Ethan made his way back to where the sand shark was located, he could see them out there dipping down beneath the sand and then bursting out again when they found prey. Evidently it was a feeding frenzy out there. Perfect.
The camel would make amazing bait. Ethan made the camel walk out into the sand dunes where the sharks were located. This wouldn't take long, or so Ethan thought as soon as the camel walked out, all of the sharks disappeared. " Did they figure it out? " Ethan thought to himself.
Just then Ethan felt a rumble, it was getting closer and closer and then a massive dorsal fin appeared and then quickly dipped below the blowing sands once more. The rumbling didn't go away however, it only increased.
Then as if on queue, the sand shark showed up once more and launched itself into the air with the camel in its jaws as it bit down and swallowed the camel in one bite. " This is the alpha, good thing its stupid." Ethan thought to himself as he smirked. Then he willed all of the swarm-lings to grow to massive size inside the shark to where each one was at least 6-8 feet across. Which blew the camel apart inside the shark and then filled the shark with swarm-lings that began eating it from the inside. " Never heard of a Trojan camel before huh?" Ethan chuckled as the shark began swimming erratically and going into a frenzy just below the surface of the sand. It would not be long before it succumbed.
Soon enough the shark stopped fighting and died, Ethan received 2,000 mutogene from the shark. Which is enough with the camel included to boost up all of his mutations at least a few levels at this point. He made his way back to his den to make the necessary changes.
Once he made it back, he went inside. Summoned more swarm-lings back to watch over him as he made the changes.
Ethan
Species: Cheiracanthium inclusum swarm queen
Gender: Female
Power level 11
Strength: 80
Agility: 70
Intelligence: 80
Luck: 55
Vitality: 110
Mana: 80
Mutations:
Sparking Mandibles +16
Armored legs+16
Paralytic Webbing +16
Mind control Venom+16
Rapid Swarmling hatchery +16
Compressed swarmling ducts+16
Swarmling control +5
Ethan finished upgrading his mutations, This actually unlocked a new upgrade for his swarm-ling control. The options were on a list that Ethan perused:
Convection Organ: The swarm Queen will grow an organ that can transmit extremely high levels of electromagnetic energy that will cause the swarm-lings to detonate on command.
"Oh, so suicide swarm-lings.. And then they should replicate each once and continue chaining explosions.. That's nasty."
Hivemind spawning organ: The Swarm queen will grow a hive mind organ, instead of having to will your swarm-lings to do something, they read your thoughts and you read theirs. You essentially become one organism. Whatever they see and hear, you will as well.
" That sounds ominous, I am not sure if I want that. I admit that it would be really advantageous in knowing when and where enemies are coming from. I may have to consider this one and talk it over with Hiamel"
Plague-spawn organ: The swarm queen will grow an organ that allows the swarm-lings to be mutated into plague-bearer swarm-lings. They will be able to infect others with an aura that increases with the level of the control skill. They can also inject the victim with an embryo, this will constantly weaken and damage the victim. When they die, they feed the spawn and will burst from the victim and seek out new hosts.
"This sounds incredibly powerful, not only does it allow me break the 60 minion cap, it also allows me to constantly feed myself and not have to stop what I am doing... I need to consult with Hiamel here."
As if on queue Hiamel spawned from Ethan '' You rang?" He said with a smirk. " I need help, I have several options for my swarm-ling control skill. They both sound quite useful and have a lot of utility but speaking plainly? One of them outright scares me. I don't think I could come back to being human if I chose it. '' Ethan spoke in a quiet tone. Really speaking to how apprehensive he is feeling.
Hiamel was surprised, " Which options do you have? The system has been altered in you. Unlocking options that would not be included in normal run of the mill cult members." Hiamel reached forward and a tendril latched onto Ethan, Ethan was going to protest. But this felt different, it was more ethereal and didn't hurt. " Do not worry, I am merely accessing your system to allow me to see what options you have and the ups and downs of each one."
After a few moments Hiamel spoke up again, " I see what you mean... the Hive-mind spawning organ.. It sounds extremely useful but.. If you take this, you will cease to be a singular being.. You would become something different, something more? I think you should do this one.. Things have a way of coming full circle, usually when you upgrade something to the highest power that skill can use it will allow you to pick the same or different options later on. That being said, if you want true power and the ability to transcend what you are currently and really have a shot of achieving what you came here to do! Do it! Harness the power the Dark Lord gave you and become THE SWARM!"
Ethan was speechless, he knew that he wanted to live. But more than that, he wanted revenge. This dark god took his family, took his childhood away from him. Not only that! But he is trying to do that to everyone else on Earth. "I won't allow it! I will take any method to gain power in order to surpass my limits and I will stop Zaggoth, nothing will get in my way."
Hiamel was chuckling " You keep thinking that booooy, right now you're nothing but an ant compared to him. " Ethan paused and fixed him with a cold gaze. " Then I have a lot of work to do" Ethan went back into his menu and chose the Hive-mind spawning organ. " I am going to have to become something more than human in my mind and soul in order to beat something... beyond human."
Ethan felt it start to itch and grow in his head, tendrils growing and worming their way through his head. He then felt it grow even faster and bigger until he felt a pop, a tendril burst through his head and then it retracted and what looked like a trap door but made out of his carapace was formed over the hole. Ethan could feel them. All of them were feeding their information, thoughts, sensations and most of all... they became us. Not just one single being, no not any more now, they were legion,they were many. They are the Swarm.