Chapter 46

Today is Chapter 2 (2/2)

After confirming that the two had moved back, he readied his sword.

First... yeah, let's try it normally.

"Whoa!"

He charged, aiming for the neck, and slashed horizontally. Normally, that alone would split the opponent's body in two.

*Clang!*

"Too tough!?"

The sword did not cut through the body of the Golden Bug; instead, it felt like a collision between metals. The moment the sword hit, it felt as if it had struck a membrane. At that instant, the light membrane that enveloped the bug disappeared, and a strange presence was felt. It was likely that a skill had been used.

Even with the golden armor, it was odd for the bug to be unscathed against my stats and weapon. The initial barrier was probably the 'Adamantine Exterior,' and the current presence is likely due to 'Adamantine Power' or 'Adamantine Wall.'

Since these are combat-related skills, they should have a duration, just like 'Superhuman Strength.' I need to endure until then!

*Whirr*

The 'Golden Bug' did not seem to resist the attack. It slowly turned its face toward me. The movement was sluggish, but its size made it intimidating.

Just as I was about to move back to gain some distance, it reared back and charged with a headbutt.

*Bang!!*

As expected, the movement was slow, and avoiding it was no problem. However, the impact was extraordinary.

The ground was gouged as if an explosion had occurred, cracks appeared around it, and shattered rock fragments scattered like buckshot.

"Whoa!"

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

Thanks to the 'Swordsmanship' and 'Body Reinforcement' skills, I managed to block all the attacks, even though it was my first time facing them.

However, the attack power is abnormal. Even with 'Superhuman Strength II,' I'm not confident I can withstand it.

"Shota, are you okay!?"

"I'm fine!"

If it had high agility as well, it would have been a real problem.

Since getting close is dangerous, let's try using magic for the first time in a while.

"Fireball"

*Boom!*

*Whirr?*

When the Fireball hit, the bug recoiled as if it was in pain. The increased 'Intelligence' seems to have boosted the power of the Fireball, which is much stronger than when I first learned it. There are scorch marks on its body, indicating that it took damage.

"It's effective. Then, let's spam it!"

*Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*

*Whirr!!?*

After firing about 20 Fireballs, the bug was in tatters. Some of the Fireballs were absorbed by the golden membrane that appeared mid-attack, but it seemed to peel off with a single hit, so I continued firing without hesitation.

The bug tried to counterattack, but its movements were hopelessly slow, and it couldn't even get close. The magic strategy has successfully reduced its health, but it's far from a decisive blow.

"This isn't going anywhere..."

While thinking about how to finish it off, the unpleasant presence from the 'Golden Bug' dissipated.

Perhaps the effect has worn off?

"Chance! Using 'Superhuman Strength II' and 'Agility II'!"

*Slash!*

I invaded the bug's space and cut it down with a single swift strike.

The severed Golden Bug collapsed, emitting smoke.

[Level Up]

[Level increased from 8 to 40]

"Wow, how much experience did that give?"

As I savored the biggest level-up so far, I sensed someone approaching.

"Shota!"

"You did it!"

"Both of you, thank you! Oh, the timer, the timer."

It wasn't the time to bask in the moment. I activated the timer and led the excited girls to the edge of the square.

"Shota?"

"What are you doing?"

"Well, a rare monster might spawn next."

"Huh? A rare monster, next...?"

"What's that? I've never heard of it."

As expected. It doesn't happen in other dungeons, but just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it can't. Better to be cautious.

I explained this to the girls and persuaded them to wait here.

"Shota, aren't you being too cautious?"

"But, sis, we agreed to watch Shota's hunting. We should follow his strategy."

"That's true. Shota is always cautious, right?"

"Yeah. ...Well, after a fierce battle, it tends to slip my mind."

"Hmm... Oh, the smoke is dispersing."

As Aki said, the smoke dissipated into the air. The time... 6 minutes. It seems to be level-dependent.

In terms of strength, it's more troublesome than the 'Murder Rabbit' if you try to defeat it, but it's a relief that it can run away if it wants to, unlike other rare monsters.

"Let's see the drops... Yeah, everything's here."

Four 'Golden Seeds,' one 'Golden Cup.'

Skill Orbs for 'Adamantine Power,' 'Adamantine Wall,' and 'Adamantine Exterior,' and a 'Grand Magic Stone.'

It seems that each Skill Orb has its own drop chance. I'm glad it's not a stingy system where only one drops.

"Three Skill Orbs..."

"That's amazing. Shota, you're amazing!"

"Did you record it?"

"Of course. Will you use them?"

"Yeah, I'll use them properly."

I used the Skill Orbs and allocated all the 'SP' to 'Luck.'

＊＊＊＊＊

Name: Shota Tenchi

Age: 21

Level: 40

Strength: 235 (+192)

Dexterity: 242 (+199)

Stamina: 250 (+207)

Agility: 261 (+218)

Magic: 216 (+175)

Intelligence: 188 (+147)

Luck: 518

Skills: Level-Up Lottery, Appraisal Lv3, Appraisal Interference Lv5, Automatic Mapping, Adamantine Exterior, Body Reinforcement Lv7, Superhuman Strength II, Adamantine Power, Agility II, Adamantine Wall, Precognition, Swordsmanship Lv1, Throwing Lv2, Fire Magic Lv1, Water Magic Lv1, Magic Recovery Lv1, Magic Transfer

＊＊＊＊＊

Yeah, it feels good. However, the 'Adamantine Exterior' is in that position... This means it has performance closer to 'Body Reinforcement' rather than a stat-reflecting type.

Turning completely golden? ...I'd rather not.

Let's check if it can be toggled on and off with my consciousness.

"Activating 'Adamantine Exterior'"

As I said this, my entire body was covered in a glowing membrane.

...Ah, as expected. The 'Golden Bug' also glowed like this at first. And when I used the Fireball. I think I saw it enveloping the bug a few times during the battle, reacting to my attacks. But it disappeared immediately when hit.

So, the effect of 'Adamantine Exterior' is... Let's test it.

"Aki, try hitting this."

"Sure thing."

Saying this, Aki delivered a perfect roundhouse kick.

*Clang!*

"It's... so hard!!"

"Hey, are you okay?"

The moment Aki's kick hit, the light membrane disappeared.

The damage and impact from Aki's kick did not reach me at all.

"What's that!? It's ridiculously hard!!"

"Hmm... It seems to be an invincible barrier that can withstand one hit of anything. It probably consumes a lot of magic power, but it's still an exceptional skill."

The issue is the consumption rate. 50, 100, or even 200.

I'll figure it out after using it a few times, but I don't want to collapse in front of them.

"Let's head back for now."

"Shota, my legs hurt, carry me."

"Sure, sure. Makoto, come here too."

"Is that okay?"

The two clung to my neck, and I lifted their waists. Carrying adult women like children is quite a challenge. It's a bit uncomfortable, but using 'Adamantine Power' for a test run made it easy to carry them without any trouble.

"Kyaa, Shota, you're so strong!"

"That's amazing!"

I handed the bag full of materials to Aki, and Makoto carried the 'Golden Seeds' and 'Golden Cup' that didn't fit in the bag or backpack.

Thus, we escaped the dungeon with a large haul.

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