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 8: Becoming Even Stronger

Episode 8: Becoming Even Stronger

After exchanging magic stones at the Explorer Association, I quickly returned to the private dungeon.

Today’s goals were two.

One was to check the geography inside the dungeon, including the forest area.

The other was to catch bugs other than dragonflies and grasshoppers—preferably something like a beetle.

Additionally, as a minor goal, I also aimed to catch 17 more grasshoppers and reach 100 total. It would fulfill the condition to learn the skill “Swarm Attack”—but… this seemed like it could be cleared in no time.

“This is a piece of cake.”

Maybe because a night had passed, the number of grasshoppers had returned to about the same level as yesterday afternoon.

Most likely, what is called a “respawn” in normal dungeons had already occurred.

With every step I took, three or four grasshoppers would leap.

I used my increased speed from leveling up to catch them one after another.

About ten minutes after I started exploring the dungeon, when I caught the 100th grasshopper, a silly electronic *ping!* sound rang in my head.

[Condition achieved—Caught 100 dungeon grasshoppers. You have acquired the skill: Group Assault.]

Then, a message window opened in the air.

[Group Assault: Devours the target with countless grasshoppers. Power 1 × 100.]

Oh, yes! Finally, an attack skill!

It’s definitely a gross-out kind of skill. So I can’t use it lightly in front of Otama-chan. And if I streamed it carelessly, I might get my account banned. But for now, I’m happy!

“Alright, let’s keep this up!”

I walked along the rice field path and headed toward the forest.

For now, I should circle the dungeon and see what it’s like.

I looked around and moved forward. I was feeling nostalgic.

With every step I took, grasshoppers jumped. So I caught them out of habit and turned them into magic stones in midair.

☆★☆

When I stepped into the forest, it instantly became cooler.

It felt about as cold as a room with the air conditioner on.

If I brought a hammock here, I could relax comfortably.

The cicadas were a bit noisy. But if I picked the right spot, it wouldn’t be too bad.

“…Once I save up some money, I’ll buy one at Eayon.”

Being able to do as I please is the privilege of owning a private dungeon.

As I walked deeper into the forest, I soon found a tree swarmed with bugs.

“Oh!”

Black butterflies, small stag beetles, Japanese beetles, and others.

They were crowding around the tree sap.

Among them, what stood out the most was a large, golden, shining beetle.

“What is that…!?”

Its body had a metallic-looking shine.

It looked like a female rhinoceros beetle. But it was about two sizes bigger—about as large as a smartphone.

I’d never seen anything like it outside the dungeon.

It was clearly rare.

If I caught it, how big of a magic stone would it become?

I quietly approached the tree and slowly reached my hand toward the golden beetle.

And then—

“Hup!”

—I managed to grab the golden back with my hand.

“Got it!”

Even when I touched it, the golden beetle didn’t move at all.

It looked rare, but maybe it wasn’t that hard to catch.

“Alright…”

I held onto it for a while. But the beetle didn’t turn into a magic stone.

Maybe it doesn’t count as caught until it’s detached from the tree.

I gripped tighter and tried to pull the beetle off the tree.

But…

“…Huh? Nngh!?”

The beetle clung to the tree with incredible strength and didn’t budge.

“Whoa, it’s tough…”

I tried lifting its claws, pulling it forward—many ways—but it didn’t move at all.

“Is this thing fixed to the tree…?”

At last, I braced one foot against the trunk and pulled with all my might. But it still didn’t move a bit.

“Haa… haa… Seriously?”

…I didn’t feel like I could catch it.

Maybe my level wasn’t high enough?

Still, this bug clearly looked rare.

If I let this chance go, who knows when I’ll find it again?

I don’t want to give up.

Changing the angle I lifted it, pushing its rear to make it move, kicking the tree, peeling off its legs one by one with my other hand… I tried everything. But nothing worked.

“Hmm…”

Even in the Eayon Beginner Adventurer Set, there’s nothing useful for this.

…Am I really out of options?

The only thing left I could try…

“Ugh…”

The gross-out skill that sends 100 grasshoppers to eat the enemy.

But, even if I use that skill and defeat this rare-looking bug, would it really turn into a magic stone?

In the skill’s encyclopedia, there was an entry called “capture experience”.

If I don’t capture it, it might not be recorded in the encyclopedia. And it might not even become a magic stone.

“……..…This is tough.”

Now, what should I do?

Give up?

Or go ahead and attack?

I don’t want to do either, but…

“Ah…”

I had an idea, though I wasn’t sure if it would work.

“It’ll definitely be gross. But if I can endure it, maybe…”

I stared at the shining golden beetle and made up my mind.

Alright.

Partly for the magic stone and to level up.

But more than that—

—I want to catch a rare bug and record it in the encyclopedia.

That desire won.

Alright, time to try it.

I don’t know exactly how to use the skill. But from what I’ve seen online, explorers often use magic by holding one hand out.

With my right hand holding the golden beetle, I used my left hand to activate the skill.

“Special Skill: Swarm Attack! Target—the tree bark!!”

Then, in front of my left hand, a small dungeon gate-like circle appeared. And countless grasshoppers flew out from it.

“Ugh…”

The swarm of grasshoppers started gnawing on the bark around the beetle.

The golden beetle seemed to dislike the grasshoppers and tried to move slightly. But I squeezed harder with my right hand to stop it.

“I’m holding back my own squirming, so you hold still too.”

As the bark around the beetle was eaten away, it started to peel off bit by bit.

Eventually—

I was able to pull the golden beetle toward me. Along with the bark it was stuck to.

Then, with a loud *POOF!!*, the golden beetle turned into a magic stone about the size of a ping pong ball.

“Yes!!”

I couldn’t help but do a fist pump.

Man, that felt amazing! And fun! It seriously reminded me of my childhood!

Enduring the gross-out swarm of grasshoppers was totally worth it!

*BOING!*

As if to confirm my joy, the Magical Monster Encyclopedia appeared in the air and flipped open to the relevant page.

Encyclopedia No. 72/251 

Name: Golden Giant Dung Beetle

Rarity: ★★★★

Capture Skill: +10 Attack (First-Time Bonus), Enhanced Item Drop (Passive)

Capture EXP: 1200

Drop Item: Magic Stone (Large)

Description: A beetle that lives in the forest area of the dungeon. It is rarely found and is said to bless those who catch it with good fortune. Can be captured by a person with the [Child’s Heart] skill shaking the tree strongly, etc. (Requirement: Attack Stat 120 or higher)