31 Acquired a new skill…

Huff.

Good.

Time to test the newly obtained skill.

First, thread manipulation.

If it works as named, this should greatly improve the utility of my spider silk.

A silk that was already unbeatable becoming even stronger… that’s perfect.

For now, extend the thread as usual.

The issue lies ahead.

Without knowing how to control the thread, this skill is meaningless.

Try it like during鉴定—focus the intent.

Move, move.

Huh? Something feels off with the thread.

Hmm?

What is it?

A strange sensation, as if something is inside the thread—difficult to describe.

If forced to compare, it’s like nerves entering the silk.

Could this work?

Send a command to the thing inside the thread: move.

Gugugugu…

The thread shifted, imperceptibly, as if the sound of its movement could be heard.

Hmm.

Movement was made.

Unable to perform any movements that might be useful in battle, no matter how hard one tries...

Ah, I understood it all!

I’d prepared myself for this, after all!

I considered this possibility as well!

In my case, just being able to move is still better than most!

I wasn't expecting anything! I wasn't expecting anything at all!

Hah.

Hmm?

MP is slightly reduced?

I’ve never seen MP decrease before—this must be the effect of the thread manipulation.

Huh, string manipulation consumes MP, does it?

Well, I haven’t used MP before, so it doesn’t matter much.

Perhaps I should use MP to level up skills whenever I have free time.

Trust that this, too, will surely be of use in the long run.

Regain composure. Next is detection.

Hmm.

Do not expect anything.

This is even more of a gamble than Thread Manipulation.

Uncertain if it can be used at all.

Frankly, it's unclear whether it even possesses the detection function I'm seeking.

Possibility remains it's a completely different kind of skill.

Thread Manipulation was like that. The previous鉴定 was like that. Honestly, expectations should not be high for a skill at level one.

If I don't believe that having the intended function and knowing how to use it would be ideal...

For now, try focusing on it as I did during鉴定.

I imagined it vaguely like meditation—apparently, that was correct.

Suddenly, despite having felt nothing before, I can now perceive various things.

Huh?

What is this?

Each piece of information is extremely faint—impossible to distinguish what it is.

Yet the sheer volume is extraordinary.

Information from every direction pours into me in overwhelming quantities.

Ugh!

A shock like being hit in the head with a sledgehammer—overwhelming information flooding in from every direction.

Hastily cut off the probe.

《Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Probe LV1' upgraded to 'Probe LV2'.》

Huh?

Is that too fast?

Wait, did I really just level up the skill?

No, I did pick up an absurd amount of data, but… really?

No, no.

Wait a moment.

What was that, anyway?

I want to scream out loud—this phenomenon bears no resemblance whatsoever to the probe I imagined. But I can't ask the voice from above (hypothetical) for explanation, can I? Well, okay then!

Phew.

Calm down.

Alright.

To confirm that mystery phenomenon, I'll try probing again.

Better prepare myself first—otherwise it's too dangerous.

Soo-haa.

Alright, initiating probe.

More unidentifiable data flooding in than before.

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

So, faster!

Guh... nearing limit.

Terminate probe.

Buuuuh.

Ah... exhausting.

But I’m starting to grasp it.

Yes, it’s the probe, isn’t it?

The skill is named Probe.

It doesn’t specify what is being probed.

If my understanding is correct, this Probe skill has effects beyond expectation.

In fact, the effects are so extensive, it seems unusable.

That is, the Probe skill detects all entities in the vicinity and transmits their data to the user.

Naturally, the information load overwhelms processing capacity.

Indeed, the detection function for locating enemies is included within it—but extracting only that information from such an information flood and making use of it? My meager mind couldn’t manage that.

It’d require processing power on par with a supercomputer.

Ugh. I never thought the skill might be too advanced to use.

What kind of trap is this?

What is this?

Does the creator of this skill simply feel compelled to embed some kind of trap in every ability?

Ah.

Regardless, detection is unusable.

This isn’t a matter of improving the skill level, unlike with thread manipulation.

In fact, raising the skill level too much might cause my head to explode.

I might as well seal it away permanently.

No way.

Is there no way to return the skill?

Can’t be done, I suppose.

Uah... I guess I really don't have a talent for gambling.

The regret is overwhelming.

Hah... I'm done for.