Ruslan's Heart Demon
Shield mantis clans are divided into patrilineal houses and matrilineal houses. In the beginning, matrilineal houses dominated because the females of primal species were generally larger and stronger than the males. That custom carried over to insect-descended humans as well. At first, matrilineal societies were the norm.
But unlike primal species, their bodies could only bear one child at a time. As a result, patrilineal houses had proliferated by modern times. Still, matrilineal houses held more tradition and boasted superior average physical stats.
Ruslan's house was matrilineal. His mother's side was among the nobility of the shield mantis clan. His mother, a direct descendant as the third daughter of the house head, came from a prestigious lineage.
His father, however, was an ordinary shield mantis—commoner class, if one had to label it. A noble-commoner union, fraught with opposition. Their marriage had been turbulent.
Ruslan was born into that hardship. But...
'A premature baby.'
Ruslan was half the size of other direct and collateral heirs at birth.
'Knew it.'
'What else from tainted blood...'
'Tsk. The third miss was so clever as a child, but the worst marriage choice.'
'Fake smartass.'
Mockery and disdain poured from the house, but...
"Son, Mom and Dad just want you healthy. That's all."
His parents showered him with love regardless. Amid the house's scorn, he grew basking in their affection—until one day.
"Hey, you're that lowborn brat?"
"Look how puny. Gross."
"Don't claim our house out there. Pisses me off."
Vicious verbal abuse from cousins he'd never met. They treated him as no kin. Young Ruslan's mind went blank.
"This punk's got a retard face?"
"His mom's nuts too, hooking up with lowblood. Birds of a feather."
One boy crossed the line with cruelty unbelievable from a child. In that moment, Ruslan heard something snap deep inside.
"Uwaaaah—!"
Hot rage surged up. He lunged at the boy mocking his mother. The kids laughed at first—the tiny runt charging them was pathetic.
But...
"Kwaaak!"
"Th-this bastard... so strong!"
"Fuck, block him!"
The outcome stunned. Ruslan beat four older, bigger boys.
From then, treatment of him and his parents changed.
"Incredible... What happened? Explosive growth spurt."
Did latent potential awaken? Ruslan grew at breakneck speed. No house child matched him. Even elite prodigies fell behind.
He rose from house prospect to shield mantis genius. Sweat he shed could fill a lake—no exaggeration. Endless training daily.
He knew: only way for respect. No falling behind. Expectations fading meant reliving childhood scorn.
'Gotta... stand.'
Ruslan struggled up. But failed.
"No. Rest now."
A soft yet firm voice pierced his ear. Sting at his neck—strength ebbed.
* * *
'He... re.'
Focus returning, Ruslan lifted heavy lids. Glancing down: young woman gazing gravely.
'Health Hall Chief Soeri.'
Third Health Hall Chief Soeri, antler mantis. Rare talent trained in healing under Shinseon butterflies.
"Ruslan, how can you abuse your body like this? A bit later, and your life was at risk."
Worry laced her reprimand. Past three months, Ruslan's brutal training brought minor injuries often. They'd become acquainted.
'What drove this child to such desperation?'
Soeri worried, curious. Life-threatening overwork—not for his age. She'd nearly missed him passing by after shift.
"...Sorry."
"You know? Aigoo, so worried I haven't clocked out. Minimum two weeks bedrest—no straining."
Ruslan's face froze. Two weeks? Falling behind that long—unthinkable.
"See? Tense again. No thoughts. Sleep deep."
Seeing impatience, Soeri needled sleep acupuncture. Ruslan relaxed into slumber.
'Beyond my handling.'
Grim-faced, Soeri rose. Sent urgent missive to instructor Norton.
* * *
"Hah... Early heart demon signs."
In Third Health Hall chief's office. Norton groaned low at Soeri's words. Infant-stage child with heart demon? Unheard of.
"Symptoms severe. Heard tribe lord's team league... That spur him?"
One of few knowing Norton's identity. Soeri probed cautiously.
"Hmm... Related, but not direct cause."
Norton leaned back, arms crossed, eyes shut in thought. Soeri knelt primly, hands folded, awaiting.
"Two kids hit Juvenile Stage recently."
"...!"
Soeri's eyes widened. Norton's trainees: survival exam passers, warrior class entry—three months tops. Two Juveniles already? Insane pace.
"Surprised? Me too. One's lord's daughter—expected. But my eyed kid rocketing to Juvenile? Unforeseen."
"Ah..."
Admiration escaped Soeri. She knew of Karimru's daughter among them—priority rescue for incidents, 2nd-grade secret briefed to her.
Orchid mantis potential unmatched. Lord's daughter hitting Juvenile quick? Plausible. Under strongest warrior? Obvious.
'Other one? Ah! No way...'
Eyes blinking, she asked.
"Aleck?"
Norton grinned wordless. Confirmed. Exceptional kid indeed.
First saw Aleck two months back—arm injury. Bone-crushed pain, unflinching. Bound for greatness.
'Soloed mature ghost ant.'
Unbelievable for infant. Now molting at absurd speed.
Soeri glimpsed Ruslan's desperation.
'Monster beside him... Falling behind makes sense.'
Ruslan's talent famed. Pre-Mantis Hall rumors: historic shield prodigy. Infant beat Growth Stage—legendary.
Though luck and coincidences, not pure duel. Innate talent enabled it.
'But enough for heart demon? He beat Growth... What's up?'
Aleck shone lately, but lesser mantis penalty fatal. Gap widens with growth. Ruslan had Growth win record.
Reading her, Norton spoke.
"Aleck's worse than rumors. Ruslan lost to him."
"Ruslan lost?"
Internal ranking—no news. Soeri's eyes bulged.
"Aye. Aleck not full strength—left arm unusable."
"Ah...!"
That timing: first Aleck visit. Advised no strain post-treatment.
'Fought with that arm? Beat Ruslan?'
Absurd.
'Not duel injury!'
She knew Aleck's wound best. Pre-duel state unimaginable. Yet beat bigger Ruslan...
"Wow..."
Unbelievable. Post-molt Juvenile? Gap massive.
"Aleck's post-molt growth shocking. Unbelievable for lesser mantis."
Now Ruslan's mindset clicked. Desperation valid.
"Check heart demon depth when he wakes."
Heavy silence. Both hoped self-overcoming—not beyond.
* * *
"Must... train..."
Ruslan spoke, pale, dark circles deep. Awake, demands training. Severe case. Self-recovery tough.
"Haa..."
Soeri and Norton sighed deeply.
* * *
"Ruslan's got heart demon?"
"No way, how?"
"Overtrained."
"Ah..."
News spread among trainees. I heard, clicked tongue.
'Ruslan, heart demon?'
Made sense. Post our friendly bout with Robed, seemed urgent. Innate superiority—thought he'd catch quick. Body fine, mind cracked first.
'Personal history...'
Heart demons often tie to trauma. Thought Ruslan's elite path smooth from birth. Maybe not.
"Aleck! Ruslan shakes it quick, right?"
Kind asked worried. Robed answered.
"It's Ruslan. Heart demon? Easy shake."
"Yeah?"
Kind relieved. Doubtful. Not simple.
'Experienced it myself.'
Heart demons rare, so seen as easy. Wrong.
'Now, success stories dominate—seems mild. But decade later, truth outs: terrifying.'
Reason? Gura acid, earth bee venom spread post-me absorption. Flat power curve.
Heart demon: rift between body, mind.
'Ruslan's case dangerous. Superior body, yet mind shatters.'
'Like mine.'
Recall: first heart demon aided by benefactor. Could I help Ruslan? Possible, maybe.
'Self-conquer best.'
Hoped so. Days later, Norton dropped bombshell.