Episode 56: [The Four] Days Until the Exam
—April 9th.
“Oh!”
While exploring the Private Dungeon under 《Day-Night Reversal》, I found a huge rhinoceros beetle.
It’s a new species.
“It’s so incredibly cool!”
I illuminated it with 《Firefly Light》, which I learned a little while ago, and its body gleamed black.
The rhinoceros beetle had a horn like a spear, giving the same impression as overseas rhinoceros beetles like Hercules and Caucasus beetles.
“I wonder if I can catch it…”
It’s the third type of rhinoceros beetle.
If I can catch this, I’ll probably be able to summon rhinoceros beetles too.
Even with 《Day-Night Reversal》, new species of rhinoceros beetles haven’t been appearing easily.
I want to catch it no matter what.
“Please… please…”
I reach out with a prayerful feeling.
Then.
Bo-wahn!
Monster Creature Encyclopedia No. 49/251
Name: Longinus Beetle
Rarity: ★★★★
Capture Skill: ??? (Condition: Capture 3 species of rhinoceros beetles), MP+10 (First-time bonus)
Capture Experience: 2000
Drop Item: Magic Stone (Large)
Explanation: A rhinoceros beetle named after the Holy Lance. It is said to possess the magic of light. Can be captured by a 【Childlike Heart】 skill holder touching it while praying.
“Yes!”
It seems I coincidentally fulfilled the capture conditions.
And then, a pikon! electronic sound rang out, and a voice echoed in my head.
『Condition—Achieved capturing 3 species of rhinoceros beetles. Acquired Skill: Bug Sumo: Rhinoceros Beetle』
“Alright!!”
I’ve acquired the skill I’ve been waiting for.
And a message window is displayed.
『Bug Sumo (Rhinoceros Beetle): A special skill that allows you to summon rhinoceros beetles and have them fight enemies. Abilities are expanded depending on the type of rhinoceros beetle captured. ※Current→Physical Barrier (Kurokabuto), Magic Barrier (Shirokabuto), Holy Lance Flash (Longinus Beetle)』
Furthermore.
『Achievement—《Recorded 50 types of data in the Monster Creature Encyclopedia》 achieved. Special Skill: Monster Capture Net (Lv2) is now available』
“Oh!”
A lot happened at once.
When I summoned the net and checked it, the transparent purple part of the net had changed to a transparent green.
It’s the same color as the high-density magic stone that sold for 20 million yen—the Jade Spirit Magic Stone.
“If I remember correctly, I can catch dragonflies with this too…”
I’ve improved quite a bit.
“50 types captured, huh…”
It all started with a very ordinary Common Skimmer dragonfly.
Everything started when the Private Dungeon appeared, and I happened to catch that dragonfly.
At that time, my level and stats were all at their lowest, you could say.
But now…
“…………”
Now, I don’t feel like I can lose to anyone.
I’ll keep running at full speed until the A-Rank Party Certification Exam.
☆★☆[Side: Miyanohara Manami]☆★☆
—April 10th.
“First match, that’s it!”
“Haa… haa…”
I was taking the General Explorer Exam on the first floor of the Utsunomiya Dungeon.
Before my eyes, the defeated goblin is dissolving into a mist of magical energy.
For me at level 20, goblins are nothing but small fry, but actual combat comes with a mental burden.
In two weeks, I have to go to the 20th floor, but right now, I’m exhausted after just one small fry.
“I need to rewrite the exam preparation blog post to be more realistic…”
Then, a woman named Yamada-san from the Explorer Association called out to me.
“Miyanohara-san, the second match will start soon. This time, skill usage is permitted. Please wait for the signal before activating.”
“…Y-yes…”
It’s what you’d call a mosquito-like voice.
As expected, when I talk to people other than my four childhood friends, my voice doesn’t come out naturally.
I can’t talk to people unless I become some kind of role.
And even that doesn’t last long.
Living in a general society that emphasizes communication skills will be quite difficult.
—But, right now.
“Miyanohara-san, please prepare. A goblin will appear shortly.”
“…Y-yes…”
Then, a mist gathered in one corner of the room.
“Alright, start the second match! Combat preparation permitted!”
“…《Dress Change》!”
In an instant, I’m clad in jet-black robes and a golden circlet.
And, Miyanohara Manami’s consciousness falls into the sea of unconsciousness, and in its place, the A-Rank Explorer, Moonbow Hermit, emerges.
“—I must thank Natsume.”
When I’m in this form, there’s a sense of enjoyment deep in my heart.
My partner, Miyanohara Manami, enjoys becoming me.
Surely, now I could make a living on the extension of playing, without being supported by Natsume and the others.
However, Miyanohara Manami doesn’t want that.
—She wishes to play with her friends.
“Then that is my wish as well.”
At that moment, a goblin appears 10 meters ahead.
“Kishaaaaaaa!!”
It came towards me in a forward-leaning posture.
“—How foolish. O hands that seek your own kind, emerge from the abyss! Shadow Hands!!”
“Kisha!?”
The goblin’s feet are grabbed by black hands that emerged from the ground, and it becomes unable to move.
“This is the end. O holy light, transform into a spear and pierce the darkness! Holy Lance!!”
—And then, countless spears of light appeared in the air and skewered the goblin’s body.
“Second match, that’s it!!”
The signal for the end of the exam resounded loudly.
☆★☆[Side: Omogawa Tamaki]☆★☆
—April 20th.
Yamada-san and I were diving into the Nasu Dungeon as help for the prefectural Explorer Association headquarters.
This is to inspect for any abnormalities in preparation for Golden Week, when the number of visitors will increase dramatically.
“Omogawa-san, be careful!”
“Yessir!”
A Black Skeleton shoots arrows from the gaps in the birch-like trees.
I deflect the arrow with my sword, rush forward with the blade drawn, and bisect the Black Skeleton along with the tree.
“Omogawa-san, splendid. However, please don’t damage the dungeon’s scenery more than necessary.”
“Ah… I’m sorry.”
The 13th floor where we are now, and the next 14th floor, are two consecutive Local Area Floors.
The 13th floor is a refreshing forest zone like Nasu Highlands in early summer.
The 14th floor is the Sessho-seki area, with jagged rocks and the smell of sulfur lingering.
These two floors are popular areas where many people explore in conjunction with Nasu sightseeing outside the dungeon.
“Even so, Omogawa-san, you’ve become able to cut down trees to some extent…”
“Hehe, it’s because my level has increased thanks to Ko-chan. …Hmm?”
At that moment, I felt a strange sensation from behind my head.
“Omogawa-san, behind you…”
“Yaah!!”
At the same time as Yamada-san’s voice with 【Presence Detection】, I turned around and launched a slash with the 【Water Manipulation】 skill.
“Goga…”
With a scream that couldn’t become a voice, the black skeleton fell from the top of a tree 15 meters away.
“Yay!!”
I didn’t think I could defeat it so cleanly myself.
“…Splendid, Omogawa-san. You searched for the enemy almost simultaneously with my skill.”
“Hehe, I just had a bad feeling, somehow.”
“…Perhaps 【Body Enhancement】 has reached your senses.”
Then, Yamada-san made a slightly complicated expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“No… Omogawa-san, you’ve become better than me in terms of combat. I’m frustrated by that.”
“Eh, eh? I don’t think that at all…”
“—It’s a fact.”
Yamada-san stated firmly.
“I thought I had retired from the front lines of being an Explorer after getting married and returning from Tokyo… But, when I see Omogawa-san surpassing me like this, I realize my true feelings.”
“Yamada-san…”
Yamada-san smiled gently.
“Omogawa-san. We are partners and rivals. Let’s work hard together.”
“Y-yes!”
☆★☆[Side: Sasarabashi Shiho]☆★☆
—April 24th.
“I’ll be leaving early.”
I decided to leave on time in preparation for tomorrow’s A-Rank Party Certification Exam.
“Ah, see you tomorrow at the site.”
I closed my computer while listening to Assistant Section Chief Inaba’s words with mixed feelings.
“Oh, that’s right. I’ll give you this.”
The assistant handed me a piece of paper.
“What is this…?”
It was the schedule for tomorrow.
In addition to me and the assistant, the name of one more staff member was written on it.
“Eh…!?!”
Inaba: Exam Supervisor
Sasarabashi: Team Secret Base Attendant
Yoshiyama: A-Rank Party First Penguins Attendant
“Why are the names of other people, and even an A-Rank Party, on here…?”
First Penguins is a top-class A-Rank Party that is mainly active in the Shibuya Dungeon.
If they are already A-Rank, they shouldn’t be related to the certification exam.
But, the assistant.
“Tomorrow’s exam will be conducted in a competitive format. If it were just about clearing the Utsunomiya Dungeon, it would be too easy, and even a B-Rank Party could probably defeat the boss if they took their time.”
“I haven’t heard anything about that…”
“Well, it’s an exam, after all.”
The aide stated once more.
“Well then, see you on-site. Oh, right. The First Penguins are a potential party for your transfer, Natsume-kun. You should be able to witness their true strength and presence, befitting an A-Rank Party.”
…Having received information that felt like a sneak attack, I…
“…Well then, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Excuse me.”
Without feeling particularly anxious, I left the workplace.
“…Natsume-kun, I believe in you.”
My childhood friends have all grown at an astonishing speed, reaching out to the threshold of an A-Rank Party.
That’s why I’m certain.
—We will not lose.
=============
[Supplementary Info: Magic Beasts Captured Before the Exam]
Only Encyclopedia No. and Skill/Bonus from Capture are listed.
All have a Rarity of 0.
Magic Stones are either “Small” or “Tiny.”
18 Dungeon Pine Cricket None
19 Dungeon Cricket None
41 Yonaki Frog None
89 Dungeon Oomurasaki Wisdom +1 (First-Time Bonus)
101 Shirosuji Moth Wisdom +1 (First-Time Bonus)
102 Flying Withered Leaf Moth Wisdom +1 (First-Time Bonus)
128 River Makigai Defense +1 (First-Time Bonus)