I Am The Swarm

“Some people collect wealth, some enjoy power, while others have peculiar hobbies or seek other forms of fulfillment. In the end, most of those who seek assignments outside their home are pursuing some kind of spiritual satisfaction. When material needs no longer trouble us, in the long years of life, we must always pursue something to avoid losing ourselves,” Elder Humes said with a grave tone.

“Then, Elder Humes, what are you seeking by taking on this assignment? Wealth, power, or something else?” Elder Cecil asked, seemingly casually.

“Haha, that’s quite a personal question…”

“If it’s too sensitive, then forget it.”

“Now that you’ve said that, if I don’t answer, it might seem like I have some peculiar hobby,” Elder Humes said, shaking his head as he looked at Elder Cecil’s smiling face.

He continued, “Actually, it’s nothing too secretive. As I mentioned earlier, everyone who seeks an assignment outside has their own needs, and I am no exception. I have lived for thousands of years, though most of that time was spent in hibernation pods. Still, I have been awake for several hundred years. This age is nearing the limit of my original species’ lifespan.”

“In all these years, I have already enjoyed wealth, power, and everything else one could desire. Logically, I should have no regrets. But as intelligent beings, we are naturally fearful of the unknown. And death, for us, is the ultimate unknown.”

Elder Humes’ voice grew lower. “Therefore, as my time approaches, all I desire is to live a few more days. But the limits of lifespan are not so easily broken. Over the years, countless races have explored ways to extend life, but their methods all have flaws, some more severe than others, and these flaws are difficult to overcome.”

“Flawed methods of life extension often lead to serious consequences. The most typical example is the former Ji Race, but it is precisely because of them that we exist today. While the outcome has been favorable for us, it doesn’t erase the drawbacks of current life-extension methods.”

“My first thought was disbelief. How could a small race with only one star system, half of which was occupied by others, achieve something that even the most powerful civilizations in the confederation, including our own Ji Race, had failed to accomplish?”

“But with nothing better to do, I took a closer look. To my surprise, the serum did seem to have some merit. However, I still didn’t believe that a small, backwater race could produce anything truly groundbreaking. So, I only paid a little attention to it in my spare time.”

“There’s a reason so many people covet the position of a Ji Race Elder. With just a bit of attention, a flood of data and experimental results came back to me. Through this information, I discovered that the small race hadn’t actually surpassed our understanding. Their so-called life-extension serum was merely an extract from a special plant. It was the plant itself that was extraordinary.”

“This discovery, however, immediately heightened my interest. Compared to some unknown backwater race, the wonders of nature are far more trustworthy. The universe contains everything, and it’s possible that somewhere, a plant with no side effects for life extension had been born. And now, we had found it.”

“At this point, you should understand why I sought this assignment.”

Elder Cecil nodded, indicating she understood. The reason was fitting, and she had her own sources. Elder Humes’ explanation matched his behavior.

However, some more detailed information could only be accurately provided by the person involved.

“So, Elder Humes, did you find what you needed there?”

“Of course,” Elder Humes said, his aged face creasing into a few more wrinkles. It seemed that talking about this topic lifted his spirits. “That life-extension plant is truly miraculous. It extends life by increasing the number of times a cell can divide. Although its applicability is still limited, its future is bright.”

Elder Cecil nodded in understanding. Sometimes, a single discovery can open up a path that was previously blocked. Just as intelligent beings in ancient times could only rely on simple tools like stones and branches, the discovery of metals led to the development of smelting, manufacturing, and more.

This life-extension plant is like a foundation. Although it is currently as raw as ore exposed on a planet’s surface, with further research, it could become the basis for something monumental.

“I see you understand its value,” Elder Humes continued, seeing Elder Cecil’s nod. “This discovery has made many people envious, but I won’t leave. I will guard this place and ensure that no political games hinder the research progress.”

“How is the research progressing now?”

“Quite well, but recently I made another discovery.”

“Oh? What discovery? Can you share it, Elder Humes?”

“Of course, though I don’t consider it good news. The life-extension plant from the Riken Race actually originates from the Swarm. This makes me wonder whether it is a natural product or something created by the Swarm.”

At the mention of a certain keyword, Elder Cecil’s eyes lit up, and she straightened slightly. “Oh? The Swarm? I don’t recall any powerful race in the confederation with that name.”

“Indeed, they are just a small, remote race. They recently fought a petty war with the Riken Race, a battle of amateurs,” Elder Humes said, shaking his head as if recalling something amusing.

“But if their strength is so limited, why would you suspect that the life-extension plant is the product of such a civilization?” Elder Cecil asked curiously.

“Elder Cecil, you may not know this, but the Swarm, while not strong overall, is incredibly mysterious. Can you imagine a civilization that, in just over a hundred years, developed to the point of waging a war across star systems? And not only that, they won, occupying half of their enemy’s territory.”

“How is that possible? Did some other race intervene? Was it some kind of experiment? Such actions are prohibited,” Elder Cecil exclaimed.

“If only it were that simple. The Swarm seemed to come out of nowhere. We didn’t even have time to plant ships for them.”