I snorted at the princess’s speech. It contained too many agendas for me to even count.

I felt as if she was desperately trying to agitate the ants.

Anyways, I climbed the stairs and got on the stage in front of the queen and as our eyes met, my senses started flaring.

{Ant sense has become lv 8}

My head started ringing once again, but the skill ups did their work, and I didn’t get lost like our first contact.

{Resistance to Thought influence has become lv 6}

Well, I acted like how I was told and the queen finally asked me to wish what I wanted.

And midst an even greater headache and constant skill up messages I turned around.

{Resistance to Though influence has become lv7…8…9…10…11}

“You!!”

The princess scowled from behind, but I did what my heart wanted me to.

The crowd looked at me bewildered.

I did it just to make sure that the scavenger’s commanding officers would know that I had completed my side of the deal, and now it was his turn to keep his promise.

“I wish to be a scavenger.”

{Decider has become lv 4}

I said and my body automatically turned around and knelled in front of the queen.

*Ting*

[Skill: Mind control resistance acquired.]

{Mind control resistance has become lv 2…}

And my body returned back in my control.

“What happened?” the queen asked me in worried tone.

And I courtesy replied, “Nothing your highness.”

“You know you can be whatever you want to be. Why don’t I make you the vice commander of the scavengers. Like that you will get to enjoy being a scavenger and even acquire fame.”

Her words drilled into my antennas and made my whole body sweat, but I didn’t lose my stand.

{Strong willed has become lv 6}

{Perseverance has become lv 4}

“Being a scavenger is enough for me your highness. I don’t want to do paper work. I want to roam the world.”

{Manners has become lv 7}

She then quietly stared at me and sighed.

“This can’t be considered a wish at all. Here let me give you a name…”

And then another commotion broke out in the crowd.

Even the princess behind the queen had her mouth wide open when she heard that.

{Lucky has become lv 7}

Seeing that kind of a reaction only made me worry for my future.

{Foreboding has become lv 2}

{Ant sense has become lv 9}

I started hearing constant, ‘Yes’s’ in my mind and I knew what I had to do.

I declined her offer.

{Decider has become lv 5}

{Deter has become lv 2}

And even more commotion broke out in the crowd.

The princess took a breath of relief, but the queen stayed silent.

“As you wish. Although you haven’t ranked up yet, I think you will be able to survive in the harsh world outside. Your wish… has been granted.”

{Connections has become lv 2}

Then the queen returned back to her room on the ant train, and I finally stood up.

The captain of the ant army was frowning, and just as I got near him, he flared,

“You…! Do you know what you just did?” And he unconsciously released his aura.

{Overwhelm has become lv 7}

Like hell I know…

He then looked at me and sighed, “Let’s just forget it. I think you did well by not accepted being named. Though I had hoped that you would join my team after your rank up, but…”

{Anticipation has become lv 2}

I bowed to him and was going to go back to the nursery, when the captain of the scavengers came to meet me.

“Good, son, Very good! I feel proud that you chose my line of work. But why did you waste your wish on it? You could have easily joined after ranking up.”

{Connections has become lv 3}

I looked at his smiling face which was full of wrinkles and which had too many scars to count and became excited about my upcoming life.

{Anticipation has become lv 3}

Remembering how dangerous my first contact with a scavenger’s life was, I came to the conclusion that this field of work was much more dangerous than a soldier.

{Foreboding has become lv 3}

I asked him how long does it usually take for a young ant to level up to ten and he replied saying,

“It all depends on an individual’s talent. While the quickest has taken a month to rank up without other influence, most take between one and two months.”

{Common knowledge and learning has become lv 4}

And I told him that was the first reason and the second being my little conflict with the commanding officer of the scavengers.

He started listening calmly and by the time I ended my story his face had already turned red, with steam rising from his head.

He stood up and asked me to follow him.

Then following the captain who was then followed by ten really buff soldier ants, I for the first time entered the barracks with confidence.

{Strong willed has become lv 7}

I entered the captains room, and the stuff inside blew my mind.

It had a huge map of the outside world on the wall behind the desk. It was similar to the one I can see with my skill. At the opposite wall hung various heads, which I understood were probably the captain’s trophies.

Then there was a stone bench and light was coming from the top.

“One of you go, and bring the officer here.” He ordered.

And in three minutes the officer came running into the office, and was probably out of breath. He didn’t show, but his furiously rising and falling chest did give it away.

{Examine has become lv 3}

He looked at the captain and panicked, but he turned stiff when he saw me smiling.

“Why did you ban him?” The captain got straight to the point.

“I-I was just following the protocol. I didn’t want him to die just because he was feeling a little adventurous.” He bowed and spoke in a deeply apologetic tone of voice.

“You are sorry?” the captain asked.

“Yes sir.”

The captain then nodded his head, seemingly lost in his thoughts and then stood up from his seat.

“Okay, let’s go.”

I knew where he was going and what was going to happen.

{Anticipation & Foreboding has become lv 4}

Following him we arrived at the central hub of the scavengers department.

{Map has become lv 8}

“Call everyone here.”

The soldier announced that the captain was calling over everyone in the central hub, and like their life was on the line they gathered there within two minutes.

The ants looked, pointed, gestured at me and whispered. The captain didn’t say anything, and simply nodded his head seeing that almost everyone was present.

Then looking at the commanding officer, and calmly spoke words which not only shocked him, but also all the other ants present there.

‘So this is called public slapping huh.’ I thought.

{Planner has become lv 2}

“Now fulfill your promise. He has joined the scavengers, now you get on your knees, and lick his feet.”

The captain’s words were like a line on stone. The officer couldn’t regret his decisions more then he already was,

The message was new, but what did I know.

“B-but…” the officer stuttered, but the captain didn’t let him complete his sentence.

“Do you want to stay or not.”

And he didn’t say anything else. With everyone looking at him kneeled on the ground, crawled up to my feet and licked it. “I’m sorry, please forgive me.” He said

*Ting*

{Skill: Sensitive hearing gained.}

Sensitive hearing: You hear normal unless you really focus.

I didn’t say anything to the officer and he didn’t get up. Then the captain looked at me asking me if it was enough, and I nodded my head.

“Go.” The captain commanded and the commanding officer stood up.

His eyes met mine and without saying anything he walked away.

But not without passing on the message to me.

*Ting*

[Skill: Reading gained.]

His blood-red eyes and the way he stared, clearly said that this was not over. That it was only starting.

{Foreboding has become lv 5}

Maybe I should have just waited for my rank up before joining any department.