I Acquired The Insect Evolution System

The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the Steelclaw Panther staggered, its metallic body trembling from Stinger's precise strike. This wasn't what anyone had expected. Kai's insects shouldn't have stood a chance against Darius and his ferocious beast, and yet here he was, holding his ground.

Darius's confident smirk had faded into a scowl. "Don't get cocky, bug boy. This fight's far from over."

He raised his hand, his voice sharp and commanding. "Panther, recover and counter! Use **Steel Cyclone**!"

The panther roared, its metallic claws glowing with an eerie blue light as it spun in a deadly arc. The attack created a swirling vortex of razor-sharp energy, forcing Tiny and Stinger to scatter. Glow barely avoided the cyclone, its wings fluttering furiously to evade the powerful gusts.

Kai gritted his teeth. "Tiny, retreat and regroup! Stinger, stay out of range! Glow, keep your distance for now!"

The insects obeyed without hesitation, their movements coordinated and precise. Tiny lumbered backward, its heavy steps shaking the arena floor, while Stinger buzzed high into the air, staying just out of reach of the panther's claws. Glow hovered near Kai, its golden light dimmed to avoid drawing attention.

Darius sneered. "Running already? I expected more from the guy who beat Victor. Guess it was just a fluke."

Kai's lips twitched into a defiant smirk. "Oh, we're not running. We're just getting started."

---

The Steelclaw Panther growled, its claws digging into the ground as it prepared to charge again. Kai's mind raced, analyzing the battlefield. Darius was strong—there was no denying that—but strength alone wouldn't win this fight.

"Alright, team," Kai muttered under his breath. "We need to wear it down. Tiny, I need you to tank its attacks as long as you can. Stinger, focus on weakening it with poison. Glow, keep the shield ready—we're going to need it."

He took a deep breath, his voice rising with determination. "Let's show them what we're made of!"

Tiny let out a sharp click, stepping forward to face the panther once more. Its **Iron Bulwark** activated, the shimmering metallic sheen returning to its exoskeleton. The panther lunged, slashing furiously at the ant's defenses, but Tiny held firm, its massive body unyielding.

"Stinger, now!" Kai shouted.

The **Blitz Hornet** shot forward like a bullet, its stinger glowing faintly with venom. It struck the panther's exposed flank, injecting its poison before darting away to avoid retaliation. The panther snarled, shaking its body violently in an attempt to dislodge the venom, but Stinger had already retreated to a safe distance.

Darius's frustration was palpable. "Panther, stop messing around! Use **Steel Fang** and break through that oversized bug's shell!"

The Steelclaw Panther roared, its fangs glowing with an ominous silver light as it lunged at Tiny. The attack struck with incredible force, cracking Tiny's exoskeleton and forcing the ant to stumble backward.

Kai's heart sank. "Glow, shield Tiny, now!"

The **Luminous Silk Moth** swooped down, its golden light intensifying as it cast its **Luminous Shield** around Tiny. The shimmering barrier held firm, absorbing the panther's follow-up strike and giving Tiny a chance to recover.

"Good timing," Kai muttered, relief flooding his voice.

But Darius wasn't done. "Panther, break that shield! Use **Claw Barrage**!"

The Steelclaw Panther unleashed a relentless flurry of strikes, its metallic claws slamming into the shield over and over again. Cracks began to spread across the barrier, the golden light flickering with each impact.

Kai clenched his fists. "Come on, Glow, hold it together…"

The shield shattered with a deafening crack, and the force of the explosion sent Tiny skidding backward. Glow fluttered desperately to avoid the debris, its light dimming as it struggled to recover.

The crowd erupted in cheers, clearly favoring Darius and his panther.

Kai's heart pounded in his chest. This wasn't going to be easy.

But then again, nothing ever was.

---

"Tiny, get back on your feet! Stinger, hit it again—target its legs this time!"

Tiny pushed itself upright, its mandibles clicking defiantly as it charged back into the fray. Stinger buzzed high above, its stinger glowing once more as it dove toward the panther's hind legs.

The attack struck true, injecting another dose of venom into the panther's system. The beast snarled, its movements slowing as the poison began to take effect.

Kai's eyes lit up. "It's working! Keep the pressure on!"

But Darius wasn't about to let the fight slip away. "Panther, shake it off! Use **Steel Roar**!"

The panther let out a deafening roar, its metallic body vibrating with raw energy. The soundwave rippled through the arena, forcing Stinger to retreat and causing Glow to falter mid-flight. Tiny braced itself, its massive frame shielding Kai from the worst of the attack.

"You're tougher than I thought," Darius admitted, his voice begrudgingly respectful. "But this is where it ends. Panther, finish it with **Iron Pounce**!"

The Steelclaw Panther crouched low, its body tensing like a coiled spring. It launched itself into the air, aiming directly for Tiny with a devastating attack.

Kai's mind raced. He needed to counter, and fast.

"Tiny, brace yourself! Stinger, distract it! Glow, get ready to blind it!"

The **Fortress Ant** planted itself firmly, its **Iron Bulwark** activating once more. Stinger darted forward, buzzing furiously around the panther's face to disrupt its aim. Glow hovered above, its light intensifying as it prepared to unleash its **Radiant Flare**.

The panther's claws struck Tiny's armor with a resounding crash, but the ant held firm. At the same moment, Glow released a blinding burst of light, disorienting the panther and forcing it to retreat.

Kai seized the opportunity. "Now, Stinger! Go for the head!"

Stinger dove with incredible speed, its stinger glowing with venom as it struck the panther's head. The beast roared in pain, its movements growing sluggish as the poison finally took its toll.

Darius's eyes widened in disbelief. "No… this isn't happening!"

Kai grinned, his voice steady and confident. "Glow, finish it! Shield Stinger and Tiny!"

The **Luminous Silk Moth** cast its protective shield around its allies, reinforcing their defenses as the panther collapsed to the ground, unable to continue the fight.

The referee's voice echoed through the arena. "Winner: Kai Anther!"

The crowd fell silent for a moment before erupting into cheers and murmurs of disbelief.

Kai stood tall, his insects rallying around him as he raised a fist in victory.

"You did it, team," he said softly, pride evident in his voice. "We did it."