The Monster Encyclopedia

Mint chocolate bread—that was what the encyclopedia supporter had sent. A food that people either loved or hated with a passion.

"I don't like it, but I don't hate it either."

She had a point. If he'd been on abundant Earth, there'd be no need to eat something like this... but here, it was a rare treat you couldn't buy even if you had the money.

'Mint choco or shit-flavored curry—it doesn't matter. As long as I can eat it without issue, anything's welcome.'

"Thanks. I'll dig in."

I tore the bread in two and offered one piece to Dog Spider-001. Gotta share beans with your buddy. No matter how hungry I was, I couldn't eat alone.

[Siii!]

Dog Spider buried her face in the bread and chomped away greedily, like she'd been waiting for it.

"Tasty?"

[Sii!]

She seemed to like it. A mint choco fan, huh.

I took a bite of the mint chocolate bread. Taste was meh, as expected. But with gratitude, I chewed it down.

After the meal, it was time to check Dog Spider's abilities.

"Use all your skills, no holding back. Just don't hit me."

[Sii!]

I couldn't understand her words, but she got my orders. Dog Spider glared at a rock with a proud look.

[Siiiik!!!]

She spat out a thick thread. Thread-spitting seemed to be her ability. It hit the rock dead-on... but no damage. Not even a scratch.

Even as an adult, it probably wouldn't gain destructive power—just stay like this. My instincts pegged her danger level at B-grade. Same as the adult I'd seen earlier.

"B-grade isn't low. It's solidly boss-level danger."

"Yeah. Takes high adventurers or knight captains to take one down."

I almost added that past-me could've squashed it with a flick... but nah. With my power sealed, it'd just sound like bravado.

"Hmm, how to explain..."

I pondered, picked up a pebble, squatted, and started scratching letters on the ground.

"Skipping SSS-grade and SS-grade..."

"D-grade is superhuman—bullets don't faze 'em."

"C-grade's like 100 D-grades."

"Nah, the gap from C to B is bigger than D to C. B-grade's talent territory—effort alone won't cut it. You'd need like 500 C-grades to scratch one."

"Probably. Anyway, get the idea now? B-grade's no joke."

"Me? SSS-grade."

"Believe it or not."

After the full rundown, I stood and approached the rock, eyeing the thread Dog Spider had spat.

Too early to be disappointed. B-grade wasn't low. This thread had to have some special trick.

'Not acidic, since the rock's fine...'

I cautiously touched it. Suddenly, my arm went limp.

"...No strength in my arm at all."

[Sii?!]

Dog Spider jolted over, flopping flat on the ground, rubbing her head frantically like she was apologizing.

Why's she doing that?

Then strength returned to my arm.

"What... Did you cancel it?"

[Sii.]

She nodded. Got it now. Her ability...

"Looks like Dog Spider's thread paralyzes or debilitates foes."

"Not bad, but hard to judge yet."

Debilitation. Its value depended: average against weaker foes, great against peers, broken against superiors.

"Lucky though. First tame's perfect for me."

Nothing synergized with Helper Trait like debilitation. Taming required hand contact for a while—immobilizing targets made it safe.

"My ability's taming. Monster tamer, basically."

I explained: Beating to near-death meant healing burden post-tame. Domination Trait probably auto-healed, but I lacked that. Better to tame healthy ones—especially pre-healer tame.

She got it instantly.

A bit tedious, but I explained everything she asked.

More support arrived: flashlight and batteries, analog watch, notebook and pen. Medical: just bandages for now. Asked for brushes/paints when possible.

Even I thought it was steep. Better self-sustain food/water. Don't wanna bankrupt her.

"I'll cover water fees."

Couldn't ask for coins now. Useless short-term, but stockpile for later.

'Asking for coins now's greedy. Recharge ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with my own cash later.'

Had savings on Earth for that.

Empty bottle arrived. Then:

Ten paper cups of 50ml each. Total 500ml, 50-coin fee. Half a mil won in cash equivalent.

"...Sorry. Making you spend way too much."

I poured from cups ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to bottle, truly apologetic.

Who is this person? Even close friends would balk at half a mil.

Grateful, but curious.

Box arrived packed with tools.

"Thanks. But why no question on why art supplies?"

"Loved? Past tense? No recent contact, huh."

Too vague—lots knew my hobby. Always said drawing when asked. Sketched in notebooks often. Calming effect... who did I tell?

Couldn't recall.

"Not prying, but why hide your identity?"

Curious about her too, and why anonymous despite no toxicity.

"Not curious. Whatever."

Acted indifferent—don't wanna scare her off.

Wrapped chat, opened notebook to sketch and calm down.

"Dog Spider, come here and hold still till I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠say move."

[Sii!]

She scurried over.

"Good. Stay put till I say."

[Sii!]

Today's model: Dog Spider. Plan was to illustrate every labyrinth monster—looks, abilities, habits, weaknesses. For an edge next time.

Monster encyclopedia, basically.

'Calms me, organizes info. Win-win.'

I slowly sketched her onto the page.