"Intruders in the area."

Little Joe began observing the microscopic screens of the ants to check how much XP they had accumulated.

Worker Ants: 

01 🐜 level 0.1 / 📏 3.5 cm / ⚖️ 6 grams + 20 XP = 10 / 50x 🦾 = 500 grams 

🐜 💨 0.25 m/s / 🤎 00.1 + / ⭐⛏ 1.10 p/h x 11 hours = 12.1 XPs x 126 ants = 1500.40 XPs / 🙂

Since the amount of XP was too much for a single ant, Joe was able to increase the strength of only 75 ants, resulting in 96 ants able to carry up to half a kilogram, while 29 ants could handle a 300-gram load.

Queen 🐜 level 2 / 📏 9 cm + 200 XPs = 20 cm / each 1 cm = 10 XPs / ⚖️ 20 grams + 300 XPs = 50 grams / each gram = 10 XPs / 80 x 50 grams = 🦾 4 kilograms 

🐜 💨 0.15 m/s + 0.15 m/s / 🤎 00.4 / + 5.0 / ⭐ 3.3 p/h = 36.3 XPs / 🙂 ⭐ 10% 5,000 ants = 500 XPs

The ants then sprang into action, heading toward the tunnel. Five minutes later, the number of ants emerging carrying debris was impressive, as the 26 digging ants worked together, removing a significant amount of earth.

What was most remarkable was that they were so adapted to this task that their XP gain was ten times higher than that of a regular ant per hour, reaching 11 XPs per hour worked.

After half an hour, the sweet Joe had given the queen was already consumed, with not even crumbs left. Being an ant meant being an expert at finding crumbs.

Joe decided to inspect the tunnel, and as he entered, the ants immediately cleared the center of the path for him. What he saw left him astonished: for the first ten meters, he had to crawl, but after that, the tunnel was wide enough for him to stand without touching the ceiling.

Little Joe watched the ants working. He was impressed by their speed and efficiency as the digging ants burrowed into the tunnel wall ahead, always rotating their heads.

They returned with expandable flaps, bringing the debris back effectively. Joe noticed that, together, they could clear a meter of work per hour. While some ants removed material, others dug, as there was enough space for all of them to work.

It was then that Joe noticed some parts of the tunnel gleaming, indicating the presence of minerals. However, he didn't realize that his own excavation skills were improving with each passing minute. He was puzzled when the queen ant appeared and gave orders for some ants to delve deeper into the wall to collect those shining minerals Joe had seen.

To his amazement, part of the excavated earth was transformed into rustic columns connecting the ground and ceiling of the newly dug cavern, eliminating the risk of collapse.

He gave a short smile and realized it was time to leave, after all, he was interrupting the work of these tireless creatures.

Once again, he was fascinated by the intelligence of the ants and felt the urge to kiss Queen Flórida again. He certainly needed to reward her with more sweets. 

Suddenly, the system alerted him, causing a small start.

[System Alert! Intelligence increase detected 🧠 +0.50%. Now you, Queen Flórida, and the other ants with micro screens can communicate 50% intelligibly. Clear and objective words are required for you to get a proper response] Your intelligence level is 🧠➗ Intelligence level 1.65%.

He smiled briefly and realized it was time to leave. He was hindering the little creatures' work, and he decided to exit the tunnel. As he approached the exit, he noticed several dwarves hiding inside the tunnel as if they were fleeing from something or someone. Joe politely asked them to move aside, and with some difficulty, managed to pass through. But before he could leave, a hand stopped him.

"Please, Mr. Joe, don't go. The Nobles' guards prevented us from being here. If they catch us, they might arrest all of us," someone said.

"Don't worry, they will help us in some way too," Joe replied, unconcerned.

For a moment, Joe believed that Queen Flórida had also developed increased intelligence since there wasn't a single ant visible to the guards; they had all received orders to hide.

He also noticed that there were some trees with leaves near the soldiers. Looking into the distance, he could see Queen Flórida, who had now grown to 20 centimeters, waiting for his signal to attack.

"What's this? A hole or the beginning of a tunnel? What are you doing here, kid?" asked one of the soldiers.

With his intelligence now enhanced, the young boy replied confidently:

"Do I know you? Why should I tell you what I'm doing here?"

Then one of the soldiers approached, saying:

"Looks like we've got a clever little boy here."

He immediately retorted:

"In my view, it looks like we've got a very lazy soldier here. What do you want in this place?"

"Listen, kid," said the leader, trying to regain control. "You may be brave, but you're still outnumbered. Just tell us who you are, and we can avoid any trouble."

Little Joe remained resolute, unshaken by the soldiers' intimidation.

"Are you really going to threaten me with swords?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "That seems a bit childish, don't you think?"

The leader, surprised by Joe's audacity and the lack of fear or courtesy from what appeared to be just a poor boy, hesitated. He decided to take a more cautious approach, realizing that if this boy was indeed the son of a noble, injuring him could lead to serious consequences. His men exchanged uncertain glances.

With his sharp intelligence, Little Joe noticed this and knew exactly how to turn the situation to his advantage.

"I'm under no obligation to tell you my name, just as you have no right to be here. Now, if you know what's good for you, leave my territory."

"And who are you, kid? Which noble family do you belong to?" the leader asked, trying to uncover Little Joe's background.

"I don't know any of you, so I have no reason to tell you my name. You're not my soldier, so I owe you no respect," Joe replied calmly.

Then, from behind the soldier who was speaking with Joe, a true leader emerged, wanting to resolve the situation.

"Listen closely, kid. You tell me which noble family you belong to, or we'll give you a little lesson," the leader threatened.

Joe shook his head, a smile forming on his lips. "I think you're the ones in trouble. You're the ones trespassing in my territory. How do you plan to explain that to your superiors?"

Realizing he was right, the soldiers shifted nervously. The leader, frustrated, shouted an order for his men to lower their weapons. 

"Fine, but this isn't over. We will find out who you really are," he warned.

Little Joe wasn't intimidated and responded in the same tone:

"I'll give you the same advice: leave here and leave me in peace. I'll pretend I never saw or heard you," said Joe, unshakable.

The guards' leader seemed ready to retreat, but his men thought it would be disgraceful to give up now.

"Let's make a deal, kid: you tell us who you are, and then we'll leave and act like nothing happened," the leader proposed.

But Joe remained firm:

"Let's make a deal: you leave here, and I'll pretend we never had this boring conversation."

Feeling challenged, the guards' leader whistled, calling his companions, who appeared brandishing their swords.

"What do we have here, a little tough guy?"

Asked a large, strong soldier who had just arrived. 

"We still don't know if he's a noble's son or not," said the leader, making the big man more interested in discovering Joe's identity.