Thunder

Among all attributes, thunder ranked in the absolute top tier.

Even with the drawback of not dealing much damage to non-conductors, it was the number one attribute everyone dreamed of awakening. Why? Its destructive power and speed more than compensated for any flaws.

And above all, lightning couldn't simply be blocked or defended against. Even if you managed to fend it off, it would sweep through your weapon and ravage your body in the process.

And right now.

The mutated poison centipede that had been threatening me hurriedly raised its spear to counter the forms of Heavenly Thunder Swordsmanship. But—

"Gaaahhhh—!"

It couldn't block the electric current surging from Heavenly Thunder Swordsmanship.

A gut-wrenching scream echoed in all directions.

"Guh... ugh...."

Twitch-twitch!

The creature's body, charred pitch-black, shuddered once before its eyes rolled back and it collapsed on the spot.

Sploosh!

Gurgle-gurgle.

It sank into the swamp, spraying venom in every direction. But—

Finish it clean.

Slash—!

I launched myself forward and severed the neck of the sinking, unconscious beast.

Then.

Golden particles flowed from its body and were absorbed straight into me.

Hm?

The grades of my poison-related skills and traits had surged dramatically.

I never imagined even a mutated one would boost three grades at once. My eyes widened in surprise.

This guy didn't look ordinary... a mutant, huh.

I recalled meeting Ios before.

A mutated cockroach. That grotesque hybrid had the 'mutated' descriptor too.

And this one was the same.

No wonder it moved so freely through the swamp like some aquatic insect.

It was clearly an artificial mutation.

They're up to all sorts of messed-up stuff.

Even before my regression, I'd encountered countless test subjects and horrific labs. But the deeper I dug, the more outlandish things appeared.

As my growth and timeline accelerated, Craig was probably creating variables too.

His bio-experiments were mostly failures. But I can't bank on that optimism now.

The current Craig seemed to be yielding tangible results from his long-term investments.

Just as I'd triggered a butterfly effect with my fortunes.

Craig might have stumbled on some opportunity too.

The situation was shifting fast. I'd have to respond quicker.

Need to deal with him as soon as possible.

I felt uneasy, unable to predict what madness he'd unleash next. But with Chung Hak Gwan declaring all-out war on the Amar King Centipedes, this was my chance to eradicate his remnants completely.

Anyway.

As I pondered, a roar of cheers erupted from outside the swamp.

"Whoa, insane!"

"Holy shit... he dropped a complete body poison centipede in one hit!"

"Was that guy one of the strong ones among complete bodies?"

"Why's a North Division powerhouse still carrying an East Division badge?"

"Even low-tier mantises are badass, huh...."

"Kuhahaha! Told ya Aleck was the real deal!"

"Those who called him crazy earlier better eat their words and bow."

"I kept quiet 'cause I figured he'd show something. The loudmouths are all speechless now? Where'd they go?"

"Hahaha, idiots got no eyes!"

The night insect soldiers, plunged into shock and chaos, showered me with admiration.

"But isn't that guy on the same level as Captain Jip now?"

"That strike we just saw... yeah, kinda?"

"No, the ones handing out East Division badges need to get their heads checked. How do you give one to that guy...."

I ignored the clamor and dove back into the swamp to destroy what looked like the ritual's medium—a jade stone.

Rumble-rumble-rumble!

Then something amazing happened.

The venom pooling everywhere got sucked into the ground and vanished completely.

The supply depot was now fully exposed to the night insect soldiers.

"Charge! Grab the supply officer before he bolts!"

"Woooah!"

"Let's gooo!"

The night insect soldiers surged forward.

Stealing their supplies was priority one, but capturing the supply ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠officer managing this place was crucial too.

Interrogating him would reveal other secret depots and supply routes.

"Kyaaah!"

"Hold them back!"

Hundreds of night insect soldiers raced across the now-empty swamp.

The depot gates flew open, vomiting forth a horde of poison centipede soldiers.

Their numbers matched ours evenly.

"Wipe 'em out!"

"Woooah!"

Boom, boom, boom-boom-boom!

The two forces clashed immediately, erupting into fierce combat.

Their strengths seemed evenly matched.

To reach the depot fast, complete body powerhouses like me or Jip would have to lead the breakthrough.

"Hey! Those guys on the wall are running!"

Someone shouted.

Obvious command types overlooking us from the depot walls turned to flee.

One of them had to be the supply officer.

Letting them escape would be like dropping a fat locust from our grasp.

"Buddy! I'll clear the path—you grab them...."

Jip rushed to my side, urging me urgently.

He'd carve the way; I'd snag the heads.

Too slow.

Even Jip, now mid-complete body level, couldn't punch through hundreds quickly.

Teaming up would speed it up, but still not enough before they escaped.

"Leave it to me."

"...?"

I ignored Jip's stunned expression—his face twisting like a hook—and stepped forward, unleashing my full power.

Megaera Wings.

Shriiiieeeek—!

It resembled Predator's Presence but far more violently, overwhelming everything.

"...!"

"Hngh."

"Ugh...."

Dozens of poison centipedes facing it head-on paled, freezing or recoiling.

"Wh-what the...?"

I glanced at Jip, eyes bulging in shock, then plunged into their ranks.

Terror-struck, none dared resist.

With the opening secured, I channeled ether into my legs.

Time for... Primal Jump!

Boom!

My form rocketed into the air amid an exploding dust cloud.

The battlefield shrank in an instant below.

I hovered, partially primalizing wings for flight.

Whiiiiiish—!

Maximizing speed by minimizing drag, I streaked like a meteor shower, trailing a comet tail of clouds.

I locked onto the fleeing commanders and dove.

"...!"

"Wh-what?!"

"Shit, block it!"

They spotted me late, faces paling in horror. But—

"Too slow."

I was already upon them.

Kabooooom—!

I cratered the wall atop a massive pit, landing right in their faces.

I flashed a grin at the terrified command staff.

"Got a guest, and no welcome?"

* * *

Jip.

Top powerhouse of the top-horned beetle tribe, now mid-complete body.

Leader of the Metamorph Night Insect Squad.

A man with potential to become the Night Insect King.

Huh!

But the East Division mantis soldier he'd just met left him speechless.

Didn't seem ordinary from the start, but...

When hundreds of night insect soldiers hesitated before the swamp, his lone confident stride had screamed extraordinary.

Others mocked it as bravado, but Jip saw through.

His eyes burned with life.

As a night insect soldier who'd roamed Abian Continent, meeting countless souls, Jip had an eye for insects.

Aleck's gaze brimmed with vitality more than anyone.

That sparked trust, leading him to entrust the array-breaking mission so readily.

Aleck hadn't betrayed it.

But when a complete body poison centipede appeared mid-search, Jip nearly jumped in himself from shock.

Embarrassing I held back.

Venom swamp. How had he endured the ether drain?

Confidence plummeted as the array strengthened.

And fighting a complete body that swam it freely? Near zero odds.

Biting his lip, Jip prayed Aleck would escape unharmed.

Didn't expect him hiding that power.

The massive lightning bolt from Aleck's hand.

A bolt? No—heaven's wrath itself.

Majestic thunder that would shatter any obstacle.

Far beyond Jip.

Complete body... higher tier than me.

In another setting, he'd crave a spar. But this was battle.

Mid-mission.

Array broken, he ordered the charge to raid supplies and officer.

His turn to shine. No more surprises from Aleck, he thought.

Then shock again as the officer nearly slipped away.

Presence only primals have... and a primal jump like a locust? No...

Neutralizing centipedes, leaping skyward to snag the officer.

Jip had to admit: Aleck wasn't just stronger—he was leagues above.

Haven't ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠met someone I wanna befriend like this in ages.

Standing atop the depot wall amid night insect cheers, Jip grinned greedily at Aleck.

* * *

"Aleck! Sorry about earlier. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Didn't know you were that strong...."

"M-me too... I mean, sorry."

"If we offended you, we apologize."

Battle over, Rawung and nearby soldiers crowded, bowing heads.

Apologizing for their rudeness.

"No big deal. Water under the bridge."

I waved it off ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠casually.

Now their eyes sparkled with awe.

Why that face over this? Oh.

Absurdity faded as I recalled night insect ways.

Strongest rule supreme.

Knowing my power now, they feared vengeance—or hoped for teachings—with reverent awe.

Showing strength makes life easier.

I chuckled at their attitudes, reassuring again.

Then.

"Aleck."

A deep voice called.

Jip's—no need to turn.

"...?"

I eyed him questioningly.

All held breath, watching our exchange.

"Your exploits today were impressive. Thanks to you, we succeeded. As thanks... take this. Will you?"

He extended what he held.

This is...!

I gasped the instant I recognized it.