38 Spider vs Bee ①

The first day, a minimal nest was constructed and sleep was attempted.

Sleep was difficult due to pain in the back, but no attack occurred during rest, which was a relief.

Not only attacks, but death from injury was a possibility. When consciousness returned unharmed, genuine relief was felt.

HP checked upon waking remained unchanged at six.

Whether to feel disappointment at no recovery, or relief at no further decrease, was ambiguous.

The second day was spent expanding the nest.

Pain in the back persisted, and nest construction proved more difficult than anticipated.

Bees approached repeatedly, forcing constant vigilance and halting work each time.

Unlike before, working while monitoring surroundings eroded mental endurance.

Ate small portions of the bees captured yesterday during intervals, carefully managing stamina.

In this situation, exhausting any single resource could cause the balance to tip abruptly.

Especially for me—stamina dependency is high.

Stamina is required to extend threads, to move normally.

Even without that, at least enough stamina must be reserved to sustain one engagement.

Moreover, food availability after this point is uncertain. Preparing for prolonged conflict meant stamina management had to be cautious.

And today, it became clear—pain tolerance level had increased dramatically.

The last time pain tolerance increased, it was definitely only at level two. Yet, during the nest construction, the voice from the heavens (tentative) had sounded,

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Pain Tolerance LV6' has upgraded to 'Pain Tolerance LV7'.]

The system skipped levels entirely—directly jumped to seven.

Considered the implication. Likely, the level increased during sleep.

The discomfort had been extreme. Given that the proficiency gain condition for Pain Tolerance was experiencing pain, it was plausible proficiency accumulated even while unconscious.

Recalling the experience, there was a faint memory of hearing a voice from the heavens (tentative) in a dreamlike state.

Then it became clear. Initially assumed Pain Tolerance was a skill that reduced pain. It was not.

The pain did not subside despite reaching level seven. That inconsistency prompted confusion. Apparently, this skill does not reduce pain. It enables movement while enduring pain.

Unsatisfactory, to be honest.

Pain remains unchanged. Even if movement is possible, there are still limits.

When I first obtained the skill, I thought the pain had lessened. But it was only my perception.

After one day, pain resistance increased to level eight.

Third day.

The captured bees have been consumed.

The hive has expanded sufficiently. It is time to proceed to the next phase.

That is, hunting to increase level.

The issue is how to capture prey.

Bees approach, but they remain wary. They do not attack.

If they had charged without strategy, that would have been ideal. But it did not happen.

For now, waiting for an opportunity. Observing the bees.

I subtly provoked a nearby bee, but it did not attack.

Several observations were made regarding the bees.

First, they appear to form groups of five or six individuals.

These groups operate independently.

Each group has a leader.

‘Failed to鉴定 Highfinjogat LV1 status.’

The creature is designated as Highfinjogat.

The name suggests a higher-tier species. Possibly an evolved individual.

Level is approximately one. The probability of evolution is high.

Even among common bees, some reach levels eight or nine—individuals on the verge of evolution. Such bees may become group leaders upon evolving.

The leader bee is slightly darker in color than the common bee.

That is the only distinguishing feature. Size and shape remain identical.

Status cannot be determined due to failed鉴定, but it is likely superior to the common bee.

Still, I do not believe it can breach my net.

It likely understands that, which is why it does not provoke us unnecessarily.

Considering that, the bee may be quite intelligent.

The swarm moves as a single unit, vanishing into the passage at the bottom of the vertical shaft.

After a period, it returns, carrying its prey.

It appears to organize itself into formations to conduct hunts efficiently.

Indeed, it seems to possess notable intelligence.

Some scattered individuals act independently.

More importantly, the fact that monsters capable of being hunted exist even at this depth is significant.

Not every creature here is a monstrosity like the earth dragon.

Simply knowing this provides considerable mental relief.

Still, some units fail to return. Caution remains necessary.

Failure to return implies they were ambushed and repelled.

Among the returning units, some carried the corpses of fallen comrades. The area remained undeniably hazardous.

I continued to observe the bees’ movements closely.