Chung Hak Gwan Dispatch Selection
"Aleck! Congratulations. The Chung Hak Gwan dispatch selection candidates are the three listed above."
"Whoa! Aleck, congrats!"
"Uwaaaah, I'm so jealous of you, Sir Aleck. Congratulations!"
"As expected. I figured if anyone made it, it'd be you."
Fortunately, I was one of them. As my teammates showered me with congratulations, I let out a quiet sigh of relief where no one could see.
But it's not set in stone yet, so I can't let my guard down.
They'd narrowed it down to three, but I had no idea how they'd pick the final dispatch members. Especially since, from what I could see afterward, they were even screening candidates from the Growth Stage group.
"That concludes the dispatch selection candidates."
As soon as the announcer finished, I shot my hand up.
"...Aleck, do you have something to say?"
"Mind if I ask a question?"
"Of course, go ahead."
"How exactly do you select the final Chung Hak Gwan dispatch members?"
"Ah, that's..."
"I'll explain."
Karimru cut off the announcer and stepped forward in response to my question. He looked at me with a grin and opened his mouth.
"We'll select two finalists in total. One from Infant and Juvenile Stages, one from Growth Stage. I imagine you're wondering how we'll choose them?"
"Yes, exactly."
"The criteria will be determined through internal review. After the screening committee and elders' council deliberate, we'll make the final call. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, thank you. I appreciate it."
Internal review and elders' council... It sounded like Karimru's influence would play a big role either way. I was even tempted to seek him out privately and make my case. Not the most fair approach, I knew, but strengthening myself was ultimately for the good of the Abian Continent.
But my worries turned out to be pointless.
"Aleck, the lord has summoned you."
The ceremony had barely ended and we'd returned to the dorms when Karimru's summons arrived.
* * *
"Come in."
Karimru greeted me with a warm smile as I entered the lord's chamber.
"Have a seat here."
I moved to the table in the center of the room, the same one where Karimru and I had spoken privately before.
I figured he'd have business with me... but this soon? Or is it about Chung Hak Gwan?
I eyed Karimru with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"Haha, I can see you're wondering why I called you so suddenly. Have some tea first."
Karimru served me a cup of warm tea, just like last time. It had a different flavor from the floral blend before, but they shared that refined, luxurious aroma.
"First off, congratulations again on being named MVP of this tournament. Truly impressive. Your achievements were so unbelievable, even watching them unfold."
"You're too kind..."
"Haha, no need for modesty here. You've more than earned the praise. A once-in-a-generation feat, even by Sama Battleground standards."
"Thank you."
Hmm, he's hyping me up a bit much...
It was true—I'd achieved things unbelievable for a Juvenile Stage mantis. Crushing five shield mantis juveniles in a row, despite being from a lesser mantis clan, was unprecedented.
But it's just Juvenile Stage accomplishments.
History was full of "irregulars"—mutants who burst onto the scene. They all left massive marks on Abian Continent's history. Few matched my Juvenile feats, sure...
But what matters most is what you achieve in Maturity, Complete Body, and beyond.
The Abian Continent was a melting pot of insect-descended races, where power varied wildly by growth stage. Low-stage feats could be overturned higher up. Plenty of nobodies exploded into legends at Maturity or Complete Body. And just as often, early prodigies hit species limits and faded.
Especially since I'm from a lesser mantis clan, plenty figure I'll fizzle out like that...
That's why the four great lords had underestimated me before my regression. Even after my Limit Break trait kicked in and I surged from Growth Stage onward, they dismissed me as capped by my bloodline. Their complacency let me grow unchecked.
But Karimru... he seems to expect more from me.
I could tell from his eyes. Twenty years of experience shining through.
"Is there something you want from me?"
"...!"
Karimru's eyes widened slightly as I beat him to the punch.
"Was it that obvious?"
He stroked his cheek with a wry chuckle.
"Maybe you're just sharp. Anyway..."
He nodded as if it didn't matter and fixed me with a serious gaze.
"I have a favor to ask."
Karimru looked more earnest than ever.
"What I say from here on must never leave this room. Can you promise that?"
"...Yes."
His lowered voice put me on edge. What was so serious he had to set the mood like this?
"Good. Don't forget that promise. Leak it, and I can't guarantee your safety."
"...Understood."
He emphasized it again, the picture of caution.
Something to do with the four great lords...
Nothing else warranted this secrecy.
"In your view, what's the future of our mantis race in these times?"
"..."
No one knew the answer better than me. I'd witnessed it firsthand.
The mantis race walks the path of decline and extinction under the four great clans.
After Robed—his daughter and heir—was assassinated, and Karimru died in an "accident," the new lord was a puppet of the four great lords' schemes. About ten years from now, in the continental war, that fool lord would lead the clan to slaughter. He got assassinated before anyone confirmed his cicada parasite infection—but I was sure now.
Post-war, elite mantis numbers dropped to a tenth, overall to a third. They rebuilt with four great lords' "support," but the damage was irreversible. When the truth came out and they rebelled, Sama Battleground fell anyway. Scattered mantis survivors faced brutal oppression.
If I hadn't reached Ultimate Body and wiped them out in the tribal war, we'd be extinct.
That was the mantis future pre-regression.
Can't say that outright—they'd call me insane.
I gave a vague, safe answer with a bitter inner smile.
"With the continent's situation growing chaotic by the day, I think the mantis race's position is more critical than ever. Complacency could lead straight to decline."
"Hoo."
Karimru let out a soft sound of admiration.
"My judgment was spot on. Not just innate martial talent, but sharp political insight and deep thinking."
He lavished praise, looking deeply satisfied, then steeled himself and continued.
"Listen well. There's a shadowy force trying to seize Sama Battleground. The ghost ant ambush you faced, the bomb beads—they were all their doing."
"..."
"Know who they are? None other than the Amar King Centipede clan—one of the four great continental rulers."
Karimru whispered it like the ultimate secret, voice barely audible.
Figured as much.
Even the lord suspects the Amar King Centipedes' schemes.
Good—no being played like a fool.
Saving Robed and Karimru was a huge relief for me.
"You're not surprised? Did you know?"
"...Ah! No, sir. When I'm really shocked, my face doesn't change."
"Hmm, I see."
He looked a bit deflated at my reaction.
"Anyway, Sama Battleground faces external threats. And internally... our secret probes revealed many have become their puppets. Even some elders."
His tone darkened.
Elders too... Spot on. Explains the schemes at the grand tournament.
It left a bitter taste. Sama Battleground's future looked bleak.
"That's why I'm asking you. Become Sama Battleground's... hidden blade."
"...!"
There it was—the real request. I almost wanted to tell him to ease up; straight to "hidden blade" for a Juvenile like me?
"What exactly do you mean by 'hidden blade'?"
"Literal. Grow strong fast, become our ace to strike them from the shadows later."
His gaze was steady as he continued.
"I've watched you since the report of you taking down the emperor bee larva. Your finals against elite clan kids confirmed it. You have the potential to reach Ultimate Body."
"..."
"You're no flash-in-the-pan."
This guy saw right through me. Rare to overcome lesser mantis bias like that.
"I see hope in you. For Sama Battleground's sake, I beg you."
"...!"
Karimru bowed his head. My eyes widened for the first time. A lord of his stature rarely bowed—to a Juvenile, no less. Unprecedented.
That's how desperate things are.
From his position—Amar threats outside, traitors inside, even elder collaborators—it felt like four sides closing in. Grasping at straws.
I won't ignore Sama Battleground's crisis. Handing Kun the cicada egg is partly to avert continental war, but mainly to protect this place.
Blood bent inward first. But accepting outright meant following his lead, cramping my optimal growth path. No breaks allowed.
"I'm sor—"
"If you accept, I'll support your growth in every way. Starting with securing your Chung Hak Gwan dispatch spot."
"...!"
I was about to apologize when he doubled down. Lock in dispatch, full backing ahead? That changed things. Worth considering.
As I opened my mouth to say I'd think positively—
"And one more thing."
"...?"
"I'll approve your relationship with Robed."
"...Pardon?"
Karimru's bombshell nearly made me bite my tongue.