The Dog Spider transformed into a golden cocoon.
The Melody Fox, who had been singing, fainted as it slipped into a deep sleep.
Yup-purr…
Seems like the Melody Fox’s buff fully transferred to the Dog Spider.
As a result, the exhausted Melody Fox seemed to have passed out.
[Pururu] – What? Could it be that Melody Fox’s buff has already taken effect?
[Yumi] – Already? It’s only been two days!
[Mysticism] – 😮
[Rize Nova] – Oh! The Dog Spider is entering evolution, huh?
“Not sure yet if it’s evolution or not.”
Just like that. It’s still unclear if this is a sign of natural evolution.
It could also be just a physical enhancement.
Or it might be preparation for species transformation.
The Dog Spider received the Melody Fox’s buff. Must be nice.
“Do you have any idea what kind of change that could be?”
Yup. We can’t know what change might occur just from that. I wonder what kind of change it will be. The Melody Fox, who provided the buff, probably has no idea either.
What kind of change could it be?
There’s only one way to find out.
Just wait for the golden cocoon to tear open.
The Centauress continued to stroke the golden cocoon while speaking.
Whatever it becomes, it’ll be a positive change. I’ve heard that no negative change happens due to the Melody Fox’s buff.
“That’s a relief.”
[Pururu] – I hope it’s evolution! But what’s the difference between evolving with a ticket and evolving with that buff?
[Yumi] – Perhaps the difference between natural evolution and artificial evolution?
[Pururu] – In a way, isn’t that also a form of artificial evolution?
[Yumi] – The evolution due to the Melody Fox’s buff is said to be natural evolution.
[Pururu] – Oh, I see.
[Pururu] – Anyway, I’m excited! I can’t wait to see the SS-class little one. Haha!
“Don’t get your hopes too high. It might not rank up.”
[Pururu] – Yup, I know that.
[Pururu] – But if that cocoon is preparing for evolution, then it’s guaranteed to be SS-class!
“Even if it evolves, it might stay at the same rank.”
[Pururu] – Really? Hmmm…
Didn’t we talk about that last time?
I can’t quite remember.
I might’ve thought about it alone, or Pururu simply forgot.
Regardless.
Now that the Dog Spider is preparing for change, the exploration of Team 2 decided to pause for a while.
“Hey, Hedgehog.”
Doo Doom Bar.
“Your mate entered the cocoon state, so let’s take a break from exploring for a while.”
Doo Doom Bar!
Until the Dog Spider wakes up.
The Hedgehog Summoner decided to keep it in the reserve team.
By the way, the Melody Fox was transferred to the headquarters team.
[Pururu] – Hey! Hey!
“Why?”
[Pururu] – If our little one evolves or changes shape, I want to draw a picture this time! Is that okay?
“You want to draw it?”
[Pururu] – Yup, I want my drawing to be in the Monster Index.
“Hmm… I don’t really mind, but can you draw well?”
[Pururu] – To be modest, I’m not terrible at it.
[Pururu] – To put it plainly, I draw well. Hehe.
“Is that so? Then do as you wish.”
[Yumi] – Pururu, you have talents after all. That’s surprising.
[Rize Nova] – Quite surprising.
[Mysticism] – Unexpected.
[Pururu] – Shut up, you crazy girls.
If the Dog Spider transforms,
Following Pururu’s request, I decided to put Pururu’s drawing in the index.
Since they wanted to do it themselves.
It’s an assistant’s request, so I should comply.
“I’m curious about how good their drawing skills really are since they seem so confident.”
Might just be unfounded confidence.
Or soon enough, I’ll find out if they can really draw well.
It doesn’t matter if it’s just a puffed-up drawing; I’m still putting it in the index.
I can’t disregard the assistant’s sincerity.
It’s more important that they drew it for the Dog Spider than the quality of the drawing.
“By the way, who do I know that can draw well?”
Several names popped up in my head.
One of them is likely to be it.
“Maybe I’ll find out Pururu’s true identity sooner than expected. Observing the art style might help identify who it is.”
Finding out Pururu’s identity wouldn’t be a problem.
They don’t seem like the type to flee even if I figured it out.
[Pururu] – Ah, hey! Hey!
[Pururu] – And if it evolves or changes appearance, shouldn’t the name change too?
“That’s true. Why?”
[Pururu] – Then I’ll name the little one!
[Pururu] – I want to personally name my favorite monster!
“Alright. Do as you wish.”
I allowed the naming as well.
That level of authority should be fine to grant.
Pururu has seemed especially fond of the Dog Spider since the start of the broadcast.
[Yumi] – Pururu, you seem really excited today. Just looking at the chat raises your energy level.
[Rize Nova] – Pleased to see the change of the monster you cherish the most, I believe.
[Mysticism] – 🤭
[Pururu] – Haha, I’m excited about the little one’s transformation. My heart’s racing.
After that, I communicated a bit more with the assistants before falling asleep.
Today, it was next to the golden cocoon.
*
Day 28 in the labyrinth.
The golden cocoon showed no sign of change yet.
Instead, an incredible change was happening to my body.
“…What’s happening?”
Instinctively, I understood.
This was a change even the dullest person couldn’t miss.
It’s no surprise.
My physique, previously closer to that of an ordinary person, had crossed the threshold into the realm of superhuman overnight.
I asked my assistants who joined the broadcast.
“Can you tell me how many seal patterns I have on my back right now?”
[Pururu] – Huh? What? One seal pattern disappeared!!!
[Yumi] – What?! What happened? Didn’t you say that’s a seal pattern?
[Rize Nova] – Could it be the seal has been released?
[Mysticism] – 😱
“It seems that way. One has definitely disappeared, right?”
[Pururu] – Yup, there are now four seal patterns!
My seal has been lifted.
Not all of them have been released, but since one pattern has disappeared, that marks a stage-one liberation.
[Pururu] – Since only one was erased, that means not all seals are released.
[Pururu] – But in that case, what’s your current danger level?
“B-rank.”
[Pururu] – You nerfed down to B-rank? Or was your original strength B-rank?
“Originally, my strength was B-rank.”
[Pururu] – If your original strength is B-rank, then it’s been nerfed to D-rank now.
“No. I’m still at B-rank. The power of the explorer doesn’t get nerfed and remains the same. Don’t you remember when Azelas told you last time?”
[Pururu] – ? When did they mention that?
[Yumi] – I think it was briefly before sleeping. I can’t quite remember either.
[Mysticism] – 😐
[Rize Nova] – Just a stage one liberation, and yet you’re immensely powerful…
[Pururu] – More importantly, how did you even break the seal? Did you tame a monster that unseals during dawn?
[Yumi] – I don’t see any unfamiliar monsters around, though?
[Pururu] – So, did it naturally come undone?
“Doesn’t seem like it would just be a natural release…”
I shifted my gaze to the left.
The Melody Fox still slept peacefully.
It seems that their buff also reached me.
And due to the effect of that buff, one of my seals has been lifted.
If that weren’t the case, I couldn’t explain why the seal has been released.
“I think it’s probably thanks to the Melody Fox.”
[Yumi] – Ah, the power contained in the Melody Fox’s song has released the seal for you?
[Pururu] – So it was possible to unseal? The buff’s effectiveness is insane!
[Mysticism] – A buff with diverse effects! Amazing!
[Rize Nova] – The power contained in the song is still a mystery!
Just as Rize said,
The power contained in the songs sung by the Melody Fox seemed limitless.
Its unsealing ability was known even by the Centauress.
“Could it be that all beneficial effects are possible?”
It wasn’t an impossible thing.
After all, the Melody Fox is indeed an S-class monster.
And if I keep the Melody Fox close, perhaps one day all seals will be released.
Or maybe only up to stage three can be undone.
If I reach stage three, I’ll become an S-class just like the Melody Fox. Probably.
“What a lucky charm it turned out to be!”
Anyway, now that the seal has been lifted, I feel safer.
Even without the buff, facing labyrinth monsters now wouldn’t lead to losing my life in vain.
The actual danger level is S-class but has been nerfed to B-rank.
While I’m B-rank in level, the nerf doesn’t apply to me.
In essence, I could handle most monsters by myself.
“Should I give it a try?”
As a celebration of my unsealed power,
I decided to test my strength for the first time in a while.
*
*
*
Just because my power was released didn’t mean I was going to engage in real combat.
No need to risk my life fighting against monsters of equal strength.
So instead, I practiced a mock battle with my tamed monster.
Kirik…! Why is your body so hard?
The Psycho Clown moved at supersonic speed and targeted my finger.
It was just like when we first met.
But this time, the Psycho Clown’s attack didn’t work.
Unlike last time, my finger remained intact.
“My body is sturdier than I thought… keeping up with the Clown’s speed is tough, but once I get used to it, I can react when it closes in.”
While mumbling to myself, just then,
The Psycho Clown once again used its powers and approached me, closing the distance.
I quickly reacted and swung my fist.
Pang!
My fist hit the Psycho Clown’s abdomen, sending it rocketing away.
Beeep! Beeep! Beep!
The Medical Mushroom rushed over to the Psycho Clown.
It sprayed a massive amount of pink liquid, turning the clown into a gooey mess.
The injury wasn’t that severe, but…
The Gauntlet suddenly became way stronger. Kirik…
Beep beep. Beep beep.
[Pururu] – Wow. It’s fighting evenly with the clown.
[Yumi] – Indeed, that’s really impressive…
[Rize Nova] – Amazing…
[Mysticism] – If all seals are released, it may not be a lie that they would be SSS-class!
[Pururu] – Missy, keep the chat down. Stick to the concept!
[Mysticism] – 😝
The mock battle wrapped up here.
This was enough to gauge the unsealed power.
“Clown, good job.”
Kirik. The Gauntlet worked hard too. The mock battle was fun. I want to do it often.
After that.
Leaving the sleeping Melody Fox and the golden cocoon in the hideout with the Magma Slime, I took the other monsters to the pond to wash up.
The Magma Slime didn’t need washing.
“Now I don’t have to drag the Magma Slime everywhere. This is convenient.”
After giving myself a decent wash.
I returned to my hideout and looked at the Melody Fox on the mattress.
The Melody Fox was still sound asleep.
Had they used up quite a lot of energy?
There was no sign they’d wake up today.
The golden cocoon still showed no signs of change.
Since I didn’t use a ticket, there was no indication of the remaining time.
“Well, this is taking longer than I thought.”
No matter how long it took,
I decided to wait calmly without rushing.
The longer it took, the better the change would be, I believed.
*
Day 30 in the labyrinth.
Yawn…!
The deeply sleeping Melody Fox awoke with a yawn.
And almost simultaneously.
Krizzle-!
The golden cocoon began to slowly tear!
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