Chapter 55. A New Species
Inside the golden cocoon, the Dog Spider was undergoing a transformation.
「A target has been selected. Species name: Hek-heksil-silsiiik.」
The body of the Dog Spider, which had been asleep inside the cocoon, began to melt slowly.
The face of a dog and the body of a spider fused together into a liquid, forming the foundation for a new shape.
「The target desires a species transformation.」
The liquid swirled, creating various forms.
At times, it shifted between the shapes of a dog and a spider before returning to an amorphous state.
「Attempting species transformation for the target.」
「The target rejects Astral Code (Dog-191).」
「Attempting to delete Astral Code (Dog-191).」
「······.」
「Partial failure.」
「Astral Code (Dog-191) remains in part.」
「Residual Astral Code transforms into an appealing form.」
「Astral Code (Dog-191) => Astral Code (Dog-56)」
A part of the liquid formed into a sphere.
Long ears sprouted from either side of the sphere.
「The target rejects Astral Code (Spider-46).」
「Attempting to delete Astral Code (Spider-46).」
「······.」
「Failed.」
「Web abilities are further enhanced.」
The attempt to remove the spider characteristics failed.
Instead, the spider’s body and legs formed, and the ability to produce webs was enhanced.
「The target desires Astral Code (Human-365).」
「Attempting to add Astral Code (Human-365) to the target’s code.」
「······.」
「Successfully added.」
「Records show that the target has spent most of its life under the influence of Astral Code (Human-365). The target is greatly influenced by it.」
The liquid trembled once more, and the form of a human, resembling Kang Geon, began to take shape.
Soon, the outlines of a torso, arms, and head became clear.
「The target desires Astral Code (Fox-777).」
「Attempting to add Astral Code (Fox-777) to the target’s code.」
「······.」
「Partial success.」
「The target acquires enhanced sensory abilities.」
The newly formed entity’s senses sharpened.
Even with its eyes closed, it gained a special ability to perceive its surroundings.
「The target desires Astral Code (Hedgehog-444).」
「Attempting to add Astral Code (Hedgehog-444) to the target’s code.」
「······.」
「Partial success.」
「The target acquires summoning abilities.」
It gained the ability to summon, though not to call forth undead spirits from the abyss.
Instead, it could summon spider spirits.
「The target desires the language of Astral Code (Fox-777).」
「The target desires the language of Astral Code (Hedgehog-444).」
「The target desires the language of Astral Code (Human-365).」
「······.」
「Failed.」
「Failed.」
「Success. The target has mastered the language of Astral Code (Human-365).」
The target gained the language Kang Geon primarily used.
「The species transformation has been successfully completed.」
「Composite entity.」
「Species designation unknown. The Astral Code did not previously exist.」
「A new Astral Code has been established.」
「The soul’s rank has greatly increased.」
「The entity becomes noble.」
「Divinity is bestowed.」
「The entity has ascended to a transcendent state.」
「The entity’s form is too lowly for its Astral Code rank. Attempting evolution.」
「······.」
「Due to significant changes in Astral Code, Hek-heksil-siiik evolution has been canceled.」
「The entity evolves into a new species that did not previously exist.」
「Evolution has been successfully completed.」
「The species has no name. The species name will be assigned later as it spreads across the world.」
The transformation was not yet complete.
After the species evolution, the entity’s appearance began to change.
「Appearance adjustment initiated.」
「The target requires the attention of Astral Code (Human-365).」
「The target adopts the opposite gender of Astral Code (Human-365).」
Smooth hair began to grow atop the once-bare head.
「The target desires attractiveness.」
「Features are sharpened.」
「The female form is emphasized.」
「Astral Code (Human-365) lacks a backside.」
「Astral Code (Human-365) possesses an upper body. The upper body is made more attractive.」
「The chest is accentuated.」
「······.」
「Species transformation and evolution have been successfully completed.」
And so.
The species transformation, evolution, and appearance change of the Dog Spider concluded, and the golden cocoon began to tear apart.
***
The golden cocoon split open.
A golden mist flowed out from within.
And through the mist, the faint silhouette of a figure captured everyone’s attention.
The first thing I checked was its danger level.
“Currently A-grade, so its actual danger level is SS-grade…”
【Pururu】─Ohh! You’ve evolved, little one!
【Rizenova】─Congratulations!
【Yumi】─I can’t really see its form clearly because of the golden mist.
【Mysticism】─😠
【Mysticism】─Get rid of the mist!
The golden mist slowly dissipated.
And the once-hidden form of the Dog Spider became clear.
“Oh.”
A woman, eyes closed, slowly emerged.
Her appearance was breathtaking, and I couldn’t help but let out a soft exclamation.
【Pururu】─?
【Yumi】─Oh my…
【Mysticism】─😱
【Rizenova】─Oh! Now I can see clearly!
Her appearance was reminiscent of Arachne from Greek mythology, the spider woman.
However, she was far more beautiful than the Arachne of myth.
【Pururu】─What the hell is that?
【Yumi】─She’s transformed into a human-like figure? So pretty!
【Mysticism】─Not as pretty as me.
【Yumi】─But why is she still keeping her eyes closed? Is that just her thing?
【Pururu】─No, that’s not the issue! How did she go from a cute dog-spider to a human-spider? The cuteness is gone!
【Yumi】─But she’s still cute, isn’t she?
【Pururu】─I don’t care!
【Pururu】─There’s too much to complain about! What’s with the horns now?
【Rizenova】─Hmm. If you look closely, her ears still resemble those of a dog.
【Pururu】─So what?
I had no idea why the Dog Spider had transformed into a more human-like form.
Perhaps this was the form it desired.
According to Centaurides, Melody Fox’s song reflects the target’s wishes and can even alter their species.
In any case, if not for the spider legs.
I might have fallen for her at first sight, she was that attractive.
And then…
【Yumi】─Wait, is that her chest under her face? I thought it wasn’t because it’s so abnormally large… How can someone have such a huge chest?
【Pururu】─Huh. Not so little anymore…
【Mysticism】─Too much is too much. It’s grotesque.
【Rizenova】─That’s an enormous chest. It looks heavy and uncomfortable. I recommend getting rid of it.
Her chest was truly overwhelming.
It was larger than her face.
In all my life, I had never seen breasts as big as hers.
‘Not bad, though.’
While the Assistants seemed repulsed.
To me, those breasts didn’t seem grotesque at all.
If they were much bigger, they might have felt bizarre, but as they were, they were within my acceptable range.
Not in a weird way, of course.
I just thought they looked nice.
And it’s not like I’m someone who has a preference for large breasts.
I didn’t subscribe to the idea that bigger is always better.
As long as the shape was nice, that’s what mattered to me.
If her breasts were twice the size they were now, I probably would have frowned.
【Pururu】─I think I’m getting angry. My cute little one has completely transformed. ㅠㅠ
【Yumi】─I wouldn’t call it a bad transformation. The chest is a bit much, but overall, she looks beautiful, doesn’t she?
【Mysticism】─I’m still prettier.
【Rizenova】─Mysti, you’re a bit too confident.
Her chest swayed as the newly evolved Dog Spider approached me.
【Pururu】─Ugh. Those aren’t just big; they’re huge! Like storage containers for her webbing or something.
【Yumi】─Wait, do you think she shoots webs from her nipples?!
【Pururu】─? What? Don’t take it that far.
【Yumi】─I was just following your lead, geez. ㅡㅡ
[Father.]
The Dog Spider spoke to me.
Her eyes remained closed.
“You can talk now. But wait, did you just call me father?”
[Yes, Father.]
“I’m not your father.”
[No, you are, Father.]
【Pururu】─Well, you are technically her dad. She did see your face first when she hatched.
【Yumi】─Oh, right. You did steal the egg.
I had always assumed that the Dog Spider saw me as a friend, but it seemed she viewed me as family—specifically, her father.
Just like that, I suddenly had a daughter.
Was this what they meant by responsibility without pleasure?
[I missed you, Father. I love you.]
“Uh… okay…”
Soft strands of webbing wrapped around my body, and the Dog Spider lifted me off the ground, pulling me into a tight embrace.
Though it was a bit overwhelming.
I accepted the hug, thinking of it as a daughter’s affection.
【Yumi】─Her chest is touching you!!!
【Mysticism】─Let go!!
“Now that you’ve evolved, changed species, and your appearance has transformed, I can’t keep calling you Dog Spider anymore.”
I stroked her hair gently as I spoke.
“Lulu, what do you think?”
【Pururu】─What?
“You said you wanted to name her. You also said you’d draw her picture.”
【Pururu】─Oh.
Pururu had always been fond of the Dog Spider.
Probably because of her cute, dog-like appearance.
But now that her appearance had changed to something more human-like, maybe Pururu’s affection had faded.
Just a moment ago, they were complaining in the chat about how much they disliked the transformation.
“If you’ve changed your mind because you don’t like her new look, just let me know. I can name her and draw her myself.”
After I said that.
There was a long pause with no messages from Pururu.
And after about a minute.
【Pururu】─She’s still my little one.
【Pururu】─Even if she’s changed, she’ll always be my little one. I’ll cherish her with love.
【Pururu】─My heart isn’t fickle. She’s still my favorite monster.
【Pururu】─So I’m going to draw her and name her!
Pururu’s chat messages resumed.
Their unwavering affection came through clearly.
No matter how much the Dog Spider’s appearance had changed.
It seemed that, in Pururu’s heart, she still held a special place.
【Yumi】─That’s so touching. A love that doesn’t waver even when someone’s appearance changes…!
【Mysticism】─😀
【Mysticism】─The more I get to know Pururu, the more I like them. Except for being dumb, they’re pretty cool.
【Rizenova】─I’ve heard Earth is a world obsessed with appearance, but it seems Pururu is free from such superficiality.
【Pururu】─Just wait a little longer!
【Pururu】─I’ll draw her quickly and send it over! I’ll also think of a name while I’m at it!
Some time passed.
【Pururu】─[Photo]
【Pururu】─Oh, never mind.
【Pururu】─I forgot I have to send the paper.
『PLATINUM rank Assistant “Pururu” has sent a support item!』
A single piece of paper fluttered down before my eyes.
■Kinogine Arachne (Kinoguine Arachne)
─Actual Danger Level: SS-grade.
─Current (Nerfed) Danger Level: A-grade.