60. Defense operation concludes at one hundred meters above ground.

The final ape is caught by thread before my eyes.

Its outstretched hand barely reaches me.

Thread wraps around that hand, sealing movement completely.

I scan the surroundings.

Apes caught in thread are everywhere.

No free apes remain.

I scan the area below, just to be certain, but no reinforcements arrive.

No sound resembling approaching apes reaches my ears.

I have finally rendered all apes immobile.

I feel the urge to relax, to believe victory is mine—but not yet.

Immobility does not equate to termination.

Below, countless apes are bound in thread—too many to count.

Among them, a single massive ape stands out.

The final giant ape still struggles to tear free from the thread.

The giant ape's strength exceeded the thread's maximum tolerance.

It would not snap immediately, but left unchecked, it would eventually break free.

Thus, threads were added repeatedly to rebind it.

Engaging the apes while maintaining the giant ape's restraint.

Harder than anticipated.

It was fortunate no lapse occurred after defeating the two giant apes.

The restraint required more effort than expected, depleting both MP and SP to critical levels.

The reason the giant ape was not finished off immediately was simple: no surplus capacity remained.

In the face of advancing apes, there was no time to deliver the final strike.

The giant ape's position coincided with the apes' advance route.

Attempting to finish it would have required approaching the apes directly.

Such suicidal action was not feasible.

The worst outcome I feared was that the apes would assist the giant ape in breaking free.

With the giant ape's strength, and the apes' cooperation, there was a possibility they might break through my restraints. That prospect caused significant anxiety.

Yet the apes did not act.

The apes, who showed no hesitation in sacrificing themselves for efficiency, chose not to pursue the most effective strategy available—assisting the giant ape.

Relief followed, but the apes' behavior remained incomprehensible.

Then again, if I question their logic, the entire attack makes no sense either.

They can't possibly be viewing me as food. Their reason for attacking remains unclear.

The only plausible explanation is my previous defeat of one of them. But to go this far over that alone... hmm.

Indeed.

No use thinking further.

The motives of monsters are not within human understanding.

First, deliver the killing blow to the giant ape.

Even so, no courage to directly bite such a dangerous creature.

Thus, as with the other two, create spider venom from above using toxin synthesis, and inject it into its mouth.

At the second dose, the giant ape collapsed, motionless.

The greatest concern eliminated, proceed to eliminate the remaining apes one by one with venom fangs.

Venom fang consumes a negligible amount of SP, which has never been an issue before.

Low cost. Never reached a state where SP would deplete.

But even the venom fang has limits. Too many apes.

Eventually, even the venom fang fails under sheer numbers.

Reluctantly, consume one of the apes to restore stamina mid-process.

The apes too weak to move still, as a final act of resistance, threaten when I approach.

I felt a flicker of hesitation there, but what did I care.

You came looking for a fight with the intent to kill me. You should have expected to die in return.

Don’t whimper and cry when it comes down to it.

So, without further thought, I delivered the final blow.

[Condition met. Title 'Merciless' acquired.]

[Effect of title 'Merciless' grants skills 'Heretic Magic LV1' and 'Heretic Resistance LV1'.]

[Skill 'Heretic Magic LV1' integrated into 'Heretic Magic LV2'.]

Received another title.

Another ominous one.

This is the second title for a Heretic Magic user.

I must express my regret.

I’m not some heretic!

I’m serious!

For now, I’ll delay checking the new skill.

Even during the fight, I kept gaining levels and acquiring new skills nonstop. Better to review everything at once later, when I have time.

[Experience points reached threshold. Individual, Small Talatekt, leveled from LV9 to LV10.]

[Base stats increased.]

[Skill proficiency level-up bonus acquired.]

[Proficiency reached threshold. Skill 'Poison Synthesis LV2' upgraded to 'Poison Synthesis LV3'.]

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

[Proficiency reached threshold. Skill 'Mana LV1' upgraded to 'Mana LV2'.]

[Skill points acquired.]

[Condition met. Individual, Small Talatekt, eligible for evolution.]

The level-up occurred while I was dispatching the ape mechanically.

So that's how it is.

Level ten already?

Fast!

I did feel the level rising rapidly during the fight, but can I evolve already?

[Evolution options available. Choose from the following.

Talatekt

Small Poison Talatekt]

Huh?

Small Talatekt is expected, but Small Poison Talatekt?

Poison suffix means it specializes in poison?

Still, that can wait.

No time for evolution in this unstable situation.

Finish off the apes quickly.

[Condition met. Acquired title: Slayer of Beasts]

[Title 'Slayer of Beasts' granted effect: acquired skills 'Strength LV1' and 'Durability LV1']

['Power LV3' integrated into 'Strength LV1']

['Sturdiness LV3' integrated into 'Durability LV1']

Huh?

Another title?

Another unsettling name, indeed.

An upgraded version of 'Beast Slayer'?

Strength and Sturdiness integrated into separate skills?

Must remember to verify this later.

Afterward, the routine task of disposing of the ape began.

Poison fangs, poison fangs, occasionally consumed, reinforced with thread.

Then, at that location, all life except mine was extinguished.