In just a short three hours, Elliot completed the construction of his spiritual universe. He checked the condition of this body. The emergence of the spiritual universe had comprehensively improved all his attributes.
His base stats now exceeded ten thousand! Unlike Kumoko, who was still in the stage of utilizing the System and hadn't yet stepped onto the path of godhood (meaning her powers might be reclaimed), the power Elliot gained was his own; the System couldn't take it away.
This increase in base stats also significantly strengthened his physical body.
Base stats over ten thousand might seem small compared to the Demon Lord, but aside from her, the number of beings in this world who could threaten him could be counted on one hand.
Simultaneously, with the establishment of the spiritual universe, his Divine Spark Points increased by another two. Elliot spent them on [Tendo Bansho] (Heavenly Starfall).
Then, he learned a few more skills:
[Solomon's War God]
(Passive) High chance to activate on attack: Increases Attack Power, Mobility, Evasion, and Skill Cooldown Reduction.
[Domain Collapse]
When active, this skill instantly collapses an opponent's domain. However, after using this skill, the user cannot deploy their own domain skill for a period.
[Skyscraper]
Domain Skill. Generates towering buildings. When facing monsters stronger than oneself, increases Attack Power by 1000. If the enemy is vastly superior, additionally increases Attack Power by 10% of the opponent's Attack Power.
[Headcrusher Claw]
Against female monsters, Attack Power increases by 100%, and damage received from them is greatly reduced. A god-tier skill specifically for fighting girls.
[Solomon's War God] was a versatile god-tier skill with a continuous buff effect and a high activation chance, allowing it to be active throughout a battle very useful.
[Skyscraper] and [Headcrusher Claw] were specifically chosen to deal with Demon Lords. The 1000 Attack Power boost from [Skyscraper] wasn't much for Elliot anymore, but since Ariel's strength far surpassed his, the additional 10% of Ariel's attack power was significant.
Considering Ariel's Attack Power of 99,999, this skill could provide him with nearly 10,000 extra attack a very considerable amount.
As for [Domain Collapse], it was a preemptive measure he prepared due to some concerns.
The main boss of this world, Potimas, possessed a domain skill. Within his domain, all skills would become ineffective, and skill-based buffs would be weakened.
In short, a very troublesome opponent. But if [Domain Collapse] could destroy his domain, Potimas's strength would be greatly diminished.
Also, other major players in this world like the Demon Lord, Administrator Gülie (Kuro), and the Pontiff all had their own domain abilities.
It was always good to be prepared. So, Elliot learned these skills, lighting them up on his Imaginary Tree.
Looking at the new skills added to his list, Elliot nodded with satisfaction. Even if Ariel arrived now, he felt he had a fighting chance.
Closing the panel, Elliot stood up and stretched, his bones cracking satisfyingly. He felt invigorated. Sensing that Kumoko was done with her preparations, he went to her.
Arriving inside the labyrinth cavern, he saw that Kumoko was now surrounded by a vast number of spider eggs thousands of them, each one translucent and shimmering, covering the entire floor of this lower stratum.
This area was originally where the Queen Taratect laid her eggs. Now that the Queen was gone, this spacious area was empty.
"...This should be enough for self-preservation," Elliot nodded.
Kumoko, however, looked a little unhappy. Although she knew this was to save her life from the Demon Lord, she still felt a bit shy and depressed.
A young maiden in her prime... actually... in front of everyone... right there on the spot... Aaaah, so embarrassing!!!
"Since you're done, let's go to the Middle Stratum," Elliot's calm voice and reassuring presence helped Kumoko settle her emotions. She followed him to the Middle Stratum of the Elroe Labyrinth.
"This is..." Kumoko's cherry-like lips parted slightly as she looked at the transformed Middle Stratum.
Under Elliot's modifications, it had become a large dining hall. After all, the tastiest monsters in the entire Elroe Labyrinth were gathered here.
Elliot had merely altered the rock structures a bit, completely changing the area's appearance.
"You've worked hard," Elliot bowed slightly, inviting the young lady to dine with him.
"Yay~" She clapped her hands, all her worries vanishing.
Kumoko used a fork made of rock to spear a tender, juicy catfish ball and popped it into her mouth, letting out a sigh of blissful contentment.
The catfish she ate before hadn't been prepared with much care, but now, after being properly cooked, its delicious flavor burst forth.
It was so incredibly tasty!
Even though she was now in a humanoid form, she still ate with gusto, making Elliot chuckle.
While gobbling down her food, Kumoko secretly glanced at Elliot, a little puzzled.
Elliot... seems a little different now? She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt his aura had changed.
Compared to before, he seemed deeper, more mysterious, and also much more composed and at ease.
Yes, Elliot now appeared extremely relaxed, as if everything was under his control, effortless.
Full and satisfied, Kumoko patted her stomach. It had been a long time since she felt this content.
"Next, let's go to the very bottom layer of the Elroe Labyrinth. There should be some surprises there," Elliot said with a smile. The lowest level of the labyrinth... that was his true reason for returning to the Elroe Labyrinth.
The lowest level? Kumoko thought for a moment. The Elroe Labyrinth had three main layers she knew: the Upper Stratum where she hatched, the Middle Stratum which was a lava zone, and the Lower Stratum where her mother lived, which was vast and empty. She had never known there was a lowest level.
"Are you going?" Elliot asked.
"Going! Of course, I'm going!" Kumoko nodded. She was very curious about this so-called lowest level. But then she looked at Elliot, puzzled. "But... how do we get to the lowest level?"
Kumoko had Space Magic. As long as there weren't any barriers or special domains, theoretically, there was no place she couldn't go.
The problem was, to teleport to a specific point, she needed to have been there before. And this "lowest level"? She had never been there.
As far as she knew, the only one in this world who could use Space Magic for precise, long-distance teleportation to unknown locations was Administrator Gülie.
That guy was too overpowered. Even though Kumoko's Space Magic was LV 10, there still seemed to be a considerable gap between her and the Administrator.
"Alright, let's go then." Elliot gently raised his hand, and layers of rock enveloped both of them. Then, Kumoko heard the sound of shifting rock outside.
She realized she was encased in stone, descending as if in an elevator. Not Space Magic, but incredibly precise.
The speed of the magic, the completeness of the spell construction, the efficiency... all of it surpassed her own abilities! Keep in mind, Kumoko had [Magic Supremacy LV 10]; in terms of raw magical skill, she was already at the pinnacle of this world.
But seeing Elliot's manipulation of rock, Kumoko felt a sense of inadequacy. It was astonishing! But Elliot shouldn't have [Magic Supremacy]... how did he do that?
Soon, they arrived in a dim, underground cavern. Kumoko touched the rock walls with her slender hand. "Is this the lowest level?"
"Yes," Elliot nodded lightly. The air here was incredibly heavy, likely due to low oxygen levels and having been untouched by sunlight for a very long time.
Kumoko's danger sense skill began to blare warnings. "!!!" "!!!" Her danger sense would alert her if any creature nearby was higher level than her!
There's a monster here stronger than me? After defeating the Queen Taratect, the abilities and experience from her mother had been transferred to her via her Parallel Minds.
She was now Level 36! That meant there was a monster here over Level 36!
Clang! Before she could even get into a combat stance, a monster attacked her. The creature attacking Kumoko had a metallic sheen all over its body and looked like an insect.
Kumoko quickly used Appraisal and learned it was an Elroe Golden Beetle! This was an extremely rare but individually very powerful monster.
Its evolution path was also interesting: from Black Iron, to Bronze, to Silver, to Sapphire, and finally to Golden Beetle, the highest tier.
Its various stats were over three thousand, and it possessed incredibly high speed and terrifying armor penetration.
The Golden Beetle's claw struck Kumoko's forehead, instantly raising a large bump.
Elliot raised an eyebrow, about to unleash [Rock Burst] in retaliation, but Kumoko suddenly stomped her foot (or leg?).
"Elliot, don't interfere!" She was angry! This tiny beetle actually dared to make her look foolish in front of Elliot! She was going to eat this beetle raw!
Spider silk shot out, wrapping around the Golden Beetle. Her Thread Control was already maxed out and highly proficient.
The silk immediately spread out, forming an encompassing net, trapping the Golden Beetle.
After dragging the beetle back, Kumoko directly swallowed it whole. Hmph! I do what I say! Serves you right for attacking me!
"Ptooey, ptooey... Disgusting!" After swallowing it, Kumoko's face contorted in pain.
Elliot opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. This girl... she really wasn't a picky eater at all.
He then continued walking towards the gloomy area ahead.
….
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