My Slashing Thread skill level went up to 3 by bullying pill bugs into oblivion.
I really wanted to grind it higher, but the pill bugs were in such a state they'd need to be censored, so I had no choice.
Even at level 3, I couldn't deal much damage, but every little bit counts.
I'd like to think I'll probably, maybe, possibly remember you, Mr. Pill Bug.
Of course, I ate it afterward.
It tasted terrible, as usual.
Come to think of it, I didn't really need to pick on pill bugs.
I could've just been hitting random rocks.
Oh no, did the pill bug die for nothing?
No no, it benefited me, so it must be crying tears of joy in the afterlife.
Huh? Monster?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
So, right after I finished bullying the pill bugs, whether attracted by the noise or whatever, another Monster showed up.
[Anogratch] [LV8] [Appraisal of status failed] It was a Monster I'd never seen before.
A primate-like Monster, about two meters tall.
My Appraisal of its status failed, and I would've liked to just ignore it, but it had already spotted me dead-on, so that wasn't an option either.
Well, to cut to the chase, I managed to win somehow.
It seemed like the kind that was confident in its speed, but I was more skilled.
I dodged the ape's arms over and over as it lunged at me, and finally caught it with my Spider Silk by exploiting a momentary opening.
It was absolutely terrifying.
Seriously.
It had been forever since I'd been in a real fight like this.
And this primate was actually pretty strong.
The sound of its arms swinging was this thunderous whoosh — no joke.
If one of those connected, I'd be dead.
So yeah, I dodged like my life depended on it.
If I'd had a mouth, I would've been screaming.
"Eek?"
Obviously "GYAAH!"
Maybe because I was dodging so desperately, I obtained the Evasion Skill.
When I Appraised it, it was exactly what it sounded like — a Skill that boosts your evasion ability.
Hooray, another Skill tailor-made for a speed-focused build!
Plus, the moment I defeated the primate, I leveled up.
[Experience Points reached a threshold. Individual Small Taratekt has leveled from LV3 to LV4.]
[All base stats have increased.]
[Skill Proficiency level-up bonus acquired.]
[Proficiency reached a threshold. Skill "Focus LV1" has become "Focus LV2".]
[Proficiency reached a threshold. Skill "Throwing LV1" has become "Throwing LV2".]
[Proficiency reached a threshold. Skill "Accuracy LV1" has become "Accuracy LV2".]
[Skill Points obtained.]
Three Skills leveled up at once.
They're all quietly useful Skills, so I'm pretty happy.
After leveling up, my Status looks like this: [Small Taratect LV4] [Name: None] Status HP: 40/40 (Green) MP: 40/40 (Blue) SP: 40/40 (Yellow) ???: 40/40 (Red) Average Attack: 22 Average Defense: 22 Average Magic: 20 Average Resistance: 20 Average Speed: 390 Skills [HP Auto-Regen LV2] [Poison Fang LV8] [Poison Synthesis LV1] [Spider Silk LV8] [Slashing Thread LV3] [Thread Manipulation LV6] [Throwing LV2] [Focus LV2] [Accuracy LV2] [Evasion LV1] [Appraisal LV7] [Detection LV4] [Stealth LV5] [Heterodox Magic LV2] [Shadow Magic LV1] [Poison Magic LV1] [Overeating LV3] [Dark Vision LV10] [Visual Range Expansion LV1] [Poison Resistance LV7] [Paralysis Resistance LV3] [Petrification Resistance LV2] [Acid Resistance LV3] [Corrosion Resistance LV3] [Fear Resistance LV5] [Pain Nullification] [Pain Reduction LV5] [Strength LV2] [Durability LV2] [Idaten LV2] [Taboo LV2] [n％I＝W] As usual, everything except speed is pathetic.
Without Idaten, my speed would be low too, which would mean thread is literally the only thing I've got going for me.
All hail Lord Idaten.
It's great that so many things went up at once, but I shouldn't get too comfortable.
There might be other Monsters that were attracted by the commotion besides the primate.
Anyway, time to dig into the primate.
Mmm.
This one doesn't have any poison.
No bitterness.
But it has a distinctive funky taste, so it's still not exactly tasty.
Cows and pigs in my previous life were truly magnificent.
My stamina is full, but thanks to the Overeating Skill it doesn't go to waste.
When I first saw Overeating, the name alone made me suspicious it might have downsides, but it turned out to be an amazing Skill.
Like I've said before, I'm pretty stamina-dependent.
Both producing thread and running consume stamina.
So this Skill that lets me stockpile extra stamina has great synergy with me.
If I could use magic, it might ease the burden on stamina somewhat, but there's no point wishing for things I don't have.
Speaking of magic, I Appraised the details of each spell.
[Discomfort: Plants a direct sense of discomfort into the soul.]
[Phantom Pain: Plants a phantom pain directly into the soul.]
[Deep Shadow: Shadows become darker.]
[Toxic Touch: Deals poison-attribute damage to anything touched.]
Discomfort does exactly what it says — seems like a mental attack.
Phantom Pain is similar to Discomfort.
Toxic Touch seems strong for a level 1 spell, but it's still level 1, so there's probably some catch.
Deep Shadow seems to do what the name implies, but how do I even use this?
Hmm.
Combine it with higher-level Shadow Magic, maybe?
If so, it doesn't seem very useful on its own.
Well, I can't use any of them anyway.
Alright, I've finished eating the primate, so let's get moving.
I've added the level 2 Heterodox Magic spell "Phantom Pain" to my arsenal.