One week of time quickly passed. Within this timeframe, large changes happened without our group as well as my hive.

First off, the level 30 party all went up to level 60-65. The huge upgrade was supported by the hunt of level 60-80 monsters.

It should be known that with luck, a level 30 can kill a level 60 but it's not the same for a level 60 to kill a level 90.

Even Levi and I, with our swollen stats, will not be able to easily kill level 90.

By the way, I am level 73 and Levi is level 75 since we are the primary killers of the group. Flor is the weakest at level 58 but because she is working as the craftsmen and gets the overflow of exp from the party system.

Currently the stats for Me, Levi and Flor are like this.

Status

Name:

Droso

Race:

Human

Level

73

Stat points

0

Health

100%

Mana

100%

Stamina

100%

Class:

Arthromancer

Titles

Madman Murderer, The Rabbit Annihilator, Bug Elementalist, Epic Pioneer

Fame

1000

Infamy

0

Satiety

100%

Thirst

100%

Strength

132

Agility

130(+30)

Dexterity

130

Endurance

130 (+20)

Intelligence

130 (+13)

Wisdom

130(+10)

Skills

Unconscious Notetaking [Passive]

Iron Stomach [Passive]

Speed reading [Passive]

Bug Lore [Basic Level 8]

Herblore [Basic Level 7]

Identify [Basic Level 7]

Taming [Basic Level 6]

Bug Language Comprehension [Max Level]

Flight [Basic Level 7]

Glaive Mastery [Basic Level 8]

Hive Portal [Intermediate Level 1]

Hive Mind [Max Level]

Dance of the Bugs [Basic Level 6]

Cooking [Intermediate Level 1]

Butchering [Basic Level 9]

Swarm Strike [Basic Level 1]

Educational Strike [Basic Level 6]

Mapping [Basic Level 2]

Spin Crush/Slash [Basic Level 3]

Haggling [Basic Level 1]

Meditation [Basic Level 8]

Mana Aura [Basic Level 5]

Mana Vision[Basic Level 6]

Aspect of Communication [Passive]

Aspect of Flight [Passive]

Magic

Fire magic: [Basic Level 4]

*Ember [Basic Level 3]

*Fireball[Basic Level 4]

Water Magic:[Basic Level 1]

*Droplets [Basic Level 1]

*Waterball [Basic Level 1]

Wind Magic: [Basic Level 2]

*Breeze [Basic Level 1]

*Wind Cutter [Basic Level 1]

Earth Magic: [Basic Level 3]

*Pebble [Basic Level 1]

*Boulder [Basic Level 1]

*Earth Shake [Basic Level 2]

Light Magic [Basic Level 6]

*Light orb [Basic Level 7]

*Healing [Basic Level 6]

Dark Magic: [Basic Level 1]

*Dark ball [Basic Level 1]

Status

Name:

Levi

Race:

Queen

Level

75

Stat points

0

Health

100%

Mana

100%

Stamina

100%

Class:

Battle Maiden

Satiety

100%

Thirst

100%

Strength

160

Agility

160

Dexterity

150

Endurance

156

Intelligence

150

Wisdom

150

Skills

Unconscious Notetaking [Passive]

Speed reading [Passive]

Bug Lore [Basic Level 7]

Identify [Basic Level 6]

Bug Language comprehension [Max Level]

Hive Portal [Basic Level 9]

Hive Mind [Max Level]

Flight [Max Level]

Lance Mastery [Basic Level 9]

Battle Charge [Basic Level 5]

Charging Pierce [Basic Level 4]

Shield Smash [Basic Level 3]

Battle Rage [Basic Level 3]

Battle Cry [Basic Level 1]

Magic

None

Status

Name:

Florista

Race:

Human

Level

58

Stat points

0

Health

100%

Mana

100%

Stamina

100%

Class:

Druid

Satiety

100%

Thirst

100%

Strength

50

Agility

33

Dexterity

100

Endurance

60

Intelligence

120

Wisdom

120

Skills

Nature Magic [Basic Level 8]

Nature Magic: Alchemic Heal [Basic Level 7]

Nature Magic: Alchemic Mana Heal [Basic Level 5]

Nature Magic: Magic alchemy [Basic Level 6]

Plant Lore [Basic Level 9]

Blacksmithing [Basic Level 9]

Alchemy [Basic Level 9]

Meditation [Basic Level 7]

Mana Aura [Basic Level 7]

Mana Vision [Basic Level 7]

Archery [Basic Level 9]

Speed reading [Passive]

Identify [Basic Level 8]

Magic

Air Manipulation [Basic Level 4]

Water Manipulation [Basic Level 4]

Fire Manipulation [Basic Level 3]

Earth Manipulation [Basic Level 6]

Plant Manipulation [Basic Level 9]

The clear difference between me and Levi is the result of a single fact and that is when she grew up, her Intelligence and Wisdom stat were already outrageously high while I had to pump over half my stat points into it.

Of course, it resulted in increased mana in the hive as well but someone annoyingly commented it wasn’t an extremely large increase and it was poor quality mana which only affected the monsters to a small degree raising the lower base of the level range from 60 to 75.

For the bugs, the change was more drastic, every bug increased in size of at least 10 cm. This isn’t simply counting the monster bugs but those of Tier 1 as well. The basic bugs were double the size of their natural counterparts due to the abundant oxygen in the air.

As for wind based bugs, they had a huge increase in strength. Storm Gale Striders, Gale striders, and the entire line of Breeze signal Fly all the way to Tempest signal beetle were incredibly strengthened. Even their breeding became easier as the next generation was born stronger, even the weakest member was stronger than some of the stronger bugs of their race.

Storm Gale Striders were nearing the point of evolving into Tier 3. On the other hand, the creature that I focused on, Wind Scorpions, already evolved into Tier 3 because of their amazing Diet of high rank Wind and Earth Crystals.

Their size was even scary but also something I was proud of and happy about. With the intense amount of air feeding it, the Scorpions became Tier 3 with the name, Gold Steel Desert Scorpion. There was still only one emperor among them though. The size of the common ones were one of the largest bugs in my collection and this was without them eating humanoids. The common Scorpions were a meter Long without counting the tail. The Emperor was 120 cm long and their flight capabilities have increased.

They could be called a living hovercraft now with a base speed of around 60 mph, or 96 km/h. They were pretty much made for being mounts. The evolution where they pull in their tail happened to form a concentrated outlet for wind that opens when the exoskeleton is pulled inside and spaces between the shells open up.

They have one of the highest endurance as well making them tank type bugs.

We walked to the outer walls and chance upon an amazing sight of hundreds of ships, many of them had some damage while others were in perfect state. Many damaged ones were undergoing repairs as we looked.

Flor and I both had our masks on, the guys all had scarves over their faces as a means to hide from the sun.

As we walked around we soon chanced upon someone we knew.

Black Cat stood shouting at her fleet. She felt someone looking and turned and showed a surprise, “Hi Bug master, Plant master, are you going to the new region?” She asked.

“Yeah, our group is going to settle for our guild.” I replied.

She chuckled and looked at the small group. “Where is your boat, although we can’t give you a ride, since you helped out so much, neither the guild or the royal knights are against you sailing with us.” She said.

“Really? We don’t have a boat but as a breeder, I have my own mounts.” I said.

She looked surprised but nodded, “If it’s a flying mount, be careful of air monsters.” She said.

I nodded and thanked her for the invitation.

I turned and smiled, “Since we are going with them, we will probably be one of the first into the new region.” I said.

The group nodded agreeing.

“By the way…” Black cat said. We turn to her and find her talking to us, “... Do you guys know what the two new regions are?” she asked.

We looked at each other and soon shook our heads, “There was no information released.” I replied.

She laughed, “That is for common people but for those with connections, we already know the region in the north and south.” She laughed.

Suddenly a snort came from behind and a familiar figure was seen. The source of the snort came from the Guild Leader of the #2 guild Champions Legion, Heracles.

“So you losers arrived here already.” He said.

Black Cat chuckled, “We’ve been here for over a week already.” She said.

He didn’t pay her mind and looked at me, “Hope we don’t meet or you might have to make the trip all over again!” He said.

“What a sour puss.” DD suddenly said make the man almost trip on himself and glare back.

“Don’t add fuel to the fire!” I smashed DD on the back of the head.

“Oh shut up you.” DD replied and we both glared at each other.

“Alright you two, stop that.” Flor interjected and looked at Black Cat, “So what are the two new regions?” She asked.

The girl chuckled, “The north is a Snow Covered Mountainous Forest. The south on the other hand is a Savanna. We only have basic knowledge but we already prepared for the hot temperatures and wild animals. Most likely there will still be a lack of water with a similar topography to Africa.” She said.

“I doubt it.” Gelot replied, “Before the colonization of the african continent during the industrial era of the 17th century. It wasn’t as bad as today so I think it is probably similar to the old natural Savanna and not the almost desert like one we know today.” Gelot said.

Black Cat nodded confused about who the guy is but didn’t really say anything else since she didn’t want to be mean. “You should get ready and pre… Oh right, you two are druid class.” She said and sighed at the fact that they actually had few high leveled Druid and most of them are with the guild leader in the north.

“Yeah, we are prepared for any situation, we even had clothing for snowy regions if needed.” I said.

“What did you expect?” She asked.

“Well, this is a desert so mountains are an option.” I replied.

“It's a desert because of the lack of bedrock so water isn’t retained. Anyway, I have to go, be ready to leave.” She said.

I smiled and chuckled when she was far enough. “I wonder what their reaction will be when they see our mounts.” I said.

The group laughed but we prepared ourselves and I went into the hive to find the ones that would transport and was shocked when the Emperor wanted to take me.

With the mounts decided I leave and call them out and assign them all.

“Would they be able to lift off?” Avent asked.

To answer that, I sat down and the Emperor Scorpion pulled its tail in and legs and released a jet of air from below and levitated 30 cm off the sand.

When they saw it steadily rise up, they looked at their mounts and sat on them and with an order, they began to levitate and raised up the same height without any difference in airflow or stress.

“Is the emperor and common ones any different?” Gelot asked.

“Of course, the Emperor is harder and stronger as well as having a unique ‘booster’ skill allowing it to temporarily reach 100 mph.” I replied.

They nodded and it indeed fit the proper skill range for a leader among bugs.

“We should be able to easily keep up with the ships.” I said. “Now, just to explain how riding them works. The air vents all reside on the first joint section of the legs of each Scorpion, by grabbing and slightly pulling one of the legs will turn them.” I said and pulled the front left leg slightly and it began to turn. “Pulling the front legs provides gentle turns but pulling the back one…” I said and pulled the right furthest back leg and suddenly the Scorpion did a rapid turn and stopped once I released it but it lifted a dust cloud. “... is good for rapid turns and escape maneuver.”

They all marveled at the strange mount but they started to try it out. Of course, the mounts drew some attention and when Black Cat was ready she came over and froze. “A-Are these your mounts?” she asked.

“Yeah, they’re called Golden Steel Desert Scorpion.” I replied.

She nodded, “We are leaving already. If you don’t come, you will have to try your own luck after that.” She said.

“Alright, thanks for having us along.” I replied and she nodded.

Far off, Heracles was sneering. “Watch your back newbies.”

He turned around “SET SAIL!”

Floating in between the Dark Guild’s fleet, it felt that the mounts were so small but as the boats began to leave, all the tails of the scorpions pulled back into their body and formed a sort of jet looking opening in its shell.

Whoosh!

Releasing a lot of wind, the Scorpions quickly began to pick up speed. With their smaller size, they built up speed quicker. After controlling them a bit soon the Ships reached full speed which was well within the scorpions speed limit. What is more, they didn’t disturb the sands much but we were on alert and had our weapons out for battle.

On the ship Black Cat looked at them, “Ma’am, this guy is really surprising.” One of the higher ranked members said.

“Yes, he is. If I’m not wrong, they leveled up a lot recently.” She said.

“You think?” the man said.

They looked at the people and saw the gear was much better but it wasn’t that much better and shrugged. “They only have 9 people anyway, they won’t be able to get a large village.” he said and ignored us.

Black Cat looked as we played with the Scorpions until we got bored.

***

Currently trudging through thick snow on foot. The main bulk of the Emporium guild was walking in the tracks of the #1 Guild, The Ares Guild.

Dominating #1 spoke volumes, the Guild Leader calls himself Ares as well.

“Boss, is it really safe to follow Ares?” one of the guild members asked.

“Even if they cover their tracks, it's impossible to completely vanish with them. Terrain damage is easy to follow.” I replied.

“I’m actually more worried about Flor and Droso.” another guild member said.

“They probably hitched a ride with someone. I haven’t heard anything from them or their complaints so they should be doing fine.” I replied.

“How would they be fine? Aren’t they level 40 only?” one of the lower ranked asked.

“Check their levels!” I shouted simply.

A moment later exclamations came as Droso had already rocketed quite a few levels up while no one had noticed since they were so busy.

“I still doubt he would succeed but i never had any hope for him to succeed anyway.” I said.

“What do you mean boss?” Warren asked

“Of course, why else did I make Debbie go with him? Obviously it's to get those two virgin together. Really, those two have such an obsession with their hobby that there can’t be anyone else besides them. Also, they already like each other but just haven’t noticed.” I said laughing.

ROAR!

A loud roar came from the front, “Battle Formation!” I shouted and soon a huge snow ape burst out. After ten minutes, it finally died and the healers began to heal the wounded.

“Let’s move!” I shouted.

We kept moving and soon a window appeared.

You have entered the Snow Crystal Forest.

Suddenly a powerfully cold wind came at us and we felt the cold even under our layered winter clothing. We looked around and we saw the Snow Crystal Forest. The trees all had Ice Crystal making us feel a foreboding feeling from these natural traps.

“Beware from above! Let’s move as one and find our own base!” I shouted.

Scouts spread out and we began to move in a different path away from the #1 guild’s tracks and headed our own way to locate any sign of life.