Chapter 17

17-1
Kumoko has arrived in the Middle Stratum to be faced with a hellscape filled with so much magma that the scorching heat is literally burning through her HP by just standing in the cavern. Distracted, Kumoko's thread ignites and she barely cuts it away in time to avoid catching fire herself. Before she has chance to get her bearings, an Elroe Gunerush bursts out of the magma. Appraising the Gunerush, Kumoko confirms its stats and that it is a monster of the Middle Stratum. Kumoko tries to figure out how to approach the stratum when her weakness is fire. While she's thinking the Gunerush closes in and starts spewing out fireballs at Kumoko. Narrowly escaping, Kumoko tires to counter with thread but it just ignites. Left with no other recourse, Kumoko retreats back to the Lower Stratum.

Having retreated back to where she massacred the Anogratch pack, Kumoko tries to figure out what to do, look for another shaft which skips the Middle Stratum, or risk traversing it. Deciding to leave making a decision for for now, Kumoko decides instead to evolve, choosing to become a rare Small Poison Taratect rather than a standard adult Taratect. For safety, Kumoko builds a small camouflaged nest on the wall and then triggers the evolution.

17-2
Kumoko awakens after the evolution and appraises herself, finding the [Appraisal] skill now marks which statistics have increased since the last check. While dining on Anogratch corpses, Kumoko assesses her new skills and abilities, finding she can now add the poison attribute to her attacks and adjust the qualities of her synthesised poison.

Realising she needs ranged attacks, Kumoko laments the fact she cannot use magic. The reason is she needs two skills, [Magic Power Perception] and [Magic Power Operation], but [Magic Power Perception] is part of her skill [Detection], but she cannot use it because the amount of information overloads her brain to the point of intense pain. Trying to find a solution, Kumoko searches her newly acquired skill catalogue and discovers the [Pride] skill is available for 100 skill points. From what she can appraise, [Pride] is a suspicious skill which accelerates the holder's growth. Though cautious of the skill, Kumoko is drawn to it and decides to purchases [Pride]. Acquiring the skill raises Kumoko's magic stats as well as the skill [Taboo] by two levels and unlocks the title [Ruler of Pride], along with it's derivative skills [Hades] and [Abyss Magic] Level 10.

After appraising the new skills, Kumoko decides on her plan of action. Attain long range attacks and heat resistance for traversing the Middle Stratum.

Quick References

 * 1) Kumoko has reached the Middle Stratum of the Great Elroe Labyrinth.
 * 2) The Middle Stratum is a magma flooded hellscape.
 * 3) The Middle Stratum is so hot it literally burns through HP.
 * 4) Kumoko is forced to retreat from her first encounter with an Elroe Gunerush.
 * 5) Kumoko evolves for the second time.
 * 6) Kumoko gains the ability to imbue her attacks with attribute damage, poison specifically.
 * 7) Two specific skills are needed to use magic skills, [Magic Power Perception] and [Magic Power Operation].
 * 8) [Magic Power Perception] is included in [Detection].
 * 9) Within [Appraisal], Kumoko discovers the skill catalogue of skills she can purchase.
 * 10) Kumoko becomes the [Ruler of Pride].
 * 11) Kumoko decides to tackle the Middle Stratum.

Chapter Notes

 * 1) Kumoko evolves from a Level 10 Small Taratect into a Level 1 Small Poison Taratect.
 * 2) [Poison Attack] Level 9 acquired. [Poison Fang] Level 8 incorporated into [Poison Attack] Level 9.
 * 3) [Thread Control] Level 7 to Level 8.
 * 4) [Concentration] Level 4 to Level 5.
 * 5) [Appraisal] Level 7 to Level 8.
 * 6) [Heretic Magic] Level 2 to Level 3.
 * 7) [Poison Magic] Level 1 to Level 2.
 * 8) [Spider Thread] Level 8 to Level 9.
 * 9) [Poison Resistance] Level 7 to Level 8.
 * 10) [Petrifaction Resistance] Level 2 to Level 3.
 * 11) [Faint Resistance] Level 1 to Level 2.
 * 12) [Heresy Resistance] Level 1 to Level 2.
 * 13) [Pride] purchased with skill points.
 * 14) [Taboo] Level 2 to Level 4.
 * 15) Title [Ruler of Pride] acquired, along with the skills [Abyss Magic] Level 10 and [Hades].

Characters by Appearance
Kumoko