Chapter 48: Connected
Mitch hadn’t felt the need to check what that mutation entailed before, as "Broodhouse" was the only mutation with a title resembling heightened proliferative capacity.
If he wasn’t misremembering things, it was also the only alternative that wasn’t available to him as well.
Therefore, he hadn’t bothered double-checking what the effects were.
"Isn’t this change... actually ideal for our plans?" Katherine eked out after some time.
Indeed, while a surprise in this situation would usually be a nightmare, this one was very welcome.
Yet Mitch didn’t feel elated whatsoever.
It was too... easy.
The blessing, the title, and even the original mutation. Mitch thought it was all coincidental, at least he did before. He had chosen that title on a whim, and the blessing was so he could converse with Madeline.
As for the last piece, the name was glitched on his interface. But Mitch knew that it had something to do with the ants. Specifically, the main queen’s adaptability.
And then there was his unique skill, which had combined all of these factors together.
He felt like there was something trying to guide him on a very streamlined path. Whether it was Theodor or the simulation, Mitch was still unsure. Most likely, it was the combined effort of both.
Unfortunately, he still lacked information about the simulation. All this discovery did was serve as a reminder that he had to resurrect Theodor as soon as possible.
Coming out of his thoughts, he saw Hailey start spasming on the ground.
’That looks really painful. Did I also react like that?’
"No, you didn’t. Compared to you, Hailey seems to be breaking through and undergoing the transformation at the same time."
Mitch felt his face pale, realizing the mistake he had made. Of course, Hailey would go through the mutation as soon as she broke through.
The only thing stopping her before was the fact that she literally couldn’t transform. But that inhibition broke as soon as she started her breakthrough.
’Can I do anything to help her fight through the pain?’
"I would advise against it. You could reduce the pain she’s feeling with a blessing, but ignoring the fact that it might interfere with the process, you don’t have any Mynt to spare."
Mitch understood that, but he would soon want to bash himself for not helping.
After Haily stopped twitching, Mitch felt the stream of faith coming from her decrease, and the wave of sickness he felt before became stronger.
’What?!’
Quickly opening her status page, he found something that gave him a rude awakening.
[Faith: Fundamentalist (Doubting)]
Mitch ran up to Hailey and started checking on her condition, examining if there were any lasting damages.
The amount of Mynt started increasing once more but didn’t reach the same amount it had before.
Squeak, squeak
He could tell that Hailey was complaining, but Mitch had no way to understand what she said.
"She asked why the Lord put her through such suffering, Michael," Madeline explained. Turns out, her blessing allowed her to communicate with animals, too.
"I’m sorry, Hailey, but it is for your own good. Going through this plight will allow you to rule over the rest of your kind. I hope you can forgive us." That was all Mitch could say in apology to Hailey.
Of course, the pain she felt didn’t suddenly go away just because Mitch said that, but he was certain that Hailey would understand. She was very clever for a rat—clever enough to understand his intentions.
As any further words would fall on deaf ears, Mitch put Hailey down on the soft ground and returned his attention to the others.
They were still eating, although at a slightly moderated pace. Hailey’s convulsing seemed to have scared them.
Deciding that now was as good a time as any, Mitch leaned in right next to Madeline’s ear and started whispering.
His instructions confused her, but Madeline still decided to oblige.
Taking a piece of food, she walked up to one of the rats and beckoned to it.
Madeline made a squeak similar to that of the rats, shocking Mitch. Even the rats were baffled that she could speak with them.
Confused and interested, the rat closest to Madeline walked up to her and started eating the food out of her hand.
"Ah?"
A surprised exclamation exited Madeline’s mouth before she started grinning.
"It worked, Michael! I can hear what he thinks."
Mitch had previously been confused as to what "bound to her" actually meant, but now he had the answer.
"Broodhouse" seemed to literally bind the souls of the brood and Madeline together.
"Can you turn it off as well?"
Madeline concentrated for a while before nodding slightly, making Mitch sigh in relief.
That minor difference would decide whether Madeline could connect to just a few elite rats or the entire nest.
Of course, having more connections active was always preferable. Mitch would try solving this with mutations related to the brain’s function, but he was still unsure of which would be the best.
Suddenly, the rat she was feeding started twitching. Just a moment after that, Madeline herself started screaming.
Mitch quickly grasped the issue and ran up to Madeline.
"Turn off the connection! Turn it off!"
She understood his instructions, and Madeline returned to being calm soon after.
"What was that? Why did the rat suddenly feel so much pain? Why did I feel it too?"
Mitch caressed her head, trying to soothe her.
"That was another form of metamorphosis, one different from the one you experienced. The pain is what makes them stronger, and I think your connection made you share the pain."
It would appear that not only are their thoughts shared, but also their senses. Everything one feels, the other would feel too. Everything one sees, the other would also see.
If used properly, this would become a legendary tool for scouting. However, it could also become a weakness.
What if one of the rats is wounded or killed while Madeline is fighting? That could spell disaster.
’Any suggestions about how to fix this?’ He asked Katherine, hoping she had a solution.
"How about the brain of an elephant? Maybe the increased mental capacity could help in processing all the information from her connections?"
And with that, Madeline’s second mutation had also been decided.
