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Syl: Chapter 294
🕑 Added 2025-07-19 06:15:01 +0000 UTCChapter 294: Spider Tunnels
We continued walking through the silken forest following Aimon closely, while a perpetual feeling of being observed loomed over us.
Occasionally, we would pass by another Carren elf, who seemed to be harvesting resources from the forest and was either carrying an assortment of vials or spooled rolls of silk.
Aimon was chatty as always, as he was already beginning to speculate on what he could use the [Basilisk Venom] for, and he eventually settled on trying to make an improved antidote for petrification. According to him, most current cures outside of magic were typically single-use, but he wanted to create one with broader application.
I can see why he passed the nomination through, furthering their trade, rather than combat or diplomacy.
Eventually, we arrived at our destination. I had expected a tree, but instead it was what appeared to be a massive sinkhole, with a lid made of webs, and a spiral staircase going down.
"How much do you want to bet this dungeon is spider-themed?" Vee asked.
"That's not a bet I'd take," I replied telepathically. "It also probably explains why the [Dungeon Master] has an interest in you, and why they might know of some steps you can take to get a shape-changing evolution."
"Oh yeah! If they are spider-themed, then they must know all sorts of spider secrets. I guess I might have hit the jackpot?"
"Well, this is the dungeon," Aimon said, pointing to the staircase down. "Would you like me to join you, or do you two wish to handle it alone?"
"Alone… if you don't mind," I replied and pulled my last remaining vials of the [Basilisk Venom] and handed them over to the wide-eyed Aimon. "I hope these will keep you occupied while we are down there."
"Ah… but you won't be able to go further than the first floor, do you really intend to stay down there?" Aimon asked. He seemed a little dead set on me accompanying him while Vee was preoccupied.
"I'll wait. I don't want to be too far away from Vee," I explained.
Aimon nodded, albeit a little reluctantly. "I can see why you two are so close, and why you must have such a close bond. Very well, I won't press you any further."
"Thank you again, Aimon."
"Yeah, thanks!" Vee said, waving her legs frantically.
"No problem, I hope Vee can get the help she wants. Just remember to respect the [Dungeon Master] and don't go further than the first floor."
After that warning, he departed, leaving us alone and staring down at the sole entrance to the dungeon.
"Well, I'm certainly excited," Vee said.
"Let's grab these coordinates first, just in case we need to escape," I suggested.
We both saved them in one of our slots of [Triangulate] and then started walking down the staircase into the dungeon. We continued descending until we eventually reached the bottom of the pit, which had four separate tunnels to choose from.
"Which way?" Vee asked.
"I don't think it matters too much, I think we just need to keep exploring until we find the staircase down."
"Great, then that one!" Vee declared and [Warped] off my shoulder.
We headed down the dark cavern she had picked out; it really felt like we were walking into the belly of the beast, but neither of us was too afraid after our conquest of Ygdran's dungeon.
<Welcome to my humble dungeon. I had my suspicions when I heard a spider was seeking knowledge, and now I see that I was correct. Although I never could have guessed there would be two of you.>
The sudden notification popped up for both of us; it was evident the [Dungeon Master] had noticed our arrival.
"That's quite a secret, I hope you won't reveal it to anyone," I replied telepathically to Vee, which I assumed the [Dungeon Master] could hear.
<And risk angering him? Heavens no… I know how to keep myself out of trouble. I've also heard warnings about you specifically, and I'd rather not have my dungeon devoured.>
"I guess Ygdran and Juniper haven't exactly cleared the bad rumors about you yet," Vee pointed out.
"That damn mutation dungeon really had it out for me. I should go back and give it a piece of my mind," I grumbled.
"Please don't. I'd rather not make a bunch of sworn enemies."
<Yes… please don't plot against a fellow dungeon and let's move on, shall we? Regardless of your true origin, my offer for beyond the first floor remains open only to Vee.>
"No issue. Just be warned that when I return and Vee isn't safe and sound, there will be a reckoning."
"Aww… you do care about me," Vee replied teasingly.
<Noted. However, I don't intend to harm a kin of mine.>
"Ha! Called it, spider dungeon," Vee cheered.
"I didn't take that bet," I snapped back. "But if the [Dungeon Master] is also a spider, then you're probably in good hands. I wish I had that option…"
"Look on the bright side, you'll get to open the very first slime dungeon!"
<A slime dungeon? That's… unique. I had no idea you wished to join our ranks.>
"It's a potential long-term goal. I'm not sure yet. There's still a lot of exploring to do and slime cores to collect."
"Yeah, next up is our beach vacation," Vee agreed.
<I see… well, in any case, good luck finding the entrance down. Vee, I'll see you shortly, I hope.>
"Well, that [Dungeon Master] seemed nice," Vee said.
"Seems so. Better reaction than Dran's screaming at us, or Juniper's death glare."
We walked deeper inside and entered the first official room, where we were almost immediately beset upon by gigantic spider monsters. Unfortunately for them, they were significantly outclassed by both Vee and me, and we managed to dispose of them without breaking a sweat.
In particular, [Scorchlance] was proving its weight in gold by burning them and their nests to cinders.
"Wow. I'm super glad I didn't take that weakness to fire trait," Vee said as she watched how easily the spiders burnt to death.
"You should work on your resistance at some point," I suggested.
"And what? Have you repeatedly attacked me with spells until I level up the trait? No, thank you!"
"I said it before, but that's what Dewi, my pyromancer friend, did."
"Well, he must be utterly insane, who would willingly do that to themselves?"
I didn't answer. I had, after all, at one point tried to "kill" myself to level up [Defy Death].
We continued our exploration of the floors, killing any and all spiders we came across. There was a large variety on display, including spitting, jumping, trapping, and, to my surprise, even some elemental spiders. It had me oddly reminiscent of the mineshaft I had cleared out.
Of course, none of them compared to Vee, who was just in a league of her own. If you compared her to any other spider, it really showed that a superior base species could have a significant advantage, and it made me curious to see what evolutionary options I'd have available.
Vee's gone on and on about it… Although I'm still tempted to pick another Mutation.
We continued to explore the underground network of webs and tunnels, clearing out any arachnid monsters we encountered with brutal efficiency. I gained a few additions to my spider profile from their remains, but none of them were worth mentioning, except for finding a weaker version of Vee's [Thread Mastery] called [Thread Control].
The experience was definitely inferior compared to Ygdran's dungeon, although we were only on the first floor. The weak plantoids were numerous, so they made up in quantity, while the elite plant monster variants gave a lot of experience despite being few in number. The spiders were like the worst of both worlds, fewer in number and weaker.
"I should have killed that elf…" I muttered, feeling quite disappointed that I'd still not gained a level.
"But then we'd have nothing to give Paeris. I'm sure he will crack the case wide open in our absence and then you'll get your pink core as a reward!" Vee replied with hopeful enthusiasm.
I grumbled, knowing she was entirely right; I wanted to be unreasonable and vent, but her flawless verbal counter just left me feeling dissatisfied.
After effortlessly killing another pack of spiders, Vee spoke up. "Maybe I need to start apologizing to the slimes."
"For?"
"Well… remember I called them dumb and weak? Citing the one I saw fall into lava. Well, these spiders aren't giving me much confidence in my own species."
"I did tell you that I'd killed a bunch of spider monsters before we met," I pointed out. "But I will clarify that these are dungeon ones, so they're even more mindless than the ones you'd find on the surface. Plus, I'm assuming you're probably going to meet a Broodmother as the master of this dungeon, so you'll get firsthand experience of the tippy top of the spider evolutionary chain."
"Yeah, but there's no way I'm picking Broodmother. Likewise, I doubt you're interested in your Queen's evolution.
"And give you a reason to call me Queen Syl? No, thank you. I feel like I've aged a decade from all your Princess teasing."
"Aww… and here I thought you'd miss it once all this is done."
I stared long and hard at Vee until she finally relented.
"Okay, okay, enough of the Princess jokes. I promise."
"Good."
We continued exploring and eventually found our goal, the staircase down.
<Excellent, you've found the way down! I'm eager to meet you, Vee.>
"Should we turn around and keep grinding?" Vee suggested.
<I beg your pardon? You don't want to proceed down?>
We ignored the [Dungeon Master] for now.
"You can go if you want. It's pretty boring killing these low-level monsters," I replied.
"No way I'm missing out on your evolution options. I want to know what you get before I head down, or the suspense of waiting a week will drive me crazy."
"I'm tempted to not tell you now," I teased.
"Come on! I'm sure you want my evolution advice."
"Advice, really? What advice could you give? You picked a shrinking mutation because you thought it would make you look cute for the dwarves. You don't know anything about slimes. "
"What? I know plenty about slimes. I'll have you know my best friend is a slime."
"Well played," I chuckled, shaking my head.
<Are you really not going down?>
"Sorry, I need to stick with my friend here until she evolves," Vee replied. "I want to make sure she's safe and sound before I go. Plus, I need to know where she's setting up the rift in case I need to defend it or anything."
<Rift?>
"You'll hardly notice it! Trust me, it'll be completely out of your way," Vee continued ranting.
<...>
Once again, I'm terrified of her tongue and second-guessing whether we should let her undergo an evolution that would give her a way to communicate readily with non-telepaths. Letting her free might be dooming the world!
Much to the complaints of the [Dungeon Master], instead of separating, we began exploring one of the other paths that led to the descending staircase. Now that we'd found it, we could easily return thanks to [Mapping].
It had certainly become monotonous at this point, and the only fun was the occasional comment from Vee about one of the spiders. Random things like: "So that was what that evolution looked like," or "thank the gods I didn't pick that one!"
Makes me wonder how things might have turned out if I had chosen a different path. For instance, if I had picked that parasitic mutation, I might have been able to save Sylthaeryn…
I mentally sighed and shook away the thoughts. It wasn't worth dwelling on what-ifs.
We cleared another three rooms when it finally happened. After what felt like an eternity, I'd finally reached the maximum level of my current racial form. I was moments away from embarking on an entirely new tier of monster!
<Racial Experience threshold reached. Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue) is now LV 40 (Max).>
<Evolution options are now available.>
<28 Trait Points are now available.>
"Finally!" I cheered.
"Congrats! I'm eager to hear about all your unique and unusual options. I can't even imagine what the heck a slime would evolve into?"
"And you called yourself the slime expert."
"What can I say? My credentials might have been slightly exaggerated. Now come on; tell me, tell me!"
I bobbed my head in agreement and pulled up a familiar system screen, and right there, front and center, was the big button waiting for me.
<[Evolution Available]>
I mentally selected it and braced myself as the new menu appeared, overwhelming my entire vision.
Species Evolutions Available:
Chimeric Cluster Slime (Pink)
Chimeric Cluster Slime (Grey)
Chimeric Cluster Slime (Gold)
Chimeric Cluster Slime (Black)
Chimeric Cluster Slime (Prismatic)
Mutation Evolutions Available:
Gluttonous Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Aquatic Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Magma Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Sleet Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Swamp Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Ferrous Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Crystalline Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Chimeric Doppelgänger Cluster Slime (Blue)
Chimeric Cluster Slime (Prismatic)
Alchemic Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Sanguine Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Predation Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Mycelial Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Cloud Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Special Evolutions Available:
Queen Chimeric Cluster Slime (Blue)
Storm Spirit
Mana Spirit
Rift Spirit
Comments
Ph34r_n0_3V1L
I can see why he passed the nomination through, furthering their trade, rather than combat or diplomacy. -> through furthering (delete comma)
Zorgdub
I wonder if Cluster Chimeric Slime (Prismatic) showing twice is a mistake or meaningful. It makes sense to see it in the species evolutions, but it's *also* a mutation. Somehow. Is it because species mutation make you lose your previous species, while a prismatic slime can still be a mana slime?
Cathsaigh
I thought it might be worth waiting for the pink core, but maybe it wouldn't have much of an effect.
Hayden Leech
Can Syl get profiles for inanimate things? She got “stone” early on.. but what about “chair” or “shed” Or.. carriage. Hey that could be a fun way to eat people! Be a carriage taxi and nom on people who step into the carriage.
Forrest Millard
I knew it! I've been anticipating/hoping Syl would get a prismatic evolution ever since she started collecting slime traits
Bramble
Gonna take a relatively obvious stab at it and guess that prismatic is all the color slimes merged into one.
Omnax
Doubt it. Think of it like this, if she combined all traits then uncaps, it'll cost 11 points. So, assuming all get uncapped up on fusing with an uncapped point, it would still be 11.
Omnax
It is our first time.
Ninetailed
Is this our first time hearing of prismatic slimes? I don't remember them.
jonathan
Thought of a problem. Let's say syl picks prismatic. Do all the slime core type skills merge? If they do, does syl have to uncap each individual skill before merging uncapped skills into it? Or does each uncapped skill get nerfed while merged? or is it merely an hud appearance merge with no affect on the functionality of the sub skills?... this problem assumes that the skills combine.
jonathan
it's both a species evolution and a mutation evolution?
jonathan
*sees prismatic* Grandpa to me specifically: Why are you already picking it!?
Roombot
WOOOO PRISMATIC HERE WE GOOOOO
Monster Royalty
The command / control mutation isn’t there !!!!
Kenneth Welever
That would definately be an interesting choice. prismatic first though. A rift slime might just be a (Gods intervene because it causes dimensional hazards that don't heal) level of danger.... which is why it is limited to rift spirit which she would never choose. We all know syl would never give up her slimy goonesss
Kenneth Welever
also gonna put this on my side. If she isn't a prismatic slime by the end I'm gonna be sad.
Roombot
I don’t think Vee can do that, Syl has that option because she’s like 99% mana
Roombot
I think it’s a typo it should be evolution only
phillip page
Is the prismatic option supposed to show up twice?
Summer Coff
I bet Vee ends up as a Rift Spirit.
SapientX
Got to eat a hedgehog first
zenot funr
Why is chimaric cluster slime prismatic listed under mutations and evolutions?
Tsorov
Whatever Gold does, it won't be better than prismatic, since prismatic should include gold slimes abilities.
Aaron
RIP. You will be missed.
asdfmeepman
Anyone know what gold slime does? Would it be better to go gold or prismatic? Im very excited to see evolutions :)
Rumply
Thanks mother for the spirit option hahaha. Would like to see Syl take one just to see but she will obviously stay a slime.
Rohandy Guzman
The waiting is going to kill me
Jason Hardman
TYFTC! In the following sentence the use of plural 'floors' might be an error: We continued our exploration of the floors, Mainly because they know the can't both leave the first floor.
mapts
I think having the black slime trait would allow her to do that, I think I remember that someone said black slimes are “unkillable” because they don’t have cores, I bet they do and they’re hidden somewhere
Garron Chalmers
Sad that the copper one isn't available as a species evo... Maybe copper could be a sonic slime? (Maybe that's kind of a stretch...)
mbncd
Thank you for the chapter!
mbncd
Maybe the double listing of Prismatic was a hint, hint, nudge, nudge type pf thing LOL
Engineer4God
Tank oo fur da chap!
Faramond01
Dang it. I hoped for a way for each of Syl's cores to act independently but I guess this is fine too. She was kinda limited by being unable to get the full benefit of her traits without the species evolution. Prismatic it is.
CataFlan
TFTC! Time to furiously try to guess the option she will take.
Gopard
I think so too... But who knows huh? Perhaps some of the "feelings about evolutions" She'll get will change that assessment next chapter? I already dread the cliff hanger of this because some how I don't really see this big of an Evolution end in just one more chappy... However I'm already so very Glad Lunadea chose to have mercy on us poor reading Souls and didn't fill this one out enough to just end it in "Evolution available" Without showing the options as I have seen plenty of monster evolution Authors do xD
Thomas Todd
I wonder if they are both the same or if each option is similar but has different outcomes if you select a mutation Vs evolution
Memnun
I'm guessing gluttonous, predation, or prismatic. and as much as Gramps is tryna get syl to pick prismatic listing it twice, she's been pretty married to being a blue slime
Kennyevilmonkey
Definitely going to be prismatic. Time for the rainbow slime to be born!
Tsorov
Nah. She ain't taking the queen option yet, if ever. She would cost herself at least one, if not two other evolutions.
Polyist's Apostle
Do we get to vote? A vote would be awesome, even if it didn't mean anything to the actual story lol
TheLord999
Wha- the option spirit option are still there ? I thought it was a one time offer ? Also did gramp kept the doppelgänger mutation
Daniel Mountain
It's nice to have some extra endgame options, at least.
Daniel Mountain
Grey is some sort of weight manipulation, and gold is a total unknown at this point.
Not Real
What did grey, and gold do again? Black seems the most beneficial short term in shoring up her massive weakness to death magic. Prismatic, well we’ll find out next time.
Tim
I don't think dwarves have gold silme. They have silver slime that have gold as a metal.
P3t1
Prismatic option is in both the Evolution and Mutation tab? Gramps is laying it on a bit thick. Though, the others seem kinda meh in comparison to that one, so he outdid himself.
Tim
Basically elemental shift only for slime & not affinities. Syl will become even richer with that ability. But what is the power boost of that ability are selected slime traits treated as if they where higher leveled or just having the advantage of not reverting to mana slime.
Michael Zinkstein
Thanks for the chapter
Blanc
TFTC! Mother hasnt given up on making Syl a spirit.
Frank Moore
Im hoping. Chimeric Doppelgänger Cluster Slime (Blue)
Kenneth Welever
Oh the cliffs I'm left on the edge of.
SapientX
Prismatic chimera sounds like it would fit well with Syl's gotta-catch-em-all colors thing. But man just imagine how invincible a Rift Spirit would be?
Arseniy Chvetsov
Chimeric cluster slime prismatic is both an evolution and a mutation? Different paths to the same end goal?
Salt Salesman
Thenks for chaptrar
Enif
Queen chimeric cluster slime(blue) is probably going to be it I'm guessing. much to her own frustration. Or maybe she'll go with the alchemic slime
Orion Belt
I called a rainbow type and I said “I was thinking something like a rainbow slime that could change it’s primary slime ability a certain amount of times per day”
Natthaporn Hongcharoen
I think there's an extra prismatic in the mutation section
D S
Chimeric cluster slime(prismatic) twice? To be honest I think syl is going to pick grey, or black additions. (I feel like prismatic is going go be a major dissapointment for how shiny it is) Also syl can just yoink a gold slime from the dwarves. She's also way not ready to leave her mass behind, so no spirits even if tempting
Catherine Luong
Hmm there are 2 chimeric cluster slime (prismatic) options mistake or is a species/mutation just very similar in that one is not an innate change, like still kinda mana slime? Anyways I am more interested in the species since it has been hyped up by Vee
Calvin
I was betting on prismatic poping up, looking forward to seeing what it is
brennon Petersen
Tftc!
Daniel Mountain
Hm. Which does Gramps want her to pick?
Blai Navarro
Chimeric Cluster Slime (Prismatic) is listed as a Species evolution and a Mutation evolution. Are they different? Like one goes "Deeper" into mixing parts/traits and the other goes "wider"?
sinhakcer
tyftc! "Chimeric Cluster Slime (Prismatic)" appears twice
TjStorm
I can see why he passed the nomination through, furthering their trade, rather than combat or diplomacy. I can see why he won the nomination through furthering their trade, rather than combat or diplomacy.
Wensber
Thanks for the chapter!
Shai182
TFTC!
