Growth Ants: Unity, Venom, and Partial Primalization

Growth ants. Their primary strength came from unity and cooperation among their own kind. That made them one of the rare primal species where the concept of an army truly applied.

So, did that mean the power of ant primal species was only strong in groups?

Was the individual combat prowess of each one utterly worthless?

The answer was a resounding no.

Even among ants, there were tribes whose individual members wielded power rivaling the upper echelons.

Dinoponera Giantia. Paraponera Clavata. These two ant species dominated as the strongest.

Dinoponera Giantia, in particular, was infamous as the largest ant tribe. The explosive power from their massive physiques unleashed what could only be called divine might, leaving no room for debate about their top-tier status.

And Paraponera Clavata, though smaller and weaker in build, possessed such overwhelming strength that they could single-handedly force entire armies of quantity-focused soldier ants to detour.

The interesting part? The source of their renowned individual might was something entirely unique.

What set these two tribes apart as 1st and 2nd among countless ant species? It was their stingers.

These stingers had evolved solely to inflict unimaginable, excruciating agony on foes. Paraponera Clavata's brutal, savage ability even earned them the moniker Bullet Ant.

And the upgraded version of that ant stinger venom...

...was none other than ant acid.

I blinked at the message floating before my eyes.

Ant Acid. Exactly as the name implied—a skill that spewed acidic fluid for offense.

'Sure, once I get a proper venom later, Ant Acid's utility will drop off...'

But Ant Acid had its merits.

First, it cost far less ether than venom. Second, evolving it would grant Mega Ant Acid, the stinger venom used by Dinoponera and Paraponera—the very origin of their fame.

'Mega Ant Acid lasts far longer than even hornet venom.'

Its raw lethality was a touch below hornet venom, but its persistence was unmatched. And since it operated on a different principle, antidotes were useless.

Species resistant to venom who shrugged off hornet stings often dreaded Mega Ant Acid. No wonder torture specialists favored it.

'In short, Ant Acid is a stepping stone to Mega Ant Acid.'

Having played ant tribes multiple times, I knew every evolution path to Mega Ant Acid by heart.

A grin split my face—I couldn't have been more satisfied.

And just when I thought acquiring Ant Acid was the cherry on top...

I'd overlooked one crucial fact.

I'd crushed hundreds of ants, at least. And my luck in the Thunder Forest had been absurdly good this run.

So, my existing Ant's Power skill had rocketed from F-rank straight to C-rank in one go.

'Whoa.'

I watched the golden particles still pouring toward me, thinking.

Ant's Power upgrades done. Next up: Ant Acid.

I clenched my fist at the message, thrilled. Ant Acid had hit C-rank too.

My prediction that things would go smoothly here had panned out for once.

If this luck held, raiding a few more ant nests could push both Ant's Power and Ant Acid ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to S-rank.

'That would be perfect.'

I was reveling in visions of those S-rank skills when—

—Molting progress and Megaera Mantis awakening surged in tandem.

'...!'

I widened my eyes at the insane itch from my right forearm.

'Partial Primalization!'

I thrust out my right arm and focused.

Tssst!

From my right forearm up to my hand, an emerald exoskeleton blade resembling a mantis foreleg erupted.

'Whoa!'

Staring at my successfully partial primalized right arm, I let out a laugh laced with joy, disbelief, absurdity, and awe.

I swung it through empty air.

Shiiiing!

The air parted smoothly.

'Incredible...!'

I gazed at the razor-sharp blade in rapture. The partial primalized foreleg extending from my forearm was barely a meter long.

As an "immature" version, it wasn't fully grown, but its edge and keenness surpassed my first partial primalization pre-regression.

'The exoskeleton color's totally different too.'

For lesser mantis tribes, it had been brown. Now, it gleamed with noble emerald hues—distinct from king or shield mantis shades.

I realized this was the unique color of Megaera Mantis.

"Hoo!"

Grinning in satisfaction, I hurriedly dispelled the partial primalization in case anyone saw.

After all, partial primalization was a Maturity Stage power. Some talents only barely achieved it at Maturity Stage 3.

'But I've got it in Growth Stage.'

I knew this wasn't from my Ultimate Form insights. It was innate—genetic, hereditary, congenital. The might of Megaera Mantis encompassed it all.

Hidden race, ancient lineage—their power was on another level entirely.

'Gonna take so much from Thunder Forest.'

Skills, molting progress, awakening, partial primalization. Plus Ultio, the ancient Thunderwing larva.

'One regret: no inner cores or primal essence.'

No downed ants here had inner cores, so no primal essence either.

'I got a bit from Ultio's controlled ones at first, though.'

Oddly, zero primal essence from these under her sway.

'Greedy to want more after all this.'

I chuckled at my own greed.

'Can hunt for inner cores and essence near Eternal Mountains later.'

Eternal Mountains. The colossal range at Abian Continent's northern edge, spanning from west to east coast.

But entry was taboo. Ether density destabilized internals on contact.

'And the primal species evolved to that excess are leagues stronger than continental norms.'

Most rare Awakening bodies hailed from there, plus hordes with inner cores.

'Just pick off blind stragglers on the fringes for plenty.'

No need to lament now.

"Ugh..."

"Ugh, ahh."

Then, the night insect soldiers began stirring from unconsciousness.

Perfect timing—cleanup nearly done.

"Whoa! A-Aleck? What the hell happened... Gah! That monster?!"

"W-What? Did we win?!"

Garam and Garek, first to wake, yelped in shock, gulping as they scanned the scorched, gouged earth—traces of my battle with Ultio—asking after it.

"Looks like it fled far off. Lucky."

I claimed Ultio escaped. Couldn't say I'd tamed her.

"For real? That thing ran?!"

"Whoa... We're saved. Thought we were goners."

"Aleck, you're insane! Really Growth Stage?"

"No wonder—mantis always own ants! Hahaha!"

They beamed, thrilled just to be alive.

"Oh, spirits."

"Thanks, Aleck."

Mekai and Soph, waking late, sighed in relief with teary gratitude.

"But... more ant bodies now?"

"How many... All solo?!"

They gawked at the corpse piles, tongues lolling in awe, eyes reverent.

"Can't hold it in—Aleck, what's your deal?"

Garam pressed curiously; others nodded agreement.

"Haha..."

I laughed it off, vaguely claiming Chung Hak Gwan affiliation.

"Whoa!"

"Knew it."

"No way—Chung Hak Gwan?!"

"Explains the vibe..."

Chung Hak Gwan trainee status worked wonders. Abian Continent's top academy—everyone's dream. It rationalized the surreal scene.

"Heh, Aleck! Let's keep in touch!"

"Finally, Chung Hak Gwan connections!"

Commotion settled.

"Alright, let's tally loot!"

Final harvest split.

"Thunder Tree fruits go to Aleck. Objections?"

"Nah."

"Obviously."

I got both fruits from the initial clearing.

"Leaves and stems: 30% to Aleck, as discussed?"

"Yep!"

I reluctantly accepted their share too—they'd squirm if I refused.

"Aleck, the bodies?"

"Sell 'em right, we'd be rich."

They eyed the piles dreamily—pure gold to them.

"Could you handle selling? I'll give 10% commission."

"Sweet! Thanks!"

~50 were theirs; rest mine. I delegated, offering 10% cut.

"Mention my name at Red Rose Merchant Guild branch—they'll deal fair. I'll put ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in a word."

I revealed my VIP status there.

"Red Rose VIP?!"

"No wonder they look premium..."

Bigger shock than expected. Red Rose was a rising powerhouse; VIPs were loaded.

Views of me shifted: Chung Hak Gwan student, affluent guild VIP.

'Like a Seoul U kid rolling up in a Lamborghini.'

I snickered inwardly.

Cleanup wrapped perfectly. I parted ways, heading back to Chung Hak Gwan—straight to J Research Lab.

"Got the Thunder Tree fruits."

"No way—you actually snagged 'em?"

The middle-aged researcher who tasked me gaped, stunned.

"Hold on. I'll fetch the director."

He rushed downstairs. The familiar potent aura from below...

'Knew it felt familiar.'

It matched the power scent from Ultio's memories.