Kun's Gratitude and Invitation
‘……!’
I looked at Kun with a slightly surprised expression. I hadn’t expected him to say something like that out of the blue.
What did he see?
I possessed many special powers. I had engraved traits from various species into my body. I harbored ether of dual wind and lightning attributes within me. And the amount of ether inherently contained in my body? It was on a level comparable to a fragment of the ‘Dan’ I had achieved before my regression—an enormous, terrifying total volume.
And…… the most special thing is probably inheriting the power of the Megaera Mantis.
An ancient species. I had succeeded the power of one of those great beings. Kun, more than anyone, would know just how overwhelming the power of an ancient species was.
That was the reason he couldn’t leave this Riandri Mountains range and lived inside the Five Star Stone. He had to expend his power maintaining the seal of one of the ancient species.
“Special power……”
Hose murmured in a surprised voice as he looked at me. He had no idea what Kun meant by the special power I possessed—his face showed complete bafflement.
And it wasn’t just Hose. Every member of the Shinseon Butterfly clan gathered here felt the same.
―Tsk tsk, not a single one of you can see it properly.
Kun clicked his tongue softly, disappointed that no one understood his words. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he turned to me and spoke.
―Ah, look at this! The order got mixed up. I nearly got into a bind this time, but you helped me out big. I won’t forget your aid. Thank you.
“……!”
The Shinseon Butterfly clan’s eyes widened again at Kun’s words. The young shamans especially so—they had never heard Elder Kun express thanks before.
He had never been in a situation where he needed to thank anyone.
“Does that mean it’s related to this incident?”
―Yes, young one. While you all stood by, this child handled it.
“Th-that’s…… we were starting to get overtaken by that energy, so……”
Hose stammered in panic at Kun’s words. It implied that his master was in trouble, yet he, the disciple, had done nothing.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
Hose tried to make excuses but ended up closing his mouth and bowing his head in apology. It was only right to have helped his master, even at the cost of his life.
―I’m joking. I already knew you couldn’t use your full power.
“Master……”
Hose lifted his head with a remorseful expression. Kun grinned and patted his shoulder.
“But what exactly happened inside? What was that energy……”
Hose asked Kun with a worried face.
―Hm, nothing much. The thing trapped inside threw a little tantrum. All that leaked energy came from it.
“Gasp.”
“My goodness.”
A few elder-level figures who knew what the ‘trapped thing’ was gasped in shock. Meanwhile, most of the Shinseon Butterfly clan, unaware of the details, just looked puzzled at the elders’ reactions.
The ancient species’ seal must have weakened.
I knew what Kun had sealed inside, so I roughly pieced together what had happened.
―Anyway, child. Your help was tremendous. Without you, things would’ve gotten really messy. I never imagined you’d use such an outlandish method of drawing primal species here. A little later, and they would’ve rampaged and shattered the Five Star Stone.
“My goodness……”
“Heavens.”
Only then did the Shinseon Butterfly clan realize how dire the situation had been—their faces paled.
Just as I thought, a bit more delay and they would’ve gone berserk.
My intuition based on experience had been spot on. If I hadn’t come here today, who knows what would’ve happened.
The Shinseon Butterfly clan definitely has that hermit-like temperament. Other clans would’ve tackled the situation head-on.
In truth, most of the Shinseon Butterfly clan tended to hole up in their own spaces researching spells. That explained why so few lived in Moon Paper Forest now. Even their lord didn’t reside there full-time.
How did they handle this before regression?
It surely hadn’t ended with minor damage. Perhaps that’s why figures like Hose and Parkinson were new faces this time. I’d frequented Moon Paper Forest before regression and knew most elders, but these were strangers—something big must’ve happened.
―If I received help, it’s only right to repay the favor. Do you want something?
At Kun’s words, Hose spoke up before me.
“Ah! Master, this friend actually came to see you.”
―Me? Ho ho, interesting.
Interest flickered in Kun’s eyes at Hose’s words. Even he found it curious that I, from a generation far removed, had sought him out.
―Then I suppose I should entertain a guest after so long. Let’s go inside and talk.
“……!”
Everyone’s eyes widened round again. Kun usually handled visitors outside with a clone. He had never once invited an outsider into his abode.
No wonder they were shocked. Parkinson, especially, stepped forward with excited agitation.
“Gr-grandmaster! Even among our clan, few have entered your abode—how can……”
I could guess the rest. Why show such favor to an outsider?
Come to think of it, I vaguely remember. Kun was practically a living god to the Shinseon Butterfly clan.
Even before regression, he was revered like a deity. Clan members would boast about even glimpsing his abode. Same context now—they couldn’t accept an outsider like me entering such a sacred place.
―Hm, inviting my own guest to my abode—what’s the problem? This child is more than worthy of my invitation.
With that, Kun snapped his fingers. Golden particles gathered before him, forming an oval mirror the size of a person.
Flash.
Light burst from the mirror, projecting an image.
What’s this?
I watched the projected scene with interest. It showed my recent process of replacing the restraint stone in the star stone.
“N-no way……”
The Shinseon Butterfly clan gasped and exclaimed in admiration as they watched me swap the ritual tool. Scenes where I used Stealth were omitted, but it still conveyed the tense atmosphere vividly. Especially the wolf spider primal assault after the final swap—it looked even more precarious from a third-person view.
“……”
When the footage ended, everyone was speechless. They now fully grasped that I had risked my life to replace the star stone’s ritual tool.
Skipping the Stealth parts makes it look even more grueling.
It seemed intentionally edited to hide my Irregular nature allowing Stealth…… which made my efforts appear even more heroic.
―Does this child still look unworthy of my invitation?
“N-no, not at all.”
Parkinson bowed his head deeply, unable to say otherwise. Even if I had business with Kun, the undeniable fact was that I had braved mortal danger to fully restore the star stone’s ritual tool.
“More impressive than expected.”
“We should honor him at the clan level.”
“I agree.”
“Some substantial reward……”
The elders, having seen my ordeal, now discussed additional honors for me. As expected, the Shinseon Butterfly clan—hermit-like but principled—had forged strong bonds with me before.
―Then I’ll prepare to receive this young guest. Come here.
Kun beckoned me. As I approached, he took my hand, and I slipped into the barrier like entering my own home.
* * *
Rumble.
The atmosphere inside the barrier was oppressively gloomy. The inner sky was filled with the dark red energy I’d seen earlier.
―Truth be told, it’s not the best environment for guests right now. A bit embarrassing.
Kun’s clone spoke to me sheepishly. It was quite different from the abode in my memories.
A clear blue sky. Beneath it, a small, beautiful hill. At its center, a cozy cabin. Beside it, a lovely lake with pristine water. Tiny butterfly primal species would dance over the sparkling waves.
Beyond the hill was a large cave. And that was…… where the ancient species was sealed.
I followed Kun, gazing at the distant hill. Dark red energy still billowed from there.
Something must’ve gone wrong with the seal.
As I thought that, Kun’s clone spoke again.
―See that cabin? That’s my home. It’s cozy inside—tell me your business there.
I nodded. We soon climbed the hill and entered the cabin.
Flash—!
Upon entering, Kun’s golden-particle clone scattered into the air and vanished.
And there, seated at the central table with a gentle smile, was a figure.
Kun.
Exactly as I remembered.
“Welcome to my abode. Come, sit.”
“An honor to be invited.”
I offered polite words and sat across from him at the table.
“The situation isn’t ideal for guests, but having someone visit after so long lifts my spirits. Better than it looks from outside, isn’t it?”
“Yes, quite cozy and nice.”
Not flattery—the cabin itself exuded warmth and comfort. High-level formations were etched everywhere, contributing to the serene atmosphere.
“So, young guest with special power—what brings you to me?”
He asked with eyes twinkling in genuine delight. I felt a pang of pity watching him.
A being confined here half-forcibly for a lifetime, against his will.
……To maintain the ancient species’ seal.
If he’d only cared for himself, he could’ve ignored the ancient species’ revival. The Four Great Lords would’ve handled it to preserve the continent’s order.
That’s why even the Four Great Lords left the Shinseon Butterfly clan alone.
Kun deserved the title of hero more than anyone. He was childishly joyful over my mere visit—finding joy in such small changes after sacrificing so much.
“……Um, could you take a look at this first?”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I pulled the ‘Chimera Egg’ from my bosom.
“This is……!”
Kun instantly recognized it, his face hardening as he stared at me.