40 Spider vs Bee ③

Food acquisition is secured for now.

Given the size of the bee’s body, starvation can be avoided for several days at this rate.

Stamina concerns are no longer an issue.

With that settled, more options become available.

The most practical choice is to continue hunting bees incrementally using the same method, waiting for levels to rise.

Avoiding reckless ventures allows for steady, safe progression.

Another option is to expand the nest upward.

Upward.

Exploring the lower area is undesirable.

Not a matter of capability.

Just… undesirable.

Earth dragons are frightening.

Impossible.

Therefore, my preference is to somehow climb upward and return to the original passage from which I fell.

To do that, I must find a way to avoid the bees.

Climbing the wall directly only results in becoming food for the bees. A countermeasure must be devised.

The solution I considered was simply extending the hive upward to the upper passage.

Not a solution. More like brute force.

Yes, even I admit it's an extreme measure.

But no other method of returning upward comes to mind.

Numerous drawbacks exist.

First, constructing a hive consumes stamina.

Moreover, unlike usual, the hive must be built upward along the wall surface.

The mechanics differ. The additional stamina cost is unpredictable.

The hive will be large-scale. The current number of bees will not sustain the effort.

A supply replenishment will be required somewhere.

Additionally, combat with the bees may become unavoidable.

The hive will be extended upward. Eventually, it will breach the primary domain of the bees.

A violation of airspace.

Whether they will overlook that or not remains uncertain.

In the worst case, a horde numbering in the hundreds, possibly thousands, could descend simultaneously from above—leading to a nightmare scenario.

Even the hive itself may not withstand such numbers.

The bees are not the only threat to watch for.

Currently, no other monsters have entered the bottom of this vertical shaft.

Only the serpent and the earth dragon, at first.

But if that earth dragon appears unexpectedly…

Last time, it was hidden in the rocks and avoided detection. But expanding the hive will make it impossible to remain unnoticed.

If it takes interest… that would be catastrophic.

Even now, I’m on edge, constantly fearing its arrival.

Thus, success would allow me to finally escape this extremely hazardous zone, but the risk involved in this plan is substantial.

Yet, no other option exists for me.

Perhaps alternatives exist, but I cannot conceive of them.

Therefore, resolve confirmed—nest construction begins.

First, the foundation.

A house requires a solid foundation before construction can proceed.

The quality of the foundation determines the integrity of the structure—no exaggeration.

This rock, ideal for a foundation, is located here.

The very first rock I fled to.

This rock sits perched at the wall’s edge, approximately seven meters tall and five meters wide—considerably large.

I will expand the nest using this rock as the foundation.

The current nest structure occupies the space between this rock and the wall, extending slightly outward on one side.

First, seal the gap between the opposite rock and the wall using thread.

Then, attach the thread diagonally upward from the rock’s peak toward the wall.

Use that thread as the center point to connect the rock and the wall.

The foundation is complete.

Now, gradually expand the nest upward.

Consume bees to restore stamina while continuing work.

During this process, several bee swarms observed from a distance, but did not attack.

This level of presence appears to still fall within acceptable tolerance.

Upon finishing consumption of all bees, cease work for the day and enter rest.

Fifth day.

A vague sense of reduced pain.

HP remains at 6.

Since no recovery has occurred, the Pain Reduction skill likely increased in level during sleep.

Probably.

Low pain levels are advantageous.

Pain Nullification had allowed movement before, but the difference between feeling pain and not feeling it was still significant.

No, the pain hadn’t fully vanished. The injury hadn’t healed either.

But it was much better.

I’d never sustained such a severe wound when human.

The worst pain I’d known as a human was stubbing my big toe on a door corner.

That had hurt.

But it was nothing compared to a massive hole in the back.

The improved mental state contributed to steady progress.

Midway through, a stray approached nearby.

The squad was also relatively close.

Hmm.

For experimental purposes, I’ll provoke the stray.

Observe whether the squad responds.

If they react, retreat immediately to deeper nest regions.

If there's no reaction, keep going.

Swing the Crooming Star.

Incidentally, I acquired a focus-related skill last time. Is that just a skill that increases focus?

Probably negligible effect at level one. If it has any other function, it'd be unusable anyway. So best to leave it idle.

Focus. Focus.

What kind of paradox is this—thinking about focus while trying to focus?

Aim carefully. There—!

Ah, hit it.

Eh... eh?

Isn't that impressive?

I thought it was impossible to hit twice in a row. But I did.

I barely managed to throw a softball in the physical fitness test—ranked last in my grade.

Oops. Got startled. Missed watching the squad's movements.

The squad is... there.

Hmm.

No movement.

Attacking the stray won't trigger a counterattack.

Not cold-hearted, then?

Is it necessary to be this harsh in order to survive in the wild?

Either way, their failure to attack is convenient.

Now I can hunt strays without hesitation.

Collected the captured bees with a satisfied expression.

Stabbed them through with venomous fangs.