Tyrant's Fury and the Golden Sage's Descent
Before leaving the temporary hideout, I had the communicator Kun gave me, so I contacted him right away.
‘Kun, it’s Aleck. Can you hear me?’
―……Aleck! I was just about to reach out. Perfect timing. Something happened at Mantis Hall?
Thankfully, the communicator worked fine. After a brief explanation of the current situation, I asked for his help.
‘……So Norton’s away right now. Could you possibly make it?’
―Haha, no worries. Though to get there quickly, I’ll have to fold space. It’ll take at least half a day to prepare.
Kun’s response left me inwardly stunned.
From Ultimate Body onward, realms divide into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd stages. His mention of folding space to travel meant not only had he reached the 3rd stage of Ultimate Body, but he was at the pinnacle within it.
It signified he’d already attained a level similar to what I’d reached before regression—after he’d lingered in that realm for nearly 20 years longer than me, at least.
Anyway, this was good news for me and the situation. Having such a powerhouse as my solid backup.
‘Understood. I was planning to move at night anyway. Timing’s tight, but it should work. I’ll contact you then.’
And so, my trump card against Duraan, prepared in advance, was none other than summoning Kun.
Whoosh—!
A red light burst from the ruby in my hand, shooting straight into the sky.
A massive spell array etched itself across the heavens.
Thoom—.
An immense pressure crushed the air from the array, flowing outward.
Not just matching Duraan’s aura—no, it cleanly overpowered the tyrant’s presence, asserting absolute dominance.
That’s when it came.
"Playing such petty tricks!"
A thunderous roar shook the area, clashing auras turning the surroundings into chaos as the ether in the air roiled unstably.
And before us loomed a colossal figure.
Duraan looked exactly as I remembered: shiny bald head, face scarred in places. He had the mug of some mountain bandit boss.
"I’ll take your head first!"
Sensing the ominous power from the aerial spell array, he knew he couldn’t afford delay and lunged at Karimru.
A massive dark spear materialized in his right hand—his signature weapon, the Death Self Poison Spear.
It was also the ‘spear’ trait Poison Centipedes gained upon reaching Complete Body.
His intent clear: just claim the Mantis Hall lord’s head.
Grazed by that spear, even a handful would turn to poison sludge.
Screee— Boom!
"Urk."
Kaboom kaboom kaboom.
Despite my preparations, Duraan’s strike was too fast to fully react to. Karimru reflexively blocked with his weapon but was sent flying back with a deafening blast, crashing far away.
Karimru had reached upper Complete Body, yet a single rushed blow did this much damage.
I rushed to check if he’d been felled in one hit.
Fortunately, no threat to his life, but a faint poisoned pallor clung to him.
Even blocking left him like this. A testament to Duraan’s vicious power.
"Still cockroach-tough as ever!"
Duraan sneered, charging again, this time settling into a proper stance to finish it.
Karimru, already unsteady, wouldn’t block another.
The silver lining: I wasn’t even on his radar.
Dodge in, deflect the attack on Karimru, exploit any opening.
Maybe buy time until Kun arrived.
Hmm.
Tension from the catastrophic aura beaded sweat on my forehead.
A desperate crisis.
"Damn it."
Suddenly, Duraan looked skyward, frustrated at not gathering enough energy, and hurled his spear at us.
Or tried to.
"Binding Spell."
Flash!
Golden particles around Duraan formed ether chains, locking him mid-throw—spear still gripped.
Like a golden sculpture of a spear toss.
In the nick of time, Kun emerged from the array and unleashed his power instantly.
I sighed in relief, gazing upward.
Body covered in golden fur. A pair of antennae as long as his torso sprouting from his head. Vast triple pair of golden wings fluttering behind.
Kun had started in full primalization.
"Grrgh…… You bastard, Kuuuun! Should I take this as a challenge to Lord Craig?!"
Duraan grimaced, pinned. He’d sensed the spell’s scale and owner early—Kun.
They knew each other.
"Why drag Craig into our business? You haven’t changed a bit."
"You damn—!"
At Kun’s words, Duraan’s twisted face contorted further as he primalized.
Crunch!
His already huge frame swelled rapidly, dark green exoskeleton sprouting, size at least 1.5 times larger.
Twing!
The Binding Spell shattered.
"I’ll repay that past humiliation!"
Duraan poured massive ether into his Death Self Poison Spear, roaring.
Dark green tangible aura lashed out, filling the area with poison mist instantly.
Immunity to All Poisons is strengthened.
Immunity to All Poisons is strengthened.
Immunity to All Poisons is strengthened.
……
Messages scrolled before my eyes in an instant.
Exposed to deadly poison despite the distance.
I swiftly shielded Karimru, blocking the aura.
Sizzle! Hiss.
Without Immunity to All Poisons, Transcendent Regeneration, and Super Vitality, my skin and organs would’ve melted facing this head-on.
Vicious.
My body cycled damage and regen nonstop.
As I marveled, it happened.
Boom—!
Golden and dark green split the world, clashing in a massive explosion.
Whoosh!
The shockwave scattered the poison, making it easier to endure.
Not my fight.
As the saying went, no place for bees in a hornet brawl. One misstep, and I’d be obliterated.
I moved to drag Karimru away.
That’s when.
"Kill!"
"It’s Karimru!"
"I’ll get him!"
"Outta the way—!"
A clamor erupted as Poison Centipede soldiers, lurking nearby, swarmed like moths.
Their bloodshot eyes screamed determination to claim the lord’s head for glory.
Clan mates take less damage, huh.
Bad spot for both of us. I prepped High Jump—
Whoosh!
Thick green aura rose like haze from Karimru, dark green exoskeleton covering him.
Blades surged from both arms. A pair of outer wings on his back, inner pair within.
Slender antennae atop his head.
Full primalization complete.
For a king mantis, he looks sleek.
Matching shield mantis bulk with elegant slenderness—his beauty gave an odd vibe.
Primalization reflected clan traits and true form, but Karimru’s orchid-mantis-crushing looks held even here.
Bzzz.
Green ether poured from his primalized forelimb blades.
Slash!
Unlike his refined(?) look, his skill was lethal, dancing a deadly blade waltz.
Poison Centipede flesh scattered everywhere.
Orchid mantis arts? His paths bloomed orchid patterns.
Wonder how Robed, the real orchid mantis, would refine that swordplay.
"You alright?"
I approached, checking his state.
"Hah, feels like every bone’s shattered."
Not normal, as expected.
His helmet-like exoskeleton hid it, but poison-pale skin was ghostly white.
"Don’t push yourself."
"I’m fine. Got enough left for these grunts. Focus on rescuing the prisoners."
Karimru stayed composed, truly concerned for Mantis Hall.
……A true sage king.
His qualities as lord shone clear: perfect for leading a clan, noble and wise.
"Got it."
He flashed white teeth in a grin. I bowed slightly and High Jumped toward the prisoners.
Bam!
Locust leap propelled me precisely to them, landing flawlessly.
Boom!
The distant clash boomed like thunder beside us.
Ultimate Body fights were noisy.
Rescue first.
I spotted downed prisoners, Kind and Bishier amid them—all out from anesthetic poison.
Carry or wake?
Too many to haul at once. Decided to wake as—
"A cockroach sneaked in."
A heavy voice pierced my ear, chills erupting.
I flung back.
Screee!
Dark spear impaled where my head was.
It packed enough force to not just pierce but explode my skull if slower.
"Well now?"
The attacker spoke amused.
"Little mantis? Interesting. Wait, not even Complete Body, yet this partial primalization?"
Assessing me, he grinned with curiosity.
Straightening, I identified him: shallow face, patchy mustache. Unforgettable.
3rd Captain.
One of Duraan’s three super elites. Gato, the 3rd captain.
Figured you were missing.
He’d guarded the hostages here. No wonder Duraan fought carefree—trusted subordinate.
I’d guessed, but hoped to avoid this.
"You’ve got a fun body. Fine, I’ll take you alive."
While I pondered, Gato decided my fate solo.
Arrogant, but earned: elite Poison Centipede, continent-renowned.
Me? Little mantis, barely Complete Body. Unbeatable in his eyes.
Heard the ‘little mantis’ line even post-Complete Body—not new.
Infuriating he underestimated without gauging my power.
I smirked instead.
"Oh? Smirking?"
Gato gaped.
"Won’t come quietly, eh."
He loosened up, dark green ether solidifying on his spear.
Intense poison aura—their main attack, strength measure.
Immunity to All Poisons blocks the poison intrusion.
Useless on me.
Facing upper Ultimate Body Poison Centipede poison head-on? Felt meh.
I drew ether too.
Wind Blade, Thunder Blade.
Whooom, crackle!
Sharp gales and fierce lightning cloaked my arms.
Potential (SSS) rampages.
Boundless power surged through me.
"Wha…… What?!"
Gato’s eyes bulged at my exploding aura.
Boom!
I kicked off, overflowing energy propelling me like lightning at Gato.