Chapter 2: Prologue (2) The Chimera Ant

Mikhailis couldn't take his eyes off the Chimera Ant as it scuttled around its enclosure, its metallic legs tapping lightly against the glass floor. The creature's movement seem to have a sense of purpose, its antennae twitching as it explored the small space he'd prepared for it. He was transfixed by its sleek, shimmering body, as well as the way its wings fluttered delicately every few steps while catching the faint light from his desk lamp. "Rodion, give me a detailed report on its biological functions," Mikhailis said as he grabbed a magnifying glass from his workbench, his could feel his fingers trembling slightly from the excitement of this 'occurrence'. 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. *Whoosh!* He found himself standing in an entirely different place. A grand hall, far more extravagant than anything he had ever seen before, unfolded before him. The walls were made of a smooth, polished wood, intricately carved with patterns of vines and leaves. Glimmering veins of metal wound through the design, giving the space an ethereal glow. It's a very... Interesting architectural concept... And there, standing at the center of the hall, was a woman. She had brown skin, the color of rich earth, and long, silver hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. Her eyes, a piercing golden, met his, and Mikhailis immediately felt a jolt of something—respect, awe, maybe even fear. She wore a crown, delicate and refined, and her body was draped in flowing robes of green and silver, complementing the natural elegance of the room. 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. "Welcome," the woman said, her voice melodic but commanding. He could feel the air of the ruler from her. "You must be the one I summoned." Oh. So this is a real woman. Really? A real one? If this woman is real, then does it's true? She's an elf? No, judging from her skin, a dark elf? A brown-haired beauty with gorgeous silver hair that looks like silk with elven ears, and a wow-worthy breasts. 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. Summoned? Mikhailis blinked again, his mind struggling to catch up. "Uh... summoned?" His eyes flicked from the woman to the grand hall, and back to her. "Wait... what just happened?" Wait, wait, wait. Is this the usual pattern of those isekai fantasies that I often talk trash about!? The thing about a filthy story that only give birth to creepy otaku nerds that filled the world with delusions and contaminate people!?!? The woman smiled faintly. "You've been brought here... by me." He glanced around the room again, then back at her, and finally, he managed to form a coherent thought. "Well, this is new."