After a hearty meal, the two spiders lay leisurely on their backs on the ground, stretching comfortably. Shiro patted her belly, which looked as though she were pregnant, and suddenly asked, "Shirazawa-chan, didn't we just get some new skills?"
"Yeah," Shirazawa replied. "But..."
"But what?"
Shirazawa pursed his lips. "Poison Magic can't be used for now, though Poison Synthesis is a pretty good skill."
"Speaking of which, we got some Heresy Magic before too, didn't we? It seems like all magic-related skills are unusable." Shiro asked in confusion, "Do you have a way to fix that?"
"We're just missing the skills <Magic Perception> and <Magic Control> to act as mediums. We can learn them after two more evolutions."
"Hmm..." Shiro pondered. "Is that so?"
Shirazawa shrugged. "That's just how it is. However, Poison Synthesis can create Level 8 Spider Poison—a lethal toxin secreted by spiders. Its power is terrifying."
"Heh heh." Imagining a massive spray of spider poison, Shiro excitedly rubbed her claws together. Even if they couldn't use Poison Magic or Heresy Magic yet, the power of Poison Synthesis was already insane.
"Shirazawa, where are we going next?" Shiro scrambled up, shaking her body with an eager expression.
"Anyway, let's keep leveling up while searching for the entrance to the Middle Stratum."
"OK!" Shiro raised her right front leg in agreement. "Go go go!"
The two spiders hit the road again, continuously slaying monsters to grind their skill proficiency. As time passed, their strength became increasingly formidable.
[Proficiency reached. Skill <Appraisal Lv6→Lv7>.]
Hearing the notification, a look of joy appeared on Shirazawa's face. "Appraisal!"
[Monster]: Small Taratect
[Level]: Lv6
[Status]
HP: 41 / 41
MP: 41 / 41
SP: 35 / 41 (41 / 41)
Average Attack Ability: 20
Average Defense Ability: 20
Average Magic Ability: 20
Average Resistance Ability: 20
Average Speed Ability: 368
[Skills]: <HP Rapid Recovery Lv2>, <Poison Fangs Lv8>, <Poison Synthesis Lv1>, <Spider Thread Lv8>, <Thread Manipulation Lv5>, <Throw Lv1>, <Concentration Lv1>, <Hit Lv1>, <Appraisal Lv7>, <Detection Lv3>, <Stealth Lv5>, <Heresy Magic Lv2>, <Shadow Magic Lv1>, <Poison Magic Lv1>, <Overeating Lv3>, <Night Vision Lv10>, <Vision Expansion Lv1>, <Poison Resistance Lv7>, <Paralysis Resistance Lv3>, <Petrification Resistance Lv2>, <Acid Resistance Lv3>, <Rot Resistance Lv3>, <Fear Resistance Lv5>, <Pain Nullification>, <Pain Mitigation Lv5>, <Strength Lv2>, <Solidity Lv2>, <Skanda Lv2>, <Taboo Lv2>
[Innate Skills]: <n% I = W>, <Coexistence · >
"Now *this* is what I call Appraisal," Shirazawa thought, highly satisfied after reviewing the stats. "Now, as for the rest..." He clicked on the skill details to check their specific effects.
[Overeating: Allows the user to eat beyond their limit and store the extra nutrition as reserve stamina.]
[n% I = W: Unable to appraise.]
[Taboo: A skill acquired by those who have committed a taboo. Leveling it up is strictly forbidden.
[Poison Synthesis: Consumes MP to create poison. The types of poison vary by level. Sub-skill: Weak Poison Lv1.]
[Detection: A skill that combines various sensory skills: Magic Perception, Skill Perception, Material Perception, Presence Perception, Danger Perception, Motion Perception, Heat Perception, Reaction Perception, Spatial Perception...]
[Rot Resistance: Grants protection against the attribute governing death, rot and decay.]
"Interesting..." Shirazawa's lips quirked up. He finally knew what his Innate Skill did.
[Coexistence · : Within the system, all values are shared with the individual. Note: everything means *everything*~]
Shirazawa arched an eyebrow. *If I die, does Shiro have to die too? After all, life force should be shared—otherwise, why call it Coexistence? Well, as long as it's not some freakish ability, I'm not worried.*
Shirazawa muttered to himself, letting out a long sigh of relief. However, he seemed to have underestimated the meaning of "everything" as defined by Appraisal-sensei...
The two reviewed their current skills and carefully researched their combat strategies for the future. Then, they resumed their journey to find the way to the Middle Stratum.
<Elroe Greym Lv8>
A giant rat-like creature resembling an armadillo appeared before them. Its stats were low—a perfect target.
*Thwip!*
Spider silk sprayed out. The Elroe Greym... deceased! It was that simple. With the lethal poison from Poison Synthesis applied to the silk, any monster with similar combat power died on contact.
Thus, a feast of slaughter began.
[Condition met. Obtained Title: <Thread User>.]
[Based on Title effect, obtained skills: <Thread Manipulation>, <Cutting Thread>.]
[Skill Integration: <Thread Manipulation Lv5→Lv6>.]
...
<Elroe Greym Lv9>
Deceased!
[Experience points have reached the threshold. Individual: Small Taratect, Lv6→Lv7.]
[Basic stats increased.]
[Proficiency reached. <Concentration Lv1→Lv2>, <Hit Lv1→Lv2>, <Throw Lv1→Lv2>.]
...
Practicing "snakey slithers" (evasive maneuvers)...
[Proficiency reached. Obtained skill: <Evasion Lv1>.]
...
Practicing thread control...
[Proficiency reached. <Spider Thread Lv9>, <Cutting Thread Lv4>.]
...
Strength training...
[Proficiency reached. <Strength Lv2→Lv3>. Obtained skills: <Instantaneous Lv1>, <Persistence Lv1>.]
The training continued, and their strength grew exponentially. The smooth leveling process lasted for several days. They thought it would continue like this, but then...
"Shirazawa! Shirazawa! Look at the new monster I killed! This one might taste better than the others, come try it!"
Shirazawa, who was resting with his eyes closed in their temporary shelter, was suddenly interrupted by Shiro's call. He opened his eyes to see a pinkish-white spider dragging a brown-furred monkey toward him with her webbing.
"Holy crap! An Anogratch!"
Shiraori was startled by Shirazawa's exclamation. Immediately realizing something was wrong, she dropped her prey.
"Shiro-chan... I just remembered I need to go on a very long trip for a couple of days. You're on your own. Good luck."
"Wait, what?!" Shiro cried. "Are—are you leaving me all alone?!"