Wriggle Nightbug
Wriggle Nightbug's Fantasy Rebirth Story
Wriggle
PLAYER? Here at last.
Hi, Wriggle!
I finally found you!
Wriggle
My insects told me you were on your way.
Wriggle
You and Mystia were talking about what's been going on, right? That'll save us some time.
Yep, I was with her before!
Things were bad in the village, but it's calmer now.
You were the next person I had to find.
Wriggle
Hmmm, sounds like what the insects told me is all true.
Wriggle
I've told you about how I use the insects... the youkai insects before, haven't I?
Uh-huh. Like how you get them to deliver messages.
Oh, and you also mentioned powering them up.
You've tried all kinds of things, huh?
Wriggle
Yep. But I was having trouble coming up with what to do next.
Wriggle
Not anymore though! Recently, I've had all sorts of ideas!
For real?!
I'd love to hear all about them...
But this doesn't feel like the best time!
Wriggle
I'm a youkai, remember? There's no way I'd tell you everything!
Wriggle
But for a human like you, I suppose I can share a little!
Yay!
(This must be 'cause we're friends!)
Wriggle
Up until now, I hadn't collected enough intel. When you're coming up with ideas, market research is a must.
Sounds right to me!
(She really went all out this time!)
Wriggle
We needed to know how humans really view insects. We thought we knew, but in reality, we didn't.
Wriggle
I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but most humans find insects creepy and disgusting.
Wriggle
The insects that humans try extra hard to avoid end up living for a long time and becoming youkai, like centipedes.
Wriggle
On the flip side, humans love insects like fireflies and butterflies, so they tend to survive and become youkai, too.
Wriggle
But most insects fit into neither category. They're weak, despised, and more often than not, end up getting squished.
Wriggle
Although recently, lots of them get bug-sprayed to death.
Wriggle
Anyway, I figure the problem is that...
Wriggle
Insects are too creepy!
H-How are you supposed to fix that?!
(Nobody likes creepy things!)
Wriggle
Hehehe, you really wanna know? Are you sure? Well, if you REALLY wanna know...
Wriggle
I'll tell you!
Yippee!
(I forget how cute Wriggle can be sometimes!)
Wriggle
I got the idea by watching Mystia. It's going to show everyone how useful insects can be. It's all about...
Wriggle
Eating insects!
...Say what now?
Wriggle
Fine, I'll give you a little more detail...
Wriggle
The Lost Word Incident forced the villagers to evacuate, but their food supplies are running treacherously low!
Wriggle
Mystia and the others are doing their best, but they'll run out of ingredients soon. What if the incident drags on?
Wriggle
That's where my plan comes in!
Let me get this straight...
Wriggle
Go ahead.
So because there are so many insects around...
Wriggle
Uh-huh, uh-huh.
There should be enough to feed everyone!
(I never would've thought of that!)
Wriggle
The best part is you can eat ALL types of insects! Fried hornet larva, teriyaki grasshoppers―
S-Sounds yummy!
But isn't there a reason humans don't eat insects?
You know, like a historical reason or something.
Wriggle
Hmm, pretty sure there's nothing to worry about.
Wriggle
If nothing else, eating insects beats starving to death.
You've got me there!
But are you OK with your insect friends being eaten?
Wriggle
Well, if the humans get desperate and start eating all the insects they can find, that could be a problem.
Wriggle
So I figure it's better to start providing them with a steady supply on our terms, you know?
Wriggle
I'm a youkai insect so this doesn't apply to me, but most insects have extremely short lifespans.
Wriggle
They live and die with the changing of the seasons.
Wriggle
In that way, they're not dissimilar to flowers.
Wriggle
Most plant-eating animals also eat insects. It's just a part of nature.
Wriggle
With their short lifespans, it makes sense for insects to provide sustenance to others after spawning their offspring.
Wriggle
Just like flowers, insects mature remarkably quickly.
Wriggle
That means even if their numbers drop, they can rebound in a flash. What better food source could humans ask for?
Wriggle
If people start eating insects, their popularity will go up. The quicker we start, the easier it'll be to get everyone on board.
Wriggle
The way I see it, humans eating insects is a total win-win scenario.
I gotta say, you make a pretty convincing argument.
Eating insects certainly is an option...
Wriggle
In that case, I'll let you in on a little secret. I've already snuck some insects into Mystia's ingredients.
Y-You can't do that!
Everything has to be labeled properly!
Wriggle
OK, OK. I might have gone a bit far...
Wriggle
Hm? Is this for me?
It comes with a message from Miss Yukari.
She said... you gotta label everything properly!
Wriggle
For real?! That means she's already figured out my plan!
Wriggle
Oh, I get it now.
Wriggle
No wonder she knew what I was planning. This sure takes me back...
Wriggle
To the days of the Vampire Incident.
Mystia said the same thing.
And that back then, everyone went all out in battles...
Oh, and that the vampire was full of charisma.
Wriggle
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. It's been so long since I last thought about all that, though...
Wriggle
It brings back memories from even further in my past. Back when I was an insect... When humans feared insect youkai!
Wriggle
I feel so alive!
Wriggle
My insect messaging service is about to take things up a notch. If you ever need help, just let me know.
Wriggle
Alone, insects are weak, but together, we're a force to be reckoned with. And on this planet, we outnumber any foe.
Thanks, Wriggle!
(I'm glad she's on our side!)
Wriggle
Let the insect-eating begin!
...Hm?
R-Remember to label everything properly!
Costume Presentation
Wriggle
You think up some crazy ideas. I'm sure there was an easier way... Oh right, I shouldn't say stuff like that with this big incident on the go. I'm happy you believe in and are rightfully afraid of the once-powerful insect youkai! You can count on me!
