14 What an absurdity — Reconstruction Arc
A short time had passed since the brothers' assault.
[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Spider Silk LV5' upgraded to 'Spider Silk LV6'.]
Playing with thread—no, rather, training with thread—caused the skill level to increase.
Ugh, it took a lot of effort to reach that level.
Thanks to that, my home is now completely white.
My personal residence has changed significantly since the first time.
The amount of netting strung up has increased.
Previously, only a single pair of upper and lower nets was strung at a point slightly away from the T-junction intersection. Now, multiple pairs are strung all the way to the branching paths ahead.
I decided this after considering that a single pair might allow intrusion or breach, as the brothers had done previously.
Breaking through a web of this magnitude should require considerable time.
The security of my home has increased dramatically.
Since the skill level did not rise despite this effort, I attempted decorating the walls instead.
I stretched threads across the entire surface, then painted them white.
This was not mere decoration.
The wallpaper threads are synchronized with the web. When prey is caught in the web, the threads automatically detach from the wall and adjust to wrap around the target.
A trap I perfected after extensive trial and error.
The skill level increased to one when I began installing the wallpaper threads.
After completing the installation, the final step was to gradually weave extremely fine, invisible threads throughout my home.
The thread possesses no adhesive properties. It severs instantly upon contact.
Left undisturbed, it will eventually break naturally due to air currents, then be absorbed by the wallpaper threads.
I believe I can now produce threads this fine only because my skill level has reached five.
The function of this thread is reconnaissance.
The tip remains connected to me. Any object the thread touches will register its identity directly to me.
This is the reconnaissance thread I previously considered developing, as I had complained about the inconvenience of not being able to see behind me.
Since I currently remain within my home, there is no need to monitor my rear. Thus, I have deployed these threads throughout my home.
In time, I intend to enable remote operation, allowing reconnaissance beyond the boundaries of my home.
By this point, there was little left to do but accumulate thread uselessly. At last, the skill level reached six.
As a result, high-quality silk-like threads—rich in texture and refinement—were scattered in untidy clumps, left unattended.
These could fetch a decent price if sold to humans.
Though I have no idea how human textile production functions, really.
Incidentally, producing such quantities of thread inevitably leads to hunger.
Thus, every creature caught in the net was consumed without exception.
These monsters here all seem to possess venom.
Even with venomous fangs, they do not die easily.
Still, once trapped in the net, victory is assured.
Even so, fighting without thread? Unthinkable.
Even with venomous fangs, they do not take effect unless driven deep for an extended duration.
Maintaining restraint with thread for that long would leave me vulnerable to counterattack.
As a result, the Venom Fang skill level has risen to 4, and Poison Resistance skill level has reached 5.
Whether due to increased Poison Resistance or not, the bitterness of venomous creatures has become a familiar sensation.
The monsters I have defeated so far include three Elrowrandaner, and one each of Elrowpekatto, Elrowbajirisk, and Finjigoad.
All were captured by the net, further restrained with thread, then dispatched with venomous fangs.
Elrowrandaner are small reptilian creatures; three arrived simultaneously, which caused concern.
Still, all three were successfully ensnared, so no significant difficulty was encountered.
Elropekatott was a peculiar monster with a body resembling a cross between a penguin and a pelican, and arms like those of an ape.
Finjigowat was a monstrous insect resembling a bee, its body so vast—approximately three meters in length—that it filled the passage entirely.
That made it easier to catch in the net, though.
The worst of it was the Elroba J Risk.
It was a monster with the appearance of a massive lizard, but as its name implied—Basilisk—it attempted a petrification attack.
Perhaps the same as in fairy tales—the petrifying gaze. My front leg was turned to stone.
The petrification progressed at an extremely slow rate, allowing it to be defeated—though it was a terrifyingly powerful opponent.
It was difficult—having to endure as stone for feet until leveling up and shedding the shell.
Petrification Resistance acquired—so the net outcome might be positive, though it was just as dangerous, or more so, than the first frog.
Ah, casually said, but I leveled up.
Three times.
Currently level five.
Skills known so far: Poison Fang LV4, Spider Silk LV6, Scrying LV2, Taboo LV1, Heretic Magic LV1, Poison Resistance LV5, Acid Resistance LV2, Corrosion Resistance LV1, Petrification Resistance LV1.
Level increased by three, yet skill levels rose only slightly.
Scrying remains at LV2 with no further progress.
Seems the proficiency bonus from leveling up is smaller than expected.
Also, missed earlier during the first level-up, but skill points appear to increase with each level-up.
Though the amount gained is quite low.
When I heard the heavenly voice—temporary designation—say I’d acquired skill points, my excitement spiked. Then I tried testing whether I could obtain a skill, but it failed.
Standard skills for such situations—item boxes, auto-replay functions, anything that might be useful—were all considered, one after another, but none could be acquired.
When such a skill does not exist, the Heavenly Voice (hypothetical) does not respond at all. Even if the skill exists,
Skill points insufficient.
That was the only response received.
The system apparently does not allow overwhelming all skills simultaneously.
The constraints related to skills appeared stricter than I had anticipated.