Chapter 163: The Demon Clan

Chapter 163: The Demon Clan

Rio sat in the tent feeling somewhat lost. How could he have been so bewitched back then? Someone casually tossed out a bone, and he had chased after it like a starving dog, eager and impatient, and had clamped onto it. He had even wagged his tail proudly, strutting around.

Hit the jackpot! That feeling at the time was light, joyful, as if all worries had vanished in an instant. But the excitement came quickly and left just as fast. Looking at the man power and supplies assigned to him, what was this?

He lifted his eyes to look outside the tent. The few clansmen were posted as guards there, or rather, resting near the tents. This was nothing like he had imagined. Why didn’t they assign him a few capable helpers?

What difference was there between these clansmen and those subservient humans? Their pair of dark green eyes? Or their slightly taller and stronger bodies? These were just a bunch of untalented defectives; it would be hard for them to grow another pair of subordinate arms.

Thinking of this, Rio couldn’t help but feel a flicker of pride. Under his ribs, a pair of still somewhat thin arms gently caressed the armrest of his seat.

It was very safe here, so safe it made him feel a bit bored. Although among the Demon Clan they were not known for their combat power, they should not be underestimated. He too had fantasized about killing, had yearned for military achievements, but he was not one of those brainless beasts driven by impulse.

Therefore, Rio would not enter the no-man’s-land created by the Northlanders, and he certainly would not approach that fortress of the barbarians. Most who did that had already disappeared. Of course, if anyone did come back alive, they would surely be valued.

For a time, Rio also felt the urge to gamble, but he quickly dismissed the thought. How to gamble? Rely on these worthless ones before him?

When he first arrived here, some novel things had still caught his interest. But as time passed, everything became boring. He missed home, missed his good-for-nothing friends, missed that city where he could vent his desires.

Every day here was boring, each day repeating the dullness of the previous one. Patrol, day after day.

The settlement of the subservient ones was still far from them, requiring no concern from them. That place was actually a deliberately preserved buffer zone, a forward outpost built from flesh and blood.

Any large-scale action by the Northlanders would surely disturb that place. Those subservient ones would inevitably be the first wave to bear the attack. And when the Northlanders cleared those obstacles, they would have ample time to prepare.

A bunch of inflexible fools—that was Rio’s assessment of the Northlanders.

The Demon Clan had also tried to persuade the Northlanders to join, but those fools refused. Didn’t they understand? What mattered was the outcome! If they joined, they could share this world together.

What did a few dead clansmen matter?

The sound of horse hooves rang out; the patrol was returning. The rider approached the tent and casually dropped a strangely shaped insect.

With curiosity and questions, people gathered around.

“It attacked us. We’ve never seen anything like this before,” the returning person explained.

Rio also came out of the tent. After looking around, he asked, “What is this?”

Everyone shook their heads blankly.

“Just one?”

“Yes, we carefully searched the surrounding area.”

Rio looked around again. Suddenly, he had a bad feeling, as if some danger was quietly approaching.

“Heighten the alert!” he ordered, while preparing to go see for himself.

…

Abundant food allowed the Insect Swarm to quickly recover to its optimal state. So Lily issued a new command: spread out completely, and kill all humanoid creatures.

After spreading out, the Insect Swarm formed a loose net. Although each insect was somewhat far apart, they could still hear each other and gather enough information by sensing vibrations.

Attack, probe. The weak ones, they ate directly; the strong ones, they would regroup and surround. They moved stealthily through this grassland, going farther and farther.

…

Rio hadn’t gone far from the camp when he stopped. An insect stood up from the ground, as if it were some kind of signal. Insect after insect appeared, until they filled his entire field of vision. Only then did he realize they were surrounded.

A commotion rose from the camp behind him, then it fell into silence.

The Insect Swarm stood still, as if waiting for someone?

Rio stood frozen, unable to advance or retreat, not daring to make any move. Even though he knew he was doomed, he still wished this moment would come as late as possible.

A faint rustling sound began, then grew louder and louder, grander and grander.

The Insect Swarm parted like a wave. Amid the panic and confusion of Rio and the others, a young girl slowly walked in…