Enough Time
"Time..."
I'd initially planned to say there wasn't any, since I was eager to down the runes and elixirs I'd brought back as soon as possible.
"Time?"
But...
Even with that playful smile tugging at her lips, there was an undercurrent of chill in Robed's expression that made a powerful premonition hit me—no way could I say that.
So I barely managed to hold back those words.
"...is plenty! What's up?"
I flashed a smile right back at her.
Delighted by my positive response, she beamed brightly and spoke up.
"Right? Good thing! I brought this for you to try."
Robed held out what she'd been clutching in her hand.
A lunchbox?
And not just any—it was wrapped in an exquisitely luxurious furoshiki cloth.
Back at Mantis Hall, I'd often enjoyed her cooking, but since heading to Chung Hak Gwan, I hadn't had the chance. It crossed my mind now and then.
To think she'd go out of her way like this right after I got back, even in the middle of all this chaos.
My mouth was watering on its own. Guess I'd missed it more than I realized.
"Pfft, look at you smacking your lips."
She gazed at me with eyes full of utter adoration.
Oh no! That was embarrassing...
I hurriedly hid my flushing face and ushered Robed into the room.
"It's my first time in here too, but... come on in."
Even though I was the host now, inviting a guest into my newly renovated quarters at Mantis Hall, I had no clue about the layout.
"Uh... um, where's..."
"They're all pretty much the same layout. This way... ta-da, the table."
Caught off guard by her taking charge, I let her lead me to my seat in a daze.
Soon enough, I got to savor Robed's cooking after so long.
"Whoa... as good as ever."
Every tier of the five-layered lunchbox gleamed with a glossy sheen from the dishes, as if they were pouring out light themselves. I couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
Spider, dragonfly, cricket... even a stag beetle?
Even for edible insects, these were all top-dollar ingredients.
The moment I realized she'd prepared only the finest materials, my mouth watered again.
Gulp.
Almost made a fool of myself again...
I snuck a glance at her while reining in my raging appetite.
"It's been ages, so I put in some extra effort! With everything going on and you suffering out there in unfamiliar lands... the only thing I could think to help with was restoring your vitality. I used nothing but ingredients famous for replenishing energy."
"You must've been swamped yourself. Thanks so much."
"Heehee, between us, what're you talking about..."
She grinned bashfully at my sincere words, brushing it off.
For a moment, her radiant smile filled my entire field of vision—nothing else existed.
Thump!
Was it the temptation of Robed's feast stirring my gluttony? For some reason, my heart was pounding harder than usual.
"Don't stare like that, it's embarrassing. Dig in already!"
"Ah, right... well then, bon appétit."
I picked up my chopsticks first and popped a piece of spider dish into my mouth.
Sizzle!
The primal spider's flesh melted the instant it hit my tongue. Compared to anything I'd eaten lately, the exquisite flavor brought tears to my eyes.
And with it...
Gained faint vitality from the corpse of 'King Spider'.
Vitality!
It had been so long since I'd seen a message about vitality, I could barely remember the last time.
Still, I need to figure out exactly what vitality is used for.
My mind kept puzzling over it nonstop, but my hands never stopped, chopsticks darting to a dish that looked like stag beetle next.
Gained faint vitality from the corpse of 'Gideon Stag Beetle'.
The message popped up without fail.
I could definitely feel some mysterious power settling somewhere in my body, but there was zero immediate boost to my abilities from it.
Now that my genetic traits had fully transformed and I'd reached quasi-complete body, allowing finer control over my physique, I was even more certain.
As the melting flavors made my body shiver in delight, I racked my brain against Chungwangjeon's known lore for vitality's secret—even listing out unencountered content—when one fact suddenly struck me.
What if it's tied to awakening?
Awakening.
When a skill hits S-rank, at some point you can awaken it to add various effects—like amplified attack power or a new ether attribute.
But since it couldn't be triggered intentionally with specific items or materials, tons of players—including me—wracked our brains trying to uncover the mechanism.
It was too good to ignore; the effects rivaled top runes or traits. We veterans dug deep just to thwart the devs' schemes.
In the end, we chalked it up to random activation after enough use.
Of course, I'd never awakened anything pre-regression, so it'd slipped my mind completely.
Anyway, a powerful hunch rang out: vitality's purpose might link to that sudden revelation about awakening.
If the hypothesis holds, does that mean I'm not the only one who gains it?
Am I just the one who can see it visibly thanks to Predation and the system?
Doubts started swirling in my head.
Either way, if I could trigger awakening on purpose... that'd be ideal.
For now, to test the theory, I needed more vitality.
And to get vitality, I had to consume primal species with inner cores.
That just piled on more reasons to tackle the Eternal Mountains.
If this really unlocks awakening, I might have to carry Robed on my back from now on.
Robed looked even more beautiful today.
Beyond that, since she'd cooked with fresh primal corpses containing inner cores she'd just acquired...
Steadily buying up primal corpses would be another way.
Money made that feasible.
I'll contact Estelle before leaving Mantis Hall.
Lost in thought, my face grew serious. Robed, who'd been watching quietly, suddenly asked,
"Aleck... you're heading out again soon, right?"
"Cough!"
Caught off guard, I choked.
She'd figured it out without me saying a word.
"Ahem... uh..."
Why did opening my mouth feel so heavy... so scary?
Unable to answer easily, I hesitated. Robed forced a bright smile and continued.
"I heard from Dad. About how hard you've been working."
"..."
"You're a total hero of Mantis Hall now? It was so cool."
Hero...
I'd just been charging ahead for my own growth and ambitions.
Her high praise made my cheeks itch uncomfortably.
She giggled at my embarrassed look.
"Truth is, my dream was to become a hero of Mantis Hall just like you."
Was it?
Suddenly, memories of her desperately training flashed back.
What had driven her to such urgency? A lingering question.
Her words shed light: she'd sensed the dark clouds over Mantis Hall.
"I'm jealous watching you walk the path I dreamed of. You're so amazing. So go boldly on your way. I'll do what I can here and always wait for you!"
She ended with that beaming smile.
Seeing her like that stirred emotions in me—gratitude, guilt, warmth, comfort.
And...
Now I get it. My feelings.
In that moment, I knew for sure.
I...
"Yeah. Thanks, Robed."
I gazed deeply into her eyes, etching her face deep into my heart.
No matter what, I'd never forget.
Ten Thunders Swordsmanship (SS)
Comprehended the essence of Praying Mantis Swordsmanship.
Praying Mantis Swordsmanship (D) → Ultimate Praying Mantis Swordsmanship (S)
One step closer to Supreme Praying Mantis Swordsmanship.
Understanding of ancient species slightly increased.
Ancient Primal Domination (E) → Ancient Primal Domination (D)
Keh.
Sprawled on the floor, I grinned at the messages floating before my eyes.
"Kuhahaha! You've mastered it! Grasping the essence of Ten Thunders Swordsmanship and Ultimate Praying Mantis Swordsmanship in such a short time... Truly, Aleck, you are a once-in-a-millennium genius!"
Norton bellowed in awe as he looked at me.
His signature technique, infused with the quintessence of his insights—Ten Thunders Swordsmanship. In terms of perfection, it rivaled my own Wind White Swordsmanship.
And I'd internalized it all in just four days. Even I found the acquisition speed astonishing.
Was I always this much of a genius?
Of course, Norton had taught exceptionally well...
He downplayed his own potential as ridiculously low, but his teaching talent was unmatched.
I couldn't deny it had drastically shortened the time to master both techniques.
Status window.
Nice.
Thanks to the tyrosine pills I'd taken after meeting Robed, Stealth and Predator's Eye had risen to S-rank.
And from getting pummeled by Norton while mastering Ten Thunders Swordsmanship and Ultimate Praying Mantis Swordsmanship, my Toughness hit S-.
As expected from an ultimate body—his full-force blows were brutally lethal.
Knowing I had Transcendent Regeneration, he hadn't held back either.
Now all my physical stats were S-rank or above. I felt even closer to complete body.
Sloughing off into full complete body wouldn't be far off.
And Ten Thunders Swordsmanship is SS-rank, as expected.
It was on par with my Wind White Swordsmanship. Now I had a way to maximize dual attributes even further.
Plus, Ultimate Praying Mantis Swordsmanship...
I hadn't expected S-rank. Even with its profound essence, its roots were in basic Praying Mantis Swordsmanship.
I'd figured A-rank tops, but this exceeded it.
Supreme Praying Mantis Swordsmanship is definitely SS-rank.
The thought sparked a flash of inspiration.
Fusing Ten Thunders and Wind White on top of Supreme Praying Mantis...
It wouldn't just bloom—it'd be a whole flower field.
Heh.
A smile wouldn't leave my lips.
"Mm... Aleck, you alright? Did I hit your head wrong earlier or something?"
Lying there giggling to myself must've worried him. Norton spoke up with concern.
"Hahahaha!"
His words set me off into full-blown laughter.
Robed, Norton...
Pre-regression, I'd never opened up this freely with anyone.
The unfamiliar joy warmed me anew.
I'm not lonely anymore.
Recalling the late nights laughing with Robed, Ruslan, Kind, Bishier, and the others after reuniting two days ago... my chest grew warm.
To hold onto that feeling, I gathered myself and stood.
"Time for me to head out."
"Kekeke, yeah. Felt like you'd leave today."
Even with the sudden notice, Norton wasn't surprised. Had he expected it?
"Got a destination?"
"Yes."
"Mind telling your master where?"
I planned to meet Katt first.
He'd contacted me late with Mantis Hall updates.
Katt had successfully gotten Megaera Mantis intel.
I'll swing by Ultio on the way.
World, here I come.
For even more complete evolution!
"Where to, I asked?"