70 Training Phase

For now, establish a base between the lower and middle layers.

No need to rush.

By this point, the earth dragon should no longer appear. As with the monkey phase, constructing a nest near the ceiling should prevent interference—likely.

Learning from the monkey phase, this time construct a sturdy, not a makeshift, nest.

Target: withstand impacts from boulders thrown by a giant ape.

Fortunately, having consumed large quantities of the monkey provided ample red stamina reserves.

Using this nest as a base, begin gradually preparing for the middle layer conquest.

Specifically, aim to acquire fire resistance and upgrade the HP auto-recovery skill.

To achieve this, repeatedly enter the middle layer several times daily, retreat when HP drops.

Damage taken implies a corresponding increase in proficiency with fire or heat resistance.

Unknown how long it will take, but eventually a skill for fire resistance or heat tolerance should become available.

HP reduction triggers HP auto-recovery, which also accumulates proficiency—two benefits from one action.

When defense and recovery exceed damage taken, walking should become possible.

During other times, focus on leveling other skills.

Preferably parallel thinking and computational processing, but parallel thinking's leveling method remains unclear—leave it inactive.

For computational processing, incrementally improve through mental arithmetic.

Additionally, raise poison synthesis and thread manipulation levels to avoid wasting MP during recovery.

Poison synthesis, in particular, has revealed multiple new applications—intense focus on leveling is required.

The mid-tier—maybe thread manipulation won’t be useful there…

It’s one of my main skills…

I’ll focus on upgrading status-enhancing skills next.

Especially Vedanta, Strength, and Durability—each level increase provides a growing growth bonus, so they should be prioritized.

Vedanta might improve through sprinting training. Strength could rise with leg-based exercises instead of push-ups. But how do you level up Durability?

It’s defensive. Probably requires taking damage?

Hmm…

Maybe I’ll try lashing my own body while leveling up thread manipulation skills.

Pain is unpleasant, but I’ll give it a try once.

Also, if I’m staying here long-term, I’ll need to secure food.

Right now, Gluttony prevents stamina drain, but eventually I’ll have to consume something.

For that purpose, I’ll need to scout the surrounding area and prepare for hunting.

Perhaps setting up a concealed trap with spider silk would work too.

A capture trap with silk as invisible as possible.

Yes, that’s a solid idea. Adopted.

Even if a powerful monster that tears through the silk accidentally gets caught, I won’t be there normally, so no real harm.

With that decided, I begin action immediately.

First, construct the home.

Climb up the wall.

I’ve survived a life-or-death struggle as an ape before, so I’m used to heights now.

I used to fear heights enough to gain Fear Resistance, but now I feel nothing.

[Skill acquisition confirmed. New skill unlocked: 3D Mobility LVL 1.]

Hmm?

A new skill just unlocked?

Let me check.

[3D Mobility: Enables three-dimensional movement such as wall-running and ceiling landing.]

Hmm.

Not needed.

Could do this already.

Well, movement might improve with higher level, so saying it’s unnecessary is a bit extreme.

Not a crucial skill anyway. Can leave this one idle.

Yes.

Acquired a marginal skill. Begin home construction.

Phew.

Alright, done.

The completed home extends horizontally, sandwiched between ceiling and wall.

Ideally, optimal balance would be achieved by angling ceiling and wall surfaces evenly. But the ceiling’s composition shifts midway—becomes slick rock, reducing adhesion for threads—so expanding surface area on the ceiling side wasn’t feasible. Resulted in this layout.

Horizontal expansion reduced structural thickness slightly.

Deflecting the giant ape’s rock throw? Might not be possible.

However, the foundation was secured, and collapse was prevented.

This structure can withstand even one hundred apes!

Unless the ape possesses long-range, powerful attacks akin to those of a giant ape, breaching this base should be difficult.

Still, it won't work against opponents outside standard parameters—like a earth dragon—so absolute confidence isn't possible.

We'll be staying here for the time being. Let it serve as our fourth home, fully utilized.

Now that the base is established and HP has been restored.

We'll go back to the middle layer and repeat the process of taking damage.

...That sounds unpleasant.

Then, here we are—the middle layer!

It's hot!

Current temperature—measurable? Impossible!

No thermometer is available!

Today will be a full day of erupting lava!

We've long passed the point where the weather maiden would advise against going out!

That concludes the update from the mid-level site!

Evacuation!

Phew.

Hot... really hot.

Neither skill has leveled up yet.

Well, let's take it easy.