Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1968: Tide of bugs

A glow emanated from the tunnel's mouth long before we actually reached it.

While the light had appeared dim from a distance, its intensity became quite apparent once we stood at the entrance.

However, the radiance was only significant when compared to the environment outside.

The exterior was naturally gloomy, as the towering cliff walls surrounding the area obstructed most of the sunlight. This lack of natural illumination made the entire region feel perpetually dark.

Once my eyes adjusted to the shift in brightness, I realized the illumination within the tunnel originated from a fascinating source.

At first glance, the glow seemed to permeate the cave from every direction, but a closer inspection revealed the true origin.

Clusters of fireflies clinging to the ceiling were responsible for providing the light.

Upon further observation, it was evident that this wasn't their permanent arrangement.

The scattered pattern of the insects suggested they had gathered there on a whim rather than as a routine behavior. It felt as though whatever entity was beckoning us inside was being hospitable enough to light our way.

Still, a part of me wondered if this was merely an elaborate trap...

I maintained a cautious mindset, having no inkling of what lay ahead.

Recent events had been so unpredictable that I had lost all sense of expectation. Consequently, I simply stopped trying to anticipate the future and moved forward.

Following a short walk, the narrow tunnel opened up into a vastly different space.

The chamber itself was relatively empty.

The only notable feature was the staggering quantity of insects present.

The density of bugs here far exceeded anything we had encountered previously. These insects weren't merely idling about, however.

Given the room's architecture and the numerous tunnels branching off from it, this was clearly a central transportation hub for the colony. It served as the primary junction for them to access various sections of their subterranean home.

The insects seemed completely indifferent to our arrival, continuing their individual tasks without pause.

Yet, a noticeable shift occurred as we took our first steps into the room.

The moving swarm suddenly altered its course.

They didn't turn back entirely; rather, they veered away from their original paths to create a clear lane. It appeared they were intentionally making room for us to proceed along our current trajectory.

Accepting the gesture, we moved through the corridor formed by the insects.

Wading through such a massive sea of bugs was a surreal experience.

Being completely enveloped by a swarm of this scale created a truly bizarre sensation.

Fortunately, the creatures showed no signs of hostility toward us.

With the insects parting like a tide, our destination became unmistakably clear.

Guided by this path, we entered yet another tunnel and followed the route laid out before us.

We passed through several similar intersections before finally arriving at a location that wasn't just another busy crossroads. It was a relief to finally leave the swarming masses behind.

The sheer scale of the population residing in these tunnels was staggering.

It was truly remarkable that such an organized habitat had been established deep underground.

I couldn't help but wonder what force had drawn so many insects to one location.

Without some extraordinary influence, a gathering of this magnitude would be impossible. There had to be a unifying power holding them all together.

Imagining the level of intelligence required to command such a massive hive was difficult.

Eventually, we were led into a much smaller chamber where the insect population was sparse. However, a quick look at the few inhabitants revealed they were of a completely different caliber.

I knew instantly that an engagement with these creatures would result in heavy losses.

These were elite specimens, vastly superior to the common soldiers we had seen earlier. These bugs were specialized units, biologically engineered for combat and protection.

They were effectively the royal guards of this insect kingdom.

Whatever they were protecting was undoubtedly of immense significance.

Stationed in this private inner sanctum, their high status within the colony was obvious. They were the special guardians of the entity that ruled over the entire hive.

This was the being I had traveled here to meet.

"Welcome, Holy Son. I have been expecting your arrival."

As I suspected, the ruler possessed the gift of speech, unlike the common insects.

However, when I finally laid eyes on the speaker, I was caught off guard.

The figure didn't match the image of a legendary beast I had cultivated in my mind, yet there was no mistaking it—the divine energy it radiated proved it was indeed the messenger of the gods.