So, I'd wiped out all the apes, but now what was I supposed to do?
For the time being, things were quiet around me.
Even though I'd made such a racket, no other Monsters had come swarming in.
Maybe the noise actually scared them off. Either way, I figured I had a little breathing room.
I could build another makeshift nest up near the ceiling again. It wasn't exactly what I'd call safe, but weaker Monsters probably wouldn't be able to get close.
Honestly, though, if I was going to evolve, now was the time.
I had no idea how long I'd be unconscious during the evolution, but based on last time, it didn't seem like it'd be all that long.
That said, it was just a gut feeling, so I couldn't rely on it too much.
No matter what, evolution came with risks.
And if that was the case, then this moment—where I'd somehow ended up with a huge stockpile of food—seemed like the perfect opportunity.
If I was being asked whether to evolve or not, the answer was obviously evolve.
Besides, if I didn't evolve, then Level 10 might just be my hard cap.
Even after hitting Level 10, I'd finished off a considerable number of apes.
But my level never budged.
If it was just a matter of not having enough Experience Points, that'd be one thing. But there was also the possibility that without evolving, I couldn't grow any further.
Thinking about it that way, I felt like I should evolve, even if it meant accepting some risk.
The real question was: which path should I take?
Taratekt, or Small Poison Taratekt?
Hmm.
I had no idea.
Last time there'd been a clear distinction—an inferior species versus a normal species—so I'd been able to decide on the spot. But this time, I had no clue which one to pick.
The Taratekt would probably just be the standard adult form of what I already was.
But how much of a change that would bring was anyone's guess.
And the Poison one was just as much of a mystery.
The name said "Poison," so presumably my poison-related abilities would get boosted. But what about everything else?
I was torn.
If only I could Appraise them right about now.
...Appraise. Could I?
Wait.
At the bottom of my Status's Appraisal results, there was something that looked like an alert?
Huh. "Evolution possible"?
What was this?
The words "Evolution possible" were blinking.
Hmm?
Well, I might as well double-tap Apprise.
『Evolution available: Taratekt or Small Poison Taratekt』
Wha—seriously!?
Appraisal, are you for real!?
You're the best!
Yes! This way I could Appraise my evolution options too!
Man, Appraisal had been putting in some seriously crazy work lately.
I Appraised them right away.
『Taratekt: The standard adult form of the spider-type Monster known as the Taratect species. Carnivorous, with venomous fangs.』
『Small Poison Taratekt: A rare larval form of the spider-type Monster known as the Taratect species. Possesses extremely potent venom.』
I'd made my decision.
The Poison one.
Because it was rare, obviously!
It was Rare, with a capital R.
When one option was called "standard" and the other was a "rare species," of course you picked the rare one. Come on.
Japanese people are just weak to words like "rare" and "limited edition." It's in our DNA.
Now that I'd decided, first things first—build a makeshift nest.
Oh wait, I barely had any Stamina left.
In that case, I'd eat a handy ape to recover some.
Phew, that hit the spot.
Alright then, time to build that nest.
The bare rock that had been there before—well, would you look at that!
A magnificent spider web stood in its place.
No rocks this time, though.
With apes clinging to every surface whether there were rocks or not, camouflage would've been pointless anyway.
Still, I was exhausted.
Physically and mentally.
Well, no wonder, after a battle like that.
The unconsciousness from evolution was a bit different from regular sleep, but it had a similar "rest" vibe to it.
『Individual Small Taratekt is evolving into Small Poison Taratekt』
Good night, then.
『Evolution complete』
『Race has changed to Small Poison Taratekt』
『All base stats have increased』
『Skill Proficiency evolution bonus acquired』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Poison Fang LV8" has become "Poison Fang LV9"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Spider Silk LV8" has become "Spider Silk LV9"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Thread Manipulation LV7" has become "Thread Manipulation LV8"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Focus LV4" has become "Focus LV5"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Appraisal LV7" has become "Appraisal LV8"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Heterodox Magic LV2" has become "Heterodox Magic LV3"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Shadow Magic LV1" has become "Shadow Magic LV2"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Poison Magic LV1" has become "Poison Magic LV2"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Poison Resistance LV7" has become "Poison Resistance LV8"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Petrification Resistance LV2" has become "Petrification Resistance LV3"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Stun Resistance LV1" has become "Stun Resistance LV2"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Heterodox Resistance LV1" has become "Heterodox Resistance LV2"』
『Skill "Poison Attack LV5" acquired through evolution』
『"Poison Fang LV9" has been merged into "Poison Attack LV5"』
『Proficiency has reached a threshold. Skill "Poison Attack LV5" has become "Poison Attack LV9"』
『Skill Points have been acquired』