65 Pride
Pride, a term well known among the Seven Sins.
It is considered the heaviest of the Seven Sins, and also used as a title for the apex of demons.
In games, this name would appear as a final boss enemy, or the name of a powerful but cursed weapon.
From the sound alone, one can imagine it to be a worthless skill.
Yet the confirmed effects are remarkably enticing.
An诱惑 that makes one leap despite knowing it is a trap.
Pure demonic temptation.
[Proficiency has reached threshold. Skill 'Gluttony LV6' has advanced to 'Gluttony LV7'.]
By the time I noticed, I had devoured all the apes.
Amazing me.
Did I eat all of them?
Stamina is fully restored, at least.
Combined with the Gluttony stock, this means a substantial amount of energy has been accumulated.
Speaking of it, Gluttony makes one gain weight when activated, but does my body actually look that fat?
Hmm.
Can't tell for sure since I can't see my whole body, but it doesn't look like I've gained much.
Ah, right—despite evolving, my appearance hasn't changed.
It was the same last time. Are Taratekt species just meant to stay this way?
Or maybe they change gradually?
Hmm, doesn't seem likely.
Looking at apes and giant apes, they clearly look like entirely different creatures.
I can't really imagine that being the result of gradual change.
Anyway, enough daydreaming. Time to think seriously.
The description of this Pride skill seems to overlap with my mysterious skill, "n% I = W."
Given how similar they are, they probably aren't unrelated.
For now, the effect of this mysterious skill remains unknown.
Not working in either positive or negative direction, probably.
If that's the case, then there are no drawbacks?
...That would be an easy assumption to make, though.
But the decision is made.
No—was it decided from the beginning?
A premonition.
This skill must be taken.
A vague sense of certainty.
Regardless of pros and cons, this skill must be taken.
Can't shake that feeling.
[Current Skill Points: 200.
Skill 'Pride' can be acquired using 100 Skill Points.
Acquire it?]
Yes.
[Acquired 'Pride'. Remaining Skill Points: 100.]
Good.
Got it done!
[Proficiency reached threshold. Skill 'Taboo LV2' upgraded to 'Taboo LV4'.]
Did it!
[Condition met. Acquired title 'Master of Pride'.]
[Title 'Master of Pride' effect activated. Acquired skill 'Abyss Magic LV10' 'Naraku'.]
Got it done!
Huh... yeah.
How did this happen?
No, no.
This can't be real!?
What is this?
What is this?
Say it again?
What is this?
Taboo level increased.
And two of them.
We're in trouble now!
Got a really powerful title.
Yay?
No, Abyss Magic and Naraku clearly belong to a higher tier, right?
And level ten.
This doesn't make sense.
First, verify the effects of the newly added Abyss Magic and Naraku.
'Small Poison Tarract LV1 Name: None
Status
HP: 56/56 (Green)
MP: 14/156 (Blue)
SP: 54/56 (Yellow)
EP: 56/56 (Red)
Average Attack: 38
Average Defense: 38
Average Magic: 127
Average Resistance: 127
Average Speed: 537
Skills
HP Auto-Regeneration LV3 Poison Attack LV9 Poison Synthesis LV3 Spider Silk LV9 Slash Thread LV4 Control Thread LV8 Throwing LV3 Focus LV5 Accuracy LV4 Evasion LV2 Scouting LV8 Detection LV4 Stealth LV6 Abyss Heretic Magic LV3 Shadow Magic LV2 Poison Magic LV2 Abyss Magic LV10 Pride Gluttony LV7 Dark Vision LV10 Vision Expansion LV2 Poison Resistance LV8 Paralysis Resistance LV3 Petrification Resistance LV3 Acid Resistance LV4 Corrosion Resistance LV3 Stun Resistance LV2 Fear Resistance LV6 Heretic Resistance LV2 Pain Nullification Pain Reduction LV6 Life LV2 Mana LV2 Explosive Speed LV2 Endurance LV2 Strength LV1 Durability LV1 Vedanta LV2 Taboo LV4 n% I = W
Skill Points: 100』
Wait.
Hold on.
Something's off.
Status values are wrong.
When did MP, magic, and resistance increase so much?
Each value is up by 100 compared to earlier.
Why?
...Is this also due to Pride?
No, well, I don't mind if they increase.
Yeah.
If you start worrying, you lose.
Now then,鉴定鉴定.
『Abyss Magic: Supreme dark magic manipulating the darkness of the Abyss. Available spells vary by level. LV1: Gate of Hell LV2: Hell of Unbelief LV3: Hell of Lust LV4: Hell of Gourmandise LV5: Hell of Greed LV6: Hell of Anger LV7: Hell of Heresy LV8: Hell of Cruelty LV9: Hell of Deceit LV10: Hell of Rebellion』
『Naraku: Manifestation of the Abyss』
Eh, eh.
How do I even describe this?
This is unbearable.
What is this hell series?
Naraku Manifestation of the Abyss — it's blatantly ominous.
Gate of Hell: Gate of Beginnings
Hell of Unbelief: Hell of the Unbelieving and Unfeeling
Hell of Lust: Hell of the Corrupted by Lust
Hell of Gourmandise: Hell of the Gluttons
Hell of Greed: Hell of the Corrupted by Greed
Hell of Anger: Hell of the Consumed by Anger
Hell of Heresy: Hell of the Devoted to Heresy
Hell of Cruelty: Hell of the Practitioners of Cruelty
Hell of Deceit: Hell of the Whisperers of Deceit
Hell of Rebellion: Hell of the Rebels
And what is this鉴定 result?
Wait — magic effects don't matter here.
Who even made this鉴定 result?
Initially, I tested whether the Abyss could be used, but received no response.
A faint sense of disappointment mixed with relief—ambiguous, yet present.
Adjusted the skill increase values for HP, MP, and SP, which I had previously overlooked.