The Veteran of Bug Wars: Reincarnated as a Transcendent Mantis (47)
I took the orb Estelle offered me. This was the ground wasp venom collector I’d asked her to procure.
Compared to the continuously dropping price of ground wasp venom, this thing’s price had risen quite a bit, hadn’t it?
To extract ground wasp venom, you needed this tool, so its price had jumped significantly compared to a while back.
Feels like I got it for a steal.
Using my pre-regression knowledge to profit even on trivial things like this always brought a quiet satisfaction. A small but certain happiness, you might say.
I carefully stowed the orb Estelle had handed over. Accidentally pressing the button on top would spell disaster.
Once it deploys, you can’t retract it.
The button on the orb activated the ground wasp venom collector. Press it, and a long black sponge in the shape of a rod would shoot up to three meters high from this tiny sphere. At the same time, vents on the orb would open, releasing a sweet honey scent to lure the ground wasps.
The primal ground wasps couldn’t resist that smell and would swarm right to the orb.
Then they’d jab their stingers into the black sponge.
The principle was simple. Ground wasps had an irresistible habit of charging at anything black and attacking it. So they’d inject their venom into the inky sponge. Once it absorbed a set amount, the sponge—expanded to about three meters—would contract back to normal.
And that completed the venom collection.
Wonder who invented this.
Did its creator realize the value of ground wasp venom too? If so, they deserved praise as a genius ahead of the era.
“By the way, the habitat of the freely accessible primal ground wasps is right here.”
Estelle hadn’t forgotten to include the location. Fortunately, it wasn’t far from here. A honeybee primal habitat would’ve been claimed by landowners, but primal ground wasps were shunned—or outright ignored—so no issues.
Of course, once ground wasp venom was rediscovered, land prices in primal habitats would soar. These wasps, once seen only as threats, would shift perception to valuable producers.
Then it’d become tough for individuals to casually hunt for venom.
Find land like this and invest preemptively?
Remembering the substantial patent revenues, a flicker of investment greed stirred.
But I shook my head. I hadn’t regressed to make money. Wealth would come abundantly later anyway. No need to chase riches.
Worst case, if Estelle skyrockets to success, it’s all my money anyway.
For now, focusing solely on my growth was barely enough.
Anyway. Preparations seemed complete. Time to head out.
As I rose from my seat,
“Aleck, I wanna come too.”
“……?”
Suddenly? Amy’s abrupt declaration drew puzzled looks from both Estelle and me.
She’d seemed utterly disinterested in our conversation moments ago. No, she’d been dozing off. Did she even know where we were headed?
“You’re going to the primal ground wasp habitat, right?”
Oh. She hadn’t tuned us out completely. I’d thought she was nodding off after snacking.
But why the sudden urge to tag along? I’d welcome aid from a powerhouse like her, but...
“Amy, why do you suddenly wanna follow Aleck?”
Estelle’s question made Amy curve her eyes into crescents. It hit me how similar the sisters were.
“I’ve never seen a primal ground wasp before. Wonder if my swords can pierce their hides.”
Amy replied with an innocent smile and tone. Ah... right. I’d momentarily forgotten. Amy was a hardcore battle maniac.
No take-backs on the welcome. Now I just worried she’d stir up trouble.
“Nice weather today, huh.”
Amy hummed a light tune beside me.
Conclusion: she tagged along. When I showed reluctance, she just stared silently. Felt like refusing would end badly.
Well! Better than nothing. She’s a powerhouse on the cusp of Complete Body...
I focused on the upsides as we set out.
Maybe the rare outing had her excited. Glancing at her enthusiasm sparked curiosity about her battle obsession.
“Amy, mind if I ask something?”
“Sure, shoot.”
Meeting her fierce gaze, I eased in.
“Do you enjoy fighting, Amy?”
“Hmm... nah! Not really fun or anything.”
“……?”
Her unexpected answer left me speechless. Last time, she’d charged that soldier white ant primal like she’d lose her mind without swinging.
Flaky much?
As I stayed silent, unconvinced, she continued.
“It’s not about fun; I do it ‘cause I have to.”
Her tone carried an oddly melancholic edge. Gazing at the clear sky, she gave a wry smile.
“You kinda get it now, right? Sis and I have history. Can’t spill details, but we’ve got people we must get revenge on.”
I knew exactly who, but I listened quietly.
“So I gotta get strong. Stronger than anyone... First off, that means tons of real combat experience. That’s how I got this strong.”
Ah... so that was it. Not raging mad for battle’s sake, but forced into frenzy after frenzy just to improve.
First time realizing her carefree vibe hid such resolve and determination. Suddenly, she seemed pitiable.
“And... when I swing my swords like a total maniac, for that moment, I can forget the memories I don’t wanna think about.”
“…….”
Gloomy voice. It almost sounded damp with unshed tears.
Had I pried too much? Felt guilty for dragging up painful memories.
As I mulled what to say,
Buzzzzzz!
Sudden fierce wingbeats tore through the air.
“Get behind me!”
Amy reacted instantly. She drew her dual swords from her back and whipped around like lightning.
Primal ground wasps!
I spotted them diving straight for us. Damn, we were still a ways from the nest. Probably foragers, and we’d become their targets.
“Two of ‘em... perfect!”
Amy’s face lit up ecstatically, her earlier sadness vanished.
Look at her... total flake...
Hey, too thrilled? Really fighting to forget pain?
Her grin instantly explained the battle maniac label. At this point, the means had eclipsed the end.
She showed pure battle joy beyond just “getting strong.”
Fortunately, both normal-grade.
Not irregulars, or even oversized ones like before.
But no slacking. Ground wasps were mid-to-small, but true hornets—one tier below long-horned wasps in power.
Same lineage, undeniable combat prowess.
Even a Complete Body might struggle; for her still-Maturity stage self, two was questionable.
“Just harass ‘em lightly and fall back.”
I scanned quick—spotted a nearby hill for evasion. No need to brave the downpour. They were a sudden squall; best to dodge.
“What’re you saying? Chance like this doesn’t come twice. You need the venom, right? No trekking to the habitat; I’ll reel ‘em in—get ready to collect!”
“You lunatic...!”
Can’t harvest venom like that. Combat-raged venom was too potent—unusable for Gura acid neutralization!
Too late to argue; wingbeats shifted from distant to right overhead.
Kaaaaang!
Amy crossed her swords, blocking the diving ground wasp. Her body slid back, carving long furrows in the dirt.
Damn, utterly outmatched in power!
She realized it too, dodging nimbly for an opening—but
“Kyaaak!”
Flanked, she finally screamed.
Didn’t peg her for screamer material.
Anyway. She scrambled to evade the primal ground wasps’ assaults. Occasional sword strikes when gaps appeared, but.
Flying foes in open air? Her range was too short.
Wasps’ strength wasn’t just physique. Flight was their killer edge.
“Damn it, Aleck—run!”
...If running, should’ve bolted sooner.
Knew she’d be exhausting.
They wouldn’t let ranged prey escape easily.
No choice.
I accelerated the ether surging through my body. Even straining, I’d have to step up.
She lacked flying opponent experience, getting overwhelmed. But not me.
Shing.
I drew my sword, mantis eyes locking on for the moment—when
Zing!
‘...!’
A sudden tingle raced up my spine; I shuddered.
What the—?
Unfamiliar sensation. Never felt it pre- or post-regression, in any life.
Hard to articulate, but... like an arm sprouting from thin air?
But it faded fast—less than a second.
Then, as it vanished, something loomed before us.
“...!”
A colossal shadow blanketing the ground.
Fiercer predator than any ground wasp.
Sleek form, grass-green sheen over its body.
My god!
I gasped aloud upon identifying it.
Been nearby all this time?
My widened eyes locked on a king mantis primal.
“Wh-what?!”
She spotted it late too, face paling in shock.
Then the king mantis primal unleashed its signature aura.
Sss.
Mantiiiiiis—!
The air shivered fine.
Goosebumps erupted across my skin.
Primal mantis signature ability: Predator's Aura.
Its alias stemmed from one thing.
Exposure froze the body briefly—like prey paralyzed before a titan predator.
Flyers plummeted, swimmers sank, ground-dwellers crumpled.
And right now.
Amy and the ground wasps both stuttered to a halt.
...But why am I fine?
Oddly, I was unaffected despite full exposure. Pre-ascension, I’d have frozen solid...
Intriguing, but no time to dwell.
Because.
The king mantis primal lunged its massive foreleg at the ground wasps—blinding as lightning.