When we entered the spider boss's chamber, the entire place was covered in sticky webs. Small spiders were crawling around. Some were scurrying down the walls, while others moved across the floor in strange formations. A sense of unease stirred within me. I didn’t have a fear of spiders, but seeing them made my skin crawl involuntarily.

As we moved into the main room, we saw a giant spider lying dead on the ground. We all paused for a moment, stunned. Slowly, we approached the lifeless spider.

“It hasn’t been dead for long,” Fidelis said, inspecting the spider carefully. He ran his hand over a bloodstain on its armor, sniffed it, and then frowned.

“Ah yes, because I just killed it,” said a voice from the far corner of the room. We all immediately turned toward the direction of the sound. Slowly, a silhouette began to emerge from the darkness. We quickly drew our swords and assumed defensive positions. However, when we saw who emerged from the shadows, we froze in shock.

What stood before us was a woman—but only her upper body resembled a human. Her lower half was entirely that of a massive spider. She had eight slender legs, and a black sac swayed behind her. Each movement of her legs sent subtle vibrations through the dark ground. Her upper body was humanoid; slender, with graceful movements. However, her skin was pale and had a faint bluish hue, as though it was always glowing under a cold light.

As she approached, her facial features became clearer. Her eyes were jet black, giving the unsettling impression of staring into a void. Though spider-like, she only had two eyes, like a human. The rest of her face was entirely human, with a sharp jawline and delicate lips. However, her pale complexion gave her an even more menacing aura in the shadows. Her hair was short, straight, and neatly cut, with bangs falling evenly across her forehead. All these features combined to give her a look that was both elegant and terrifying.

“Who are you?” I asked politely. I had fought enough for one day and was too tired to want another battle.

“Oh, my name is Arachne,” the woman said. Her voice was enchanting, flowing into the mind like a melody. Each word felt like the lines of a song.

As soon as Arachne introduced herself, all the demons fighting alongside us suddenly knelt. I turned to Zareth in confusion and asked, “What’s going on?”

“She is one of the supreme demons,” Zareth said, his voice trembling. “Arachne, the mother of spiders.”

Hearing this, I bowed my head slightly. “I am Shinya Kage, Commander of the Knights of Light. It is an honor to meet you, Lady Arachne,” I said politely and sincerely.

“Oh my, how courteous of you, Commander Shinya. I thought the Knights of Light disliked demons,” Arachne said, glancing toward the demons.

“That is probably true. However, I respect all races. I do not condone discrimination,” I replied.

“I’m glad to hear that, Commander Shinya,” Arachne said.

“Please, just call me Shinya,” I said with a faint smile.

“Very well, Shinya. My appearance may be frightening to some of you. So…” Arachne said and, in an instant, transformed into a normal human form. Her upper body remained the same—graceful and humanoid—but her lower half was no longer that of a spider. Instead, she now had two long, slender human legs.

“May I ask why you killed the spider boss?” I inquired.

“You did an excellent job taking down the other bosses. However, it must have been an exhausting battle for you. Watching you fight was thrilling,” said Arachne, her face showing clear excitement and satisfaction.

“You were watching us while we fought?” I asked.

“Oh yes. I watched you take down all the bosses. I truly enjoyed it. So, as a favor to you, I killed the spider boss. This way, you can recover your strength, and we can defeat the final boss together,” Arachne said, her tone still melodic and energetic.

“Together?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes, Shinya. I will join you in the fight against the final boss,” said Arachne.

I turned around for a moment to see the others' reactions. Everyone's faces seemed to say, "It's up to you." After some thought, I decided to allow Arachne to fight alongside us. We needed help, and all the adventurers we rescued in the serpent room had already left the dungeon.

“Let’s rest for today. Tomorrow, we’ll take down the final boss,” I said to everyone. Afterward, we all returned to the dungeon’s entrance and set up camp.

Night had fallen. I was resting alone in my tent, but my mind couldn’t find peace. I missed Eleanor. I longed to hear her warm, gentle voice so much that I felt an emptiness inside. Somehow, I needed to talk to her. My only option was to try telepathy magic. I closed my eyes and imagined Eleanor’s face, her smile. I focused all my thoughts on her.

“Eleanor, Eleanor, can you hear me?” I whispered into my thoughts.

“Huh? Who is this?” Eleanor shouted, startled. Her surprise and fear made me chuckle.

“Calm down, it’s me, Shinya. I’m speaking to you through telepathy. Don’t be afraid. Just focus your mind on me and think of what you want to say,” I said softly, trying to reassure her.

“Shinya, is it really you? I’ve missed you so much,” Eleanor said. Her voice trembled slightly, as if her eyes were brimming with tears.

“I’ve missed you too, Eleanor,” I said, my heart beating a little faster. Feeling her presence so close comforted me but also filled me with sorrow. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. Tomorrow, we’ll face the dungeon’s final boss.”

“I see. But please, be careful,” Eleanor said, her voice now gentler but laced with deep concern. “You better come back safe and sound!” she added, showing her usual authoritative tone.

“Of course, Eleanor,” I said, realizing I was smiling. “I promise, I’ll come back safe for you.”

“I wanted to talk to her longer, but telepathy magic, especially over such a long distance, had started to give me a headache.

“I have to go now,” I said reluctantly. “Wish me luck, okay?”

“Alright,” Eleanor said after a brief silence. Her voice sounded different, softer and more playful. “When you get back, I’ll have a surprise for you. That should keep you motivated.”

I couldn’t see her, but I was sure she had a mischievous smile on her face. I had always admired this side of Eleanor.

“I’m looking forward to that surprise,” I said with a hint of excitement. “Good night, Eleanor.”

“Good night, Shinya,” she said, her voice as gentle and warm as a whisper. I ended the connection, but the warmth of her presence lingered. With a small sense of peace in my heart, I closed my eyes.

“Excuse me,” came a voice, followed by the sound of the tent flap being pulled open. It was Arachne who entered.

“Shinya, are you free?” she asked. I nodded and gestured to the empty chair for her to sit.

“Did you want to speak with me, Lady Arachne?” I asked politely.

“Oh, please, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Arachne,” she said with a slight smile. “Yes, I came to talk to you.”

“What do you want to talk about?” I asked, watching her curiously.

“The reason the Knights of Light came here is because of the high-level mana radiating from the undead, isn’t it?” she said, fixing her gaze directly on me.

She had probably learned the situation from the demons. There was no point in denying it. Despite her dangerous appearance, I felt we could work together harmoniously.

“Yes,” I said calmly, ‘but aside from a few skeletons, we haven’t encountered any other undead. It might have been a miscalculation.’

“It wasn’t a miscalculation,” Arachne said firmly. “The true source of the mana is in the boss room.”

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“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity growing.

Arachne glanced away for a moment, as if recalling a memory from the past, then continued.

“Cyplos, the boss of Mordath, is dead. I couldn’t sense its presence beyond the boss door. But I sensed something else.” She paused briefly, her black eyes meeting mine again, pulling me into their void-like depths.

“A sinister aura... darker and more intense than even an undead’s. There’s something behind that door stronger than Cyplos. You cannot defeat it alone. That’s why I’ve decided to help you.”

Her words echoed in my mind as I drifted into thought. The true source of the mana radiating from the undead was hidden behind the boss room. Who or what could it be? The answer lay beyond that door.

"Alright," I said, "Do you know who this boss is?"

Arachne averted her eyes again, as if searching for a clue in her thoughts. "I have a guess as to who it might be. But I’m not certain," she finally said. "Tomorrow’s battle will reveal everything."

"Thank you for sharing this information, Arachne. And I’m also grateful that you’ve offered to help. How can I repay this kindness?" I asked sincerely.

"Don’t worry about it, Shinya," she said with a faint smile. "When the time comes, I’ll ask for something. But for now, focus on tomorrow’s battle. Rest and get some sleep."

She stood up, gave a polite nod, and said, "Good night," before stepping out of the tent.

I lay back down on my bedding. My thoughts wandered to the mystery beyond the boss room and Arachne’s words. A great battle awaited us tomorrow, and the weight of it was impossible to ignore. Closing my eyes, with countless questions swirling in my mind, my body slowly succumbed to sleep.

I suddenly found myself standing on the edge of a cliff. Below me stretched an endless void of darkness. Nothing was visible down there, only an infinite abyss. Taking a deep breath, I turned around and noticed a group of people watching me. Their faces were concealed behind masks, making it impossible to discern their identities.

They all wore pure white robes, their hair hidden beneath their hoods. Their appearance resembled that of a cult, yet there were no symbols or markings on their garments.

After a moment, a woman stepped forward from the group. Her robe was more ornate than the others, and her confident footsteps echoed as she approached me.

"Who are you?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice steady. A deep unease churned within me, but I received no answer. The woman continued to walk toward me without saying a word.

Her steps grew closer and closer. At last, she stood directly in front of me, her face entirely obscured by her mask. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Without a moment’s hesitation, she extended her hands and pushed me off the cliff.

As I fell into the endless void, a weight engulfed my body. My mind was a chaotic whirlwind. Everything went dark, leaving only a profound, silent emptiness.

When I opened my eyes, it was morning. I took a deep breath, but the strange feeling within me refused to fade. What I had seen was just a dream, yet it felt like more than that. The image of the deep abyss, the silent masked figures, and the faceless, emotionless silhouette of the woman who pushed me still lingered vividly in my mind.

"Who was she? Why did she push me?" These questions echoed in my mind. Everything I had experienced since arriving in Mordath was far beyond normal. First, that horrifying nightmare... and now this dream. Did it mean something, or was my mind just playing tricks on me? Maybe it was just a reflection of my exhaustion and the pressure weighing on me.

But what if it was a sign? A warning about what was to come? My thoughts grew more and more tangled. These questions gnawed at me, making me restless. I began to doubt myself—were these just the imaginings of a weary mind, or whispers from a deeper power in this world?

I ran my hand through my hair, brushing it back. I could feel the weight of everything pressing down on my shoulders. I was constantly trying to keep myself under control, but in moments like these, I realized how close I was to breaking. And on top of everything else, this strange dream... Sometimes, a person just wants to stop and think, but I didn’t even have the luxury for that.

I tried to set aside the chaos in my mind. Telling myself, "This is not the time to dwell on this. I have a mission ahead. I need to kill the dungeon boss. I'll look for the answers to these questions later." But deep down, I knew these questions would weigh even heavier on me one day.

"Excuse me," Fidelis said, stepping into the tent. The calmness in his voice showed he was still sharp and alert despite the early hour. "Good morning, Shinya. Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Ah, yes. Thank you," I replied, trying to smile. The dream from last night still lingered in the back of my mind, but I kept it to myself.

"Lady Arachne said the dungeon boss is not Cyclops," Fidelis said, diving straight into the matter.

"Yes," I confirmed. "I spoke with her last night. The mana emitted by the undead is also coming from that entity." I paused briefly and added, "And this boss is far stronger than Cyclops."

"In that case, I'll warn the soldiers to be more cautious," Fidelis said, determination flashing in his eyes. "Get ready; we're heading out soon," he added before leaving the tent.

I took a deep breath and began donning my armor. After checking my sword and shield, I felt ready. Just as I was about to step out of the tent, a shadow appeared, and someone entered.

"Oh, Arachne. Sorry, is there a problem?" I asked, stepping back to let her in.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Arachne said in a calm tone. Her eyes, as always, were dark and deep, as if hiding something. "I came to talk to you about something important. I won’t take much of your time."

"Of course," I said, looking at her curiously. "What's the important matter?"

Arachne stared at me intently, then stepped a bit closer and said, "Please, hold out your hand."

The seriousness in her voice and the strange light in her gaze made me uneasy for a moment. But I had no choice but to trust her. Hesitantly, I extended my hand.

Arachne removed my gauntlet and took my hand in hers. Her cold, delicate fingers brushed against my skin, sending a strange chill through me. As she carefully examined my hand, her eyes held an indecipherable glint. Suddenly, she lowered her head and bit into my hand.

Pain spread with unexpected swiftness. My eyes widened, and my body stiffened in an instant. I couldn’t move, as though I’d been rooted to the spot. Losing my balance, I collapsed to the ground, though I could still speak.

“What… did you do to me?” The words came out muffled, each one feeling heavier on my tongue.

“I’ve given you a special poison I created myself,” Arachne said in a calm tone.

“A poison? Purifi—”

“Don’t you dare use purification magic,” she interrupted, her voice carrying a sharp warning. “This poison will benefit you—if you can overcome it.” A wry, eager smile appeared on her lips, but there was something unsettling about it.

As the poison coursed through my veins, an indescribable pain erupted within me. My muscles felt as though they were tearing apart from the inside, my bones creaking as if under tremendous strain. A searing pressure burned in my chest; even breathing became a struggle. It felt like countless tiny needles were piercing my skin, but the agony resonated deeper—as if it was echoing through my very soul.

I clenched my eyes shut and bit down on my lip. The pain was unbearable, but I refused to scream. I had to endure.

And then, the pain suddenly vanished. First, a numbness spread through me, and then I noticed my body felt lighter, more agile. A surge of energy coursed through my muscles; moving felt easier and faster. More astonishingly, my senses had sharpened. Details in my vision were clearer, the faintest sounds crisp and distinct. Every breath I took made me acutely aware of the air around me.

“What… what have you done to me?” I asked, examining my hands and body in astonishment and awe.

With a knowing smile, Arachne replied, “Gor’Karash has granted you strength and endurance. But remember, strength and endurance are not everything in battle. My poison is very special—it bestows upon you the attributes of a spider. Spiders are among nature’s most magnificent creatures. Their reaction times and reflexes far surpass those of humans. They can sense the slightest danger in their surroundings.”

As I listened, I couldn’t help but think of an old superhero movie from my previous world. A young man bitten by a radioactive spider gained extraordinary powers. I couldn’t stop myself from smirking at the resemblance.

“Ah, so can I climb walls or shoot webs from my body?” I asked, a genuine curiosity in my voice.

Arachne blinked in surprise at first, then burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Not like that. After all, you’re still human, Shinya,” she said, struggling to suppress her grin.

I couldn’t deny that a slight feeling of disappointment passed through me. Climbing walls or swinging around with webs would have been undeniably fun. But still, even what I had now was already impressive.

“Thanks, Arachne. I suppose I owe you again,” I said sincerely.

“Don’t worry about it,” Arachne replied with a soft smile. Her voice was calm, but there was something behind that calmness. At that moment, I felt a stir in my senses. An instinct I couldn’t explain… It was as if something had warned me. Suddenly, my body reflexively leaned back, almost without thinking.

My eyes immediately noticed the dagger in Arachne’s hand. The sharp tip of the blade was barely an inch from my face, hovering just above it. If it had moved just a few centimeters lower, it would have pierced my throat. My heart raced; everything had happened in mere seconds.

For a moment, I couldn’t grasp what had just happened. The attack had been so fast and unexpected. Under normal circumstances, avoiding it would have been impossible. But… I had avoided it.

“What… happened? How is this possible?” I muttered, my voice trembling with both shock and fear.

Arachne calmly put her dagger away. The smile on her face grew wider. “It seems the poison is starting to show its effects,” she said as though discussing something ordinary.

I was still trying to catch my breath. “My whole body… moved on its own. I didn’t even understand what I was doing. How… how is this possible?” I asked, my hands shaking as I touched my throat.

“This was purely an instinctive movement,” Arachne said, as if explaining the simplest rule of nature. “Your reflexes are just beginning to take shape. You’re becoming faster and sharper.”

Her words echoed in my mind as I thought about what had just happened. If I hadn’t had these reflexes, I might be dead by now. My body felt less like a traitor and more like a foreign ally that had protected me.

As Arachne headed toward the door of the tent, she stopped once more and spoke one last time: “One day, I’ll ask you for a favor, Shinya. But for now, focus on the battle ahead.”

As she left the tent, I turned my focus to the effects of this new power. Ready for the battle ahead? Not exactly—but there was a stir inside me. These powers were definitely going to give me an advantage.

Soon after, I exited the tent. Before me lay a great challenge, one I had to focus on to defeat the boss. We all gathered in the arena, the team made its final preparations. Then, we entered Mordath one last time.

to be continued...