Dungeon Ant – Level 16Name: Dungeon AntLevel: 16Rank: CommonMana Cost: 2 Mana Reserve per summon (Lv1)Lifespan: 24 Days (unless sustained by the dungeon)Size: 10.8 cm

  Attributes:Strength: 25 (+7)

  Speed: 18 (+6)

  Defense: 27 (+7)

  Magic: 15 (+3)

  Intelligence: 12 (+2)

  Abilities:Serrated Mandibles (Passive): Can now cut through tougher materials, including certain metals and enchanted wood.

  Swarm Tactics (Passive): Gains a 15% attack boost when fighting alongside other ants. Additionally, groups of 5 or more can perform synchronized strikes that lower enemy defense.

  Rapid Excavation (Active): Can dig tunnels faster and more efficiently, creating temporary underground paths for surprise attacks or quick escapes.

  Hardened Carapace (Passive): Natural armor now reduces physical damage taken by 20% and grants mild resistance to fire-based attacks.

  Hive Mind Pulse (Active): Extends communication and coordination radius to 8 meters and temporarily boosts Speed and Intelligence of nearby ants by 20%.

  Acid Bites gives the Dungeon Ant a slight magical offensive capability, tying into its Magic stat growth and adding versatility in combat.

  Ordis couldn’t stop staring at the status screen. He had summoned his first true minion, and now, that minion had gained its first magic-based skill.

  "This Acid Bites... it wasn’t just an ordinary attack—it was a true magical offense." Ordis read the skill's description, his voice filled with excitement.

  The Dungeon Ant’s mandibles now secreted a potent corrosive acid, capable of burning through flesh and chitin alike. To test its effectiveness, the ant had bitten into a retively small spider—though "small" was retive, as it measured about 20 cm in length, legs included. The result? Instant kill. The spider’s body convulsed briefly before melting under the corrosive bite, its exoskeleton sizzling away into nothingness.

  "However, there was a clear limitation—the skill had a cooldown of one hour per use." Ordis sounded slightly sulky, specuting that this drawback was likely due to the low ambient mana on Earth—perhaps if magic was more abundant, the ability could be used more frequently. Still, even with that restriction, Acid Bites elevated D. Ant beyond the realm of ordinary insects.

  "I mean, just look at this. Thanks to the leadership of the Dungeon Ant, a small squad of five Giant Forest Ants has formed under its command," Ordis remarked, watching as his D. Ant marched forward, followed closely by the five giant ants. Normally, this species was not particurly aggressive, preferring to mind their own business. However, now that they had a leader—one blessed by Ordis himself—their behavior had completely shifted. They had become a relentless force, acting with precision and coordination beyond that of typical insect swarms.

  Ordis observed with amusement as D. Ant led its squad on a ruthless conquest of the first floor. They cshed with other ant colonies, their superior coordination and new abilities giving them an overwhelming advantage. Even rger creatures were no match for them. Ordis watched as his minion hunted down formidable opponents such as the Giant Asian Mantis, the Goliath Beetle, and even the mighty Hercules Beetle. These creatures ranged from 12 cm to 17 cm in size, but against D. Ant’s enhanced abilities, they stood no chance.

  "Hohoho! This D. Ant is unstoppable!" Ordis chuckled, watching his minion dominate the battlefield. With every victory, Ordis felt an odd sense of satisfaction, as if he were making real progress in his strange new existence.

  [Successfully analyzed the body of a Mantis. You can now summon Mantis as minions.]

  Another addition to his growing army. The mantis was an intriguing minion choice—fast, deadly, and efficient. However, Ordis felt that his current roster was already too insect-heavy. He wanted something different, something that wasn’t just another bug. As he scanned his surroundings through his system, he noticed an abundance of small reptiles.

  "Geckos, in particur, seemed to be everywhere… If I remember correctly, I used to hear their loud calls echoing in the bathroom when I stayed at my grandfather's house as a kid." Ordis mused, reminiscing about his childhood in the mountains, where these reptiles were a common sight during his pyful days.

  Back when ORrdis was human, he often saw them clinging to walls, darting away when startled. He recalled that most were between 7 to 15 centimeters long, though some could grow up to 30 centimeters. If he could summon a lizard-type minion, it would open up new strategies, especially since they were natural predators of insects.

  For now, though, his attention was drawn to another encounter unfolding before him.

  D. Ant, his strongest minion, had set its sights on an unfamiliar insect—one that Ordis had yet to analyze. The creature in question was a Thorny Devil Stick Insect, a formidable-looking arthropod that stood out from its more delicate retives. Unlike ordinary stick insects that relied purely on mimicry, this one was a heavily armored behemoth. It could grow up to 15 centimeters long, its thick, spiny body blending seamlessly with rough bark. Its most impressive feature, however, was the sharp, thorn-like spines on its legs—perfect for fending off predators.

  "Hah… but against D. Ant? That defense meant nothing." Ordis remarked, watching the scene unfold with unwavering confidence.

  The battle was brief but fascinating. The Thorny Devil Stick Insect reacted quickly, realizing that its camoufge had been seen through. It shed out, using its spiked legs to strike at D. Ant, attempting to wound or deter it. Unfortunately for the stick insect, D. Ant’s body was far tougher than the average insect. Its exoskeleton, reinforced by Ordis’s enhancements, was nearly impervious to physical damage from creatures of the same tier.

  In a swift counterattack, D. Ant struck with brutal efficiency. Its powerful mandibles cmped down on one of the stick insect’s thorny legs, shearing it off in an instant. The Thorny Devil Stick Insect thrashed in pain, but it was already too te. Another bite, and its thick, armored body was crushed with disturbing ease.

  Ordis winced slightly. “Oof… that’s got to hurt.”

  As the remains of the defeated insect twitched on the ground, Ordis’s system responded.

  [Successfully analyzed the body of a Stick Bug. You can now summon Stick Bug as minions.]

  Another species added to his growing list.

  Watching events unfold like this only made Ordis' confidence in D. Ant soar to new heights.

  “Yeah, I think it’s time for D. Ant to try hunting something other than insects.” Ordis mused, scanning the dungeon for potential targets. Among the various creatures that had entered, geckos stood out. It made sense—small insect-eating reptiles would naturally follow the influx of bugs that had been drawn in by the dungeon’s passive abilities.

  However, there was a small problem. Unlike most other creatures, geckos weren’t roaming the dungeon floor. Instead, they clung to the walls, just like the house lizards Ordis remembered from his childhood. He could almost hear the loud calls they made whenever he visited his grandfather’s house in the mountains. This battlefield favored them more than D. Ant, who, while capable of climbing, wasn’t as naturally suited for the vertical terrain.

  “Hm… should I send D. Butterfly to assist in the fight against the geckos?” Ordis pondered aloud. His D. Butterfly had already reached Level 4, and it currently hovered near D. Mosquito and D. Parasite Wasp, who were actively hunting together as a group. It was clear that his minions were starting to organize themselves into squads, with D. Ant leading the ground forces while the airborne minions worked together separately.

  At the same time, Ordis had two D. Spiders that also hunted in pairs, their levels close enough that they worked well together. They weren’t quite as independent as D. Ant, but they were efficient.

  “Well, that just leaves P. Caterpilr… and I still have no idea what to do with it.” Ordis sighed. Unlike his other minions, he couldn’t command it from afar, and its movements were painfully slow. For now, it simply stayed near the ant colony, feeding on fallen leaves while benefiting from their protection. If anything, it served as a natural defense, acting as a potential shield if the colony was suddenly attacked.

  With everything in pce, Ordis prepared himself for another battle. He had gained several new minions so far, but he wasn’t done yet. If D. Ant could take down a gecko, that meant he’d soon unlock the ability to summon reptiles—and that was an opportunity he wouldn’t let slip away.

  Time : 8 Day 6 Hour

  Mana Reserves : 114 / ??? (Capacity Expanding)

  Dollbreaker