The Lightning Tree
The Lightning Tree. True to its name, it was a tree that channeled lightning through itself and the surrounding terrain.
This was because the Lightning Tree possessed a special power source called Thunder Essence.
Oddly enough, it would occasionally unleash bolts toward the sky.
But above all, there was only one such tree on the entire Abian Continent.
That's why it's designated as a protected species.
Harvesting its leaves, fruit, or small branches was permitted, but any damage to the tree itself was strictly punished under the authority of the Four Great Lords.
That was how it had endured as a landmark despite there being just the single specimen.
Of course, the Four Great Lords weren't the only reason it had survived for so long.
Thanks to its lightning-discharging nature, the Lightning Tree effectively protected itself.
Infused with spiritual energy from the Thunder Essence, it could distinguish friend from foe and rain down lightning on any threats.
Moreover, whenever the Thunder Essence overflowed, it vented the excess power skyward.
No one could have damaged it over such a long span of time.
And because of that, the primal species and terrain around the Lightning Tree were all imbued with thunder attributes...
The thunder attribute was considered the highest grade among all attributes.
As such, the area around the Lightning Tree's habitat in the Thunderbolt Forest was marked as a danger zone.
"What brings you here?”
“I need a permit to enter the Thunderbolt Forest.”
I stopped by the management office near the Lightning Tree to take on a commission.
Since it was a protected species in a danger zone habitat, entry required a permit.
“Please wait inside.”
I followed the directions and went in, where it was already bustling with people who'd arrived ahead of me.
“Uhahaha! So that's when I said...”
“Aigoo, I need some income today.”
“Hey, you hear that rumor? About the Lightning Tree...”
Most of them had rough looks and gravelly voices.
...Even back then, tons of wild insect soldiers frequented the Lightning Tree habitat.
Wild insect soldiers. The term for those who roamed the fields performing surveys and commissions rather than settling in one place.
Kind of like mercenaries.
Were people everywhere the same?
Wild insect soldiers shared the roles, behaviors, and mannerisms of mercenaries.
Come to think of it, they even formed proper groups like mercenary bands, so yeah, they're basically identical.
They didn't settle down, but wild insect soldiers built their own affiliations.
They banded together into organizations called wild insect bands.
A few top-tier wild insect bands renowned across the continent were even granted favors by the Four Great Lords.
One couldn't underestimate their prowess lightly.
Though these guys don't seem like much...
I glanced over the rowdy wild insect soldiers.
Most looked like they'd just reached Maturity Stage 1.
The non-combat clans even had some still in the Growth Stage.
Dragging them out to Growth Stage showed just how desperate they were for manpower.
“Hey! What's this, a young kid?”
“Hm, a little mantis. No way you're heading into the Lightning Tree habitat, right?”
Someone spotted me and shouted loudly.
The wild insect soldiers, who'd been chattering noisily, all turned their gazes to me at once.
Unwanted attention.
“Yeah, I've got business there.”
“Uwahaha! No chance, kiddo. You could drop dead the second you step in.”
“Kekeke... This guy's lost his mind. You even know what that place is?”
“Do mantis clans have thunder resistance or something?”
“Idiot, of course not. Use your brain before you speak.”
“Nah, but he said it so confidently... I almost thought mantises had gained thunder resistance.”
The moment I said I was going to the Lightning Tree habitat, they burst into laughter and threw barbs.
Some even threatened me to turn back.
True to form, wild insect soldiers didn't mince words.
Different flavor from the elite Chung Hak Gwan types.
The Chung Hak Gwan elites reeked of arrogance, elitism, and entitlement.
These guys seemed to live like there was no tomorrow, burning with raw emotion in the moment.
Then again, that was the vibe of most wild insect soldiers I'd encountered.
Suddenly, I recalled a conversation with a wild insect soldier who'd reached the Ultimate Body stage and was called the Night Bug King before my regression.
'Night Bug King, why are all you wild insect soldiers so rough? You live like tomorrow doesn't exist.'
'Kuhahaha, friend! You don't get it—we don't think about tomorrow. We're crashing through the wild jungle where death could strike any second. Who has time for that?'
I couldn't help but agree with him.
It made perfect sense why they lived that way.
'After that chat, I finally got why they're so true to their primal instincts and desires.'
I sat reminiscing about the past.
The wild insect soldiers kept eyeing me openly, but I closed my eyes and ignored them until they gradually lost interest and resumed their conversations.
Then, a snippet caught my ear.
“They figured out what that monster is?”
“Nah, still a mystery. Some new kind of primal species they've never seen.”
“I tell ya, it's an ant! I saw it face-to-face!”
“Here we go again. Where's a bipedal ant primal species gonna come from? Figures a dung beetle like you would have shit in his eyes.”
“Hey, screw you! I saw it, okay? And what? You just dissed my clan? Let's settle this. Come on!”
Hoo.
Their squabble was secondary.
What they were saying piqued my interest.
A bipedal ant primal species.
One appeared in the Lightning Tree habitat...?
Before my regression, I'd visited the Thunderbolt Forest and never heard of any unidentified lifeform like that.
Of course, my visit had been much later.
If it was real, the story would've persisted and reached my ears...
My curiosity stirred.
Just idle rumors in the clouds? Or a newly discovered primal species?
“Next, Aleck.”
Lost in thought, my turn came.
I smoothly obtained my Thunderbolt Forest entry permit.
Ignoring the wild insect soldiers who perked up again, I headed straight for the Lightning Tree habitat.
* * *
Pzzzt! Crackle-crackle!
After flashing my permit and crossing the fence, I spotted massive lightning surging skyward from the dense foliage in the distance.
“Ooooh!”
“Whoa, it's belching again.”
“Every time, it's a spectacle.”
Being near the entrance, plenty of wild insect soldiers were gathered.
They all let out exclamations at the lightning show.
Impressive as ever.
It had been ages since I'd last seen it, but the majesty was unchanged.
“Hey, that's the kid from earlier?”
“Why keep calling a grown one 'kid'?”
“What, he still screams young. Growth Stage's basically a brat. Anyway, hey! Aleck, right? What're you here for?”
I turned at the call and saw the faces of those wild insect soldiers from the permit office.
Four of them.
Stone cricket, big-jaw ant, house spider, poison moth.
Not elites, but a solid lineup.
A quick scan of their gear told me they were seasoned wild insect soldiers.
“Came to harvest Lightning Tree fruit.”
I stated my goal plainly.
“Wahaha! Lightning Tree fruit? You know how rare that is?”
“Even pro gatherers struggle for it. Kid, you hear it sells well and got greedy? Overreach like that, and you'll die young.”
“Just tag along with us today. Big bro and sis'll show you the ropes here.”
Their words were rough.
But I could sense the goodwill hidden beneath.
That's why I'd answered honestly.
I am curious how wild insect soldiers operate here.
For a moment, I considered tagging along.
But I shook my head.
They'd just get in the way of harvesting the fruit.
“Thanks for the offer, but I prefer solo.”
“Hah... Bold or just gutsy, huh.”
“If you don't want to, can't force ya.”
“Little bro, stay sharp. Lots of zappers around.”
They wished me luck.
I gave a quick nod and went my way.
Pzzt!
The moment I entered the forest proper, thunderbolts crackled from all directions.
Grass, trees, rocks—all non-conductors normally, yet brimming with lightning.
Thanks to the Lightning Tree's Thunder Essence.
That special power created this landscape.
Pzzt, crackle-crackle!
Stepping into untrampled grass, electricity sparked from the blades, unleashing thunder.
That's why paths stayed overgrown.
Tingly.
To me, it felt like mere fingernail taps on skin.
But the power wasn't weak.
Without thunder resistance, it'd paralyze the whole body in bursts.
I shrugged it off thanks to awakening thunder-attribute ether and mastering Wind Thunder Qi Gong.
Crackle-crackle!
With each step, lightning wrapped my body and dispersed outward.
A bizarre sight that might awe onlookers.
Not just the resistance—Wind Thunder Qi Gong itself is exceptional.
Wind Thunder Qi Gong absorbed some of the ether coiling around me per its incantation.
The rest it naturally vented into the air.
I'd known its prowess, but this confirmed it was S-rank cultivation art.
If Wind Thunder Qi Gong is this good, what'll Harmony Qi Gong be like once completed...?
Thinking of the Harmony Qi Gong Kun mentioned made my heart race.
I had a strong hunch it'd propel me to greater heights.
“Kirrit.”
Lost in reverie while crossing the grass, a primal species cry echoed nearby.
It came from the direction of the Lightning Tree.
“...!”
My eyes widened at the primal species that soon entered my view.