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

"Is everyone accounted for?"

"What took place in there?"

"Where did that swarm of bugs originate from?"

Such were the frantic cries echoing at the gateway to Death Valley.

Given the massive scale of the disturbance, it was inevitable that a crowd would gather to investigate. However, upon witnessing the tide of insects surging out from the valley, the onlookers were instantly gripped by terror and fled.

Despite the danger, many eventually returned, driven by concern for loved ones who were still inside Death Valley when the chaos erupted.

The mercenaries lived nearby with their families, and those relatives were desperate for news of their safety.

Consequently, a makeshift encampment had been established right at the entrance of Death Valley.

I had slipped out alongside the fleeing mercenaries, quietly eavesdropping on their conversations. Simultaneously, I scanned the crowd to identify the key figures arriving at the scene.

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

While the mercenaries within Death Valley operated in their own individual groups, they were overseen by a specific administrative body.

This wasn't a strict organization that dictated their every move, but rather a regulatory entity that ensured the mercenaries didn't overstep certain boundaries.

It would be a major headache for the neighboring nations if these mercenaries engaged in illicit activities.

In crises like this, the Mercenary Association was responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations. As the governing body, 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 clearly held significant authority, judging by the way they were issuing commands.

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

More specifically, it appeared to be the association's top leadership.

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

Furthermore, I noted the arrival of various other factions.

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

Their motives for being here differed from those of the Mercenary Association. They were primarily concerned that their financial interests might be jeopardized by the unfolding disaster.

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

Even though their intentions were purely selfish, they still held enough social standing to serve my purposes perfectly.

With that in mind, I initiated the second phase of my plan.

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

Since the mercenaries had successfully fled Death Valley, the insect swarm did not seem to have pursued them beyond the perimeter.

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

Based on the behavior of the insects, such a conclusion seemed highly plausible.

However, their deliberations were cut short.

I anticipated that the merchants would soon pressure the Mercenary Association into sending scouts back into Death Valley. If a queen had truly taken over, the potential threat to the surrounding region was unpredictable and potentially catastrophic.

I needed to execute the rest of my plan before they could take action.

"Crack, crack."

The sudden sound left everyone startled and bewildered, but their confusion turned to sheer shock when they realized the source of the noise.

"What is happening?"

That was the only question anyone could muster; nobody could comprehend the spectacle before them.

The terrain surrounding Death Valley began to fracture, appearing to physically sever the valley from the rest of the world. Yet, the most stunning moment was still to come.

Following the cracking of the earth, it looked as though the ground was being hoisted into the sky. An unseen power seemed to be lifting the entirety of Death Valley upward.

A few brave souls tried to move closer to investigate, but they quickly retreated 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 mercenaries who had been chased out earlier had a terrifyingly good idea of the scale of the swarm.

After ascending to a certain height above the ground, Death Valley ceased its upward movement.

It hung suspended in the air for a few heartbeats, and then...

"Where did it go?"

Death Valley vanished instantly, leaving everyone baffled. Some had blinked for just a second, and when they looked again, the entire valley had completely evaporated from sight.

Not a single person could find the words to speak.

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

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