3025, an era where humans are no longer the smartest creatures on Earth. Instead, species like insects have evolved, increasing their intelligence and forcing humanity to compete just to survive.

In this harsh era, humans built colonies in the middle of the ocean to avoid the invasively growing insects. Specialized teams were formed to explore the mainland, known as Narah, and that's where I work—for the survival of humankind.

Today is just an ordinary day. I carry out my duties with my teammates: Rony, Anista, Kyle, and Edwart. Our mission is to gather resources from the remnants of ancient civilizations. Suddenly, the radar on our aircraft picks up a signal—an insect colony approaching our location. This is definitely not a good sign.

Rony says, “Come on, let’s get out of here!”

But I refuse. There’s no way we’re leaving behind this many resources.

“No. We’ve already collected so much stuff!”

“What? Don’t be naive. Our lives are more important than these things!” Rony snaps back.

Edwart interrupts, “He’s right. Besides, they’re already too close. Escaping is impossible now.”

Then Anista nervously adds, “Wh-what if we hide?”

In the middle of the panic, Kyle, our captain, makes a decision.

“The only way is to hide underwater. Everyone, grab an oxygen tank. Looks like we’re diving into Lake Michigan.”

I agree—Kyle made the right call. After all, running or hiding is almost useless. These insects have the ability to tame other animals and use them, and their queen possesses echolocation. So even if we try to hide, there’s a high chance we’ll be found. They move in coordinated patterns, making an entire insect colony look like a single organism controlled by the queen.

It had been about ten minutes since we hid underwater. I finally gathered the courage to surface and scan the area.

My team and I rushed back to the aircraft. From above, we could only gaze upon the shattered remains of a once-great civilization.

Fifteen minutes passed before we returned to Post B—also known as Baldig City located in the heart of the Oceania Sea. But as we approached the city from the horizon, thick plumes of smoke were rising into the sky.

Anista broke the silence.

"What happened? How could the city be attacked?”

The five of us stood speechless, frozen by confusion. Once we landed, Kyle ran up to a civilian and asked,

“What’s going on?”

“T-the city’s shield… it suddenly shut down,” the man stammered. “That allowed the Gerridae to swarm in… in massive numbers.”

The Gerridae—insects once known for walking on water—were never able to withstand waves. But centuries of evolution had changed them. They had adapted. They had learned to manipulate other life forms, to build tools, and even alter their own bodies. In this case, the Gerridae developed devices that allowed them to explode on contact and stick more aggressively to water surfaces.

Our scientists estimate the sound of their detonations to be around 70 decibels—seemingly low, but devastating when multiplied by their massive numbers.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Kyle gave a direct order:

“Get to the evacuation chamber. Now!”

The sirens for the anti-insect gas release began to wail. In my heart, I wondered—

"What kind of madman would disable the shield?"

Something was off about this city. Deeply wrong.

Inside the evacuation chamber, people were whispering, discussing, arguing—until one voice spoke what everyone feared:

“There’s a traitor among us.”

My suspicion had been right. One of the high-ranking officers, Riko, had always acted strange. His behavior, his expressions, even the way he walked—it was all… unnatural.

Then—

“Aaaahhhhhhh!!!”

A scream echoed from down the corridor. I rushed toward the sound, my heart pounding.

It was Riko.

He lay on the floor, pale as death, mumbling incoherently. Everyone stared in horror as hundreds of insects began crawling out of his mouth. Panic erupted. People screamed and backed away in terror.

Weakly, Riko turned his head and whispered:

“I’m… sorry. I was the one who deactivated the shield…”

I stood frozen, stunned. My voice trembled.

“Were you… being controlled? By those insect