Laws of the Insect Hive - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Living Corrosive Slime

Translator: Atlas Studios

Editor: Atlas Studios

It may be due to the slime or another reason entirely, but such the colloid was effective in leveling up [Molting Growth]. It was equal to more than two times the insect meat of equal mass. Also, even if System ate a large amount of colloid, the increase’s effects would not weaken.

Besides that, the colloid had another, greater effect on [Molting Growth].

System sensed that the nutrients within the colloid strengthened the molting power in his bloodline. He may even break through the upper limits of [Molting Growth] at that rate!

The maximum level of grasshoppers’ [Molting Growth] was 13. Still, Level 13 might not necessarily be the limitation of [Molting Growth], just like how his [Insect Adaptability]’s maximum level was 21.

If he continued eating colloids, his [Molting Growth] could break through its upper limit, and even reaching Level 14 was possible.

If [Molting Growth] continued to increase, then a third, fourth, or even fifth molting might be possible.

By then, System’s lifespan would definitely increase.

Undoubtedly, by eating the slime’s colloid, System had found a way out for his future, as he had discovered how to lengthen his lifespan.

System continued devouring the colloid and discovered more of its traits.

Not all colloids would be effective toward breaking through the [Molting Growth]’s upper limit—only fresh colloid was useful.

The few colloids scattered on the ground, which were no longer moving, still had the effect of increasing the level of [Molting Growth]. However, they could not help break through the upper-level limit of his talent.

System looked at the few small slimes that gathered nearby and had an idea. ‘Could I rear these small slimes like livestock?’

The slimes only needed to survive by devouring rotten branches or leaves, so it should be easy to rear them.

However, System rejected such an idea quickly.

If his size was about that of a human, then it should not be a problem to rear these small slimes. However, he was just a big grasshopper now, so it was unrealistic to rear the small slimes.

His best course of action was to eat all the alive colloids with his fastest speed.

…

From the ants’ nest to the mud, where the slime was in now, there were a total of six gathered colloid balls, the biggest one was 6cm in diameter, and the smallest one was 3cm.

Because the ants’ casualties were high, no ant should wander and disturb him as he ate the colloids. The only limitation was that he would need to rest.

System estimated that he at least needed an entire day to digest all the colloids.

Fortunately, he could reduce the time as he had the derived ability [Hunger Tolerance Physique], so his stomach could actually be filled with food twice the weight of his body.

However, to maintain his agility, he had yet to fill his stomach all alone.

If he made full use of the space in his stomach, System estimated that he would need only 12 hours to finish all the colloids.

If he ate for 12 hours straight, then although he might be mentally exhausted, he could still persevere.

…

Within the six colloid balls, the three larger ones were more lively, so System was worried that they would run away. Thus, he kept on using his limbs to slice the large and lively colloid balls and ate a little each time he cut them apart.

In the process of devouring the larger colloid balls, System realized that the smallest one gradually stopped trembling, as if it was about to stop moving.

To make full use of these colloids, System started to swallow the smaller ones.

As time passed, the sun gradually set, and the sky turned pitch-black. System, who had been jumping back and forth within a 10 meters distance, lost a medium-sized colloid, around 4cm, in the end.

After it turned dark, the few colloids became abnormally lively. It was unknown when that medium-sized colloid, which had been very stable all along, had suddenly jumped away. Hence, System did not notice when it was gone.

After the colloid ball had escaped, the remaining colloid balls were close to one another, making it convenient for System. His stomach only needed to digest for another five hours before he could completely devour the remaining three and a half colloid balls.

As he swallowed these colloids, his glands turned very itchy. It was like special nutrients had surged from his stomach, which then nourished the glands in his throat that could secrete corrosive slime.

System predicted that when he reached Level 10, his [Corrosive Slime] would definitely level up again.

Suddenly, just as System was thinking of that, the itchiness of the gland in his throat increased by a few times…

It was extremely itchy!

System stopped eating the colloid and wanted to use his forelegs to scratch his throat. However, his forelegs were a little thick, and he could not stick them into his throat. Thus, he decided to find a small branch to poke his itchy throat.

While he was searching for the branch, System suddenly felt a piercing pain in his throat—the gland suddenly started to wriggle uncontrollably!

The colloids that he had swallowed into his stomach were being digested and absorbed at an unusual speed. At the same time, special energy flowed into his throat, transforming his glands.

His [Corrosive Slime] leveled up!

[Corrosive Slime] (9/13) → [Corrosive Slime] (10/15)

That was the first time that System’s ability had increased outside of when he leveled up. Also, not only did his [Corrosive Slime]’s level increased, but its upper limit increased, too.

The glands in his throat became more developed, and the slime secreted was much more viscous, like glue. Even if he used his limbs to pull the slime apart by a few centimeters, it would not immediately break apart either.

Although there was no obvious increase to the corrosiveness of the [Corrosive Slime], System felt a strange sense of connection toward the slime that he spat out.

His secreted slime was alive like the colloids of the slime. System sensed the slime on the dead leaf on the ground trembling slightly.

Meanwhile, as System retrieved the slime, he could even feel the slime’s happiness as it had returned to his body.

“Is it possible that my secreted slime can become alive as [Corrosive Slime]’s level increases?” murmured System as he felt the slime occasionally vibrating in the gland of his throat.

If these corrosive slimes could be controlled freely, then they would undoubtedly become his powerful trump card.

The glue-like slime could jump up from the ground at an unimaginable angle, and then like gangrene, it could corrode the enemies’ weak joints, limiting their movements.

System could even imagine the scene of him using his slime to defeat spiders, or even his natural enemies, birds.

…

System was mentally exhausted as his search for food this time had lasted over 10 hours.

The good thing was that his [Corrosive Slime] had leveled up, so the colloids in his stomach were being digested rapidly. Most likely, he would be able to finish the remaining colloids in another hour or two.

Then, he could head to the pile of stones near the pitcher plant with his bulging belly.

As System was eating the colloids, he thought of his next day’s plan, which was how he was going to get more colloids from the slime.