I've always known how spiders produce webbing, and doubly so after taking on their form. Despite all this, I'm still saddened by the fact that I can't shoot webbing as an attack. Especially after getting the idea of infusing it with Fire Mana. 'Best I could do is build a web then set it on fire, but at that point it'd be a waste.'

I had started to build a new type of spider as a small distraction while I walk but got stuck trying to figure out how to enhance it. The things I've done for other forms don't add anything useful and I can't figure out a good combo for fire magic. The best idea is "fire venom", but I get the feeling it wouldn't actually burn inside anything I bite.

'Most spiders either catch things in webs or sneak attack their target in some ways. These things' I think, mentally indicating my own arachnid form 'seem to do both, judging by the skill I acquired- and one getting the drop on me. Literally.

'Hmm, "Iron Spider" has a really nice ring to it… but the added weight of an iron carapace would make it too difficult to walk on webs. Wait, what about reinforcing the webbing with iron? "Iron thread" would be useful, and using a net-casting spider as a base concept I could make an iron net. I wonder if I could also make the thread hard and make darts so I could use thread to mimic a bow?'

'My biggest weakness is a lack of long range attacks and– ooh, I wonder if I could build a net launcher!'

Imagination sparked with the idea I begin designing in earnest: Base has to be the Venomous Spider, but make the legs longer for the net. While it won't be metal, thicken the carapace a little bit more and use my base forms teeth to add in a few forward facing spikes to the body- hopefully that will discourage things from wanting to bite me. Enlarge the fangs and make them better for piercing.

Now the important part: iron webbing! It's surprisingly difficult to get the webbing to be infused with iron: while the other forms have it as a solid part of their body, this will require it to be available on demand- something I haven't attempted before, and strangely, there feels like a "push back" when trying to do it. I delve into a few ideas to attempt, between adding a specific organ to do it down to eating metal to gather it, but none seem to fit the bill.

'The only thing left I can think of is using magic, but all I've got is fire Mana.

'... wait, do I even need to use the fire attribute for everything? I haven't actually attempted to play around with Mana.'

Focusing on instilling the thread with Mana seems to want to work, and after I try shifting my thought to include metal in the Mana, the form locks in!

'YES!' I mentally shout and scuttle my way to the floor, pulling up the newest addition to the Mimic Modification Menu in the process.

9: Iron Spider [0]

* A small gray spider.

* Size: seven inches

* Skills: Advantageous Attack, Iron Infusion

* Racial Traits: Venomous, Spider Silk, Wallwalker, Archery, Trapmaker

* Display Information:

* – Description: "A spider."

* – Detailed Description: "A Venomous Spider capable of long range attacks."

* – Identify Spell: Young Adult Mimic

'Wait, "Iron Infusion"? Is this going to be like fire with the Armored Rat?'

Reaching the ground I shift forms, mentally complaining about the waste of the process requiring I revert to my base Mimic form before becoming something almost exactly the same.

Taking a few steps on longer legs I adjust my body and pull out a length of spider Silk for inspection- finding it to be normal thread. Focusing on Infusing it with metal I try again, extruding a length of normal thread while feeling like "something important" is missing.

'Kind of figured that.' I think before Disgorging the Earth Mana Crystal. If it used Fire Mana I could do it already, and the only one that makes sense is Earth.

Resting a leg over the crystal I try again, pulling Mana from the crystal, through my body, and into the thread. Unlike doing this with fire as an Armored rat it takes considerable effort, a growing headache forming alongside the short length of iron infused thread.

I mentally huff at the unexpected force of will required to form the four inches produced. 'There's no way that can be normal.' I think; the species probably wouldn't survive long enough if it was that hard to use. 'Which means it is a type of Earth magic, but maybe a specialized version?'

I find it a bit ironic I could probably acquire the Skill if I were to Devour this type of spider- but considering I just created it I'm the only one in existence, so that's impossible. 'My other option is to Consume the earth crystal-'

I recoil at the thought, recalling how painful doing so with the fire crystal was and instantly refuse the idea. Instead I focus on producing a few lengths of hard metal thread, then a much longer flexible length of metal line. The headache is annoying, but I'm hoping it's worth it as I wrap a length of hard line and flexible line between the tip of two legs. Positioning another hard line over the other and against the flexible one I pull back, finding the flexible line giving a nice amount of resistance. Upon release the solid line quickly flies out, the low arch touching down on the front tip six feet away.

I pump my front legs like fists in success; it may hurt a little, but it works!

I make a few more arrows and sinche them and the "bow" threads to my back with regular thread before heading out. I instinctively know how to produce a simple trap now but figure that wouldn't be hard to carry around and will try making that later.

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—

I figured I'd get a chance to use the bow soon, but that became "too soon", and the potential opponent is "too much".

After returning up the wall to keep a safe distance from anything I come across I passed two more turns before hearing noise echo down the tunnel. Reaching the next turn the source becomes apparent when I find a Goblin fighting… slime?

Giddily slamming a wooden club into the blobs, the Goblin was easily making a mess of them, splattering them all over the floor.

Despite being able to sneak attack it, I highly doubt I could cause enough damage to kill the Goblin before it kills me. Instead I activate my Stealth skill, holding my body close to the wall as I observe the one sided fight.

I can't help but wonder where they come from; is there a colony of Goblins somewhere? Do they just spawn in random places, fully grown? I mean, I literally crawled out of a hole in the wall, so it wouldn't surprise me.

Having splat the last… ooze? the Goblin made a few extra hits to a couple of dead ones before making its way past me down the hall looking extremely pleased with itself.

I figure there's enough left behind for me to devour to benefit from and begin making my way down the wall when one of them wiggles and begins to pull itself together.

'Playing dead eha?' I think and get my bow ready as I move closer.

Stopping about four feet from the floor I prepare and take aim, the arrow flying true and easily piercing the blob. It doesn't react to the attack for a moment before the arrow starts to sizzle then is fully pulled into its flesh and begins to dissolve.

'It's acid? Or at least acidic.' I wonder as the red tint enters my vision. Before I have a chance to open the Menu the blob begins to lightly quiver, then violently before entirely losing its solidity.

Skill: Stealth has been activated.

Note: You have avoided observation by a stronger foe!

Your attack against a [Basic Slime] was a success!

Note: [Basic Slime] flesh is immune to Piercing Damage!

Note: [Basic Slime] flesh has negated [Advantageous Attack] Bonus!

Note: [Basic Slime] flesh has negated [Infused Offense] Bonus!

Notice: [Basic Slime] has been poisoned for [one] point of damage per minute for three minutes!

Notice: [Basic Slime] flesh is highly susceptible to poison and will take double damage!

Notice: [Basic Slime] health has been reduced by [two] points due to poison damage! [0/16]

Congratulations-You have defeated a strong foe!

You have gained [One] Victory Point!

I like the idea of "stacking the deck" so I had applied some venom to the tip of the arrow. Good thing too! I'm not sure if I should think Slimes are weak or strong; on one hand, same HP as me, and apparently immune to a lot of types of damage. On the other, apparently extremely weak to poison and, I assume, force damage.

'That Goblin one-hit most of those slimes. If they take double damage from that, then one hit does about eight points damage. So two whacks and I'd be dead.'

Finishing my descent I reach the floor and start to suck up the Slimes, hoovering in their fluid like forms and giving a mental "thank you" to the absent Goblin.

Returning to the safety of the ceiling I opt to Absorb one of the Slimes, getting an unexpected message in return:

MIMICRY

You have absorbed a [Basic Slime].

WARNING: [Basic Slime] flesh is incompatible as a form.

'That's a bit of a surprise' I muse, though realize a bit late it wasn't listed as an option in the menu when checked. 'I wonder what about Slimes make them incompatible? Maybe their form lacks proper "structure" or cohesion for my body to assume?'

Moving on I Devour the next, curious what the system will tell me about them.

Consume and Devour

You have consumed a [Basic Slime]. Please select one of the following:

Skills: NA

Racial Trait:

* Acidic

* Amorphous Form: your physical form lacks structure, allowing movement through any space water can flow.

* Amorphous Armor: You are immune to slashing and piercing damage, psychic damage and unattributed effects, but highly susceptible to force damage, fire, and poison.

Language: NA

Class: NA

'Well, that's some very specialized Traits. Since there's no Skill, I guess it's time to see what happens when I take a Racial Trait.

Mentally selecting "Amorphous Form" I opt to acquire it, the window closing on its own before I summon the Menu and select the new skill.

Amorphous Form: Your physical form is highly flexible, allowing you to fit through a space ½ your smallest dimension.

That will give me a little flexibility (heh) in any form, though as a Mimic it might not be as useful to me as it would be to others.

'Let's see what the next one does.' I think before opting to Devour another Slime and selecting the expected trait.

Amorphous Armor: You are immune to slashing and piercing damage for one attack. [Cool down time: 24 hours]

That's powerful… assuming I'll know I need to activate it. How the heck could you judge if one attack is going to be worse than another? 'Well, considering the amount of damage a Goblin can put out, I guess protecting myself from any single attack could be a lifesaver.'

I've done my best to avoid taking damage, but I know I'll need to take more risk: thanks to that level up spiders aren't giving me any points and I doubt the other things I've fought so far will either.

'I guess I should plan to fight the next thing I see.'

'… unless it's a Goblin.'