Today's the same as always — skulking around and moving along.
The maze zone in the Upper Layer was nothing but an absurd number of forks, but this corridor is one long straight path.
It's nice not having to worry about getting lost, but if this path leads all the way down to the lowest layer, I might not be able to get back.
Ahh, let's not entertain that thought.
I'm sure it connects to the Middle Layer!
Let's believe that!
Anyway, the red gauge is starting to run low.
Last time I ate a snail-worm, but I really want to keep that as an absolute last resort.
Right now I can see a few crawling along the wall, but I'm not exactly eager to munch on them.
Well, obviously — when something tastes that terrible, even Monsters won't touch it.
So, ideally I'd like to secure a normal meal while there's still some room left in the gauge.
Whether it counts as "normal" when the Monsters are poisonous is beside the point.
Well, I've been eating poisonous things left and right anyway.
At this point, what's the difference.
It's not like I'm craving gourmet food or anything.
...I miss cup noodles.
Anyway, all clear ahead!
All clear behind!
No dangerous species nearby!
Good, good.
"『Eiro Randanel LV8 — Appraisal of Status failed』"
"『Eiro Randanel LV7 — Appraisal of Status failed』"
"『Eiro Randanel LV7 — Appraisal of Status failed』"
In front of me are three friendly-looking Monsters, thick as thieves.
These guys really are always together, no matter when or where.
But I gotta say, for the Lower Layer their Levels are pretty impressive.
If you evolve at Level 10, then the Level 8 one might be close to evolving soon.
Well, that future will never come to pass, though.
I slip around behind them without being detected.
And now, introducing the new weapon — Casting Net!
What, the name's too on-the-nose?
Come on, I can't come up with some fancy elaborate name every single time.
I was pretty pleased with myself the moment Spider Morningstar popped into my head, but...
I can't deliver that level of quality every single time, y'know.
So — Casting Net, go!
Don't underestimate it just because it's a simple casting net.
This new weapon — hmm, it really does feel bland without a proper name — ah, explanation?
Sure, sure. Right after launch, it flies as a compact bundle, and the instant it reaches its target, a spider web bursts outward in all directions and wraps the enemy up!
It's a dream combo made possible by the delicate construction of Spider Silk and the precise control of Thread Manipulation!
The three Monsters are completely enveloped in the net without any way to resist.
Ha ha ha.
Big haul, big haul!
Now to finish them off with Poison Fang as usual.
Chomp!
"You have fulfilled the conditions. You have acquired the Title 『Poison Artisan』."
"Due to the effect of the Title 『Poison Artisan,』 you have acquired the Skills 『Poison Synthesis LV1』 and 『Poison Magic LV1』."
Oh?
Ohhh?
Ohhhh?!
Is today Poison Day?!
Nice, nice.
Man, I've been using poison ever since the day I was born, and it's only now I finally get this?
Was it really that hard to get this Title?
Actually, now that I think about it, all the Titles I've gotten so far have had pretty demanding conditions, haven't they?
Are Titles actually harder to get than you'd think?
Well, I got it, so whatever.
Okay, the Skills — Poison Synthesis and Poison Magic.
Poison Magic is the same as ever — no clue how to use it, so it's going on the back burner.
Another one for the magic graveyard.
As for Poison Synthesis, I'm also not entirely sure what it does.
Poison Synthesis means... making poison?
But I'm a spider, so I can already produce poison on my own.
Tch, focus, focus.
Skill testing can wait.
For now I need to finish off the remaining two and dispose of the bodies.
So — Poison Fang, chomp!
"Your Proficiency has reached a certain threshold. The Skill 『Poison Fang LV7』 has become 『Poison Fang LV8』."
Oh?
Ohhh?
Ohhhhh?!
Is today the day of Poison?!
Love it, love it.
If Level 10 is the max, then Level 8 must be some seriously potent venom.
It worked pretty well against that poisonous bee, after all.
This makes me happier than getting the Title.
Alright.
I carry the three defeated Monsters behind some rocks.
Ugh, with my pathetic stats, hauling three of them is rough.
Should've moved them one at a time.
Huh?
Haven't I done something like this before?
And didn't I regret not moving them one at a time then too?
Hmm?
I don't know!
I don't know any such past!
It's definitely not that my memory is terrible!
There was no such past!
We good?!
Alright.
Let me try experimenting with Poison Synthesis while I eat.
Not that I can really do much, since I don't know how to use it — I'll just have to try focusing on it and see what happens.
So — whisper, pray, focus — Poison Synthesis!
And when I actually focused on it, something appeared.
Like how images pop up in your head during Appraisal.
"『Poison Synthesis Menu』"
"『Weak Poison』"
"『Spider Poison LV8』"
What's this?
Oh, but if it's displaying like this, then Appraisal must be working on it.
"『Poison Synthesis Menu — Can synthesize poison』"
"『Weak Poison — An extremely weak poison』"
"『Spider Poison LV8 — A lethal poison secreted by spiders. LV8 is extremely potent』"
Hmm.
Spider Poison is my original venom, then.
And I'm guessing that at Poison Synthesis Level 1, the thing I'd normally be able to make is the Weak Poison?
I try selecting Weak Poison.
A small ball of water materializes in front of me and drops to the ground, forming a little puddle.
Well, that's disappointing.
This is one of those situations where you need a container or something, isn't it?
I Appraise the puddle just in case.
"『Weak Poison Puddle』"
Yep.
Definitely looks like a legit Weak Poison.
I see.
So Poison Synthesis is a Skill that lets you create poison without needing any ingredients.
Pretty convenient for a human, but I'm a spider, so...
Depending on how you use it, it could come in handy, maybe.
Hmm.
Being able to produce poison at zero cost is admittedly impressive.
Oh — wait, hold on.
My MP decreased.
Zero cost, my foot.
Ahh, and just like that, the excitement takes a nosedive.
The types of poison I can synthesize might increase as the Level goes up, but I can already make Spider Poison, which is way more powerful anyway.
Not exactly blowing me away.
Still, having another tool in the arsenal is never a bad thing.
Compared to the utter annihilation of my magic arsenal, this is practically useful.