Chapter 25: Visiting the Shrine
The day after the exam, I was at my Private Dungeon.
It was originally the day I’d promised to play with Otama-chan, so I wasn’t quite in the mood to enjoy bug catching all by myself.
Besides, I’d collected a fair number of bugs in the days leading up to the Explorer Exam, and most importantly, I’d even caught a 5-star rarity Imomushi, so my level had risen quite a bit.
“Maybe I’ll just relax in the shade today…”
I moved to the riverside, spread out the hammock I’d bought from Eeyon’s outdoor corner, and tied it to a nearby tree.
The babbling of the river was pleasant.
“Alright then… Status, open.”
Swaying in the hammock, I displayed my own stats.
Name: Natsume Kouichi
Level: 29
Experience: 701/2831
HP: 281
MP: 112
Attack: 119 (Bonus +18)
Defense: 100 (Bonus +13)
Speed: 167 (Bonus +17)
Wisdom: 78 (Bonus +2)
Skills: 【Childlike Heart】, 【Item Drop Enhancement】, 【Water Resistance (Small)】, 【Sleep Skill Nullification】, 【Water Walking】, 【Slashing Enhancement (Small)】, 【Butterfly Dance】, 【Alertness】
Special Abilities: Monster Creature Encyclopedia, Mass Assault, Monster Capture Net (Lv1), Bug Sumo: Stag Beetle, Cheering, Wormhole
…Yup.
“I’ve gotten quite a bit stronger.”
Thanks to leveling up, my stats had also increased.
In addition, before the Explorer Exam, I had caught about ten different kinds of minor new creatures, so their capture bonuses had subtly added to my stats.
As for skills, the Spatial Transfer skill, Wormhole, really stood out.
If I had been able to meet Otama-chan today, I was planning to actually show her this ability and get her opinion.
It really seemed like our schedules just wouldn’t line up.
“The Explorer Association seems to be going through a lot too, huh…”
…Still, to think I’d be here, wrapped in a hammock, worrying about other people. I’ve really come a long way.
Until just recently, I was working day and night.
It’s only been about a month since I quit my job, but it feels like a distant memory.
I also passed the Explorer Exam without any issues; everything is going smoothly.
It’s all thanks to this Private Dungeon.
“If there’s such a thing as a Dungeon God, I wouldn’t mind giving them an offering.”
How mercenary of me.
Back in middle school, when I took the national dungeon aptitude test and was told I had no noteworthy talents whatsoever, I cursed the gods and even wailed that “there are no gods or Buddhas.”
“I’ve been blessed with good luck…”
As I thought that far, I suddenly remembered.
“…There is a Dungeon God, isn’t there?”
There was a shrine within this dungeon.
For me, the large tree in its precincts was more important than the shrine building itself, so I hadn’t paid much attention to it.
“Since I’m here, might as well go.”
To report my success in the Explorer Exam and to express my gratitude for everything so far.
…And while I’m at it, I can check if there are any beetles or stag beetles on the large tree.
☆★☆
“Oh!”
Passing through the torii gate, I first went to the large tree, and there was a white beetle.
“Lucky me!”
This must be the result of my faith.
I immediately reached out my hand.
Bwon!
Name: Shirokabuto
Rarity: ★★
Capture Skill: ??? (Condition: Capture 3 types of beetles), Attack +5 (First-time bonus)
Capture Experience: 400
Drop Item: Magic Stone (Large)
“Alright.”
With this, I’ve captured two types of beetles.
Just a little more until I acquire a skill for capturing three types.
“Okay then, time to properly offer my thanks.”
I went to the front of the shrine building and straightened my posture.
Then, two bows, two claps, one bow.
“Thanks to you, I was able to pass the Explorer Exam successfully. I look forward to your continued favor… and that’s that.”
There, good.
I feel refreshed, and while I’m at it, I’ll make a round of my beetle and stag beetle patrol route.
If I’m lucky, I might be able to catch one more type of beetle today.
—Just as I thought that and was about to leave the shrine.
“Eh…?”
I noticed that the small offering box in front of the shrine building was faintly glowing.
Dimly, like moonlight.
“What is this…?”
Touching it, it wasn’t particularly hot or cold.
Something was happening, but there were no changes in the surroundings.
Only the offering box was glowing faintly.
“Is it asking for something…? Huh?”
I happened to glance at my Explorer pouch, and a similar faint light was emanating from it.
I opened the pouch and checked inside.
“Ah…”
The spear tip dropped by the Goblin General during the Explorer Exam was shining.
“I forgot to take out yesterday’s drop item…”
When I searched for it after the exam, it seemed this spear tip was made of a metal called “Dungeon Steel.”
It was a relatively easy-to-obtain drop item in general dungeons and was widely used as a raw material for Explorer weapons and armor.
If I sold it, I figured it might fetch around 20,000 to 30,000 yen.
“…Should I put it in?”
Weapons and armor made of Dungeon Steel, though pricey, could be purchased at any Explorer shop around.
Even if nothing happened, it wouldn’t be an irreplaceable loss.
I took out the spear tip and moved my hand over the offering box.
And then.
“O Dungeon God, please accept this offering.”
—Clack, clack…
I released my fingers and let the spear tip fall into the offering box.
The light from the offering box slowly faded away.
“………”
Miiiin, min-min-min…
The chorus of cicadas rained down all around.
The same scenery as always.
There was no sign of any particular change occurring.
“…Did I mess up?”
I was hoping it would turn into a new bug or something.
This was just a wasted offering.
Well, I guess that’s how a proper shrine is supposed to be…
I started having sacrilegious thoughts like, “Does Dungeon Steel stick to magnets?” or “Would a birdlime trap strategy be better?”
And so, after a little while.
“Hm…?”
The offering box began to glow again.
No, not the offering box itself.
From inside the offering box, a ball of white light floated up.
“What is that…?”
Like a soul, the sphere of light swayed unsteadily as it flew through the air.
It headed towards the large tree behind the shrine building.
“…Alright.”
I followed behind it.
I didn’t know what would happen, but it probably wouldn’t be anything bad.
The sphere collided with the trunk of the large tree and was smoothly absorbed into it.
“………”
With a vague sense of anticipation, I watched to see what would happen.
Then.
“Ah…”
At the base of the tree, the gap between the thick roots began to glow white.
After being lit for a while, the white light quietly faded.
—In its place, there was a hole, like a rabbit’s burrow.
“What is this…?”
I stuck my hand in, but it hit the bottom almost immediately.
Of course, there was nothing inside.
I waited a bit, but it seemed like no further changes were going to occur.
“Did I do something pointless…?”
Even as I said that, I had a faint premonition.
I remembered the entrance to the Ota Dungeon.
Perhaps.
Perhaps this dungeon was trying to grow.
Could it be trying to absorb magic essence from other dungeons—or in this case, the offered item—to create a second floor?
It might just be my imagination, but I had a feeling.
“I wonder if it would react even if I bought materials from a shop around here and offered them?”
Or would it not accept materials that I hadn’t struggled to obtain myself?
Mulling over such questions, I walked towards my beetle and stag beetle patrol route.
I’m looking forward to going to the Ota Dungeon with Otama-chan next time.
==============
[Supplement: Magic Beasts Captured Before the Explorer Exam]
Only Encyclopedia Number and Capture Skill listed.
Rarity: All 0.
Magic Stones: “Small” or “Tiny”.
11 Kuroyanma Speed +2 (First-time bonus)
12 Midori Tentou None
37 Nonbiri Tsumuri Defense +1 (First-time bonus)
40 Kosamegaeru None
64 Akamon Hanmyou Defense +2 (First-time bonus)
83 Tsukutsuku Mahoushi 【Alertness】
→ Prevents surprise attacks from enemy monsters.
→ Seems it was more cautious than other cicadas and a bit difficult to capture.
85 Yukishirochou Wisdom +1 (First-time bonus)
86 Momoirochou Wisdom +1 (First-time bonus)
130 Numeri Dojou None
131 Seseragi Gani Defense +1 (First-time bonus)