Ordinary Person × Modern Dungeon × Summer Vacation Life = Rise to Success!? 〜A Private Dungeon Was Made at the Remains of a Secret Base From Childhood〜 - Episode 14: Visible Growth

Episode 14: Visible Growth

“Oh, there’s a new stag beetle!”

I had completely forgotten about the LINK from Iyata. I was fully enjoying the private dungeon.

I caught a newly discovered stag beetle and immediately turned it into a magic stone.

*Poof!*

Encyclopedia No. 57/251

Name: Thread-Cutter Stag Beetle

Rarity: 0

Capture Skill: ??? (Condition: Capture 3 types of stag beetles), Defense +2 (First-time bonus)

Capture EXP: 150

Drop Item: Magic Stone (Small)

“…Alright.”

With this, I’ve caught two types of stag beetles.

Now I’m curious what will happen when I capture “three types.”

“…Let’s aim for stag beetles today.”

Let’s explore the forest area.

I slowly walked along the path. I was carefully looking at the trees to see if there were any new stag beetles.

Along the way, I found stag beetles and flower beetles I had caught before and turned them into magic stones.

“There really aren’t many new ones…”

Beetles only appear in limited points within the dungeon. And even then, their numbers are small.

It might take more time than catching 100 grasshoppers.

Still, it doesn’t bother me at all.

My anticipation for the skill I’ll gain from catching 3 stag beetle types far outweighs the effort.

I don’t know what the skill will be, but I’m really looking forward to getting it.

It feels like getting one more square to bingo. And every time I see a bug on a tree, I get excited.

“I hope it’s a skill that’s useful in other dungeons too. An attack skill would be best…”

—Still, I wonder when was the last time I looked forward to my own growth.

It’s a feeling I had forgotten for over 10 years.

Looking back, the older I got, the lower my self-evaluation became.

Back when I played in secret bases, every day was just fun.

I didn’t compare myself to anyone; I just lived each day as I felt.

But as I got older, I realized I wasn’t a genius.

In middle school, I took the Dungeon Aptitude National Test and realized I was what people called an ordinary or useless person.

Then came high school, university entrance exams, and job hunting. With each step of life, like a butterfly losing its wings, one by one, the possibilities of my future disappeared.

—Believing in my own potential.

—Dreaming about my future.

To think I had forgotten how fun that is.

“Haha…”

Tears welled up a little.

According to Otama-chan, I’ve been leveling up remarkably fast as an explorer.

She’s an active explorer, and my childhood friend—she wouldn’t just flatter me.

If I can keep growing at this pace, maybe one day I can explore regular dungeons alongside Otama-chan.

I can’t help but hope for that.

“Ah…”

It’s not a stag beetle, but I found a new kind of insect.

Let’s catch it right away.

*Poof!*

Encyclopedia No. 63/251

Name: Striped Longhorn Beetle

Rarity: 0

Capture Skill: Slash Boost (Small)

Capture EXP: 80

Drop Item: Magic Stone (Small)

“Whoa!”

It’s not a direct attack skill, but it’s a combat-related skill.

I’m genuinely happy.

“…Slash, huh.”

Right now, I can’t even handle a sword properly. But with future training, this skill might come in handy.

“…I hope I can learn to use a sword.”

…If I only thought about living expenses, maybe I could just stay in this dungeon and avoid risking danger in other dungeons.

You could even say combat skills are unnecessary.

But I want to overcome the past, where I was dismissed as ordinary or useless.

I want to experience the life of an explorer, something I once admired.

That feeling won’t go away.

I still can’t match the top elite explorers who thrive in Tokyo’s most difficult dungeons.

But I want to grow, little by little, until I’m strong enough to handle any dungeon.

That’s how I feel.

☆★☆

I checked the big tree in the shrine area. But there wasn’t a single bug today.

“…I guess there are days like this?”

Usually, there’s at least a small stag beetle or a flower beetle on it.

Strange how things can change.

I circled around, but there was nothing.

Guess I’ll move to a different spot…

Just as I thought that—

“Hm…?”

Something black appeared at the edge of my vision.

I looked up at the tree trunk.

And then—

“There it is…!!”

About 3 meters above me, on the upper part of the big tree, there was a shiny black stag beetle.

Its shape was flat and wide. It was different from the ones registered in the encyclopedia so far.

Now, how should I catch it?

“…Alright.”

First, let’s try the classic method—shaking the tree to knock it down.

I adjusted my footing and kicked the big tree hard with the sole of my right foot.

*Thump!*

“…………”

The stag beetle didn’t fall.

The trunk is too thick—looks like I can’t shake it at all.

Climbing the tree looks difficult too—there’s nothing to grab onto.

“…Let’s try using that.”

I spread my right hand and focused.

“Magical Creature Capture Net!”

Then, from thin air, a bug-catching net smoothly appeared.

The net part was transparent purple and glowed with magical energy.

“Will this work…?”

I grabbed the end of the net and stretched my arm out as far as I could. But I was still 40 centimeters too short.

“Still can’t reach…”

Even on tiptoes, it’s no good.

…I don’t want to lose.

It’s a rare chance.

I’ve never done it with a real stag beetle, but let’s try catching it with a jump.

If I try hard, I might be able to snare it with the capture net.

“…Let’s do this.”

How long has it been since I did a proper jump?

I did a light warm-up just in case.

I stretched my leg muscles, readying for the strain.

“Alright.”

Once I finished preparing, I stretched my arm to the sky. I brought the capture net as close as possible to the beetle.

Then I bent my knees and jumped straight up with all my strength.

—And then, I jumped even higher than where the beetle was.

“Wha…!?”

I was so shocked, I forgot to swing the net.

*Thud—slide!*

I landed on the ground and looked again at the beetle.

It was still in the exact same spot.

“…No way.”

It’s true, the top explorers you see on TV or streams defeat enemies in the blink of an eye or blast huge monsters with brute strength.

I’m not at that level yet. But it seems like I really have grown.

“Level 16, huh…”

I’m starting to understand why Otama-chan was so surprised.

I jumped again. And this time, I grabbed the stag beetle with my bare hands.

*Poof!*

Encyclopedia No. 55/251

Name: Shadow Stag Beetle

Rarity: ★

Capture Skill: ??? (Condition: Capture 3 types of stag beetles), Attack +5 (First-time bonus)

Capture EXP: 300

Drop Item: Magic Stone (Medium)

Then, with a *ping!* sound, a voice echoed in my head.

[Condition — 3 stag beetle types captured. Special Skill: Bug Sumo (Stag Beetle) acquired.]

A message window appeared in the air.

[Bug Sumo (Stag Beetle): special skill allowing you to summon stag beetles to fight for you. Their abilities change based on the types you’ve caught. Current → Mini Form (Small Stag Beetle), Slashing (Thread-Cutter Stag Beetle), Shadow Movement (Shadow Stag Beetle)]

“Whoa…!?”

Is this what they call a tamer skill?

No doubt, it’s a combat-oriented technique.

…Improved physical ability, and more skills.

Step by step, I’m walking toward the future.