My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse novel Chapter 573

"This is deeply concerning," Duke muttered, his index finger lightly resting against his chin as he surveyed their surroundings, his expression dark and grim.

Despite the prolonged search and the energy they had expended—both physical and spiritual—they were holding up well, thanks to Kisha’s active and passive skills.

These abilities not only kept their stamina replenished but also shielded them from the worst of the strain.

However, their mental endurance was being tested.

Yet, who were they if not seasoned veterans of countless harrowing experiences? Their resilience had been forged through hardship, and their minds were far from fragile. They pressed on with a steady determination, their composure unwavering.

Even so, an hour passed with no progress. The Scarlet Bees, typically efficient in scouting, had scoured the area but uncovered no new leads. The silence and emptiness weighed heavily on them, deepening the unease in the air.

"Ah!" Kisha suddenly let out a sharp, frustrated cry, her expression darkening with fury. She stomped her foot on the ground, her teeth clenched tightly, radiating anger.

"What happened?" Duke asked, his voice tinged with concern as he quickly moved to her side.

Placing a reassuring hand on her back, he gently rubbed it in soothing circles, his touch steady and calming. His worried eyes searched her face, silently urging her to share what had triggered her outburst.

"Something killed my Scarlet Bees!" Kisha exclaimed, her voice laced with anger and urgency.

Without hesitation, she broke into a steady sprint toward the location where her Scarlet Bees had been attacked. Duke immediately matched her pace, running alongside her.

"Then doesn’t that mean we’ve found a lead on where the creature might be hiding?" Duke said, his tone trying to offer encouragement. "Their sacrifice wasn’t in vain, Wifey. This could take us straight to our target."

Though Kisha appreciated Duke’s attempt to console her, she couldn’t help but feel a deep pang of frustration.

The Scarlet Bees weren’t just disposable tools to her. Thanks to Bell’s diligent efforts, their numbers had grown into the thousands, but nurturing the specialized scouting drones wasn’t an easy task.

These drones, with their extended stamina and endurance, were vital for long-term reconnaissance missions.

Unlike the regular worker Scarlet Bees, these drones could scout for longer periods without succumbing to exhaustion, making them indispensable to her operations.

That’s why losing them stung more than usual. They weren’t just valuable assets—they represented countless hours of care and effort.

Still, Kisha steeled her resolve, knowing their loss might finally provide the clue they desperately needed just like what Duke said.

Kisha felt her heart ache as if it were bleeding. Losing a dozen Scarlet Bees in an instant was a devastating blow, made worse by the frustration of not knowing what had happened.

There had been no warning—no sign of danger. One moment, the connection was alive and strong; the next, it was abruptly severed, leaving her bewildered and angry.

Deciding to exercise caution, Kisha refrained from sending any more Scarlet Bees into the area.

Instead, she ordered the remaining Scarlet Bees to maintain a safe distance, monitoring the scene from above and along the perimeter without venturing closer.

She couldn’t risk losing more of her bees without understanding what had killed them.

As Kisha, Duke, Vulture, and Zeus approached the perimeter where her Scarlet Bees had disappeared, their steps instinctively slowed.

Eventually, they came to a halt.

The air ahead of them was dense with an ominous, thick fog, curling unnaturally around the area. Kisha’s sharp eyes narrowed as she studied the unsettling sight, a shiver of unease running down her spine.

"Was the fog poisonous?" Duke asked, his voice low as his sharp eyes scanned the area. He couldn’t spot any of the Scarlet Bees—they had expertly hidden themselves among the broad leaves and other safe crevices.

The usual faint hum of their wings was absent, adding to the eerie silence.

Duke’s brow furrowed as he observed the fog swirling around the area. It wasn’t natural; it carried an oppressive stillness that seemed to suffocate everything it touched.

Could it have been the fog that killed the Scarlet Bees so suddenly?

His jaw tightened at the thought, knowing whatever they were up against was far more dangerous than they’d anticipated.

"This fog appeared out of nowhere," Kisha said, her voice tight with concern. She relayed the information coming from the Scarlet Bees positioned around the area.