Kumodesu

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So the day has finally come.

"Do you want to evolve right now?"

Though I was eager too, we really needed to find a safe place first. There's no way I'd dare to evolve in a place this dark and unsafe.

"If you want to evolve, follow me. Back then, my master and I discovered a secret spot that's incredibly safe — a place suitable for resting and staying for a long time."

Oh, this sword is actually pretty handy.

"Stop rambling and let's go already." Will urged me.

After that, the sword led me running around everywhere, but we still hadn't reached the place it had mentioned earlier.

Are you sure this is the right path?

"Don't doubt me! It's just that the layout of this place has changed too much, so I'm a bit confused for the moment."

Haizzz...

I was originally planning to return to the fifth floor, but we'd come too far now, and going back would just waste more time. I wanted to evolve as soon as possible, so I had no choice but to keep following it.

It took us over a full day to finally reach the destination.

"It's in here."

The sword said, then slipped into an incredibly narrow passage — even I found it a bit cramped. But beyond that, there was another space. It wasn't too big, but it definitely offered enough safety for me.

Now then, what should I evolve into…??

Arachneda is my current species, and I don't find it particularly special. So if possible, I'd like to evolve into something else — but I'm afraid it might turn into something I don't want.

"Why don't you try using [Appraisal]?"

Oh, that's a good idea. But unfortunately, my skill level isn't high enough, so I can't see anything at all.

Hmmm...

Should I take the risk or not?

Hey, Exc, any opinion, buddy?

"What? Don't look at me. I don't know anything about spider evolution. But I did once see a really special spider before."

Oh? What was special about it?

"It had a humanoid upper body and could learn and communicate with other creatures."

That's it!

Do you know what it was called?

"Stop shaking me! I can't quite remember... but I think it had the same white color as you. Oh, and I remember one more thing — it once spoke with my master and talked about its origins."

"What? What?"

Not just me, even Will was super excited at this point — we're one and the same, after all.

"Let me think... it said its original species was Arachneda..."

That's the same as me!

There's hope.

Exc said a few words, then paused to think some more before continuing:

"But later on, it felt the Arachneda species wasn't anything special, so it switched to a different evolutionary path and kept progressing that way."

That's the key info right there!

According to what Exc said, that creature must've chosen the Trinoneda evolution path. Knowing this made me really happy. I finally had a lead for what I wanted to become.

"But here's what I don't get — why were you guys talking to a spider in the first place?"

Huh...

Hearing Will ask that made me a bit curious too.

"Hahaha, you might not believe this, but my master had feelings for that spider."

What???!!!

"What?" Will also exclaimed in shock.

I was completely stunned by that revelation!

"Yeah, everyone thought he was crazy, but he was dead serious."

What happened next???

"After that... I don't remember much."

Yeah right, sounds like you just don't want to say.

"I really don't remember. I don't even know what happened. That spider disappeared mysteriously, and my master searched everywhere for it. After a while, he told me he had something he needed to do, and then just left me here."

At this point, Exc even started making sobbing noises.

Oh... so it's a sad story.

But hearing that story sparked another wish in me — to find someone who's right for me.

Who says spiders can't be loved??

"Stop your nonsense already and hurry up and evolve."

Yeah, yeah.

Thanks to Exc's story, I'd made up my mind — I would evolve into Trinoneda. No more hesitating.

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After that, I slowly lost consciousness.

"Huhu, while this guy's evolving, I'm going to have some fun."

"Oh, I forgot to mention — when the host evolves, all other wills lose consciousness too," Exc said.

"Wha... t...?"

…..

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…

Good morning.

Looks like the evolution is complete.

I immediately checked my appearance to see if anything had changed. I found that my rear had flattened out a bit, and my overall body had grown longer but still generally small.

My body was now covered in a translucent, glossy, and tough outer layer. The main color was still white, but now speckled with golden-yellow dots. Also, my two front legs had transformed into sharp, blade-like weapons.

So now I had an actual weapon to aid me in battle.

Not bad at all.

These blades were incredibly sharp — just a light swing was enough to leave a deep gash in the wall. And since their color was mostly white, they looked even more beautiful to me.

But what I really wanted to know was — what did I gain after evolving?

So I appraised myself.

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HP: 265/265

MP: 185/185 (+300)

SP: 310/310

Attack: 837 (+387)

Defense: 811 (+380)

Magic: 788 (+379)

Speed: 1007 (+427)

Nai wa!

[Appraisal] leveled up!?

I could finally see my stats, but... what the heck??

Why are they so high?

I mean, high is good and all, but I want to know the reason.

My Speed stat had already reached four digits! The rest weren't far behind either. And what's with all these bonus values??

Where did they come from??

Oh! I suddenly remembered — right after forming the contract, my body felt weird, and now seeing this, I bet that's the cause. So forming a contract with a spirit boosts my stats?? Or maybe it's a bonus from the title I have?

Either way, this kind of power boost is crazy.

But hey, I'm not complaining. I'm happy with this progress.

After confirming my own situation, I tried checking in with my Will. We argue a lot, but we're still one, after all.

Surprisingly, she had been really quiet this whole time. Normally, she'd be discussing the post-evolution changes with me.

Hey, me? Are you there? You good?

"I... I'm here..."

Huh?

That voice sounded different...

Was I coming down with a cold or something?

"No, that's not me!"

Suddenly, I heard a second voice.

Eh?

"Eh?"

Weird things happening right after waking up, huh?

Hey... could you be another Will?

"I... I think so..."

Oh, it finally happened, huh?

I'd been wondering when a second Will would show up — and now one has. It's strange, though. Even though it's still me, the voice sounds different.

Good things really do come all at once.