27 Evolving now!

Informed of something extraordinary at the same time as leveling up.

Evolution, you say?

That means...?

Something like that game where you raise pocket monsters?

[Evolution options available. Please select from the following:

Lassartaract

Smalltaract]

O-oh.

E-eh, wait a moment.

Just a moment.

Think carefully.

This is a critical turning point.

Not in life—rather, in spider-life.

Regardless, avoid hasty choices.

Evolution.

Well, that’s fine.

This is a game-like world. Such mechanics aren’t unreasonable.

If we start questioning every detail, there’s no end.

And since it’s called evolution, power gain is expected.

If evolution is possible, it should be done.

Hmm.

Evolution isn't guaranteed to be optimal. There are cases where deliberately not evolving is preferable—though that’s just game knowledge.

Still, those cases are niche. It’s safe to assume evolution is the intended path.

The issue lies in the two possible evolution paths.

Lessa Talaract and Small Talaract.

At first glance, the names appear nearly identical.

Only the distinction between "Lessa" and "Small" separates them.

Ah… if identification could be applied to the Heavenly Voice (hypothetical), it’d be clearer.

Then the difference would be obvious.

Hmm.

Still, the general idea is understandable.

Lessa Talaract likely indicates a mature form.

The "Small" has been removed from the name.

Conversely, Small Talaract lacks "Lessa," meaning it’s a higher-tier species derived from a lower-tier one?

But the continued presence of "Small" suggests it remains in larval form.

That interpretation should be accurate.

Considering that, the choice becomes clear.

Only Small Talatect is viable.

Evolution from a degraded form won’t yield significant benefits.

Moreover, if it’s Small Talatect, that implies another stage of evolution remains.

The transformation from Small to plain Talatect.

The extent of change upon evolution is unknown, but evolution certainly increases power.

Therefore, selecting the path with more evolutionary stages is the logical choice.

Perhaps the Lessor Talatect could also evolve, but that would be wishful thinking.

Additionally, choosing Lessor Talatect introduces uncertainty—how much larger the body will become is unknown.

Becoming an adult likely means a larger form.

Selecting evolution and immediately growing larger is probably unlikely—but it can't be ruled out entirely.

This is a fantasy world. The possibility of a sudden transformation, "evolution, boom, now huge!"—can't be dismissed.

As long as that possibility exists, the choice cannot be made lightly.

It's hard to imagine reaching the same size as that colossal spider—but if it doesn't settle at a size manageable within this passage, it will be problematic.

There was a monster seen earlier—Finjigorath. That creature had a body so massive it filled a three-meter-square passage entirely.

Movement would have been nearly impossible in that state.

Likely, that monster normally inhabited a much larger space. The individual encountered was probably just lost in a narrow passage.

Considering that, the risk of becoming too large to move remains.

Staying this size is better.

That’s also one reason for choosing Small Talatect.

Yes.

Decided.

Evolve into Small Talatect!

[Individual Small Lesser Talatect evolves into Small Talatect]

Ah, yes.

Evolution starts rather abruptly.

Heavenly Voice (Temporary) always appears abruptly. I’d prefer a bit more… emotional resonance. Something like that.

Just when I was about to evolve, uh, no, uh, ah, ah—...

[Evolution complete]

[Race changed to Small Talatect]

[All base stats increased]

[Skill Mastery Evolution Bonus acquired]

[Mastery level reached. Skill 'Taboo LV1' upgraded to 'Taboo LV2']

[Mastery level reached. Skill 'Heretic Magic LV1' upgraded to 'Heretic Magic LV2']

[Mastery level reached. Skill 'Corrosion Resistance LV1' upgraded to 'Corrosion Resistance LV2']

[Mastery level reached. Skill 'Vedanta LV1' upgraded to 'Vedanta LV2']

[Skill Points acquired]

Uo!?

Eh? Eh?

Did I fall asleep without noticing?

No... something suddenly blurred, snapped off?

This is definitely evolution's effect, right?

Hey, Sky Voice (Temporary), if losing consciousness happens during evolution, at least say so in advance!

Hmm?

Is the evolution complete?

Feels like my appearance didn’t change much?

Ah, the鉴定 has cut out.

Alright, I’ll check myself directly to confirm.

'Small Talaract LV1 Name: None

Status: Weak'

O! Ooh, huh?

Nnnn?

The species name changed—so evolution succeeded, then?

But LV1?

Wait, doesn’t evolution usually lower level?

No way—status values haven’t dropped, have they?

Can’t tell if it’s changed, since status is weak to begin with.

Or is it still weak?

More pressing is the red total stamina gauge—almost empty.

That explains the sudden fatigue, the intense hunger.

Probably consumed energy during evolution. Fortunately, food reserves were abundant.

Evolution succeeded, apparently. But doing this casually is extremely dangerous.

Loss of consciousness. Extreme hunger.

If there’s a next time, must prepare properly beforehand.