Learning Human Speech
'Ahh... Last night was amazing.'
The snowy fields of the mountain range were still littered with monster corpses. The slaughter festival with my bugs had been perfect in every way. Especially scoring Michael's trait!
【Skills】
Detection LV9 | Crimson Apocalypse | Freeze Block LV7 | Photosynthesis LV6 | Paralysis Poison LV2 | Black Root Protrusion LV3 | Pollen Release LV7 | Pollen-Seduction LV8 | Pain Tolerance LV4 | No-Self State LV8 | Pollen-Paralysis LV3 | Pollen-Healing LV4 | Pollen-Bleeding LV3 | Pollen-Corrosion LV1 | Pollen-Decay LV2 | Delicious Flower Nectar LV2 | Flower Nectar-Will LV5 | Red Mist LV4 | Red Moon | Intimidation LV1
【Traits】 [Inferno Stigma] [Michael's Cheer] [Demonic Nature] [Frostia's Attachment Plant] [Blood Heaven's Pleasure] [Michael's Flower]
I let the bugs have the finishing blows and just drank blood, but my level shot up by 12 anyway. Tons of skills leveled up too, and Flower Nectar evolved into Delicious Flower Nectar. Yep, probably even tastier now.
Oh yeah, after the holy war ended, I got a new skill too.
Intimidation — Mentally suppresses the target.
Haki straight out of One Piece! I tested it on the bugs right away, and they cowered perfectly. Is it okay to keep getting such cool skills? Red Mist, Red Moon, Intimidation... Is my owner falling for me?
'Ehehehe.'
While dreaming of forbidden love, a butterfly drank nectar and blushed. A bug blushing? Bold move.
'Don't peek!'
These guys are way smarter than when I first saw them... Maybe because their levels skyrocketed after last night's holy war. The bugs that were around LV30 are now pushing LV50. We hunted together, but killing thousands of monsters makes sense.
'Time to check out the bugs?'
Over there, the Isis Flies were fluttering around. Except the one still blushing. I love that sound already. Used to find it gross, but hearts change.
'Let's see...'
A Crystal Beetle with shiny jewel-like shell was rolling in the snow like it was making a snowman. Degul degul. Hard to believe it's a monster.
'The moth... Ooh...'
A Frost Moth with wings adorned in frost crystals was crafting something out of ice crystals. Looked like a serious artist.
'What're you guys doing...?'
Frost Hornets with ice stingers were posturing threateningly at each other. Queen bee turf war? Someone's gonna die... Wait, no. It's training.
'The ants... Wow...'
Hyper Borealis Ants like white snowflakes marched in perfect formation. Seeing that order makes my chest swell. Yes! You're my royal guard!
Just about to check the newbie bugs when my Detection radar pinged new presences.
'Huh? What's that?'
Several signatures at the edge of the radar, moving. Too far to see clearly. But this isn't... monster energy.
'No way... Humans!?'
My heart raced. First humans I've seen! Well, not counting Owner's human form. But these are real humans!
☆☆ 【Brian】 Human LV41
☆☆ 【Kevin】 Human LV36
☆☆ 【Marianne】 Human LV38
☆☆☆ 【Arthur】 Human LV96
☆☆ 【Lien】 Human LV85
☆☆ 【Oldin】 Human LV88
☆☆☆ 【Hafel】 Human LV92
'LV96!? My hero was only LV83!'
Was my hero a scrub!? 'Have I seen them in the game...?'
I racked my brain, but no dice. I only raised 5-stars; 2-3 stars went straight to storage.
'Should've checked them one by one...' Or maybe they don't even appear in the game.
'Oh? That one...'
Marianne wore priestess robes, holy symbol gleaming around her neck. Michael's follower!
'Michael's devotee! Blood comrade!'
Joy was short-lived—the bugs started radiating killing intent.
'No! Absolutely not!'
I hurriedly fed nectar to the butterflies. 'Don't touch those people! Especially that woman—she's Michael's devotee!'
The butterflies relayed the order, and the killing intent faded. Phew, close call.
The humans drew nearer, reaching the corpse field. Their faces hardened instantly.
'What... that scary?'
They looked terrified of my bugs. Don't get it. They're so cute...
Human faces stiffened more. This won't do. Need another way.
'Right! Perfect chance to learn the language!'
So frustrating not understanding speech. Nectar conveys will one-way. Learn from them!
'Adjutants! Bring those humans here!'
Isis Flies gracefully circled the humans. Good butterflies, so obedient.
Then Lien nocked an arrow at the butterflies. 'Eek! Suicidal much!?'
Before I could act, the bugs unleashed killing intent en masse. Cowed humans meekly followed the butterflies to me.
"???"
"???"
What. Humans gawked blankly at me. Charmed by my fantastic beauty?
"??? ... Michael??? ??? ??? Michael??? ?????."
Huh? Michael?
"???!"
"?"
"?"
"???? ????."
"? ??? Michael??? ???? ????."
Marianne spoke, and the others freaked. What. She sensed Michael's aura on me, but they don't believe her?
'As if there's a more devout follower than me!' With two Michael traits, I'm saint material! Punish these arrogant fools.
'You need intimidation!'
I unleashed Haki. Humans paled, trembling. Hafel's greatsword clattered musically.
Seeing them mutter in terror, I felt my newfound strength. 'Know your place!'
They seemed compliant now. Time for nectar and will transmission. Focus...
'Language! Teach me!'
No way I'm letting these scrubs feel my pistil. Generated tons of nectar without touching.
'Now, eat.'
I raised a root pointing to the nectar. Oldin muttered a long explanation like a doddering mage.
Aargh! Not poison! Just delicious flower nectar!
Delicious Flower Nectar — Generates even tastier flower nectar.
See!? Did they sense my rage? Bugs threatened the humans in unison. Wow. Worked without nectar. Our bond deepened that much?
Now they were truly meek. Wait, no—squabbling over who eats first. Marianne approached, praying.
'Fellow Michael devotees acting like this!?'
She didn't trust me. I spared you on sight. Rude.
Marianne tasted ecstasy instantly. Others followed suit. Wait, will didn't transmit? Why just savor!?
Human faces shifted—shocked, baffled.
'A flower can wanna learn words!' I'm human-born, y'know? Know the pain of not understanding Owner?
Humans conferred. Figuring how to teach?
"???? ???"
More gibberish. Wait. Bugs acting weird.
'Huh?'
They tilted heads, listening intently. Like... trying to understand?
"?? Michael?? ??"
Huh? An Isis Fly fluttered wings. Recognized "Michael"?
'You guys... no way...'
Dripped nectar; butterfly pounced. Transmitted will. The butterfly... laughed.
How does a bug laugh? I saw it. Smirked!
'You've understood human speech all along!?'
Multiple butterflies swarmed the nectar. Shy wing-flutters confirmed it. No way! I was dying of frustration...
My adjutants, my cute butterflies...!
'Traitors!'
Butterflies scattered. Come back!
"???"
Humans looked puzzled our way. Oh, right. Not the time.
'Ahem.'
Embarrassing losing face to bugs. But realization hit: If butterflies can, so can I!
'Alright, round two.'
Aimed root at Marianne. Michael devotee'll teach well?
Marianne spoke, pointing to her holy symbol. Slowly, deliberately.
"Ma-ri-an-ne."
Huh?
"Marianne."
No, I know names from status! Not that!
I pointed root skyward with mine.
"?-?."
'Huh?'
"Sky."
Again!
"Sky."
Marianne pointed sky like me, enunciating. Then scooped white snow, pointing.
"Snow."
Yes! Words! This is it!
Sky and snow match!? Petals sparkled with anticipation. Bugs leaned in. First words... Finally learning isekai language!
My heart pounded. Well, imaginary heart in my head.
Soon I'll understand Owner too? Ahh... How long I've waited...!