Sparring
"Take this."
"What's this?"
Ios tilted his head at the cicada parasite expellant I held out.
"It's the cicada parasite expellant that Kun just developed."
"Cicada... parasite expellant?"
His eyes twitched at the word "cicada." Even for the Riokku tribe, known as overlords, cicadas were a symbol of terror.
"So, does that mean Father's—no, the tribe lord's—symptoms are from a cicada infection?"
"Yes, from what I can tell, it's almost certainly that."
"...!"
Though he'd asked half in doubt, my answer remained the same.
"But our tribe's healers never mentioned anything like that...?"
He muttered in confusion.
"That's..."
I gathered my thoughts before speaking.
The reason the Riokku healers hadn't detected the tribe lord's cicada infection.
It wasn't a natural infection.
Cicadas from Craig's lab are terrifying for exactly that reason.
I gave Ios a suitably edited version of the truth: the cicada infecting the tribe lord was an artificial one created by the Amar King Centipede tribe.
Of course, I name-dropped Kun here too.
"If that's true, this isn't something we can just let slide."
Ios ground his massive teeth, fitting his huge frame. His eyes surged with domineering aura.
Even knowing it wasn't aimed at me, just meeting that gaze made my heart ache with a sharp sting.
Truly worthy of Ios.
He's barely at the edge of Complete Body, yet he feels this intense.
It was so overwhelming it could make you mistake him for an Ultimate Body warrior based on aura alone.
"Thank you, Aleck. If what you say is true, you've earned an immeasurable debt from me."
Ios grabbed both my hands as he took the expellant.
"I, Ios, am a man who carves favors in stone. I won't forget today's deed—I swear to repay it."
His eyes conveyed his sincerity.
"This is my token. Show it when dealing with the Riokku tribe, and they'll treat you as my equal."
He pulled a small stone ring from his pocket, engraved with the Riokku's foreleg emblem.
"I won't refuse. Thank you."
"Haha, I should be the one thanking you. Feels like I met a noble guest today. I'd love to drink all night, but things are urgent—I must head back. Swing by Riokku Castle sometime."
He clapped my shoulder lightly, repeating the invitation.
Clearly, I'd earned his trust this time.
Of course, if the expellant failed...
I might become the Riokku's enemy, branded a deceiver of trust.
Ios would probably lead an army straight to Mantis Hall.
Given him and his tribe's nature, it was entirely possible.
But Kun wouldn't make that mistake.
I smirked inwardly.
If it worked, I'd be the savior of their tribe lord.
A people who repaid favors like iron would treat me like a brother on a tribal level.
And they were just as thorough and relentless about vengeance.
Once the tribe lord recovers, the Riokku will move differently than before.
As long as they remained strong, toppling the Four Great Lords would gain massive momentum.
The wings of change would spread uncontrollably, potentially averting the continental war that brought bloodshed.
This regression was already painting a vastly different picture from the chaos of my previous life.
"See you later, brother."
Already "brother." Fast promotion.
Anyway, Ios vanished in a whoosh after those words.
"Tsrit, tsriririt!"
As soon as he left, Ultio sighed in relief beside me.
The little one knew Ios meant well but couldn't fully relax.
"Let's head out too."
"Tsirit! Tsrit!"
I burst out laughing at Ultio's words.
I didn't like this wheel-infested place either.
"Ah, but Ultio, sorry—could you go first through the tunnel we came in? Might run into others on the way out."
"Tsrit, tsriririt."
Ultio's antennae drooped at my words. So cute I couldn't help petting her head.
"Not that. You're still at risk if others spot you."
"Tsriririt, tsrit!"
Instead of sulking, she resolved to grow stronger.
"Yeah, yeah. See you in the Thunder Forest later."
"Tsirit!"
Ultio used the farewell I'd taught her, then slipped out the original tunnel.
"Hm..."
Alone now, I scanned the cavern.
Mutant wheel corpses littered everywhere.
No Predation from these guys?
It might just be bad luck, but my instincts screamed I couldn't Predate them.
Probably because they're unclassifiable mutants.
Or maybe they taste bad(?)
I clicked my tongue and headed out—
Sizzle, sizzle.
A boiling sound made me glance up at a passage.
The hole where mutant wheels had poured out.
Curiosity pulled me there.
"Whoa."
Peeking out, I froze at the sight.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Heat like a lava zone poured from the cavern. Flames Ios left still lingered.
This space was at least ten times larger than mine.
Mutant wheel corpses piled like mountains everywhere.
How many is that?
Hundreds... no, thousands.
And eggs—thousands, maybe tens of thousands.
Mostly burned to husks, so hard to count exactly.
Incredible.
Obviously all Ios's work.
If he hadn't wiped them out...
The whole region would've been ruined.
Damage wouldn't stop at Galeo Farm.
Now I understood why I never saw them pre-regression.
"Whew."
Feeling Ios's power anew, I exited the cave.
Outside, a familiar stench hit me.
"Hey, Aleck!"
"Where've you been?"
It was the stink from the roach tribe, naturally.
Other search parties lingered around, but all kept distance from the cave mouth, grouped in twos and threes.
Probably avoiding the roach smell.
"Haha! Aleck, thanks. Heard from these folks about your exploits. All thanks to you finding the nest? Knew you had an extraordinary aura from the start... Truly grateful!"
Galeo's farm master, Gaondal, approached beaming, grabbing my hand in thanks.
Hm, but "extraordinary from the start"?
Didn't he and the farm secretary question why a mere Growth Stage kid like me was on the team?
Whatever.
I tsked inwardly at his flip but let it slide.
"No big deal. These folks helped track the signs."
"So humble too!"
His favor skyrocketed.
Sure, just a Growth Stage broad-arm mantis.
But I'd found the nest, and as a Chung Hak Gwan affiliate, I looked promising now.
"Packed your pay extra. And our watermelons are sweet this year—picked the premium ones from Galeo Farm. Take 'em."
"Won't refuse. Thanks."
Not bad.
I took everything without extra words.
Thus, the final 50-mile commission ended successfully.
* * *
"Tsrit, tsriririt!"
"Yeah, I'm glad to see you too, Ultio."
Before returning to Chung Hak Gwan, I visited Thunder Forest again.
Not just to see Ultio's face.
I had other business.
"Ultio, could you hit me with that thunder attack a few times?"
"Tsrit, tsriririt?"
Ultio tilted her head, confused.
"Training my Toughness stat. It helps."
"Tsrit! Tsriririt?"
Her sparkling eyes looked up at me.
I chuckled at the cute question and nodded.
"Yeah, it's fine."
"Tsrit, tsriririt!"
Understanding, Ultio powered up.
I activated my exoskeleton to match.
Zzzzap—!
I endured volley after volley of lightning.
Whew, even more intense up close.
Ultio's direct bolt made my hair stand on end.
But Toughness hits filled easily in proportion.
The numbers rose swiftly.
In under 30 minutes, the awaited message appeared.
Toughness Limit Break Complete!
Yes!
My skin felt tougher, more solid.
I shuddered with the euphoric surge.
"Tsrit?"
Ultio tilted her head, sensing the change.
"Tsriririt!"
Zzzzap—!
She fired another bolt.
Less painful now.
Toughness's effect was immediate.
Before: needle prick.
Now: mild pinch.
"Haha! Thanks, Ultio. That's enough."
"Tsrit, tsrit!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Tsriririt, tsrit!"
"Yeah, you'll get strong soon too."
Then, unexpectedly:
"Tsriririt!"
"...!"
Evolve?
I knew she was accumulating thunder energy, but this was surprising.
Was gonna move her before her lifespan ran out, but... need to wait longer.
Many night bug soldiers had spotted her here.
I'd considered relocating.
She'd sense her thunder lifespan first anyway.
But now...
"Good, Ultio. Absorb fast and get strong. Got it?"
"Tsriririt, tsrit!"
Impressed, I petted her head.
"Tsrit, tsrit!"
* * *
Back at Chung Hak Gwan, I reported the commission.
"Galeo Farm couldn't stop praising you. Even sent thanks. Excellent work, Aleck."
The handler's eyes sparkled.
Gaondal must've contacted them too, blabbing away.
Guy seemed shady at first, but not bad.
Just super emotional?
"Commission reward: 3 miles credited."
"Thanks."
Now over 50 miles total: exactly 51.
I headed straight to the lab with the Megaera Mantis fossil.
It's here!
I'd checked often, fearing theft, but the long commission had me worried.
Untouched. Good.
It was just an unidentified fossil fragment—no one would spend 50 miles.
"Rental: 50 miles. 3 months. Proceed?"
I nodded without hesitation.
"Approved. Prepay. Approval in 3-5 days. We'll contact you."
Thrilled, I handed over my academy card.
The spell etched on it flashed—50 miles deducted.
A shame... but with that long horn ahead? No regrets.
The Megaera fossil fragment would soon be mine.
This pounding instinct screams it's connected.
Like my cells reacting to it.
Indescribable sensation.
"Training while waiting... Hm?"
Heading to the public training ground to loosen up during approval—
Entering, I spotted an amusing scene in the arena.
Hanks and Montiol.
They glared, locked in standoff.