Trapped in the White Ant Nest
Hold on, do white ants even dig nests? This is Radamu Dice's adventure chronicle so far. Enrolled in the academy and got beaten by goblins right away. Switched to adventurer, encountered a giant murderous slug on the first merchant escort. At least the constellation's skills mean I won't starve to death—phew. Thought scouting the outskirts forest would be a breeze, and now I'm trapped in an ant nest.
Life's just too spectacular, huh? But I think it's par for the course. The goddess summoned a hero; it'd be weirder if normal stuff happened. Po'runga said the exact same thing—this is absolutely not normal.
"Hey, not feeling claustrophobic in here?"
"I'm fine."
The Deinous chest had insane bounce. Like a rubber ball—alien texture. Warm silicone? Nah, definitely not real boobs.
We'd smashed through the wall right after escaping and hidden our bodies, but the space wasn't big enough, so Po'runga had me squeezed tight in a hug. My cheek burned. Her chest was scorching. Heart pounding? Sadly, no lovey-dovey romance here. Just crisis adrenaline and her fire sac heating up from that recent breath attack.
"Lemme explain about the White Ants."
White Ants stack towers for nests, or if they can't, they burrow underground to form colonies. E-rank monsters—not super strong individually; iron weapons can take 'em down easy. But the real danger is during their [Marriage Flight].
The "princess ant" flies up with male White Ants. Most ant species peak in danger then—zipping around, snatching from above, spitting acid spit. They even raid whole villages for breeding.
"Once you're in the nest, best bet's hunkering down quiet."
I'd already sent the distress signal, so we just needed to hold out. Worker ants usually patrol—the ones we'd seen swarming earlier. But deeper in the nest, there are soldier-class ants. Still E-rank, but...
Thud...
The ground trembled faintly. Dirt trickled from overhead. Po'runga closed her eyes, listening intently, then popped them open.
"Support's here—sounds like fighting up top. Mages bombing the hell outta 'em."
"We good?"
"They usually overwhelm with firepower when numbers are high. Gotta move before it collapses."
Po'runga punched through the crumbled spot we'd made—light swing, but dirt and rock flew, punching a hole clean through. Looked like an underground cave at a glance, but the outer walls, made from White Ant acid spit and secretions, had this weird sheen.
'The spot we came in collapsed big time.'
A huge hole gaped in the ceiling. White Ants poured out along the walls. Tons more soared into the sky.
"Entrance is too close—sneaking out's tricky."
"Run another tunnel?"
"Yeah."
She agreed and started digging the opposite way. I summoned the chamber pot and handed it over; dirt and rock shaved away smooth.
"Huh? How'd you dig rock? Magic aura," she said. Non-human races are born with mana, apparently. Humans usually don't have it unless they train it up.
...She just looked puzzled, like 'You can cast Fireball but this surprises you?' Humans are seriously gimped in every way.
How far'd we dug? A light tap, and the far dirt wall caved. And there, staring back, was one way bigger than the others. Head twice the size!
"Danger! Soldier class!"
With that shout, she yanked my shortsword from my belt, wrapped it in mana, and hurled it! Hugging me tight, punching was awkward range. Best play to buy time.
Clang! Sword bounced off—hilts-only after the blade snapped earlier. No way it'd work.
I shoved panicking Po'runga aside as the jaws lunged, thrusting my hand out.
A-rank Treant roots get chomped—this thing's jaw'd shred my hand. So I touched and triggered the skill. Four fails so far!
[Enhancement]!
The Constellation [Dice] rolls the dice.
[Dice value: 100].
[Grand Success].
With rainbow brilliance and radiant blessing, the soldier-class White Ant evolves!
"?"
Meant to block it? If fail, I'd go Deadly Queen...?
The soldier White Ant, wrapped in massive light, started growing huge. Wings sprouted from its back, jaws ballooned—under heaven's beaming light.
Receiving the Dice Constellation's blessing, the [Enhancement] skill receives the Constellation's grace!
The soldier-class White Ant evolves into the ancient Askatl Ent!
"Huh?"
"GRRAAAAHHH!!!"
[Askatl Ent's roar echoes!]
Your stats permanently drop 30% from hearing the roar.
[Overwhelmed by Askatl Aura—cannot use mana!]
[You've encountered an ancient species extincted by elves!]
Clear Mind let me endure the roar, but Po'runga foamed at the mouth and passed out. My strength drained so bad I could barely stand, knees buckling. Lucky for her—she blacked out before the roar hit.
Dooong~
First grand success on a Constellation-blessed [Enhancement] skill!
The Ancient Askatl Ent rivals Master level strength.
They built civilizations before elves wiped 'em out!
Uh... how'd this happen?
Trust the Constellation's grace! Here's a ticket!
Thanks to Clear Mind, I stayed cool and gripped the ticket. The Askatl Ent stood bipedal like a human. Red mana cloaked its body; four arms wielded aura blades of condensed mana. Four face-eyes swiveled to cover all angles.
"I trust you, Constellation!"
Riiip— Constellation [Orig■al] Mmm, hehe! Maou harem sounds nice too? (Skill: Succubus Pheromone—succubi-attracting scent spreads.)
[Succubus Pheromone]
—Charms succubi.
※Warning: Succubus touch drains energy—instant death risk.
"Page two! [Fireball]!!"
Magic circle activated, fireball launched at the baffled Askatl Ent. Of all the useless skills in this spot? Succubi? None here!
Straight hit—no dodge. I scooped Po'runga and bolted. Or tried—couldn't budge a step with her. Stats down 30%... total step 21 now? Even at 30, no dice.
"......GRRRAAAHH!!"
Untouched by flames, it spread wings and rocketed up the vertical hole—gone.
Where to...?
I panted, confused.
Pap pap pap.
[Askatl Ents are a hive species!]
[Their hatred and grudge against elves, rage at extermination!]
Looks like it prioritized killing elves over you.
Congrats on surviving the mythic foe—Constellation Ticket x1!
"Huff... huff..."
I collapsed, gasping. Soaked in cold sweat, limbs limp. Mind calm, body dying. Summoned fried chicken, wolfed it down for HP.
"Ugh... urk...... Where... haah!? Huh? Why'm I passed out?"
"...Rock to the head."
".....For real?"
The ancient myth-beast's pheromones wiped her memory. She woke disoriented: Where am I? Why like this? Freaking out over amnesia side effects.
I clutched the ticket, trembling, and ripped it. Please, anything useful.
Constellation [Infi■nite_9■■]. Better than goblin-level, growth past 7-year-old bear-puncher. (Backside Heart—soul-bound, permanent unless real heart destroyed. Unaffected externally. Recovers 5% HP/MP every 10s, all stats +70. 2x growth EXP and stat gain. Exists on heart's backside—no clash with other heart skills.)
—Skill matches Constellation's intent specs!
[Cheonji Mashin Heuksim]
—Usable only by [Maou] holders.
—One of the supreme 7 skills.
—Acquire 100% of defeated foe's stats.
—Halve all elemental attacks.
—Grant infinite Yin mana.
—Remove skill cooldowns/casting.
—Unlock extra skill [Mashin Descent].
—Invincible body except heart.
"......"
I got two of the Maou's seven skills from the Constellation. How the hell do you beat this? Pure unfairness blob. Heroes somehow did—impressive. But with this, why hasn't the world ended? What even are Constellations, handing out Maou skills?!
"...You okay? Human got bonked too?"
"Kinda like that."
Askatl Ent's exit shook things up top—vibrations intensified, nest collapsing. Compass busted, so we trudged forward blindly. Ant acid stench threw off Po'runga's sense of direction too.
"KIIIII!!"
Down the clear path, a massive chamber awaited. Hive cells linked to a groaning colossal queen.
"Why us....?"
"Uncollapsed path's the sturdiest—to the queen."
Fate Goddess, mercy. Why this trial? Po'runga said don't get spotted, but then...
A ragged plea: "Save me!" In a cocoon pile, face half-exposed—a terrified adventurer beckoned.
"We gotta bail—!"
Po'runga's desperate yell. Before I could question why? my legs bolted toward the cocoons. Damn this heroic reflex—I really gotta fix it!