18 Full recovery only happens in the game when staying at an inn.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Acid Resistance LV2' upgraded to 'Acid Resistance LV3'.]

Skill level increased.

Next encounter with the frog should be somewhat easier now.

Without resistance, damage likely exceeded capacity threshold.

Dangerous.

Body already in ruin.

Two saliva attacks, one tongue attack—already near death, severe injury.

Tongue attack especially dangerous.

Direct hit caused torso to collapse inward; shock alone damaged several limbs.

Not due to carelessness.

Expected low win rate when fighting other monsters head-on without using spiderweb traps.

Still, somewhere in mind, there was a naive hope: it would work out somehow.

Truthfully, more taxing than anticipated.

Regardless, this severe injury makes normal movement unlikely.

For now, a makeshift shelter must be constructed here, and recovery prioritized.

Leave the slain frog where it lies. Establish a base.

Kuu.

Every movement sends sharp pain through the body.

[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Pain Tolerance LV1' acquired.]

Oh?

A new skill?

Yes—somewhat, the pain seems to have lessened.

Still extremely painful, though.

But this could prove useful.

If survival continues, skill level will rise naturally. I’ll rely on it.

Phew.

The makeshift shelter is finally complete.

Now a brief respite.

If attacked by another monster in this state, it would be over.

Ah.

Still, this prey was hard-won. I’ll consume it.

First battle: narrow victory.

Huh?

A fight against my brother?

That isn’t a battle. Not even close.

No chance. No chance.

But now, having experienced my first real combat, I’ve realized something.

I’m Yoeeeeee!

Yeah.

It’s not just me personally who’s weak. I think the entire Small Lassar Taratect species is weak.

After all, we’re a degraded strain.

Attack power is low. Defense is fragile.

Only speed is decent—still, even that can’t avoid the initial barrage of frog saliva.

At base stats, we’re outmatched even by low-level frogs.

The reason I’ve managed to defeat monsters without effort until now? Only because of the web trap, the spider silk nest.

Face-to-face, this is what happens.

It’s clear how dependent I’ve been on my home advantage.

In any case, one thing is certain now.

I can’t handle direct combat. Not at all.

If I engage an enemy directly, everything hinges on how effectively I can restrain them with thread.

There is, technically, the option of biting them directly with my fangs. But with these inadequate stats, I would be defeated before I could even close the distance.

Outmaneuver through speed, strike at openings, or set traps—like I did this time—then restrain them with thread.

This will likely become my primary tactic.

Alternatively, set traps in advance and lure the enemy into them.

Considering that, frogs may have been poorly suited to my abilities.

They were fixed artillery types, firing from range with no need to move.

They never stepped into traps.

My lack of long-range attack options is particularly disadvantageous.

It is possible to launch threads, but the range is short. Worse, it might provoke unnecessary alertness in the reserve thread.

Ideally, this method should be conserved.

For long-range attacks, a solution must be devised as soon as possible.

Hah.

Numerous challenges remain.

My weaknesses are clear—indeed, they are numerous.

Yet that does not mean I can yield here.

If survival were all that mattered, constructing a new home would suffice.

But that is not acceptable.

Having chosen to live with pride, I cannot cling to an escape route now.

But for now, rest is necessary.

How long will this injury take to heal?

Or will it heal at all?

Ah, I envy game characters who recover fully after a single night’s sleep.

Regardless, sleep.

Today has been exhausting.

To restore the body and replenish spirit—sleep is required.

Then, good night.

zzz.

huh?

ah, slept well.

More like I passed out, really.

ugh, body still hurts.

Of course. A wound that severe won’t heal in one night.

fah.

d-d-d-damn!

Stretched instinctively—pain shot through my twisted leg.

kou, especially the right middle two limbs hurt.

Might actually come off if I’m not careful.

Really starting to doubt whether this injury will ever heal.

tch tch.

huh?

Vibration from the thread—wait, no, a monster’s caught in the简易 home nest.

Normally I’d wake up the instant it vibrates, but I must’ve slept too deeply.

All because the body’s damage was too severe.

[Elrova J Risk LV4]

ugh.

Stone Lizard.

Another troublesome one got caught.

What to do then...

He’s got Petrification Eyes. Even if caught in the thread, just making eye contact is enough to trigger a petrification attack.

Getting hit by that on top of these severe injuries? That’s not good.

But letting go of a prey caught so neatly? That’s not ideal either.

Glance.

Ah, no—eye contact.

Gah!

My toes are petrifying!

Ah, come on!

In this situation, there’s no choice.

Gulp!

Thanks to Petrification Resistance, the petrification process is significantly slowed.

But losing use of my intact front leg is extremely problematic.

Walking could become difficult, even impossible.

Please, fall down while my legs still work!

Collapse.

The basilisk collapsed halfway through my foot petrifying. Whether my prayer reached him or not, I can’t say.

Not completely immobile, but this is painful.

Experience points reached threshold. Individual, Small Lassaratalect, leveled up from Level 5 to Level 6.

Huh?

Oh!

Perfect timing!

Base stats increased.

Skill mastery level-up bonus acquired.

Mastery threshold reached. Skill 'Poison Fang LV4' upgraded to 'Poison Fang LV5'.

Mastery threshold reached. Skill 'Petrification Resistance LV1' upgraded to 'Petrification Resistance LV2'.

Skill points acquired.

OK OK.

Two skills leveled up—pleasant.

But something even more pleasant now!

My body sheds skin in one full peel.

Ecdysis.

One of the benefits of leveling up—complete recovery via ecdysis!

I was uncertain if the dented torso wounds would heal, but they are now fully restored.

Yesss!

Basilisk, thank you!

And, I shall eat!

Even a full night's rest at an inn would not have restored me—but level-up has fully healed me.