Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 1979: Bugpocalypse (3)

"Is everyone accounted for?"

"What took place in there?"

"Where did that swarm of bugs come from?"

Such were the shouts echoing across the entrance to Death Valley.

Given the massive scale of the disturbance, it was inevitable that a crowd would gather to witness the chaos. Upon seeing the tide of insects surging out from the valley, the onlookers had immediately been struck by terror and fled.

However, many eventually returned, driven by concern for loved ones who had been inside Death Valley when the disaster struck.

Since the mercenaries lived nearby with their families, their kin were desperate for news regarding their safety.

Consequently, a makeshift camp had been established right at the mouth of Death Valley.

Having slipped out alongside the fleeing mercenaries, I remained nearby, eavesdropping on their frantic conversations. Simultaneously, I scanned the crowd to identify the specific individuals who had arrived.

It was essential for me to find witnesses possessing high enough prestige to provide credible testimony about these events.

While the mercenaries within Death Valley operated in their own distinct groups, they were overseen by a specific management organization.

This wasn't a strict authority that dictated their every move, but rather a body designed to ensure the mercenaries didn't cross certain lines.

It would be a major headache for the neighboring nations if these mercenaries were allowed to act without any restraint.

Furthermore, the Mercenary Association was responsible for coordinating search and rescue efforts during crises. As the regulatory entity, such duties naturally fell to them.

This was especially true considering that every mercenary group was required to pay a membership fee to the association.

A base camp had been erected near my position. At its center stood a group that appeared quite influential, judging by the authoritative way they issued commands.

From the snippets of conversation I caught, I confirmed that this was indeed the delegation from the Mercenary Association.

Beyond just being a representative group, they seemed to be the high-ranking leadership of the Association.

I could distinctly hear someone being addressed as 'president'.

Additionally, I noted the presence of several other factions.

These were the merchants who conducted trade with the various mercenary bands moving through Death Valley.

Their reasons for being there differed from those of the Mercenary Association, however. They were primarily concerned that their financial interests might be jeopardized by the unfolding catastrophe.

They had come to ascertain whether the flow of resources provided by the mercenaries would continue.

Despite their selfish motivations, these individuals held enough social status to be useful for my objectives.

Thus, I set the second phase of my plan into motion.

"The bugs aren't emerging anymore? Then why did they suddenly launch an assault on the mercenaries inside?"

Once the mercenaries had successfully retreated from Death Valley, the insect swarm did not seem to pursue them further.

"Could they simply be marking their territory? Is it possible a powerful queen has claimed the area?"

Based on the behavior of the swarm, such a theory seemed highly plausible.

However, their deliberations were cut short.

I anticipated that the merchants would eventually pressure the Mercenary Association into sending a reconnaissance team back into the valley. If a queen really had taken over, the potential threat to the surrounding region would be unpredictable and disastrous.

I had to execute the rest of my plan before they could take that step.

"Crack, crack."

The sudden noise filled the air, leaving everyone startled and bewildered, but their confusion turned to absolute shock when they saw the source of the sound.

"What is happening?"

That was the only question anyone could manage to utter; no one could comprehend the sight before them.

Fissures began spider-webbing through the earth surrounding Death Valley, seemingly severing the location from the rest of the world. Yet, the most stunning moment was still to come.

Following the cracking of the ground, the entire valley began to rise into the sky as if being hoisted by an invisible power. It looked as though some unseen force was physically lifting the whole of Death Valley.

A few individuals instinctively moved forward to investigate, but they quickly recoiled when they saw black specks swarming out from the valley.

It was clear that any interference would provoke an immediate attack from the bugs.

Though their exact numbers were unknown, the experience of being hunted earlier gave the mercenaries a terrifying estimate.

After ascending to a significant height above the onlookers, Death Valley stopped its upward climb.

It remained suspended there for several heartbeats, and then...

"Where did it go?"

Death Valley had vanished instantly, leaving everyone baffled. Some had blinked for just a second, only to find the entire valley gone when they opened their eyes.

A heavy silence fell over the crowd; not a single soul could find the words to speak.

Even if they had wanted to comment, there was simply no way to describe what they had seen.

The event was far too bizarre for their minds to grasp.