148 Evolving! Part 5

Nope.

This is going well.

Didn’t expect to gain this much EXP from killing humans.

Well, thinking about it, it’s expected. But with this much, I can’t stop laughing.

28 kills this round. Level up six times.

Summoner and mage escaped, but marked them. Can attack anytime.

Four others ran off too. Marked them as well. Can attack anytime.

Even after evolution, still enough time.

This evolution marks the final stage.

Status as a monster now equals Mother’s.

Age difference remains, so Mother would overwhelmingly win in direct confrontation.

Still, the journey from weakest to this point—there’s a sense of achievement.

Though, for me, there’s still a higher level beyond this.

Even the most powerful monsters in the world are merely stepping stones to my evolution into Arachne.

And Arachne itself is merely a stepping stone toward reaching the Administrator.

The path ahead remains long.

Yet, considering human experience gain efficiency, it might conclude sooner than expected.

I received this much experience from just twenty-eight humans slain. If I were to slaughter a thousand, leveling up would be instantaneous.

Honestly, it's far more efficient to hunt humans than to endure a grueling battle with the Earth Dragon.

The only issue is the risk.

That one is likely monitoring me. They know I've reached Taboo max.

After defeating Arava and slaying humans, then beginning mass slaughter—my objective would be clear.

They’ll come to stop me, knowing full well.

A troublesome one.

There’s no reason for them to stop me at all.

Uuum.

Perhaps I should just stay here and wait for the extermination squad to be assembled?

I let the summoner and mage escape. Next time, they’ll send a stronger force to eliminate me, won’t they?

Then I’ll counter-attack. How surprising.

Self-defense.

Not bad at all.

Perfect.

Fine.

I’ll stay within the labyrinth for now and wait for them to come.

Kukuku.

Let them come blindly, unaware they’re being lured in.

Hehe.

In the meantime, if I have time, I’ll take down some earth dragons.

For now, I’ll proceed as planned. Time to prepare for evolution.

Collect scattered corpses.

Store them with Ark.

Then weave threads around Ark.

Ark is large, after all.

Quite the laborious task.

Phew.

Done.

Evolution remains within basic parameters, but this suffices for progression.

Home has been destroyed. Movement is now a consideration. A new resting place must be constructed.

Ah, but if I move, the extermination squad may not arrive.

Hmm.

Should I build a dummy resting place?

But if I’m going to make such a thing, I might as well just stay.

Ah, but staying in one place too long is dangerous.

Ah, that reminds me—what happens to parallel consciousness during evolution?

They’re already nearly independent on a physical level.

What happens when I enter evolution state?

Well, whatever.

Even if they enter forced sleep mode like me, they won’t die.

As long as no external system force is applied, eliminating them now is practically impossible.

Provided my core self survives.

Then, let’s proceed with evolution—quickly.

Evolution: Individual Ede Syne progressing to Zana Holowa

No way—

Wait?

Normally at this point I should lose consciousness, yet I feel no drowsiness.

Ah… could it be Sleep Immunity?

Skill acquired from the title "Lord of Laziness": Sleep Immunity.

This skill does not only nullify sleep-based attacks, but also eliminates the negative status effects caused by not sleeping.

No penalties occur even during continuous 24/7 operation.

And when sleep is desired, normal rest remains possible—highly convenient.

Likely due to this skill, I’m avoiding unconsciousness during evolution.

Yet… this is evolution?

Feels strange.

No pain, no itch, yet it's as if my body is being rebuilt from within.

Like I’ve become something entirely different.

Yet, curiously, no fear, no revulsion.

Evolution complete.

[Species: Zana Holowa acquired]

[All base stat values increased]

[Skill proficiency evolution bonus obtained]

Then, one after another, skills leveled up.

Ah.

I knew evolution would raise all skills, but hearing it like this confirms just how many have advanced.

[Evolution grants new skill: Undying]

[Skill points acquired]

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?!!

I swear I just missed something incredibly important being said?

Yes?

What was acquired?

[Undying: Death is no longer possible within the system]

Oh noooooo!?

You're okay with that!?

That’s a problem, right!?

How can someone casually accept that kind of thing!? How idiotic is that D-class individual!?

Oh yes, I’ll gladly take it!

I accept this gift with gratitude!

Yesss!

Only Guryuguryu could actually defeat me, right?

Is it really okay to get a little carried away here?

Hehehehehe!

A soft thud sounded.

There, the smartphone lay on the ground.