Mutant Cockroach Onslaught
"Kyarrarak!"
The wheel... no, what had once been a cockroach glared at me, drooling hungrily.
I've never even heard of a freak like this before.
It was the same even before my regression. This kind of horrific hybrid was a first in my life.
Where the hell did this thing come from?
I narrowed my eyes at it, but.
"Kyarrarararart!"
I didn't have time to think long. The thing bellowed and charged straight at me.
Shhshhshhsh!
The insane speed unique to cockroaches.
'Exoskeleton!'
Chrrrararat!
I immediately activated my exoskeleton toward the rapidly approaching monster.
Kaang!
My sturdy exoskeleton blocked the incoming pincer attack without a scratch.
But the thing's pincer held onto me and wouldn't let go.
Its grip strength is pretty damn impressive too?
If it weren't for the exoskeleton, my body would've been crushed for sure.
This isn't one to take lightly.
Thud, kuku-kukung!
Still gripped by it, I instantly released Iron Sphere.
My body felt much lighter, but.
Kuuuuwuk!
Kwadududuk!
As the thing poured more force into its pincer, parts of my tough scales began to crack bit by bit, digging into my flesh.
"Karararart!"
It laughed at me, treating me like a flea already caught in its grasp.
It had reason to. The pincer was piercing through my exoskeleton in real time, crushing my flesh.
But unfortunately for it.
I had Transcendent Regeneration.
Since the exoskeleton was now part of my body, activated as it was.
Ziiiiiing.
Emerald light swirled across my body, and the shattered scales began regenerating at rapid speed.
"Karat?"
The mutant buddy showed signs of panic.
You're a first for me too, but I'm probably a first for you as well.
'Chance!'
Instinct told me this was the moment for a counterattack.
'Ant Strength!'
With the skill's activation, explosive power surged through me.
Kududuk—.
I successfully pushed back the pincer squeezing my upper body using just the strength of my arms.
"Karat!"
The thing panicked and released its pincer.
The perfect opening!
'Full power.'
I gripped my sword hilt and recited the Wind Thunder Qi formula.
Wind White Swordsmanship.
First variation, Single Strike Lightning Gale.
Pajijijizit!
Whoooong—!
A thunderstorm of gale and lightning poured from my sword.
That ferocious power targeted the thing's pincer precisely.
Kwadududuk—!
With a chilling sound, one pincer snapped and broke.
It was as tough as a stag beetle's jaw, but.
Thankfully, not quite that level.
My single sword strike shattered it.
"Kyarrarararart—!"
A scream of agony echoed endlessly.
Seemed like nerves connected to the pincer, causing it extreme pain.
'Not done yet, you bastard.'
I couldn't waste this golden opportunity, not knowing what variables might pop up.
The opponent's carelessness.
I wasn't soft enough to let that slip.
'Predator's Eye.'
Jiing—.
Golden light rippled in my eyes.
Its weaknesses became crystal clear.
Despite its flashy appearance, red glows showed unexpectedly in various spots.
Meaning its durability wasn't that high outside the pincers.
Wind White Swordsmanship first form, Single Gale Strike.
Shwaaaaaak—!
My sword slashed refreshingly toward it.
It would've been combat-incapable if hit squarely, but.
Fludududuk!
Suddenly spreading its wings, the thing flew into the sky.
The cockroach trait Survival Instinct activated, dodging the strike.
Damn, that's an enviable trait.
Even in battle, greed for growth surfaced.
Anyway, I had zero intention of letting it go.
'High Jump!'
Kwaduk.
Muscles in my legs twisted tight as ether seeped in simultaneously.
Tremendous power condensed in both legs.
Then, the erupting energy.
Kwaaang!
Like a shell exploding, I shot into the air.
My trajectory was slightly off from the cockroach's flight path.
Of course, no mistake.
I'd predicted its movement with Sixth Sense and Predator's Eye before jumping.
"Karut?"
Sensing my presence suddenly from behind, it hastily bent its tail, thrusting its stinger at me.
But too bad—I was faster.
Seok—.
In mid-flight, I swung my sword, cleaving its body in half.
In the clash, its lower body collided, sending the tail stinger toward me.
'Exoskeleton!'
Kaaaang—.
The scales I instantly cloaked deflected the stinger easily.
But activating exoskeleton mid-air increased my weight drastically.
My body plummeted right after slicing it.
Kuuung—.
With scales on, no bruises from the fall.
Just...
'Ugh, that impact stings.'
I couldn't fully negate the internal shock rattling my organs.
My gut twisted slightly, but.
Transcendent Regeneration kicked in immediately, fixing it in a flash.
Once recovered, my body normalized, and I stood right up.
"Karat! Kararak!"
Shockingly, even halved, it wasn't dead—still wriggling alive.
No wonder it's a cockroach...
My face twisted in disgust automatically.
Survival Instinct.
Its tenacious vitality came from that trait.
'Time to go.'
Kwajik!
I approached and stomped its head into pulp.
Its movements slowed, then stopped.
"But where the hell did a freak like this come from?"
Utterly unpredictable.
Flinch!
A faint pre-regression memory surfaced suddenly.
Craig's lab.
There was only one place on this continent doing such absurd experiments.
I think I saw traces of similar anomalies when I destroyed it.
No way...
If it really was his doing.
My expression hardened.
Kwajijik.
What the hell are you plotting, Craig?
I muttered, crushing the mutant cockroach's antennae underfoot again.
Craig's movements seemed to be accelerating, knowingly or not.
Damn, I need to cut off his head ASAP to relax.
Among the four great lords, Craig had the weakest combat power.
But his unpredictable nature made him the trickiest to handle.
No telling how he'd mutate and create more variables.
A ticking time bomb.
Perfect description for him.
Before regression, he ran wild unchecked.
This time will be different.
My eyes gleamed fiercely.
* * *
Gaondal's office.
He paced anxiously, polishing stones at the central table.
Gaondal's hobby: collecting gems.
Polishing his collection usually melted away stress.
But now, it only heightened his anxiety.
"L-Lord! The extermination squad has arrived."
"...!"
Gaondal shot up from his seat.
"Where are they!"
"Right outside..."
"Bring them in immediately!"
Gaondal's anxiety stemmed from this.
He'd gotten the report of the nest a while ago.
But the squad hadn't arrived, leaving him fretting.
Kiiik!
The secretary led the squad in personally.
A massive man entered as the door opened.
"Oho! Welcome. I'm Gaondal, head of Galeo Farm. Please, sit."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ios of the Riokku tribe. Currently leading the strike team."
Ios extended his enormous hand, matching his build.
Grasping it, Gaondal felt like his hand had regressed to infancy.
"Thank you so much for answering our call. You must be exhausted from the long journey."
"Hahaha, no need. How could I sit idle when the famed Galeo Farm suffers such losses?"
Ios's response was straightforward.
His classic hearty man vibe brought a smile to Gaondal's face.
"Ah! Where are the other squad members? Once this is done, I'd like to treat you all to a meal."
"Hm? There are no others. The extermination squad is just me."
"...Pardon?"
Gaondal's smiling face froze solid.
"Y-You're here alone? Even if cave crickets aren't the most aggressive, their shell hardness is indescribable... You'd struggle solo."
He continued in confused tones.
"Moreover, as you know, the cave cricket nest isn't just crickets... How could you alone..."
Gaondal sweated profusely, fumbling his words.
Understandable.
After waiting desperately, only Ios showed up—baffling.
But that was because Gaondal didn't know the Riokku tribe's might or who Ios was.
Riokku.
Gaining attention lately, now contenders for continent's strongest.
Beings with innate divine strength and physique that could pummel a giant tarantula into submission barehanded.
Leveraging that, they threatened the four great tribes' dominance, growing rapidly.
Ios the Herculean Prodigy.
Among them, Ios was the next tribe lord heir.
Hailed as the continent's top prodigy, the Herculean Prodigy.
"No worries, Lord. Hm, is that cave cricket shell harder than this stone?"
Ios picked up the toughest-looking gem from the table.
"Th-That stone is..."
Gaondal stammered, eyes trembling.
Entrho ore.
This synthetic had hardness surpassing most metals.
No direct comparison, but.
Not inferior to cave cricket shells.
"No matter how tough the opponent..."
Kuuuuwuwuk.
Ios clenched his fist, drawing ether.
Riokku's destructive divine strength amplified it.
Pasusus!
The stone in his hand crumbled to dust.
"...!"
Gaondal's jaw dropped.
"That's what happens if it gets in my hands."
Ios grinned.
"Poison bugs crickets can't pierce? No issue."
He continued, then asked back.
"Still think I'm not enough alone?"
To that.
Gaondal shook his head wildly.
Do you know how much that costs...?
* * *
After the mutant cockroach battle.
As I rested briefly, pondering Craig.
"Karut? Kyarrarak?"
From the cave hole above, a head identical to it poked out.
...!
There wasn't just one mutant cockroach.
But no matter.
No matter how many come, I'll slice them all... Hm?
I couldn't finish the thought.
Dozens poured out simultaneously from the hole.
"Hah."
I might end up feeling the pain of being eaten alive if careless.
Their speed was so fast, numbers could overwhelm easily.
Still, I have Transcendent Regeneration. In the end, I'll win.
As I steeled myself inwardly.
Puuuueueuek!
Dirt exploded from the ground, a familiar figure emerging.
"Tsrit— Tsuriririt!"
—Boss, I, here, support.
'Ultio!'
Unexpected aid.
Long time no see, Ultio looked incredibly reliable.
Was she always this imposing?
Anyway, now...
This was doable.
"Perfect timing. Thanks, Ultio."
As I said that.
Ultio rubbed her antennae and cried out.
"Tsrit, Tsuriririt!"
—Roaches, pests, hate, exterminate!