I Am The Swarm

The largest atmospheric organism, constrained by many of its tentacle-like limbs still wrapped around the Spore Capsule Meteor, was at a disadvantage. Coupled with the loss of limbs it had suffered earlier while intercepting the meteor, it found itself in a precarious position. Despite its immense size, it had fewer limbs available for defense and attack.

In contrast, the two smaller atmospheric organisms, though also damaged during their initial interception attempts, were unburdened and outnumbered it—not by much, but their combined limbs exceeded the largest one’s by several dozen.

As the fierce brawl between the three unfolded, their limbs were torn apart, splattering transparent liquid into the air, making it seem as though a localized drizzle had begun.

Before long, the largest atmospheric organism suffered severe injuries. Finally, with only a dozen or so limbs remaining, it relinquished its grip on the Spore Capsule Meteor, flinging it away.

The two smaller atmospheric organisms immediately ceased their assault on the largest and turned their attention to the now unclaimed Spore Capsule Meteor.

The slightly larger of the two managed to secure the meteor, leveraging its size advantage. It began to drag the meteor around, wobbling back and forth in midair. However, it hadn’t played with its “toy” for long before the smallest atmospheric organism attacked it.

Soon, the largest organism reentered the fray, and a chaotic melee ensued.

As the battle continued, more cloud-like atmospheric organisms appeared, joining the struggle.

By the end, over 100 atmospheric organisms were involved, rolling through the sky like a massive storm of clouds, with blue electric arcs flashing incessantly. The sheer scale of the battle, accompanied by its dazzling light and sound effects, was a spectacle rarely seen.

This event shattered Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities’ previous assumptions about the rarity of these creatures. Initially thought to be scarce, their numbers turned out to be unexpectedly large.

The Spore Capsule Meteor, in comparison to these colossal beings—each averaging over thirty meters in length—truly resembled nothing more than a toy, constantly contested.

Fortunately, the low-density structure of the atmospheric organisms’ bodies meant their attacks were not particularly destructive. Otherwise, the Spore Capsule Meteor would likely have been crushed long ago.

The battle, which Luo Wen expected to last longer, ended surprisingly quickly. In less than an hour, the numerous atmospheric organisms had exhausted their interest.

While the time was short, many organisms suffered severe injuries, with some reduced to just two remaining limbs.

Yet, the wounds didn’t appear as critical as they seemed. During the scuffle, Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities had meticulously counted their numbers. By the time the battle ended, not a single atmospheric organism had perished.

The Spore Capsule Meteor, due to its weight, required active support from the atmospheric organisms to remain airborne.

Through their continuous observation, Luo Wen and his team deduced that these creatures could float effortlessly in the sky, much like genuine clouds, solely due to their ultra-low-density bodies.

However, when they held onto the Spore Capsule Meteor, their natural buoyancy was insufficient, and they had to rely on an unknown electromagnetic mechanism to maintain altitude.

Sustained use of this mechanism seemed to be a burden for them. Perhaps now, having tired themselves out in their competitive play, not one of the atmospheric organisms was willing to take responsibility for “keeping the toy.”

Thus, the Spore Capsule Meteor was abandoned. The once fiercely contested object was now discarded like an insignificant roadside pebble.

The abandoned meteor streaked through the sky, covered in a layer of unidentified liquid, and plummeted toward the ground.

This liquid, splattered from the atmospheric organisms’ injuries, was likely either blood or some other biological fluid. While the quantity of this substance was quite minimal—only spraying out during the severing of limbs—the large number of participants ensured it accumulated. Positioned at the epicenter of the scuffle, the Spore Capsule Meteor ended up thoroughly coated.

For Luo Wen, this was an immense waste. If his main body had been present, he would have likely licked the meteor clean, collecting the genetic secrets hidden within these fluids for integration into the Swarm Gene Bank.

Unfortunately, Luo Wen’s main body was countless miles away, far too distant to reach the meteor in time.

Thankfully, with so many living atmospheric organisms still present, genetic material was hardly in short supply.

But Luo Wen’s regret was short-lived. As the Spore Capsule Meteor descended into the lower atmosphere, the liquid clinging to it appeared to hit an invisible barrier, suspended mid-air.

Meanwhile, Luo Wen’s main body, previously hidden on the Yellow Moon, had been unearthed, sent to the Red Moon, and subsequently launched into space from a facility on its far side.

This was part of a last-minute launch mission. Missing the optimal launch window meant that waiting for the next opportunity would require seven to eight years, in addition to more than two years of travel.

Impatient, Luo Wen ordered the Swarm’s Intelligent Entities to recalculate trajectories, factoring in the rotational and orbital data of planet A7, the Genesis Planet, satellite A7B5, and the Red Moon. A longer yet faster route was chosen, requiring approximately five years of travel through space—currently the shortest available option.

The perception of time in space vastly differed from that on planets. On a planet, a journey spanning several days might be considered long. In space, even modest distances were measured in years.

Being a long-lived species, Luo Wen no longer felt strongly about time. Reflecting on past events on the Genesis Planet, he experienced a “heavenly day, earthly year” sensation.

On the Genesis Planet, Luo Wen had lost interest in the Ratfolk civilization. After Sarah’s nephew ascended to power, he initially worried about her reclaiming authority. However, Sarah showed no intention of returning.

Humans often believe in what others abandon. Sarah’s nephew assumed her absence meant life in the Divine Kingdom was better, thus intensifying his support for the Deity Faith Sect.

In truth, his devotion didn’t matter. Over decades of development, the Ratfolk’s upper echelons were either Swarm node units or their descendants.

Even if the Swarm publicly tossed meteors between the moons, which some civilians might spot using homemade telescopes, legions of experts would dismiss it as a peculiar astronomical event.

Though Sarah’s nephew held supreme power among the Ratfolk, Luo Wen could deny him access to any truthful information if he so desired.

Of course, Luo Wen had no interest in petty power plays. To him, the Ratfolk were merely a domesticated species that provided Intelligent Entities for the Swarm—a source no longer worth his attention.

Interestingly, the Ratfolk’s gaming industry had flourished in recent years. Providing common Ratfolk with diversions seemed prudent. Legends even claimed that Empress Sarah had once been addicted to competitive gaming.

The truth was that Luo Wen, bored, had subtly guided this development. As a former gamer himself, he found it a pleasant distraction.

Unsurprisingly, the Ratfolk’s largest gaming company was one Luo Wen secretly founded. Back when Sarah was enthralled with a certain competitive game, several of the top-ranked IDs belonged to Luo Wen’s secret accounts.

Given Sarah’s status, she had neither overly revered nor underestimated Luo Wen. After growing familiar, she even challenged him to a duel in the game.

Frankly, Luo Wen had long grown bored with such trivial pursuits. Invincibility brought solitude. But when invited, he graciously accepted the duel, if only to demonstrate the Overlord’s omnipotence.

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