Predation's First Reward

'This is…….'

I blinked, staring at my status window. An impossible situation lay before my eyes.

'High Jump?'

It was only E-rank, but it was definitely High Jump. The specialized skill unique to the locust clans, whose leg strength was dozens, hundreds of times greater than other species.

'You get it like this?'

I stared at the status window with wide, gleaming eyes, a mix of bewilderment and excitement. I'd heard the Predation trait would activate. This had to be thanks to it—I'd clearly absorbed the skill.

'I didn't get anything from the first ant larva.'

So it wasn't guaranteed just from killing a primal. And it was only E-rank. F-ranks were barely useful as combat support, E-ranks barely viable in actual fights. Even for a 1st instar primal, its High Jump should've been at least D-rank.

'Could I absorb higher-rank skills too?'

I wasn't sure, but my instincts screamed yes. The thought sent shivers racing down my spine.

'If I can absorb the skills of the strongest clans one by one…….'

Who could stand against me? It explained why the Megaera Mantis had been hailed as the ancient apex predator.

"Hoo."

I exhaled the breath I'd been holding and grinned. My heart pounded like a boy's first crush.

"W-What's up?"

Kind eyed me warily as I trembled with excitement.

"Hahaha!"

I answered his question with laughter, joy impossible to hide.

* * *

Mantis Hall was the institution where mantis clans gathered for training and education.

Tracing its origins led back to the four dominant races ruling the Abian Continent. In the past, solitary mantises had been united under the ant king clans—one of the four great races—forming Mantis Hall.

"Huh."

And today, 3rd Instructor Gaon and his sub-instructor Gruwyn, overseeing the survival exam—Mantis Hall's entrance test—gaped at the real-time feeds from the recruits.

"That selectee…… really a common mantis?"

"O-On paper, definitely……."

Watching Aleck dismantle an ant larva primal like a toy, they couldn't believe their eyes. Among today's recruits, only one could solo an ant larva: shield mantis Ruslan. Even king mantis elites wouldn't dare. Yet this scrawny common mantis had done it.

"Unbelievable, even seeing it."

Gaon muttered at the screen. He pinched his thigh—ow, tears welled. Not a dream.

"What's going on?"

A man with a "2" badge like Gaon's entered the 3rd instructor room—2nd Instructor Bostick.

"Sir!"

Gruwyn saluted instantly.

"Hey, Gruwyn. Tough under Gaon? Any issues?"

"Haha, Gaon takes great care of us—no problems."

"Tch, still that spaced-out look…… Gotta call you aside later?"

"Ah, that's……."

As Gruwyn floundered, Gaon scowled.

"Ease up on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the bullying."

"Haha, just teasing. Why's everyone dazed? What, that common mantis selectee?"

Bostick tilted his head at Aleck in a corner screen. Survival exams focused cameras on promising recruits—limited drone supply.

'Wasting a feed on a common mantis…….'

"That guy's 2nd in the survival exam."

"A common mantis? Wow, first time I've seen one rank here. Those ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chubby friends helping?"

"……No. He soloed an ant larva primal. Alone."

"What? Come on, exaggerate much?"

Bostick snorted. Physically impossible for that twig. Unless Maturity Stage—but still a Juvenile? Absurd, even for 1st instar.

"What's this?"

Another entered: "4" badge, Houston.

"Houston! Come see. Gaon's lost it—that corner common mantis supposedly soloed an ant larva."

"……?"

Houston shot Gaon a skeptical look.

'Sigh.'

Gaon sighed. Even he'd barely believed his eyes. Recordings took days; exam would end by then. He pulled logs instead.

"For real?"

"His second one already?"

Their eyes bulged. Gaon puffed up proudly.

"Told you."

They murmured, grabbed chairs, sat beside him—intent on watching Aleck's every move.

* * *

"Tsrit—."

The massive green primal cicada twitched its long antennae.

Drip, drip.

Red blood fell from its maw.

"Tsuriririt—."

It lifted its head at a chilling cry. That sweet scent wafted from ahead. Crimson gleamed in its black eyes.

Whoosh!

Wings unfurled; it kicked off into the air.

Bwooom.

Wind blasted the clearing as the island cicada primal soared.

But—

Thud!

Its bulk slammed into the invisible barrier encircling the clearing, rebounding.

"Tsuriit!"

Furious cries echoed. It roared awhile, then settled mid-clearing, waiting patiently. For more clumsy prey to wander in.

* * *

Rumble.

A faint tremor rippled through the ground.

'Hm?'

Ruslan sensed it, tilting his head.

"Something wrong?"

His teammates hadn't felt it—too subtle without his sensitivity.

"Felt a vibration."

He eyed the exam center.

"Eh…… from there?"

One teammate tilted their head.

"Isn't that the island cicada's spot?"

"Yeah. Something happen?"

"No idiots rushed it, right?"

Another shrugged palms up—who knows.

"Always some reckless fools."

They shook heads. Hunting the island cicada was insane. Why place it here for Juveniles? Impossible prey.

"Wanted 1st place, I guess."

"Yeah, Ruslan's score makes it hopeless otherwise."

"Whoa, check the leaderboard. That Aleck guy's nuts—chasing Ruslan close."

They gawked at the floating ranks.

2nd clung within 1,000—unthinkable rival to Ruslan.

Rumors said Aleck was a mere common mantis. Unreal, but the board didn't lie.

"Ruslan! He's catching up—step it up!"

They teased with grins.

"Yeah. Let's hurry."

Ruslan nodded calmly. They joked, but knew he wouldn't lose. The real hunt started now.

"Tsuriririt!"

Three or four primals burst in, chasing their swift teammate.

"Drive hunt time!"

One cheered excitedly. Ruslan charged forward, iron will blazing: 1st is mine.

* * *

'Well, well?'

I smirked at the updated floating leaderboard.

"Whoa, scores jumped overnight……."

Kind's crew blinked in disbelief.

Drive hunt? Ruslan's lead doubled; 3rd closed in too.

"To win, gotta take the island cicada, right?"

Torch rolled his eyes. Kind scowled, elbowing his flabby side—shut it.

'Wanna die early? Stop jinxing.'

'I just said what I saw!'

I chuckled at their bickering.

'Birds of a feather.'

Ruslan earned respect. Half a day rest to peak condition—and he'd surged ahead.

'Drive hunt for sure.'

Turning prey into bait? Insanely risky, insanely hard. But he did it. Shield mantis elite—or Ruslan's genius?

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

'Doesn't matter.'

Mantis future undecided. Ant kings' servants—could be assets or liabilities. If they sided with the four greats…….

I shook my head. Too far off.

"Alright, let's move."

Kind grumbled, 'Really going?' I kicked his butt.

"Hurry up."

He whined but led the way.