[178]: Emotions? Useless

It was the same attack the Ant King had suffered during their first clash. It had hurt him back then… though only barely.

The Ant King began to retreat strategically—but the red light was faster than he was.

He turned, only to be struck immediately.

The Ant King's body split apart at the joints under the force of the attack.

It looked just like those loot drops from when the curse got blown up—except this time, the falling items were all parts of the Ant King's body.

Collect all the parts, and you could assemble a full Ant King.

"Maximum-output Red, plus ten Releases—your shell really is tough," Cyr muttered, picking up one of the Ant King's severed hands, examining it briefly, then tossing it casually to the guards who had rushed over in a panic.

He had abandoned Blue, Limitless, and even his Spear.

It was all just his raw physical strength—fighting head-on with only Dismantle and Black Flash as his core attacks, and ending it with Red.

Multiple Black Flashes, multiple Dismantle—most of the slashes had targeted the joints, with a few aimed at the chest and other parts to mask his intent.

All those flashy feints and misdirections while dodging the King's attacks were meant to hide the gestures needed to trigger Dismantle, making it impossible for the Ant King to predict or avoid it.

And since the Ant King underestimated the damage caused by it, he never took it seriously.

Well, he clearly didn't understand the "water dripping through stone" principle.

Red was just the final straw that broke the camel's back.

---

"You know, it's been a while since I've looked this pathetic," Cyr said with a low laugh as he touched the gash on his forehead, blood streaming freely. He licked the blood that ran to his lips.

Only back in Meteor City, during training when he couldn't use any abilities and got beaten half to death by Syd, had he ever looked this messed up.

Since then, it felt like no one had been able to hurt him.

Now, after taking hits from the Ant King, he was covered in nasty-looking bruises and welts.

But compared to the Ant King, who looked like he'd been turned into a pile of LEGO bricks, Cyr was practically untouched.

"…Tired," he muttered, plopping down on the spot. He reached up to wipe his eyes—the wound on his forehead was just above them, and the blood dripping down had soaked his eyelashes, partially blurring his vision.

"Ahahahaha—!"

He laid flat on the ground, gazing at the sky where the golden-haired ants were flying around frantically collecting the Ant King's scattered parts. The laughter just bubbled out—and grew louder and louder, wild and unrestrained.

---

Neferpitou was tending to the Ant King's body. Even with over 80% of it turned into dismembered pieces, he was still alive.

"Need a hand?" Cyr asked, standing up without healing himself and walking over. Most of the King's body had already been patched back together by Neferpitou.

"Oh right—you get stronger by eating, don't you?" Cyr suddenly remembered.

What a jealousy-inducing ability—just eat and grow stronger.

The Queen had a similar thing—devouring and reproducing.

Maybe the Ant King's power could be called something like "Consumption-Based Enhancement"?

Cyr chuckled at the thought. Without hesitation or change in expression, he tore off his own arm.

Ignoring the fountain of blood, he tossed it casually toward the Ant King.

"Here—eat," he said with a grin.

It was just an arm. Consider it a reward for the sparring match.

The golden-haired ant caught it without a word.

"Are you mocking me?" the Ant King glanced at the arm, his voice tinged with anger.

The original bet was that he'd get an arm only if he won. And now, in this state, could this be called a win? Was this guy pitying him?

"What? I'm just curious what will happen if you eat my flesh. Also kinda wanna know what I taste like to your kind," the white-haired boy said breezily, voice light as ever.

"…" The Ant King said nothing more.

What a strange human. Was it just because he hadn't met many humans that he found this one odd? Or… were most humans actually like him?

So… indescribable.

The golden-haired ant brought Cyr's arm to the side. Naturally, the Ant King wouldn't eat it raw—ingredients needed to be processed before being served to the king. Typically, they'd knead the meat into meatballs.

The Queen used to eat up to 250 human-sized meatballs a day.

Cyr watched curiously as the guards stripped the bones from his arm, minced the meat, cooked it into a meatball, and presented it to the Ant King.

"Wow, this is my first time seeing something like this," he chuckled, glancing at the bare bones left behind. With his uninjured hand, he picked one up and waved it around.

"Hm, a collectible, maybe. I could probably get a weapon made from my bones…" he mused thoughtfully.

Given his constitution, even his bones were extremely tough. If crafted properly, it could at least be a Special Grade weapon.

As that idea amused him, he casually shoved his own bone into his curse's mouth.

Only after he started feeling the effects of blood loss did he activate Reverse Cursed Technique to heal himself. In a flash, his severed arm regenerated, and all the wounds on his body closed up.

"Hm… no difference," he murmured, flexing his fingers to test the newly grown arm. No noticeable change—functionality was just like before.

The Ant King, under Neferpitou's diligent care, had also been fully reassembled.

He faced the meatball offered by the golden-haired ant, picked it up, and took a bite.

"So? Tastes good?" the white-haired boy asked enthusiastically, clearly curious about how his own flesh tasted.

"…Because I already knew your flavor would be exquisite, the actual experience didn't bring any unexpected delight," the Ant King said calmly as he chewed.

…Huh? So because you expected me to taste amazing, the actual experience felt… predictable? Not surprising at all?

"…" Cyr pouted. "Oh, you like it when something looks weak but is secretly powerful, huh? That kind of surprise makes it taste better, doesn't it?"

Figures. This guy clearly enjoyed being surprised.

Seriously—eating someone's flesh and not even offering a compliment? No sense of decorum.

"By the way," Cyr switched topics, "the ants aligned with the Queen have officially surrendered to the humans."

"A bunch of weaklings making that choice doesn't surprise me," the Ant King replied, expression as calm and expected as always.

"You're not curious why?" Cyr went on without waiting for an answer. "Apparently the leader over there fell in love with a human."

For the first time, confusion and disbelief crossed the Ant King's face.

Did he just hear that right? An ant? In love with a human?

"To be with that human, the ant didn't hesitate to surrender and even planned to move to human territory," Cyr added, eyes twinkling as he spun the lie.

"Reminds me of this one ant who tried to invade Meteor City. I think her name was Zazan? Fell in love with me at first sight—said she couldn't live without me. Moved right next to where I lived…" he said, referring to that fake Queen he'd killed on sight.

He only knew the name, so a good lie needed a sprinkle of truth to sell it.

"Truly moving," he said dramatically, wiping away imaginary tears.

"That's just proof of their uselessness," the Ant King said arrogantly, disdainfully.

Nice, Cyr thought. Let's see what you say when you fall in love with a human someday. I'll quote this line to you daily. Heh.

He tugged at the corner of his mouth and asked, as if out of concern, "Did it make you stronger?"

"Barely noticeable." The Ant King clenched his fist, dissatisfied.

Just an arm. Hardly enough to see real gains.

Unless it came from a creature vastly stronger than him, then maybe…

"I see." Cyr's voice was flat, unsurprised. With his Six Eyes, he could tell immediately whether the King had grown stronger. He'd only asked to change the subject.

°°°

If you want to read ahead and access 20 advanced chapters, check the patreon

Link: Patreon/Moziel