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"Karat! Karararat!"
Sasasasak.
Padadadak.
The mutant cockroach primal variants charged at us all at once.
Some raced forward at breakneck speed.
Others flapped their wings noisily.
"Let's go, Ultio."
"Tsuririt! Tsurit!"
—Battle! Charge!
We met their assault head-on.
Sek!
They were quick, but they couldn't match my sword's speed.
I cleaved the heads off two of the frontrunners hurtling toward me.
"Tsuririririt!"
Cockroaches! Exterminate!
Pajijizit, kwarrurung!
Ultio unleashed lightning from her antennae, firing thunderbolts.
"Krararat!"
The ones caught in the electricity couldn't even think straight.
"Good job, Ultio!"
I grinned at the sight and swung my sword again.
Seogeok!
More heads flew in quick succession!
I easily wiped out nearly ten of them.
But.
They weren't just going to take it lying down.
Sasasasas!
"Krararat!"
Using the front line as shields, a fresh wave surged forward.
Thrusting stingers and pincers at us.
Their speed was like a flash of lightning.
Not just one or two—over twenty of them!
In an instant, Ultio and I were surrounded.
"Ultio, watch out!"
I shouted a warning.
"Tsurit, tsuririririt!"
—No problem!
Chakakang!
Ultio transformed her four arms into blades.
This was one of her skills: Blade Transformation!
Kaaaaaang!
She danced her arms in a blur, deflecting every pincer and stinger coming her way.
It was like watching a sword dance.
Tswak! Tswak! Seok!
And she didn't stop at defense—she sliced off several legs, landing solid hits.
Like I'd noticed before.
Ultio's gladiatorial skills were impressive.
She was at a level where I thought I should train her properly.
Exoskeleton!
While Ultio spun her blade dance, I activated my exoskeleton and took their attacks head-on.
Kaaaaaang! Chaeaaaang!
The ones lunging at me tried to clamp with pincers, sting with venom, and chomp with jaws.
But my exoskeleton held firm.
It shrugged off the barrage from over ten like an iron fortress.
Almost full now.
Tanking hits on purpose with exoskeleton was paying off.
I'd nearly hit my target hit count already.
A quick check confirmed it— just a little more to go.
"Ultio! Hit 'em with thunderbolts from behind me!"
"Tsurit, tsuririt!"
—Got it, Boss. Tank on.
I pushed forward deliberately, drawing their attention.
That's when Ultio unleashed another barrage of thunderbolts.
Pajijizit! Kwarrurrurrung—!
Kuh.
A thrilling shiver ran up my spine.
The lightning swept over me too.
But my lightning resistance minimized the damage.
Layered with exoskeleton, it was barely a scratch.
Any trickle that got through, Transcendent Regeneration healed instantly.
Net zero damage.
And the best part?
It still counts as hits.
Maybe because Ultio counted as a primal variant too.
A bit of a cheat, sure.
Pajizit, pajijizit!
Even better: the crackling sparks and residual electricity prickling my body all registered as hits.
Multi-hit!
Toughness is the hardest stat to level... but with Limit Break, it'll be the easiest.
Back when I played the game.
This was my go-to for hit-based conditions.
Experiencing it for real? Insanely convenient.
Nothing beat raw numbers like this.
Of course, you needed the defense to tank Ultio's bolts.
Transcendent Regeneration made it risk-free.
Pre-regression? Unthinkable cheese.
True treasure.
Feeling its efficiency scale with my growth, I almost felt bad for Jin Sam, who should've had it originally.
"Krarak karat."
While I pondered.
The roaches were groggy from Ultio's lightning.
"Alright, let's sweep 'em all!"
"Tsuriririt!"
—Roger.
Under our combined assault, the mutant roach pack fell easily.
Looking at the pile at my feet filled me with satisfaction.
"Good work, Ultio."
"Tsuririt, tsuriririt!"
—This was just a warm-up. Boss worked harder than me.
True to her origins, Ultio looked unfazed.
Endearingly cute, in her way.
"Haha."
I couldn't help but chuckle at her.
That was the moment.
Sasasasas!
Kwakwakwakwang!
"......!"
The cavern shook slightly with a massive boom.
The sound came from the tunnel where the roach pack had emerged.
"Krarararat!"
Bursting through like it was smashing the tunnel was an enormous mutant cockroach.
At least ten times bigger than the pack we'd just fought.
And it even sported a stag beetle horn on its head.
Huh.
I couldn't help a dry laugh at the sight.
Craig, you messed with stag beetle genes too?
This was a direct challenge to the Hercules beetle clan.
If word got out, it'd spark bad blood between tribes.
Or...
It could mean the Hercules clan allowed it.
That's more likely.
Craig was crazy, but not brainless.
"Krarat! Krararat!"
Kugugugu.
Just shaking off after emerging kicked up dust everywhere.
First things first: deal with that thing.
Not easy.
Weight class was totally different—full power needed.
One slip, and serious injury loomed.
Fine for me, but Ultio...
Worst case, we'd dig and run.
Sensing my tension, Ultio spoke up.
"Tsurit! Tsuririt, tsuririririt!"
—Master, no worries for Ultio. Ultio strong. Roach no match.
Confident she'd hold her own against roaches, ready for battle.
Impressive.
"Right, Ultio. Let's do this."
I smiled, solidifying our resolve.
Whoosh.
Following the giant mutant was a figure.
Massive build, chiseled face.
Playful smirk.
And overwhelming domineering aura pouring off him.
That guy's...!
My eyes flashed.
"Hm? Someone's here."
The man spotted me and spoke.
A face I'd never forget, timelines be damned.
Successor to the Riokku tribe.
Later known as the continent's strongest, titled Mighty Divine Giant.
Ios!
"Krararat!"
Ios's sudden appearance from behind made the giant roach freak out and try to flee.
Why? A massive hole gaped in its belly, oozing thick brown blood.
"Stay put for now, friend—it's dangerous. Step aside."
Ios grinned, raising his right fist.
Knowing his power, Ultio and I dodged to the wall.
Then.
Ios's body stretched forward, closing on the roach's rear.
"Krararat!"
It whipped around in panic, stinger thrusting.
Jeong, kwaaaang—!
His punch erupted with scorching flame heat and explosive force.
It engulfed the roach.
The giant melted on the spot.
Whoosh!
Chiiiiiik!
Scorching heat filled the cavern.
Melted remnants smoked thickly on the floor.
As expected.
Powerhouse skill.
Even earlier than our first meeting, that one shot shone.
"Tsurit, tsuriririt—!"
—Danger. Danger. Danger.
Ultio's antennae stood on end.
Instinctively tensing at Ios's overwhelming might.
Don't worry, Ultio. It'll be fine.
I stroked her anxious head.
"Hmm, interesting. Ant-like... tamed?"
Ios eyed us curiously.
"Yeah."
"Fun, fun!"
Arms crossed, he leaned down toward Ultio's face.
"Tsu, tsuririt!"
—Approach. Warning. Warning.
Ultio rubbed her antennae, warning him.
"Cute little thing. Bipedal—irregular, huh? No clue on the species, though."
Ios just smiled crescent-eyed, clearly smitten.
Feeling that, Ultio tilted her head.
"Tsuririt?"
—Likes me?
Her guard eased a bit.
"Kahat! Adorable! Mind if I ask the species?"
Ios couldn't read her intent, but burst laughing at her actions.
"Not sure myself. Some ant branch, probably."
I vaguely said "ant" to his question.
Ancient primal? Might tempt him.
Ios nodded at my answer.
"Know a guy who tamed an ant—thick as thieves, great to see. Hope you two get along too."
"Tsurit, tsuriririt!"
—Obvious. Boss and me, fated together.
Ultio answered him.
"Feels like she gets me? Wild. Oh, late intro—I'm Ios of the Riokku tribe."
"An honor to meet such a famed warrior. I'm Aleck of the lesser mantis clan. Currently training at Chung Hak Gwan."
"Oho, Chung Hak Gwan! That explains the stance."
Pleased by the flattery, his eyes lit up at the affiliation.
"Hmm... Aleck, you found this place?"
He realized I was the scout who'd spotted the dung beetle nest.
Not just brute force—sharp instincts.
"Yes. You're with the extermination squad, right, Ios?"
"Yeah, came for dung beetles, didn't expect these freaks."
I replied with shining eyes.
"These things... look artificially tampered with, don't they?"
"Exactly. No way natural. Needs investigating."
Perfect.
Ios investigates, he'll uncover Craig's hand quick.
Plotting how to poke? Now it unravels itself.
That'll tie up Craig for a while.
Riokku tribe could handle Amar king centipedes solo.
Recalling pre-regression.
Riokku surged, but by continental war...
Split around current lord and Ios, civil war.
Ios won, but tribe weakened.
Led remnants to corner king centipedes with raw power.
But other four great tribes' aid forced kneel.
Much later, I learned why the infighting.
Memory chilled my gaze.
Current lord's Ios's father—no reason to clash. But...
I eyed Ios steadily.
"Why's someone as esteemed as you personally handling farm pest control?"
"Haha, not that big a deal. Well... Dad's sick, hunting remedies. Dung beetle innards might help, so killing pests as a bonus."
"Ah! Is your father's condition severe?"
"Not critical. Just everyday..."
Ios explained vaguely.
Steering talk here, my eyes gleamed.
Perfect flow.
But his mild reaction needed prodding.
"I've studied under Kun, can do basic diagnostics. Tell me symptoms..."
"Kun? The great sage of the Shinseon butterfly tribe?"
"Yes."
"...!"
Showing Kun's token, Ios's eyes widened.
His attitude shifted instantly.
This reaction? Kun's rep is huge.
Anyway, talk flowed easy now.
"Our lord's symptoms are..."
Detailed rundown from Ios.
Confirmed it.
Cicada parasite infection.
Riokku lord already infected.
Caused the mess.
Not this time, Craig.
I knew the culprit.
Just smash his scheme.
"I know a cure for the lord."
"R-really?"
Ios's voice trembled.
"Yes."
I grinned, reaching into my pouch.
Kun's cicada parasite dewormer.
Held it up.