All-Time Number One Varur

The decapitated Island Beetle King shuddered its massive body one final time.

Tough bastard.

I kicked its corpse with my foot.

Thud.

The heavy bulk slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Even with its head blown apart, its legs were still twitching. True to the primitive species that could keep moving even after losing limbs, it had tenacious vitality.

But that didn't last long. The movements soon ceased, and it met its complete end.

With that, the ranking board floating in the sky updated.

"T-Ten... ten thousand...!"

Kind, who had been staring blankly at me and the Island Beetle King in turns, checked the board and let out a cry of shock. He looked so stunned his eyes might pop out.

Whoa.

Of course, I was just as surprised. I'd expected a big score, but not over 100,000 points. I'd figured maybe 30,000 to 50,000 at best, but it blew past my expectations.

And catching the Island Beetle King came with more perks than just that.

The Survival Exam was over! There were still about 30 hours left, but it ended early. Another unexpected outcome.

So catching this thing ends the exam immediately.

I nodded as if I'd just learned a new fact. I was probably the first to ever take down an Island Beetle King in Mantis Hall's entrance exam. Not just in the past, but even up until its destruction in the future.

Lost in thoughts of being the first, I perked up at the familiar sound.

My trait, Predation, had triggered again. It seemed low-probability, but my luck was holding. Beginner's luck, maybe.

Anyway, I instinctively approached the Island Beetle King's corpse. Golden sparkling particles rose from it and absorbed into me.

"Ah!"

I shivered, feeling the energy surging through my body. Just one step from E to D rank, but D-grade skills were practical even in real combat. The gap between E and D was huge, naturally.

Skills can really level up too?

My eyes sparkled. This was a low-growth primitive, so low-grade skill. But catching a more developed one later... I wondered what rank I'd get. My hypothesis was proving true. If I could acquire traits through Predation later... it'd be the ultimate cheat ability.

One-Man Army.

Reaching that impossible realm might not be a pipe dream.

"Wh-what're you... doing?"

"Hm?"

I tilted my head at Kind's question as he approached. What did it look like? Didn't he see me absorb the golden particles from the corpse?

"N-no, you were just standing there blankly in front of the primitive corpse, so..."

Kind asked cautiously, careful not to offend me.

"Oh, just... first time seeing an Island Beetle King."

"Whoa!"

"Insane..."

Kind and his crew looked shocked at my words. They misunderstood, thinking I'd one-shot a mid-to-large primitive I'd never seen before today.

Well, not wrong. Post-reincarnation, it was my first.

So anyway... others can't see the Predation process.

That was key. I was still weak. If word got out I could steal primitives' abilities via Predation, clans opposed to mantis revival would target me relentlessly.

The Four Great Lords might send assassins themselves.

Their killers were terrifyingly skilled. Even at my peak pre-regression, I'd faced mortal threats from them more than once. And it wasn't just me—an ultimate body mantis powerhouse had been assassinated by suspects tied to the Four Great Lords. For an ultimate body in a realm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rarer than rare on Abian Continent, that was unprecedented.

Best keep Predation secret until I hit ultimate body again.

Not long to wait. I'd walked this path before; my mind had even brushed transcendent thresholds. This time, reaching ultimate body would make them irrelevant. With Megaera Mantis hidden race power, I could sweep them like bugs. Just needed to temper my body... just the body...

A sudden announcement echoed through the Survival Exam field. Ruslan looked up at the sky.

Ruslan's brow twitched at Aleck's score in first place.

Over 100,000? Was that even possible? And just moments ago, Aleck—second place then—had far fewer points than him. Now, a sudden 100k jump.

No way...

Ruslan recalled the only path to 100k points.

"Ruslan! That Aleck guy took down the Island Beetle King!"

His teammate confirmed it.

"Hah..."

Ruslan's ever-stoic face cracked for the first time. Absurdity and emptiness washed over him briefly.

"Let's head to the central forest."

Really just a lesser mantis?

With the question lingering, Ruslan ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠moved out.

"..."

A heavy silence blanketed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the third instructor's room. Third Instructor Gaon stared blankly at the screen. Second Instructor Bostick gaped. Fourth Instructor Houston grinned like it was the best show ever.

Sub-instructor Gruwyn broke the quiet.

"Wh-what the...?"

His eyes unfocused, he stammered.

"I-Instructors! Th-the exam's over...?"

No one had predicted the Island Beetle King would fall. Nor that it would end the exam instantly.

Two overloads of info left Gruwyn glitching, seeking the instructors.

"Hahaha! This is a massive incident!"

Houston's roaring laughter shattered the silence.

"Hoo, hard to believe even seeing it."

Bostick shook his head at Gaon, the exam overseer. What now?

Gaon smirked.

"Gruwyn, send an emergency report upstairs first."

"Y-yes!"

"And... report to the elder too."

Gruwyn's eyes widened.

"To the elder... too?"

"Yes."

"Got it!"

Gruwyn realized it warranted elder notice and saluted sharply.

"Then first..."

"I'll handle cleanup. Go send the report."

Gruwyn bowed and rushed out.

"No issues, right?"

"Gruwyn's a bit dim, but he gets work done. Reporting facts as-is? What could go wrong."

"I mean upstairs."

Bostick pointed at the ceiling.

"Ah, the higher-ups? Can't hide from them anyway. Clan needs to protect him. That's why report to the elder."

"Exactly."

Gaon nodded at Houston, adding:

"Besides, just one Island Beetle King. Could be an early-growth mutation. Watch and see."

The others nodded. Mutants with rapid growth popped up rarely in other clans. Even a lesser mantis at growth stage could handle a first-instar Island Beetle King easily. No need for panic yet.

Though if my eyes aren't wrong... an unparalleled prodigy was born in the lesser mantis clan.

Gaon leaned back, pondering how to ensure Aleck's safe growth. The other instructors did the same.

The selection exam ended, but most candidates didn't leave the field. They flocked toward the center.

"Woooah!"

"We did it! Passed the exam!"

"I was so close... one more hour and I'd have flunked. What is this Aleck guy?"

"Dying to know. Let's head central."

Most cheered the early end and burned with curiosity about Aleck, its cause. Guidance to exit should have come, but the unprecedented event left it lacking. So everyone rushed to see Aleck.

"Woooah!"

Ruslan's group neared the forest center when cheers echoed from afar.

"What?"

"Aleck must be out."

His teammates glanced at the silent Ruslan, trying to soothe him.

Of course he's hurt. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Everyone expected Ruslan first.

Hope nothing happens with that Aleck...

If Ruslan clashed with Aleck now, when Aleck was every candidate's hero? More harm than good for Ruslan. He avoided pointless fights, but wounded pride was unpredictable.

"Ruslan, hate to say it, but if anything..."

His teammate whispered—

"Waaaah!"

Cheers erupted from the group ahead. Turning, they saw a boy with deep black hair to his shoulders contrasting snow-white skin.

That guy's Aleck?

He knew instantly. Lesser mantis traits: small, slender build. Yet an aura flowed from him, demanding respect.

A lesser mantis with that presence?

His eyes bulged. Even Ruslan lacked that presence.

"Whooo!"

"Thanks, Aleck!"

"You're the best, so cool!"

"Oppa! Be my boyfriend?"

Kind's group, emerging from the forest, reeled from the adulation. Mostly for Aleck, but envy spilled onto them too.

What the hell is this?

Shocked at first, they soon basked in it, shoulders rising triumphantly. Strutting like victors!

Their eyes met a familiar group: broad mantis clansmen from their village.

What're you staring at?

Kind glared; they averted eyes slyly. Massive catharsis. Guys who always looked down on him, tucking tail first. Shoulders puffed, smugness swelled.

Then, a familiar boy's face caught their eye.

Wait, that guy's...

Recognizing him, Kind's crew's eyes ballooned.

Ruslan!

Shield mantis clan. Mantis future. Once-in-a-generation talent. Every epithet fit the boy approaching.

"Ruslan?"

Aleck named him first. Earlier, he hadn't even known the name; now, unprompted, he identified him.

The crowd hushed at the boys' meeting. Shock, anticipation, curiosity, confusion swirled around them.

"You..."

Ruslan, staring silently at Aleck, finally spoke.