Monkey, Wha—?

Saru, Hoaa? (猿、ホアー？)

At the bottom of the abyss Nameless encounters a Level 37 Earth Dragon which luckily ignores her and leaves. She also encounters a Level 18 Greater Taratect, giving her an idea what she will look like if she continues to evolve. She struggles to find food since all the creatures on the lower level are stronger, except for a species of grub so poisonous eating them almost kills her. Eventually she finds lizards weak enough to catch, greatly increasing her poison abilities and allowing her to begin experimenting with magic. Defeating and eating a monkey monster she is soon attacked by hundreds of the monkey’s family, trapping her. During a prolonged battle she kills hundreds of monkeys but almost dies herself several times, only surviving due to the moulting of her skin healing her every time she levels up. Having defeated the monkey’s evolved leaders she reaches Level 10 again but chooses to evolve later when it is safer. Finding a path leading upwards she tries to get back to her original level where she hatched, but finds herself at a lake of lava.