I scanned the roof for more cracks– my eyes darted like lightning. One way to make sure the dungeon boss wouldn't catch me was to move precisely after it pushed off from the wall in order to reach me. Its lunge would then fall short and I would survive.

The problem was; this mother fucking tarantula was damn smart. It began using spiderweb to swing itself toward me. The first time it did so, I was taken by surprise and wasn't able to dodge. A single graze from its front leg inflicted a bloody wound on my thigh and a poison with DOT to shave off half of my HP. I was left with a third.

But somehow, the paralysis effect which Gaia spoke about never occurred. I guess it must have something with the demonification to do. Maybe the paralysis was replaced with a normal DOT poison. And for this particular moment, this was a very good thing.

Sigh. If the boss caught me again, I would definitely die.

Without much else to do, I came up with this theory to mass cast fireballs at it. I knew spiders were afraid of fire and I also knew that fireballs sometimes inflicted a special sort of knockback when they hit.

It seemed as if my method did work after all. Although the tarantula often dodged the fireballs, and most of them didn't cause the knockback either, some hit and a few of those who actually made the mark were lucky enough to be imbued with the effect.

Demonified Mother Tarantula (Dungeon Boss): Level 10

Health: 1834/5600

After ten minutes, it was down to a bit less than a third of its total health. I had to switch positions several times in order to balance the stress of both my arms. The staff was obviously quite heavy, you see.

The tarantula shrieked loudly after its last attempt as if it had enough. The carapace on both its front and back was leaking with purple liquid (presumably its blood) and two of eight limbs were beaten into a mangled mess by the successive falls.

Instead of climbing the wall, it turned its butt into the air and began to spray spider web all over the place. As if it wanted to build a safety net.

I was first very complacent about what to do but then I started to laugh. A safety net built with spider web? More like an easily combusted forest you'd soon be trapped inside!

The dungeon boss was very quick and efficient with its building. It created several floors in minutes and was half-way to the top when smiled widely and lit the whole place ablaze with my fire magic.

As if sulfur-cloth combined torches, the threads immediately caught fire. The dungeon boss saw it when it was too late and could do nothing as it was engulfed in a sea of flames, burning to death.

You have slain Demonified Mother Tarantula.

You have gained a level.

You are now level 9.

You have killed a demon and foiled a part of the dark plot trying to engulf the whole continent in chaos. 'The Great Lord' has taken notice of your presence. Your affinity with 'The Great Lord' has changed from hostile to worst enemies and his forces will attempt to kill you open the spot, always prioritizing you over other players.

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As result of your great deed, you have earned the title Hidden Hero.

Hidden Hero

* You have done an immense service for the human race by foiling a part of the plan seeking to embroil the continent in chaos. While only a select few will know of your deed, those people will do their utmost give you a helping hand if needed.

* All stats +5

* Charisma attribute unlocked.

Charisma

* Increases affinity with all NPCs and rewards from quests in the continent

Dark plot... Hey, this title is really good! And Charisma! Man!

I retracted my staff in rejoicing and climbed down once the thread was gone and the flames with it. On the charred stone lay five items clumped together. I retrieved them to my inventory and inspected them one by one. My mouth curved higher after each one.

This dungeon has more treasures than Santa's workshop!

Demonified front limb (Main hand)

* The sharpest leg of the demonified version of Mother Tarantula. The demonic energy within sometimes inflicts a curse upon the designated opponent when wounded by the blade.

* Dagger

* Quality: Epic

* Level Requirments: 10

* Damage: 21-26

* Attributes: 4 Strenght. 6 Agility. 3 Stamina.

* Effects: Curse (Random)

Demonified Carapace (Chest)

* The carapace of the demonified version of Mother Tarantula. It is as hard as iron and is further strengthened by the demonic energy flowing through.

* Chestplate

* Quality: Epic

* Level Requirments: 10

* Defense: 26

* Attributes: 9 Stamina. 6 Endurance.

* Effects: None

Mother Tarantula's Poison Sack (Quest item)

Piece of ??? (Crafting material)

Although I none of the items were of any use to me, I received the poison sack and a mysterious item. Not that I had any clue of what the latter is. The piece of ?? was very tiny and darker than the blackest night. It seemed to come from a gem, but I wasn't sure.

Suddenly, I felt the cave shake.

Congratulations, you have cleared a dungeon and will be teleported out in one minute. 60...59...56...48...32...15...3...1....0!

The next thing I knew I was where Gaia had left me.

"Charles you made it! Quick, get on! We need to hurry!" I heard Gaia's voice from above. Descending with the Griffin, she grabbed me by one arm and pulled me up so I was sitting behind her. Holy, she's stronger than I thought.

Blood rushed to my special area as she urged the Griffin to fly faster, forcing me to clammer onto her as her plum rubbed against my rod.

The village was soon within sight and we landed close to Jenny's workshop. We ran in and Gaia immediately got started.

Jenny stood beside the alchemist, a grave expression on her face. She thumped her fingers against thighs and walked around in circles, restless. I could clearly see how stressed she was.

Gaia began the process by squeezing out some poison from the sack. She then mixed it with different liquids of which I understood she had prepared beforehand.

"Done. Where is he, Jenny?" she stood up and asked the short girl with sooted goggles.

Jenny nodded hurriedly and walked into another room of the workshop.

We followed the short girl into the room. It was not very spacious but smelled fresh and seemed well-taken care off. In the bed lay a large man with rippling muscles. His face was covered with sweat and his right arm was purple up till his shoulder.

"You're gonna be alright Max," she took his hand and comforted him. "Look we brough an antidote! We really did!"

The man was too tired to respond. He gave us a nod then put back his head in exhaustion. Gaia went forward, holding the antidote in a vial which she forced down his throat. His eyes widened and he then fell into deep sleep. Jenny began to circle around the bed, asking us questions about how long the antidote would take before it took effect. I suppose she really valued Max because when he showed signs of waking up she broke out in tears and hugged him wildly, calling him stupid over and over again.

"How lovely," Gaia commented by my side. She snickered. "I would also love to have an earnest disciple like him, nothing beats teaching someone about what you love the most. Not to mention how I'd finally have someone for my experiments ready at all tim–."

"Wait... what did you just say? Say that again." I interrupted her

"How I'd finally have someo–"

"No before that, something about disciple."

"Oh yeah." Gaia scratched her chin. "It's a dream for us profession masters who has reached the peak to find someone to impart our teachings on. That's right, there's nothing better than having an earnest disciple who wants to learn from you. Why? You interested?"

That's it! That's how I can show my earnest side!

"Thank you Gaia" I shouted and rushed out of the workshop.

First I would go to old man Nadu and then I'd show that damned woman I am worthy of her equipment! After all, a mage without god-like equipment won't do any damage!