【〖Petite Nightmare〗: Rank D+ monster】
【A rare evolution that only takes place under a harsh environment and a strong magic interference.】
【They house a variety of skills and have very high magic, but they are mostly feared for their high intelligence and tenacity.】
【If left alone, it will become more and more uncontrollable, so it is recommended that adventurers hunt it down no matter how far it is chased.】
【However, there have been many people, experienced or not, that have fallen for their traps as it patiently waits for them.】

…… I check the masked spider’s details, but there’s nothing ominous about it yet.
Anyway, that mask is really stuck on its skin, I don’t know what to make out of it.
If I peel it off, what’s gonna happen next?
No, I need stop thinking that, not every trivial thing has a big lore around it.

The masked spider doesn’t mind me and continues crawling around Partner.
…… Looking at it this way, it looks so harmless, but gotta keep in mind that the explanation says they can house a lot of skills.

A harsh environment…… strong magic interference……
Was it…… even raised in a harsh environment?
It felt like I was only dragging all the trouble to them though.

As for the strong magic interference…… I assume it’s because of me.
Maybe it was because we used〖High Rest〗around them lots of times, or maybe because Partner used〖High Rest〗on them during their evolution, or maybe it’s because of my〖Dragon Moth Scales〗, you know what, I give up with the maybe’s.
Ball Rabbit also obtained〖Curse Resistance〗when he evolved to Peach Ball Rabbit too.

Although they’ve evolved and gotten stronger, I can’t say I’m happy……
I told myself I’d release them once they’ve grown strong enough to defend themselves, but forget that, I can’t possibly ignore them now after hearing that Petite Nightmare enjoys luring adventurers in their traps.

…… Fortunately, they have〖Curse Resistance〗now, so we can keep them with us.
Not to mention they’re closely attached to Partner.
Since they’re supposedly tenacious, they’re gonna have long-lasting grudges for sure, but that also means their love and affection towards you is just as strong. I think.
That masked spider gives me the creeps though, but they only seem to be interested in Partner, so…… Partner, it’s all on you.

It was Partner who originally wanted to keep them, I’m sure she was jealous seeing Ball Rabbit cling to me before!
You must be happy to have your wish granted.

I shortly glance at Partner.
The masked spider is resting on her head.

“Kiki, kikiki!”

A metallic sound is heard from the masked spider.
Is that…… its cry?

I was somewhat disturbed by it so I closed my eyes for a moment, but when I opened them, there were rash-like spots on Partner’s face.

【“My head…… itchy”】

R-Right…… good luck, Partner. Seriously, you need it. I’m cheering for you.
That thing’s poisonous, so be careful.
Since we have〖Poison Resistance〗, it’s not that obvious, and our〖Automatic HP Recovery〗will just heal us up.
Ah, of course. In fact, I think it’s great that we have the resistance for it.

…… Wait, I don’t have time to worry about stuff like that, I need to resume searching for the Abyss nest soon.
It’s not a problem I can ignore anymore.

As long as they remain in this forest, there’s no safe place for Alo nor the Lithuvar Tribe to hide from another Abyss attack.
In that case, I should let Alo, Lesser Treant, and the spiders join me in focusing all our efforts to find and destroy the Abyss nest while leveling up along the way.

Following the hero Gagaza’s story, our only way to find their nest is to follow an Abyss.
…… Since the two that I caught are now dead, I have to go find another one.

【“That’s ez”】

Partner talks to me with her thoughts.
Hm? What do you mean?

“Gra~a”

When Partner growled, a black light envelops the Abyss’s corpse who died from the spiders’ suffocation.
The corpse inside the wrapped web begins to move.
D-Don’t tell me this is……

【Title Skill〖Stray Path〗has risen from Lv 7→8.】
【Title Skill〖Mean King〗has risen from Lv 8→9.】

Yup, that was definitely〖Fake Life〗.

Partner, what the heck?!

【”…… Was it a bad idea?”】

Partner asks me, sounding remorseful.
…… Uh, uhh, no.
I don’t know how to respond, I didn’t even want to use this skill in the first place, and yet…… oh, nevermind.

…… Still,〖Mean King〗is almost at Lv MAX.
I can’t afford to risk using this skill anymore…… wait, who knows what’ll really happen if it reaches MAX, so I can’t just stop using a skill because of that.

Well, we’ve already revived it, so it can’t be helped.
Seriously though, reanimating a dead enemy, using that enemy to expose their enemy base, that is indeed villainous.
I might just have to embrace being a〖Mean King〗already.

We were crude enough to kill it through suffocation, but that doesn’t matter now, I swipe my claw to break the Abyss free from the web wrap.
Out comes a wobbly Abyss.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
Species: Abyss Zombie
Status: Cursed
Lv: 1/12
HP: 17/17
MP: 5/5
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

…… Okay, the name says it all.
That status though, it’s not rank F, is it?

【〖Abyss Zombie〗: Rank E monster】
【A type of monster where an evil spirit possesses the corpse of an〖Abyss〗.】
【It poses no danger.】

Rank E…… it’s no longer related to its original rank, I guess?
No, after careful consideration, I should just avoid doing stuff like this.

“Vu~e, ~ea……”

It looks at us and walks our way with its highly unbalanced legs.
…… I can never get used to this skill.

The spiders approach the Abyss Zombie.
No, no, wait, are they gonna wrap it around with their webs again?
I hastily keep them away with my claw, but I can’t keep all seven of them away.

“Kiki! Kii~!”

The masked spider lets out an odd cry.
The seven spiders get shocked, as if surprised, and they later scatter away.

D-Did the little ones just listen to the masked spider?
That means these spiders have a means to communicate with each other.
Did the black one notice me trying to keep them away and it offered to help?
As the explanation said, it has high intelligence indeed.

“Kiki, kikikiki!”

Looking at the masked spider, it’s making that shrilling cry again.
The smile on its mask doesn’t change.
…… It’s kinda weird, in more ways than one.
It’s not gonna pick up all the Kid Arachne and run its own gang away from us, right? Right?

“Vu~e~e, e~a, aa!”

Then, the Abyss turns to look at the scattered spiders and opens its mouth.
Bodily fluids drip out of its deformed mouth.
Its leg then snaps and the Abyss Zombie falls down rolling.

“Vu~ea, aa!”

The Abyss Zombie shakily stands up again, this time, giving me a hostile stare.
Oh no, this one’s no good.
Alo also had plenty of past memories when we revived her too, so this Abyss should have its instincts retained and still has memories of who killed it.

It’s gonna be difficult to ask it to voluntarily take us to their nest.
Time to show it who’s boss.

“Gru~uoooooooooo!”

I embed magic to my voice and let out a powerful〖Roar〗.
My roar echoed throughout the surroundings, and shortly after, there was silence.

The Abyss Zombie took my〖Roar〗head on and was left trembling in place with cold feet.

【Normal Skill〖Roar〗has risen from Lv 2→3.】

Mhm, that〖Roar〗sounded hella good.
I feel like I could make it even more powerful and intimidating with a little bit of practice.
It’s really great in driving away lower ranked monsters too, I should really practice it if I find the time.

“Vu~e, ee……”

The Abyss Zombie, while shaking, turns tail and flees.
…… I braced myself first before following after it.