Chapter 16

Summary
The third Bagragratch pounces at Kumoko, who barely gets out of the way of the attack, but not without losing half her legs. Fighting to avoid passing out Kumoko attaches herself to the wall with a thread and quickly attacks the monster, which has gotten tangled up in her built-in trap of her web scaffold, and finishes it with [Poison Synthesis]. This levels Kumoko up. With her wounds healed, and seeing that the loss of the Bagragratchs has left the Anogratchs bewildered, Kumoko goes on the offensive. Poisoning the surviving Bagragratch, Kumoko mercilessly slaughters the trapped Anogratchs, earning the titles [Merciless] and [Monster Slaughterer].

When the battle is over, Kumoko reflects on the fact she didn't have to flee and revels in her victory, letting her guard down in the process. The final Bagragratch, having escaped, tries to kill Kumoko from behind, but dies from the poison before it can. This pushes her over the threshold to Level 10 and unlocks her next evolution, with a choice between an adult Taratect, or a Small Poison Taratect.

Deciding to make the decision later, Kumoko decides to first investigate the nearby tunnel which, she noticed, none of the Anogratches or Bagragratchs came from. Ascending the tunnel she discovers it does indeed lead to the Middle Stratum, a lava flooded hellscape.

Quick References

 * 1) Kumoko defeats the last of the Anogratchs and Bagragratchs, earning her first real vistory in the Lower Stratum.
 * 2) Kumoko unlocks her second evolution.
 * 3) Kumoko discovers the entrance to the Middle Stratum.

Chapter Notes

 * 1) Kumoko Level 8 to Level 10.
 * 2) [Faint Resistance] Level 1 acquired.
 * 3) Title [Merciless] acquired, along with the skills [Heresy Resistance] Level 1 and [Heretic Magic] Level 1. [Heretic Magic] Level 1 is incorporated into [Heretic Magic] Level 2.
 * 4) Title [Monster Slaughterer] acquired, along with the skills [Herculean Strength] Level 1 and [Sturdy] Level 1. [Strength] Level 3 is incorporated into [Herculean Strength] Level 1. [Solidity] Level 3 is incorporated into [Sturdy] Level 1.
 * 5) [Poison Synthesis] Level 2 to Level 3.
 * 6) [Throw] Level 2 to Level 3.
 * 7) [Magic Mass] Level 2 to Level 3.

Characters by Appearance
Kumoko