Crimson Mist Debut
『 ☆☆☆ 【Rowen】 Human LV155 』 『 ☆☆☆☆ 【Edgar】 Human LV121 』 『 ☆☆ 【Claus】 Human LV88 』 『 ☆☆ 【Ron】 Human LV102 』 『 ☆☆ 【Jane】 Human LV97 』 『 ☆☆ 【Gent】 Human LV94 』 ......
So many of them... The knight order had finally reached me. Among them, two stood out. A 4-star knight and...
『 ☆☆☆ 【Rowen】 Human LV155 』
He's gotta be the leader, right? His outfit was different from the others, and his level was the highest. I should talk to him. Hmm. First, a greeting! I cautiously lifted one root and wiggled it a little. Just like when I met Seraphina and Beatrice.
The knights' faces froze in an instant.
I knew it.
I quickly started carving letters into the ground.
Hello
"Capture the flower! Kill the bugs!"
What!?
A sinister aura washed over me in that instant. Red energy erupted from Rowen's body, enveloping the surrounding knights. The unpleasant sensation—something I'd never felt before—made my petals instinctively curl inward.
My mind went blank for a moment.
What did he just say? Capture... me? Kill the bugs?
Confusion lasted only a second before red flames ignited along Rowen's sword. In that instant, my entire body felt like it was freezing solid.
"Charge!"
With Rowen's shout, a flaming sword beam hurtled toward me. My Inferno Stigma reacted violently. My curse, critically weak to fire attributes. If this hit me now...
No... no...
In the grip of terror, in that split second, a red light sparkling on my petals shot upward like lightning.
It was Cecilia.
No, Cecilia! It's dangerous!
But contrary to my worry, Cecilia's translucent wings unfurled magnificently, tracing a flash of light. And then, an unbelievable sight unfolded.
The flaming sword beam vanished into Cecilia's wings as if sucked in. The moment the flames were absorbed, her wings radiated brilliant light. It was like a tiny sun had briefly risen and faded there.
Cecilia... you...
A swell of emotion filled my chest. That little butterfly had blocked the flames for me. And so spectacularly...
Right...
It had all happened so fast I was stunned, but thinking back to Cecilia's birth, it made sense. A being born from devouring flames. That's why she could absorb that terrifying sword beam.
Truly... thank you so much, Cecilia.
I wanted to gently stroke her wing with a root tip, but there was no time. The knights, wrapped in red aura, were charging at me all at once.
Th... these rude humans!
Rage boiled up. I'd greeted them politely. And they attack out of nowhere? Pouring dangerous strikes at me and Cecilia!
Whether from my fury or sheer intimidation, the red aura flickered, and the knights' eyes cleared for a moment—but it was too late.
I can't forgive this...
A cold smile spread between my petals. These impolite guests needed a welcome fitting their manners.
Die!
I thrust a root upward, piercing Rowen's nape. Pathetic enough to die in one hit. What gave him that confidence?
Blood burst from Rowen's neck and hung motionless in the air. At my will, it turned to mist, beginning to envelop the surroundings. Like a red theater curtain descending.
Shall we start our performance now?
Starting with the girl butterfly, the bugs began relaying my will. The Bugz leaped forward at the humans, eyes gleaming as if they'd been waiting.
The Bugz moved freely through the mist. To us, this red fog was the perfect stage. The knights floundered in confusion, unable to see—but the Bugz moved even more nimbly. Their compound eyes flashing in the fog like red lasers.
It was a beautiful scene, drenched in fresh blood.
Endless spurting blood turned to mist, and the humans' bodies shattered like ice sculptures.
Now for me... I scattered colorful pollen.
Knights touched by yellow dust had their limbs stiffen. Purple dust made armor creak and melt. Black dust rotted flesh.
Aah... ecstasy.
Screams echoed. But I was more focused on the Bugz's movements. Beautiful motions like dancing at a royal ball. Their perfect teamwork swelled my heart with pride.
Our Bugz are so cool!
The humans' deaths... well. Just a scene on the stage. No emotions stirred.
Strange... so strange...
Memories of my past life flashed by. I too had been a human with warm blood flowing.
But now...
Is this... normal?
Am I losing my humanity?
Or... did I already lose it?
Then Cecilia flew over and landed on my petal. Our daughter who blocked that flame sword beam earlier. Seeing her chased away my tangled thoughts.
Whatever... they attacked first anyway, right?
Now only two left. Edgar and Claus, fleeing. As the girl butterfly seemed to issue pursuit orders, I swung a root to stop her.
It's fine, let them go.
The Bugz looked at me curiously.
No idiot would charge us after seeing this. Better if these two survive and spread the word, no?
Cecilia sparkled her wings on my petal as if agreeing. Yeah, this is better. They'll tell everyone what happens if you mess with us carelessly.
Watching the two knights flee without looking back, I heard Master's voice.
"Rico, you did wonderfully."
Eek! Master!?
Master and Nis emerged from the shadows. How did they evade my detection radar? Weren't they in the deepest layer...?
Whoa... Master's smiling so brightly.
Her silver hair swaying, Master's cold face lit with a bright smile. My petals fluttered at the sight. Forgetting battle excitement, I thrilled like a child praised by Mom.
"Nis, see? Our Rico."
Master looked at Nis proudly. My petals quivered with excitement. Master boasting about me!
"Lady Frostia, don't you think that's enough bragging?"
Nis laughed in exasperation. But genuine admiration laced her voice.
"But truly impressive. Especially the bugs' organization! Even my subordinates couldn't match that."
Heehee, our Bugz are the best, right?
Pride swelled my petals. The girl butterfly flapped as if sensing my mood.
Thank you!
Nis's expression suddenly turned serious.
"More importantly, you should absorb those humans' mana quickly."
Ah! Human mana!
My mind snapped alert. The perfect chance to hasten polymorph!
How could I forget something so crucial?
How do I do it!?
"The humans' mana is in the blood mist you created."
Ah! Of course!
Master knew everything, as expected! I hurriedly absorbed all the misted blood. My level ticked up a bit, and I felt my auxiliary battery expand.
I've gotten a bit stronger. But I don't feel a huge difference...
"Really? You absorbed quite a lot."
Nis tilted her head. Then, examining me closely, her eyes sparkled as if realizing something.
"With this much mana... yes, just wait about five years for stabilization. You should be able to polymorph then."
Five years!?
Really!? Five years!?
My petals bounced with joy. Not 700 years—five! I could become human so soon!
Aah... today is perfect!
First time killing humans, and I get such great news. Cecilia shone spectacularly, Bugz were flawless... and above all, Master was proud of me!
So I can become human soon too?
"Of course. You'll be in a really pretty form."
Heehee!
Master's words made my chest burst. Today was truly special. My first slaughter, first mana absorption, and hope for humanity...
Past life memories flickered, but I decided not to dwell. That was the past anyway, right?
…
"Our Rico is so lovable, isn't she?"
Rub rub!
Hwah!
"How many times do I have to answer!?"
Pet pet!
Hee!
After wrapping things up, I was receiving rewards from Master and Nis in this happy moment. Suddenly, a strange presence pinged at the edge of my detection radar.
Hm?
A flying bug? But all Bugz are here...?
As it fully entered my radar, I identified it.
Eek, what's that?
It was an enormous hornet. Our Bugz's Blizzard Hornet was huge, but this thing was adult-to-child huge by comparison. And naturally, different species name.
Gellidio? Cryosting?
Why so complicated! The name alone screamed power. But why does it feel familiar, like I've seen it before? Oh...
Ah! The three-star weakling hornet!
No way, that one? The little hornet that left disappointed without honey?
The giant hornet, now at the passage to the hive, flew straight at me fiercely. One wing could swat our Bugz away. But its demeanor looked... overjoyed.
"Kkyak!"
Uh.
"Wh-wh-what, what kind of bug is that huge!?"
Nis seemed seriously startled. Gone was her usual elegance; she clutched her skirt tightly. Master remained calm, but curiosity gleamed in her eyes.
I was thrilled too. I remembered those pure eyes longing for my honey.
Now you can have honey too!
My petals perked up. As I prepared to make honey, the giant hornet's compound eyes sparkled happily.
"Finally... we did it!"
Rein gasped for breath, hands on knees. His armor was caked in ice shards, white with electrified black frost.
"This... was just the first gateway of Sia Kalt?"
Adrian fumbled for his potion pouch with trembling hands. Three red potions rattled in his grip. Started with sixteen life recovery potions—now barely three. They'd used too many crossing Set Hanryeong.
"Look over there."
Hawin pointed to the distant village. Wolf monster blood still froze on his black bow—traces of battling Set Hanryeong's guardians.
The village was larger than expected. As the sole outpost in the Sia Kalt mountains, sturdy walls encircled it. Guards patrolled the ramparts.
"Can we gather info there?"
Rein asked, and Adrian nodded.
"The hero and saint must've passed through. Someone will know something."