I was still reeling in shock from what the other mayfly had said when suddenly I heard the system's voice.
[Insect Spawn]
"I didn't enable that skill! Hey! Listen to me!" I'd shout in frustration as my wings began buzzing in a frenzy bringing me to a nearby mayfly
[Nuptial Flight Beginning]
…
My wings quivered in excitement and they began forcing my body into a sort of dance with the other mayfly, eventually we'd end up synchronising, twirling and darting around each other with effortless poise
As the sun sets the two of us would rise into the air, a golden-orange hue being cast over the pond, the dance reaching its peak.
[Nuptial Flight Completed]
[Egg Laying Available]
[Urgent Quest!]
[Find A Safe Place Underwater]
[1 Hour]
[Reward: Egg Laying Efficiency]
[The Reward Will Merge With Insect Spawn]
"That was it!? If that's all it takes then I guess I'm alright with the whole maiden thing..I was kinda freaked but I guess it doesn't matter much in 'that' sense of things" I breathe a sigh of relief, and look through all of the system's messages "I wonder if I can see what this skill does…" I'd mutter to myself as I tapped the message
{Egg Laying Efficiency}
[Egg Laying] no longer requires [Nuptial Flight] to initiate, additionally, amount of eggs laid will be increased exponentially.
"Oh! That sounds quite useful, I wonder if I could level up these guys and get them to fight with me after they're born, although it'll be a pain having to do it over and over again…oh well, might be worth a shot! I'll have an army for at least a day I suppose..I guess I should go find a safe place.."
With determination, I took flight, my gossamer wings carrying me gracefully over the water's surface. I faced numerous challenges along the way, narrowly escaping the clutches of hungry birds and avoiding some dangerous currents. As I flew, I couldn't help but marvel at the world from a mayfly's perspective - the shimmering reflections on the water, the gentle ripples that seemed like giant waves, and the swaying aquatic plants that appeared like towering trees.
After what felt like an arduous journey for a mayfly, I finally reached the secluded spot I had remembered. I gently touched the water's surface, and began the process.
[Egg Laying]
[46 Eggs Will Be Layed]
It was..straining to say the least, I had never expected it to be so painful, it was like someone had grabbed a flaming hot poker and shoved it straight through my gut..but I had done it, I'd finished my duty and added on to the lifecycle of the mayfly..go be free little guys…have a good life..mine may have been short but it was…fun. while it lasted. I felt grateful for this second chance even if it wasn't much of one.
[You Have Died]
I had arrived again in that all consuming dark void, talk about deja vu.
"Yes, I know that, I appreciate it that you thought to tell me though. Where do I go now..is there an afterlife or am I just stuck here..?"
[Incorrect]
"Incorrect? What are you talking about..specify."
[You are not stuck here.]
"Stop rubbing it in, I know I'm dead, I knew I was going to die, can't you just let me accept it?"
[You are not stuck here]
"Enough already, just give it up, aren't you suppose to be dead now?" I would say whilst kicking slightly at the void around me
*𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤*
"Huh? What was that noise? Surely.." I'd punch the void more violently this time barraging it with all I had, it made more noise but still wouldn't give, I'd mercilessly beat down the void until finally it broke open.
[Egg Laying Efficiency Received]
[Merged With Insect Spawn]
Name: {Currently Unnamed}
Race: Mayfly Nymph
Level: 0/15
Stats: 40
STR (40)
AGI (10)
VIT (20)
INT (0)
WIS (0)
Unique Skills:
[Sealed] [Devour][Flight][Insect Spawn][Aquatic Creature][Advanced Pheromones][Omnivore][Compound Eyes][Shed]
Titles:
[Ancient Insect][24-Hr-Life][Member of the Swarm]
Unique Traits:
[24 Hour Species]
[Soul Resurgence]
I was in disbelief staring at the menu that had appeared once again. "So I'm starting all over then..? well not exactly seems I'm quite…I still have everything? and my max level has increased since the last time..I wonder if…how many times can I do this again?"
[You Can Continue As Long As Your Eggs Remain]
"So I'm basically immortal then? Well…now I've something to look forward to! I suppose I should keep the rest of my eggs safe until they hatch then!"
[Your Eggs Will Not Hatch Without Your Consent]
"Interesting…so could I hatch about 40 of them and leave the rest for any emergencies?"
[That Is Correct]
"Alright…do that then, I should think about levelling up now, my immortality only works if those eggs stay safe so…I'll just have to protect them."
[Level Up!]
"Huh? Why'd I level up? I haven't even defeated anything?" I'd stare at the system baffled by what it had just told me, it had to have been some sort of glitch. "Well, I'm not complaining, give me all the free levels you'd like.
[You Were Rewarded As Those Eggs Drained You Of Your Life Essence]
[You Got Some Back As An Egg Was Destroyed]
"No! My immortali- I mean my children…nooooo! I've got to find them all and get them somewhere safe..wait..idea! System."
"Use [Food Storage]"
[Affirmative Activating Now]
As I activated the skill a small container appeared and began vacuuming in a large amount of water "Great! It worked! Now I've just got to find the eggs and plop them in the skill! They should count as food right?"
Filled with determination I began searching for all of my eggs finding 2 or 3 stray ones along the way to where I had laid them but…a horrific sight greeted my eyes as I got there..all of my eggs…were being forced down that gluttonous trouts throat, what the hell, cmon dude! those aren't yours! I contemplated just leaving and laying more elsewhere later but I was overtaken by anger, my wings buzzed with a fury so intense, they felt like they were going to shatter in my rage.
Name: ——
Race: ——
Level: 2/10
Stats:
STR (15)
AGI (40)
VIT (21)
INT (5)
WIS (2)