Title: A Centipede Wants to Live Peacefully.
Summary: I always wished to escape reality, believing in fairy tales, and immersing myself in books to distract myself from the duties of an adult. I wished to live in a cottage somewhere in a forest, free from the bustle of the city. I could never imagine that I would lose my life and then be reincarnated as a monster. Is my wish possible?
My temporary home suddenly became my permanent home after some time. I created a routine like it was a normal day at work or at home. I hunt, eat, sleep, and repeat all the while keeping myself safe. This time, I went to sleep after eating my fill, only waking up much later. I awoke to spiders filling the tunnel, going from right to left, a clear destination in their minds. The sheer amount of them was enough to effectively scare away other species of monsters.
I was resolved to get stronger in this monster-filled cave. I lay in wait, silently counting in my head and bidding my time to attack. The plan was to attack any stragglers with a quick strike and drag them into my hole. Lucky for me, my hole was partially obscured by a large rock, that could probably crush me but it was worth the risk. I eased out of my hole slowly and quietly as one of the spiders came near my home. I lifted my upper body like a snake and lashed out with a lightning-fast paralysis fang. I latched onto the side of its head with my claws and mandibles and dragged it into my home.
"Good job, Mai!" I cheered inwardly, hyping myself up, mostly to keep myself sane. I instinctively curled around it, trapping it in the cage of my legs, pumping it full of my paralyzing poison. It struggled under my grasp but ultimately succumbed to my poison. I stabbed my mandibles in the head to completely finish it off. This was my third kill and I had the other two carcasses behind me.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Attack LV2] has now become [Paralysis Attack LV3]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Fang LV2] has now become [Paralysis Fang LV3]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Camouflage LV1] has now become [Camouflage LV2]
I was pleased by the increase in skill level but I was disappointed that I hadn't leveled up yet. With an inward sigh, I started to eat the carcasses I gathered one by one even if they burned my throat while going down. When I was finished, words were implanted into my head, the screen showing up briefly.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Poison Resistance LV2] has now become [Poison Resistance LV3]
My antennae twitched, sensing that all of the taratects were running away.
"But from what?" I thought, sensing that something bad was going to happen very soon. I peered out of the hole and sensed something moving towards me and fast. If the sound of hissing and vibrations were anything to go by then it was probably a snake, and a large one too if this world's physiology on monsters were anything to go by. I skittered out of my hole, moving in the opposite direction
BOOM!
I was sure that if I remained there I would have perished. I followed the moving spiders that soon dispersed into crevices to hide. I came upon a junction with two paths and quickly took the left path. Skittering across the floor, I slowly crawled up the wall and onto the ceiling. I let out an inward sigh as I couldn't sense whatever monster was chasing me but in exchange, I could sense the movement of three monsters ahead of me, much to my displeasure. I quickly activated both stealth and appraisal.
[Dinosaur, Elroe Randanel]
[Dinosaur, Elroe Randanel]
[Dinosaur, Elroe Randanel]
The trio hadn't sensed me yet and was walking slowly in my direction. I crept up the wall and onto the ceiling of the cave until I was over them. The ceiling was quite high from the ground but with the length of my body, I could easily reach them. Furthermore, I was taking a huge risk by attacking these monsters but I needed to reach a new level before I start looking for another temporary haven. So, It was time I took my ambush skills to another level and kill these monsters. I clung to the ceiling with my lower half, unfurling my body like a rope, hanging down behind one of them. I struck with quickness, pinching its neck from behind with my paralyzing mandibles, cutting off any sound it would make as my mandibles pierced right through.
I pumped the poison into its body. Suddenly, I felt a flash of pain as it clawed at me when it started to struggle but I refused to let go, renewing my grip with sheer willpower and holding the monster in the air. The other two monsters only noticed when the monster managed to let out a sound in my grasp it was not moving because of my paralyzing attack. Luckily for me, my poison had finally worked and I finished it off by pushing my pincers deeper. I dropped the monster and the other two roared in fury for their fallen brother. They jumped, slashing at me but I quickly moved out of the way. They could not locate where I was due to my stealth skill and I used that to my advantage to attack again. I moved quickly, trying another approach, launching myself at them both, trying to wrap them with my body and trap them with my legs. I felt a deep satisfaction - similar to when I complete a project at my job successfully - at trapping them both tightly. They struggled ferociously, slashing my body with their poisoned claws but thanks to my poison resistance it reduced my pain.
Skill proficiency reached. Acquired skill [Strength LV1]
Suddenly gaining a skill out of nowhere, I felt my strength increase, and I was able to squeeze the two Randanels tighter, hearing the cracking of bones. I lashed out with two quick strikes with my mandibles, injecting the poison into their body. Within minutes the two monsters stopped moving completely.
Experience points have reached a certain point. Individual, Elroe Ferect, Mai Yumehiro LV2 has become LV3
Every basic ability rose
Skill Proficiency Level Up Bonus acquired
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Attack LV3] has now become [Paralysis Attack LV4]
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Paralysis Fang LV3] has now become [Paralysis Fang LV4]
Skill points gained.
Finally, I reached level 3 after fighting so many monsters. I checked my skill points to see how many I have gained since going up two levels.
Number of skill points in possession: 100
Since I had 100 points I thought I would treat myself after working so hard. Suddenly, I was reminded of how my boss treated me, working so hard day and night. Putting in extra hours while others got to go home happily to their families I worked too hard to get money and was unable to spend it on myself. I sighed, not wanting to think about my boss or that company anymore. I pulled up the screen to check for skill and there was only one skill available. I was really given the short end of the stick when I reincarnated.
Currently, you have 100 skill points. The skill [Shell LV1] can be acquired by spending 100 skill points. Do you want to acquire it?
I have no choice, it is literally the only skill so yes.
[Shell LV1] was acquired. Remaining skill points:0
I checked the description of the skill and found that it hardens the shell or chitin of monsters. So the plates on my body that are separated into segments will be hard? I could only test it out so I curled my body, prodding the plates on my back. I couldn't tell if the skill was already in effect until I go into battle.
I looked at the bodies of the three monsters I killed and started to eat one of them earnestly while looking out for any monsters. My antennae twitched and I spot movement coming towards me. I cast a quick appraisal.
Proficiency has reached the required level. Skill [Appraisal LV2] has now become [Appraisal LV3]
Name: Nameless
Type: Poison
Species: Elroe Baladorado
Level: 8
I was stunned by both the level up and the level of the monster coming my way fast. Then I realized this was the same monster that chased me from my hole earlier. I scuttle across the floor down the tunnel as the monster was honing in on me and fast. I somehow, in the darkness, managed to see a hole in the ceiling that only I could crawl through
I crawled up the side of the wall and into the hole before I was eaten by the snake. I let out a sigh of relief as I was safe for now. I could see the snake looking through the hole at me and I was pissed because this was the second time that snake made me leave my food. Food is very important to me, alright! I wanted to shout at the snake. I huffed inwardly and crawled away through the hole I found. There was nothing but darkness ahead of me which left me completely blind.
"Ow!" I thought, slamming into a wall and bruising my head.
I prodded the wall with my upper body legs and found another hole to the left. I followed the path and slammed into another wall, hard, and I was beginning to get real tired of slamming into things, and with my speed, and strength skills I was hitting harder than usual. Luckily the shell skill was saving me from extensive damage or killing myself. I forced myself to go slower but it was harder than I thought with so many legs. I felt my way around the tunnel I found myself in and managed to find my way back out. I crawled back down the tunnel and could see a light below and hear voices as well.
Fire? If there was a fire that could only mean humans were nearby. I was excited because they would be the first humans I have seen since coming to this place. I didn't even think I would meet humans so soon. I activated my camouflage ability so they wouldn't see me. I poked my head out of the hole, looking down at the four humans who sat around the fire with weapons I could see the snake that chased me lay dead by their side.
"So they are adventurers? That is pretty expected." I thought with curiosity.
"Tch, that Baladorado was pretty easy to kill!" The leader of the group laughed, tearing into the food they roasted and I wasn't sure if it was the snake or not. I, at least, hoped the humans didn't eat the snake or any monsters for that matter. I couldn't imagine being impaled on a stick and roasted over a fire.
"Well, the Great Elroe Labyrinth is relatively safe now because it wasn't like that years ago." The lone girl of the group said.
So the place I was in was called the Great Elroe Labyrinth? I wonder if there was a map I could see. Suddenly, a map appeared in front of me on the system screen. I was surprised but also happy that I could see where exactly I was. The majority of the map was grey and only some parts were shown. I studied the map for a while before concluding that it was one of those maps that fills out the more I traveled. I was currently on the highest part of the map that was called the Upper Stratum. Since there wasn't much I could do regarding the map, I closed it and continued to listen to the humans.
"Let's hope we don't come across a swarm of those Elroe Ferects," one of them said, shuddering.
I listened more attentively since they were talking about my species.
"Those things are probably the weakest on this level, well apart from those giant rats, but they know that which is why they hunt in a swarm. They can overrun other monsters or us with the amount of them there is." The leader spat, "but if we get a good fire going then we can burn them all to ashes."
"Well, wasn't that what we were paid for?" The fourth member spoke up, "We are supposed to exterminate them completely. My fire magic should be enough to deal with them."
Exterminate me and my family? I honestly wasn't surprised since in the books I read there was always some sort of mission like this but I wasn't about to allow them to exterminate my family who is the only monsters that aren't to kill me. I appraised them before making a move.
Name: Mason
Type: Warrior
Species: Human
Level: 29
.
Name: Jack
Type: Thief
Species: Human
Level: 20
.
Name: Mira
Type: Healer
Species: Human
Level: 10
.
Name: Fern
Type: Mage
Species: Human
Level: 18
Shit...
I was outmatched. They are all at higher levels than me. How am I supposed to make them go away if they could probably kill me and roast me like they were doing that strange pieces of meat?
"Let's go, we have a mission to complete!" Mason got up, followed by his companions.
I was running out of time and quickly made my decision. I let my upper body hang from the hole and lashed out at the healer girl, aiming for her body with my claws and pincers. She was the healer and was unlikely to have any attacks. Her scream filled the cave, shocking her companions, and my camouflage fell away but they were too late. Thanks to my strength skill, I was able to drag her body back into the hole easily.
"FUCK!" Mason shouted, drawing his sword.
"It got Mira!" Jack shouted.
"Fern, can't you do something!"
"If I attack I could hurt Mira!"
I could hear them talking below but I wasn't going to kill her. I just wanted to pump her with my poison and then release her. Her struggles came to a stop, only her eyes were able to move as she was paralyzed. I was about to drop her and stopped. If I released her, what was stopping them from filling this hole with fire. I messed up and didn't think through my plan. I had no choice but to drop her quickly and run. I activated my camouflage skill before dropping her body and crawled out of the hole right after releasing her.
"Mira!"
I crawled across the ceiling, moving further away but still within range so I could see what they were going to do.
"She's paralyzed, grab the potion quickly!" Mason shouted at Fern.
Potion? I watch as Fern poured the potion down Mira's throat and the girl immediately came back to her normal self. That was cheating! I thought as I watched them calm her down. She was pretty scared at first but they managed to get her to calm down so she could speak properly.
"It was alone and seemed stronger than the regular Elroe Ferects!" She stammered.
"Alone?" Mason questioned, "Impossible, they always hunt in swarms!"
"I'm not lying, Mason!" Mira screamed.
"Calm down please!" Jack cut in, trying to calm them both down.
"This is bad you guys!" Fern suddenly said, looking all around him in fear.
Mason turned to Fern in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Because the only Elroe Ferects that go off and hunt alone are females!" Fern shouted, panic set in, "We must find that monster and kill it now!"
"What was he talking about?" I thought, confused by his rambling. What was so special about being a female centipede? Was my family all filled with males?
"Explain Fern!" Mira demanded.
"Because female Elroe Ferects are rare and if it reaches maturity then it's going to be a huge problem!" He said, "They're able to lay eggs at a large rate which would be bad for the labyrinth and us."
Mason scoffed. "I have never heard of that before. You're talking nonsense!"
I listened to them for a while but gained no new information other than I'm a rare female centipede. I guess I haven't reached maturity yet which could mean evolution.
"At any right, we should still find that monster and kill it." Mason said, snapping me from my thoughts, "Mira do it."
Mira raised her staff. "Reveal All!" Her staff shone bright and light washed over me.
"There it is!"
I cursed my position given away by whatever spell the girl used. I scamper across the ceiling and felt the heat coming before actually sensing it coming at me. I dropped from the ceiling, dodging the fireball that exploded upon impact and rained embers all over me. I sense more movement coming from in front of me, four figures coming in my direction. I cast an appraisal on them and it showed that they were large deer-like monsters with flaming horns between levels 7-8. Behind me were adventures who wanted to kill me and in front were monsters who also wanted me dead.
"Can't a girl run away in peace?" I complained to myself, my heart beating with fear.
I did the only thing I could think of. I built up speed and launched myself into the air, curling into myself to form a wheel shape. When I hit the ground, I rolled past the deers who were too slow to react. I unfurled myself and skittered away, leaving the adventurers to deal with the deer monsters. When I finally stopped, I found a relatively quiet open area with no monsters around. I look up at the few glittering crystals in the ceiling that provided me with enough light to see. I searched the area and found a large boulder leaning up against the wall. I crawled into the narrow space underneath it and curled up.
So much had happened but the conversation those humans had about my species came to mind. Fern said if I reached maturity then something bad would happen. Is there an evolution for my species? Before I could think more about it a smartphone appeared out of nowhere and fall in front of me.
"Hello, this is D."
"Who the hell was D and why was a smartphone here?!" I thought, shocked by the mysterious voice and piece of technology I hadn't seen in a minute.
"I am D and you can call me an Administrator of this world."
"You can read my mind?! And what the hell is an Administrator?!"
"Administrators are Gods of this world." She replied casually, "Anyway, you weren't supposed to come to this world, actually, you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was a mistake really, sorry. Forgive me, ok?!."
"So, you're a God...and you made a….mistake?" I was stunned by her words before getting angry, "You call killing me, reincarnation me as a monster, bringing me to this strange world a mistake?!"
"Ugh, please, you don't need to shout." She replied her tone teasing which made me angrier, "Hm, I never expected you to survive for so long though."
I was speechless. "Then don't you think you should compensate me? This is your fault after all!" I snapped, cursing my luck for meeting the person who did this to me.
"If you show me you can survive long enough then maybe I will give you a gift," She giggles, "Give me some entertainment then maybe I will give you something unique that will serve you well in the future."
I watch the smartphone disappear, leaving me alone in the devastation and anger caused by D.
Name: Mai Yumehiro
Species: Elroe Ferect
Type: Insect
Skills: Appraisal LV3, Paralysis Attack LV4, Paralysis Fang LV4, Paralysis Resistance LV1, Stealth LV2, Taboo LV1, Heretic Magic LV1, Motion Perception LV2, n% I = W, Skanda, Acid Resistance LV2, Poison Resistance LV3, Strength LV1, Shell LV1