Although the ant queen wasn't all that eloquent, and it was difficult to make out what she really meant due to the way it talked, Ackster could make out that while the ant queen wanted him, it didn't necessarily mean to kill and eat him. It was willing to compromise and only eat part of him. In that case, there was hope that by offering part of himself, both he and Karandiel could get out of the ant nest alive and well, maybe even without permanent damage.
However, Ackster wasn't willing to give up an arm since he wasn't sure he would regrow it, despite the amazing capacity Strong Body had shown when it came to healing injuries without leaving residual injuries or healing his body without care for its original state. He hadn't fused any bones or joints back when he recovered or anything of the sort. But it was a different thing entirely to regenerate an entire arm.
Ackster was pretty sure he would have to get an advanced recovery skill and possibly even evolve Strong Body for that. He was determined to reach that level, at the very least. But it was a matter for the future, and he couldn't let a missing arm hinder his progress.
"Why?"
But since the ant queen was willing to negotiate and even let Karandiel go, Ackster decided he wasn't going to be too rude. Before outright rejecting the ant queen's every suggestion, he would first try to figure out what it wanted.
"I mean, why do you want a piece of me?"
The ant queen hesitated for a few moments and made a few trial clicks before speaking with a voice that sounded like glass shards dropping on stones.
'"Smell. Delicious."'
Ackster still didn't know to what degree the ant queen wanted him, but he could confirm that it was interested in him, and she was willing to talk.
'That's good.'
"Then, why don't you kill me?"
Ackster could feel Karandiel give him an aggressively worried gaze as if she was wondering why he gave the ant queen suggestions like that. Ackster wasn't concerned. With the intelligence it had already displayed, the ant queen was definitely smart enough to have considered that. There was a reason why it hadn't tried to kill them or him, even after successfully luring them to the depths of the ant nest.
The ant queen thought for several moments, probably trying to gather the right words to express its wishes. It spoke after a round of trial clicking.
'"You."'
It pointed at Ackster.
'"Strong. Monster? Monster. Deal? Deal. Cooperation. Long time."'
Ackster wasn't sure how, but the ant queen managed to raise the tone at the end of a couple of the unsteady words she said to make them questions. From that, he could gather that the ant queen didn't think Ackster was a human, which was interesting. It also thought he was strong, probably too strong to make it worth using force.
Instead, since he was a monster and possibly not disinclined to work with the ant queen, the ant queen decided to suggest making a deal. The ant queen also decided it would be more worth keeping Ackster around for a longer time and cooperating instead of trying to kill him for one short meal.
"Alright."
Ackster felt he could come up with a thousand reasons to reject, but they were mostly excuses, and none of them would work. Although the ant queen was cordial and proposed a deal, albeit slightly one-sided, once she decided it was worth talking to Ackster. But Ackster didn't forget that the ant queen was a beast, possibly a monster, since it could talk and that its first attempt at getting what it wanted was to try and drown Ackster in an avalanche of worker ants.
If it couldn't get what it wanted by talking, it would inevitably resort to violence, even if Ackster seemed strong and, for some reason, appeared to be a monster to the ant queen. His best bet at surviving was to go along with what the ant queen wanted.
"But on a couple of conditions."
The ant queen was silent for a few moments before turning her head to its general and exchanging a short conversation.
"'I. Listen."'
Ackster nodded in relief. The ant queen was at least willing to hear him out.
"Good. First, I get to see her leave."
Ackster pointed at Karandiel at his side while maintaining eye contact with the ant queen.
"Brian—"
"Second, I can give you blood and flesh but no bones. I will also need a lot of food in exchange for it. Third, I dropped a couple of things during your attack. It would be great if you could send someone to pick them up. Also, I'm thinking of, you know, training here since you probably won't let me leave. Get me a room and maybe have your subordinate there spar with me."
Ackster pointed at the general ant with a slightly provocative grin. Since the general ant was probably a decent sparring partner for him, Ackster stood more to gain. But if he could convince the general ant to convince the ant queen to agree, he could possibly be in a pretty good position.
He was already harming himself on the regular in order to train Strong Body's regeneration and in the hopes of acquiring a regeneration skill. He also did it to feed Mio. What would feeding a couple of ants do to make a difference? And in exchange, he got a relatively secluded place to train, free food, and a strong sparring partner that could help him develop his combat abilities.
"Do we have a deal?"
The ant queen once again consulted her aid, the general ant, before answering.
"'Deal.'"
"Brian, are you sure about this?"
Without looking, Ackster answered Karandiel's nervous whisper.
"Nope. But I don't think we have much of a choice. At least this way, I think both of us will survive. Sorry, Karandiel, but it seems like we will have to take a rain check on that delicious meal."
"...Alright. I'll wait for you."
Ackster shook his head. Although he appreciated Karandiel's thought, it wasn't viable. She was too weak to stick around the Cloven Grasslands. It would be better if she went off on her own for the moment and grew stronger until they reunited.
It was a shame they got separated so quickly, but maybe it could work in his favor. So far, Ackster was sure he had left a good impression. Some time apart would hopefully solidify that impression. And the guilt Karandiel most likely felt about Ackster sacrificing himself to save her would make her more inclined to help him in the future once he needed it.
"Don't bother. We don't know how long they'll keep me here. Go and regain your power. And if I'm not out of here by then, come back and free me. But if I am, look for me in the south."
Ackster looked at Karandiel and winked.
"Okay."
Karandiel discarded some of her worry. Since Ackster seemed adamant, she would simply have to trust him. But she resolved to do her best to become strong enough to kill the ants and save Ackster as quickly as possible.
"Is there anything I can do for you? Anyone I can tell about your predicament."
Ackster was silent for a moment as he considered guiding Karandiel to Wilma but decided against it. The Guild was probably already aware of what was going on but not interfering due to their policy and to see if he really was special force material. If they wanted to contact Karandiel, they would do so. Otherwise, he would risk exposing the special force's existence.
"Yeah. If you have the opportunity, can you look for something called Denebre's Necklace and Erbened's Bracelet? Oh, and Tunder's Boots."
"You got it."
'"Done?"'