172 Feeding Children
The Baby Legion returned eight days later.
Considering the region, the monsters had become quite sparse. It was impossible to find any without traveling far.
As a result, we nearly starved.
Only SP3 remained.
We would die.
Having no choice, we ate eggshells found nearby to stave off hunger.
Unlike bird eggs, these shells were soft. Not entirely inedible.
Eating one's own excretion—disgusting, but unavoidable.
We consumed the tasteless shells.
Upon ingestion, a slight recovery in status points occurred.
Even without action, a minimal recovery occurred over time.
With proper meals, full recovery seemed possible.
Eight days passed in this manner, enduring hunger.
The babies who had finally returned were noticeably fewer in number.
About half?
Well, they were weak.
I was on the verge of starvation myself.
Frankly, it was remarkable that half had survived at all.
Moreover, their overall levels had risen.
In fact, weren't their stats skyrocketing?
The stats that were all 3 at level 1 now averaged around level 5—equivalent to roughly 50 total.
A level increase of about 10?
Wait.
My childhood had only granted 1 point per level.
What kind of exceptional children are these?
The babies bring in the corpses of their prey.
O-oh.
Quite a few, aren't they?
Ten monster corpses are carried in.
What kind of exceptional children are these?
Let me see—ah, a frog.
Various other familiar monsters are laid out in display.
Upon observation, the creatures are entirely bound in threads, with multiple puncture wounds from venomous fangs evident.
Are they coordinating—binding with threads to immobilize, then simultaneously piercing with venomous fangs?
Ah, most of these young ones possess the coordination skill.
I do not have that skill myself.
What exceptional children these are.
Moreover, only ten were brought this time, yet they clearly eliminated far more than ten monsters.
Likely hunted to feed themselves—otherwise, they would starve.
Ten cannot reach level five for all of them.
How many monsters have they actually defeated?
Regardless, since they’ve brought prey, we’ll consume it.
Yes.
Tasteless.
Ah… I miss sweets.
But luxury is not an option.
Until status returns, endure. Endure.
Will it recover quickly once level increases?
But my current level is thirty.
Not going to rise with just a little effort.
Better to wait steadily here, ensure full recovery.
Thus, little ones!
Fetch prey again!
No complaints. No vocal organs to speak with. Still, the little ones march forward once more.
Still disgusting.
Seven days later.
The baby creatures return again, dragging prey.
Huh.
Noticing some growing larger.
Among the palm-sized spiderlings, about one in ten is roughly thirty centimeters in size.
[Mini Lassero Holon Neia LV1
Status
HP: 125/125 (Green) (Details)
MP: 125/125 (Blue) (Details)
SP: 125/125 (Yellow) (Details)
HP: 120/125 (Red) (Details)
Average Attack: 125 (Details)
Average Defense: 125 (Details)
Average Magic: 125 (Details)
Average Resistance: 125 (Details)
Average Speed: 125 (Details)
Skills
"Magic Perception LV4", "Magic Manipulation LV4", "Poison Enhancement LV1", "Poison Fang LV4", "Spider Silk LV3", "Coordination LV4", "Dark Vision LV8", "Poison Magic LV2", "Shadow Magic LV1", "Poison Resistance LV4"
Evolved from Minimal to Mini.
Moreover, probably due to evolution, Shadow Magic has appeared.
What kind of exceptional children are these.
Number of casualties not significantly reduced this time. Twenty monster corpses brought back.
Returned one day earlier than last time. Results doubled.
What kind of exceptional children are these.
Accepting the prey with gratitude.
My status has recovered significantly. Now around one thousand.
Accompanying this, my body has grown larger.
Since my race hasn’t changed, this isn’t evolution or any such transformation—just physical expansion.
It’s grown from palm-sized to about thirty centimeters.
Same size as a minis.
Then, upon leaving the prey, the babies departed immediately, without waiting for my command.
Huh?
They’re making decisions on their own now?
Not bad for their intelligence.
What exceptional children these are.
Good thing I gave birth to them.
And good thing I didn’t eat them just because I was hungry.
No, I did consider it briefly.
They’d be good to eat, right?
But ultimately, I decided it was more profitable to use them up than to consume them.
Prediction confirmed.
Rather more than expected.
A mother with a child this capable and spirited—she must be happy.
Keep up the pace. Pour it all into your mother, now.