The buzzing noise ceased, although I didn’t really notice it until it stopped. I peered to my left and then to my right, but only darkness surrounded me. This was the last time I’m getting kidnapped, I stormed in my head. This void seemed similar to the Dark Stone’s world, though the mechanics of each mana stone were unknown to me. Furthermore, trying to bring up my Status did not seem to work. How could I see my arms? Ah, I noticed the twinkling lights in the cosmos blinking down upon me. If I’m here in the dark Celestial hearing that familiar radio noise and smelling the warm metallic scent, that must mean...

“Wisdom,” I said calmly. “Speak to me.”

The sky above me opened up, revealing massive shining planets and stars dancing along a swirling aurora above my head. They flowed like a river and dotted the rainbow gasses like glistening ornaments on a branch. The silhouette of an eye much larger cracked open, revealing that strange God of the Enlightenment Status. Sure enough, that did the trick. Cru’Zha, I see you, but you’re not the one I’m searching for. I tried not to look directly at the eye’s pupil. Odd worlds and patterns existed inside its capillaries as it shivered, but it said nothing in response to my mind’s call.

More eldritch creatures crawled above the floating eye, but none of them were Wisdom. I sighed.

“Wisdom,” I called out to her again. “Speak to your Queen.”

Above the static noise in this space, a voice whispered to me. It was unintelligible, yet I recognized it from somewhere. It seemed like it was begging for help, but sounded nothing like Wisdom. Wait in line, buddy, I scoffed. I’ve seen that face when I collected the tribute, but what could you possibly be? The planet sized mouth moved again, letting out wisps of darkness and asteroids that streaked across the sky. It was odd being so miniscule, yet seeing the miracles of the cosmos explode before me. Like being before fireworks in the clear night, I could see and be able to believe yet my mind was not able to comprehend it all. Refocus, Charlotte, I closed my eyes. It was begging me for something.

“Wis… dom..” It called out.

“Is that truly you?” I asked it. It seemed so far away, but the face moved again. I could tell its body was moving, blotting out swaths of stars in the night with its tendrils. If this Greater Being was Wisdom, floating high above even Cru’Zha, the situation was definitely beyond my hands at the moment. “What has happened to your old, beautiful body? N-Not that you’re old, but just that–”

“M-My Queen,” her Greater Being sounded like it was begging me. “You musn’t continue the path of the Spiders. My Queen…”

Spiders? I questioned her. What do those little fuzzy butts have to do with you? Energy was coming back to me in waves and the outlines of the brick sewer walls were piercing the veil of darkness I was in. Well, I guess we’re losing connection again.

“I’ve come to like those little guys,” I apologized to Wisdom. “So, lalalala. I don’t think I heard you all the way, Wisdom, ‘cause the signal’s breaking up!”

My head stung for a moment and I quickly realized why. A flurry of notifications were striking at my eyes and the scent of sewage and blood filled my nostrils. Gah! I knelt down. Gaining surges of power seems to drag me to other realms, but this little body isn’t designed for space travel! I paused. Or is it?

I stood up, feeling a lot more different than I did before I entered Cru’Zha’s void. A good kind of different, I stared at my hand through the notifications. Let’s start from the top and plan out what I want to do next! Wisdom, I muttered. You better be in a good fighting spirit the next time I see you, because even though they might not look powerful, the fuzzy butts shall come to get you!

“First Notification: The Pride Stone!”

— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. The Pride Stone has been successfully integrated in the Host’s system, increasing System capabilities.

— You have gained the following bonuses:

* Metamorphosis Demon Queen Form has been upgraded. Divine Claws can now be utilized and changing forms costs no Mana.

* Pride [Origin] [Passive Skill]: Greatly increased Stats and bonus experience gained from destroying races that are not Demon or Witch.

* Improved Anti-Appraisal: Creatures level 50 and below cannot appraise the Host unless allowed. Interference can be countered with Death Aura, eliminating the offender.

— Charlotte has gained an attitude improvement!

“Attitude what?” I glanced over the new abilities and pondered over that last line. How in the world did Pride improve my attitude? I’ll take it anyways, but I’ll be suspicious of your System improvements. “Was that a joke, Wisdom? I’m always serious and kind!”

— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. More notifications await you.

“You’re avoiding the subject!” I shrieked. “Fine. Second Notification: Level Up!”

— You have leveled up! Congratulations!

— You are now a Greater Witch!

— The System has been upgraded in conjunction with the Divine Seed level increasing. Most skills have been integrated into the System’s manager, shortening list load times and autocasting. Major stat increases will be recorded as usual, however, only the Grade of each stat change will display. (Example: Your S++ Rank in Attack) Additionally, the Spells in the Spellbook have been converted to Skills. Preparation is no longer necessary, however, can still be done and improved by your Familiar (s). Commune with your Familiar(s) to charge Mana much faster.

— You have gained the ability to wield Staffs and Scythes.

— Divine Penalty for using T4 and above spells will now only lower the Divine Seed’s level by one. Current Divine Seed Level: 5.

“I evolved already?” I wondered as I fiddled with the Metamorphosis Skill. My human fists changed to Demon fists wrapped in Divine Runes, before I switched them again. The ground seemed further away from me, too. Wait, I grew taller? Perhaps I died in the middle evolving or the System’s improvements did it without me even asking or confirming it. Wisdom sounded different in this new iteration, however, I still did not know if I was speaking with the real her or not. “Third Notification: Evolution! Ach–”

I coughed violently. It felt like a hand was squeezing my neck, but no one was around me. I heaved and suddenly felt the urge to puke. Something was in my throat! Uh oh, I hacked one more time, dislodging whatever nasty lump out of my mouth.

“Blegh!” I sputtered, but something chirped beneath me. The headless body of that fat noble Mos wriggled, making me jump and let loose Webs from my flailing arms. A cloud of red mist mixed in with concrete dust powdered over me. I reduced the pathway to chunks and blasted debris without even thinking. I guess I’m a lot more powerful now. The chirping persisted, making me nearly jump again. Something dark crawled out one of Mos’s surviving pieces of flesh and squeaked at me. Eight ominous red eyes bobbed up and down at me as the creature acknowledged me. “A… spider? Did I cough you out of me? That’s new.”

— Nameless, level 1

— Class: Savage Spiderling [Epic]

A Part of Charlotte’s Brood

Savage Spiderlings are an Epic variant of a Spiderling. They have short tempers and will explode into a violent burst of magical damage upon dying or becoming too angry.

It was as small as my foot, sporting a jet black hairless body with a small red skull mark on its belly. It feasted on Mos’s chopped up pieces, but seemed like it did not want anything to do with me. I knelt down and was tempted to pet it, but remembered it might explode if I annoyed it. I don’t recall using that dreaded Spider Spawning skill though, I pondered. The spiderling already crawled away inside a small tube entrance protruding in the sewer’s walls. Well, good luck little buddy! Reveal to me my Status, O Wisdom! The window that revealed itself to me was golden, which I didn’t expect. Shiny!

— Charlotte, level 41

— Title: DIVINE SPIDER QUEEN

— Classes

Human [Common], level 20

Witch [Legendary], level 20

Greater Witch [Legendary], level 1

— Divine Seed, level 5

HP: 2200

Attack: S++ (Master Ranked)

Magic Attack: S++ (Master Ranked)

Defense: A+ (Prestige Ranked)

Magic Defense: A+ (Prestige Ranked)

Reflexes: A+ (Prestige Ranked)

— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. As a Greater Witch, Charlotte has gained improved versions of all of her Skills. Because of the System’s upgrades, Skills have been consolidated into Extra Categories. For example: Brewing and Crafting are no longer separate from each other, now working under a singular Extra Skill called Building. Of course, activating Brewing by declaration (Which I might add, you don’t need to) will still activate Building. Combat Skills and Magic Skills operate under similar conditions.

— Charlotte has gained the following new additions:

* One additional Familiar Slot

* Level cap increased from 40 to 60. This extends to your Spiders.

* Pride Stone [Origin]: Mentioned above, but the Stone is a Key Component in restoring Charlotte’s Demon Crown of Power. Collecting these Stones will allow her to gain her Demon Form again.

* Improved Spider Spawning [Unique] [Fixed]: Allows Spawning of Spider Eggs. Results may vary. Side effects gained upon activation may include headaches, painful joints and even death. Consult your friendly Guide, Wisdom, for any discomfort experienced after using this skill ONLY if you die. (Gained from Aspect of the Spider)

* Unstable Spiders [Debuff] [Origin]: Attacks have a chance to spawn the following spiders: Savage Spiderling, Unstable Messenger Spider, or a Unstable Body Spider. Charlotte may spawn a random Unstable Spiderling on occasion. Chances for the next Spiderling Spawn are 1/1000 every second. (Gained from dying in the middle of evolving)

* Hexing still requires a Pact with an innocent maiden, but I’m assuming you already knew that. You should seriously kidnap or get someone to be your Pact.

* Aspects are a new feature of Greater Witches. Equipping them will allow for Class Changes associated with the Aspect’s entity and improve their involved Skills. Current Aspects: Aspect of the Divine Spider Queen, Aspect of the Ninja, Aspect of the Greater Witch and Aspect of the Spider.

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“I know, I know, Wisdom,” I sighed. “I’ll find someone to be a part of my Pact. Why do you sound like Pink?”

The harrowing chance to spawn a spider out of my mouth seemed miniscule, but it wasn’t zero which made me nervous. What if I hack one out while talking to someone? How embarrassing would that be? I glanced at the Unstable Spider Debuff, which had a circular timer counting every second. Staring at that would result in my mind breaking, so I chose to close it and deal with it later! I was taller now and a lot stronger than the Arch Spider that squished me, so a measly coughing sickness debuff shall not stop me! I cackled, but suddenly hacked out another bloody hunk. Another spiderling emerged from it. It peered at me with red beady eyes, before skittering away. Sorry little guy, I thought to it. I didn’t mean to bring you into this cruel world! A new notification popped up in my mind without me even prompting it. A new feature?

— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. I’m closer to you now that you’ve grown. Increase your Status, collect your Stones, and above all, have fun.

Then find me, Charlotte.

The screen flickered off, but that was reassuring to me. Perhaps you weren’t saying I should abandon the fuzzy butts, but I had no idea who that might be. You had me going there, for a moment Wisdom. I crossed my arms. I won’t stop until I find the real you. The mood darkened the room, but I decided I should get out of here. I could use a portal a lot easier now, but Mage Link revealed to me that I was on the outskirts of Bohun City anyways. All of the leveling up information filled my mind, but I decided I’ll just find out what new things I had when I got to them. A dark portal suddenly poofed into existence before me and I noticed a blue haired girl emerging out of it.

“Aqua?” Or was it Marine?

“It’s Marine, Mother!” Marine happily chirped and squeezed my leg in a hug. It was odd being taller than her, but strangely comforting. I wondered if I could shrink my form’s height, but the Marine Who Is My Daughter spoke. “I’ve come here because…”

She pointed her fingers at the wreckage behind us. Oh, I remembered. The Arch Spider destroyed this entire section of the sewers, leaving only a partial wall standing in its right leg’s wake. Jimmy was nowhere to be seen. I clicked my tongue. That guy was immeasurably powerful and I let him get away!

“I’m sorry, Marine,” I cooed. “All the food got squished.”

“It’s okay, Mother!” She ran through the door, despite the entire wall crumbling anyways. I sighed and followed her through it anyway. “I’ve come to investigate this! Auntie Blanche wants me to!”

“Hmm?” I watched her scoop the glass bottle up from Borr’s severed legs. “You want to go to the Deceiver in there?”

“Mm!” The child nodded enthusiastically. “There’s a wide open space for us to live in here!”

I glanced at the bottle. It was as large as Marine’s face, but I doubt there could be that much room for the fuzzy butts. However, I’m a supportive mother! I nodded back to her.

“You can have it, then!” I told her. “Have fun!”

“Yay!” Marine suddenly let out a streak of blue magic.

— Ally Skill: Astral Projection used.

Marine clapped her hand as she dissolved into the bottle. I suddenly felt guilty for sending her inside of it. I just didn’t expect her to immediately go into it! I picked it up and noticed it was filling with a blue liquid. The glint of a gun’s handle caught my eyes as I deposited the Seven Nights Bottle into my Quick Slot. Ah, I think I know where to go next, I grinned. That factory or the church for revenge? There were many choices tonight! I wondered if I should call my other daughters for a trip in the city! They’ve never been out here before, right?

“Skill: Portal!” I called out. I saw the same empty alleyway I used many times so far to change forms, so that place is where I’ll go next! Bubbles covered my vision, changing me into Hannah once more and rain peppered my face. “Aqua and Hailey, come to me, O Daughters!”

In hindsight, I knew I could just call them with my mind but where’s the fun in that? More portals popped out as I stepped into the alleyway. I was covered in dirt and blood, but I think that's how most of the savage Human Commoners look, right? I'm just playing my part. Hailey and Aqua emerged from the portals with dark looks on their faces. Did I wake them up?

"Mother!" Hailey squeezed me suddenly. Gah!

"Hailey," Aqua chastised her. Aqua seemed more mature than even Marine. Her voice was also blank like Blanche. Maybe she was the elder of the twins? "Let her go."

"F-Forgive me, Mother!" Hailey bowed. A light blue halo of energy appeared above us, shielding us from the rain. Aqua's magic. She was definitely my favorite out of the bunch.

"I-It's okay," I sputtered, afraid that I might spit out another Spiderling. "Sorry for calling you guys over, but we've a factory to visit!"

Factory, huh. One of the brother’s names behind it started with an O. My mind had no recollection of any names starting with that letter, besides Ormr the snake. Wisdom chirped in my mind a name: Orskyr. Ah, so there it was. Dirt washed off of me in the mist. This realm was so different from mine. I held out my hand to feel the rain and watched the lights flicker on and off in buildings much more advanced than the ones my people built. A city without fear despite the darkness encroaching on its walls. Heh, I chuckled as we stopped at the exit of the alleyway. I wonder how my people would do in a realm like this?

“Mother,” Hailey pointed out something happening ahead of us. Commotion was brewing in the streets. Soldiers were passing by us in large numbers, with shorter groups of them in blue uniforms hurrying people out of the way. Police? I scanned the status of one of them and found that’s what those blue ones were called. I guess they were separate from the guardsmen? One of them spotted us and stormed his way towards us as crowds of people split off from the soldiers and police.

“Not so peaceful, after all, huh?” I scoffed, completing my thoughts aloud. Aqua canceled her magic. None of us were sure what to do, so we waited for him.

“Hey! You three!” He hollered. “Somethin’ bad happened to the streets ahead. Best get a move on and git!”

Before I could say anything, Hailey stepped in.

“Oh, no! What happened?” She asked innocently. The policeman glared at her incredulously, but then his eyes fell upon me. “I-I was busy taking care of these ones.”

“A religious one, eh, Lady?” He asked her. Ah, Hailey did look like a Lady, while I sat in a muddy and bloody disguise. I glanced at Aqua, but she seemed like she was in her own Realm. “No matter, street’s closed. Some say quake, but that’s for the Lord to worry about. Take this one to the Church or shelter, ain’t nobody should be out on this block in case another quake happens.”

“Yes, sir!”

She might as well have been talking to air, we watched him nod and rejoin his squad. The factory was in the other direction, anyways. I glanced and finally saw a glimpse of the quake that policeman was speaking about behind us. It used to be a living district. Instead of a street, a massive crater scarred the earth, exposing the sewers below and ripping the buildings apart. Such destruction! I gawked with awe. I couldn’t get closer because of all the soldiers, but I could channel magic in my eyes. Mage Link revealed Nature runes and peculiar Light runes scattered in the air from it. Wait a minute, I pulled up an umbrella from an abandoned street corner. Those runes were definitely from me! I gulped. That Arch Spider did more damage than I thought. Good for him!

“The factory draws near,” I scanned the entrance. The iron barred gates were sealed tight, but no one was in sight. Mage Link revealed more Light magic being used inside, clashing against different runes I haven’t seen before. Human runes were clashing against each other. “They’re… Fighting?”

“Humans aren’t known for getting along, Mother,” Aqua could see the fighting inside as well. “The man we’re after, Orskyr, is under attack.”

I supposed the Light magic being used must be from the Church’s assassins. They probably suspect that the heretical owner of this factory was behind it. Perhaps there was more behind it, but all I want is a replacement for the broken gun I may or may not have permanently borrowed from a man named Storr awhile ago! Hailey opened a portal, while I took off my disguise. It was time to test out my arms! Bubbles of translucent light covered my transforming arms and power filled my being as my new Demon Queen fists emerged from their cloak.

Three Church members were standing outside on guards as we approached. White robes, similar to the ones in Father’s mansion, with masks and weapons on. The one with a ruby gem for a broach drew their sword and aimed it at us.

“Begone,” she demanded. “Official Church business is being conducted here—”

“Shut it!” Another scolded her, yet she did not sheathe her sword either. “Go home, it’s dangerous out here.”

I glanced at the trio of members from behind Hailey. Sarah was not a part of this group, I sighed. With a smile, Hailey stepped to the side and revealed me to the group. Immediately, the scolding one’s eyes widened at the sight of my Demon Arms. Fear me!

“M-Monsters! Kill them!” She screamed.

They knew how to react, at least, I thought idly as I watched them slowly charging towards me. It was like watching a couple of billowing white sheets fluttering towards me off a drying line.

“Sorry,” I muttered. Divine runes began to fill my eyes. Has activating Skills always worked like this? They were too slow for me. “I just got done evolving and you’re simply too weak to test my magic on.”

A single swipe turned them into mist and their souls joined the rainstorm.

The two daughters of mine looked at me speechless, but I hesitated after approaching the front door. Locked. How disappointing, I thought idly. Perhaps I’ll punch it down? A chime suddenly played in my head as Hailey used her Divine Eye to see through the doors. Bonus Experience Points? I realized that the blood orbs from those Church members were actually because of Pride. So, that’s how the Stone works, I watched them crawl up the skin on my shoulders before seeping within me like a heavy object in water. The place was dark, but there were rows of peculiar metal beasts and partially made automobiles. Anyone could tell that those other metal beasts were used to make them, but it was seemingly out of place from the usual swords and wagons most Humans used.

“There,” Hailey pointed at a dead end. A gathering of more of those weird runes huddled in the corner of the huge facility, past a lobby blocking the entrance to it. It’s like a human, but the runes don’t match the Goddess of Light’s runes that formed in Humans. Those gatherings of Light runes were chasing after him! The door could be broken down, but we could also make our own entrance an intercept them! I grinned at the wall close to him. Say your prayers, O Factory Wall!

The metal thing ripped apart so easily instead of collapsing dramatically, but I couldn’t complain! Aqua and Hailey followed me in, their shadows stretching across the sliver of moonlight as we stepped in. The cracking of a gunshot boomed in one of the corridors, so we had to hurry!

“Back, back! You Church bastards!” Someone shouted over the echoing gun. We lept on top of towering machinery onto catwalks hanging above from the ceilings. It must be a factory worker! I tracked him shooting at two assassins sneaking in the shadows as well. The Church operators were quick and nimble, but they were merely level 20. No Sarah among those dregs, but it made no difference to my Advanced Web Conjuration I supposed as I dangled from the railing with my webs. It seemed that I could control eight strands with ease, but if I added more then the power would gain significantly and destroy all in front of me.

Therefore, eight was enough! Four of the webbed threads lanced through the one who lunged at the gunner from behind, leaving four perfect needle holes from her head to her hip. Four split quarters of her lay at the floor of the now terrified man. Pay attention, O overworked factory employee! I let out four more webs at the one charging at him directly, but caught her foot instead of the rest of it. The worker was guarding the saferoom for his owner. He hesitated for a moment when the Church assassin’s sword clattered on the ground as she shrieked in pain, but shot her anyways with a bigger gun than the one I had. A rifle with a large barrel like a cannon’s, of sorts, that blasted multiple pellets and shrapnel out the end of its barrel seemed like it would do the trick to stop the shrieking. Such loyalty!

“Stay back! I warned ye!” He pointed the rifle at the darkness, his eyes were covered in fear and sweat. “Monster, Church, or God, I’ll have you know I called the police already!”

“Bravo,” I clapped my human hands together, stepping out the darkness with a smile. “Such a fine worker.”

“A little girl? Hell no, I ain’t falling for it! Stay back, fiend!” His voice squeaked when he noticed the two Spiders behind me. “Enough demons and Church fools visit us already! Back, monster!”

Demons?

“Easy, there,” I tried to calm him down. “Just want to talk to the man in charge here.”

“H- He’s b-busy!” The worker somehow gained enough composure to stand against me. He leveled up after those two died, huh? I raised my hands up, but after inspecting me, I heard the pull of his trigger.

The bullets raked my arms when I shielded myself, but I felt nothing! It was then I noticed that Metamorphosis had already transformed my arms into the Demon Queen form. Amazing! Soreness suddenly took over my arms, making me realize that the pellets had embedded themselves inside my scales.

“Ow,” I groaned, shaking out the pellets and smoke off my arms. Tiny clinks dinged on the shop floor over the pounding of a towering, angry Arachne’s legs. “That still hurt, you know?”

“N-No—! Forgive me,” he stammered. “I didn’t mean to do that! I pan—“

“How dare you hurt Mother!” Hailey’s spider half lunged at him, but I stopped her with a command in my mind.

— Dalton of Bohun, level 22

Father of Daphne of Bohun

HP: 52%

Classes

— Ranger [Common], level 20

— Rifle Marksmen [Rare], level 2

Danger Class: A Ranked Adventurer.

Debuffs: Weakened, Pride, Queen’s Presence, Terrified, Beautiful, Death Aura, Golden Aura, Herald of the Forbidden One, Aqua Dizziness, Hunted, Human Killer

Foreman of the Auto Assembly Line, Dalton is fiercely loyal to the owners, Sarn and Orskyr due to them saving his life in the past. He is also the father of Daphne and lives with his mother, since his wife died in a monster attack.

Jeez, I thought to myself. I couldn’t decide if I was more impressed that he was able to stand through all those debuffs or able to speak to us.

“Why not, Mother?” Hailey pouted.

“It’s because, uh, I owe him a favor,” I thought back at the memories of Daphne petting me with those evil fingers of hers when I turned into a cat. “You still in there, Dalton of Bohun?”

“How do you—“ he shook out of it and looked at his nametag. “Leave us be! Between the news outlets, Demons and the Church, we can’t take on Spiders or the Witch!”

“So you knew I am the Witch,” I chuckled. How clever! You only knew that because of the Spider monsters standing behind me. He glanced at my Demon arms, nervously. I pointed at him. “Take me to your Leader! I want a new weap— I mean, I believe we can work together.”

“T-Together?” He stuttered, but glanced at the remains of the bloodstained Church members strewn across the floor. “I— I can’t risk it!”

“Enough, Dal,” a sigh was heard. The shadow of a slender young man emerged from the safe room behind me. I scanned his Status, while Hailey and Aqua reverted back to their human forms. “She saved us. We have to hear her out… Do we?”

My eyes nearly widened at the first warning, but then I noticed the rest of the man’s Status.

WARNING: This entity has high EV!

WARNING: Skillholder of [Not From This World]

Orskyr Heretic, level 30

HP: 100%

Classes

— Human 2 [Common], Level 20

— Human Genius [Epic], Level 10

WARNING: Entity cannot be debuffed or buffed by the Realm’s Systems.

WARNING: Entity is not from this world.