Apologies in the VIP Lounge and Ultio's Crisis
"Ho, this place is seriously luxurious."
"Tell me about it. Who'd have thought we'd end up somewhere like this."
The VIP lounge lived up to its name. Every decoration in the room, down to the smallest trinket, had clearly been crafted by master artisans.
"Drinking here would make even scorpion venom taste sweet."
"I'm already feeling drunk on the atmosphere."
"Thanks, Aleck. This is a great experience, thanks to you."
"If I've ever offended you in any way, let me apologize here and now."
"Looking back, I think I've been rude to you at times too. I apologize."
From the Kirapatop stag beetle to the Kingbavun tarantula and Deathstalker, these proud members of high clans subtly apologized for their past slights against Aleck.
"What's this, Apology Hour all of a sudden?"
The Caucasus long-horned beetle chuckled lightly. He hadn't really looked down on Aleck, which let him speak so casually.
"Hm, I think I said some harsh words underestimating you earlier. I'd like to apologize. Will you accept it?"
In that atmosphere, even Tytanus Typhon and Manticore Tiger Beetle—who had clashed with Aleck—offered apologies. They finally seemed to fully acknowledge him, realizing his extraordinary skills and connections meant he couldn't be judged merely as a lesser mantis.
"Kuhk."
Only Hoover sat alone in the corner, stewing in solitude.
The Abian Continent was like that. A world where the strong came first. Hoover was outmatched in both personal power and social influence, and as a result, he'd lost the spotlight to Aleck.
In any case, once the apologies wrapped up and the top-shelf liquor arrived, the mood lightened into genuine enjoyment. Aleck knew their natures weren't inherently bad—just shaped by different upbringings—so he relaxed into it.
After a good while of laughter and chatter, Aleck suddenly stood.
"Where you headed?"
Hercules long-horned beetle Max, who'd grown friendly in the short time, spoke up.
"Gonna pop over to see the guild leader for a bit."
"Oho! A one-on-one with the guild leader?"
"Yeah."
"Damn, that's cool. This is what Black membership is about. Totally different vibe from that greenmouth blabber."
"Don't be too harsh. I hear Plati's no pushover either."
"True, Aleck's the odd one out. We get it now."
Some even teased Hoover in their excitement, flattering Aleck to stay on his good side. But Aleck just smirked at the sudden shift and headed out.
When he said he wanted to see Estelle, the staff immediately guided him to her room.
* * *
"I figured you'd stay longer. You got here quicker than I expected."
"Of course. It's been too long since I last saw you, so I couldn't wait to come say hi."
"Haven't seen you in ages, and you've gotten all sly on me?"
Estelle replied with a warm smile. Despite the time apart, there was no awkwardness—the vibe was perfect. As expected of Estelle. You couldn't help but like her as a person.
I'd worried things might feel different from before my regression, but her unchanged demeanor was a huge relief. We just clicked in a special way. Conversations flowed effortlessly without much preamble, and even after not seeing each other, it felt like yesterday.
Estelle was one of those people for me.
"Talking with you always puts me at ease, Aleck."
Glad to hear it wasn't just me. She felt the same.
We chatted idly for a bit, then a question popped into my head.
"By the way, how's Amy doing?"
"Great. She's buried in training these days."
"Oh! So she's stepped away from guild work?"
"Yeah, I told her to go all-in on training if she's gonna do it."
Oh... That was unexpected. From what I remembered, Estelle had always opposed Amy's growth right up to the end. She'd blamed herself for not stopping her properly even after Amy's death.
Clearly, things were diverging sharply from my past life. What changes this would bring later was still unknown.
"Tell Amy I said hi. I'm bummed I missed seeing her."
"Hoho, she'll love that. I'll make sure to pass it on."
Estelle's unusually bright reaction made me tilt my head, but I moved on to my real business.
"Estelle, mind if I ask a favor?"
"Between us? Just say the word."
"I've been really into ancient species lately. Any leads on sources for related info?"
"Ooh! Chung Hak Gwan must've sparked that interest. Perfect timing—our guild's excavating ancient ruins right now, and we keep finding records there."
"...!"
My eyes lit up. Ancient ruins? I hadn't known Red Rose was into digs like that. Then again, I'd had zero interest in ancient species before, so I'd probably ignored her if she'd mentioned it.
"I believe the artifacts from those sites will one day propel us into the continent's top three guilds."
"You've got a killer instinct for business, Estelle."
Good thing I asked.
As I looked at her expectantly, she smiled like a crescent moon.
"We've only just started, so the records are sparse for now. But if we uncover anything you'd like, I'll reach out."
I lit up and added one more request.
"Could I maybe check them out in person?"
"Absolutely. You're welcome anytime."
"Thanks, Estelle."
Sincere gratitude. This gave me a direct link to ancient species. Chasing traces at the sites myself might uncover something unique others missed.
With that resolve to tour Red Rose's ancient ruins soon, I wrapped up our pleasant chat.
* * *
"See you next time. Swing by anytime."
"Thanks! Great meal."
"Best dinner lately. I'll spread the word about this killer wine bar."
The satisfying(?) evening ended, and we left the wine bar. My standing had shifted dramatically.
"Aleck, let's stay tight from now on."
"So cool, Black member. Black's the way for real men."
The high clans treated me as an equal without reservation. Having been the continent's strongest, fully acknowledged by all in my past life, it felt oddly familiar yet nice.
Of course, I was just in Growth Stage now, while back then I'd been Complete Body eyeing Ultimate. Confidence in protecting myself had overflowed.
But with events accelerated, I needed to prioritize personal safety even more. The changes would reshape outcomes completely.
I'd make sure of it. That determination etched itself anew.
That moment.
―Cap…… tain.
"...!"
A faint voice echoed in my mind. I expanded my senses for Ultio, but she wasn't nearby. Still, it was unmistakably her telepathy.
"H-Hey, Aleck... you okay?"
"Something wrong?"
They noticed my sudden stop and stiff expression.
"Nah, nothing. Got some business—head back without me. I'll catch up."
I sent them off and bolted straight for Thunderstrike Forest. Luckily, no one was at the entrance, so I plunged right in, keeping full speed toward Ultio's lair.
* * *
A little earlier.
Ultio was absorbing thunder essence in her lair.
―Tingly. Pain. Ache.
Cracklezap, zapt! Lightning surged from the thunder essence, spreading everywhere. Ultio twitched her antennae, drawing it in like a magnet.
Even for her, directly taking in thunder qi was no easy feat. Amid pain that brought tears, she pushed on for growth.
―Growth. Getting stronger. Ultio. So cool.
Feeling her back tingle as she sensed her growth, she absorbed with even greater joy.
―Ultio. Will do it. Definitely. Get strong!
As she endured the growth pains(?),
Rumble rumble rumble.
A strange noise shook the lair. Ultio tilted her head while absorbing thunder.
It came from the entrance she'd sealed herself. Sometimes fierce winds or blind primal swiped at it while nest-hunting, so she first dismissed it.
But.
Rumble rumble, rumble rumble.
The persistent, rhythmic shaking continued.
―Intruder. Intruder. Intruder!
Ultio realized: an uninvited guest had come to her lair.
―Prepare. Intruder. Foe.
She stopped absorbing thunder qi. The thunder tree roots retracted, sealing it away. Confirmed, she rushed to the entrance.
Rumble rumble, rumble rumble! Thud, thud thud thud!
The closer she got, the louder the vibrations—and now digging sounds. Someone was clearly trying to breach her nest.
―Recovery. Time. Needed.
Problem: she wasn't at full strength. The communion for accelerated growth had strained her body; she needed time to shake off the aftereffects.
She had to buy time for recovery.
―Lair. Entrance. Reinforce!
Her four faintly glowing hands scraped at the walls around the entrance. Lair Dig activated.
Scrape scrape scrape scrape scrape!
Invisible speed piled up a new barrier at the entrance.
Thud thud thud! Scrape scrape scrape!
Outside dug, inside built. The tedious stalemate dragged on.
This way, the intruder wouldn't get in.
"Hm, what the...?"
The outsider sensed something off, his puzzled voice reaching Ultio.
―Foe. Strong. Careful.
Ultio had sensed the intruder's aura via antennae long ago. Too strong for her alone—she couldn't open the door.
"Damn it, filling it back with dirt from inside? Who's in there!"
Irritated shouts as digging sped up.
Ultio matched pace, hands flying faster. As the wall thinned, the intensifying presence panicked her.
―Cap…… tain.
She kept piling the wall, desperately calling for her beloved captain she missed so much.