Immunity to All Poisons

The third supply depot of the Amar King Centipede clan.

Its recently appointed overseer was Napkin, a member of the Amar King Centipede clan.

'Finally, I've become the lord of this place.'

The third supply depot doubled as one of the key strongholds controlling and managing the surrounding region. Strategically vital as a chokepoint, it housed both a garrison and storage facilities.

'Perfect.'

Becoming lord here meant a serious boost in authority. Not just Amar clan members resided here—there were also poison centipedes, earth centipedes, Black Gigantia, and various other centipede tribes. With numbers came elevated status for Napkin.

For someone with an innate thirst for power like him, this was a dream come true.

'They say heroes emerge in chaotic times. This war will propel me even higher!'

As the overseer of this vital midpoint supplying Craig's main force, Yuraan, Gehaz, and other key units, the responsibility weighed heavy. But who in their right mind would attack this place?

Merit was practically guaranteed, and he was thrilled at the chance to use this post as a springboard to greater command.

"Lord! Some guys are gathering outside the walls!"

A sudden report from a subordinate. Napkin scowled.

"What? Who the hell comes here? Lost wild bug packs or merchants?"

"Doesn't seem like it. Fully armed troops are massing in front of the poison formation."

A chill ran down his spine, goosebumps prickling. News of a recently annihilated supply depot flashed in his mind.

'Some crazy mantis broke through their poison formation and wiped them out.'

He'd dismissed it as continental weirdos at first. But now, as overseer himself, there was no guarantee it couldn't happen here.

So he'd squeezed every budget coin into defenses: reinforced poison formations, bolstered troops.

'No disasters on my watch... but this feels off.'

"Check 'em out first."

"Yes, sir. Displaying now."

The observation feed flickered to life with a high-pitched whine. Not crystal clear, but it was obvious the gathered forces were Riokku tribesmen.

"Riokku?"

Napkin furrowed his brow. Why them? Were even those battle maniacs gearing up for war with the Amar King Centipedes?

'Even if so, they can't break the poison formation with that force.'

Logic said as much, yet unease gnawed at him.

"Just in case, put all troops on high alert."

"Yes, sir."

* * *

"How do we breach that thing?"

"Can't the captain just bulldoze it?"

"Yeah! Captain leads, we smash through with brute force!"

I eavesdropped on the murmuring Riokku tribesmen and clicked my tongue inwardly.

'Jeez, straight to brute-forcing it.'

True to their Overlord heritage. Any other tribe would've gotten themselves killed trying that.

'Curious, though. Can the Riokku pull it off?'

They had the raw power, sure. But casualties would be brutal.

"You idiots! Keep relying on muscle and you'll lose antennae someday. Removing the core minimizes losses—it's quicker and easier."

Ios shook his head, laying into them. He stood out from typical Riokku meatheads with his tactical smarts.

No wonder he was eyed as next chieftain.

'Huh?'

But as I anticipated his plan, our eyes met—him looking at me with expectant vibes.

'Sigh, typical Riokku. My bad for hoping.'

He knew I'd raided a poison-defended depot before and clearly wanted an encore.

'What if I hadn't shown up?'

I shook my head and stepped forward.

"I'll handle it."

Whether Ios asked or not, for Immunity to All Poisons's rapid growth, I'd dive in anyway. Might as well since he was nudging.

Good is good, right? The squad didn't agree, though.

"Aleck! We respect your guts coming this far with us, but not that."

"Yeah, it's beyond you. Extreme poison formation—you'd drop from a graze."

"Trust us and hang back."

"Suddenly embarrassed? He only pushes 'cause the captain ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hypes him."

"Riokku humor! No choice—everyone charge!"

They blocked me earnestly. Wary of me at first, but camaraderie had built en route. Genuine concern laced their words.

I was about to reassure them when...

"You gotta stay safe to show us that pet ant, right?"

"Exactly! Priority. Spectate from back, buddy."

"Yeah, for that primal ant, you live."

'...Not worried about me, just wanna see Ultio.'

Ridiculous, but they'd hesitated briefly out of shame.

"Enough! You're embarrassing me. No one's even heard real Aleck stories. Quit wrinkling like grubs—back off!"

Ios finally exploded, stepping up.

Then...

"Aleck, if you would."

"Leave it to me."

Squad grumbled, but Ios glared them silent with a stern face.

They just alternated confused stares between us. I smirked, ignoring them, and approached the poison formation.

'Partial Primalization.'

My concealed aura erupted. Cracks and screeches echoed as my exoskeleton and wings perfected, forelimbs surging sharper than ever.

A subtle ancient pressure emanated.

"Gasp."

"That..."

"What the—?"

"A young mantis like that?"

Squad gasped at my unexpected power.

Whatever. 'Wind Fang Sword.'

A storm of emerald and white exploded from my left forelimb, sword materializing in my hand.

A pristine blade swirling with crystalline emerald gales hummed.

"Insane!"

"Complete Body?!"

"Holy... higher realm than us?"

Now they saw my true level.

"Whoa... his aura outclasses mine..."

Rak nailed it. Swallows and mutters rippled, but I pressed into the formation.

Intense poison stung my skin, viscous air clogging my breath.

'Oh? Here?'

Limit Break revved up. Couldn't ignore this setup.

'Gale.'

I unleashed gale, becoming a streak of wind racing the formation.

Stronger poison than last time greeted me—clearly beefed up post-incident.

Mutated centipedes erupted from swamp patches, multiples this time.

Far stronger now, I dispatched them effortlessly, tearing through.

Found the core.

Crunch!

Messages confirmed the next phase neared.

But the formation persisted.

'Multi-layered, huh?'

Luckily(?), overlapping layers. Knowing to strike while momentum built, I zipped around, dismantling the whole thing.

Immunity to All Poisons kept growing.

Splash!

Last core down, the sweet payoff arrived.

Golden light—visible only to me—bathed my body, sucking in all ambient poison ether.

Purple vortex swirled around me, devouring the dispersing toxins.

Concentrated from layers, it darkened to viscous black sludge coating ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me.

Sizzle.

Corrosive even in absorption, but I felt nothing.

Soon, pristine body and neutralized swamp.

"Hahaha!"

I trembled at the messages. Absorbing the layered toxins pre-dispersal had maxed it—natural swamp poison felt like regular air.

'Swim in poison now.'

Plus, strong hunch I'd tank Duraan's extreme venom.

Meaning...

'Poisons no issue against Craig.'

With Immunity to All Poisons, Limit Break, and Potential.

'Faster than expected.'

Primal poison probably helped—no message, but as Bug Wars vet living Abian Continent's second life, I trusted the positive buffs.

'Mantis spewing poison? Had to influence it.'

I shelved joy, looking ahead. Not done yet.

Final hurdle.

Rumble!

Giant poison thorns still wreathed the walls. Panicked by my formation breach, they writhed, spawning vines.

Mid-size primal-thick vines sprouted thorn clusters my torso-wide. Dozens lunged like living limbs—ultra tarantula legs assaulting.

"Now we join!"

"Kahaha, Aleck's the best!"

"You bastard, how'd you hide that strength?"

"Hahaha, stories after!"

Squad charged cheering post-formation fall. I could've soloed, but teamwork sped things up.

Gladly.

Then.

"Kararararat!"

"Kiriririt."

"Kararara!"

Ground quaked—hundreds of primal centipedes crawling out.

"Whoa! What?!"

"Centipedes here?!"

"They control all these?!"

Chaos. We'd spotted wall thorns and bugs on arrival, but not this horde hidden.

And not over.

"Fire!"

Whoosh!

Poison arrows rained from walls.

"Kehhehe... Impressed. Didn't expect easy formation breach. Impressive, but not all. You're surrounded!"

A commander-like figure emerged amid archers, sneering.

Like they'd waited for us to bunch up.

'Alone, maybe...'

Complete Bodies fine, but Maturity squad would suffer.

Fwoosh!

"Aleck, combine powers."

Ios ignited his fire ether. He'd seen my wind.

I got it instantly.

"Gladly."

"Good. Let's show 'em!"

He grinned whitely, raising fist—solar blaze gathering.

'Wind Spirit.'

Feeling the heat, I matched, summoning aura.

Hummm.

Storm vortexed in Wind Fang Sword.

"Block those two first!"

Commander yelled urgently—poison arrows and primals zeroed on us.

Too late.

"Target: gate!"

Solar fist blast fused with my storm slash.

Deafening roar—ineffable horror etched on every onlooker's face.