This shouldn't come as a surprise, but I think my luck is pretty terrible.
To a "I think God hates me" degree.
First, there's the fact that I was reincarnated as a spider, out of nowhere.
Then there's the fact that my spidery life has been nothing but stormy seas.
I've tried my best.
And my reward?
Isn't this a little too harsh?!
Hot, hot, this is really bad!
My web's on fire!
Gotta extinguish it now!
Unless I can't! Then I'll cut it!
Almost lit a fire under my ass, literally.
What now?!
Hey, I can see its stats from the get-go!
I guess Appraisal's leveled up again!
It's all laid out in detail! Now that's handy!
Elroe Gunerush
Not sure about the whole swimming in magma thing, though!
An area located between the Upper Stratum and the Lower Stratum of the Great Elroe Labyrinth. The entire area is a volcanic landscape with flowing magma, and inhabited by monsters with resistance to fire.
Seriously?
Resistance to fire?
resistance to fire
Fighting from inside that magma is cheap!
And here comes another!
But not if I take the initiative!
Go, web, go!
Okay, it still burns!
A spider without its webs is like natto without the bacteria that makes natto!
Which is really just rotten beans!
Oh, this is bad, this is seriously bad!
Does Catfish, Taste Good?
Here I am, hiding in the Lower Stratum again.
Statistically speaking, I had a decent chance.
But I couldn't lay a single finger or web on it.
Outmatched and worse, I lost terrain advantage, and bask in sorrow.
That's a cute little haiku summary I put together,
but I just don't see what chance I have with all that hellish magma.
What do I do? Can I get to the Upper Stratum without going through the middle?
Maybe I can climb through the that hornet hole I fell down?
Nope, 'cuz Araba's there! Not happening!
Don't wanna!
Maybe find another vertical shaft?
Could it really be that convenient, though?
It's not totally impossible, but it's still only a possibility.
So what should I actually do?
For now, let's set everything aside and focus on evolving.
I did level up after messing up those monkeys!
Gonna level up, train up, and then after I'm stronger,
I can get more serious about invading the Middle Stratum!
That sounds like a good, broad outline for the future!
Now, as far as evolution goes...
Small Poison Taratect A rare subspecies of the Taratect type of spider monster. Possessed with incredibly potent venom.
I like it! A rare subspecies! And potent venom!
This one! Evolution, please!
Goodnight, everybody!
Evolution
Good morning, everybody!
Let's check the results!
<Small Poison Taratect No Name LV1>
Hey, I've evolved!
Whoa, three digits! My numbers have gone way up!
Offense : 138 Defense : 138 Magic Power : 127 Resistance : 127 Speed : 637 Skill Points : 200
I could put up a real fight against that seahorse now!
And, as usual, my speed is crazy high compared to everything else!
Huh? I can even see my skill points now.
Honestly, Miss Appraisal, you really do such fine work!
Egg-Laying Evasion Arithmetic Processing Probability Correction Swim Paralysis Attack Rot Attack
And what's this? Is it from leveling up?
Instantaneous Pride Water Resistance Destruction Resistance Talisman Egg-Laying Evasion Probability Correction Swim Paralysis Attack Rot Attack
I can even see a skill list!
There are quite a few, too!
Shock Enhancement Cutting Resistance Impact Resistance Eye Arrow Pride Water Resistance Lightning Resistance Earth Resistance Wind Resistance Dark Resistance Talisman Egg-Laying Evasion Arithmetic Processing Cooperation Concealment Probability Correction Swim Paralysis Attack Rot Attack
I'm gonna assume this is the list of skills I can grab with my current points.
Damn, Miss Appraisal, this is too sweet!
Let's see if I can find any skills that'll help me with the middle stratum!
Egg-Laying Evasion Arithmetic Processing Cooperation Probability Correction Energy Conferment Anger Concealment Dark Resistance Wind Resistance Lightning Resistance
Especially since I can't use my webs.
Wind Resistance Earth Resistance Lightning Resistance Water Resistance Instantaneous Pride
Required Points
Pride?
Pride... Pride...
Bride... Slide... Flied... Cried...
That's certainly a rowdy-sounding skill.
"n% of the power necessary to achieve godhood.
Experience and proficiency gained is significantly increased,
along with an increase in all ability levels."
"Grants the ability to exceed the W System and interfere with the MA Field."
Oh, I see...
But don't understand!
Interference (Intervention)
Interference (Signal)
Interference?
What kind of interference can there be in a world without radio signals?
I can make a bad joke, but there's no one here to comment on it.
That's the life of only the lonely.
Well, moving right along,
I understand the part where it boosts my experience and proficiency,
and how it revises my growth.
Sounds cool, but isn't pride usually known as one of the deadly sins?
Like, the worst one, the one the top demonic guy usually has?
In terms of video games, you don't usually see it come up unless we're talking
about last boss class enemies or cursed weapons.
Real nasty stuff!
Wait, I've seen this n% and W stuff before...
Scrolly, scrolly, scrolly, scrolly!
This is it!
Some totally bizarre skill.
This has to have something to do with it. I'm positive.
No real evidence...
But I've got a feeling!
And that feeling says I need this skill!
You can use 100 skill points to obtain the skill, Pride.
Pride
Obtain the skill?
Yes!
You have obtained Pride.
Skill: obtained. 4> Skill Points: 200
Oh, yeah! I did it.
Proficiency level has risen.
Taboo has risen to Level 4.
Taboo?
I remember that now.
I got the Kin Eater title from eating my siblings, right?
And that skill came with it.
Taboo LV1
"Taboo: Those who have violated a taboo obtain this skill. You must never level it up." The conditions have been met. You have acquired the title . Due to the effects of the title, you have acquired the skills and .
What the hell, the nasty-sounding skill leveled up?!
Was this a bad move?
The conditions have been met.
You have acquired the title "Ruler of Pride."
Yeah!
Due to the effects of the Ruler of Pride title,
you have acquired the skills Abyss Magic LV10 and Hades.
Man, I nailed it somehow! I keep getting cooler and cooler-sounding stuff!
Abyss sounds like high-end magic, no matter how you slice it!
First things first, let's check out all my new stuff!
Uh, is it me, or has this stuff increased by hundreds since last time?
Magic Power Resistance Abyss Magic: Abyssal Darkness
The heck? Is it an effect from Pride?
I'm not gonna complain if the numbers go up, though!
Very cool, Pride! Way to show me, Pride!
As for Abyss Magic...
Oh, wow, this all looks really strong, like literal magic from Hell.
Hades: Manifest Hades.
This one doesn't even sound like magic.
Who the heck made this?
I mean, Hades?
That's obviously pretty dangerous.
But if it's dangerous, it might come in handy!
Let's try it out!
Be made manifest!
Hey! Duh! Eez!
Not even the faintest sign of anything!
What the Hades was all that excitement for?
Well, manifesting Hades is hard to imagine, anyway.
Oh, well. For now...
Before I take another crack at the Middle Stratum, I'll work on my new skills,
so that I can withstand that sizzling heat!
I mean, with all these skills...
HP Auto-Recovery LV3 Poison Attack LV9 Demon Lord LV1
Wait, Demon Lord?!
There's a Demon Lord skill?!
I had no idea!
Demon Lord: Skill Level multiplied by a value of 100. Increases stat levels. Also increases all resistances.
Demon Lord, Pride...
Am I on the fast track to becoming the last boss or something?!
Well, first I need to clear the Middle Stratum, and that means working on my skills!
That means it's time to train!
Maybe if... this works out...
I'll actually call myself... the demon lord?
"I am a spider!"
"And the demon lord!"
Yeah, right!
Heave-ho, heave-ho, heave-ho...
Don't try and hop on me without some warning first.
L-Look, I said I was sorry.
I have to say, though.... you've gotten bigger.
I've evolved.
This is still on the small side, relatively speaking.
I'm going to be even bigger the next time I evolve.
You might not fit in the room anymore.
That would be a problem.
Can I Appraise your stats?
Go right ahead.
Your core stats... are all above 700!
Offense : 725 Defense : 733 Magic Power : 704 Resistance : 709 Speed : 708
You've got me beat.
Monsters do have better stat growth than humans, after all.
But I'm still on the weak side for a dragon.
If I keep evolving, though, I might crack 1,000!
In terms of pure stats,
you might even be able to surpass my brother, the Hero, Julius.
You're no normal monster, Fei.
You've got the strengths of a human from reincarnating.
If all the monsters out there were like you,
I bet both humans and demons would be extinct by now.
That's not really the kind of compliment a girl appreciates!
If there were someone in a similar situation to you,
a monster with the intelligence of a human...
Well, there probably can't be too many, considering out-there the idea is.
I wonder if we should get a desk and chair for you, since you've grown?
I manage to reincarnate as a dragon, and still find myself back in school...
Makes me kind of wonder what the point was.
Good morning, Prince!
Good morning.
Good morning!
Hey, good morning.
Good morning.
Good morning!
Good morning.
It seems slaying that Earth Dragon has made you the center of the class's attention.
Even though Fei did all the hard work.
I am so proud!
My brother is the champion of this academy!
No, its Hero!
Cut it out, Sue.
Though some might envy that.
I know he's just mad, but that look scares me.
Watch yourself, dude.
I'll just try to avoid him.
Good morning, Shun-kun!
Oh, good morn—
Have you decided to join the Followers of the Word of God?
This again?
"Obtain skills and gain levels so that you might hear the words of God."
That's their credo, isn't it?
Right! I heard God's voice a bunch yesterday!
I've cherished everything She's said, ever since I lived at the church!
You've got a lot of skills, right, Shun-kun?
You should level up a lot, so you can hear Her words more!
Uh—
You can use the Appraisal skill, too, right?
If you see anyone with a skill called "Taboo," let me know, okay?
Taboo...
No one should be allowed to have a skill that God has declared taboo, after all.
So we can't let them get away with it!
They don't even deserve to live.
We have to kill them!
Wait, kill—
Let me know if you see one, okay?
It's a promise!
Remember, it's Taboo! Keep an eye out for it.
O-Okay...
So, how about it? Are you ready to follow the word of God?
So close...
Well...
Are you?!
Sorry, but I'm not really religious.
You can't say that, Shun-kun!
After all, the Followers of the Word of God provide aid to the Hero!
The Hero?
Right! That means the Hero you look up to, Julius-sama,
is under the patronage of the Word of God!
The Hero...
Julius-niisama is...
We'll talk again later! Okay?
Don't forget about Taboo, okay?
Let me know if you see anyone with it!
So I can kill them!
S-Sure... I'll keep it in mind.
Yuri... no, Hasebe-san didn't used to act like that.
It might be because of the environment she grew up in.
I heard she was abandoned as a baby, and raised in a church.
She had her personality and memories from before being reincarnated,
but was abandoned by her parents...
I can see how growing in a situation like that would make someone
paranoid enough about people that they'd want to turn to religion.
Today, we'll have a lecture on how magic effects are categorized.
I wanna use magic!
Right now, I think if someone asked me, "Hey, wanna be a magical girl?"
I'd actually say "yes."
Spiderun, spiderun, mirachnid!
I've grinded enough that HP Auto-Recovery is at level 5,
and with Fire Resistance boosted enough,
I should be able to withstand that heat somewhat.
But I still have to find a way to fight monsters hiding in that magma.
I'd be able to fight without my webs if I could use magic...
But to use magic, I need the right skills.
I wonder if I can find them...
Magic Perception
Magic Operation
Huh? Detecting and operating magic?
I bet you can't use magic without these!
Should I pick them up?
No way! I still remember that super migraine I got when I used Detection!
I know how Sun Wukong must've felt when that ring on his head started to shrink now.
I basically wrote off Detection after that,
and if Perception works the same way, it's gonna be pointless to grab it.
That said, it's totally pointless to have Abyss Magic if I can't actually use it.
I'm caught in a failure cascade!
And all this thinking is making me hungry!
Guess I'll get a little hunting done!
Earth Dragon Kagna
An earth dragon? Besides Araba?
Oh, crap, here it comes!
It's stats were all in the quadruple digits!
I don't stand a chance!
This is really, really bad!
What do I do?!
I just have to go!
Skitter, skitter...
Here I am, back in the Middle Stratum!
Aw, yeah! Time to take this place over!
Yeah!
Ugh, I have to psych myself up to even try this.
HP Auto-Recovery and Fire Resistance have managed to offset the damage from the heat.
But it's still so damn hot!
These fireballs?!
Elroe Gunerush Offense : 83 Defense : 81 Magic Power : 79 Resistance : 77 Speed : 88
It's the seahorse from before!
But that speed won't be enough to hit me anymore.
Behold!
I've gotta go fast!
My godlike dodging puts me on the same level as any video game character!
But I can't go into the magma...
And I can't use my webs, I've got no way to attack.
Both players are in a stalemate.
Wait... his MP's almost gone!
Those fireballs must use MP.
He can't have many left— not that he's stopping!
No more MP.
Now, what's your next move?
He left the magma!
And wow, so slow!
What a dummy! I would've made a strategic retreat as soon as I ran out of MP.
Time to dodge backwards!
And then deadly venom for the kill!
Hot, hot!
And that's one battle won!
Gross...
It's too hard, and feels like I'm chewing on a tire.
Another seahorse?
A catfish this time, huh?
So strong!
Elroe Guneseven <A lesser wyrm monster that dwells within the Great Elroe Labyrinth. Omnivorous, and able to swallow anything with its massive mouth.>
Able to swallow anything with its massive mouth.>
Yeah, I bet!
This thing is tough...
Better not press my luck.
I was on an upward trend after winning that first battle,
but getting carried away is only gonna hurt in the end.
Sorry to let so much of you go to waste, Mr. Seahorse.
But I've learned my lesson, y'know?
Just don't notice me. Seriously, don't, okay?
This doesn't seem fair!
I wasn't getting carried away, and I'm still in big trouble!
And... backstep!
So close!
What the hell! This one's got legs, too?!
Ow, ow, ow...
Oh, great, so does the other one!
You gotta let people know when you're done in the bath, y'know!
I'm trapped! I'm totally trapped!
In that case, I'm going to take you down, Catfish #1!
Poison web!
Poison
My webs burn up so fast down here, they're not particularly useful, but...
Here's hoping at least a little bit gets through!
It burnt up anyway!
But its HP has gone down some!
Thanks to my training, I can coat my webs with poison now, too!
I can use the poison webs to chip away their HP!
Okay, time for Phase 2!
Swallow... anything?
Poison Synthesis, activate!
And then a nimble backstep!
That was a close one!
How's that? My Spider Venom was already enough to take down those big monkeys,
and thanks to my training, it's evolved into Deadly Spider Venom!
Still, it's more effective than I imagined.
I almost scare myself.
But this is no time for bragging! There's another one out there!
But he's chickening out.
Hey, I get it. Especially after seeing what happened to your buddy.
Wow, am I actually pretty strong?
Maybe strong enough to act a little cocky?
Now, to finish him off.
Hot, hot, hothothot!
Maybe my stats have gone up after two wins in a row!
Acquired Skills: [Abyss Magic LV 10] [Hades] Requirements: Obtain [Pride] Effects: MP, Magic, Resistance stats are increased. Positive correction to mental skill proficiencies. Obtain access to ruling class privileges. Explanation:
H-Hey, Appraisal's gotten to the point where I can see details about my title!
What exactly are "ruling class privilwhatevers"?
What the heck? And I get to use that?
Ruler of Pride is currently unable to exercise her authority.
So I can't?!
Well, this has got to at least be more tender than that seahorse.
Here's hoping the flavor is more mellow, too.
Delicious!
This is good! Awesome, even! Catfish!
It's fantastic!
Tastier than any monster I've eaten!
You get the simple flavor of fish, with just the right amount of fat!
Then top it off with the fluffy softness of the skin!
It all comes together to create a mysterious texture harmony that rings out in your mouth!
It's like a great labyrinth of gourmet delight!
So good!
I can't stop scarfing!
I wish I had some rice!
Some steaming rice and catfish!
I bet I could down five bowls!
Bread would be fine, if there's no rice!
Catfish burger!
Catfish pasta!
And catfish nanban soba!
Man, I blew it!
If I'd known they tasted so good, I wouldn't have let the other one get away.
For now, I'll savor this catfish!
Because it's so good!
I'm so glad to be alive!
All right, time for catfish hunting!
I don't care how strong they are! I'm ready to risk my life!
Catfish! Catfish! Catfish! Come on! Catfish!
Let's go! Just you wait, catfish, I'm going to eat your kind into extinction!
Catfish! Go! Catfish! Now, sing along!
That path leads to the Middle Stratum of the Great Elroe Labyrinth.
This is where things truly become dangerous...
Julius-sama.
Next time on So I'm a Spider, So What?
The Hero, and the Demon Lord?
See you next time!