443 Missing
Insects.
Locusts.
The strange locusts captured from Banjul.
At this moment, in the empty space of the Western Airport of Comoros in the white fog world, in the enchanted and strengthened plastic bag, they collided aimlessly and crawled around.
They were not dead.
They were not killed by the rules that transmigrated worlds and annihilated all life.
Kang De walked over and asked, “How is it?”
Horus put away the cannon barrel. “There’s no attack or hostility. They’re only alive.”
The swarm of insects in Banjul was orderly and would react to the stimulation of the outside world. When they discovered food, they would be sent back to their underground nest. If there was no food, they would gnaw on metal and cement. Clearly, this race might have a social division of labor. The locusts on the surface of Banjul carried a mission that they had to complete.
Even if they were grabbed into the bag by Kang De, they were still thinking of all ways to bite and tear the plastic bag and never stopped… Now, they were running around like headless flies.
Kang De nodded and said, “Let us observe carefully.”
Horus said in a low voice, “Please don’t worry. There aren’t many of these insects. They can’t escape my attack.”
Kang De smiled. “There’s no need. This is my territory.”
He raised his toes and tapped lightly. His mental strength spread to the plastic bag along the ground. In an instant, the solid and flexible bag cracked, and the flying locusts buzzed out and flew in all directions.
Kang De stretched out his hand and waved.
The empty transparent but existing space twisted into a constantly changing Rubik’s cube. The locusts flying up flew down, but the locusts flying out squeezed into a pile. Space changed wantonly in an unpredictable and incomprehensible state. Countless faces, countless paths, and directions lost their meaning. All the seemingly unpredictable paths would only have one end in the end, and that was Kang De’s will.
Kang De stretched out his other hand and slashed out. One of the locusts tied to the infinitely changing space separated and successfully flew out of the spatial maze that was enough to make intelligent creatures go crazy.
However, it fell into another chaotic trap.
It flapped its wings and tried its best to fly, but in Horus’s opinion, this locust stopped where it was, even if it looked to be displaced… it was imprisoned by space.
The Transformer felt an inexplicable shock. Although such power was exerted on the small locust, it could see through it and understand the greatness of this power.
It muttered, “Father, you’re slowly becoming the god of this world.”
Even in the other world of swords and magic, such power was enough to be called a god.
Kang De replied indifferently, “Apart from allowing me to throw rocks better, it’s useless for the time being.”
Unfortunately, it was only limited to this silent white fog world.
“Alright, at the very least, there’s something new.” Kang De added, “At the very least, this ability doesn’t disgust me too much…”
When facing this thing on Earth, he was still disgusted. Because there were too many of them, he could not kill them all and would even have to touch them himself. Ordinary methods could not do anything to these things.
However, in the white fog world, it was a different matter. Even if tens of billions of locusts appeared together, they could forget about approaching him. Kang De could easily compress the hundreds of thousands of tons of locusts into a size that looked only the size of a football and let them fall from the ground to the depths of the sky.
He waved his hand and this locust flew to Horus. His iron son could not move for now.
“Can you tell anything?”
An invisible wave of light seeped out of Horus’s eyes. A moment later, he shook his head and said, “Short-wave rays can’t penetrate it… This doesn’t make sense. Lifeforms shouldn’t have such density.”
Kang De slowly said, “It’s not a living creature to begin with… right?”
Be it living things from another world or Earth, after coming to the white fog world, without exception, they would be instantly extinguished. Apart from Kang De, there was only one exception, and that was Horus.
The reason could be that Horus was a mechanical lifeform with a steel body or that it was born from Kang De’s power of the Fire Thief which activated the white fog essence. Due to the lack of another sample to compare, it was unclear.
However, now, there was already a third case.
This locust.
Kang De’s left index and middle fingers separated. The locust suddenly broke off from the middle, and silver liquid splashed out. Grains floated in the air and turned into silver-gray balls under the effect of gravity.
He focused and took a closer look. It was not as he had imagined. It was not composed of small and fine gears, levers, and metal components. Instead, it still looked like a living creature with wet and irregularly shaped internal organs and cavities. As for whether it conformed to the rules of biology, this question was out of the ordinary.
He was not an entomologist, nor did he know how to carry out research and experiments.
“Eh?”
At the side, Horus exclaimed in surprise, then said, “Father, please give me a live one.”
Kang De waved his hand, and another little white locust flew to Horus. His iron son twisted it in his hand and exerted strength with two fingers. With a puff, he squeezed it until it exploded on the spot.
Disgusting, disgusting.
It was too unreasonable.
—After I use the book to launch a colossal attack and kill the cockroach or any insect, I’ll ignore it and pretend that nothing had happened. The book had accidentally fallen there.
Then, the housekeeping auntie naturally cleaned up.
Not only did Horus crush it, but he also twisted it, his eyes glowing faintly.
Kang De asked, “What’s wrong?”
“This juice… is a mixture formed by powdered inorganic substances soaked in an unknown sticky liquid. The composition includes metal oxide and metal fragments.”
Kang De thought for a moment. “Is that all? Don’t you have inorganic things like calcium carbonate and silicon dioxide?”
Horus said, “No, only these.”
Kang De gave Horus two more and continued to crush them.
It was still the same.
“Previously, they were eating around the street lamp,” Kang De said. “It’s not surprising that they have these things in their stomachs. The problem is, are they digesting these metals and obtaining energy?”
Just thinking about it felt strange.
...
“How can living beings obtain energy from metal and iron? Moreover, it’s this small lifeform.” Horus shook his head and said, “I don’t think this is their food. They might only be collecting and not eating. What they can collect is not only food but also materials. Social insects have this behavior.”
At this point, his iron son paused for a moment and said, “Father, you can experiment.”
Kang De nodded. Then, he separated some locusts and compared their weight through spatial methods. Five clearly “half-full” locusts jumped out and stretched out their hands to grab.
A piece of cement shattered on the ground, and a piece of reinforced concrete flew over from the wall. A steel piece cracked out of the iron door and was placed in front of these silver-gray locusts. In Banjul, these insects covered every inch of the buildings, cars, and streetlights. Now, they ignored these things in front of them.
Kang De threw out another piece of pork, but they were also uninterested.
They were only flying aimlessly, looking for something.
Horus said, “Perhaps, Father, they don’t feed on meat either. In Banjul, they’re also only collecting the pork you threw underground.”
Kang De asked, “Then where does the energy they move from come from?”
His iron son said in a low voice, “Perhaps it’s beyond our imagination.”
Kang De stared at the locusts that were still buzzing and flying around. If these things were made and not hatched, they would really be exquisite and lifelike. To be able to survive in the white fog world and not feed on metal and cement or flesh, where did it obtain energy from and what was its goal… The questions increased, and the answer behind them became more and more uneasy.
He was silent for a moment. “I hope human scientists can discover more.”
...
In the end, he was not a professional, and neither was his iron son.
“But this needs to wait.”
The French warship would immediately go to the archipelago country to the west of Africa, Cape Verde. There was an attaché from the Chinese Embassy waiting there. After receiving the sample, he would immediately rush to Djibouti.
Then, the Djibouti Logistics Base took a military plane and flew straight to the biological research institute somewhere in the west.
This would take at least seven to eight hours.
“It’s better to save some time,” Kang De said. “I’ll send these over first.”
Although he had already clearly stated that teleportation could not bring living things, it was a little unreasonable to return with half a bag of lively locusts now. Moreover, it might more or less cause some small trouble.
However, he could not care less now.
Facing such an unknown, mysterious, and troublesome enemy, seven to eight hours were extremely precious.
He divided this group of locusts into two and put one of them into a bag.
He took out another iron box and enveloped these locusts, sealing and strengthening them.
Horus asked, “Father, what about these?”
Kang De opened the spatial door and stepped into the dark door. “It’s better to be prepared.”
In a flash, he crossed back to his house in the district and shuttled back to China.
It was already dark. It was already past ten at night.
Kang De called. Qin Mengjin immediately picked up. “Mr. Kang De.”
“I’m at home,” Kang De said. “Get someone to pick me up and bring the box.”
The liaison officer immediately said, “Are the insects… dead? If they’re dead, it’s fine. I’ll immediately…”
“They’re alive.”
“Ah?” Qin Mengjin said in surprise, “Didn’t you say…”
“That’s right, they’re not dead.” Kang De paused for a moment and said faintly, “Perhaps they’re not the kind of living creature we understand.”
This sentence made the liaison officer digest it for a full three seconds.
“Please wait a moment, they’ll be upstairs in five minutes.”
“Are you staying here?”
“No, standby in the underground parking lot.”
Kang De hung up, pulled open the curtain, and stuck his head out.
He and Xiaoman’s house were neighbors. Their bedrooms were separated by the wall, but Xiaoman’s room had a balcony, so the two of them could see each other through the window. However, sometimes, they would still lie on the bed and play childish games like knocking on the wall.
The light was still on. Kang De thought for a moment and decided not to alarm her.
He stood up and walked to the living room. Three minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. His phone received a message. Kang De opened the door. Two men in sports clothes and cotton hats stood outside. They looked like brothers who ran at night, but their eyes were focused and they did not look like ordinary people.
The brother behind was carrying a heavy box. When the person in front saw Kang De, he saluted and took out a handwritten card. It was the same identification number as the one Qin Mengjin had sent.
The photo could also match.
After seeing Kang De nod and turn around, the two of them walked into the room and said in a low voice, “Mr. Kang, we’re ordered to carry out a mission. You don’t have to explain anything to us. According to the rules, we won’t ask you anything.”
Kang De reached out and picked up the box. He placed it on the shoe cabinet, opened it, and placed the plastic bag inside. He closed it and gently patted it. The plastic bag inside shattered.
“Tell your officer that the things inside might bite through the box. Be careful to put it on with a larger box at any time. Don’t open the box until you’re fully prepared. You only need to convey this.”
The two of them did not look surprised or curious at all. It was unknown if they were loyal and focused, or if they were used to it.
“May I ask what else we need to pay attention to?”
“No, I’ve already explained everything on the phone.”
Then, the two comrades bade farewell and left. Kang De sent them to the corridor. That person gestured kindly, indicating that there was no need to send them off. “Goodbye, Mr. Kang.”
At this moment, the door beside him opened.
These two kind-looking comrades were like shocked rabbits and subconsciously lifted their clothes. Kang De reached out and pressed his hands on their shoulders, stopping them from pulling out their guns.
Xiaoman’s head carefully poked out.
“Don’t be agitated. This is my friend,” Kang De said. “She knows about my matters.”
Only then did the two of them heave a sigh of relief, but they still said, “I’m sorry, but we still have to report it.”
Kang De glared at Xiaoman and said, “Why did you walk out? What if they’re bad people?”
Xiaoman snorted. “Isn’t it because I saw you?”
Kang De shook his head and did not take this matter to heart. Xiaoman knew, so Uncle Wang would definitely report it. There were only benefits and no disadvantages. It was better to be arranged for protection by the country than to be ignorant and attract malice. Therefore, it did not matter what report these two comrades spoke of.
He looked at Xiaoman, who looked curious. “These two are comrades who serve the people.”
“Oh.” Xiaoman looked at the two of them curiously and whispered, “Dragon Group?”
Kang De pointed at Xiaoman’s forehead and pushed her. “Alright, stop joking about that name.”
The two comrades were very tactful and consciously bade farewell.
Xiaoman closed her door and pushed Kang De back to his house with a curious expression. “What’s wrong, what’s wrong? You even brought a box. Did you give any blueprints to the country?”
What blueprint?
Kang De shrugged and said, “It’s just some trinkets.”
Kang De did not want Xiaoman to know too much. No matter what, even if everyone in a city disappeared… Don’t let her worry about such a thing.
Xiaoman’s expression changed slightly as she nodded. “I understand, I understand.”
Kang De glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “So, why aren’t you asleep at this time?”
“I’m not sleeping anymore!” Xiaoman snorted. “Come, cultivate with me tonight.”
“Dual cultivation.”
“Pfft.”
Looking at the girl’s expectant gaze, Kang De hesitated for a moment.
Xiaoman immediately captured this emotion. “Is there serious business?”
Kang De thought for a moment and sent a message to the king, “Do you need trucks and resources now?”
He quickly received a reply, “There’s no need for that for the time being. My brother, it’s already night. Our truck driver has been busy for a day and is already very tired. It’s very dangerous to drive at night. We’re counting the citizens who moved in and arrived today and choosing people with experience in large motor vehicles. We also let them rest and replenish their nutrition. Now, we don’t lack resources for the time being. You don’t have to worry too much.”
Kang De thought for a moment and replied, “Alright, pay close attention to the movements of the locusts. If there’s a problem, inform me immediately.”
“Don’t worry, brother. You should rest well.”
Only then was Kang De relieved. Now that the locust swarm had to be careful and wary, there was no need for him to go nearby to artificially monitor it. Although the optical satellites in the sky interfered, the interference pattern was also a method of location.
In this world, he did not need to fight alone.
There was no need to be in a hurry to be a lone hero who saved the world.
After putting away his phone, he smiled at Xiaoman. “Alright, I haven’t played like this in a long time.”
Uncle Wang was not at home, and Father and Mother Kang were far away in Africa. Ever since they were young, to Kang De and Xiaoman, the days when the parents of both sides were not around were simply like a dream, as if it was a festival.
Every time there was such a day, he would buy delicious food and drinks in advance and turn on all the lights in the room at night. Snacks were thrown all over the ground. He opened a few bottles of cola, the television sounded, and the computer was on. He could do whatever he wanted and play whatever he wanted… The joy of that time was rarely recalled now.
Then cultivate.
He brought over snacks, used the oven to arrange supper, poured some cola, and played a battle game.
First was the Switch, then the PS4, then the phone game. Now that Kang De had been strengthened all over, his reaction ability had greatly increased, winning Xiaoman until she cried out. In the end, he was extremely bored. He sat in front of the television and watched boring television programs, complaining about the stupid logic of a melodrama.
Until Xiaoman leaned against him with sleepy eyes.
She said half-asleep, “How good is it to be like this every day? When can you come back…”
Kang De sighed in his heart and complicated and indescribable emotions surged out. In the end, he said softly, “It’s on the way.”
Xiaoman smiled and hit him, slowly falling asleep.
Kang De hesitated for a moment, then gently hugged her shoulder, still looking at the boring television drama. The men and women on the screen separated and died. They only heard the sound.
Most importantly, the girl’s sleeping breathing beside him made him feel calm.
When it was already dawn, the buzzing of his phone called him back.
“Hello?” Kang De said. “Are there any results from the anatomy research?”
“Not yet.” Qin Mengjin’s voice was serious, “However, something even more serious happened. Today, at dawn in Gambia, we discovered that a large number of people had disappeared from the towns near Banjul overnight.”
Kang De’s expression suddenly changed. “The locusts moved?”
“This is the most terrifying thing. The satellite shows that the locust swarm in Banjul City has not migrated on a large scale.”
“So…”
“I’m afraid they came out of the ground.”
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