Spider 55:
According to Wisdom-sama's map, we have explored a super large portion of the Middle Stratum, at least compared to the Upper and Lower Stratums.
Well, it's not like there is a percentage gauge showing how much of an area we have left to explore, so we don't know how big this place really is.
One nice thing about the Middle Stratum is that since it is basically one wide long path, exploration is easier compared to the maze-like structure of the Upper and Lower Stratums.
We have actually come across many more shafts connecting the Stratums since the Fire Dragon battle.
Of course, we are not so arrogant as to think we stand a chance against the likes of Mother, so we avoid those shafts like the plague.
That attack Mother used was probably a dragon breath attack from her [Dragon Power].
Mother probably eats Dragons for breakfast, no way we can even touch her.
Still, without any other means of getting to the Upper Stratum, we might eventually have to chance it by taking one of those shafts, or wait for teleportation to be unlocked.
Karada: I don't like the first idea.
Majikku 1: We better save that as the last resort, for when say, teleportation doesn't work.
Majikku 2: Stop saying scary things! I am scared! Nai wa!
Yeah, me too.
...Eh!?
Majikku 2: Eek! Don't jumpscare me like that!
Karada: What is it?
Majikku 1: How bad is it?
Bad? This is great!
I just spotted a long upward slope over there thanks to [Clairvoyance]!
Karada: For real?!
Majikku 2: Gasp! Does that mean...
Majikku 1: Fucking finally! An exit to the Upper Stratum!
We are in the home stretch, girls!
Now we just need to prepare for Humans and find the exit.
Then it will finally be a free, sunny life for us in the outside world!
We dash towards the slope when suddenly, we are hit with a command of sorts?
What!? Go to the Bottom Stratum!?
Karada: Say what now?!
Majikku 2: But why?! I don't wanna go somewhere that scary! Nai wa!
Majikku 1: Wait, who is telling us to go there?
It's Mother! She wants us to join our siblings in the ranks of her personal army!
Majikku 1: After everything we suffered through because of her? Nai wa!
Karada: Agreed, as if we will ever join her willingly.
Majikku 2: But she is super strong! We can't disobey her!
Yeah, but she is too big to fit in many of the tunnels in the Upper Stratum.
As long as we don't wander off carelessly, we should be fine right?
Karada: Ha! We are one of those Japanese who can say no! We reserve the right to refuse your nonsense, Mother!
Majikku 1: More like we don't say anything at all but yeah.
Oh she is mad about us not listening to her alright.
What are we? Some rebellious teens looking to leave their nest?
Majikku 2: That's naughty and dangerous.
Karada: But there is something so exciting about doing something naughty and dangerous!
Majikku 1: Either way, as long as she can't reach us, we should be fine.
Yep! It's decided even before the discussion.
For our freedom, we are willing to risk even Mother's wrath!
I mean, we are just one of thousands of kids or hers, what is one stray gonna do?
So farewell, Mother of ours, and off we go!
And we continue to dash up the slope and into the Upper Stratum.
Immediately, the rush of cooler air is so comfortable and refreshing we collapse on the spot.
After basking in the coolness for a good while, we wasted no time setting up base at the entrance to the Middle Stratum.
This shall be our home base for the time being.
Karada: It's wonderful! To be surrounded by silk!
Majikku 2: Yeah! I feel so safe and comfortable now! Especially with our new beloved Kirbo plushie!
Majikku 1: We definitely deserve this after literally surviving hell.
Still, we can't let our guard down just yet.
There are still Humans and Mother to worry about.
And there is no guarantee only small fries exist in the Upper Stratum.
I mean, Mother can come up here, who is to say other super strong Monsters don't come up here from time to time?
Karada: Way to ruin the mood.
Majikku 2: And now I'm scared! Nai wa!
Majikku 1: But Interu is right, the real battle has only just begun. So how about we start our training plans?
Karada: Nai wa, I am not looking forward to this.
Majikku 2: We are not going to instantly kill ourselves, are we?
I highly doubt it, we can always pull out when needed.
And so we made our way back to the Middle Stratum.
Right now, we are standing in front of the magma.
Majikku 1: Well, what are you waiting for?
Majikku 2: I believe in you, big sis Karada!
Karada: Nai wa, this is gonna hurt. But 3, 2, 1, here goes nothing!
And so we dip one of our scythe into the magma.
Karada: "Hot hot hot! It burns! It really burns!"
Divine Voice: "Proficiency has reached the required level.
Skill [Suffering Resistance LV8] has become [Suffering Resistance LV9]."
At the same time, the Majikkus are using [Healing Magic] to offset the damage.
But our [Healing Magic] is not strong enough, our scythe is burning up faster, or rather, is it actually just straight up melting?
Then suddenly...
Karada: I appear to have burst into flames..."Ahhhhhhh!"
Karada backs off from the magma and starts rolling around in pain of being on fire.
Quick! [Medicine Synthesis]!
We quickly put ourselves out a ball of healing liquid and continue to shower ourselves in said liquid to heal.
[Healing Magic] and [Medicine Synthesis] stop working up to a certain point, and that's when we realised they are not at a high enough level to heal things like lost limbs and scars like [HP Auto-Recovery] can.
Speaking of, [HP Auto-Recovery] has evolved into [HP Rapid Recovery], which is nice.
Karada: Nai wa, that really freaking hurted.
You did well to last as long as you did, you should be proud.
Majikku 2: Yeah! You're awesome!
Majikku 1: I suppose I can admit that was impressive.
Karada: Thanks, I guess, still hurted.
Even after doing that, our [Fire Resistance] didn't level up.
Seems like we have a long way to go to get rid of our weakness to Fire with [Inferno Nullification].
Ideally, we would make our new home Fire-proof so we would need to worry about a repeat of what happened to our first home.
Still, doing this also helps with [Pain Mitigation], [Ultimate Life], [HP Rapid Recovery] and our Healing Skills, so we should continue to do this every so often.
Of course, we need to train up our other Skills and Stats as well.
Mainly the Stat Growth Skills, Defence & Resistance Skills and of course, the super useful Speed Stat so we can rushdown or run away from everything if need be.
Karada: Nai wa, can we at least agree to take turns controlling the body to do training, I wanna relax and maybe finally learn Magic.
Sure, I want to do some exercise myself after so long of processing intel.
Karada: Oh thank you! You're the best! Big sis Interu!
Majikku 2: I know right?! Isn't she just the best?!
Majikku 1: I suppose Interu is the best of us, being mature, responsible and ambitious enough to want to be an actual normal Human being and all.
Aw, shunks.
Thanks, you kids, your big sis will do her best to be the best I can be so I can inspire you to be at your best!
Karada, Majikku 1 & 2: Nai wa...
Oh come on you brats!
I am here to lead by example!
Just follow my lead, alright?