Chapter 2: Prologue (2) The Chimera Ant
Chapter 2: Prologue (2) The Chimera Ant
His eyes locked onto the ant\'s thorax, analyzing every movement, every twitch. He could feel the anticipation building. This was the culmination of years of research and obsessive dedication.
When Rodion replied, its voice is as robotic and measures as always, though Mikhailis could have sworn there was a hint of pride in the AI\'s tone.
Mikhailis leaned in closer to the glass, his magnifying lens held just a few centimeters away from the ant\'s body. With one hand, he reached for a small tool—an extractor pen designed to harmlessly collect samples—and gently tapped the creature\'s exoskeleton. The ant paused, its mandibles clicking softly, but it didn\'t seem disturbed by his touch. It was... perfect.
"There we go," he murmured, more to himself than to Rodion, as he carefully extracted a microscopic sample from the Chimera Ant\'s wing.
The extractor pen made a quiet whirring noise as it did its work, and Mikhailis set it aside with the precision of a surgeon. Well, it\'s not his first time doing this, he has been researching for bugs for years in his hobby, it has became as easy for him as breathing.
But sure, he would be banging his head to the walls if he made a mistake and accidentally injured the newly born chimera ant because of his carelessness.
He turned back to the computer screen as Rodion processed the data, displaying lines of code, genetic patterns, and other information only someone like Mikhailis would find thrilling.
"Flexible, huh?" Mikhailis muttered, nodding as he process the information.
He took out another tool, a laser spectrometer, to measure the ant\'s energy output.
The Chimera Ant, despite being so small, had an air of power about it. Or maybe he just imagined it. But anyway, he need to check on it, to make sure either it\'s his delulu or it\'s something real.
"That\'s exactly what I was hoping for. This species... it\'s almost too perfect. Rodion, based on everything we\'ve collected so far, can you confirm whether this ant can... you know... do the thing?"
Mikhailis rolled his eyes, feeling the urge to retort and burst.
"Yes, the thing! You know, the whole reproducing based on whatever it eats thing. I\'ve been reading about this myth for years, Rodion. Don\'t act like you don\'t know what I\'m talking about. This is the pinnacle of our journey!"
Mikhailis grinned. "I knew it! So, this little guy could technically produce offspring that are... part ant, part... I don\'t know, frog, or lizard, or whatever it eats, right!?"
Mikhailis stared at the ant in awe, his mind racing with possibilities he could make. It\'s a dream of any children to combine animals, and make a chimera, or make a unicorn, or make a dragon by breeding animals! But for this case, combining them in the ant\'s stomach!
"Imagine the potential... The way evolution could take an entirely new path. It\'s no wonder these things were nearly driven to extinction. They could easily tip the balance of entire ecosystems."
Rodion\'s voice interrupted his thoughts.
Mikhailis frowned slightly while nodding.
"Yeah, I can see that. If they were left unchecked, entire food chains could collapse. Other species wouldn\'t even stand a chance. And if they started producing hybrid offspring, the resulting creatures could introduce new predators or disrupt the balance entirely. No wonder they were hunted down. It\'s almost like they were too dangerous to exist. I see, I see..."
He took a step back from the glass, still holding the magnifying glass, and gazed at the Chimera Ant as it continued to explore its surroundings. It was incredible to think about. This tiny creature could have been a threat to entire civilizations, capable of producing offspring that would have wreaked havoc on ecosystems everywhere.
"Rodion, has anyone else recorded data on this species? Any chance there\'s still a colony out there somewhere?"
Mikhailis leaned back in his chair as his thoughts drifted.
"So, it\'s just me and this little guy, huh?"
He couldn\'t help but smile at the thought. An extinct species, revived through his research. He felt a swell of pride—this was the kind of discovery that could put his name in history, if only he weren\'t more interested in insects and anime than fame.
Well, getting into interviews and stuff would be sure disturbing and tiring for him.
As Mikhailis reached into the enclosure to gently lift the Chimera Ant onto his hand, he marveled at its grace and intelligence. It crawled slowly and steadily across his palm, its delicate wings fluttering slightly, its metallic body shimmering under the lights of the room.
"You really are something special, aren\'t you?" he whispered, completely absorbed in the moment.
Somehow, his heart is pounding, as if he\'s going on a first date.
But once again, bugs are not his fetish, for god\'s sake.
"What the hell is this?" Mikhailis muttered, his eyes widening in confusion.
He blinked, disoriented, his heart racing.
The sensation of being pulled through space left his stomach in knots, but as the light faded.
It\'s a very... Interesting architectural concept...
And there, standing at the center of the hall, was a woman.
Oh, and her chest was... well, he\'d have to say it—wow. Magnificent.
While her ears, are pointy like \'that\' race he often read in fantasy books.
No, no. This must be wrong. Am I dreaming?
Mikhailis rubbed his eyes, but saw that the scene and the sight is the same.
"You must be the one I summoned."
If this woman is real, then does it\'s true?
She\'s an elf? No, judging from her skin, a dark elf?
No, this is not the time to get seduced by those sinful breasts.
Yeah, truly sinful breast indeed. Such a fine shape with the hint of majesty on it, wait.
Is this the usual pattern of those isekai fantasies that I often talk trash about!?
The woman smiled faintly. "You\'ve been brought here... by me."