The Unremarkable Man Who Fell Into The Dungeon's Pit Survives By Acquiring A Plain But Useful Skill, and Through Persistent Effort While Enduring The Absurdity, He Gradually Rises to Success - Episode 12

After finishing the incineration process, Shogo was casting skills towards the lake’s surface in the now quiet cave.

I was asked by the Kemomecho to recheck my skills. It’s to confirm the changes in abilities due to the level-up in magic adaptation.

As a result of that confirmation, the cooldown time was shortened to the point where it could almost be said to be nonexistent, and the power, range, and operability were also improved.

Regarding the physical aspect as well, there is clearly more strength than before.

“Hmph!”

When Shogo thrusts his right hand, two water columns rise 20 meters ahead on the water’s surface.

I envisioned shooting two spears and was able to do it exactly as I imagined.

Moreover, it went quite far. It’s a result that even surprises me.

Kemomecho: “That’s good enough, do you think we can still cover more distance?”

“Well… I still have a feeling that I could improve a bit more.”

The reason Shogo can still persevere in this situation without giving up is largely due to the growth of this skill.

Kemomecho: “I see. Judging by the growth rate, it might be reaching its first limit soon. It’s growing at an incredible speed, though.”

The improvement of skill performance is not something that belongs solely to Shogo.

When you start using the awakened skill, the performance improves up to a temporary performance limit called the primary cap.

Most hunters experience it within a month to six months, but in Shogo’s case, due to the level-up in his mana absorption, his growth rate was extraordinary, and it was predicted that he would reach that point soon.

Passerby Tanaka: “But that performance with almost no cooldown… that’s a rare skill.”

“Indeed, I’ve never seen a hunter using such skills in a stream before…”

Shogo was doing his best to cope with the situation and hadn’t paid much attention to the rarity of the skills he had acquired, but upon being told, he nodded in agreement.

Passerby Tanaka: “As a new watcher, I take pride in having seen thousands of people. However, Nakamura’s skill is quite rare. It’s not perfect, but it’s almost invisible, with a variable range and shape change. It can be used continuously. It’s a skill that seems to manipulate the force itself. Other skills are more limited or fit into specific categories and are more quantitative, like shooting fireballs or enhancing physical abilities.”

“Power, itself…”

Shogo muttered to himself and focused his attention on his palm.

Manipulating the very essence of power. The words displayed in the text chat gave Shogo a clearer image of how to use the skill he had been intuitively grasping.

The power to change. The moment he recognized that, Shogo felt he could do more.

“Like this? … No, like this.”

What I imagined was a cast net.

To bring the possibilities he feels now into form, Shogo concentrates.

Twist together the countless thin threads tightly, layer them, and weave them. Then, spread and release them towards the fish shadow a little distance away.

A circular splash rises on the water’s surface.——A sense of accomplishment.

When he turned his hand, the fish caught in the skill net began to dance in the air.

If you pull your hand closer, the fish will glide through the air and land in your grasp. With a skill as small and precise as a drill, you pierce the fish’s brain and quickly finish it off.

If it’s just a matter of imagination, Shogo felt that he could do even more.

Kemomecho: “Wow… That’s not something you should evaluate within the limits of the first tier. Also, Shogo, can you even see that skill?”

“No, it’s not that I can’t see it, but how should I put it… it’s more like a mist that’s almost translucent.”

Kemomecho: “From what I can see through the screen, it’s almost transparent. If you look really closely, you can sometimes see the outline glowing, but if you catch it off guard, even the Black Oni Black Oga from earlier…”

Shogo slightly twisted his expression. As expected, that was still difficult. He even felt a sense of rejection at the thought of getting closer. The fear instilled by that massive figure had not yet been dispelled.

Passerby Tanaka: “If you find yourself in a situation where you must fight, there’s no room for hesitation, so it’s better to be prepared.”

“I want to find the exit portal as soon as possible and get home smoothly…——!”

As if mocking Shogo’s weak words and pleas, a chill ran down my spine.

The gaze directed with a resentful expression is fixed on the ceiling.

A black hole is gaping open.

“It’s here… why is this happening?”

Kemomecho: “Again?! The intervals are getting shorter!”

Passerby Tanaka: “First, to the safe zone!”

The safe zone is just behind. Retreating as if rolling in, I hurriedly rebuild the barricade that had collapsed.

At almost the same time, the sound of the water surface bursting three times in succession.

Shogo crouched down, bit his lip, and held his breath as he waited.

Before long, the sound of footsteps splashing through the water and approaching reaches the safe zone.

Shogo, with a backward-looking mindset, wishes that they would head towards the side tunnel without stopping.

However, the shadow that fell on the safe zone came to a complete stop.

Why…? At the same time, he thought this, Shogo came to realize one thing.

It’s the smell. I stopped in response to the scent that lingered in front of the safe zone.

The smell hardly leaks from the safe zone. However, there must have been the scent of fish and Shogo lingering around the area.

Then, could it be that the dog-demon kobolds have come again?

Shogo confirmed the blurry figure emerging from the barricade stacked up to his shoulder height.

Judging by that, the size is easily over two meters.

My heart beat so strongly it felt like it was about to burst.

I don’t think I can win by fighting head-on. If my skills don’t work, I’ll die. All I can do is pray that they leave me alone—

“——Fight”

A whisper that seemed to be someone speaking right next to him reached the ears of the frightened Shogo once again.

“Fight”

Fight? Do you think it will go as smoothly this time as it did with the dog-demon kobolds?

Indeed, the intensity of the chill I feel on the back of my neck is not as strong as that of the Black Oga, but it is slightly stronger than that of the Kobold.

Even while hesitating, the sound of multiple monsters snorting grows louder. It wouldn’t be surprising if they invaded at any moment.

“Fight”

It’s as if it’s a whisper telling me not to hesitate.

The mystery and fear gradually fade away.

That’s right. We have no choice but to do it.

Shogo, who raised his face and chose to fight, had eyes filled with a strong light.

Three blurred head silhouettes are lined up. Each one is moving its neck up and down, left and right, restlessly in front of the safe zone.

From the snorting sounds and the silhouette of the head that spread out sideways as if flattened, Shogo guessed that it was probably a pig-demon orc.

I reach my hand towards the lake. I need to take down three at once with a single strike. I need the right form for that.

It spreads from the hand, extending radially wider than the width of three beasts, with its tip being a sharp blade. The image of a guillotine-like blade being rapidly fired solidifies.

Just before losing consciousness, after gathering all his strength, the moment the enemy’s figure overlapped, Shogo unleashed his skill in one breath.

The barricade shakes for a moment, and I feel a faint resistance in my hands.

And before my blurred vision, a torrent of bl00d erupts.

The sound of the giant body collapsing reaches the safe zone.

Confirming that there was nothing moving, Shogo moved the barricade and peeked out from the safe zone.

As expected, it’s a pig-demon orc. A plump, human-like body with a pig’s head.

Not wearing any clothes and not carrying any weapons.

And then, a gray body color that I have never seen in the materials.

The torso and arms, split into six large pieces, are rolling on the ground.

The suffocating smell of entrails fills my nose, and nausea rises, but there’s no time to vomit.

We need to dispose of the body quickly. Surely, another one will come next.

The corpse of the dog-demon kobold turned to fine ash when its magic core was crushed and burned. The pig-demon orc should turn to ash in the same way.

Shogo skillfully began to start the fire.