When I woke up, I was completely wrapped in a blanket of bees. They were all arranged over my body, forming a kind of warm cocoon around me. As I shifted and got up from my "bed," I felt the whole hive stirring awake along with me—some of the bees let out little yawns, while others headed to the entrance of the small cave, peeling back the layer of [Hard Wax] that sealed it shut.
"Ughhh... Is it already time to keep moving?" Ken grumbled, rousing from his spot in the blanket of bees.
"Yes! Everything’s ready. We just need to open the entrance and keep going!" chirped a small [Nurse] bee beside Ken.
Ken only replied with a deep frown that clearly said, "I didn’t ask you," but the [Nurse] wasn’t fazed in the slightest, flashing a wide, satisfied grin right back.
"Ahhh... I know it's early, everyone, but we’ve got to get going," I said, practically dragging myself out of the cave.
As soon as the entrance was open, I squeezed through with some difficulty, emerging to find a vast layer of bees on the ground, waiting for me to climb aboard. Without hesitation, I stepped up and settled into the center of their formation. Soon, I could see a long line of bees streaming in and out of the cave, carrying boxes and supplies. A small group of bees approached me with excitement.
"Queen Mother! Look at this—it's amazing! Can we take it with us? Please?" asked a tiny [Explorer], holding up a peculiar flower with leathery, wine-colored petals. Its core looked like that of a flamingo flower, but with a glossy, wet surface covered in a mysterious pink substance.
[Description] Name: Crimson Aurora Rarity: Rare Quality: Bad
A flower with petals that imitate the appearance of rotten meat, possessing a highly nutritious nectar, its spadix works like a sponge and can store up to 300 ml of its nectar.
"Mom! Mom! Look at this, isn’t it incredible?! I found it growing on the remains of a dead animal!" a [Scout] buzzed excitedly, holding up a strange, pointed purple mushroom. It had a delicate, white “garland” draping from beneath its cap, and its surface was dotted with tiny neon-yellow specks that seemed to glow. I examined it closely, intrigued by its unusual appearance. The contrast of the vivid colors against the deep purple was both eerie and mesmerizing. "It’s quite the find," I replied with a smile. "We may want to be cautious with it, though—sometimes the brightest things hide the sharpest surprises...."
[Description] Name: Necrotic Fungi Rarity: Uncomun Quality: Fine
The spores of Necrotic Fungi can survive inactively in the bodies of their hosts for weeks. When their victims die of external causes, the Necrotic Fungi transform the corpse of their victim into a cluster of Necrotic Fungi capable of surviving for decades by consuming the same prey. Their taste is terrible and they are known to cause negative effects on the bodies of their predators, facilitating their death.
"Moooomy... Look... T-This... tastes really... good..." a [Collector] murmured drowsily, his words slurring as he held out a small, vibrant yellow, jar-shaped flower. Inside, there was a clear liquid that gave off a faint, sweet aroma, like honey mixed with morning dew.
I leaned in, examining the flower with a mix of curiosity and caution. "It smells nice, but be careful with those sips, alright? Sometimes the sweetest things can have a hidden kick," I warned, brushing a hand over his head. He gave a sleepy smile, still savoring the taste.
[Description] Name: Glory Bells Rarity: Common Quality: Good
A small flower known for its high concentration of nectar commonly used to make [Glory's Bell Syrup]
All three who had spoken to me froze mid-sentence, slowly turning back, only to find Yan glaring at them with a disapproving scowl. Without delay, they stammered quick goodbyes and scurried off as fast as they could.
"Hey, Yan! Stop scaring the kids—they were just showing me a few things they found interesting." I gave him a light flick on the forehead as he came closer.
"Ouch!" Yan winced, rubbing his forehead. "Forgive me, Queen Mother, but their job isn’t to waste time with this nonsense. We need to stay on schedule, not get sidetracked by every curiosity." He continued rubbing his forehead, looking slightly annoyed.
"They’re still in the roles they were born into, Yan! Have a little patience—they’re practically babies. Exploring and discovering things is natural for them. We have enough time before we leave, and as long as they don’t put themselves in danger, I don’t mind if they look around a little."
"Ugh… talking to you is like talking to a wall!" Yan huffed, puffing his cheeks in frustration before turning on his heel and storming off.
"WHAT!"
I didn’t give myself time to get angry with him. Just then, I felt the hive signal, indicating it was time to prepare to continue. Closing my eyes, I focused on the hive link, sifting through the information gathered by the reconnaissance team. The news wasn’t good.
"Damn... we’ll have to be extra careful from here on out," I muttered, biting my nail.
What I saw in the scout reports were boats… humans, in boats. They seemed like “normal” people, moving along what appeared to be the beginnings of a settlement. There were rough-hewn roads and simple wooden buildings—a civilization taking root near the river.
Without hesitation, I focused deeper into the hive link. In the past, it was like reaching out to a network of individual threads disappearing into darkness, each connecting me to a single member of the hive. But now… it felt more like a massive braid, one thick, tangled rope that anchored me to hundreds of bright, pulsing points. I could tell at a glance who each connection represented, a familiarity as intuitive as breathing.
I reached for a small golden thread among the lines and tugged gently, making the surroundings fade like smoke. In my mind, the figure of Hans—a soldier cloaked in thick chitin armor with a cape and ponytail peeking out from his helmet—appeared, hovering above my palm.
This mental space was strange and still a bit disorienting. It reminded me of those mental rooms in Stranger Things or projections from X-Men—a vast, empty place where I could interact with the hive link as if it were something physical. Normally, the link was just… there, an unlisted feature of being the “Queen Bee Reincarnated in Another World,” with no controls or settings, just raw, instinctive connectivity.
As Hans’s figure appeared in my hand, I could see him mid-action, hovering calmly while directing some soldiers, completely unaware of my presence.
I brought his figure close to my face, positioning his ear near my mouth. "I need to talk."
Immediately, Hans froze, then acknowledged the call through the link. After a few words to his team, he flew toward me.
Opening my eyes, I saw him approaching in all his majestic glory… and realized, with a pang of disappointment, how small he was compared to me now. Once, he was that "powerful, intimidating soldier," but from my perspective, he looked like a $500 action figure—jaw-dropping, yes, but so small that he might as well be posed beside a Barbie.
"Queen Mother! I answer your call!" Hans declared, kneeling before me.
"Hans… please evolve quickly," I murmured, trying to shake the image of a child clashing a Barbie doll against a Hans figurine.
"I will strive to evolve as fast as possible, Queen Mother!" he replied, utterly serious.
"Good, thank you. Sorry for the comment… it was just—no, never mind." I sighed, regaining focus. "I wanted to ask about those boats and buildings in the scouts' report. Do you think it's safe for us to pass by them?"
"I believe those boats mark the outer edges of a human settlement, likely rural," Hans explained. "From what we’ve deduced, there will likely be more humans further downriver, but we’re confident we can pass over these settlements quietly without drawing attention."
"Hmm… Are we absolutely certain?" I asked, still uncertain.
Hans shooked, his expression resolute as ever before sayin: "No! I can't guarantee we'll go unnoticed. The odds aren't in our favor, but there's still a chance," Hans said, his voice steady despite the tension in his shoulders as he stayed kneeling. "That's why I was thinking—once we hit a high-risk area, I’ll create a distraction. It might buy us just enough time. If we're lucky, it'll draw their attention long enough for us to slip by."
“OH? What would the distraction be?”
“The main plan for now is to start a fire. We anticipate that the area will resemble a typical human settlement, primarily constructed from flammable materials and situated close to forests. We will ignite the nearby woodlands, forcing the creatures in those regions to flee toward the human settlements. While the humans are preoccupied with the beasts and the flames, we’ll rain down incendiary potions and ignition aids from above to set their shelters ablaze. Amidst the chaos, we can navigate through the area without major complications!” Hans stated bluntly.
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“You want me to... set them on fire?”
The idea is horrific! Utterly appalling! I BURNED TO DEATH! I could never put another living being through that torment, not intentionally! And certainly not for such a trivial cause!
Hans immediately sensed my disapproval and discomfort with the plan and wasted no time before continuing.
“The plan endangers the lives of our enemies and beings of little worth to the hive. It’s still under consideration, but I believe the risks outweigh the potential benefits. Such extensive destruction would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention. Investigations would follow, and I’m almost certain they would uncover evidence that could threaten the hive’s safety,” Hans explained respectfully. Upon hearing this, I let out a long sigh of relief. Hans understands me well enough to know I would never endorse this. I may have my flaws, but I’m no heartless monster.
“This plan doesn’t sit right with me... I’m not even sure we can start a fire of this scale!” I protested, trying to change the subject and dismiss the idea.
“Oh, but we absolutely can! A fire ignites with just a spark, Mother! We may be small, but we are capable of causing far more chaos and destruction than we appear. Together, we form an unyielding wall, an unstoppable sword, a powerful intellect,” Hans declared, his deep golden eyes glimmering like twin suns.
‘Uh... Sometimes I become so entranced by their kindness and delicacy that I forget how terrifying they can be.’
Within the hive, we are a close-knit family who sleeps in each other's embrace, converses, celebrates, and plays. But to the outside world, we are beasts—monstrosities capable of unimaginable acts. I know the boys would be more than willing to contribute to this fearsome reputation if they deemed it necessary. Anyone not part of the hive is viewed as an adversary, regardless of whether we share the same home, food, hobbies, or even blood. If you’re not one of us, you’re either prey or a threat.
This is what frightens me the most when I contemplate the hive. Ciel was cast out like refuse the moment he was “unlinked,” and the boys have consistently shown no empathy or compassion for any being outside our ranks. They perceive the beasts as potential prey—a source of XP and a means to evolve. Humans, kobolds, and any other formidable creatures are seen as mortal threats. There’s no room for alliances; I could force them into a temporary truce, a state of “peace” where the boys wouldn’t exhibit hostility toward “outsiders,” but I can’t make them trust anyone outside the link.
Their avoidance of humans is not due to a desire for peace; they avoid them because they think, “We cannot kill them!” If they could, they would be hunting humans just as they do insects for XP.
That’s why I must protect them. The boys are astute enough to understand cause and effect. They know that hunting animals and beasts differs from targeting humans, who can retaliate. As long as we remain small, defenseless creatures, they will never initiate conflict without absolute certainty of victory.
But for how long? Every day, the hive expands, we gain XP, achieve new evolutions, and develop new technologies. There will come a time when the boys stop thinking, “We shouldn’t!” and start wondering, “Why not?” That thought terrifies me.
“Very well... what about avoiding lands inhabited by humans?” I asked Hans.
“We haven’t assessed the entire situation yet, but there’s a possibility we can reroute through the ocean or discreetly traverse unpopulated areas within human territories!” Hans responded swiftly.
“Hmmm... The ocean feels perilous to me. If something were to occur, we wouldn't be able to halt... But continuing through human lands poses risks as well. Very well, let’s proceed on our current path and evaluate the situation. If it seems safe, we’ll carry on.”
“Yes, Queen Mother!” Hans replied, rising and flying away."
As our journey resumed, Muck settled comfortably on my lap, purring contentedly and wagging his fern-shaped tail. Around us, Max, Ken, and Steve busied themselves with their respective tasks, each absorbed in their own thoughts. The rhythm of of the almost melodic hum hummed softly around us, while the distant sounds of nature mingling with the occasional laughter from our group For me, this is a rare opportunity to create stronger and more "real" bonds with my children. We are always working or running after this and that, and having a little time to enjoy the beauty of the world around us makes things seem so... simple and beautiful.
It makes me forget all my worries and want to focus only on this one special moment.
Max was scribbling frantically in the pages of a large book crafted from wood fibers by the production club. The cover, made from a type of vegetable leather, displayed a five-pointed star alongside the title "Grimoire C-37: Magical Energy Generation and Related." This book was one of the many utilized by the magic club to develop theories on abstract magical concepts. Ideas circulated among the members, each person adding their own interpretations and theories until the book reached Max. It was his responsibility to determine what was "theoretically possible," valid, or worthy of experimentation.
Max's approach mirrored mine in some ways, though he often called upon one or two Archivists to serve as a "living grimoire." He preferred the traditional method, favoring a physical book, pen, and paper. In his view, it felt more "magical" to hold a tome filled with writings on the very theory of magic itself, even if the ideas were controversial. Nevertheless, Max’s grimoires needed to be stored within the link and archived by the Archivists, creating extra work for everyone involved.
If only Max's grimoires could cast magic, things would be different. As it stood, they served purely academic purposes, but I found them fascinating. The idea of a book containing concepts and ideas about real magic was captivating! Although, the volumes were so small that I would need a magnifying glass just to decipher the tiny print.
Meanwhile, Ken was busying himself with an array of jars and bottles, concocting what appeared to be some sort of medicine or food. I couldn’t quite discern what he was creating; he was mixing various herbs, pastes, and ingredients in a mortar, grinding them into a smooth mixture. Then, he combined the paste with liquids from some jars, pouring the resulting blend over a thick cloth and squeezing until a suspiciously colored liquid emerged, which he bottled in small wax jars. Each bore cryptic labels, such as "T. C/S - 12.4," which meant nothing to me.
I could have asked him about it, but I preferred to let the boys pursue their hobbies in peace. Ken was usually great with childcare and pain relief, but I had never seen him show much interest in alchemy or herbology. After the "vacation" I had forced him to take, though, it seemed he might have picked up a thing or two about the medical field.
Lastly, there was Steve, who looked as unfazed as a statue. Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, he resembled a bee version of the Buddha. I knew he was focused on managing the hive, but it was strange to see him sitting there doing “nothing.”
“Bird!” shouted a soldier in the formation.
My attention snapped to the direction of the call, and I spotted a flock of birds approaching, instantly putting me on edge. We could manage a lone bird well enough, but a whole flock was a different story. While I was too large for them to take down easily, the boys were like popcorn waiting to be devoured.
“EVERYONE WITH ME NOW!” I shouted to the hive. Instantly, the entire cloud of bees began to shift, drawing closer together and engulfing me in a swirling mass that formed a pulsating ball in mid-air.
Through the eyes of the soldiers on the outer layer of the swarm, I could see the birds hesitating, clearly intimidated by the strange, larger figure that had suddenly appeared before them. A few of them screeched, keeping a safe distance from our cluster of bees for the moment.
Soon, however, the birds regained their courage and began to approach us. As they drew nearer, I activated my skill, [Crystalline Energy Veil], enveloping us in a semi-transparent shield of energy, with small sparkling orbs floating inside.
The birds quickly discovered that the veil was not only visually stunning but also dangerous. As they entered the effect zone, the tips of their feathers changed from a dull beige to a vibrant purple, releasing a noxious smoke. In response to this unexpected attack, the birds flared their wings like parachutes and quickly retreated from the skill's area, a sight that made me smile mockingly for a brief moment.
That moment of triumph was short-lived, though. A larger bird emerged from the flock, taking command. It opened its beak, and I felt the air around us shift, as if it were being drawn into the bird's mouth. I watched in horror as a pale yellow sphere of energy began to form inside.
With a swift motion, the bird launched the magical projectile in our direction. The Guardians and Tankers sprang forth from the heart of the swarm, bracing to absorb the attack, but the impact still caused significant damage, igniting a fire of rage within me.
“I'M GOING TO KILL THOSE BIRDS! HOW DARE THEY HURT MY BABIES?!”
Irritated, I quickly summoned the LifeGuardians to my position, feeling them crawl through the throngs of hive members until they reached me.
“Yes, Queen Mother!” Jon exclaimed, standing directly before me.
Without uttering a word, I activated the skill [Maiden's Prayer], disregarding the embarrassing gestures required to do so. Small golden marks appeared on all the LifeGuardians.
“Go! Finish off those foolish birds!” I commanded, prompting the hive to part and clear a path between the interior and the exterior of the swarm.
“Yes, Queen Mother!” the LifeGuardians echoed, abandoning their positions to charge toward the birds.
A fierce aerial combat ensued. Jon and Hans led the charge, while Aldy, Ral, and Zack held the rear. Wasting no time, Jon hurled himself at the large bird that had unleashed a magical attack, gripping its face tightly before it could react. He activated a skill that intensified his grip, causing his skin to take on a dull, stone-like gray.
Following Jon, Hans glide
With a swift motion, Hans extended his hand, summoning a black blade that rapidly grew to the size of a spear. He positioned it as if preparing to throw and activated a skill that made his muscles tense. With a powerful throw, the spear cut through the air with a whistling sound, striking another bird in the midst of the flock, sending it spiraling down as it struggled in vain.
Witnessing this, the remaining birds began to scatter, attempting to evade the onslaught while their leader floundered in the air, desperately trying to shake Jon off.
Soon, a rain of small thorns descended upon the birds, dozens of tiny black spikes piercing their bodies. The birds initially dismissed this attack, believing the thorns too small to pose a threat. Unfortunately for them, they soon learned the thorns were part of a coordinated strike by Zack and Aldy. Aldy infused Zack’s thorns with his most potent natural poisons, while Zack’s precision ensured the majority of targets were hit, causing several birds to fly erratically before collapsing unconscious to the ground.
Realizing most of their group had been eliminated and their leader was in trouble, the remaining birds decided it was time to abandon their meal and flee. However, as they attempted to escape, they were struck by several seeds that erupted into vines, ensnaring them and binding them together.
These seeds were a professional version of the [Burst Seed] spell, skillfully directed by Ral from a distance. Unlike my own version, which was imbued with the element of [Life], Ral's vines were devoid of thorns, resembling ropes that restrained their victims.
Ral then invoked a new spell, conjuring a small blue sphere of crackling energy that soon exploded into three arrow-shaped projectiles of magical energy. These projectiles sped through the air, leaving trails of blue light in their wake as they darted toward the birds.
Upon reaching their targets, the energy projectiles pierced two of the five birds trapped by the [Burst Seed] spell, creating large entry wounds that belched smoke from the burned flesh. As the two birds ceased flapping their wings and began to struggle, they hindered the flight of their remaining companions, causing the tangle of birds and roots to descend toward the ground.
At last, only the great leader bird remained, and all the LifeGuardians were unscathed. Jon clung tightly to the most dangerous target, but after receiving a message from Hans, he began to dig his claws into the bird's eyes, drawing forth a stream of blood that dripped down his body. The massive bird thrashed and clawed at its face, trying in vain to dislodge Jon's firm grip, but it was futile—Jon had become part of the creature itself.
Aldy calmly floated over to the bird's back and landed gracefully. Drawing forth his stinger, he drove it into the bird’s flesh. In response, the bird thrashed violently, desperately attempting to escape. Yet, before it could gain any ground, thorns struck its chest, knocking the wind from its lungs. Hans swiftly followed up, thrusting one of his spears into the bird's wing, and Ral unleashed a spell with acidic properties that began to dissolve the bird's feathers.
Completely defeated, the massive bird's movements slowed, swaying in the air as it descended. It was only then that Jon relinquished his grip, revealing the bird's ravaged face—its eyes grotesquely pierced, skin marred by deep cuts, and a steady stream of blood pouring from its beak.
“Hmph!” Jon hissed, delivering a powerful punch to the bird’s face, sending it tumbling earthward, just like the others.
As the LifeGuardians returned to the swarm of bees, they were met with applause and cheers, celebrated like great heroes. The hive then rearranged itself, resuming its previous formation as a vast cloud of bees, continuing on its journey.
Looking back, I felt nothing but satisfaction. While I generally abhor violence, there are exceptions to every rule. If I must allow someone to be tortured to extract secrets vital for my survival, I wouldn’t hesitate. If experiments on animals are necessary, I conduct them without remorse. And if anyone dares to harm my family...
I will make then learn what a true monster is.