186 Arachne
Evolution complete.
Regrettably, no new skills were gained through evolution.
Additionally, due to the integration of the Queen, the skill set had already reached a high level, making skill level increases feel less pronounced than before.
Still, this was unavoidable.
Many skills had already reached their maximum capacity. Skill refinement was now in the final phase.
This evolution marked the most significant change in form to date.
First, the body had grown by roughly one size.
Smaller than the adult Taratect seen during the attack by Ark, but larger than the previous compact form.
Yet, such changes were, frankly, irrelevant.
The most significant change was undoubtedly the appendage emerging from the head.
A human upper body grew there.
A strange sensation, as if two consciousnesses existed simultaneously.
Similar to parallel consciousness, yet distinct.
As if thinking with two brains at once. Or perhaps that’s exactly what’s happening.
Two fields of vision existed.
One was the same as before—the view elevated slightly due to the increased size of the body.
The other was positioned higher.
Scanning the surroundings from this vantage point.
Incredible.
Previously, with the neck and torso connected, turning the entire body was necessary to see around. Now, merely moving the head granted a wide field of view.
The queen in view.
Significantly larger.
Old man.
Why is he praying?
Hero.
Still not awake.
Better to remain asleep. Awakening would complicate matters.
Looking down.
Chest, then.
Apparently, I am definitively female.
Males do not have chests like this.
In fact, I’m only about two years old in age, yet appear fully adult.
Hold hand before face.
Five-fingered, human hand.
Gently close and open.
Move each finger individually.
They function properly.
Bend slightly, look downward.
Connected at waist level to spider body.
Joint hidden beneath spider's hair.
Curiosity prompts me to part the hair and look.
No notable difference. Normal connection.
My current body is extremely white. Seamless integration with white spider form.
Bend further.
Human eyes meet spider eyes.
Unaided by mirror, able to see myself.
Spider eyes remain eight in number.
Total now ten when combined with human eyes.
Unexpected outcome: number of eyes increases, not decreases.
Concern over pre-evolution state now reduced.
Still, very white.
Human portion of my body is exceptionally white.
Even in my previous life, I was white, but it was a healthier shade of white.
This current whiteness is more like the artificial, plaster-like whiteness of a crafted statue.
They’ve gone so far as to make my hair completely white too—making me look even paler.
Incidentally, my hair is quite long.
Only my eyes remain red.
My lips are pale blue, making the redness of my eyes stand out even more.
White body, red eyes.
Humanoid in form, but clearly no longer human at a glance.
Yet, this—this is it.
This humanoid form is nearly identical to my previous self.
Nearly identical, but not exactly the same.
The color is white, the eyes are red.
The facial features have been slightly altered.
What is this.
The foundation is based on my previous form, but there’s a familiar imprint mixed in—something I’ve seen before.
Hmm?
Ah.
This is the Demon Lord.
It’s as if the face of the Demon Lord has been blended into my previous self’s features.
Ah.
Considering it, I am something like a descendant of that person. It’s not surprising my face resembles theirs.
More accurately, I suppose it’s closer to a clone.
But then, why would the face from my previous life be mixed in? That’s the mystery.
Still, overthinking it probably means losing.
Perhaps it’s a result of genetic facial data blending with a reconstructed image from my memories—some awkward fusion of science and occult.
“U—beautiful.”
The old man mutters quietly.
Ah, yes, yes.
Compliments are pleasant, even if insincere.
Ah, I’m currently the Mappa.
It doesn’t diminish me to be seen, so I don’t mind—but if I keep this up, I might earn the title of exhibitionist.
Though such a title doesn’t exist.
Still, loitering around as Mappa feels like it’ll ruin my feminine charm. I should do something about that.
Since it's convenient, I'll apply the intent of the experiment by channeling power into newly created hands.
White threads extend from the fingertips.
Hmm.
Not just from the spider's rear, but also from the fingertips.
In fact, since the skill evolved with Divine Weaving Thread, I can now produce threads from anywhere on my body if I choose.
Still, the rear remains more efficient in terms of consumption and output.
Producing from the fingertips is less efficient in that regard, but it's remarkably practical.
From the rear, even if I claim full control, there were many situations where it proved inconvenient.
Fingertips allow finer control, enabling even greater precision in movement, and the range of applications seems broad.
For now, I'll begin weaving fabric-like structures using threads from the fingertips.
For immediate use, I'll create something akin to a bra to conceal the chest.
Hmm.
Completed.
I must admit, I'm quite skilled at this.
I'll tie my long hair into a single braid for convenience.
My hair behaves like thread—easily manipulated with thread-control magic.
Perhaps thread-control has already integrated divine weaving as a skill, but cutting thread might also be possible if I attempt it.
I'll test that later.
Now, I'll finally speak to the old man.
Can I produce sound properly?
A brief vocal warm-up.
"Ah... ah..."
Yes. It comes out. Clear.
Perfect.