Rentaru stared fixedly at the system notification.
It was exactly like a smartphone screen—translucent, hovering suspended in mid-air—but he could not yet fully grasp it. He had seen and read about similar systems countless times in manhwa and web novels, yet this was real. Not a dream, not an illusion—this stood before him as a genuine opportunity. Wasn't this, in and of itself, happiness? The very first sign of his new life.
Before him floated a small yet magically radiant drop of nectar. Golden-black in hue, perfectly translucent, with countless tiny sparks of energy flickering visibly inside, as though miniature stars were dancing within liquid light. For an ordinary bee, this was nothing more than food, the continuation of existence. For Rentaru, however, it represented the second step, the very first particle of power, the key that would unlock the path of evolution.
He swallowed the drop. It was neither cold nor warm—yet the instant it entered, a strange buzzing surge erupted throughout his body. It felt as though electric current raced through his bloodstream; every cell trembled and awakened. Instincts flared to life, but they were no longer merely animal—they had fused with human intellect: thinking, planning, scheming instincts. His heart pounded rapidly, yet this time it was not panic—it beat with calm certainty and confidence.
He scanned his surroundings with meticulous care. This place must be a bee farm, he concluded. Hundreds, thousands of bees moved in perfect unison: wingbeats at identical frequencies, every flight governed by strict order. They were utterly obedient to command. Every step, every flutter of wings formed part of the rules that sustained their lives. But I am not like them. I am better, he thought inwardly, proving it to himself.
How do bees live?
He was now beginning to feel it—not merely observe, but experience it through his own body and instincts.
Feeding:
Bees feed on flowers, fruits, specialized nectar, and droplets of honey. For an ordinary bee, this is simply a source of energy, a means to prolong life. But for Rentaru, every single drop became an experience point, a unit of growth, a rung on the ladder of evolution. The moment this nectar entered him, he began learning to harmonize strength and instinct within his tiny form—every action now counted.
Instinct:
Every bee is bound rigidly to instinct: hunting, defending the hive, sensing danger, communicating through pheromones. Ordinary bees obey without choice, without emotion, without thought. Rentaru possessed a mind. Therefore he strove to unite instinct with consciousness: each wingbeat became fresh experience, each leap a trial, each turn in flight a lesson absorbed.
Hives and Rules:
The hive was a complex system founded on merciless hierarchy. Every bee knew its precise position: worker bees gathered nectar, guards protected the entrance, specialists produced royal jelly or tended the brood. The rules were brutally absolute:
Disobedience to commands—immediate punishment or death.
Feeding order—adults and specialists eat first; the young and weak must wait.
Defense—the hive must be safeguarded at all costs, even at the expense of one's own life.
Rentaru spent three full days within the hive—three days of pure observation, sensation, and learning. This was the first and most grueling trial of his new existence: to survive, to adapt, and to recognize his own difference.
He closed his eyes and focused on the sensation of his wings—delicate yet powerful vibrations. Slowly, with utmost caution, he exited the hive. Each wingbeat was a fresh test: feeling the resistance of the wind, maintaining balance, determining direction. Sunlight danced across his striped body; his shadow trembled on the ground below, yet he did not fall—he held steady and ascended into the open sky.
In that instant he understood completely: the world of bees was so rigid, so meticulously ordered, and so utterly merciless that even the smallest mistake led straight to death.
His thoughts tangled as he rose higher. Above hung hundreds of hives—enormous, geometrically perfect structures suspended in neat rows. Below them, humans in farmer suits, veiled masks, and thick gloves watched. Bees flew in chaotic patterns: nectar carriers, guards, scouts… "Can I even evolve in a place like this?" he wondered. He scanned the surroundings and chose a random direction—toward the distant city—and began to fly.
After a short distance, towering buildings appeared on the horizon—skyscrapers, brilliant lights, noisy roads. He froze in mid-air, staring in astonishment. "Wait… is this my own world? Not some entirely different realm after reincarnation?" The question squeezed his heart, yet at the same moment it ignited strange excitement.
Several hours of steady flight later, fatigue settled heavily into his wings. Glancing down at the sparse treeline below, he thought, "Alright… a short rest wouldn't hurt right now," and began his descent. He reached a branch and landed. Lower down, among the smaller twigs and natural webbing of the tree—thra—a sticky, silvery spider web stretched taut. Curiosity drew him closer. He extended one leg, placed it gently on the silk, and tested it with a slight movement.
At first the web seemed harmless. But the strands were adhesive and strong—pulling his leg free grew increasingly difficult. In the next instant the spider appeared: large, brown, eight-legged, white stripes across its abdomen. It moved with terrifying speed, attempting to envelop Rentaru in more silk.
Rentaru locked eyes with it. "A mere ordinary spider thinks it can frighten me? Right now I'm a bee—one sting and you're dead," he thought, and waited, stinger poised and ready.
Bzzzzz… He beat his wings furiously, spun through the air, and struck head-on. Skshing! His stinger plunged deep into the spider's soft abdomen. A sharp, pained chitter escaped the creature; green-yellow venomous fluid dripped from its mouthparts, yet it did not die instantly—its legs thrashed in fierce resistance.
Rentaru recoiled in surprise. He lunged again, this time sinking his mandibles into the spider's neck—small but razor-sharp jaws tearing through vulnerable skin. The spider refused to yield: it hurled more silk, striving to bind him completely. Their battle lasted several intense minutes—a chaotic symphony of buzzing wings, snapping threads, pain, and raw fury.
Then the web tore loose from its moorings and rose into the air before shredding apart. Tiny fragments of bark and pebbles rained down as both combatants plummeted. Panic flashed through Rentaru's mind. "I was just reborn… am I really going to die again already?" He twisted violently in mid-fall, forcing the spider's body beneath his own.
He drove his stinger once more—this time aiming near the heart. The spider's movements slowed; its legs twitched violently, then finally went limp.
Rentaru drew breath—wings trembling, yet alive. This was his first true victory. Small, brutal, but undeniable. And in that moment he understood: in this world, power comes only through survival.
[System Message]
Enemy defeated: Ordinary Spider (Level 1)
Energy +3
Evolution Experience +1.2
New skill unlocked: "Stinger Strike Enhancement" (passive)
He looked up toward the sky. The city still lay far ahead, but the path was open.