Insect Tamer's Ascension

"So it's that direction," Theo spoke while traveling through the dense, long grass.

"Yes, it will take us 15 minutes to walk. There are 5 other boars in the way too, but we will go past them," Elias spoke.

"And even if they all came attacking, we have enough beasts and tamers to tackle them all. Just this guy will be enough for many," Clara said with a smile and scratched the boar's back, who squeaked softly in satisfaction.

The pup came right away to her, and she started scratching her too.

While Elias didn't like such behavior, Theo was smiling warmly. Watching Clara not be so serious all the time was a nice change.

And it wasn't like she wasn't performing her duties properly—she was still better than most guards and knights when it came to protecting her target.

They walked past many boar territories—some being built, some fully developed, with boars sleeping in between.

There was even one who was traveling through the tall grasses, and while it was tough getting past it without being noticed, with Chip's help, they were able to do it.

Theo was looking up at the trees—he did it a lot, as the ape, while being so heavy and big, made next to no sound while jumping and traveling through the branches from one tree to another.

An animal that played to its strengths became a lot stronger than an average one. Theo was getting to see examples the more he traveled.

Even a wyvern, if left in a clearing on the ground, would be strong—but not as strong as when it flew through the open skies.

Even the mantis, who had turned green now, wouldn't be able to camouflage if it went to a desert biome. With it being so green, it would be the first to get attacked by all.

After 10 more minutes of walking, Theo was stopped by Elias. He took an unsounded deep breath to not let others know he was a little anxious.

While this was a necessity to complete, Theo had seen three level 7 beasts till now. The very first time, it was the viper that came inches from swallowing him whole.

Then the ape, who showed him what being utterly helpless felt like. And then the boar, whom he could engage for a long time.

This was his fourth time engaging a level 7 beast.

His grip strength was a lot more powerful, making the sword's weight feel like candy to him even over prolonged periods.

His intense training had even added a few natural stamina and strength points in his status—showing a quantified increase.

Thinking of all this, Theo now had a confident and determined face. No matter what, he had to do this.

"You got this, young master," Clara said and kept a hand on his upper back. Theo looked at her and nodded. Her expression showed confidence too, as if telling him that no matter what happens, they would come help if needed.

"Go get it, young master," Elias said too, and Theo nodded before he went to the edge of the tall grass.

Looking up once, he saw the ape just sitting there leisurely, but after seeing it climb from that place to him before, Theo didn't have the slightest worry.

'I get more injured while training. What can this boar do?' Theo consoled himself with whatever he could muster.

In the human brain, there were these limiters that kept a person under a caged box. It was tough getting out of it—but when some did, it could be seen that it was all but just an illusion.

Theo thought about it all and peeked further. There it was—the boar, right at the edge of the clearing, digging the soil to increase its territory.

'Mantis, are you ready?' Theo asked, making the mantis look at him.

It moved its foreleg up and tapped Theo's cheek once. Theo nodded with a smile.

'Move as close to it as possible. See if it detects you.' Theo gave the same nostalgic command, making the mantis hop as quickly as it could.

Just three minutes later, Theo felt some emotions through the bond, making him know that it was very close to the boar.

'Hop on its body and see if it finds you.' Theo gave another command, and this time, a daring one.

Theo looked at the boar intently and could not tell if the mantis had even hopped on it or not.

But a moment later, another set of foreign emotions made him know that the mantis was on the boar now.

Theo was flabbergasted and excited at the same time.

'Alright, I'll get its attention now… if I can keep it occupied and the mantis makes a surprise attack, it will work.' Theo said in his mind.

With another deep breath, he stepped forward. On the ground, a small pile of dead grass crunched under his step right away, making the boar move its face toward him quickly.

'Here it comes…' Theo thought.

SQUEAKKK

The boar roared in arrogance—something that was common in boars above level 6.

Theo went into his fighting stance and waited for the boar to come at him.

Enraged, the boar made yet another war roar and started moving toward Theo with loud yet small steps.

Theo was ready for it and waited for the right moment before he swung his sword's blunt side at the boar's right side of the face before it could even come close enough.

Theo moved to the side with just a few clean steps and looked at the boar in a new light.

No matter the level, weaknesses were weaknesses—and Theo had experience tackling them.

Theo smiled and gave the first attack command:

'Cut its right eye.'

Theo had not gained a single glimpse of the mantis until now, until he randomly saw it moving fast on the boar's back. Its camouflage had also improved a lot.

The mantis leisurely went close to the boar's arrogant eye, and when the boar finally saw it in its vision—it was too late.

PUCHIII