Insects

‘Our Lico seems like a genius.’

I savored the divine nectar and thought to myself.

Not even ordinary monsters, nor even Drake, a dragon subspecies, could do what our Lico has accomplished.

Creating hearts with roots and expressing emotions, even offering the nectar as if guiding me to drink.

At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but this is clearly intelligence.

‘A plant with such cognitive abilities…’

In the thousands of years I’ve lived, I’ve never seen such a special being among monsters.

Perhaps it’s the hidden child of the World Tree.

I reaffirmed that my choice was not wrong.

Looking at Frost Lunaris, who was elegantly flapping its wings in the distance, a smile spread across my lips.

Its wings, like shards of blue crystal, sparkled like the aurora when they caught the light, and its silver antennae trembled slightly, sensing the nectar’s fragrance in the air.

‘It’s daring to come here while I’m around.’

‘So, it must really want this nectar.’

“Lico… It seems that butterfly is here for the nectar too!”

Lico’s actions with the black root were visible.

When I tried to drink more, she pushed my hand away.

At first, she offered it herself.

Now, she seems to be trying to stop the butterfly.

A small commotion on the peaceful snow mountain made me smile.

I could sense Lico checking my expression.

Then, she slowly lowered her root.

It was clear she felt resigned, as if she couldn’t refuse.

‘Indeed, a genius.’

The determination to stop the butterfly was gone, and now she seemed to be saying, “Please, come and enjoy,” with her petals wide open.

Her loyalty and devotion to me were flawless.

As the butterfly enjoyed the nectar, Lico brought her root to the nectar, as if she wanted to taste it herself.

‘So cute…’

Watching Lico’s adorable actions warmed my heart.

I wanted to boast about this lovely being to Nis.

But for now, Lico is just a cute creature to Nis and me.

To proudly show her off as my subordinate, I need formidable combat power.

‘I need more blood.’

The Sia Kalt Great Labyrinth has almost no high-level monsters left, so there’s not much good blood remaining.

I considered wiping out a nearby human city but hesitated when I remembered Lico’s connection to Michel.

‘Hmm…’

While I was deep in thought, the butterfly, having finished the nectar, flew toward the sun.

The sun.

‘Yes… The blood of Blaze Gargan would make it grow stronger.’

I thought of hunting the disaster known as the “Sun of Calamity,” an S-grade monster with the highest danger rating.

There aren’t many strong monsters on the snow mountain, and Lico seems to have grown much stronger since I first brought her here.

It should be fine to go for a while.

“Lico… Wait a bit. I’ll bring something very delicious.”

***

‘Ah… Thankfully.’

The butterfly’s long, thin proboscis sucking the nectar was far less stimulating than my master’s touch.

It was manageable, even a bit ticklish.

The butterfly, enjoying the nectar, fluttered its transparent blue wings.

Each flap scattered a shimmering blue powder that danced in the cold mountain wind like a fairy sprinkling magic dust.

‘Does it really taste that good?’

I wondered.

I created the nectar, yet I don’t know its taste.

It was strange.

I discreetly lifted a black root and absorbed the nectar.

‘…Hmm, it doesn’t taste good?’

I was disappointed.

Or rather, I couldn’t taste it at all.

Perhaps because I’m a plant, unlike my master and the butterfly, I couldn’t appreciate it.

It was a bit disappointing.

Just then, the butterfly, having enjoyed the nectar, suddenly lifted its rear on my petals.

‘Ew! Wait, could it…!?’

Its suspicious posture was alarming!

‘Is it going to defecate on me!?’

Panicking, I swung my root to shoo it away.

Just in time, a shimmering blue egg fell from the butterfly’s rear.

『 ☆? Egg LV1 』

‘Oh my!’

Though small and egg-like, it resembled a sapphire, translucent with a faint blue glow and a hint of life within.

The butterfly, having laid the egg, flew gracefully into the mountain sky.

‘This is… an isekai cliche!’

My heart raced.

In isekai stories, the protagonist often finds a dragon or divine beast’s egg and raises it, leading to an incredibly powerful companion.

The butterfly was a five-star, level 102 monster.

Its stars were question marks, but its mother was five stars, so it must be at least five-star as well!

Excitement grew as I thought about the potential.

Master smiled mysteriously and began walking toward the mountain peak.

“Lico… □□□ □□□. □□ □□ □□□ □ □□□□.”

‘What does that mean?’

‘Is she going to abandon it?’

Feeling anxious, I watched her leave, then looked at the egg.

…

Time passed, and now dozens of insect monsters surrounded me.

Crystal Beetles rested on my petals, Frost Mosses and Isis Flies perched on my stem, fluttering their wings.

Blizzard Hornets patrolled the area, marking territory, while Hyperborean Ants lined up orderly around my roots.

‘It feels… nice?’

***

‘I’m hungry.’

A Blizzard Hornet, attracted by the sweet nectar, gazed at the red flower beyond the swarm of monsters.

‘I want… nectar.’

But the flower was already crowded with other monsters.

The Crystal Beetle’s hard exoskeleton,

the swarm of Hyperborean Ants,

the Frost Moss and Isis Fly’s cold wing flaps.

All were stronger than itself.

Even the Blizzard Hornet’s sharp stinger offered no mercy to its kin.

‘It hurts. I hate it.’

It tried to push through but was quickly repelled.

It thought, “This won’t do. I need to hunt and grow stronger.”

‘Hunt. Become strong. Then return.’

The Blizzard Hornet spread its wings, vowing to return stronger and taste the sweet nectar.

***

‘Ugh… I didn’t expect so many…’

The insects, attracted by the nectar, surrounded me completely, even filling the distance.

The nectar I once offered in small amounts now flowed naturally.

Perhaps I’ve grown accustomed to producing it.

With hundreds of monsters, it was a bit overwhelming, but it was my first time being this popular, so it wasn’t unpleasant.

In my past life, I’d never received such attention, even from humans.

Though it was from insects, the more I watched them, the more affectionate I felt.

A Hornet tried to approach but gave up and left.

『 ☆☆☆☆ Blizzard Hornet LV12 』

‘A four-star monster…’

With four-star potential but low level, it couldn’t push through the crowd and left dejectedly.

It was pitiful, but I had no time for that now.

‘What should I do with them?’

The insects swarmed around my petals, stem, and roots.

Leaving them be seemed too much; shooing them would be a waste.

And when Master returns, I should have something to show…

‘Let’s test my skills.’

I’ll use the pollen temptation skill again to gather these insects and let them grow strong.

When stronger ones come, I’ll handle them and experiment with new skills.

‘Scram.’

Swinging my purple stamens, I scattered pollen widely.

‘Temptation! Temptation! Temptation!’

『 MP : 817/1,344 』

Success!

A massive amount of mana was consumed, but with my level 140, I wasn’t afraid of these insects.