Heavenly Thunder Swordsmanship

"You... you're saying you will?"

"Yes."

"...!"

Everyone's eyes went wide at my words. Then came the barrage of hearty laughter.

"Hah hah."

"Aleck, you're impressive and all... but aren't you just a Complete Body now? You've faced Duraan, so you know—the gap between Ultimate Body and Complete Body is like heaven and earth. And Craig? He's at the pinnacle even among Ultimate Bodies."

They all shook their heads, dismissing it as impossible. Of course, I understood their skepticism. Craig was one of the top five strongest on the continent, after all. It was hard to imagine a guy just starting to awaken his ancient powers could take him on.

"Naturally, I'm not saying I'll fight him right this second."

I spread my hand wide, flashing five fingers before their eyes.

"Five years! In just five years, I'll gain the power to crush him."

"...!"

"Five years?"

"Yes. That's more than enough."

I grinned with utter confidence.

'Honestly, it'll take less than that.'

With the full awakening of the Megaera Mantis genetic traits this time, one thing was clear: reclaiming my past power would happen faster than I'd thought. Even setting aside reaching that old realm, with the Megaera Mantis body and talents, just stepping into the early Ultimate Body stage might match it in level and strength.

"Besides, I'm not even a full Complete Body yet. Think of me as Quasi-Complete Body."

"...!"

"Quasi-Complete Body?"

"There's a stage like that? No, more than that— you're saying this power is from before reaching Complete Body?"

They seemed even more shocked by the fact that I hadn't fully reached Complete Body than my vow to beat Craig in five years.

"No wonder the primalization looked half-done. I thought it was adaptation issues from rapid growth..."

"I figured it was just some ancient species quirk, but you haven't even molted to Complete Body yet."

"Heh heh, you always give me such a thrill, Aleck. Every time I see you, it's something new."

They were genuinely stunned. And why not? The power I'd shown ranked at the top even among Complete Bodies. I'd been surprised myself after experiencing it multiple times—what must it be like for them?

"If you truly ascend to Ultimate Body..."

"Yes, exactly."

I affirmed Karimru's words with conviction.

"Incredible. Is this the power of an ancient species? How did you even awaken it? Now I want to awaken my own ancient blood like crazy."

"I feel the same."

"Hoo, something tells me once Aleck hits Ultimate Body, taking down Craig won't be the end of it. He might reshape the entire continent."

Only now did they seem to grasp, skin-deep, just how extraordinary my power was.

"Aleck! Anything you need, just say the word."

"Well then..."

With their clear intent to support my growth wholeheartedly, body and soul, I voiced my most pressing needs.

"I need info or fossils on Megaera Mantises. And at least three S-grade or higher runes, if possible."

Norton looked puzzled at my request.

"The Megaera Mantis stuff makes sense, but... asking for that many runes? Can you equip more than the usual known limit?"

"Yes, exactly."

"...!"

Another wave of shock rippled through them. Were they having heart attacks from all the surprises today?

Part of me wondered if spilling all this was showing my hand too much. But what I needed most was to accelerate my growth. If their help could speed that up, sharing these "secrets" was no issue at all.

'Especially for runes.'

My ability to punch above my realm came partly from the Megaera Mantis power, but mostly from equipping far more runes than others. Runes were one of the core sources of my strength.

"The Mantis Hall Treasury has a few S-grade runes left. Take whichever you like."

My eyes lit up at Karimru's words. That was exactly the answer I'd hoped for.

I agreed immediately.

'Rune shopping time again.'

The treasury had moved with the new Mantis Hall, so it wasn't accessible right away.

"Then, with things settled for now, I'll prepare to head back. The tribe needs to know about this, regardless."

Kun couldn't stay long either—he had to manage the Titanoptera seal. Someday, I'd devour... no, eliminate that Titanoptera too. But that required at least Ultimate Body.

Either way, rapid growth was the key.

"We'll wrap up here today and move to the new Mantis Hall tomorrow."

Our meeting ended there. But as Norton turned to leave, he pulled me aside for a private word.

"Aleck, I have a question. You said you inherited Senior Heinz's techniques... was that not true?"

Ahem. Here it comes.

I'd figured the moment would come to tell Norton I hadn't actually inherited Heinz's arts. This incident must've tipped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him off.

"Yes, I'm sorry. The truth is..."

No point holding back now. I'd explain honestly, skirting around the reincarnation bit.

"I see. Understood. Don't worry about it—I'm not bothered at all."

Given the gravity, Norton accepted it cleanly. He even seemed relieved and made an offer.

"If you need my swordsmanship, just ask. I'll teach you anytime."

Norton's Heavenly Thunder Swordsmanship. A chance to learn the Peerless Thunder Style? No reason to refuse.

"I'll definitely take you up on that later."

"Heh heh, you won't be disappointed."

I smiled. All of Mantis Hall's resources were pouring my way now.

Perfect Complete Body. The next realm felt within reach.

* * *

'Status window.'

'Nice.'

I whistled in admiration at the status window. In just one night, the changes were earth-shattering.

'Strength and Speed hitting S- already.'

S-grade was normally reserved for Complete Bodies. Now, everything but Durability was S-grade or higher. And this wasn't ordinary S-grade—it was Megaera Mantis S-grade. That alone made me stronger than most Complete Bodies.

'And...'

Nine runes! Room for four more. Now I could aim for hidden traits by combining S-grades and above.

'Not Fire Essence (S), but mix Thunder Essence (S) with Eye of the Storm (S) for Thunderstorm (S+).'

I'd prioritized Wind Essence before due to my state, but now I had leeway. Plus, plenty of other combos.

'Wind Essence ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠(S), Eye of the Storm (S), and Storm Step (S) together? That'd unlock Wind God, the ultimate wind trait.'

As my realm rose, rune slots would keep expanding. Someday, I might earn the moniker "Rune Predator."

'Traits and skills ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠leveled up too...'

Empathy, creeping up through growth, hit A-grade. Probably from the full Megaera awakening. Now I could command primal mantises at will.

'Wait! If possible... I could ride primal mantises.'

Pathfinder bugs were fine, but primal mantises? Massive perks. Slow on foot, but great flight range for travel. Battle prowess unmatched for emergencies.

'Lead a swarm for chaos too.'

If the chance came, I'd tame some primal mantises.

'Predator's Eye... and Primal Venom, Paralysis Poison all hit A-grade.'

Predation alerts from the Poison Centipede soldiers must've boosted them. Useful traits—great news.

'No envy for fire ants now.'

By the time I topple Amar King Centipedes, aim for S-grade poisons.

'Next...'

I eyed my saved gift like unwrapping treasure.

'Ancient Primal Domination!'

The difference from F-grade? Now two slots. I could dominate two ancient species.

'Hmm, but any chance to find another besides Ultio?'

That was the question. Meeting Ultio was a fluke. In this era, encountering ancient species was near impossible.

'Eternal Mountains. Time to scout there.'

Forbidden land to Abian Continent folk. Even in the game, its secrets weren't fully uncovered—a mystery hunting ground. SS-grade only revealed post-possession. Plenty of unimplemented content left.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

'Got pulled in before the update?'

Anyway, that mystic mountain range might hide more ancient species.

'Worst case... try dominating the Titanoptera.'

Taming Kun's sealed ancient bug? Not a bad idea. Options galore now.

As I wrapped up my satisfying status check,

'Ultio... you're doing okay, right?'

I quelled my worries seeing "Molting" by her name. Molting supercharged primal species growth—but could also kill. Few survived without monstrous deformities from failed transcendence.

Still, I prayed silently for Ultio's safe molt.

As those worries swirled,

A familiar voice echoed in my ear.

"Aleck niiiiiim!"