The ant, paused at the edge of the crate, twitching its antennae. Like waiting for a order.
Then another appeared. Then five more. Then twenty.
Within seconds, a silent stream of insects poured from the cart's underside, moving in tight, coordinated lines. They split off like water down stone, some crawling beneath nearby stalls, others disappearing into alleyways, vents, and drainage grates.
No one noticed.
These were the Krell Ants, Ben's newest creation, a spy swarm designed for surveillance and information gathering.
Their bodies emitted no mana trace, as they ran purely on aether. Their light-bending, layered chitin cloaked every movement, rendering them almost invisible. They carried no stingers, no weapons, only eyes, ears, and a singular purpose.
Despite the name Krell, however, they weren't connected to the Hive Mind.
