Blades of Wind Awaken

'Hot.'

The scorching heat surging through both arms felt like they were on fire. Something was building up inside, making my hands itch unbearably, as if they might explode at any moment.

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

But I knew exactly what this sensation was.

Evolution.

It was the same feeling I'd had every time I molted.

—It will be very hot. Don't fear it. Your arms are undergoing partial evolution, so once you leave the mental world, you'll see your completed arms.

I nodded at Bahamed's kind explanation.

—Time is running short now. Is there anything you want to ask?

At Bahamed's words, my eyes flashed. I'd had a ton of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠questions piled up to ask when we met again.

And the one burning brightest right now was...

'That guy's identity—the one who seems like a mantis but isn't.'

He'd first appeared in Ultio's memories: a figure with a mantis-like shape but covered in lizard-like scales instead of an exoskeleton. And he wielded shamanic arts far beyond even Kun's level.

Since that same man showed up in Bahamed's memories too, how could I not be curious?

From what I recalled, Bahamed seemed to know him very well.

I asked Bahamed about the man's identity first.

—Hm, I didn't expect you'd take an interest in him.

Bahamed reacted as if the question was unexpected. Then his expression turned complicated.

He slowly opened his mouth.

—That child is... a pitiful soul.

'A pitiful soul?'

His tone hinted at a backstory, deepening my curiosity. I'd assumed he was just an enemy, but their reaction didn't seem like outright hostility from the start.

—That child is $*#!@#*$.

But even though Bahamed said something, the most crucial part didn't register in my mind.

—It seems you're not permitted to know that much yet.

Bahamed noticed and gave a wry smile before continuing.

—Someday, as you inherit my power, you'll face that child too... Well, since it's come to this, let me make one request. If you ever meet him... show mercy, just once...

His voice faded gradually. I realized our time together was ending.

My vision spun and went black.

Flash—

"Hoo."

I opened my eyes to the real world again.

'He asked for mercy at the end...'

I frowned, utterly baffled. What the hell was that guy's deal?

There seemed to be some special history with Bahamed, sure. But he was also the enemy who'd killed Ultio's father, Thunderwing.

'Sorry, but that request... I can't promise to honor it.'

Not that Bahamed could hear me. I shook my head inwardly.

Ultio's promise came before his anyway. If I ever met the guy, I'd help Ultio with her revenge.

'So there are still other ancient species alive out there.'

Grrrrrr.

Lost in thought for a moment, a fierce heat began boiling in my forelegs.

The same phenomenon as in the mental world.

Shwaaaa.

Crunch.

Emerald light burst from both arms simultaneously.

My body naturally shifted into partial primalization. An exoskeleton covered me everywhere except parts of my upper and lower body. Wings extended to my lower back. My forelegs, each bearing a blade, shot upward.

My left arm was fully grown, the right not quite matching it yet. But suddenly, the underdeveloped right arm grew rapidly.

And that wasn't all. Even my left arm, which I'd thought was fully grown, expanded a bit more, forming an even tougher, sharper blade.

Soon, both arms matched in size.

'Ah...'

I gazed down at my now-even forelegs and let out a gasp of admiration.

Not only had my forelegs completed, but they'd grown to match my abilities. My Strength stat jumped from S- to S-rank.

Vitality and divine power surged from both arms. Yet the growth wasn't over.

'Trait manifestation!'

I trembled at the messages, staring at my left arm where power gathered like it might burst.

Rumble rumble rumble.

The blade on my fully grown, gleaming left foreleg began shaking like there was an earthquake.

Vwooooooom.

With the messages, a fierce whirlwind of wind erupted from my left blade.

Flash!

The blade, wrapped in gale-force winds, detached from my arm and formed into a sword.

'Wind Fang Sword!'

A flood of emotions hit me as I beheld the pure white sword summoned before me.

How could I not? This was the trait sword I'd acquired before regression, the beloved blade that later evolved into the Wind White Sword and stayed by my side.

'We meet again.'

I gently gripped the hilt with affectionate eyes.

Hummm—

As if sensing my feelings, the Wind Fang Sword let out a soft, resonant hum.

'Let's do our best this time too.'

Surpassing the pre-regression Wind White Sword, even reaching the Wind God Sword Bahamed showed me. In this life, I'd push you to your limits.

'Thanks to the dual attributes, I get two trait manifestations, huh.'

That meant my right arm's trait could flower someday too.

I glanced at my still-tingling right arm, recalling Bahamed's wind-thunder divinity.

Wind God and Thunder God. They'd be my main weapons ahead, so I set growth as top priority.

'Traits are the root of a being's power, after all.'

I grinned, gripping the Wind Fang Sword tight.

In the Insect King's War, it was top-tier among wind-attribute trait armaments.

It had overcome my lacking birth potential in my past life, with immense growth potential. But the trait effects starting from the Wind Fang Sword were no joke either.

Since that momentum carried over, how could I not be thrilled?

Sure, even with a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lesser armament, I'd have worked hard to surpass Wind White and reach Wind God Sword. But a familiar path is always easier.

If there's a way to make it even smoother, I'd take it without hesitation.

'Lots to do for growth.'

Gather fossil fragments to complete Megaera Mantis power. Collect runes for hidden traits. Acquire Extreme Praying Mantis Swordsmanship to bloom Inspiration Flower. Plus, flower the wind-thunder divinity and grow the armament.

Even excluding other tasks, just aiming for growth meant a packed list. Yet I couldn't stop smiling.

Compared to my past life of endless pain with no hope, this was a path lit by light, filled with anticipation and excitement over hardship.

Grrrooowl—!

Then a loud rumble from my stomach shattered my happy thoughts.

Hunger hit hard the moment I noticed.

'Must've burned a ton of energy.'

Even with Energy Reserve skill, no food for so long plus evolution meant I was depleted.

'Head to the city, grab some food first.'

I swallowed hard and stepped out of the cave.

Vwooooom—!

A massive gust from wingbeats. A sound I'd heard plenty recently.

'Giant hornets.'

I immediately looked up at the source.

Five primal giant hornets hovered in the sky. Spotting me, they radiated killing intent and charged.

'Still hunting me?'

They seemed pissed. After this much time, you'd think they'd quit.

Well, considering I massacred their larvae...

Anyway.

'Perfect.'

I tightened my grip on the Wind Fang Sword's hilt, actually glad.

Just the chance to test my newly acquired blade.

"Kararararat!"

"Karararak!"

The furious hornets screeched as they dove. No idea what it meant, but probably rage over their destroyed nest and larvae.

'Sorry about that.'

Sorry was sorry, but stuff like this was everyday on Abian Continent, right?

Coming at me like they wanted to tear me apart was another story.

Left hand on Wind Fang Sword, I assumed the rider stance. Plenty of left-sword practice, so no awkwardness.

Wind White Swordsmanship.

Style 8: Typhoon Dance.

Kabooooom—!

A storm of white light and emerald from the Wind Fang Sword engulfed the lead three hornets.

Crrrrunch—!

Their tough exoskeletons tore like paper, echoing everywhere.

Thud thud thud.

Boom.

Their mangled remains hit the ground. I whistled inwardly, impressed.

When I first entered Kasaya Jungle, even wounding one was tough.

Now? Like it was nothing, shredding their armor effortlessly.

'Not just the Strength and Speed boosts... this is mostly the trait armament's flowering.'

It was strong in partial primalization, but sword form made it perfect for techniques. And not just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠any armament—a trait manifestation.

I gazed at the ever-reliable Wind Fang Sword with deep satisfaction.

'Way stronger than when I first got it before.'

Well, yeah—with Megaera Mantis body plus Wind Spirit and Wind Qi Gong, it'd be disappointing otherwise.

"Ka, kararararat—."

"Kararararak!"

The survivors hesitated, unsure. The remaining two had luckily been behind and dodged.

Judging they couldn't take me two-on-one, they bolted with desperate wingbeats.

Vwoooom—!

I could've shot them down if I wanted, but didn't bother.

They started it, after all.

* * *

Rustle.

I savored the fried locust hind leg flavor spreading in my mouth, face beaming with bliss.

Gulp gulp.

Chased it with cool earth bee liquor before the taste faded.

"Kuh."

Expensive dishes felt like heaven. I still remembered some Earth foods fondly.

Chicken and beer—this was like that. Chicken-mu similarity.

Starving, I devoured mindlessly.

"That guy next to us is eating like a champ."

"Must be starving."

"Tsk... making me drool. Let's order locust leg fries too."

The table nearby ordered the same. Did I influence them?

Glanced around—every table now had locust hind leg fries.

Embarrassing, like I started a trend.

'Hunger's finally easing.'

I patted my full belly after the feast, satisfied.

'Rest fully for three days, then move.'

Rest builds growth foundation. Needed a break now.

If not for the words from next door.

"How's Moon Paper Forest holding? Still under attack from Poison Centipede Legion, right? Shinseon Butterfly clan in big trouble?"

'...?'

The news perked my ears, chasing away drowsiness.