise and orderly as they marched in an endless line. Logan couldn't help but think they would make incredible creatures to ta, especially since the group needed a way to get through.
The problem, however, was evident—the sheer number of them. A quick glance revealed thousands, if not more, scurrying across the path ahead.
"I doubt I can just drag one away like I did with the chaleon," Logan admitted, glancing at the others for input.
"If that's the case, then bait might be your best option," Isabel suggested, her sharp gaze studying the colony. "You have mana crystals, right? I doubt one of them would ignore sothing so tempting. But you'll need to act fast when pulling it away."
Logan considered her advice, weighing his options carefully. "You're probably right," he replied. "I'll need to do it far enough from all of you to keep you out of danger. Let set up the trap. Stay here—or better yet, move back a few ters, just in case."
The group nodded in agreent, and Logan stepped back alongside them to ensure they were at a safe distance. Satisfied, he moved further away, putting at least fifty ters between himself and the others. He took his ti, ensuring the location was far enough to shield them from harm, and began preparing his plan.
Logan carefully pulled out one of the purest earth mana crystals from his pack, wrapping it in webs to use as bait. He ticulously crafted a trap in the form of a spider-like web, circling a specific area to guide the ant into it. The webs were sturdy and strategically placed, ensuring they could withstand the strength of the larger creatures.
Satisfied with the trap's setup, Logan scanned the colony for a suitable target. His gaze settled on one of the larger soldier ants—standing motionless yet alert, its movents sporadic as it shifted left and right, surveying for potential threats to the workers. It was exactly what he needed.
Logan tossed the crystal toward the target, but it missed its mark, landing too close to the worker ants. A handful of them moved closer, their curiosity piqued. Quickly, Logan pulled the crystal back, not wanting to attract an overwhelming number of ants, and waited for the commotion to settle before trying again.
"Damn it, I need to work on my aim..." Logan muttered in frustration, letting a few minutes pass to ensure the workers dispersed. He steadied himself and tossed the crystal again. This ti, it landed perfectly, bouncing several tis near the soldier ant he'd been eyeing. The soldier's antennae twitched sharply, drawn to the mana's powerful resonance. It turned its gaze toward the crystal, its large compound eyes glinting with the energy emanating from the stone.
Without hesitation, the soldier ant rushed forward, its legs pounding the earth as it attempted to seize the crystal. However, Logan, anticipating the reaction, skillfully pulled the crystal back, luring the creature toward the trap he had carefully constructed.
Logan kept tugging at the crystal, drawing the soldier ant further and further away from its colony. Greed seed to cloud the creature's instincts, preventing it from noticing just how far it had strayed from the endless line of its companions.
The mont the ant crossed into the trap, Logan acted. The creature began to struggle imdiately, its powerful legs trying to escape the webs holding it in place. It glanced back toward its colony, ready to emit a signal for help—but then its gaze locked onto a figure.
Standing before it was a boy, his eyes glowing with a captivating red halo. The soldier ant froze for a brief mont, its body still as if caught in a trance. It struggled unconsciously against the hold, but it was too late. The boy had it completely ensnared.
Logan stepped closer, his presence overwhelming as the ant felt sothing invade its very essence—a ntal battle it could barely comprehend. Its resistance was brief, the boy's power proving too strong. In the end, the ant's mind yielded, its will replaced by an unshakable loyalty.
Once the connection was forged, Logan released the crystal, placing it gently in front of the ant. The creature's paralysis faded, and the mont it regained mobility, joy and satisfaction flooded its consciousness. The crystal's potent energy and Logan's commanding presence left no doubt in the ant's mind—this boy was its savior.
Logan smiled, placing a reassuring hand on the ant's chitinous head. He fed it another mana crystal, the powerful resource ensuring its continued growth. "If fifteen was enough for the scarab to evolve," Logan thought aloud, "then this one should take fewer, since it's already high-leveled."
Checking its stats, Logan noted the soldier ant was at level 26. "Ten crystals should be enough to push it to 40," he mused, already imagining the potential evolution that awaited his newest companion.
Logan called the others over as he waited for the ant's evolution to progress. To pass the ti, he unpacked a light snack, sharing it with the group as they settled into a brief mont of calm. The soldier ant had already consud its eighth crystal by the ti they finished eating, its body beginning to emit faint signs of change.
As they waited, Chief Isabel broke the silence. "Hero, while we wait for the evolution to begin, perhaps you could share your plan for capturing an ent?" she suggested, her tone inquisitive yet firm. "We can only tell you this—they are deeply connected to this tree. You may not take more than one, as we need them to keep the land fertile."
"As you've likely noticed, this area actually has dirt—just as if we were at ground level," Isabel explained, her tone steady and instructive. "That is the work of the ents. Their role here is to maintain this rich layer of soil, using their own leaves and those of the World Tree."
She paused briefly, her eyes scanning the area as if to emphasize the significance of their surroundings.
"This dirt possesses a unique magical trait," Isabel continued. "It allows any plant to flourish with unparalleled vitality. Thanks to its earth-enriched properties, our crop yields are exceptional, even with limited land. A single seedling, if planted with enough of this soil, can produce half a year's worth of fruit. It is the foundation of our prosperity."
"That is precisely why I need them," Logan said, his tone resolute. "We have a growing city that depends on maintaining its crop yields. My powers, while useful, will inevitably drain the soil of its nutrients—especially the crops I've personally tad. Wheat and corn, in particular, need new, enriched soil to sustain the pace we've achieved."
"As for catching it, well, I'll have to fight it like I do with any other great creature," he said, a anticipation clear in his voice. "I'm actually looking forward to it—it's a chance to test just how powerful the ent truly is. I already have the strongest frost wyverns and thunderbirds in my arsenal; adding one of the best earth-type monsters will be an incredible asset."
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