Red Rose Merchant Guild
The Red Rose Merchant Guild market. This was a regular market that popped up all over the Abian Continent. They varied in frequency—every five days, ten days, half a month, and so on—with the ten-day market known as the "Shilipjang" being the most prominent.
She should be active around here at this time, in one of the nearby Shilipjang markets.
I recalled one of my connections from the past and smiled faintly to myself.
Estelle.
The guild leader of the Red Rose Merchant Guild.
Though it was just a small-scale operation now, the Red Rose Merchant Guild would rise to become one of the continent's top ten guilds within less than a decade. And about ten years after that, it would even displace the House Ant Guild—one of the former top three—and claim its spot.
What a remarkably capable woman.
Anyone could tell she was exceptional just by knowing she'd outmaneuvered the cartels already dominating the trade world to reach the pinnacle. No need for further explanation.
She must have at least a B-grade Origin Protection Rune by now.
I needed to acquire it.
The Origin Protection Rune excelled at regulating the body's internals. It enabled smoother ether operation and was outstanding for healing internal injuries caused by ether. Back in my gaming days, it was standard procedure to slot one for any ether-based character.
I figured I'd pick up something useful for external activities later on.
That was a mistake. I should've thought of Estelle sooner.
I'd been too frantic in the month since my regression.
With three rune slots open, not using them is like slapping a sports car engine on a tractor and puttering along.
I took a moment to reflect on my failure to capitalize on my advantages.
Status window.
I grinned at the rune slots in my status window.
This had been the most shocking part when I'd checked it after regressing.
No matter how I think about it, it's straight-up broken.
Normally, infants only had one rune slot. The second opened upon reaching Maturity Stage, the third at Complete Body, and finally up to five at Ultimate Body.
But I've got three right from the Infant Stage... I can't wait to see how many more open up.
Only those who'd reached Ultimate Body could appreciate the difference. With smart combinations, an extra rune didn't just add linearly—it multiplied efficiency exponentially. For instance, combining Volcanic Summit S Rune and Eye of the Storm S yielded the hidden trait Flame Storm S+. Add an explosion rune for blast properties, and...
The destructive power would be beyond imagination.
But S-grade runes were incredibly rare. Even I in my past life had never pulled off such theoretical combos.
There was another reason dream combos like that were so hard: once a rune took root, it couldn't be swapped out. You could upgrade its grade, but replacement was impossible. Rune implantation demanded utmost caution. Even elites from powerful clans— the so-called "golden spoons"—avoided it unless essential.
How many more slots I'll get depends on advancing stages... but if it's more than expected?
Choosing runes would become irrelevant. Plus...
Elixir Absorption pairs perfectly with Origin Protection Rune.
Nearly all Shinseon Butterfly clansmen took it as standard. Accumulating ether eventually strained capacity or destabilized balance and operation—but the rune compensated substantially.
It's decided.
The corners of my mouth curved into a fresh smile.
* * *
The scorching sunlight poured down from a clear sky, baking the earth.
The start of a sweltering summer. Even standing still left you drenched in sweat from the muggy heat.
"Hey! Handsome young lad, need any gear? Come check it out—I've got every kind of weapon!"
"Your clothes are looking ragged. I've got premium silk threads here, cheap prices— just take a peek."
"Try a taste! From locusts to cicada larvae, no fry missing!"
With hordes of vendors, the market buzzed with crowds. Even in this summer swelter, the Shilipjang teemed with people.
"Thank you for your service, sirs! Have a cup of ice-cold water."
"Much obliged."
A fried food stall handed iced water to armed soldiers.
Army Ant clan.
My eyes narrowed as I watched them.
Direct subordinates of the Amar King Centipede clan, one of the four great tribes. In my past life, during the war against the four great tribes, they'd been one of the toughest foes.
Endless numbers and physiques unbelievable for ants.
Ugh, seeing them again triggered PTSD. Later, they'd strap bombs to themselves and charge as suicide squads—enough to make your teeth grind.
Truly repulsive bastards.
We'll clash again someday.
But next time, it'd be completely different. They'd cornered me before, but now I'd turn the tables.
I could be certain, recalling the Megaera Mantis power slumbering within me.
"Huh? Kid, what? Got business with us?"
"That punk's eyes rub me wrong."
The army ant soldiers spotted me staring and scowled.
Damn, they'd sensed the faint hostility I'd harbored.
"Sorry. In this heat, your hard work impressed me so much I couldn't look away..."
The true strong bend when needed. Challenging them now was suicide—like charging into a powder keg with straw.
I deferred, biding my time.
"Hmph... Fine, got it. Scram."
Luckily, they let it slide.
I gave a slight nod and moved on.
After a bit, nearing the outskirts past the center, I spotted it: the sign I'd sought.
Red Rose Merchant Guild.
My eyes lit up.
A somewhat shabby place housing the future leader of one of the continent's top three guilds. Life really was like that old Earth saying—blessing in disguise. It applied here too.
Of course, their main branch was already decent. This was just a rundown outpost for the Shilipjang.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Yaaawn... Welcome?"
A young woman—likely a clerk—roused from dozing at the counter and asked.
I scanned the shop without replying.
A cramped space, maybe 30 pyeong, stuffed floor-to-ceiling with goods.
No Estelle?
Speak of the devil. Or maybe she hadn't fully entered the Shilipjang scene yet? I'd heard she expanded through these markets around now.
"Has Estelle been around?"
"Huh...? You know my sister—er, the guild leader?"
The clerk's eyes widened in surprise. I jolted too.
Sister?
If Estelle shone as a guild leader, her sister gained infamy another way.
Mad Bloodstorm.
Dual-wield swordmaster.
Amy.
Her moniker came from how she'd storm battlefields with twin katanas, dyeing them red.
Later tied to the four great tribe lords, with a bounty on her head bigger than mine before I even met them.
She reached Ultimate Body too, but our active periods didn't overlap. By the time I clashed with the lords, she'd already been executed.
This seemingly dim girl became that terrifying reaper?
Her vacant face didn't match the epithet—quite the disconnect.
The disguise?
I muttered softly, noting the black ant mark under her ear.
It only emerged later, post-top-three status: Estelle and Amy were Red Fire Ant survivors, thought extinct. They'd disguised as dirt ants to evade their army ant exterminators.
"You..."
I flinched at the subtle killing intent from Amy and looked up.
She stared with emotionless, abyss-like eyes.
Shit!
She'd heard me.
Trouble.
They feared exposure more than anything. Mentioning disguise might make her think I knew.
Mistake.
Old habits from my absolute powerhouse days—speaking freely without regard. Like outside earlier. In this fragile phase, it was life-or-death. Needed fixing.
"Who are you? How do you know my sister, and...?"
She trailed off, unable to admit the disguise, but her wary gaze lingered. Ready to kill.
Her aura suggested Maturity Stage 2 at least. If she wanted, I'd be dead before returning to Mantis Hall.
What to do... Ah!
Inspiration struck.
"Ah, forgive my late introduction. I'm Aleck of the Common Mantis clan, newly enrolled trainee in Mantis Hall's warrior course."
I flashed my ID, tilting my head to show the mantis mark under my ear.
Aim: ease her guard.
"Com... mon Mantis?"
She eyed the ID and mark alternately, puzzled.
Without partial primalization to hide power, ID and birthmark proved clan and race. Or detection spells.
"Yes. A friend recommended Red Rose goods—said for cheap runes, see Guild Leader Estelle."
"Hm..."
Good—her wariness softened. They stocked everything from commoner basics to elite luxuries. No issue. Food ingredients too; could name-drop Robed if pressed.
Not bad improv. Half her suspicion lifted. As a Common Mantis, I couldn't be army ant allies anyway.
"Oh! As a Common Mantis, I'm into disguises and camouflage... You're Dirt Ant clan, right? Any good camo products to recommend?"
Dirt Ants had weak combat, so advanced environmental blending tech. Common Mantises, weakest mantis clan, focused on camouflage too—suited assassins.
I linked my mutter to that.
"There's a decent new product..."
Jackpot. Guard way down, face back to vacant.
That shaved off ten years of life.
Plan nearly derailed from the start.
Then—
"Oh my, a customer?"
A familiar voice rang in my ears.