Chapter 18: Zoa Ele

Thoughts in italics

Monologue in normal text

Skills in bold []

System in bold normal text

sounds in bold italics

WARNING:

This fanfiction will contain spoilers from the Light novel, read it at your own risk.

Leave your comments, it would help me a lot

thanks for reading

gasp... gasp...

I'm so excited, I can hardly breathe. I guess I got a little carried away celebrating my victory over a difficult opponent.

Whew. All right, that's enough. What should I do now?

First of all, I have increased my level a lot all at once.

Thank you, Eel. I guess you're not considered a dragon species for nothing.

With his stats alone, he was out of my league. Combine that with the effects of Pride, and it's no wonder I peaked at once.

My Skills also grew a lot in this battle.

But what an unexpected gain of experience points.

Although honestly, for a minute, I wasn't sure if I could win.

If she had made a simple mistake or misstep, she would be charred or in ashes right now.

This just goes to show how strong that Eel was.

Really. Judging it strictly from the point of view of our statistics, no one would think in a million years that I could win.

Between this and those wolves, I think I find myself in situations out of my league too often.

Anyway, I think the Skills I'm happiest to have upgraded are Hp Rapid Recovery and Flame Resistance.

So far, my recovery rate was more than enough to cancel out the damage so that my Hp could recover, but at a slow rate. But it was (and still is) not strong enough for me to survive swimming in lava.

That just means I'm about to become completely immune to this place and be able to swim in lava.

Amalaya. Let it happen now.

(NA: Amalaya, means to have a strong desire for something to happen).

It's been really hard to level it up since I can't use magic to do it, but there's nothing I can do without putting my life at risk.

Although, you can probably take a hit fireball and survive with a few burns.

In addition, I am level 10.

That means I can evolve again.

But should I? Is it really safe to evolve in a place like this?

I mean, evolving carries a bit of danger of its own.

On the one hand, when I evolve, I totally lose consciousness.

That leaves me completely unprotected for a while, so, if another monster attacks me or something, I'll be completely lost.

Last time - and the times before that - I spun a web to provide me with a safe place to evolve, but that's not an option this time.

While my webs can now withstand the fire, it's not forever, so it's not safe to say whether they will hold out until I wake up or not.

Evolve in the middle of the fire? No thanks.

And that's not all.

Since evolving requires a lot of energy, my Mp and Sp will be completely drained.

The Mp by itself is not a big problem, it would only block a few attacks but I have Mp Recovery Speed to fill up after a while.

But if I run out of Sp, I could get so hungry that I might not even be able to move.

In the worst-case scenario, he could die of starvation.

Until now I had always had a huge stock of food to use after evolving. But my current situation is a bit different.

Well, there's the eel, but I don't think even that monstrosity will be enough to recover all my Sp, even if it's 2.

There is no need to worry about becoming starving. But I think it would be necessary to actively hunt prey for a while.

Oh, but what about my Gluttony storage?

I didn't have anything stored in Gluttony the first two times I evolved...

I used some during the battle against the Eel, but I still have a good portion left.

If I can use it as fuel for my evolution, perhaps I won't be exhausted and without sustenance at the end.

Hmm. But maybe I shouldn't act based on optimistic thoughts, huh?

Based purely on an emotional level, I definitely want to evolve - but from a safe perspective, maybe it's better not to yet?

But I'm worried that if I don't, I won't be able to keep leveling up.

Are small creatures limited to level 10?

If that were the case, all the experience I gain in this form would be wasted, and I'm pretty sure I still have a ways to go to reach the Middle Layer.

Yeah, I really don't like that.

In that case, maybe I should evolve after all? Hmm.

In any case, it seems that again I have multiple options to evolve. So maybe I should investigate first.

Thus, please, Appraisal-chan.

Evolution Possible: Poison Taratect or Zoa Ele

Hmm? Poison Taratect is not a surprise, but what is this Zoa Ele?

Not even a Taratect?

Zoa Ele: Evolution Condition: Small spider-type monster that has status more than the standard value, and the Assassin title

Explanation: The small spider-type monster that's feared as the symbol of sinister. It has high combat ability and stealth nature

Oooh, Appraisal-chan!

Did you also add the requirements for an evolution, just for me?

That's why I love you Appraisal-chan!

Hmm, so, I can evolve on this because my stats exceed the requirements.

Which means that until now they were lower than the requirements, probably.

And wait, do titles have anything to do with evolutions?

I wonder if I was able to evolve into "Little Poison Taratect" because I had the title of poisonous techniques user.

That definitely sounds like a possibility.

Poison Taratect: Evolution Condition: Small Poison Taratect LV10:Explanation:The rare adult species of the spider-type monster called the Taratect. It has very powerful poison

So, this is my other choice: Poison Taratect.

But if I were to evolve, I should probably choose door number one.

Zoa Ele. The conditions to be able to evolve in that are quite difficult, and my precious Appraisal-chan has informed me that, in addition, it has high combat capabilities.

And the fact that it is apparently "small" is a big plus.

I guess even though I'm a little nervous about the whole thing, judging by the name and description, it seems to be a separate line of Taratect species.

If I continue to evolve as a Taratect, I will definitely become stronger.

I know this because I witnessed that evolved form with my own eyes.

The giant spider that is presumably my mother, the one I saw in the Lower Layer: The Great Taratect.

Judging by how weak I've been so far, it's hard to imagine, but I'm sure if I continue to evolve, I'll get to that level eventually.

I know that, but at the same time I know that means I will be bigger.

I know, bigger means better and all, but in the end, I think all cutting-edge technology is all about miniaturization.

Small in size, but high performance. That's what I want.

More importantly, if I get too big, I won't be able to move freely anymore.

I mean, how far can my mother really go at that size?

I would prefer not to abruptly lose the ability to maneuver in passages that have never been a problem before.

Besides, can you even imagine being this big here in the Middle Layer?

It would be too easy to take a wrong step in a narrow passage and put your feet directly into the magma!

It's not like stepping in a puddle, you know! I would definitely lose my footing!

I have no idea how big I would be once I'm an adult, but in my case, there are some major disadvantages if I were to get too big.

Not only in terms of ability to move, but also in battle situations.

After all, dodging is my specialty. Being bigger would only make me a bigger target.

Also, bigger means heavier.

More weight would only slow me down.

You tell me, a speed demon, what should slow me down? Yes, of course.

The sum of all this makes me not want to continue with the Taratect evolutionary line.

So, if I now have the opportunity to choose a new path, of course I want to follow it.

Of course, it's not like I don't have reservations about it.

The evolved form of the Taratect evolutionary line is definitely strong, but I can't say the same for Zoa Ele.

In the worst-case scenario, Zoa Ele could be the end of the evolutionary line.

But if that happens, it will be what it has to be, I guess.

I could still raise my stats by increasing my level and training my other skills and stuff.

Even the weakest of monsters can become strong if it was carefully believed. Take me as an example.

I mean, really, compared to when I started, I've become incredibly strong.

When I remember what it felt like to be so weak that anything could kill me with just a push, every other problem seemed to be more manageable.

So, I guess I will evolve into Zoa Ele.

The problem now is how to do it safely, but I think I have an idea.

I can't say for sure that it's totally safe, but it's better than nothing.

So... Come here, Mr. and Mrs. Dead Eel!

It's time for today's three-minute recipe.

What I have here is the body of 2 eels. Only of the highest quality.

First, let's stretch Mr. Eel really well.

Then, we roll it up on itself, starting with the tail.

Make sure you have a nice and perfect thread in every way.

Now, we want to leave some space in the center right here.

Once you have your basic circle, stack Mr. Eel on top of himself and form another doughnut.

Repeat this process a few more times, and then place your head right in the middle.

Repeat the process with the eel lady, only this one will be surrounding Mr. Eel in a protective manner.

Voila! Our Anguilla lodge is ready.

Wow, this looks great!

Very good. Since the eel has Dragon scales, it should be pretty tough.

It may not be as nice and comfortable as a spider web, but I think it's pretty good as a defense.

I should be safe if I evolve here, I think everything will be fine, let's give it a chance.

Small individual Taratect venomous, will evolve into Zoa Ele.

Yep, and with that, I'm off to sleep.

Good night!

(later)

Good morning!

Although I don't know if it is in fact tomorrow.

Well, it looks like I was able to wake up safe once again. At least that's a good thing.

I think this round of evolution broke records in terms of danger.

I'm glad I didn't wake up in another life or in heaven.

Huh? What do you mean, hell?

As if an honest and outstanding citizen like me would ever fall into hell! Ha-ha-ha

Anyway, it's time for my usual "self-appraisal"... Er, after ensuring my own safety, that is.

Anguilla's shelter seems to be intact, but it is possible that right now it is surrounded by monsters out there or something similar.

All right, let's take a little look outside.

Great, it looks like everything is clear. Very good, very good.

All right, let's eat this eel while... We're going to eat this eel while...

Oh shoot, wait a minute.

Just like that time with the snake, I can't eat the whole eel until I've flaked it.

Damn. Oh well.

Maybe I should eat the scales, see if I can gain a similar ability.

I'm also not so hungry that I can't move or anything. maybe Gluttony is watching my back like I expected?

All right, I guess it's time for a little shucking and jiving, while I check my skills.

Zoa Ele | Lv 1 | No name

Stats:

Hp: 246/246 (Green) 100 up

Mp: 368/368 (Blue) 100 up

Sp: 224/224 (Yellow) 100 up

656/656 (Red) 200 up +65

Attack: 265 118 up

Defense: 265 118 up

Magic: 255 100 up

Resistance: 980 101 up

Speed: 1460 100 up

Skills

Deadly poison attack Lv 3

Rot attack Lv 1 NEW

Poison Synthesis Lv 8 UP

Utility Thread Lv 1 NEW

Thread Manipulation Lv 8

Silence Lv 1 NEW

Threadsmanship Lv 3

Throw Lv 6

Spatial Maneuvering Lv 5

Destruction Enhancement Lv 2 UP

Cutting Enhancement Lv 2 UP

Poison Enhancement Lv 4 UP

Mental Warfare Lv 2 UP

Energy Conferment Lv 2

Thought Acceleration Lv 3

Hit Lv 7

Evasion Lv 7

Appraisal Lv 9

Detection Lv 6

Stealth Lv 7

Gluttony Lv 10

Parallel Thinking Lv 5

Arithmetic Processing Lv 7

Vision Expansion Lv 2

Deadly Poison resistance at Lv 2

Paralysis resistance Lv 4 UP

Petrification resistance Lv 3

Acid resistance lv 4

Rot Resistance Lv 9

Faintness Resistance Lv 3 UP

Fear resistance Lv 7

Heresy Resistance Lv 3

Pain Nullification

Pain Super-Mitigation Lv 2

Destruction Resistance Lv 2 UP

Impact Resistance Lv 2

Cutting Resistance Lv 3

Flame Resistance lv 3

Dark Resistance Lv 1

Life Lv 9

Magic Mass Lv 8

Instantaneous Lv 9

Persistent Lv 9

Fortune Lv 4

Taboo Lv 5 UP

Mental Magic Lv 2

HP Rapid Recovery Lv 5

MP Recovery Speed Lv 7 UP

MP Lessened Consumption Lv 2

SP Recovery Speed Lv8

Sp Lessened Consumption Lv 4

Auditory Enhancement Lv 8

Vision Enhancement Lv 9

Olfactory Enhancement Lv 7

Tactile Enhancement Lv 7 UP

Taste Enhancement Lv 7

Heretic Magic lv3

Shadow Magic Lv 3 UP

Poison Magic Lv 3 UP

Fire Magic Lv 5

Water Magic Lv 4

Earth Magic Lv 5

Electric Magic Lv 4

Ice Magic Lv 4

Wind Magic Lv 4

Abyss Magic Lv 10

Heal lv 9 UP

Cure lv 3

Solidity Lv 4 UP

Protection Lv 3

Herculean Strength Lv 4 UP

Skanda Lv 3

Hades

High-Speed Flight Lv 1 NEW

Foresight Lv 3

n=W

Skill points: 2700

Titles:

| Foul Feeder | Kin Eater | Assassin | Monster Slayer| Monster Slaughterer | Poison Technique User | Thread User | Merciless | Ruler of pride | Ruler of Gluttony |

Huh? Hmm? Hold on a second.

Let me see this again. Maybe my eyes are playing a joke on me.

Carefully check the numbers in my statistics.

Huh? Wha-?! Wha-wha-whaaaaaaat?! W-wh... WHAT?

They are very high, VERY, very high!

Are you serious? Did my statistics increase that much?

Wow, that description wasn't kidding in the part that said "high combative skills"...

Uh, with this, can I really get away with it?

Is it really okay for me to become this strong so quickly?

Because you know, I'm going to get cocky if I get this powerful, aren't I?

But it's okay, right?

...fu, fufu

That means I'm stronger than seahorses in terms of statistics - and even wolves - doesn't it?

My skill levels increased a lot as well. This looks good, it looks very good.

Wait, has taboo also risen?

Hey, what do you mean by level 5?!

It means I'm right in the middle of maximizing it!

If my prediction is correct, I'm pretty sure something big will happen if it ever reaches level 10.

Shit.

Well, I'm still in the middle of it. I'm perfectly fine for now. If I think about it.

Let's see, what else? I also gained some new skills.

Rot attack? really?

By Rot you mean that attribute, right?

The one that even though it tasted good was scarier than I expected when I used Appraisal on it?

Can I use that now? Damn, I'm talented.

The next Skill I am not familiar with is Silence

I feel like I can more or less tell what effect it has, but maybe I should use "Appraisal" just to be sure.

Silence: Suppresses noise creation.

Yep. Just as I thought.

Amazing! My ninja skills are on another level now.

Am I a shinobi now?

Can I go to Konoha? Would it be safer than here?

Maybe now I will be able to defeat enemies in a simple ambush?

Also, there are some strange skills here.

Spider Thread and Cutting Thread have disappeared. And in their place, there is a new skill called Utility Thread.

It is probably the evolved form of Spider Thread but where did Cutting Thread go?

Utility Thread: Customizable thread is created. Customize field:Viscosity, Elasticity, Resilience, Texture, Strength, Size, Attribute Endowment 「Slash」「Blow」「Shock」 etc., Resistance Endowment.

Now I can add more attributes and things to my spider thread.

And apparently "cut" has the same as my Cutting Thread, Blow adds impact effects and Shock adds shock effects, most likely electric shocks.

Blow means a normal blunt blow.

And apparently, Shock can generate, for a short period of time, a shock wave in the yarn.

If an enemy touches the thread when it is in this state, he will be numb and take damage.

Or come on, if it would allow me to use my yarns in the Middle Layer this would be super useful!

It also appears that Flight was upgraded to High-Speed Flight.

It probably means being able to fly now, and fast.

Ugh, I really want to get out of here quickly so I can try it!

Anyway, I finished unshucking the Eel while I was checking all that.

All right, time to see if the Anguilla meat meets my expectations.

Let's take a small bite

Itadakimasu!

...Yum, it's delicious.

The taste is completely different from catfish

I'll say it again: Delicious!

On this occasion, after evolving, I did not lose my Sp.

Instead, I drain almost all of the stock I had in my Gluttony storage.

This alone proves that Gluttony works perfectly.

In that case, as long as I continue to store energy with Gluttony, I'll be fine if I don't have enough food on hand when I need to evolve.

So, I'll just have to eat a lot, and so accumulate as much as I can.

Judging based on my previous amounts, it seems that I can accumulate an infinite amount of Sp, considering that it is at its maximum level.

You should also try the flakes.

I may not get any new skills but I will store Sp in Gluttony, so I don't lose anything.

I'll say it again. Itadakimasu!

...hmm, doesn't taste bad.

It tastes like what I think it would be lizard, but a little crunchy, maybe if I could cook it would be softer.

But it's not a bad taste.

Well, I haven't won anything yet but I still have a lot to eat.

Enjoy your meal!

(Later)

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill acquired [Dragon Scales Lv 1].

Yosh! I knew you wouldn't let me down!

I got a cool new skill thanks to being able to eat the Eel scales.

I also managed to store a good amount of Sp.

Speaking of stockpiling, I suddenly have a good number of skill points.

If I'm not mistaken, they were going up around 100 per level, but now I have more than 2000.

If at least 1600 came from the skills points I stored, where did the other 1100 points come from?

Does evolving come with a bonus or something?

Well, I'm certainly going to take as much as I can anyway.

I have almost 3000 skill points, so I can get me some good skills.

I should take a good look at the list of accessible skills later.

But before that, there is something that worries me.

The shape of my leather has changed a bit. I noticed it while I was peeling eel scales.

My 2 front legs, which used to be like sharp claws, are more similar to scythes now.

And these sickles happen to cut extremely well.

It used to take me forever to remove the scales from that snake, but this time, I made quick work of it.

I cannot cut the scales themselves, but I am now able to slice between the skin and the scales.

Is it because my attack power has increased or because these scythes are too sharp?

Additionally, my body is black now. It was always quite dark, but now it's really black.

I assure you; it's pitch black! The kind of black that doesn't reflect any light.

I can't see the rest of my body since I don't have a mirror, but I guess those are the most noticeable changes.

I don't feel like my size is different or anything.

But I could bet there are some details that have changed and I'm just not aware of them.

Until now I had adhered to the Taratect species, my form does not seem to have changed at all since I evolved.

But with this evolution my species has changed.

If I could take a good look, I would bet there are a lot of differences.

At times like this I really wish I had a mirror. I don't even know what I look like.

The overall composition of my parts doesn't seem to have changed much, so I should be able to move as I normally do without any problems.

I never felt any bodily changes before evolving anyway.

So, it's a relief not to have changed much this time around either.

Well, I guess these big scythes are a big change, though.

Somehow, they look like they're going to make a noise like Ka-Shing! ¸or something like that, when I squish them back and forth.

On second thought, they definitely bring to mind the personification of the grim reaper, huh?

The description of this species said something like a "bad omen" or whatever, and now I have Rot attacks and stuff, so it makes sense.

I definitely still have that ninja style imbued in me, but in extreme cases, I can probably impersonate "death" as well.

You should also take a better look at the skills that increased in level.

I am always happy to see Herculean Strength and Solidity improve.

That also adds a bonus in relation to the growth of statistics from now on.

My stats have definitely gotten stronger, but they are still quite low compared to opponents like the eel.

Let's see... Poison Synthesis, Poison Magic, and Shadow Magic have all increased their level.

I still can't use the magic skills, but I still want to check if I have gained any Poison Synthesis.

Attribute Endowment「Paralysis」:Paralysis attribute is added.

What?

Th-th-this?

I think I may have gotten something really wild!

Poison Synthesis, the skill that has worked simply wonderfully for me in the Middle Layer, has taken another big step forward.

Oh, come on. I must try this one right away.

That's right, I want to experiment with adding the paralysis attribute to my Deadly Spider Poison.

We'll see what kind of effect it has as soon as I get a chance to try it.

Ah, but Deadly Spider Poison will kill most of the enemies immediately...

You could try it with me...

No, bad idea. I'm in enemy territory, not in my base, I must be careful and not do anything stupid.

Okay, let's add the Weak Poison attribute as well,

The next time I encounter an enemy I will start by using the Weak Poison that has been infused with paralysis.

Wah, I can't wait!

As for magic... well, who cares? It's not like I'd put it to use anyway.

Huh? No, wait a minute. I really can't use magic?

My Parallel Thinking and Arithmetic Processing have both increased in level quite a bit.

Gasp... gasp... gasp. Okay!

Detection on!

Gah! Hnnnnnnnngh! Oof!

The domain has reached the required level. The Skill [Arithmetic Processing Lv 7] has become [Arithmetic Processing Lv 8].

Proficiency has reached the required level. The Skill [Parallel Thinking Lv 5] has become [Parallel Thinking Lv 6].

Proficiency has reached the required level. The Skill [Detection Lv 6] has become [Detection Lv 7].

Proficiency has reached the required level. Ability [Heresy Resistance Lv 3] has become [Heresy Resistance Lv 4].

Detection off!

Gasp. That was intense

But I was definitely able to put up with it for much longer than before.

Although it takes all my concentration just to deal with it, but it's still a big step.

So, it seems that my approach was not incorrect.

It may be a while before I can really master it, but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Maybe?

(Later)

I've been wandering around the Middle Layer.

I am quite satisfied after eating the 2 eels. So, it looks like I don't need to worry about fading from hunger or anything like that.

Since it is not necessary to actively hunt any prey at this time, I can proceed at my own pace.

I feel pretty good at the moment. I can even enjoy this heat.

Poof. Still, I prefer more humid climates.

At the moment there are not many monsters around me. So, I guess I will check my skills points situation.

I got a good amount of points thanks to the fact that I have saved more of my evolution, so I can get myself some cool skills.

All the skills I have acquired so far have been great, with the exception of Detection so hopefully I will continue to have good luck.

So far, besides increasing the level of Taboo, Pride does not seem to have any drawbacks.

Even Taboo isn't doing anything harmful at the moment, so it's really like there's no downside, right?

Considering how incredible its effects are, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Why I was able to get this skill for only 100 points is a total mystery to me.

With these effects, it would not be surprising if in fact it would easily cost 1000 points.

Maybe it's too much to hope for another Pride-like bargain, but if there's a Skill that looks good maybe I'll take it.

After all, there is no reason to save more skills points.

These things really do nothing but burn a hole in your pockets.

Saving more of them in the hope of gaining even greater skill that has not yet been unlocked strikes me as incredibly inefficient anyway.

All right, Appraisal-chan do your thing!

First, I will examine my skills points twice.

Then I will take a look at the list.

Hmm. There are still many skills I can get for 100 points.

I haven't taken any of them because they don't seem particularly important, but maybe I should try to raise my pro-efficiency with some of them when I have free time?

But I guess, if I have time for that, I should instead upgrade with more useful skills.

Ah, but wait, maybe there are some skills like Detection that suddenly transform into something much more useful once they evolve.

Hmm. I don't know.

Oh, but first, I really should take a look at the skills that cost more than 200 points, since I couldn't see them last time.

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. I found one. A totally broken skill just like Pride.

Perseverance: ｎ％ power capable of reaching the Gods. Own divinity area is expanded.

As long as you have MP, no matter what kind of damage is received, you will survive with HP 1. In addition, the 'system is surpassed and the right to interfere with the 'Ａ area is obtained.

Another skill full of mysterious terminology.

And then he has this ridiculous, almost laughable ability.

Does it work by supplying Mp continuously or what?

I have no idea how much MP it consumes, but does this mean that you can continue as if you were a zombie as long as you still have MP left?

I don't get it. It sounds strange.

Well, I won't hesitate this time. Boop.

Number of skill points currently in possession: 2700. Number of skill points needed to acquire the skill [Perseverance]: 500. Acquire skill?

Yes, please

Perseverance acquired. Remaining points: 2200

With Pride now up my sleeve, I no longer know the meaning of the word "retreat"!

I'll take as many of these skills as I can!

Come at me, Taboo or whatever it has to be, get the worst you can!

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Taboo Lv 5] has become [Taboo Lv 7].

Okay, I regret it. I definitely didn't want you to do that much.

Condition satisfied. Title acquired [Ruler of Perseverance].

Skills acquired [Heresy Nullification Lv 1] [Conviction] as a result of the title [Ruler of Perseverance].

Skill [Heresy Resistance Lv 4] has been integrated into Heresy Nullification

Hell, then Taboo rose, just as I thought. And he even did it twice. Well, what are we going to do?

Letting it go up like this doesn't seem to be a good thing, but it's not like I have any way to prevent it.

So, don't self-murder me, or hit me with a lightning bolt out of nowhere, or anything like that, okay?

Poof! The worst thing about not knowing is that it causes my imagination to run free, you know what I mean?

More importantly, let's take a look at that title.

I don't have time to be worrying! I must verify the effect of this title immediately!

Ruler of Perseverance: Increases defense and resistance stats. Lifts ban on Evil Eye-type skills. +Correction to resistance skill proficiencies. Grants ruling class privileges

Uh-huh. I knew it. This is another one of those cheat titles

My defense and endurance increased!

Both were raised 100 points, so my defense is 365 and my stamina is 1080.

Another one of my stats already reached 4 digits. Which is great, as that means I'm a fast beast and can hold my own.

Man, what's really going on here, isn't this a little too much of a cheat?

The fact that my stamina type skills now improve easier is huge too.

Since I specialize in evasion, I rarely receive attacks, and those I do receive are because I want to, which means that my resistance skills increase considerably to match my speed.

How did I raise my proficiency with endurance skills, you ask?

That's the funny thing, I didn't.

My theory is that my stats are adjusted so that my body doesn't suffer from the speed I run, after all, Sonic can run at the speed of sound and not vaporize, who's to say I can't too?

I also have the theory is that my mastery over the resistance attribute skills I possess, improve each time my level goes up, or something like that.

I mean, I won Dark Resistance without having to do anything, so that pretty much confirms it.

Yep, makes sense, since I have Abyss Magic and all.

The other resistors I got by using threads and stuff to hurt myself.

I mean, if you knew you could earn a skill by hurting yourself a little bit, anyone would do it. So that's what I did.

Huh? What do you mean, only I would do it?

Oh, come on, that's not true. That's totally normal.

I'm also intrigued by that Evil-Eye thing.

I want it!

I mean, with an Evil-Eye type skill or whatever, couldn't you just say phrases like "My right eye... darken!" or " You're already trapped in my illusion!" or other things?

Come on man he could look like some kind of badass video game villain.

Ugh, I want it, but part of me says wait, it's not time yet.

Ugh, damn conscience, let me do things my way for once.

Oh well, I guess I just have to wait until it's "time" so I can get these evil eyes.

Last but not least, I got the skills Heresy Nullification and Conviction.

Heresy Resistance increases your defense against attacks that directly affect the soul, so I guess Heresy Nullification should cancel them out completely.

So now, even if I end up against an enemy using Heretic Magic or something like that, I should be fine.

Conviction: against targets that have sins in their soul system, inflicts irresistible damage in proportion to the total amount of guilt.

Wow. So, it's an attack that does more damage the more guilty those involved are? The "irresistible" part is pretty intimidating.

Hmm? Just a second!

Will this be connected in any way to Taboo?

Something like, the higher your Taboo level the more damage you will take?

That's got to be it!

OUCH! If anyone else has this Conviction skill I'll be in trouble.

Hmm, but this one wasn't in the list of skills obtainable using skill points, so...

If it is a special skill that can only be obtained through a ruler's title, perhaps there are only a few besides me who have it.

All this is just wishful thinking, but I hope it is true.

If so, then I have a really valuable skill right here.

But this reminds me of the Hades skill. I bet I can't even use it.

I gave it a chance, but nothing happened.

Maybe I just failed because I didn't have a target, but I have a feeling I can't really use it for anything.

Well even if he couldn't use Conviction, he was still a positive asset.

Sure, Taboo will increase again, but I can't find any way around that point.

As long as I don't die instantly or go straight to the Game Over type scenario, I will simply have to accept whatever the penalty is.

Man that, in addition, my stats improved a lot, as well as my skills.

Am I really strong now or what?

Hmm, now comes the problem of what to do with the remaining skills points I have.

I could keep them for when the "time" comes my mind tells me, but I simply have too many.

Hmm.

Hey Appraisal-chan, is there anything else I can use the skill points for.

...

Appraisal-chan?

The question can be answered by the user's current ruler level.

Great, then get back to me.

Skill points can also be used to increase the level of skills the user already has.

...wait, what?

Skills such as Flight, Fire Magic, etc. can be increased with skill points.

Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-Waaaaaa!

How come you didn't tell me before?!

You did not have the necessary level of authority to know this, even if you are favored by one of the rulers.

This opens up a lot of possibilities! How come I didn't know this before! How come I didn't try this before!

Wait, favored by one of the rulers?

You do not have sufficient level of authority to know this.

You can't just tell me something like that and then say I don't have enough authority to know, how mean you are Appraisal-chan!

Calm down, calm down, calm down.

Uff, poof

I have to think carefully about what skill I could raise next, something that is completely necessary for my current situation.

...

Hey, Appraisal-chan, how many points would it take to raise Flame Resistance?

Currently the points needed to raise Flame Resistance is 200.

And for Swimming?

To upgrade Swimming, you would first have to acquire it and each level would need 100 points.

So, I would need 100 points to acquire Swimming, to raise 900it to 10 and 1400 points to maximize Flame Resistance, making me need points2400 in total... I don't have enough points to raise them all.

I'll have to settle for just maxing out Flame Resistance, but I won't back down.

No risk, no gain! Appraisal-chan please!

Number of Skill Points currently in possession: 2200. Number of skill points needed to acquire the skill [Swimming Lv 1]: 100. Do you wish to acquire it?

Yes please!

[Swimming Lv 1] acquired. Number of skill points remaining: 2100

Okay, now. To level up Flame Resistance, Appraisal-chan please!

Do you wish to upgrade [Flame Resistance Lv 3] to [Flame Resistance Lv 4]? Number of points needed: 200

No, I want to turn it up to the maximum!

Do you wish to raise [Flame Resistance Lv 3] to [Flame Resistance Lv10 ]? Number of points needed: 1400.

Yes, please!

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Flame Resistance Lv 4] has become [Flame Resistance Lv 10]. Skill points remaining:

Conditions met. The skill [Heat Nullification] has been derived from the skill [Flame Resistance Lv 10].

Gah! I did it, there's no turning back now.

Proficiency has reached the required level. Ability [Taboo Lv 7] has become [Taboo Lv 8].

Gah! What?! Why?!

Upgrading skills using skill points is considered a taboo, the level of taboo did not grow too much thanks to the user's current level of authority and the current level of taboo.

You should have told me before!

Hmpf. No way, what can you do.

It may have been taboo, but I'm still winning.

Thanks to the fact that I managed to level it up, I now have Heat Nullification.

If fire resistance allowed me to resist heat, flame resistance allows me to resist fire. Heat nullification completely cancels the heat of the flames, as well as their damage!

Now I can swim in lava!

But I won't do it yet.

Why, you may ask.

It's more of a gut feeling, but something tells me not to go into the lava or I might die and not from the lava.

I don't know what's wrong with me and my hunches now, but they've never failed me, so I don't mind following them.

And also, I can now my networks permanently in this layer.

Now I am strong!

1234

Information saves lives.

Zoa Ele

A small spider-type Monster that is feared as an ill omen. Because few witnesses have ever seen it, it's said that anyone who merely encounters one will die within the next few days. Legend says that it will often suddenly appear behind its victims and use Rot Attack to decapitate them with tis scythes. Its danger level varies depending on its stats, but its basic abilities as listed above would be ranked C

1234

That would be all.

Can skills really be raised using skill points? Not really, it's more a theory than a fact but I decided to implement it.

by the way, the ruler that has favorized kumoko it isn't D.

that's all i wanted to say.

Bye-bye