Chapter 14: Pride and Detection

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

I want to use magiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiic!

If a little demon appeared before me right now and said "make a contract with me and become a magical girl" I would totally say YES, at this point.

But then I'd have to get rid of it immediately, of course.

Actually, if something like that really showed up, I'd kill it first and ask no questions!

Maybe I'd even eat it...

All right, that's enough, I've wasted enough time. I have to seriously think about what to do for a long-range attack.

Being able to use magic would be ideal here of course, but there are several problems with that.

First of all, I can't use magic... because I really have no idea how to use it.

Sure, I can summon it, but that's only in its purest state, as an attack it's no good to me.

It's like having a console but not knowing how to turn it on and use it to hit things or something. It's a very fundamental problem.

That aside, I'm beginning to suspect that there are skills needed to enable magic use.

Why? Because I just found one that seems to indicate exactly that to me.

It's called Magic Power Perception.

I mean, magic exists, and so does Mp, so I guess it makes sense that "magic power" exists too. Actually, that's why MP could exist for that reason.

But does that mean that without this ability, you can't properly sense magical power or something?

That would be the case. Indeed, I don't think there is any other explanation.

So, this "magic power" is necessary to use magic?

By asking System-chan, I discovered a skill that seems to fit perfectly.

It's called Magic Power Operation.

So, I need to perceive the magic power and manipulate it.

Then I'll be able to summon magic.

That's what it looks like to me, anyway.

In other words, without those skills, it might not be possible to use any spells?

That seems to me to be the case.

So, basically, I've been trying to play a game without a power supply or a controller.

Fortunately, while that was going on, I gained 1200 skill points.

I need 2 skills, and 1200 is more than enough to get those 2.

It's like God told me to choose those skills, isn't it?

Calm down for a second.

God is D in this world and D isn't exactly kind, is he?

I can't underestimate acquiring skills knowing how bad my luck is.

There is definitely a catch.

And this time, I know exactly what it is.

It's called Detection.

I got the Detection skill at the same time as Thread Manipulation.

After defeating that snake and evolving for the first time.

Since I've always relied on surprise attacks, I couldn't afford to fall prey to one.

Hoping that a skill would alert me to the enemies' presence, I opted for Detection.

As if turning the tables, that was a big mistake.

You see, the thing is, Detection is very powerful.

A skill that combines all perception systems. Summary: Magic Power Perception, Detection Technique Perception, Material Perception, Presence Perception, Danger Perception, Motion Perception, Heat Perception, Reaction Perception, Space Perception, and Space Perception.

Isn't that crazy?

All perception-based skills rolled into one.

And that only cost me 100 points.

The problem with this ability is its summoning, as all of these abilities are activated at once.

You can't pick and choose and activate them individually.

So, what happens when they all go off at the same time? Well, I get a horrible headache.

No, it feels like my head is going to shatter with a violent explosion.

My guess about this is that Detection is simply too high with respect to performance, and my brain's processing speed can't keep up.

And unlike other skills, there isn't much improvement after leveling up.

I mean, it's already too overwhelming to begin with, and that just makes the ability get stronger and makes my headache worse. That makes it more useless than before.

Though as a bonus, since it senses so many things simultaneously, Detection advances relatively easily.

The only times I've used it were when I first got it and once more after that, when I got the headache and was like "What the hell was that?!" after carefully testing it again.

Then the time came when Appraisal got the ability to display the skills, so I decided to try it again after reviewing its description.

With just those 3 uses, he leveled up 3 times.

Seriously, I wish I could apply that range of growth to some of my other skills.

And of course, every time Detection leveled up, it became harder to use.

There is no salvation at this point.

So, I decided to seal it semi-permanently.

But there is a problem here.

To use magic, I probably need to use Magic Power Perception.

And Magic Power Perception is tied to Detection.

Strength and Herculean Strength, Solidity and Sturdy: both are compatible skill pairs.

I got Strength and Solidity when I won the Monster Slayer title, while Herculean Strength and Sturdy appeared when I won the Monster Slaughterer title.

Strength and Solidity raised my attack and defense, respectively, by their number of skill levels, while the enhanced counterparts raised the skills by ten times the number of skill levels. On top of that, it also improved my stat increases as I leveled up.

Basically, they seem to be better versions of the Skanda skill, which I seem to have had since I was reborn here.

Anyway, when I acquired those skills, Strength merged with Herculean Strength, and Solidity with Sturdy.

It seems to me that once you acquire a higher skill, the lower skills will be unified to them.

If that's the case, I have a feeling that if I try to acquire Magic Power Perception, it will merge with Detection, as the latter is clearly of a higher rank.

Meaning that it will be impossible for me to use any of the Detection parts individually.

Argh, does that mean if I don't do something with Detection, I'll never be able to use magic for the rest of my life?

Noooooo!

After coming this far, does a semi-permanently sealed skill stand in my way?

Hmm, isn't there anything I can do about it?

Since my processing brainpower can't keep up, I guess it would be nice if I have a skill that compensates for that.

That doesn't mean I'm stupid. I'm not, okay?

Detection is simply out of line.

But it looks like I just discovered a new feature of Appraisal.

I already knew that skill points are displayed when I level up, but if I use double appreciation on that, I can see a catalog of all the skills I can acquire with my skill points.

Wow, appreciation has really improved.

Now I don't need to ask System-chan directly every time I want to know if a specific skill exists or not.

And since the list is displayed in appreciation, that means I can use double appreciation on skills as well.

So, I can research the effects of a skill before acquiring it.

Now I'll never have to take a useless skill by accident again... I hope.

So, I immediately glance at the list of skills, hoping to find the one that will allow me to do something with detection.

But in the meantime, I'm distracted by the discovery of a truly mad skill.

I'm so impressed that I do a double take, using appreciation, then re-evaluate to make sure.

In more ways than one.

Pride (skill points required: 100): n% of the power to attain godhood. Once acquired, experience points and Proficiency will increase greatly, along with a growth ability boost for each ability. In addition, the user will gain the ability to overcome the W system and interfere with the MA field.

I really don't understand it at all

Nor the meaning of the summary or the reason that such a skill can be acquired for a mere 100 points.

I tried to evaluate all the vocabulary I didn't recognize, like "n%", "W" and "MA Field", but the result of all that was just Cannot be evaluated.

All I can gather from the description is that this skill will grant me more experience points and proficiency, and that it will have some sort of effect on growth.

That alone sounds fantastic to me.

"Pride" is a word you often hear as one of the 7 deadly sins.

It is said to be the gravest of sins, the root of all other sins.

When it shows up in a game, it's usually the name of the last boss level enemy, or a super strong but cursed weapon. You know, that kind of crazy stuff.

Judging by the name, this skill must have some kind of trickery.

The fact that I can't discover anything else that increases experience or proficiency only makes my skepticism heavier.

If this were a game, it wouldn't be too unusual for there to be a few abilities like that, but no. Pride is the only one.

So instead of a bunch of minor skills, there's nothing but a super advanced skill with a confusing sounding name.

If I learned anything from Detection, it's that being technically superior doesn't necessarily mean you're good.

Besides the fact that it basically prevents me from using magic, Detection can't hurt me again unless I activate it.

But something that increases experience and proficiency is probably the kind of skill that stays in constant effect, right?

What if it's another trap like Detection, but this time it can't be turned off?

I can't shake the feeling that's exactly what will happen.

However, its known effects are certainly attractive.

Even knowing it's probably a trap, there's still the temptation to jump him. Besides, it's like a deal with the devil.

The description of the Pride skill reminds me a bit of the n=W skill.

They are similar enough not to be a coincidence, probably.

I still don't know what the mysterious ability does.

At least it doesn't seem to have any positive or negative effects.

So, it's possible that there's no downside to this, right?

...it would be better if I didn't jump to conclusions like that.

But in my pretty heart, I've already decided. Honestly, I probably decided when I first saw him.

I have a good feeling about this.

As if something was telling me Take it, it's yours by right.

For better or worse, I think I'll take this ability.

There's this lingering feeling that it won't really do anything for me.

I don't know why I'm so attracted to Pride.

Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways, so I'm going to trust my intuition on this one.

Anyway, this is my best option so far.

Number of skill points currently in possession: 1200. Number of Skill Points needed to acquire the [Pride] skill: 100.

Well, here goes. All or nothing

Yes

[Pride] acquired. Number of skill points remaining: 1100

Well

I did it!

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Taboo Lv4] has become [Taboo Lv6].

Ohhh!

Condition met. Title acquired [Ruler of Pride].

Abilities acquired [Abyss Magic Lv10] [Hades] as a result of the title [Ruler of Pride].

Now I did it!

Hooo, hell.

How did it come to this?

I mean, come on. Is this really happening?!

What the hell? What the hell? I'm gonna say it one last time, okay? What the hell?

My Taboo skill level went up. 2 levels straight up, just like it did with gluttony. What am I going to do with that?

And I got another insane title, Yay?

And I mean, Abyss Magic definitely sounds like a superior type of magic, and I got it straight up at level 10!

This is weird, isn't it?

Anyway, I guess I'll start by evaluating the effects of Abyss Magic and Hades.

Small Poison Taratect - Lv1 - No name

Stats

Hp: 58/58 (Green)

Mp: 14/158 (Blue)

Sp: 59/59 (Yellow)

59/59Net

Attack: 40

Defense: 40

Magic: 145

Resistance: 129

Speed: 568

Skills:

Poison Attack Lv9

Poison Synthesis Lv5

Spider thread lv9

Cutting Thread Lv 4

Pride

Thread Manipulation Lv 8

Throw Lv3

Concentration lv6

Hit Lv4

Evasion Lv2

Appraisal Lv 8

Detection Lv 4

Abyss magic Lv10

Hades

Stealth Lv 6

Heretic Magic lv3

Shadow Magic Lv2

Poison Magic Lv2

Gluttony Lv8

Vision Expansion Lv2

Poison resistance at Lv9

Paralysis resistance Lv3

Petrification resistance lv3

Acid resistance lv4

Rot Resistance Lv2

Shear strength Lv1

Faintness Resistance Lv1

Resistance to Heresy Lv2

Override to pain

Pain Mitigation Lv6

Life Lv2

Magic Mass Lv2

Poison Fangs lv8

Taboo Lv4

Telepathy Lv7

Hypnosis to level 9

HP Auto-recovery Lv3

MP Recovery Speed Lv3

SP Recovery Speed Lv3

Fire Magic Lv 5

Water Magic Lv 4

Earth Magic Lv 5

Electric Magic Lv 4

Ice Magic Lv 4

Wind Magic Lv 4

heal lv5

cure lv3

Robustness Lv1

Herculean Strength Lv1

Skanda Lv2

Hades lv2

Flight Lv5

n=W

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Something weird is going on with my stats.

My MP, average magic ability, and average resistance ability (Magic and Defense).

Wait a second, they weren't that high a minute ago.

All 3 increased by 100

Why are they so high now? Another effect of Pride?

I mean, well, it's not like my stat improvements are a bad thing...

Yeah. I better not think about that right now.

Okay, it's time to evaluate.

Abyss Magic: The highest magic of dark magic. Manipulates the darkness of the abyss. The type of magic that can be used depends on the level.

Lv 1: Gate of Hell

Lv 2: Hell of the Unbelievers

Lv 3: Hell of Lust

Lv 4: Hell of Gluttony

Lv 5: Hell of Greed

Lv 6: Hell of Wrath.

Lv 7: Hell of Heresy

Lv 8: Hell of Violence

Lv 9: Hell of Fraud

Lv 10: Hell of Betrayal

Hades: Manifests Hades

Uh... hell. What am I supposed to say?

Nai wa. This sounds dangerous in every way.

What's the deal with these whole "hells" thing, I mean, clearly "manifesting Hades" sounds very dangerous (and cool), but what about the others?

Hell's Gate: The Gateway to the Beginning

Hell of the Unbelievers: Hell for the ignorant and unbelievers.

Hell of Lust: Hell for those tinged with lust.

Hell of Gluttony: Hell for those who glorify gluttony

Hell of Greed: Hell for those who give themselves to greed.

Hell of Wrath: Hells for those who are ruled by wrath

Hell of Heresy: Hell for those who idolize heresy

Hell of Violence: hells for those who use violence

Fraud Hell: Hell for Those Who Whisper Fraud

Hell of Treachery: Hell for those who encourage treachery.

What is this supposed to mean?

I mean, it doesn't say anything about the effects of spells. Who wrote this?

That's what I'd like to know

Most likely it was D, what a troll that goddess is.

Just out of curiosity, I tried to use Hades, but nothing happened.

I'm not sure if I should be relieved about that or disappointed.

Wow... what a screw up I've made.

What kind of terrible, hidden side effects might this strange ability be hiding?

It's just as I feared, I can't turn the ability off, it's a permanently active passive ability.

And it's very strange that he got a title right after acquiring it, don't you think?

Doesn't exactly sound like a good thing, either

And raising Taboo's skill level isn't a good thing too...

Appraisal-chan's description even says I don't have to upload it.

I've definitely seen numerical values that you're not supposed to raise in several games.

Like negative karma mediators and that sort of thing.

The kind of thing where, as you go up the story is heading towards a bad ending, or the villagers start acting fearful of you and so on.

I mean, there's no story, in this case, or people to meet, but still...

Thinking about it, the only 2 skills I've seen with Appraisal-chan that don't clearly explain their effects are Taboo and n=W.

And Taboo is something you're supposed to avoid climbing at all costs.

There is definitely something coming.

If I keep pushing, I know something horrible will happen.

Maybe if I maxed Taboo, some god would kill me on the spot or something.

Wah! I better not think about that.

I-I will be fine, I'm the favorite of D (I think), no need to panic yet.

He's still at level 6. And it's not like he knew that was going to happen.

Hmm. The fact that this new ability has no obvious downside terrifies me.

Taboo doesn't seem to be having any kind of effect right now, and it looks like Pride isn't doing anything wrong, but...

...the last thing I need is to suddenly realize that I'm being strangled bit by bit with a silk thread or something like that.

On the other hand, it most likely means that nothing will happen soon.

Well, that doesn't help now, so I may as well keep my panic to myself when the time comes.

Although, I hope I don't panic either...

Anyway, I'm going to reserve the rest of my skill points for the time being.

Since I just learned this crazy magic and all, I definitely want to try it out, but I don't think I'm going anywhere until I figure out what to do with Detection.

Magic Power Operation skill is probably necessary, in that case I need 2 skills: Magic Power Operation and something to deal with Detection.

Since I have 1100 points now, I might as well grab both, but I don't want to just grab one just like that.

For starters, I might wait a while and get more skill points just to be safe.

...Hmm?

Wow, I hadn't noticed how quiet this place is.

Usually, I can hear all kinds of sounds in the distance, but right now, I can't hear anything.

I don't see any monsters around, which is peculiar in itself.

Maybe it's because of the wolves?

I'm sure a huge army would keep the other monsters away, and I remember seeing someone fighting a similar army of monkeys.

So that's probably the reason for this silence.

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

Hmm? Did I get a new ability?

Let's see.

Prediction: When you make predictions, add a bonus to your Thinking ability.

Huh. Well, I certainly don't mind having it, but it doesn't seem useful.

I mean, it's not like I'm automatically left knowing the answers to things or anything.

It just means that the gears in my head get a little faster... and only in specific circumstances.

Wait, now that I remember, I think this was on the list of skills I can get with 100 points.

So, this has the same point value as Pride...?

Isn't that strange?

Anyway, there really isn't a single monster in the surroundings.

I'm not sensing any danger, so I don't think it's because there's a really strong monster scaring the others or something.

Even straining my eyes, I can't see anything.

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill acquired [Enhanced Vision Lv 1].

Oh? Another ability?

Let's see.

Enhanced Vision: The vision is enhanced

Thank you very much for such valuable information!

I mean, I guess it's only fair.

But I don't think I really need it. I mean, spider eyes are already pretty good, you know?

And this one was also on the 100-point list...

Come to think of it, there are other improvements from the other senses.

If squinting hard was the only condition for acquiring Enhanced Vision, perhaps I should increase my proficiency of the others by focusing on them at the same time.

Well, let's give it a try.

First, hearing.

What kind of hearing do spiders have anyway? I should probably know about this, but I have no idea.

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill acquired [Enhanced Hearing]

Oh, hey, it works perfectly.

All right, let's try the others.

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill acquired [Enhanced Smell].

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill acquired [Enhanced Touch].

I'll do the taste test next time I eat something, I guess.

Man, I can't believe skills come so easily.

I guess I hadn't really thought about it, since a spider's five senses seem solid to begin with.

The key to gaining proficiency is to consciously focus on action, I suppose.

Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have obtained these skills until now.

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Prediction Lv 1] has become [Prediction Lv 2].

That was really fast! Didn't I just get this ability a minute or two ago?!

How did it go up so fast?

I mean, I guess it's okay. I knew it would happen anyway.

Proficiency has reached the required level. Acquired skill [Parallel Thinking Lv 1].

Wait, again?!

This is a skill I thought might be able to help me with Detection!

Parallel Thinking: gives the ability to think multiple things at the same time.

Cool! Doesn't that mean my brain processing power will improve?

However, how exactly did I get this?

I don't think he was thinking about multiple things at the same time...

Ah, that must be my old friend Appraisal-chan.

I always have Appraisal-chan on.

Appraisal-chan's results of whatever surrounds me are constantly flowing in my head.

I usually just ignore it, so I hardly noticed it anymore, but I guess you could call that penning in various things.

And I can't think of any other explanation, so that must be it.

No reason

Yes, thank you System-chan.

It's still weird, though, isn't it?

I'm getting a lot of skills at once.

You have to admit, it's pretty unusual to suddenly start gaining skills one after another, isn't it?

I mean, it's not like I don't know why.

Pride.

A skill that greatly increases the amount of proficiency you gain.

Yep. That must be it.

Although, it's a crazy amount.

I don't know what the specific numbers are, so I can't be sure, but it definitely seems like a lot.

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Prediction Lv 2] has become [Prediction Lv 3].

See what I mean?

Well, since I got this new skill that can help me with Detection and all, I'd better try it right now.

Whew... Phew. Okay, I'm ready.

Detection, on.

GAHHH! It's too much! Turn off-turn ooooooooooooooooooooooooooofffffffffff!

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Parallel Thinking Lv 1] has become [Parallel Thinking Lv 2].

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Detection Lv 4] has become [Detection Lv 5].

Ouchie... owww. My head hurts.

Right, right. My Parallel Thinking skill went up only 1 level.

Based on my experiences so far, I shouldn't expect too much from a level 1 skill.

It doesn't really feel any different so far.

That Parallel Thinking went up is something, but Detection also went up,

Uploading Detection isn't helping me at all!

All it does is add more information and makes things even worse!

If they both level up at the same time, it's like taking one step forward and two steps back.

And my stupid Detection seems to have an insane growth rate that increases its level every time I activate it, more like three steps back.

As a bonus, it will grow faster now because of Pride.

Seriously, what's up with this damn Detection skill?

What a monstrous guy. I can't believe he's smarter than me!

Who knew there would be an enemy as strong as Araba sleeping so close?

I don't think he's going to win against this one.

Anyway, maybe I should wait for my Parallel Thinking skill to level up for now.

Part of me wants to do it using Detection but then I remember how much it hurt and it goes away.

I certainly can't seem to use it to split my thoughts or anything at the moment, so the only way I can think of to gain more proficiency is to think of something else while looking at Appraisal-chan's results.

Apparently, activating Detection also raises it, but I really don't want to mess with that.

Hmpf. Still, I don't think the idea itself is a bad one...

If my thinking ability improves, then I should be able to use Detection eventually... maybe, I hope so.

Come on, when I saw the list of skills before, I thought the Parallel Thinking skill was my best bet...

Hmm. Let me see the list again.

I don't want to go wasting points on skills that turn out to be useless in the end, so I'll narrow down my choices for now.

What I do notice, is that most skills can be acquired between 50 and 100 points.

Leaving aside certain super developed and totally broken skills.

I was able to get a broken skill, Pride, for 100 points though.

Anyway, the only skills that seem to be able to help me with Detection are:

Arithmetic Processing: Improves mental processing ability.

Memory: Improves memory capacity

I think these are the ones.

That's not a lot of options. And I don't think Memory is the best choice.

In that case, Arithmetic Processing is the best candidate, but will taking this skill be enough to let me use Detection?

I could get both, but I'd rather limit myself to just getting one.

Hmm, hmm, hmm. I mean, I thought Parallel Thinking was the best option, and it didn't help much...

Arithmetic Processing will probably be useless at a low level.

Oh, wait a second.

"Arithmetic" is basically mathematics, right?

If I do some mental math, maybe I'll get the skill for free.

Yes. It's probably worth a try.

Okay, maybe I'll think about power of 2 for a while.

2, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32, 64... ...8192, 16384, um... maybe 32768?

This is getting really hard and boring.

What's next? Hmm...

Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill acquired [Arithmetic Processing Lv 1].

Oh! Good, good. My plan worked perfectly.

Hmm. Should I try it?

It probably won't work, but if you don't risk it, you don't win, right?

Phew... Phew. Okay, here I go.

Detection, on.

GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It's still too much! Turn it off, turn it off!

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Arithmetic Processing Lv 1] has become [Arithmetic Processing Lv 2].

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Parallel Thinking Lv 2] has become [Parallel Thinking Lv 3].

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Detection Lv 5] has become [Detection Lv 6].

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Heresy Resistance Lv 2] has become [Heresy Resistance Lv 3].

Ouchie... Owww, My head hurts, again.

This isn't working, Huh. It's too much. My head feels like it's going to explode.

I don't like pain.

Ugh... nai wa.

Wait, what happened to my Pain Mitigation?

I've been through a lot of near-death experiences, so why is this pain too much to bear?

And hey, why did the Heresy Resistance level go up?

What does that mean? Is Detection-chan's assault on my head so demonic?

There's nothing weird about calling it an "attack" is there?

I mean, my stamina improved.

Let's think about this.

The heresy attribute is something that attacks the soul directly, isn't it?

So, if my Heresy Resistance improves, it means that Detection's results are not only affecting my brain, but my very soul as well.

Doesn't that mean that half of this headache is actually heartache?

That's crazy good!

My soul won't be destroyed if this goes on, right? I don't want to die of brain death suddenly, okay?

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Prediction Lv 3] has become [Prediction Lv 4].

Oh, okay. Good thing Prediction's effect isn't based on the correct answer!

It's okay. That was just Prediction, not to worry. Let's go with that.

Hmm. But in that case, doesn't that mean a soul-related skill would help me endure Detection?

I don't see anything like that on the list, though.

All there is, Heresy Resistance.

So, I just have to keep leveling up Heresy Resistance?

...how do I do that?

I should stick to the original plan: keep raising Parallel Thinking and Arithmetic Processing.

After all, the 2 advance when I activate Detection, which means they must be involved in the process somehow. Until then, I'll put Detection-chan back into exile. Take care Detection-chan, you'll be back when I can use you.

Okay, now that I have a plan for Detection, what am I going to do about the heat of the Intermediate Stratum?

Maybe it would help a little if it had Fire Resistance or something?

But I think my whole body is weak to fire, not only my thread...

I didn't see Fire Resistance when I looked at the list earlier.

Does that mean it's not something I can get with skill points?

There were other types of resistances on the list, but not fire.

Just a guess, but I think maybe since I'm weak to fire, it makes it harder for me to get Fire Resistance.

Proficiency has reached the required level. The skill [Prediction Lv 4] has become [Prediction Lv 5].

Oh, hello again. You sure come up fast, Huh. It's probably the Pride effect.

Well, anyway, since I know it won't be easy, let's aim to acquire maximum Fire Resistance while training my Hp Auto-recovery.

In the end, I'll go to the Intermediate Stratum a few times, then come back when my Hp decreases.

And I'll use Gluttony to be able to hold more and get the stamina faster.

Taking damage probably means I'm gaining proficiency for Fire Resistance, or maybe Heat Resistance, if there's something like that.

I don't know how long it will take, but sooner or later, I will become the first spider that can literally swim in lava.

Plus, considering I'll be actively damaging myself, my Hp Auto-Recovery will kick in, so it's 2 birds with one stone.

If my defense and recovery exceed the passive damage I take, I could use Flight to go near the lava and increase the damage, also taking advantage to level up Flight, so it would be 3 birds with one stone.

In the meantime, I'll work on my other skills.

Parallel Thinking and Arithmetic Processing for the Detection plan, for starters.

I can try upgrading my status enhancement skills while I'm at it too.

In particular, Skanda¸ Herculean Strength and Solidity, which improve the growth range of my stats, so I should give them the highest priority.

But...I know running around should increase my Skanda, and doing sit-ups or push-ups or whatever should increase Herculean Strength, but what about Solidity?

Since it's for defense, will I have to receive attacks?

Hmm. Maybe if I do some Thread Manipulation practice and use it to whip my own body or something.

I hate the pain, but I suppose it might be worth it...

Also, if I'm going to stay here for a while, I should secure some food.

My stamina hasn't gone down thanks to Gluttony, but sooner or later, I'm going to have to eat.

It's probably a good idea to look around a bit and make some preparations for hunting.

It might even be useful to set up some nets to catch prey.

I can leave some traps with yarn that is as invisible as I can.

Yeah, I have an idea. Let's go with that.

Even if there's a strong monster that's able to break through my nets by mistake, I won't be there, so there's no harm done.

All right, let's put this plan into action.

My Hp has recovered, I guess I'll go back to the Intermediate Stratum and let my Hp decrease again.

...hell, when I put it that way, it doesn't sound like any fun at all.

So... hello from the Intermediate Stratum!

It's hot in these parts, people! I'd tell you how hot it is, but it's impossible to measure, mostly because I don't have a thermometer!

The weather report for today predicts magma rain all over the place all day long!

It will be too hot even for this intrepid and brave weather reporter to venture out!

This has been a live report from the Intermediate Stratum! We're back in the studio with you, John!

Fuah, that looked really hot bruh.

None of the skills went up unfortunately. I guess that will take a while.

Stay tuned to this channel for more weather reports and the abilities that the great Kuroko-chan will gain, see you people!

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I hope you liked it, see you later