Re:Ant Lord-Chapter 22: Working Hard

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Kai clicked his mandibles, keeping his expression neutral as Darius finally turned away, barking orders at a nearby group of worker ants.

"Move the supply crates faster! No slacking!"

Kai narrowed his eyes as the workers rushed to obey, their small frames scuttling under the weight of oversized supplies. These ants weren't weak, but they were expendable in the eyes of the soldiers. It was clear now that the power ruled everything here.

Darius's voice boomed through the loading area. "And as for you, newcomer!" His piercing gaze snapped back to Kai. "Since you wanted to refuse my command earlier, let's make your first task more... memorable."

A cruel smirk played across his human-like features. He pointed toward a massive stack of heavy resin crates, each filled with minerals and hardened food rations meant for the elite warriors. Kai's task was clear.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

"Move them all alone. No one will touch these supplies. It's your first task, complete it as soon as possible."

Kai clenched his mandibles. This was nothing but a show of dominance. Darius wanted to humiliate him in front of everyone. He was planning to give Kai a punishment if he can't complete his task.

Darius thinks, "I didn't give you a time limit, but when the night falls you will be punished. This work needs to be completed before the day ends."

The other ants watched in silence, their antennae twitching in anticipation. "Would he accept? Would he dare refuse again?" A murmur was echoing among the worker ants.

Kai inhaled slowly. His first instinct was to protest, but that wouldn't get him anywhere. At least Not yet. He needs to get stronger.

"Fine." he agreed. If fate wanted him to play the role of a worker, he'd do it. But he'd do it his way.

Kai strode forward, examining the largest crate in the pile. It was twice his size and looked ridiculously heavy. A normal worker ant would have struggled. It looked like at least two worker ants' jobs to move one crate. But Kai was not a normal worker.

He activated Tiny Tank, letting his exoskeleton harden, reinforcing his limbs. A subtle crackling sound filled the air as his body grew denser.

Then, with a grunt, he lifted the crate.

Gasps rippled through the surrounding ants. Darius's expression shifted from mocking amusement to cold observation.

Kai didn't stop there. Instead of dragging it across the floor like the other workers, he hoisted it onto his back and began walking slowly but steadily.

The watching soldiers and workers ants whispered among themselves. "Did he just lift that alone?"

Another soldier ant says, "No way. Even the two Star ants struggle with those. How is he doing that so smoothly?"

Another worker ant added, "How is he that strong? A worker Ant can't lift those crates."

Darius's jaw clenched. "Stop wasting time and get back to work! So what, if he has some strength? It's not a big deal."

The ants snapped to attention, and the murmurs faded. But Kai saw it, the flicker of annoyance in Darius's golden eyes. The bullying Bastard had expected him to fail. He didn't. It gave him satisfaction.

Kai smirked slightly as he moved the crate into position, ignoring the dull ache in his limbs. The real game had begun.

Kai thinks while carrying the crate, "I have a lot of unallocated stats points. I will use it now. I can't let this bastard take advantage of me. I can't show any weaknesses in front of Darius. System, use 15 stat points to my strength. And show me my current status window." he ordered his system.

[Ding! System notifications:

Status window-

Name: Kai (Advance Worker Ant)

Species: Monarch Devourer Ant

Level: 10 (⭐)

Exp: 00/1000 (Note: For keeping it simple, I reduced the exp. From now on 1000 exp will be needed for each level.)

HP: 100/1000

Aura: 1000/1000

Lifespan- 1 year 35 days.

Strength: 40 (+15)

Speed: 25

Stamina: 25

Unallocated stats: 12

Ultimate Skill: Essence Eater

Sub skills of ultimate skill:

-Essence Overlord

-Devourer's Bite

Inventory: Soul-Bonded Storage Cube (2x2x2)

Skill Set:

Duration: 5 minutes without any cool down.

1. Antenna Sensory Boost – Sensing enemies through vibration and pheromones.

2. Worker's Resilience – Briefly buffing stamina at the expense of fatigue earned.

3. Tiny Tank – Hardening the exoskeleton for greater resilience.

4. Ant's Instinct – Enhanced resource finding but with a few bugs.

5. Reflex Mode – Movement speed increased; use at your own risk as it is unstable.

6. Adaptive Armor (Passive): Exoskeleton can adjust to reduce damage from different types of attacks.

7. Predator's Instinct (Passive): Enhances detection of threats and weaknesses in enemies.

Aura Cost: -100 upon use (Because of reaching one star rank.) ]

After seeing his status window Kai murmured to himself, "I still have 12 stats points. I will keep those for emergencies. Or should I just use 6 points on my speed or stamina?" After a few seconds of thinking Kai chose not to use them.

Hours passed as Kai continued hauling supplies, keeping his movements controlled despite the weight pushing against his muscles. Using fifteen points on strength was a good decision.

Though exhausting, the task gave him time to think. He realized if he had over Sixty strength then this task will be nothing.

Darius saw him as a threat. That was obvious. But it wasn't because Kai was strong—not yet. It was because Mia had acknowledged him. There is a question inside his mind?

"Why is a princess interested in him? Why did she personally come to meet him? Or is this all a coincidence?" A lot of questions but no answers found.

A powerful soldier like Darius had undoubtedly fought to gain her attention for years. And then, some low-level worker ant who hadn't even evolved yet had managed to steal a conversation with her.

Kai smirked inwardly. "This isn't just about power. It's about status."

As he placed the final crate in its designated spot, he straightened, shaking off the fatigue from his muscles. That was when he felt it, another presence near him.