Chapter 21: Setting Up a Dungeon Farming Factory!

Magic stones and monster materials from the Dungeon were the most direct and practical source of income.

As long as one accumulated enough resources—whether for weapons, armor, or hiring supporters in the future—

everything could be handled calmly and with ease.

Ryota had no intention of ever again being in that embarrassing position of having a beautiful elf treat him.

It was far too humiliating.

The seventh and sixth floors weren't actually that different.

They still had those winding, pale-green walls and narrow, damp passageways.

The real changes would appear on the next level down—the eighth floor.

There, the terrain and monster distribution would gradually start to differ significantly.

Ryota silently pondered this while carefully exploring the passage ahead.

Just as he was debating whether or not to quicken his pace, a sudden, rapid clicking sound reached his ears.

"Kiii kii kii kii—"

It was like the grinding of insects, or fingernails scraping harshly against stone.

Ryota immediately turned towards the sound's source.

From behind a protruding rock wall ahead, a giant, blood-red ant-like monster slowly emerged, its four sturdy legs supporting a torso topped with two slender, blade-like arms!

Ryota recognized it immediately—a Killer Ant!

Alongside the War Shadow, it was considered one of the most dangerous monsters in the Dungeon's upper floors.

It shared the terrifying nickname of "Rookie Killer."

However, unlike the solitary and stealthy War Shadow, the Killer Ant possessed another, even more troublesome trait beyond its iron-hard carapace and razor-sharp forelimbs capable of shredding steel.

When threatened, it emitted an ear-piercing screech to summon nearby comrades for backup!

One Killer Ant alone might not be so frightening.

But when they came in swarms, even seasoned adventurer parties would find their scalps tingling!

This was precisely why they had earned the name "Rookie Killer."

Surround-and-overwhelm tactics—

No matter the battlefield, no matter the world, this was always the simplest, most efficient, and most brutal method of slaughter.

Just as Ryota prepared to attack, his movements suddenly froze.

A sudden idea flashed through his mind like a lightning bolt!

"Wait a minute…"

His eyes brightened as he quickly calculated:

If a Killer Ant could summon its companions through its cry,

Then why should he waste time hunting monsters one by one?

Why not just control this Killer Ant with genjutsu, have it summon a big group of its friends, and then wipe them all out in one go?!

Not only would it save time, but he could also harvest a large quantity of magic stones and materials at once!

It was literally killing two birds with one stone—a guaranteed profit!

Thinking of this, Ryota couldn't help but tremble with excitement:

"Today's fortune… is all up to you, my dear ant brothers!"

He stared intently at the completely unsuspecting Killer Ant.

Next, he just needed a clean, decisive genjutsu to control it.

His personal "Dungeon Farming Factory" was about to officially open!

His Three Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly!

Ryota glared sharply.

In that instant, the Killer Ant in the distance stiffened abruptly.

Its four powerful legs suddenly gave out, and it collapsed to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Within the genjutsu illusion, the Killer Ant was plunged into a nightmare.

Sharp bone stakes pierced its body from every direction, boiling lava poured down from above, and countless illusory enemies lunged at it, teeth and claws bared!

Under this merciless mental assault, the Killer Ant's instincts were driven to the absolute limit.

"Kiiiii kii kii kii!!!"

A piercing shriek erupted, sending visible soundwaves radiating outward in all directions!

Tap tap tap tap—

Rapid and dense footsteps echoed from the dark tunnels in the distance.

Ryota lifted his gaze and saw a large swarm of Killer Ants frantically rushing toward him.

A quick glance showed roughly a dozen of them.

"Nice, very nice!"

Ryota's lips curled into a slight smile. Seizing the moment before the Killer Ants got too close,

he kicked off the ground and leapt into the air, swiftly forming hand seals—

Taking a deep breath, he concentrated chakra fiercely into his chest:

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu—!!"

Countless tiny fireballs, resembling the seeds of a phoenix flower, erupted from Ryota's mouth!

Swoosh swoosh swoosh!

The fireballs streaked downward, spreading out in all directions!

Their wide coverage left the Killer Ants no chance to escape.

Boom boom boom boom—!

In a continuous series of explosions, the Killer Ants were struck by the dense barrage of fireballs before they even reached halfway.

Blazing flames ignited their tough carapaces, rapidly charring and cracking under intense heat!

Within mere seconds, the entire swarm of Killer Ants was swallowed by the flames,

reduced to blackened ash and glowing hot magic stones!

A heavy burnt smell permeated the air, flames still flickering across the stone floor.

Landing steadily, Ryota surveyed the scorched battlefield before him and nodded in satisfaction.

Dungeon Farming Factory—first trial run: a perfect success!

He quickly stepped forward, skillfully collecting the scattered magic stones one by one.

However, just as he was halfway done, the cries of the first Killer Ant he had controlled suddenly ceased.

Ryota paused, glancing behind him.

That pitiful Killer Ant was now stiff, completely devoid of any signs of life.

The mental torture from the genjutsu had literally driven it to death.

Ryota stood quietly for a few seconds, then rubbed his temples with a helpless chuckle:

"Tsk, I was originally planning to keep it alive to keep calling more friends… What a pity."

"Oh well, I'll just find another one."

Gathering his spirits, he hoisted the heavy bag onto his back and proceeded deeper into the seventh floor.

There was still plenty of time left—much too soon to stop now!