“My savior, why have you not come to see me? It has been too long.”

Geer’Sha! Her earthy voice carried its way in my head as the vines pulled me, despite the flurry of branches and leaves annoying me as they smacked me in the face. I hardly had time to let out a sigh before something soft collided into me. Skin? I felt the embrace of something soothing and warm, although it was kind of leafy. I dangled in the air briefly before Geer’Sha’s voice enveloped me again.

“You have grown a lot, Demon Queen Mara.”

This overwhelming feeling…! I clutched my chest as she spoke to me. How many things are trying to get inside of here today? A well of Mana threatened to burst outside of me from within, like a surge of joy and growth. She is the Goddess of the Forest, after all. This current of energy flowed all around me, but I knew this feeling! It was like I was in Wisdom’s presence even if the leaves barely shielded me from the ripples of Nature mana. I realized that the Goddess’s own runes were forcing the Nature runes away from herself, replacing them with new shining ones. Huh, so Divine runes do that?

I felt myself lifted again like a toy, away from the embrace I was in. A mass of branches unfolded like wings before me, revealing a shining figure beneath them. Suddenly, a cold feeling swept over me and a dark red sky crashed down upon me. Pieces of stars streaked all around me like flaming spears, making me instinctively cover my face as several meteors fell above me. Through it all, a howling scream of pain reverberated through the heavens I found myself in. Another eerie blob like the Tribute’s face lay in the stars dying! Its wailing continued until the lights returned back to normal. Geer’Sha was trying to show me something. It seemed similar to the black Death runes underneath the Teleporter in Father’s mansion, though the realization sank me in its depths. Those black runes gathered there were a piece of the One itself!

“Hear me, O Protector mine,” Geer’Sha’s voice surged through my head. “The One weeps. For its creation. For its Loved one. For you. With every drop of its being, the System struggles to remain. The Humans pierce its flesh with blasphemous light and Profane rituals. My Queen, grow your Light. Snap these intruders like twigs under your mighty feet.”

“Geer’Sha, I —” I wanted to mention that I chose a different Tier 4 spell that was unrelated to her, but flowers sprouted from several of the tree branches as they bounced in a certain rhythm. I was enraptured by the beauty when I noticed that the rhythm was her giggling. How could she be giggling after she told me about the One’s terrible struggle?

“You need not worry about the choice, it does not affect Us System Gods and Goddesses,” she told me. What a relief! “When you grow further, when your children complete their ritual, you will understand the Divine, Demon Queen.”

“So I was right to choose the One’s spell?” I questioned her. The figure’s luminous head leaned forward as several branches wiped my cheek. A bubbling dew dripped off the end of one of the thousands of leaves, causing the splashes of water to become saplings of exotic trees. I was crying? Since when?

“When you use it, your Divine power leaves its mark upon the World’s System,” Geer’Sha warned me. “Be careful with that power, child. Though I trust you already know that. My time is dwindling again, I must grow and tend to the outside Forest.”

“I’m not a child,” I pouted. “Hey, before you go – I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Do Humans lay eggs? Specifically from their mouths?”

The vines were receding and I found myself lowering to the ground. Silence still followed, even the shuddering of the leaves in the cold damp Labyrinth air did not make a sound while Geer’Sha contemplated my question.

“What?” She asked in a shocked tone. Did I just bewilder a goddess? The vines dropped me, making my knees shake as I landed. My feet were numb from hanging around up there! Gah!

“What?” I repeated her question back to her, opting to remain serious. “I’m guessing that’s a no.”

“They give birth to human babies. Small motes of malformed Light,” She reported. “Why do you ask that, My Protector?”

“No reason,” I shifted awkwardly. The Goddess of the Forest began to float back to the center of the massive branches, but I could tell she was smiling at me through all of that lurid light.

The thought of Aqua, Marine, and that Gold Arachne egg flashed in my mind. I shook and kicked my legs in order to get the feeling back inside them, trying to avoid the thought of having to raise those creatures. For some odd reason, Attor swallowing a tower of my Food Spell’s conjurations also appeared alongside them. I recently became a mother of four, I guessed. Why did I think of him as a child as well? I found it odd that Humans didn’t lay eggs, but whole babies instead. Was Wisdom trying to murder me with that Spider Spawning Skill? The luminous atmosphere ceased and soon I was alone. A breeze pushed my hair in my face, but all I could see through the strands of hair was a fortress sized bulb wrapped in flowers and massive gate sized leaves. I felt the leaves at the base and looked up.

“Dormant again, huh?” I patted it. “We’ll see each other soon enough, O Geer’Sha!”

Suddenly, one of the towering bulb’s orifices opened and the shadow of something extruding out of it closed in on me! An attack? I barely stepped out of the way before feeling a wave of warmth emanating from the supposed attack. It was a branch, but not just any ordinary one. I pulled it out and a glorious notification entered my vision. This was a gift from her!

— Crafting: Forbidden Branch [T7] acquired. Used for crafting magical weapons capable of destroying countries.

This must mean that it’s compatible with the Pure Sapphire Star! Thank you, Geer’Sha, I prayed to the Bulb Who Is Geer’Sha before exiting the chamber. There was quite a lot of intel I’ve taken from her, so I considered this yet another blessing from the Goddess. Conquer the prey who invade this place and take their Light. I guessed if I learn how Humans breed, we can gather a bunch of them and grow new ones to steal their hearts from for whatever Blanche needed in her project. On second thought, I shuddered as the flashback of that Noble Lady jumping on top of Billy the Blob. If that was how they created Human not-eggs, then I didn’t need to know! Blanche pointed out Uralta seals lying inside the Forbidden Forest as well, but they could not open the barrier blocking the entrance. They were ruins, circular and symmetrical, according to the Recorded Memory Fragment, though I did not know how to lift the barrier magic on its top seal. Perhaps someone from the Church was resealing the Chamber, keeping whatever inside of it buried and forgotten. The Spiders were looking through the Library’s books about the Ulrata Seals, but none have been located so far.

I sat down thinking, while waiting for night to fall. I had time to kill before I had to go, so I began several tests. First, I was way high up in Floor 42! I learned that I could teleport within the Dungeon using the Darkness Portal and my Title, so I found the most empty Floor suitable for experiments even if the portal made me feel queasy. The new Earth element I had was incredible! Its Tier 3 Spell: Fortress Creator nearly launched me up into the roof as it manipulated the earth into this wonderful dirt abode! It was all thanks to this newly crafted T7 Ocean of Death Wand! It hummed with an ominous energy that swallowed the light around it, so I rather not speak about it! I had several Demon Mages capable of creating complex structures like this, but I was limited to dirt and stone. Perhaps, I could alter some of its features with my Alchemy Skill, but I wanted to conserve my magic in case tonight gets dangerous. Speaking of saving Mana, the Excluder’s cold metal frame was smooth to the touch. Its cylinder carried bullets inside of it and made satisfying clicking noises when I rubbed my finger on it, but shaking it did not seem to do anything. The mechanism eventually locked into place with enough force and I held it up. It felt easy to wield thanks to my Skill, all I had to do was pull the trigger right?

I aimed the gun at the closest fuzzy butt beneath me and fired.

“Wah!” I nearly dropped it. The weapon made a cracking noise, startling me as it jumped up when it launched its projectile out the front barrel. “Why is the bullet so slow?”

— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. The bullet has already struck its target. The Worker Spider has received 0 damage!

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Eh!? I glanced at the fuzzy butt beneath me and jumped down using the new Tier 1 Spell: Earth Pillar to launch myself off. He stopped when the bullet hit him, but instead of dying he simply shook his butt and marched back to its duties. A tiny flattened disc rolled around at my feet. I picked it up and inspected it. This was the pellet that hit him, but this new toy seemed like it was worthless if it shot only these tiny bits! I should have picked the Staff for proficiency! I fumed. Blam! I pulled the trigger again and again. The way this thing kicked in my hands was disorderly as well! The other fuzzy butts did not seem bothered at all by the bullets hitting them, but I suddenly heard a click when I tried to shoot them again.

Oh? I stared down the barrel and tried to shake out the last bullet, but it appeared that it ran out of my entertainment! How do I reload it? My skill told me that the bullets go in the middle of this, but opening it was an entirely different matter. I checked the cylinder, but suddenly a splinter of wood flicked against my cheek. I pulled it too hard! The little metal shells were still stuck in the gun, but I held its barrel in my other palm. Well, I tossed them on the ground. The toy was broken, so I had no need for it. As the handle clanked on the ground, the enigmatic S&O emblem shined in the Labyrinth’s pale light. Maybe I should visit them to get another one, I grinned. The crafting materials needed to build one involved things I haven’t seen yet. What is black powder?

It didn’t matter! It was time to return to the Manor. An alert was flashing before me, informing me that a lot of activity was happening outside the place!

“Uh oh,” I pat the nearest fuzzy butt Worker’s head. He gave a curious chirp to me. “It was fun playing with you guys, but now it’s time for me to go! Skill: Darkness Portal.”

Using this portal also seemed to twist into people’s Shadows as a way to get by, connecting me to those who have strong memories of me. It was more different than the Light Portal, which punched holes into reality itself and allowed passage through the shredded Mana Runes. It was like I folded the System itself with my Light Portals, or like I put a book’s page to a candle’s flame and burned a hole inside it to stick my finger through. That candle flame’s comparison seemed more apt, since if I were to go by what Geer’Sha mentioned on the Profane Runes, I was literally piercing a hole inside whoever’s Body the System belonged to. What an odd Skill, I mused as I got used to the twisting feeling of traversing the Dark Portal. It was a shame that even with S Rank in my Light Portals I could not reach my Manor way down here, though if it works then I won’t complain!

Nana froze when I crossed through, but both of the maids bowed before me when I arrived. The clean air of the mansion bothered my nose and outside was busy! There were rows of lit carriages and automobiles pulling up the hill leading to our home! A sinking feeling settled upon my skin, like an inevitable weight. I missed the Labyrinth and its darkness already. The boxes of clothes that we took from the Caretakers were neatly packed away, though I still was perplexed as to why I needed more than one dress. Do Humans get bored of wearing one thing? I always saw Father wearing the same suit, so I figured certain ones care for appearances like that. As I was spun around and cleaned, one of my Queen’s Eyes’ windows activated. A fat boy was resting on a couch? Oh, he was terrified! Ah, the Leonreims were here already. Well, prepare yourself for my arrival, O Billy Leonreim, my fiance! Then you shall know true terror.

— Skill: Message activated. Active Memory Fragment Recording:::

The Messenger Spider watched the plump and brazen boy with disdain, yet hunger brewed within it. Ugly or not, such was a large meal for it and its brethren, only it possessed more fat than wits. As of now, the prey was seeking a way to squirm out of another predator’s grasp. This predator was not Her Majesty, nor her Father. It was the boy’s own Father, who was much more powerful. Well, the Spider thought. It was as strong as one gets through ill-gotten gains. Borrowed strength, harvested or not, was always meant to be taken back.

Billy shifted nervously while his Father paced back and forth before him. He was not a bright boy, according to his peers back in home school, but he was smart enough to know his Father was angry. Or furious. Or confused? There were many bad feelings that his Father gave up, but Billie knew it had to be one of them. The desk cracked as something slammed down upon it. A fist, attached to a newspaper? He didn’t know how to read! Fortunately, the One who matters can.

— BACK ALLEY MURDERS! BUMP IN THE NIGHT OR COULD IT BE WORSE?

This marks the second presumed murder in the last week, following the untimely disappearance of former B Ranked Adventurer Jorim of Bohun. The latest victim was found brutally beheaded and discarded in the back alley near Allsage, later identified as the infamous Storr of Leonreim by the police. Storr, a known criminal unleashed upon the Convergence’s Light, brings up many questions on how he was defeated. More details are being investigated, but the Leonreims themselves have yet to comment on the situation. Locals are warned to steer clear of any ongoing investigation sights, as well as adhering to Church curfew mandates.

“One of ours is in this,” Father told him. “Do you care to explain why one of the men I trusted you with is on the front page, boy?”

“Father! I sent him to hunt for information,” Billy pleaded. “But he is a stupid commoner, just like his—”

Billy’s world went skyward as intense pain tore into his cheek. His father hit him? No, Billy choked as a heavy boot from Borr stomped into his chest.

“No one makes fun of my big brother!” Borr sniveled. How could such a dimwitted brute be capable of feeling emotions? The boot crushed harder into him, but Billy was too weak to fight him off. How could this be? “Only I can make fun of my big brother! And now he’s… he’s…!”

The brute’s tears leaked on Billy’s new suit and stained it, but all he could do was fume silently to himself. How could he be so pathetic? Were those bottles not enough? He was a Noble!

“Enough,” Leonreim palmed his forehead in thought. The boot lifted, but a glare from his Father kept Billy locked in place. The fat boy has apparently experienced that Paralysis Skill a lot, looking like a tasty and surrendering meal to the Messenger Spider. “We have to turn this around. The Bohuns are looking at us with suspicion once more, but more worrisome is the fact that an elite like him was killed like that. A hunt should have gone smoothly, yet… No, could it be?”

The Skill lifted, leaving Billy ragged and heaving for air as Leonreim turned and looked down upon him.

“The only person capable of doing this is the lady herself, hiring people to do her dirty work,” he contemplated aloud. “How else could such a weakling like her survive in such a backwater place such as this for so long? Surely even she is smart enough to realize how truly useless you really are, but she knows you are her ticket out of here... There’s just too many missing details. Billy.”

“Y-Yes Father?” Billy snapped straight to attention.

“You’re in luck, truly,” he laughed. “She has accepted you, which means you get to live for now. Borr, retrieve her tonight. She shall be a fine prize for the Seven Nights, no?”

The Father laughed viciously to himself, as if he made some great discovery. The Messenger Spider did give him credit, however, since he recognized its Queen as the greatest threat. Soon Master Leonreim departed with Borr, leaving a frustrated Billy on the ground.

“If she’s so smart like you say she is, then the very least thing I can do is use her against you, Father,” he hissed. A worried Noble Lady rushed in through one of the doors, but the Messenger Spider lost interest.

— The Recorded Memory Fragment has ended.

If he’s thinking of kidnapping me, he’s got another thing coming! I pumped my fists. Invisible webs shot out from my fingertips, slicing the bed’s stone frame in half. Uh, whoops, I glanced at the wreckage. On second thought, if I let them take me to the Auction I could cause some serious trouble over there. Yes, that is what I shall do, I thought as I cracked my knuckles and pulled the webs back into my skin. As for the fat kid, I supposed he could give me some opportunities. I could prey on his ambition and feed him to the Spiders all the same. These humans can take me, but little did they know that was a horrible mistake. I love knowing things that I wasn’t supposed to know about! These fools have no idea I’m snooping on them!

“Hah, what idiots! I can be taken over there for free!” I cackled, but Nana dragged a mirror before me and stopped me from continuing. Beautiful hair, matching the night sky and red eyes suited me, did they not? For a human, I guessed I could look a lot worse. Not that I had an understanding of Human beauty standards, since those Noble Ladies apparently thought I was ugly and needed a makeover. They seemed like better judges of appearances, but I questioned their methods for improvements if they had to use a Spell to dissolve and burn clothing. I swished in the dress that the Caretakers altered black for me and my reflection matched my flowing movements. Wait, I stopped. Maybe that prank was not supposed to help me?

It was too late to ponder such a question, I heard a soft knock on my door followed by a nervous voice.

“Lady Charlotte,” he squeaked. “It is almost time to head down. What say you?”

Isn’t this ball to announce a marriage? I did not understand, despite briefly reading about the Formal Ball in one of the Etiquette books through the Spider Assassin’s eyes. I remained quiet, wondering what to say until Sydney opened the door, towering over Twig. The boy’s eyes looked up at her, while I wondered how the maids got so tall. Did they level up like me? His eyes and demeanor completely froze when I felt his gaze on me. Bask in my glory, O Human who is named after a stick! I approached him, noticing that I was taller than him as well.

“Ah, yes, my savior,” I smiled as coyly as I could, but that seemed to make him more afraid of me. “Take me away.”

Instead of backing away and cracking under the many debuffs I inflicted on him, Twig reached out his arm. I remembered this in the Etiquette book as well! You cannot best me when I get my knowledge in real time, hah! I linked my arm with his, hearing his heart pound against his chest. While he nervously guided me to the Ballroom, I wondered how good the beating thing would look in my palm wrapped in web.