The Last Clan Leader of the Megaera Mantis
‘Ah.’
Staring at the countless messages floating before my eyes, a voice enraptured in ecstasy slipped from my lips. An overwhelming pleasure, more intense than anything I’d ever felt in my life, flooded my consciousness. Even ascending to the Ultimate Body hadn’t brought this level of electric euphoria. It was as if every cell in my body was roaring in triumph.
Amid that bliss, my awareness floated upward. The scenery before me shifted dramatically.
‘This place…’
It was now so familiar it felt almost comforting—the depths of my subconscious. As my mind sank deeper, I encountered that presence again, one I’d come to greet with genuine warmth.
―Finally, we meet properly.Megaera Mantis.
As the entity opened its mouth toward me, its voice rang out clearly for the first time—unlike the vague communion we’d shared before.
"……."
It wasn’t just the voice. The hazy, fog-shrouded form that had always eluded clear sight now appeared sharper than ever. At first, I’d barely glimpsed its silhouette. After acquiring the fossil fragments, it had become somewhat visible. But now, nothing obstructed my view; it was crystal clear.
‘…Now I see it wasn’t fully restored before.’
An inverted triangular face and jaw thicker and tougher than any modern mantis. Eyes that took up half its face, gleaming like emeralds embedded in stone. Long, slender antennae extending from its forehead. The Megaera Mantis before me looked like something you’d only see after blending king and shield mantis bloodlines through countless superior evolutions.
―I didn’t expect to see you again so soon after you claimed the power I left behind.
As I examined its form with shining eyes, the Megaera Mantis, which had been silently regarding me, spoke once more.
"…Indeed."
I’d always thought a proper conversation with this being would come someday. But I hadn’t imagined it would arrive this quickly. Sensing that emotion in its words, I felt a unique sentiment of my own.
―Allow me a formal greeting. I am Bahamed, the last clan leader of the Megaera Mantis tribe. It’s a pleasure to meet you like this, descendant.
"I’m Aleck."
I returned its greeting in kind.
‘Bahamed.’
Finally, I had a name. Setting aside the vague sense of familiarity, one thing stood out.
‘The last clan leader of the Megaera Mantis…’
An ominous feeling washed over me. The Bahamed before me was undoubtedly a transcendent being. Why would such a mighty figure be the last clan leader? Questions flooded my mind.
―I can see you have much to ask.
"Yeah. I already had a mountain of questions, and hearing you now just adds more."
―Hahaha, I understand that feeling.
What was so amusing? Bahamed let out a hearty laugh at my words.
―Unfortunately, our time is short again. For today, be content that you’ve fully transformed into a Megaera Mantis. First, accept my power.
As its lips curled into a sly grin, emerald light flashed from its eyes.
Shaaaaaa!
Light poured straight into my body.
"Ah…!"
Another exclamation escaped my lips. Crack, crunch. My muscles and bones twisted, optimizing into a form perfect for battle. Was this what they called shedding the mortal coil?
‘Urgh.’
A burning sensation flared in my left arm, and a forelimb erupted—far larger than during partial primalization. No longer immature, it was fully primalized. The blade of this elongated, massive forelimb gleamed with sharpness enough to cleave air itself.
Crack, crunch!
The tiny wings that had manifested grew longer and larger, now draping down to my waist. They weren’t fully primalized yet, but incomparable to before.
And that wasn’t all. The emerald exoskeleton covering parts of my body expanded, now forming nearly 80% of my outer shell—arms, legs, torso, and head. My chest, abdomen, and parts of my limbs remained uncovered, but it was essentially complete.
What pleased me most was the denser exoskeleton encasing my head, now helmet-worthy.
‘Power… it’s overflowing.’
The changes weren’t just external. Inside, unprecedented might surged wildly. Was this the true power of an ancient primal species? It had called this a mere quasi-complete body. Everything before was just a taste.
Compared to my pre-regression complete body ascension, this was embarrassingly superior.
‘Gato’s nothing now—I could steam him effortlessly.’
Feeling the boiling power, I brimmed with certainty. Gato, Kiria, anyone at complete body—no matter who challenged me, victory was assured.
Lost in the power’s intoxication for a while…
―Hahaha, your face shows you’re impressed by the Megaera Mantis power. But don’t forget—you’re still far from the peak.
Bahamed’s eyes flashed as he spoke, and a new vista unfolded before me.
‘This…?’
Chilling memories flashed by. Inevitably so. From what I recalled, the form at perfect power was leagues beyond my current state—something I couldn’t even approach.
I could only glimpse its silhouette, but it radiated splendor and majesty on another level.
―What you just saw is the fully realized complete body.
"Just a complete body?"
―Yes. I’d love to tell you of the Ultimate and even Transcendent realms, but it seems not yet permitted for you.
Bahamed’s eyes curved like a crescent moon.
―So, when we meet next, I expect you stronger than now.
With those final words, my vision blackened, and awareness floated upward.
Predation (—) has been strengthened.
Megaera Presence (A)
Runes expanded to 9 slots.
‘Immature Left Forelimb’ has fully matured.
‘Immature Wings’ have partially grown.
‘Partial Exoskeleton’ has partially grown.
As awareness returned, the same barrage of messages greeted me as before losing consciousness.
"Wh-what the…"
And Gato’s voice rang out. I looked up at him.
Megaera Presence (A) has activated.
"Urk."
Not only did it repair my shattered body, but an incomprehensible aura erupted. Gato recoiled in terror.
"H-how… how does a brat like you wield power like His…?"
‘His?’
Gato’s words puzzled me, but there was no time to dwell. My mind overflowed with thoughts of how to crush him with this surging power.
‘Wind Blade.’
Vivid emerald winds swirled around my fully primalized left arm.
Whooooosh—!
Air around us was sucked in, creating a momentary vacuum. The power was unimaginable compared to before!
This was definitively beyond complete body strength.
"Urk, uuurgh."
Did Gato sense it too? He acted completely outside my expectations.
"Uwaaaak!"
He spun around and bolted. At this absurd sight, I could only chuckle dryly.
‘Running away just like that?’
Duraan’s Poison Centipede Legion forbade fleeing in battle—no exceptions, even for a captain. Yet Gato fled with his tail between his legs, face twisted in abject terror.
Did he figure death was death, whether here or there?
‘Feels familiar somehow.’
Stunned by the anticlimax…
‘Fine, if he’s gonna die anyway, I’ll help him along.’
I unleashed the power gathering explosively in my left hand toward Gato’s retreating back.
Wind White Swordsmanship.
Fourth Form: Gale Heart Rain.
Kwaaaaaang—!
The moment I released it, swirling emerald winds tore across the ground, engulfing him. To an outsider, it’d look like a natural disaster. Far deadlier than the poison blast that had wrecked me.
Within that strike…
"Kraaaaaak!"
Gato’s final scream echoed pitifully.
Spluuurt!
As the emerald gale faded, only shredded remnants scattered everywhere—torn, sliced, pulverized. For Duraan’s right-hand man, it was a gruesome, pathetic end.
‘If he’d fought head-on, it wouldn’t have been this pathetic.’
The outcome wouldn’t have changed, of course. He must’ve sensed that vaguely, choosing flight instead.
Well, it let me end the fight easily.
Predation has activated.
Predation triggered as expected. But no time to check messages—a group of Poison Centipedes rushed this way.
"C-Captain Gato!"
"N-No way…"
"What the hell?"
They’d witnessed Gato’s end. Staring in panic at where he’d been…
‘Squad leaders, huh.’
I identified them instantly—rank insignia proudly displayed on their uniforms.
‘Perfect.’
Having achieved transcendent evolution to quasi-complete body, I realized only Duraan could oppose me here. And he was irrelevant. Rather than just rescuing everyone, why not wipe out the entire Poison Centipede Legion?
"Eek!"
"Kill that bastard!"
"Avenge the captain!"
Graciously, the squad leaders lost reason at Gato’s death, charging with spears.
Not one below Maturity Stage 3, some even complete body. But none were my match.
‘Moths to a flame.’
I smirked, summoning Wind Blade power to my left arm again. Wind ether cloaked it more effortlessly than before.
Kwaaaaaang—!
The unleashed emerald storm swept them away in one go.
Thud, thud.
All perished from my single strike. Witnessing it, I felt my newfound strength firsthand.
Predation has activated.
Predation fired reliably. ‘Is it because it was strengthened?’ It seemed to trigger more readily now.
I dismissed the messages and turned. Loot could wait—focus on the fight.
‘Karimru first.’
I spotted Karimru struggling far off, surrounded precariously by more Poison Centipede soldiers.
Shuuuuwook.
Kwaang!
I activated High Jump, landing beside him. Larger wings made leaps and glides far swifter.
"Aleck… is that you? Your form again…"
He seemed briefly confused by my changed appearance but trailed off in realization.
"I’ll explain later."
I scanned the swarming Poison Centipedes.
Megaera Presence (A) has activated.
"Ugh."
"Hiiik."
They panicked under the erupting menace.
"Uwaaak!"
"R-run!"
Like a mantis plunging into a locust swarm, I rampaged. In a few blinks, they were cleared.
‘Now for the rest…’
Koon vs. Duraan. Boom, boom, kwaaaang! They were evenly matched, but momentum shifting to Koon.
Fooosh!
"Kraaak!"
Duraan, struck by Koon’s blue whip, screamed and crashed nearby.
"Urgh, damn it!"
His body a wreck. I expected another charge at Koon—but he turned to flee.
‘That guy… so familiar. It was him.’
Recalling his nature, I let out an incredulous laugh. Even pre-regression, he’d fled from me like this.
‘No wonder his subordinates learned from him.’
Forbidding retreat for others while plotting his own—utterly cowardly and pathetic.
Anyway, I launched myself, blocking his path.
"You dare! A whelp like you!"
Seeing me in his escape route, Duraan’s face twisted in outrage. He thrust his death fang spear in fury.
‘I see it.’
Ziiing.
Predator’s Eye traced its trajectory clearly.
‘Wind Blade.’
Whooooosh.
Reading the path, I gathered storm on my left arm. A vortex churned, ready to shred the world.
"Wha—!"
Duraan’s eyes widened at the ominous aura. I unleashed the massive whirlwind upon him.
Kuwaaaaaang—!