The Veteran of Bug Wars: Reincarnated as a Transcendent Mantis - Chapter 147: Growth
"Thank you."
I expressed my sincere gratitude to Mandara.
'I've felt it since the first time we met, but she's got a really big heart.'
This would ease my worries considerably.
"No need for thanks. If it were up to me, I'd let you take as many as you wanted... but that's not possible, and that's my only regret."
Her tone carried a genuine warmth. If it were feasible, she might even uproot a pillar from the Chung Hak Tower and hand it over to me.
"Just giving me two choices is more than enough."
"Really?"
Mandara's eyes sparkled at my words. Then she leaned in close, her face playful.
"Then, will you grant me one favor?"
"...What kind?"
"I've never heard you call me 'Master' even once. Try calling me that."
I nearly burst out laughing inside.
"Got it, Master."
"Hahat!"
She seemed thrilled beyond expectation—she must have really wanted to hear it.
"You have to call me Master every time from now on?"
She looked satisfied when I called her that again in response.
'Hmm... I smell something here.'
Her reaction let me catch a strong whiff from her.
What kind of scent? 'Proud parent.'
Yes. She reeked of it—the same vibe as Karimru, but with a different flavor. The kind where she'd show up anywhere if I just called "Master!" to help out.
No, it was more like a fragrance. To me, it would always smell endlessly sweet.
"Any plans ahead?"
"Mm."
I pondered her question briefly.
For starters, though intentional, the incident here had blown up too big.
I planned a quick stop at Mantis Hall.
Even if it was personal business at the Chung Hak Gwan.
Who knew what tricks Craig might pull.
Some precautions were necessary, even if brief.
After that, I'd tour the continent again.
Seeking out opportunities to rapidly reach Complete Body.
'And cut off Craig's limbs one by one in advance.'
With the truth of this incident coming to light, Craig's position seemed badly shaken.
Even I, staying at the Chung Hak Gwan, could feel it.
So, while he was off-balance, I'd shake him more.
'Things are flowing better than expected.'
The butterfly effect from my summons had exceeded predictions.
But I couldn't deny the flow was heading my way.
At this rate, I might topple one of the four great lords, Craig, faster than thought.
'Still, ultimately, I need to reach Ultimate Body myself.'
For that, I had to pour even more into growth.
With my thoughts settled, I briefly shared my future plans with Mandara.
"First back to Mantis Hall, then right away touring the continent."
"Sounds good. I'll cheer you on whatever you do. Though I bet you'd do fine without my cheers. Keep in touch. And take this."
She pulled a palm-sized plaque from her bosom and handed it to me.
'This is...'
My eyes lit up the moment I saw it.
"Not just anyone gets this. Show it at any Chung Hak Gwan affiliate, and you'll be treated as a VIP guest."
"Thank you. I'll make good use of it."
Affiliates of the Chung Hak Gwan dotted the continent.
With this plaque, everything would go smoothly.
A perfect gift for my upcoming journeys.
Combined with the VIP card from the Red Rose Merchant Guild, I'd be set anywhere.
"Ahem! 'Thank you, Master.'"
"Haha... Thank you, Master."
Her blunt reminder left me chuckling as I replied.
We chatted enjoyably for a good while after.
The meeting was short, but in that time, I grew close to Mandara.
Kwarrrung!
Lightning crackled from my right arm, embodying Partial Primalization.
"Hoo."
I exhaled the breath I'd held.
And gazed at the scorch mark on the training room wall from the thunderbolt.
Before using the Chung Hak Tower, I'd come to the private training room to gauge my current state properly.
Training to handle Thunder Core.
Only then could I pick what I needed best.
'Now I can finally wield it properly.'
Pajit, pajijijijit.
Electricity sparked wildly from my surging right arm's thunder.
Since acquiring Thunder Core, using lightning-attribute ether amplified power beyond expectations.
'Overkill, huh? Too much power makes it harder.'
Always starved by nature before, adaptation was key.
Recalling the recent ambush battle, I hadn't unleashed full power.
Like mishandling a sword and cutting yourself, excess lightning ether could backfire catastrophically.
To prevent that, I needed these sessions to build proficiency.
Luckily, I'd trained full-throttle for days.
Not perfect, but now usable in combat.
'If I'd handled this well then, I could've taken Burteng or Sarhan too...'
Past was past, but the brush with death left regrets.
Confidence in future growth would soon shake them off.
'But now a bigger issue.'
Gaining one birthed another.
'Thunder power's too overwhelming.'
My ether core split into lightning and wind attributes, balanced by Wind Thunder Qi Gong.
But post-Thunder Core, imbalance exceeded even that.
'Left alone, it'd be like igniting a powder keg.'
Solution nearby.
'Chung Hak Tower.'
Surely wind-attribute treasures there.
Rune or artifact to rebalance would normalize instability and boost power.
'Alright, let's go now.'
I left the training room straight for the tower.
"Usage time: 5 hours. You may select 2 items."
The tower keeper relayed the guidelines.
I nodded and entered the Chung Hak Tower.
Five floors, each with different treasures.
'First floor... equipment and artifacts, right?'
I murmured in awe at the dazzling array.
'Isn't this the Thunderclap Adamant Bell?'
An artifact forged from extreme iron struck by natural lightning, infused with its power.
Greatly amplified lightning users' strength.
Above all, this was what Cinnamon used.
'Why's it here?'
I recalled him wielding it when earning "Mad Flea."
'Must've flowed to him somehow.'
S-grade rarity explained it.
"Oh."
Lightning covered, I eyed the next item in admiration.
The Rebound Field Armor—a vest-like upper-body piece.
On activation, it cloaked the body in a defensive field reflecting attacks.
Another S-grade, shrugging off most blows.
Tempting, but with Transcendent Regeneration and super vitality, defense wasn't priority—for proficiency's sake.
'All S-grades, huh.'
Impressive. Even artifact-independent me coveted them.
'Tch.'
I considered one briefly, then shook my head.
'Can't even use what I have properly.'
I touched the A-grade protective artifact from the Shinseon Butterfly clan.
Semi-permanent; recharged every 7 days.
Never used since receiving it.
'Exoskeleton too... and proficiency needs grinding.'
Artifacts helped in emergencies, but reliance stalled real power growth.
'Runes first.'
Runes on third floor—I headed up.
Third floor greeted with myriad radiant runes.
'As expected.'
Seeing them firsthand drew awe despite knowing.
No B-grade or lower; A and S nearly equal in number.
'Jackpot.'
No wonder Chung Hak Gwan topped the continent.
Over 1,000 runes, all A+.
Endless potential.
'Now, find wind-attribute runes.'
Eyes sharp, I scanned the displays.
'Explosion Rune too.'
A brilliantly flashing one. Rare; somehow acquired.
Not immediate need, but tempting—I lingered.
Added explosive effects to abilities, multiplying destructiveness.
Runes combinable too!
Formulas unlocked hidden traits, infusing attributes/effects via rare runes.
Explosion was one.
Less efficient now, but irresistible.
'Tch, I know how to get one anyway.'
I knew routes for most rares; only one slot left anyway.
First Maturity Stage 1 didn't add slots.
Usually unlocked per molt; others got second in Maturity.
Hoped for more here—disappointing, same as Growth Stage.
'But...'
I glanced at my heart area.
Runes settled there usually.
But it itched unusually.
New sensation.
'Maybe changes in second or third Maturity.'
Ideally, multiple at once to catch up.
'Heh, getting delusions of grandeur.'
My body exceeded expectations so far.
Shaking off idle thoughts, I passed the Explosion Rune.
'No dedicated wind section...'
Scanning attribute runes, it hit me—yes!
'Typhoon Rune (S)!'
Classic combo example; with Fire Core (S), yielded Flame Storm (S+) hidden trait.
Top-tier wind rune, but...
'Wrong focus; won't suffice.'
Boosted wind techniques' power/efficiency, not core ether.
Far from goal.
Wish for Vessel of Wind and Moon at least.
'Nothing beats pure Wind Core.'
Wind Core rune—top S-grade like Thunder/Fire Core.
Unlikely here.
So aimed for lesser Vessel of Wind and Moon—but?
'No way!'
Among wind runes, a shimmering gray one!
Rubbed eyes—real. Wind Core rune.
'It's here?'
Carefully lifting it—pristine, undamaged.
'Heaven's favor.'
Pure luck. Best possible choice.
No hesitation; pocketed Wind Core.
Already achieved tower's purpose.
'But two shots.'
With growth path open, no settling.
Carefully pondered needs.
Steps led to...
'Fifth floor.'
Piles of elixirs.