The Hyper Sense Rune
Kiria's body shot up into the sky with a sharp shaaak!
She zigzagged through the air, gliding effortlessly away.
Every time I see that, I get jealous.
The freedom to fly through the heavens. It was one of those abilities I truly craved.
Of course, mantis clans grow wings at Complete Body and can fly to some extent... but.
Hover time was short. Changing direction mid-flight was tough, too.
In reality, mantis flight was mainly for leaping or escaping.
Though most non-flying races are the same.
Anyway. If the chance came, I definitely wanted that power someday.
I was heading toward the fallen King Centipede larvae, lost in those thoughts, when—
Intuition (B) Rune evolution conditions met.
Intuition (B) evolves to Hyper Sense (B).
...!
My eyes widened.
The sudden evolution of Intuition.
Immediately, my sensory range expanded, deepening in intensity.
Huh.
A dry laugh escaped me at the unexpected turn.
So... I felt that much of a survival threat.
One requirement for Intuition to evolve to Hyper Sense was facing mortal danger.
I'd taken Kiria's ferocious aura head-on—a peak Complete Body's full malice.
It was as if my senses and every cell in my body had gone on high alert, soaked in tension.
I felt my mind sharpening, but it wasn't just battle focus.
I never dreamed it'd bring this kind of fortune.
Lucky break.
From Hyper Sense onward, it offered real combat utility.
If I'd had it during that standoff with the King Centipede larvae earlier...
I could've dominated without those razor-close moments where my body couldn't keep up.
Kiiieee—
Then, the larvae began twitching, regaining consciousness.
Kyeee!
I deliberately let them fully wake.
They snarled at me the moment they did, charging in rage-fueled frenzy.
Predator's Eye.
Golden light flickered deep in my pupils.
Time seemed to slow just a bit.
Hyper Sense's effect.
I could feel their attack paths through my skin, my senses—down to the details.
Not at the precognitive level of final-stage Transcendent Sense, but instinctually reading their intent was a huge edge in battle.
Shk—slash!
Like right now.
I dodged one larva's strike far more cleanly and simply than before.
Then swung at its visible weak seam.
The result?
Kiiieeeeek!
Its squirming body stiffened like a severed worm, screeching in agony.
Hundreds of legs splayed wide, frozen in massive pain.
I slashed at its exposed innards again.
Splurch—!
The severed head floated up, eyes seemingly staring in disbelief.
Thud.
The head hit the ground, followed by the headless body collapsing.
The other two flinched at their comrade's instant death and rushed me together.
But with Hyper Sense fully adapted—like my body warmed up—it let me handle 2:1 effortlessly.
I dispatched all three more smoothly than before.
No Predation trigger?
I poked around the corpses, disappointed at the lack of response.
Then—
Flash!
Predation activated.
A voice rang in my ears.
Oh, I knew it.
A thrilling shiver ran down my spine.
Paralysis Poison... better than lethal venom for me right now.
King Centipede venom came in two main types: lethal and paralytic.
Lethal venom boasted deadly power, but it wasn't ideal for my current use.
Ether consumption is on another level, right?
I'd traded info with venom specialists before.
Lethal venom skills were potent but burdensome.
Once I fully unlocked ether, maybe—but for now, Paralysis Poison was far more efficient all around.
Grrrooowl!
Tension released, and thunder rumbled from my gut.
A dizzying wave of ravenous hunger hit.
Transcendent Regeneration is great and all... but this side effect is brutal.
Its only flaw: insane energy and calorie demands.
Higher proficiency boosted natural regen, cutting costs—but for now, the hunger exploded every time, overwhelming.
"Time to fill this belly."
Feeling I'd taken everything this place offered, I stood to get food—
"...!"
A ticklish buzz rose inside me, followed by exhilaration.
This sensation!
Transcendent Regeneration (S) proficiency increased.
Rune proficiency rising!
Squeezing ether hard and stressing my circuits must've boosted Transcendent Regeneration a ton.
Intense, dangerous fights really are growth fuel.
Thinking of Jin Sam's path, I vaguely grasped how he unlocked its essence.
He hammered it through thousands, tens of thousands of battles, mastering its core nonstop.
I'd walk no less a path of carnage—more, if anything.
Transcendent Regeneration will be my trusty shield.
I had to face the Administrator eventually.
Devour everything useful.
Thought it was a crisis, but I'm walking away with all these gains.
I grinned toward where Kiria had vanished.
Pathfinder Rental Stable.
To hit Chung Hak Gwan's enrollment date, I decided to hire a Pathfinder to Moon Paper Forest.
"I'd like to rent a Pathfinder."
A plump middle-aged man frowned at me.
"Hmm... Kid, first time? Not just anyone can ride these. Come back when you've got real money."
I stared at him silently.
Black tattoo under his ear: Ground Spider clan.
Spider clans get eight eyes in primal form.
Great natural vision—and yet.
Minimized Reverse Transformation just tweaks looks a bit, and...
Thousand Transformations Disguise let unlimited changes to appearance, build, age via ether—but ear tattoos stayed.
So I still looked like a Juvenile mantis kid.
Just maintaining condition and recovery, but this snag made me click my tongue inwardly.
No eye for people.
Terrible merchant. Judging by looks alone—Estelle would've chewed him out.
Even if I look young, that attitude...
I gave him a pitying look and pulled a pouch from my robes.
Dividends from Red Rose Merchant Guild branch: about 20 gold?
Earth terms: 1 gold ≈ 10 million won. 20 gold was insane.
"How much upfront? 10 gold?"
I showed ten gold coins. His eyes lit up.
Twisted legs straightened politely. Back bowed. Hands rubbed eagerly, capitalist grin plastered on.
The power of capital...
Even on Abian Continent, where might ruled, money worked wonders.
Anywhere with civilization.
No wonder Craig vented inferiority to other Great Lords with cash.
"Aigoo! Yes, 10 gold upfront, 20 silver daily rental. Heh, forgive my blindness to a noble guest. Mercy would be appreciated!"
I snorted inwardly at his flip, shaking my head at the killer Pathfinder rates.
20 silver = 2,000 dong. 1 gold = 100 silver, 1 silver ≈ 100,000 won.
Daily fee: 2 million won.
Need that transportation revolution ASAP.
Post-Continent War in 10 years, transport boomed, costs vanished.
But now? No choice.
I handed over 10 gold smoothly and led out a Pathfinder.
Trooooot!
It snorted as I tugged the reins.
Pathfinders were vicious predators by nature.
Tamed via juvenile spells, but instincts lingered.
Rookies froze under their innate aggression.
"Tough at first. I'll teach beside you for a day..."
The Ground Spider smiled slyly, approaching—plotting to milk extra days, no doubt thrilled.
But I had zero plans to waste a day here.
Time was gold. Faster to Kun meant better odds of getting what I wanted.
Quit messing around and submit.
I yanked the reins again and kicked off.
Thud, tap!
Landed in the saddle on the first try.
Skilled rein work settled its slight rebellion.
Not my first or second ride—this was mantis foreleg basics.
"Eh, eek?"
The Ground Spider gawked, mouth agape, curiosity bursting.
Fair enough.
Unreal: a Juvenile mantis boy mastering a Pathfinder flawlessly. Unseen anywhere.
"Take care."
I saluted the slack-jawed man with two fingers and set off.
Trooooot!
The Pathfinder thundered forward with a mighty cry.
Whoosh—
Wind whipped my ears; scenery blurred past.
Hour's walk covered in 5 minutes.
Pathfinders earn their price. Demand's no joke.
Fastest land insect for a reason.
Yet the fastest Pathfinder breed is five times quicker...
Screeech! Halt.
It stopped abruptly, head swiveling, scanning.
I knew why.
Running faster than its brain could process the path.
So it paused to interpret visuals.
"Straight ahead."
I snapped the reins; it snorted once and resumed.
Three nonstop days later.
We looped Jayang River, reaching Moon Paper Forest in a flash.
Returned it at the branch, got back ~9 gold after fees (60 silver rental + commission) from the 10-gold deposit.
Moon Paper Forest loomed ahead.
A strange thrill stirred as I stepped forward.
Wonder what Kun's like now.
The one man at my level. Hidden absolute recluse.
Kun.
Time to meet him.