Kumodesu

[Seina's Perspective]

"That's my whole story."

Hmm… hmm…

Delicious!

Donuts are still number one!

"Are you even listening?"

Aa…

"Of course I am!"

I couldn't exactly say I missed a few parts because I was too busy eating, but I had to admit—his story was truly touching. I cried while eating when it came to the sacrifice part.

A spider that knows how to cry, huh!

Wait no, I'm human now…?

Oh, but essentially, I'm still a spider, right?

No no, I was originally a human…?

Aaa, whatever—human or spider, donuts are the best…

"Can you take this more seriously?"

Mr. Loyral narrowed his eyes at me.

"Ah, sorry…"

I reluctantly pushed the donut aside and began listening seriously. After all, I'd just eaten my fill of delicious food, so I ought to help him. I'm a good person—if someone helps me, I have to return the favor.

"So, what do you want me to do?"

Even if I wasn't sure I could pull it off… I had to ask.

"My goal from the beginning has never changed—to free my wife's soul, which is still trapped inside there."

Hmm… truly a man devoted to his wife.

Wait a second…

If that's his request, doesn't that mean… I'll have to fight those flying creatures they call Spirits?

Nai wa!

How could a spider possibly handle that??

"W-wait a minute! You expect a spider to fight a bunch of flying creatures that even you couldn't deal with?"

"I know it's a bit much, but I don't have much time left. Besides, after being sealed inside without food for so long, they've weakened greatly. You don't need to be too afraid—I'll support you."

That sounded reassuring enough… but I still didn't feel good about it.

Is there a way to politely refuse?

I could fake being sick… No, that's way too fake…

What do I do…?

While thinking, I stuffed another donut in my mouth.

As expected, donuts are the best.

No no! Focus!

Should I help or not?

I still wasn't sure what I'd gain from helping him, but the danger was clear. For now, I'll just act scared and doubtful—maybe he'll back off.

"A-are you really sure about this…?" I asked, voice trembling nervously.

Please say no! Please say no! Please say no!

"I've prepared everything, so don't worry."

He said yes!

"W-wait, before we do anything… I want to know a few more things?"

"Ask away."

"How long has it been since then?"

The old man closed his eyes, thinking for a while before answering: "It's been thirty-seven years."

Only 37 years?!

Judging by how he looked, I thought this happened at least a hundred years ago.

"Then why do you look so old?"

Oops, maybe that was a bit rude?

"S-sorry, I mean… you look different from someone your age…"

"It's fine," he said with a faint smile. "While searching everywhere, I made a few mistakes and had to burn my lifespan to survive. Also, when I created the skill [Virtual World], I consumed even more."

"So, if I want to learn it, I'll have to sacrifice my lifespan too?"

If that's the case, count me out. What's the point of donuts if I'm dead...?

"No need. Burning lifespan was just a side effect of going down the wrong path. If you follow the right route, it's safe."

So there's still hope.

If I have that skill, I can eat donuts all I want.

"But one thing to note—this skill consumes soul energy to sustain itself. That can be drawn from other creatures or from your own soul. But if you have the [Soul Attack Resistance] skill, you won't have to worry."

What a steal!

My [Soul Attack Resistance] skill was already at Level 9, so this wasn't even a problem.

"I have that skill,"

I blurted out in my excitement.

"That's convenient. If I had that skill back then, I could've changed everything."

The old man sighed sorrowfully again.

Oh no—I think I accidentally touched on a painful memory.

Now I feel kinda guilty…

"Alright, I'll help you."

"Thank you."

"So what do I have to do?"

"First, you need to learn the [Virtual World] skill. My energy is running low, so before I'm completely spent, I need to transfer it elsewhere. Also, once the seal is broken, you'll have to immediately pull those spirits into your own virtual world—then you'll have the advantage."

"Got it."

Learning skills—my favorite part.

"So, how do I learn it?"

"Before learning, you need to understand the nature of the virtual world. [Virtual World] creates an internal space where all beings can only exist in soul form. The controller can generate anything using their thoughts and holds absolute authority there. But keep in mind, everything created must be based on your memories, and nothing affects the outside world."

"The higher the skill level, the more realistic everything becomes. Though there's a higher level after evolving this skill, I've never reached it, so I don't know what it entails."

"Also, you'll need a few other skills to fully operate it. First, [Soul Chain]—a skill that pulls souls out of bodies. Then [Gluttony]—used to convert those souls into energy."

"Normally, you'll have to replenish the energy periodically depending on how much you use the skill. Best to only use it when necessary, since it consumes a lot."

I see…

So it needs to be combined with other skills? Doesn't seem as easy as I thought.

"You created all these skills yourself?"

"I had lots of help along the way. Of course, not all were mine. For example, [Gluttony] is one of the Seven Deadly Skills—and only one person can possess it at any given time."

Nai wa!

Even more complications?!

"Then there's a chance someone else already owns it, right?"

"Don't worry. It's still here."

He then pulled out a clear orb.

Inside… was that a fly?

It's a fly, right? It was completely still, but looked… fresh?

"What is that?"

"The [Gluttony] skill."

Nani?!

Nai wa!

T-that's a skill?!

I must be hallucinating.

I stared wide-eyed at the orb, then at the old man, then back at the orb.

Am I seeing things?!

"I was shocked too the first time I saw it," the old man said, sighing.

"You made this as well?"

This time, he shook his head.

"When I finally obtained all three skills, I was too old to fulfill my wish. Logically, I could only retain [Virtual World] after death. But at the final moment… I met a mysterious person here."

A mysterious person?!

There's more to this story?!

"They listened to my story and said they'd help fulfill my wish. But how they helped… was beyond anything I expected."

"You mean this [Gluttony] skill?" I asked.

He nodded.

My scalp tingled.

Someone who could extract skills from the system and turn them into physical objects?!

How powerful would they have to be?!

And someone like that helped Mr. Loyral without asking anything in return?!

"They didn't want anything from you?"

"No, but they said if I ever needed help in the future, I couldn't choose humans. I didn't understand it at the time… but when I saw you, it made sense."

Nani?!

Wait—are you saying I'm the "not human" they were talking about?!

Why would they say I'm not human?!

I'm totally human, thank you very much!

Okay, sure—I'm a spider right now…

But deep down, I'm still human!

Wait… was that just a coincidence or were they aiming for me from the start?!

If I agree to help now, am I walking into a trap?!

Is it too late to back out?!

...

But the skill looks so tasty…

Aaaaagh!

I need to be firm.

Even if it's a trap, it comes with a reward!

Before this, I thought he was just a kind old man. Now it's clear—he's full of shady plots!

But whatever, not my problem.

I mean, it kinda is—but still, whatever.

A good skill is a good skill.

"Alright, let's begin."

I didn't want to wait any longer.

Forget the shady stuff—I just want the skill now.

It's one of the Seven Deadly Skills!

[Gluttony] suits me much more than [Patience], at least. I'll probably level it up super fast.

"Alright,"

The old man said, holding out the orb containing [Gluttony] to me.

"Just touch it and you'll receive the skill."

I followed his instructions and reached out to touch the orb.

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Jackpot!

I've just obtained my first key skill!