Chapter 135: Interlude – Visiting Memorable Places ②
Alright, I’m satisfied with the Miasma form, so next I’ll transform into a Beetle. First up is the Silver Beetle. I changed into the nostalgic Silver Beetle form and headed towards the mountain where Vora used to live.
(Perhaps because Vora is gone, the number of Wyverns has increased.)
Maybe because the higher-ranking Dragon disappeared, this mountain has become a Wyvern den. Come to think of it, Kiri’s shop inventory was running low. Wyvern materials are popular with mid-level Adventurers because you can make decent weapons and armor at an affordable price.
(Alright, maybe I should restock a little here!)
Still in my Silver Beetle form, I charged into the swarm of Wyverns.
“Guuraaaaaaaa!”
The Wyverns swarmed towards me, letting out war cries. With this many Wyverns, they’re probably always short on food. And then, their favorite insect-type Monster appeared. It’s no wonder the Wyverns gathered, each trying to be the first. However, no matter how much they pecked with their beaks or slashed with their magnificent Claws, my carapace remained unscratched.
(Alright, maybe it’s time. Thunder Web!)
Once dozens of Wyverns had gathered, I unleashed the 3rd-tier Lightning Magic, “Thunder Web”. Lightning spread out from me like a net. All the dozens of Wyverns present collapsed to the ground. I thought about finishing them off… but they were all already dead. Hmm, I’ve gotten too strong.
I stored all the Wyverns in my Item Box and decided to go to my nostalgic feeding spot.
(Oh, nostalgic. The X mark is still here! But there’s someone monopolizing that feeding spot. Because of him, the other insects can’t get any food!)
When I arrived at the large tree where I used to eat often, a large insect-type Monster was hogging all the sap. Putting aside my own past behavior when I was still a Beetle, I flew past the gathered insect-type Monsters and landed right in front of the one drinking the sap alone.
A pitch-black body with two giant pincers. A rival to the Beetle, wearing a magnificent crown on its head. Yes, that’s unmistakably a Stag Beetle! Wary of me landing right in front of it, it stopped licking the sap, raised its upper body, and spread its pincers wide to make itself look bigger. Too bad for you. That only works on those who live by instinct without intelligence.
But does this Stag Beetle really intend to take me on, knowing nothing of its own limits? Very well, I shall accept your challenge.
Gakiiiiiiin!
As I boldly approached the threatening Stag Beetle, it clamped down on my body with its large pincers.
Hmph, but my Ironclad Armor remains unscratched and shining brightly. No matter how hard it tries to attack, it won’t be able to damage my body.
Just as I thought that, it seemed its aim wasn’t to damage my body. With its pincers, split at the tips, it firmly gripped my body and started putting strength into lifting me. I see, so the Stag Beetle’s pincers curve slightly downwards so it can clamp from above and lift.
As it strained to lift me, I could almost see veins popping on the Stag Beetle’s face in front of me. But my six legs dug firmly into the tree bark, not budging an inch. Conversely, I slid my prized horn under its belly.
Once in this position, my victory is certain. When I forcefully lifted my horn under its belly…
“Giishaaaaaaa!”
(!? The Stag Beetle made a sound!?)
Feeling its body about to be lifted, it let out a cry like scraping metal.
Along with that cry, a single stone spear appeared.
(Wait, you use magic?!)
I had assumed it was a contest of strength, but apparently, it didn’t think so. However, the stone spear the Stag Beetle shot naturally shattered against my sturdy armor without causing any damage.
(If that’s how you want to play it, I have an idea too!)
I could have just thrown it, but I decided to show it that I can use magic too.
I created a large ball of water and covered the face of the desperately resisting Stag Beetle. It immediately started struggling. Since it started flailing the legs it had been bracing with, its body lifted easily, and I threw it without difficulty.
In my previous state, I would have finished it off right there, but now, as the God of Time and Space, I have leeway both mentally and in terms of level. I won’t go out of my way to defeat the weak. I dispelled the water clinging to the face of the Stag Beetle that had fallen to the ground, took a lick of the sap, and then flew off.
Sensing the other insect-type Monsters that had been watching swarm the sap all at once, I teleported directly to the Underground Labyrinth, the Labyrinth of Beginnings.
(If I remember correctly, Monsters that cross floors appear here, right? I think I’ll be fine now, but I should be careful just in case.)
This Dungeon holds memories because it’s where I saved Eric and the others. Since it’s a Dungeon with many beginners, this time, partly as thanks for the battle against the Evil God, I think I’ll help out the newbies from the shadows. Especially focusing on Adventurers wearing Beetle badges.
I teleported to the first floor, but as expected of a popular Dungeon, the lower floors were quite crowded with people, and there seemed to be fewer Monsters. There weren’t any Parties around here that looked like they needed help, so I headed to a slightly lower floor.
I’m not particularly hiding my appearance, but everyone’s wearing Beetle badges, so it should be fine, right? Though it seems like people are pointing and making a fuss.
(Oh!? Found a Party in a pinch!)
I found a Party at the bottom of the stairs leading from the 11th floor to the 12th floor. Apparently, they were ambushed on their way back to the 11th floor. Perhaps they tried challenging the 12th floor, found they lacked the strength, and were retreating. I can hear them saying they’re out of mana or ran out of Potions, so this is definitely a pinch.
As I descended from the 11th floor, I saw the back of an Ogre blocking the stairs. What’s with this déjà vu? Do the Ogres in this Dungeon like ambushes?
I hit the Ogre’s right arm, the one holding the club, with a single, small Stone Needle, holding back its power. I intended to suppress the power, but the Ogre’s right arm still blew off from the elbow down.
“Wh-!? I don’t know what happened, but this is our chance! Take the Ogre first!”
The Adventurers didn’t miss the chance when the Ogre, having lost its right arm, fell to its knees, likely from the pain, and pressed their attack. As expected of those who reached the 12th floor on their own, they seemed to have enough strength to defeat a one-armed Ogre.
They defeated the Ogre in no time and fled onto the stairs. There, they spotted me and stopped dead in their tracks.
“A-A Monster on the stairs!? Why?”
“It’s over…”
“No, wait. Everyone, look closely! At that form!”
“Eh!? Could it be!? The Savior-sama!?”
“It’s just as Helen-sama taught… Hah!? You lot, bow your heads!”
What is this? What just started? Everyone started kowtowing towards me… Helen-sama sounds a bit scary. Besides, that injured person looks like they’re in a lot of pain. I should heal them.
When I healed the injured person, their kowtowing became even deeper. Yeah, this is embarrassing, let’s get out of here.
I flew over the heads of the kowtowing Adventurers, instantly killed a group of Goblins near the stairs with magic, and then searched around for any other Parties in trouble.
In the end, I helped about four other Parties, and every Party reacted similarly, sending chills down my spine. I appreciate the gratitude, but religion has a terrifying side too.
(Anyway, it seems another floor-crossing Monster appeared today. I was lucky not to encounter it, but as expected, you can’t let your guard down in a Dungeon.)