Evolution begins with an ant colony

Chris, frustrated by the guard's lack of response, raised his voice even louder. "Hey, you there! Why are you ignoring me? Open the gate!"

Meanwhile, high atop the village walls, Lucas couldn't help but feel a heavy weight of responsibility. He looked down at the chaos unfolding beyond the gates and mused inwardly, "I'm sorry, heroes, but I can't allow the undead to enter the village. We can only hope the message sent through the magic orb at the guild will reach the church in time. Until then, heroes, you are on your own."

Chris, feeling betrayed, shouted out in anger, "Darn it! So, you actually want us to die down here!"

Suddenly, Ken propelled himself with such force that it left craters in the ground where he had previously stood. His movements were swift and precise, showcasing his extraordinary speed.

Mina, not one to back down, began firing a barrage of elemental magic at Ken. However, he effortlessly dodged every attack with his incredible agility and finesse. His movements were a mesmerizing dance of evasion, showcasing his formidable prowess.

Ken couldn't help but chuckle as he taunted, "Is this your best? You're making this boring. I could dodge all these attacks all day long, and I still won't be tired."

Mina, growing increasingly frustrated, muttered, "Darn it, none of my attacks are hitting him."

John, his anxiety growing with each evaded attack, felt a bead of sweat trickle down his cheek. Inwardly, he worried, "I don't like the way this is going. If he keeps effortlessly dodging her attacks like that, she'll eventually run out of mana, leaving us at his mercy. I can't bear that thought.

Mina has to close the gap between them and find a way to land more precise and powerful attacks." John's intense gaze remained locked on the battle, his mind racing with concern for their dire situation.

As John observed the battle and the growing challenge they faced, his mind raced with the realization that if things continued on this path, he might need to resort to a skill he had kept as a last resort. He muttered to himself, "If things keep playing out like this, I will have to use that skill on Mina. But I've never used it on a person before. I just hope there won't be any side effects."

The skill John referred to was one he had received on the day he was summoned to this fantastical world. Known as 'Mind over Power,' it allowed him to share his consciousness with another living organism. However, certain conditions needed to be met for this skill to work: the target organism must be within the range of John's sight and possess lower mental fortitude than he did.

This unique skill enabled him to issue commands to the target and share his vast knowledge and experiences with them, effectively allowing them to use their body based on his own experiences. It was a power he had kept in reserve, never having employed it on another person until now.

With the realization that their situation was growing dire, John decided to take the risk. He closed his eyes, and as he opened them, they radiated a faint yellow glow. With determination, he uttered, "Mind over power."

A spectral line, visible only to him, extended from his mind toward Mina's consciousness. However, it was as if an invisible barrier prevented the connection. The line was forcefully repelled, sending a shockwave of agony through John's body. He coughed up blood, his frustration evident as he muttered, "Seems it failed... Darn it.

Now that I think about it, logically, Mina is a mage, and mages typically possess higher mental fortitude than other classes." The harsh reality of his failure left him with a sense of desperation and uncertainty. Stay connected through empire

As John's condition worsened, Chris couldn't help but worry. He asked, "Hey, you don't look so good."

John, trying to mask the side effects of his skill, lied and responded, "Don't worry, it's just a wound I obtained earlier when Ken attacked me."

Mina, realizing that their standard magic attacks were having no impact on Ken, contemplated her next move. She mumbled to herself, "Fire and lightning magic don't even seem to be dealing any damage. I'll have to use something more powerful, like that stone golem I created when we came to this village, but I need it to be much bigger and stronger."

With determination, Mina began weaving mana together, forming a complex magic circle. Using the magic circle's power, she summoned a colossal stone golem from the earth itself.

Upon seeing the stone golem rise, Ken couldn't resist taunting. With a smug tone, he remarked, "Playing with dolls made of dirt now, are we? No matter, that won't stop me from slicing it into a thousand pieces." His confidence remained unwavering, even in the face of Mina's magical creation.

Ken's speed was astonishing as he charged toward the stone golem, his chaotic energy crackling around him like a dark aura. Mina, determined to stop him, seized control of the stone golem's massive rocky arms. With a strategic plan in mind, she raised the golem's arms high, aiming to crush Ken between them, like a colossal, earth-shattering clap.

The stone golem's arms came together with tremendous force, creating a resounding boom that echoed through the battlefield. But as the dust and debris settled, it became clear that Ken had evaded the powerful attack. He stood a short distance away, unscathed and wearing a malevolent grin.

Mina couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration as Ken had outmaneuvered her once more.

Ken, wearing a smug expression, sneered, "Seems your dirt doll can't keep up with my speed. I'll end this now." With a swift and confident sweep of his hand, he cleaved the stone golem in half, then promptly closed the distance between him and Mina, closing in on her like a predator homing in on its prey. "You're mine."

John, observing the unfolding situation, felt a sense of urgency as he mused inwardly, "Shit, I can't let this happen. I have to try using my skill again."

"Go, Mind over power!" he exclaimed inwardly. This time, when his mental connection shot out, it successfully bridged the gap.

Realizing it worked, John felt a surge of responsibility as he thought inwardly, "I'm sorry, Mina. I'll be taking the wheel now."

Mina's colorful eyes abruptly turned a piercing yellow, and she focused her mana, shaping it into a sword with deliberate, precise movements. With her newly created mana sword, she skillfully countered Ken's attack, sending him tumbling backward. Mina then utilized her enhanced magic to reinforce every aspect of her body, manifesting through subtle shifts and movements in her stance and posture.

With a sly grin, she taunted, "Shall we give this another try, Ken?"