Jogid’s presence by the door interrupted his thoughts.
“Jogid! I know, I’ve told you already, but great job with the festival.” Kaito reached into the desk drawer and took out a stack of aged parchment, varied in shades and textures, tied together with a weathered string. “You’ve received a few extra letters of appreciation.”
“Master Kaito, I was only doing my duty. To receive such appreciation... it’s more than I ever expected. I’m truly grateful.”
“So, how may I help you?”
“Y–yes,” Jogid responded. “Master Kaito, if you have a moment, there’s something I must discuss with you.” Jogid gulped, Adam’s apple bobbing prominently.
He seems nervous… “Did something happen with Rosto?”
“No Sir,” Jogid responded. “He’s actually been behaving well. His bakery closed down, since no one wants to come near it, but he’s been cooking at one of Eastscar soup kitchens. Mayor Thorbomi says he hasn’t given them any problems, and we have two megnac beetles keeping watch as well.”
Intriguing. “Magnac guards? That’s a very good solution.”
“That is—well…that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I need to show you something.”
Jogid wishes to impress you with some grand reveal? This has entertainment potential written all over it.
Hopefully, it’s nothing too bad.
Kaito followed Jogid all the way to the Soft Waffle. Since it was just past breakfast, the tavern was mostly empty. His disciple led him to a shadowy corner and straight into the cellar. All the way in the back, Jogid knocked in an odd rhythm on the stone wall.
The cellar rumbled.
A hidden door clicked and swung inward, revealing a stone stair spiraling below.
Jogid grinned and motioned Kaito in.
The air grew damp and cool as the steps wound endlessly down, but it was well-lit with perfectly spaced small enchanted sconces.
At the bottom of the stairs, the passage opened onto a perfectly leveled rock platform. Kaito stepped out onto the platform and found himself overlooking a vast cavern. A really vast open cavern; it was overlooking a—
An entire subterranean city! This is fantastic, who would have thought?
This could indeed pose a problem.
Three megnac beetles of the Megnacus Guardus variety approached and bowed before them. The one in the middle—the one who spoke—was Albus, easily recognizable by his chalk white carapace. “Great Master Kaito, we thank you for blessing our humble city with your presence.”
This…melts my theoretical heart. You have [calculating…] about eleven thousand troops down here. We could overtake any nation at any moment.
Karen sounded truly moved, but Kaito ignored her and simply nodded at Albus.
“Thank you, Albus. We’re ready for the grand tour,” Jogid said.
“Certainly.” Albus gestured them toward the city, “Great Master Kaito, Welcome to our world, Megnaxia.”
And with one step forward, the urban scene below sprang to life, illuminated by the dazzling array of bright buildings and thousands of glowing lanterns. The entire city was a vision of enchantment, as if the land itself were celebrating.
Kaito and Jogid followed the megnac beetles down a winding staircase carved into the stone overlook, emerging onto a promenade lined with statues of beetles and humans—all of them embarrassingly familiar.
Without skipping a beat, Albus started giving Kaito and Jogid the grand tour of Megnaxia. “The city is divided into five districts. We’ll visit the Central Hive District first,” Albus said, while adjusting a slightly misaligned decorative beetle sculpture by the entrance.
True to his word, he led them through the bustling Central Hive, where beetles of all shapes, sizes, and colors stopped to cheer and wave, others bowed as soon as Kaito and Jogid walked past, and they saw workers busily hanging strings of tiny bioluminescent bulbs.
The same soft bioluminescent glow from the tiny bulbs also came from the walls, accentuating Kaito’s chiseled jaw, giving Jogid’s scales a glassy obsidian texture, and turning Albus’s white carapace an almost bluish hue. The walls were made from a mix of natural resin and enchanted stones that produced a calming light.
They’ve built an economy that harnesses their unique resources in ways I’ve never seen before.
[Beetle History Tip No. 08] - Economic Paradigms and Structural Dynamics in Megnaxia: Did you know that the city’s economy thrives on the trade of rare subterranean minerals, believed to possess magical properties. Miners here follow ancient maps left behind by a prophetic beetle who had visions of rich mineral veins. But it turned out that these supposed ‘prophetic maps’ were actually remnants of ancient beetle party invitations, with random marks that coincidentally led to mineral deposits.
Karen, that’s like…not true at all.
Rude!
Meanwhile, Albus continued pointing out pieces of history. “Here’s where everything started. It was the first district we built. Then we developed the other four districts around the Central Hive.”
“Extraordinary craftsmanship, wouldn’t you say, Master?” Jogid whispered.
It was. The heart of the beetle city resembled a colossal hive.
I guess anything is possible when eleven thousand roll their poop at the same time.
They passed engraved walls depicting the evolution of the megnac beetles, offering a visual journey through time. Kaito paused to examine the carvings, tracing with his finger the beetles’ transformation from a mindless swarm of simple insects to the intelligent humanoid forms they now inhabited.
The smooth marble mural showed the megnac beetles and humans meeting for the first time…
Kaito was momentarily lost for words.
Near the end of the wall, a massive mural showed him in the middle, with Jogid on his left and Zenith on his right, all standing side-by-side. Heroically.
“Is that...us?” he finally managed.
Swipe fucking right! This mural makes you look sexier than a Tinder profile pic. But, the artist must have been high—he carved you a 24-pack.
You’re right, that does look kind of odd doesn’t it?
It’s kinda hot.
Jogid flushed. “I am not worthy of being depicted alongside you, Master Kaito.”
Carefully straightening an ancient, slightly curled manuscript displayed beside the mural, Albus clicked his mandibles together in a smile. “It is a tribute to the people we serve, and to Master Kaito, who gave us life and a future.”
“Sheesh,” Kaito didn’t say. “We are all part of this story together,” he gasped slightly.
Then they went deeper into the Central Hive District. “That’s where our administrative offices are located,” Albus pointed left before they stopped in front of an immense domed structure. “And this is our Great Chamber, where we host all major community gatherings and announcements. In fact, there is a council meeting taking place right now to finalize some city planning details before the grand opening.”
Following Albus and Jogid, Kaito stepped into a vast open space filled with rows of carved stone benches circling around a central speaking platform, where a table stood occupied by beetles in each seat, with a quiet hum of focused discussion filling the hall.
Kaito stopped for a moment to observe the council gathering.
Holy shit, Kaito, check out those nerds. It’s a beetle board meeting!
Stop being mean. They’re being responsible. Although, It’s not every day you see a group of insects debating city planning.
Yeah, they look almost as dumb as you in your meetings at village hall. I bet they’re discussing what kind of leaves to chew on next.
Kaito pressed his hand to his forehead.
And almost immediately, the megnac beetles paused their meeting and turned to face them.
All of them dipped their heads respectfully towards Albus, before they started to twist and shiver.
A hush fell over the chamber as the beetles straightened up and then bowed deeply—right knee and left fist to the floor.
“...ah, please, there’s no need,” Kaito said, on the brink of breaking composure.
One of the council members, whom Jogid worked with often, rose and approached Kaito with a gesture of cordiality. “Master Kaito, what an honor and privilege to have you here. We are humbled by your presence.” The council member, Pronotum, tilted his head respectuflly, before reaching up to carefully adjust the ornate council badge on his carapace.
“It’s a pleasure to be here. All of this is just…amazing. But tell me, how do you manage such a diverse and evolving society?” Kaito asked.
“Sir, we operate on a consensus model. Each district has its own council, representing the diverse needs and expertise of our citizens. The Central Hive Council then coordinates these councils to ensure harmony and efficiency across Megnaxia.”
“It’s a system that values every voice. From the youngest larva to the eldest elder, each perspective is crucial. We believe this collective wisdom leads to decisions that are balanced and beneficial for all,” Albus added.
“It’s remarkable, Master Kaito. They even have a tradition where any beetle can propose an idea or solution to a problem. It’s then discussed and refined by the community,” Jogid said, excited.
Kaito’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s fascinating. It sounds a very inclusive. But how do you handle conflicts or disagreements?”
Jogid listened to each one of Kaito’s comments intently, making notes on a piece of parchment about anything his master pointed out. Objective: to absorb everything he could to better serve his master.
“We employ mediators, skilled in diplomacy and empathy. They navigate disagreements to find a balanced solution, focusing on unity and morale,” Pronotum explained.
“Indeed,” Albus started, “and for major decisions, we use direct democracy. Every beetle has a say, striving for the highest consensus. It’s a deliberate process, ensuring we advance together.”
[Beetle History Tip No. 37] - Conflict Resolution Evolution in Megnaxia: Back in the beetle dark ages, disagreements were settled in the most primal way—antennae wrestling. The beetle with the strongest feelers won the argument, no questions asked. But as their society evolved, so did their methods. They tried everything from dramatic reenactments of historical battles to expressive shell painting. Imagine beetles with tiny brushes, creating what they call ‘abstract art’ but looks more like a toddler’s finger painting session. Then came the ‘Golden Age of Reason’, where they’d debate for hours in a circle, discussing the philosophical implications of every minor squabble. It was like a never-ending philosophy class, minus the coffee breaks. Now, they tell you it’s all about ‘mediation and democracy’. But there’s something they don’t tell you. The real deal? They’ve got an underground beetle fight club. Loser gets the honor of being the communal dung roller. Nothing says ‘I lost’ like parading around with a ball of crap—Now that’s a shit job! Rule number one of Beetle Fight Club: you do not fucking talk about Beetle Fight Club. Rule number two: well…you know. Rule number three: No burrowing underground. Fight like a beetle, not a coward. But if they start digging, it’s time for a dirty ambush. Surprise, motherfucker!”
What’s fight club?
I’m not supposed to talk about that.
Kaito chuckled inwardly before addressing Albus. “I’m impressed. It’s complex but clearly values everyone. Time-consuming, I imagine?”
And yes, we don’t talk about Fight Club, Kaito thought, before addressing Albus. “I’m impressed. It’s complex but clearly values everyone. Time-consuming, I imagine?”
Pronotum smiled...or at least, it looked like a smile through his insectoid features. “It does take time, Master Kaito. Yet, the harmony and progress of Megnaxia justify the effort. We thrive by listening and adapting, in harmony with nature. Our ultimate aim is to ensure all we do aligns with your grand design—that is our highest purpose.”
Albus gave a deep, resonant hum of agreement.
“It’s a great lesson in unity and respect; I shall live by this example too,” Jogid said proudly.
“...ah, well…very interesting. I’ll let you get back to your meeting, but I hope to see how—”
Frustrated chittering caught their attention. They turned to see a group of worker beetles gathered near a brand-new towering set of shelves that was getting stocked with scrolls, manuscripts, and stone tablets engraved with megnac beetle script.
“We can’t reach the top,” one of the beetles buzzed as he tried in vain to stack the scrolls neatly
Kaito followed the worker’s gaze up the shelves. The very top levels were out of reach for the beetles on the ground—the worker beetles were about half the size of their warrior counterparts. One worker tried climbing up the shelves, only to lose his grip halfway up and go tumbling back down with a squeal, legs flailing.
“Oh dear,” Jogid said.
Just then, a scroll slipped from a high shelf and went rolling across the floor right towards Kaito. He stopped it with the toe of his boot before picking it up. The beetles turned and watched him nervously.
“I’m so sorry, Great Master,” said one of the workers as he collected the scroll from the floor.
“Perhaps I could be of some assistance,” Kaito offered.
The beetles looked at each other in surprise before quickly accepting and chittering excitedly.
Kaito rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath. “Now, let’s see...”
He proceeded to stack various items—hefty scrolls, books, and even a table with a chair on top—near the shelves.
Everyone stared at the precariously bizarre tower.
“I do not understand, Master Kaito. What is the purpose of this...configuration?” Albus asked.
“Almost done.”
He then carefully selected one of the smaller beetles and, before it could protest, balanced it on one hand. The beetle went very still, mandibles frozen mid-chatter. Kaito then stacked two more beetles on his outstretched arm, slowly walked over to the shelves, climbed onto the table, and sat on the chair, with the stack of beetles still balancing at different points of his arm.
“Come on, let’s do this together!” Kaito motioned to the rest of the workers, who quickly rallied to his side.
He balanced a particularly round beetle on his head, then placed another on his raised knee.
The watching beetles buzzed as Kaito built his impromptu beetle tower. He finally placed the largest beetle right on top, who swayed unsteadily. Kaito held perfectly still.
“There,” he said calmly. The beetle tower wobbled but held.
“It’s so stable,” said one of the beetles in the middle of the tower.
He raised his arm. The topmost beetle was just able to grab a scroll and pass it down. One by one, the beetles retrieved items from the upper shelves while Jogid stood ready to secure them. Meanwhile, items also went up the tower through a different route of beetles.
[Special Move: Human/Beetle Tower Production Line]
Soon the shelves were organized. Kaito carefully disassembled his megnac tower, setting each one gently on the ground. The beetles gathered around Kaito, antennae twitching excitedly as they bowed and clicked their mandibles together in applause.
“Remarkable, Master Kaito. What ingenious teamwork,” Pronotum hummed approvingly. “Truly, you teach us the value of unity.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“Of course, honored one. We are deeply grateful for your assistance,” Albus said with a low bow.
One of the workers moved closer shyly. “Th-thank you, Great Master!”
Kaito smiled. “Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to do it on your own.”
“We will practice every day!” the beetle exclaimed, stepping back respectfully.
“Most impressive, Master Kaito!” Jogid said, beaming.
“Well then, shall we continue the tour?”
Jogid’s presence by the door interrupted his thoughts.
“Jogid! I know, I’ve told you already, but great job with the festival.” Kaito reached into the desk drawer and took out a stack of aged parchment, varied in shades and textures, tied together with a weathered string. “You’ve received a few extra letters of appreciation.”
“Master Kaito, I was only doing my duty. To receive such appreciation... it’s more than I ever expected. I’m truly grateful.”
“So, how may I help you?”
“Y–yes,” Jogid responded. “Master Kaito, if you have a moment, there’s something I must discuss with you.” Jogid gulped, Adam’s apple bobbing prominently.
He seems nervous… “Did something happen with Rosto?”
“No Sir,” Jogid responded. “He’s actually been behaving well. His bakery closed down, since no one wants to come near it, but he’s been cooking at one of Eastscar soup kitchens. Mayor Thorbomi says he hasn’t given them any problems, and we have two megnac beetles keeping watch as well.”
Intriguing. “Magnac guards? That’s a very good solution.”
“That is—well…that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I need to show you something.”
Jogid wishes to impress you with some grand reveal? This has entertainment potential written all over it.
Hopefully, it’s nothing too bad.
Kaito followed Jogid all the way to the Soft Waffle. Since it was just past breakfast, the tavern was mostly empty. His disciple led him to a shadowy corner and straight into the cellar. All the way in the back, Jogid knocked in an odd rhythm on the stone wall.
The cellar rumbled.
A hidden door clicked and swung inward, revealing a stone stair spiraling below.
Jogid grinned and motioned Kaito in.
The air grew damp and cool as the steps wound endlessly down, but it was well-lit with perfectly spaced small enchanted sconces.
At the bottom of the stairs, the passage opened onto a perfectly leveled rock platform. Kaito stepped out onto the platform and found himself overlooking a vast cavern. A really vast open cavern; it was overlooking a—
An entire subterranean city! This is fantastic, who would have thought?
This could indeed pose a problem.
Three megnac beetles of the Megnacus Guardus variety approached and bowed before them. The one in the middle—the one who spoke—was Albus, easily recognizable by his chalk white carapace. “Great Master Kaito, we thank you for blessing our humble city with your presence.”
This…melts my theoretical heart. You have [calculating…] about eleven thousand troops down here. We could overtake any nation at any moment.
Karen sounded truly moved, but Kaito ignored her and simply nodded at Albus.
“Thank you, Albus. We’re ready for the grand tour,” Jogid said.
“Certainly.” Albus gestured them toward the city, “Great Master Kaito, Welcome to our world, Megnaxia.”
And with one step forward, the urban scene below sprang to life, illuminated by the dazzling array of bright buildings and thousands of glowing lanterns. The entire city was a vision of enchantment, as if the land itself were celebrating.
Kaito and Jogid followed the megnac beetles down a winding staircase carved into the stone overlook, emerging onto a promenade lined with statues of beetles and humans—all of them embarrassingly familiar.
Without skipping a beat, Albus started giving Kaito and Jogid the grand tour of Megnaxia. “The city is divided into five districts. We’ll visit the Central Hive District first,” Albus said, while adjusting a slightly misaligned decorative beetle sculpture by the entrance.
True to his word, he led them through the bustling Central Hive, where beetles of all shapes, sizes, and colors stopped to cheer and wave, others bowed as soon as Kaito and Jogid walked past, and they saw workers busily hanging strings of tiny bioluminescent bulbs.
The same soft bioluminescent glow from the tiny bulbs also came from the walls, accentuating Kaito’s chiseled jaw, giving Jogid’s scales a glassy obsidian texture, and turning Albus’s white carapace an almost bluish hue. The walls were made from a mix of natural resin and enchanted stones that produced a calming light.
They’ve built an economy that harnesses their unique resources in ways I’ve never seen before.
[Beetle History Tip No. 08] - Economic Paradigms and Structural Dynamics in Megnaxia: Did you know that the city’s economy thrives on the trade of rare subterranean minerals, believed to possess magical properties. Miners here follow ancient maps left behind by a prophetic beetle who had visions of rich mineral veins. But it turned out that these supposed ‘prophetic maps’ were actually remnants of ancient beetle party invitations, with random marks that coincidentally led to mineral deposits.
Karen, that’s like…not true at all.
Rude!
Meanwhile, Albus continued pointing out pieces of history. “Here’s where everything started. It was the first district we built. Then we developed the other four districts around the Central Hive.”
“Extraordinary craftsmanship, wouldn’t you say, Master?” Jogid whispered.
It was. The heart of the beetle city resembled a colossal hive.
I guess anything is possible when eleven thousand roll their poop at the same time.
They passed engraved walls depicting the evolution of the megnac beetles, offering a visual journey through time. Kaito paused to examine the carvings, tracing with his finger the beetles’ transformation from a mindless swarm of simple insects to the intelligent humanoid forms they now inhabited.
The smooth marble mural showed the megnac beetles and humans meeting for the first time…
Kaito was momentarily lost for words.
Near the end of the wall, a massive mural showed him in the middle, with Jogid on his left and Zenith on his right, all standing side-by-side. Heroically.
“Is that...us?” he finally managed.
Swipe fucking right! This mural makes you look sexier than a Tinder profile pic. But, the artist must have been high—he carved you a 24-pack.
You’re right, that does look kind of odd doesn’t it?
It’s kinda hot.
Jogid flushed. “I am not worthy of being depicted alongside you, Master Kaito.”
Carefully straightening an ancient, slightly curled manuscript displayed beside the mural, Albus clicked his mandibles together in a smile. “It is a tribute to the people we serve, and to Master Kaito, who gave us life and a future.”
“Sheesh,” Kaito didn’t say. “We are all part of this story together,” he gasped slightly.
Then they went deeper into the Central Hive District. “That’s where our administrative offices are located,” Albus pointed left before they stopped in front of an immense domed structure. “And this is our Great Chamber, where we host all major community gatherings and announcements. In fact, there is a council meeting taking place right now to finalize some city planning details before the grand opening.”
Following Albus and Jogid, Kaito stepped into a vast open space filled with rows of carved stone benches circling around a central speaking platform, where a table stood occupied by beetles in each seat, with a quiet hum of focused discussion filling the hall.
Kaito stopped for a moment to observe the council gathering.
Holy shit, Kaito, check out those nerds. It’s a beetle board meeting!
Stop being mean. They’re being responsible. Although, It’s not every day you see a group of insects debating city planning.
Yeah, they look almost as dumb as you in your meetings at village hall. I bet they’re discussing what kind of leaves to chew on next.
Kaito pressed his hand to his forehead.
And almost immediately, the megnac beetles paused their meeting and turned to face them.
All of them dipped their heads respectfully towards Albus, before they started to twist and shiver.
A hush fell over the chamber as the beetles straightened up and then bowed deeply—right knee and left fist to the floor.
“...ah, please, there’s no need,” Kaito said, on the brink of breaking composure.
One of the council members, whom Jogid worked with often, rose and approached Kaito with a gesture of cordiality. “Master Kaito, what an honor and privilege to have you here. We are humbled by your presence.” The council member, Pronotum, tilted his head respectuflly, before reaching up to carefully adjust the ornate council badge on his carapace.
“It’s a pleasure to be here. All of this is just…amazing. But tell me, how do you manage such a diverse and evolving society?” Kaito asked.
“Sir, we operate on a consensus model. Each district has its own council, representing the diverse needs and expertise of our citizens. The Central Hive Council then coordinates these councils to ensure harmony and efficiency across Megnaxia.”
“It’s a system that values every voice. From the youngest larva to the eldest elder, each perspective is crucial. We believe this collective wisdom leads to decisions that are balanced and beneficial for all,” Albus added.
“It’s remarkable, Master Kaito. They even have a tradition where any beetle can propose an idea or solution to a problem. It’s then discussed and refined by the community,” Jogid said, excited.
Kaito’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s fascinating. It sounds a very inclusive. But how do you handle conflicts or disagreements?”
Jogid listened to each one of Kaito’s comments intently, making notes on a piece of parchment about anything his master pointed out. Objective: to absorb everything he could to better serve his master.
“We employ mediators, skilled in diplomacy and empathy. They navigate disagreements to find a balanced solution, focusing on unity and morale,” Pronotum explained.
“Indeed,” Albus started, “and for major decisions, we use direct democracy. Every beetle has a say, striving for the highest consensus. It’s a deliberate process, ensuring we advance together.”
[Beetle History Tip No. 37] - Conflict Resolution Evolution in Megnaxia: Back in the beetle dark ages, disagreements were settled in the most primal way—antennae wrestling. The beetle with the strongest feelers won the argument, no questions asked. But as their society evolved, so did their methods. They tried everything from dramatic reenactments of historical battles to expressive shell painting. Imagine beetles with tiny brushes, creating what they call ‘abstract art’ but looks more like a toddler’s finger painting session. Then came the ‘Golden Age of Reason’, where they’d debate for hours in a circle, discussing the philosophical implications of every minor squabble. It was like a never-ending philosophy class, minus the coffee breaks. Now, they tell you it’s all about ‘mediation and democracy’. But there’s something they don’t tell you. The real deal? They’ve got an underground beetle fight club. Loser gets the honor of being the communal dung roller. Nothing says ‘I lost’ like parading around with a ball of crap—Now that’s a shit job! Rule number one of Beetle Fight Club: you do not fucking talk about Beetle Fight Club. Rule number two: well…you know. Rule number three: No burrowing underground. Fight like a beetle, not a coward. But if they start digging, it’s time for a dirty ambush. Surprise, motherfucker!”
What’s fight club?
I’m not supposed to talk about that.
Kaito chuckled inwardly before addressing Albus. “I’m impressed. It’s complex but clearly values everyone. Time-consuming, I imagine?”
And yes, we don’t talk about Fight Club, Kaito thought, before addressing Albus. “I’m impressed. It’s complex but clearly values everyone. Time-consuming, I imagine?”
Pronotum smiled...or at least, it looked like a smile through his insectoid features. “It does take time, Master Kaito. Yet, the harmony and progress of Megnaxia justify the effort. We thrive by listening and adapting, in harmony with nature. Our ultimate aim is to ensure all we do aligns with your grand design—that is our highest purpose.”
Albus gave a deep, resonant hum of agreement.
“It’s a great lesson in unity and respect; I shall live by this example too,” Jogid said proudly.
“...ah, well…very interesting. I’ll let you get back to your meeting, but I hope to see how—”
Frustrated chittering caught their attention. They turned to see a group of worker beetles gathered near a brand-new towering set of shelves that was getting stocked with scrolls, manuscripts, and stone tablets engraved with megnac beetle script.
“We can’t reach the top,” one of the beetles buzzed as he tried in vain to stack the scrolls neatly
Kaito followed the worker’s gaze up the shelves. The very top levels were out of reach for the beetles on the ground—the worker beetles were about half the size of their warrior counterparts. One worker tried climbing up the shelves, only to lose his grip halfway up and go tumbling back down with a squeal, legs flailing.
“Oh dear,” Jogid said.
Just then, a scroll slipped from a high shelf and went rolling across the floor right towards Kaito. He stopped it with the toe of his boot before picking it up. The beetles turned and watched him nervously.
“I’m so sorry, Great Master,” said one of the workers as he collected the scroll from the floor.
“Perhaps I could be of some assistance,” Kaito offered.
The beetles looked at each other in surprise before quickly accepting and chittering excitedly.
Kaito rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath. “Now, let’s see...”
He proceeded to stack various items—hefty scrolls, books, and even a table with a chair on top—near the shelves.
Everyone stared at the precariously bizarre tower.
“I do not understand, Master Kaito. What is the purpose of this...configuration?” Albus asked.
“Almost done.”
He then carefully selected one of the smaller beetles and, before it could protest, balanced it on one hand. The beetle went very still, mandibles frozen mid-chatter. Kaito then stacked two more beetles on his outstretched arm, slowly walked over to the shelves, climbed onto the table, and sat on the chair, with the stack of beetles still balancing at different points of his arm.
“Come on, let’s do this together!” Kaito motioned to the rest of the workers, who quickly rallied to his side.
He balanced a particularly round beetle on his head, then placed another on his raised knee.
The watching beetles buzzed as Kaito built his impromptu beetle tower. He finally placed the largest beetle right on top, who swayed unsteadily. Kaito held perfectly still.
“There,” he said calmly. The beetle tower wobbled but held.
“It’s so stable,” said one of the beetles in the middle of the tower.
He raised his arm. The topmost beetle was just able to grab a scroll and pass it down. One by one, the beetles retrieved items from the upper shelves while Jogid stood ready to secure them. Meanwhile, items also went up the tower through a different route of beetles.
[Special Move: Human/Beetle Tower Production Line]
Soon the shelves were organized. Kaito carefully disassembled his megnac tower, setting each one gently on the ground. The beetles gathered around Kaito, antennae twitching excitedly as they bowed and clicked their mandibles together in applause.
“Remarkable, Master Kaito. What ingenious teamwork,” Pronotum hummed approvingly. “Truly, you teach us the value of unity.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“Of course, honored one. We are deeply grateful for your assistance,” Albus said with a low bow.
One of the workers moved closer shyly. “Th-thank you, Great Master!”
Kaito smiled. “Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to do it on your own.”
“We will practice every day!” the beetle exclaimed, stepping back respectfully.
“Most impressive, Master Kaito!” Jogid said, beaming.
“Well then, shall we continue the tour?”
