Human Honey

[A frail beauty, gentle on the surface but mad within, desired by everyone vs. a demon king of an attack, a killing machine and a hopelessly lovesick guard dog of a wife]

Stellar Year 3381.

The Abyssal Gate opened, and Rift creatures launched a full-scale invasion of the material universe. Every intelligent life-form in the Milky Way faced an unprecedented catastrophe.

To survive, humanity launched the "Variant" Project.

The strongest individuals among humankind were selected and injected with a special serum. They would be transformed into the most powerful warriors, buying humanity a little breathing room.

But though the warriors who became "Variants" gained power, they also embarked on a one-way journey toward madness and collapse.

Every "Variant" was doomed to become a monster, consumed by bloodlust and a deranged mind, as a result of this unnatural transformation. The serum used to alter their bodies came from an alien insect species that had long been extinct.

Those powerful, mysterious ancient life-forms had long since vanished. All that remained were the countless magnificent ruins they had left across the vast reaches of space, testament to the supreme position they had once held in the universe.

They were so powerful, so terrifying, they... they had disappeared without a trace. And their extinction was probably caused by the madness brought on by their overwhelming power. That was the conclusion humanity reached billions of years later, when they had no choice but to execute the Variant warriors afflicted with "Red Thirst."

*

In his previous life, Logar believed the same thing.

During an archaeological expedition to some ruins, he and his companions were attacked by Rift creatures. Desperate to survive, he threw caution to the wind, extracted a serum from a strange Argus insect fossil egg in the ruins, and injected it into himself.

He tried to become a Variant and gain one last chance at survival. In the end, as expected, he failed.

He did not become a Variant.

But his body began to change in strange ways. He started giving off a peculiar, sweet scent, and even secreted a strange liquid as sweet as honey. To the Variant warriors, everything about him became irresistibly fragrant.

To the "Variants," his tears were ambrosia they couldn't resist, and the beads of sweat on his skin were honey that drove them mad...

He could easily quench the Variants' hunger and thirst, and soothe the mental derangement of those warriors with his own body.

Logar thought his existence might save the Variants from their tragic fate. But when he revealed what made him special, he became his lover's prisoner.

Everything about Logar, from his tears to his blood, even his very existence, became a means for that man to control the "swarm."

The naive young man who had once wanted to save others ended up unable to save even himself.

*

And then...

Logar was reborn.

He returned to the night he had just transformed into a "honeycomb," when everyone thought he had simply failed to become a Variant.

The pale young man gave off a faint sweetness. He knew that before long, his scent would make even the strongest Variants completely lose themselves...

Everything seemed to be repeating just as it had in his previous life.

But this time, Logar was no longer naive and foolish. In a way... he was even more deranged than those irredeemable Red Thirst lunatics.

And...

This time, Logar finally understood what the incessant buzzing in his mind was saying.

*

[System initialization sequence activated... Conducting a comprehensive, in-depth scan... Scan complete. Successfully identified the sole administrator identity matching the "Hive Mind" control framework. Operating environment complies with all safety protocols. No external interference signals detected.]

[Core Notice]

> Pending task: Confirm pairing with the "Hive Mind" control framework.

> Subsequent operations: Upon successful confirmation, grant full permissions, including but not limited to access to the swarm's cognitive data, forced commands to combat units and groups, and adjustment of strategic combat parameters.

[Safety Warning]

> Anomaly detected: Source verification for this "swarm" has failed. It does not meet the certification requirements for a legally manufactured source. It is currently flagged as an anomalous combat entity within the system.

> Status adjustment: As this "swarm" is the only combat unit identifiable within the system, a temporary filing mechanism has been triggered, placing it under the Hive control framework.

> Swarm stability is below standard. Soothing substrate has not been replenished for an extended period. Hunger and thirst levels are excessive.

> Risk: Excessive hunger and thirst may cause the swarm to take extreme measures and overconsume the administrator's biomass, placing the administrator's life in danger.

> Recommended action: Immediately initiate the emergency feeding procedure. Within the safety protocols, increase the administrator's soothing-substrate secretion to maintain the stability and safety of this swarm combat group.

[Important Notice]

> Upon confirming the pairing link, you will be permanently bound to the "Hive Mind" control framework and assume lifelong management responsibilities and risks. Please assess all potential risks and make your decision with care.

[Operation Instructions]

[Confirm]: Activate the pairing link and assume control-management authority and all associated responsibilities and risks.

[Cancel]: Terminate the operation and exit the system interface.

Please select an option above to proceed...

..

Reader's Guide:

This is a fictional setting and has no connection to reality.

[Updates with the rankings before VIP chapters]

A Hive Mind story.

Contains insectoid elements, but there is no distinction between male and female insects.

This is not a typical insectoid story (neither male insects nor a queen insect). Please don't force the worldview of other stories onto this one.

The bottom is adored by everyone, with many people pursuing him, but he only returns the top's feelings. 1v1, no pairing changes.

The top changes.

Theme: Stay optimistic and proactive even in difficult circumstances, use your own initiative to overcome challenges and take control of your destiny.