I clear a path and choose the right route to move forward.
While moving, I keep my [Stealth] and [Sensing] skills active to detect any danger in time.
My eight eyes are wide open, scanning the surroundings. The terrain here is just rough stone, nothing special, but the dim lighting makes it likely for some creature to jump out and attack.
Luckily, my spider eyes can see in the dark, and with [Sensing], I'm relatively safe. Still, you can never be too cautious, so I keep going carefully.
It looks simple, but this path is long and dark, with even less light than up above. Plus, it's a straight line, so there's no escape route if I encounter a strong enemy ahead.
Sigh…
Why did I pick this path?
As I'm feeling uneasy, a sudden system notification startles me.
Nai wa!
Every time!
<
Whoa, something this good?
My attitude shifts as I read the notification.
Just what I needed, right when I needed it.
Even with the new skill, this journey is far from smooth. Not long after, the ground shakes violently.
At first, I think it's just a natural phenomenon, but then a landslide happens, nearly crushing me. I barely escape, but the landslide blocks my way back!
What now???
I start to panic…
No! I need to calm down first.
Breathe steadily.
After calming a bit, I try to see if I can clear a path, but the moment I touch the rocks, more come crashing down, almost killing me again.
Seeing no solution, I give up, hoping to find another way back. For now, I can only continue forward.
After a long trek, I finally exit the path, but now I'm even more tense. This new area is vast, which means hostile creatures are likely lurking!
<
<
I'm thrilled my skills leveled up, especially since they directly affect my survival chances, but I still can't relax.
I use [Appraisal] to scan the area.
This spacious place has some new things I've never seen before.
[Manatic Ore, capable of absorbing Mana from nature]
Oh, sounds valuable, but I can't take it, and I don't have the ability to use magic yet, so I'll pass for now.
[Aleract Mushroom, has mild paralyzing poison]
Hmm, not bad.
I have [Poison Resistance], so a little paralysis won't affect me much. In fact, it might help me increase my skill proficiency.
Alright, I'll add this to my food list.
I pause as [Sensing] picks up something—there's another creature nearby.
I go back to high alert and start investigating. I stealthily move to a large rock and peek out, spotting a living creature.
I immediately use [Appraisal] on it.
<
Same level as me, but there are four of them.
Hmph.
If this was before, I'd be scared, but now…
Perfect chance to test my new skills.
While they're unaware, I leap up and shoot silk from behind, activating [Heaven's Net]. The silk instantly transforms into a net, trapping all four frogs.
They react quickly, biting at my silk to escape, but I add more layers, making it thick and dense.
After restraining them, I don't rush to finish them off. Instead, I test my other unused skills.
First, I try [Intimidation], but it has no effect—probably because we're the same level. If [Intimidation] doesn't work, skills like [Loyalty] or [Faith] likely won't either.
So, they only work if I'm stronger than my opponent?
Got it.
I keep testing other skills.
[Calm Mind] seems to be for myself, [Plunder] has no effect… [Wanderlust] doesn't respond… [Patience] is silent too.
Are all my skills duds or what?
Do they need special conditions to activate? Or do they only work after I kill an enemy? Or are they passive skills that trigger when I'm near death?
So many questions, but I can't answer them now.
Whatever, the skill tests failed, but at least I've got food. I quickly use [Venomous Fangs] to finish off the frogs.
Frog meat probably won't taste great, but I'm hungry, so it'll do.
Here goes—Itadakimasu!
Huh?
<
Ewww.
As expected, they're poisonous.
No wonder they taste awful, especially since they're raw and unprocessed! I hope I don't get a stomachache.
I must be crazy for slowly savoring these. I can still taste the bitterness on my tongue.
I eat all four frogs, and by the time I finish the last bite, a notification appears.
<
<
<
<
Nai wa~
I'm getting stronger!
I'm celebrating my level-up when a massive tremor hits.
What's happening?
Don't tell me this place is collapsing? Two earthquakes in such a short time?!
I'm not ready to die yet!
Sensing something's off, I run to another spot, but halfway there, another tremor cracks the ground open.
Waaaa!
That was close…
I stop just before falling into the chasm.
Peering down, I see it's incredibly deep—no bottom in sight.
If this isn't natural, could a creature be causing it?
I activate [Sensing] to check. Since it leveled up, my sensing range is slightly larger, though not by much.
I focus as hard as I can.
There it is!
About 15 meters away, I detect a strong vibration.
Good thing it's not too close.
I should get out of here, so I turn and run in the opposite direction.
Along the way, I spot some rats and use [Appraisal] on them.
<< Elbrinat Field Mouse Lv4>>
Same level as me, but there are three.
Hmph… I can take them!
Another battle ensues, and after much effort, I manage to defeat all three rats, securing another decent meal. I only eat one since I'm still full from the frogs, wrapping the other two in silk to carry with me.
Awwww~
After walking for a while, I detect another faint vibration. I assume it's a creature, so I head toward it.
But…
That was a mistake.
As I get closer, I activate [Stealth], but I can't find the target. Confused, I use [Sensing] again. The result? It's behind me, and the vibration's getting stronger.
My mind screams danger, and I leap forward, but I'm still hit in the back, sending my body crashing into a wall.
Ouch!
That hurts!!
My poor little back…
I quickly turn to identify my attacker, but before I can see it, it vanishes.
Damn it!
This thing can camouflage and even fool my [Sensing]?
I go on high alert, weaving a silk barrier around myself, but it's instantly pierced. Seizing the chance, I use [Appraisal] on it.
<
So it's a scorpion, but I caught a glimpse of it—four claws, two tails, a body covered in green scales, and a head on its back.
How is that a scorpion?
More importantly, its skills are a pain.
From its attack, I guess it uses those claws as its main weapon. I could try restraining it with silk, but it's way too fast.
Just one hit, and I'm aching all over. My outer skin isn't tough at all, so I need to be extra careful with its attacks.
Easier said than done—I'm quickly forced into a defensive position as I can't keep up with its speed. I can't see its exact stats, but its speed is probably double, maybe triple mine.
A few times, it gets caught in my silk traps, but it escapes almost instantly.
I'm getting tired.
This is the first tough opponent I've faced, and if I'm not careful, I'll die here.
I need a new strategy, or at least something to slow it down. My silk isn't thick enough to hold it for more than a second or two, which isn't enough to deal damage.
My other skills can't restrain it either.
Hmm.
If my current skills won't cut it, I'll just buy a new one.
I've got the points.
I check the shop, hoping to find something useful.
Oh, this is it!
<
Alright, now I just need to time it right.
I weave layers of silk around myself to slow it down a bit. Its next attack pierces through, but my chance arrives.
I aim at its charging body and use [Paralyzing Evil Eye], successfully freezing it in place.
The scorpion's body stiffens, and though its face shows no emotion, I can tell it's confused.
My turn to strike!
Not knowing how long the paralysis lasts, I rush in and bite it with my [Venomous Fangs], injecting poison to weaken it.
Just as I finish, it regains freedom and swings a claw at me. I'm careless and lose two legs in the process.
My head's starting to hurt.
Damn it!
I can't let myself bleed too much, or I'll get dizzy and react slower.
After landing a hit, the scorpion vanishes again, and I keep using [Sensing] to track it.
Waaa waaa!
It's charging!
I repeat my old tactic with silk and [Paralyzing Evil Eye], managing to freeze it again. The immobilized scorpion can only watch as I approach and bite it. I still can't kill it before it breaks free, but it's fine—after two rounds, the poison in its system is enough.
Even if it's not, I can keep doing this. It's just an instinct-driven creature—no match for my genius intellect.
My efforts aren't in vain. Its speed is slowing down, and I'm starting to keep up.
But victory makes me cocky.
The scorpion, as if desperate, stops hiding and charges with all four claws together.
I try my usual tactic to stop it, but it doesn't work. Its attack is stronger than before, and my silk can't hold it for even a second.
If I hadn't dodged, it would've pierced right through me.
What now?? What now?? What now??
I can't dodge in time.
In my panic, I remember another skill—[Invincible Shield]!
It sounds powerful, but I've never tested it, and I don't know how it works. But I have no other choice now.
I activate [Invincible Shield], and a shield appears in front of me, but all my strength is drained, and I collapse.
All or nothing—hope the goddess lets me reincarnate again if I fall.
This is her skill, so don't let me down!
The attack hits the shield, creating a deafening sound, but I'm unharmed behind it.
Nai wa!!
This shield is insane!
Thanks to [Endurance], my strength recovers, and I peek out to check the situation. The scorpion's been flung far away, lying on the ground in a pitiful state. Only one of its four claws remains, and its lower body is nearly destroyed.
Seeing it reminds me of my own state before, so I decide to put it out of its misery.
Phew.
Getting food here is no easy task.
I'm injured too, so I quickly make a simple nest and start eating the scorpion.
<
<
<
<
<
Leveling up heals all my wounds—super convenient.
But I still can't see my full stats.
I want to know what I have and what my numbers are so I can fight with confidence.
Sigh…
I'm debating whether to use Skill Points to upgrade [Appraisal]. I wonder how expensive it is… let's check.
<
1,000 Skill Points???
That's highway robbery!
Why not just rob me outright?
Nai wa!
I was hesitant before, but seeing that price, I'm determined to grind it myself. I've only been in this world for two or three days, so there's no rush.