Warlord of the Endless Hive

Takaviel gazed at the floating blue screen in front of him, his system overview glowing faintly in the dim light of the dark woods. The forest was alive with the distant sounds of creatures moving through the thick underbrush, but for now, it felt like the world had gone silent as he studied his stats.

---

*MC System Overview:

*Name: Takaviel Level:2

*Lord Title: Lord of the Swarm

*Core Stats:

*Strength: 11

- Physical Attack: 11

- Physical Resistance: 11

- HP Points: 11

*Agility: 8

- Movement Speed: 8

- Stamina Points: 8

*Intelligence: 6

- Mental Attack Resistance: 6

- Mana Points:6

Bars:

- HP Bar: 150/150

- Stamina Bar: 100/100

- Mana Bar: 0/100

- EXP Bar: 50/1500

*Points System:

- Current Stats Points: 0

- Current Ability Points: 1

- Current Passive Points: 1

*Skills:

- Devourer (?)

- Berserk (Active Skills)

- Vermex Weaver (Active Skills)

---

Takaviel clenched his fist, feeling the subtle increase in strength coursing through his body. His HP bar had jumped to 150, and his physical stats had all increased with his newly allocated stat point. But even with these gains, there was a nagging frustration gnawing at him. He couldn't keep up with the relentless threats of this strange world with just core stats. The power growth was slow, and leveling up would take time, time he didn't have.

"I can gain skills quickly with Devourer," he muttered to himself, his voice low and gravelly. "But my stats... they won't keep pace. I'll have to rely on abilities."

Realizing he had no other option, Takaviel let out a sigh and began to move deeper into the dark forest. But the creeping sense of danger made him halt. Venturing into unknown territory blindly wasn't smart. Without a plan, he could end up wandering into a trap, or worse, into the jaws of something far more powerful than him.

He glanced down at his monstrous right arm, the twisted appendage that had become both a curse and a blessing. It pulsed with a life of its own, eyes and mouths scattered across the flesh, twitching and restless. Time to summon his scouts.

Activating *Vermex Weaver*, Takaviel felt his mana drain rapidly. The sensation was uncomfortable, like something being pulled from the core of his being, and he watched as his *Mana Bar* dwindled from 100 to 0 in an instant. His monstrous arm writhed and convulsed, the mouths opening wide, eyes blinking wildly. With a sickening crack, it spat out five dark eggs onto the forest floor.

The eggs were about the size of grapefruits, slick with a faintly glowing liquid that clung to their black shells. Veins pulsed across the surface, each one twitching with life inside. They looked disturbingly alien, as if they didn't belong in this world. But then again, Takaviel himself was an anomaly.

"Let's hope this works," he muttered, taking a step back to give the eggs room. He waited, keeping a vigilant eye on his surroundings while his creations gestated.

An hour later, the eggs cracked one by one. From each egg emerged a Vermex Weaver, tiny insectoid creatures that fluttered up into the air. They were about the size of his palm, with delicate, gossamer wings that buzzed softly as they flew. Their bodies were long and segmented, covered in a dull black exoskeleton. They had six limbs,two for flight and four for walking or gripping onto surfaces. Their heads were bulbous, with multiple red eyes that glowed faintly, and sharp mandibles that clicked rhythmically.

Despite their grotesque appearance, there was something strangely endearing about them. Maybe it was their small size, or the way they hovered around him like loyal pets.

"Cute... in a horrifying way," Takaviel muttered with a wry smile.

Without wasting time, he sent the five Vermex Weavers to scout the surrounding area. Their purpose was simple: gather information, find the safest routes, and avoid unnecessary danger. They scattered, flying in different directions, their wings buzzing faintly as they disappeared into the dark forest.

Minutes passed, and slowly, three Vermex Weavers returned. Takaviel noticed immediately that two were missing. His expression darkened, but he wasn't surprised. This forest was teeming with dangers. The loss of two scouts meant those dangers were closer than he'd anticipated.

The three remaining Vermex Weavers circled him, their mandibles clicking in a rapid sequence. To his surprise, Takaviel understood them, not through words, but through a strange, instinctual connection. It was as if the Vermex communicated directly with his mind, their thoughts blending with his own. He processed the information in flashes—images of what they had seen, warnings of dangers, and potential routes.

"Three paths," Takaviel murmured, absorbing the intel. "And all of them dangerous."

The first path was infested with a large group of small, rat-like creatures. They weren't massive, but their numbers made them formidable. Swarms of the vermin would be difficult to handle all at once.

The second path was guarded by a massive snake, at least 20 feet long, with a body as thick as a tree trunk. It slithered through the underbrush like a silent predator, ready to strike at any intruder. Takaviel didn't fancy his chances against something that could crush him in an instant.

The third path was eerily quiet. No life, no sounds, no movement. The Vermex Weavers had found nothing alive. That alone made it suspicious. A place like that, devoid of all life, usually meant something far worse lurking in the shadows.

Takaviel blinked, staring at the three Vermex Weavers. They hovered around him, clicking excitedly as if they had just solved some grand mystery. The sight was oddly amusing, considering the gravity of the situation. "You guys think you're real detectives, huh?" he chuckled.

After considering the options, Takaviel made his choice. "The rats. They may be many, but at least they're manageable." His voice was firm. The snake was too dangerous, and the dead zone was far too risky without knowing what lay in wait. The rats, on the other hand, could provide him with plenty of fodder for his *Devourer* skill. Strength in numbers, but also weakness if he played it smart.

He motioned to his Vermex Weavers, and they flitted off ahead to scout the route, their tiny wings buzzing as they disappeared into the dense foliage.

Takaviel exhaled slowly, his eyes hardening as he prepared himself. "Time to move."

He ventured deeper into the woods, the sounds of the forest growing louder as he approached the first path. His heart raced, adrenaline kicking in as the reality of his decision set in. But despite the danger ahead, he couldn't shake the feeling of excitement. This world, for all its horrors, offered him something he had never experienced before: the chance to truly grow, to become something more.

And Takaviel had no intention of letting that slip away.