The Centauri Territory thrived under his spiderish reign, the fields lush with CrimsonClovers, their vibrant hue a promise of bounty. Noble mares, brimming with a potent mix of nutritious food and unmentionable potions, filled the land with their creamy offerings. The future seemed radiant for the Centauri, as the castle cellars swelled with an abundance of rich, delicious cheese.

Spiders, efficient as ever, diligently rolled massive wheels of cheese into the belly of the Galleon Whale. The cheese had reached peak maturity after a long month of aging, and thus, The Quest for Cheese was officially completed.

Yet not all quests were as easily resolved. His subjects, ever resourceful, seemed to sprout their own quests like seeds bursting into bloom. And as fate would have it, he—the Monster King—was at the heart of each one.

Warrior Leader Junior, his royal mount and the leader of the spider warriors, had embarked on a monster extermination mission. The objective: accumulate experience and refine the combat techniques that would make him a mount worthy of a king. The quest was all about growth—sharpening the spider’s skills for the next ride—and likely a rematch with the Centauri Champion.

Perhaps inspired by Junior’s valour, or maybe out of some deeper sense of rivalry, the Spider Navigator had joined the fray, setting off on the extermination mission as well. With both his mount and navigator off hunting, the Spider King was left landlocked—without his usual means of transportation.

Meanwhile, a dark covenant of spiders had petitioned him for an intriguing favour: they wanted to release a few Oni souls currently in his possession. Their goal? To create a companion for the Fertilizer Combine Spider—the proposed Harvester Combine Spider would make quick work of the time-consuming task of harvesting the CrimsonClovers. It was a clever, spiderish solution to a mundane problem.

Also, his maid, the Mer Princess, had been hinting at her own quest—one that involved diving deep into the abyssal waters to slay some ancient lake dragon she referred to as the Serpent of the Abyss. The request had come from her brother, the Mer King, and while it sounded troublesome, it didn’t strike him as particularly urgent. For now, it could wait.

Also x2, his best friend, Johny the Magnificent Slug, had called. They always chatted in the morning, Johny giving him the spicy details of what happened all around the Monster Realm. This time, however, it was to offer a side quest. Apparently, during his royal absence, a new predicament had unfolded within the Spider Kingdom. Gareth, one of his loyal subjects from New Hope Fortress, had been captured and was now held prisoner in the Spidery Palace. The quest came directly from the imprisoned man himself (presumably innocent). This was another quest to untangle.

And then…

“Shikigami of… I mean Spider King! Spider King!”

A familiar voice shattered his thoughts. An Oni, breathless and shouting, sprinted toward him.

Was this yet another side quest?

“Oni Shaman?” He raised an eyebrow, surprised by the crazed look in her eyes.

In a wild frenzy, she seized his arms, her grip tight and desperate. “Evolve me! Evolve me!”

“Huh?” Confused but intrigued, he cast a quick Inspect. What he saw surprised him: “You can Evolve!?” His eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Yes!” She squeezed his hands tighter, her words tumbling out in a manic rush. “The spiders—they—it doesn’t matter! Just evolve me like you promised!” Her fingers dug into his skin, her desperation strong.

He frowned, racking his memory. He hadn’t promised her any such thing—hadn’t even spoken to her recently, in fact. She must have dreamt it up. But no matter. If she could evolve, it was certainly worth investigating.

With a flicker of power, he gave the command, "[Evolve]!"

Purple light exploded from her body, blinding him momentarily. When it subsided, there she stood—changed, yet somehow the same. Her Oni features remained intact: the horn, the muscular yet gaunt frame, but her skin had shifted from deep red to a cold, eerie blue. In her status, a new and ominous perk appeared: OgreDevourer.

A slight disappointment tugged at him—it wasn’t the most impressive transformation he’d witnessed—but the Oni Shaman didn’t seem to share his sentiment.

“Yes!” She fell to her knees, trembling. “I feel it… The power, the possibilities! All are now unlocked!”

“???” He stared at her, unsure whether she was truly sensing something beyond his understanding or if she was simply losing her mind.

Slowly regaining her composure, she bowed before him, her eyes burning with a manic devotion. “Thank you, Spider King! Your magic has opened my mind. I won’t forget this! I—and all of us Oni Convicts—will serve you, your spiders, and your sacred machines with all our strength.”

Sacred machines? He looked at her, bemused. What on earth was she talking about?

“With your permission, can I Bestow your blessing upon my brothers and sisters?” Her voice quivered with delirium, her eyes gleaming with hunger.

“My blessing?” He arched an eyebrow. “And what blessing are we referring to exactly?”

“The Monster System!” she exclaimed, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Ah, so that’s what this was about. Similar to Duke Aurelius and the Radiant Angel, the Oni Shaman had the potential to welcome her people into the Monster System, making them subjects of his reign. No doubt the spiders had a hand in this development. The web they’d been weaving just became much easier to complete.

A smile spread across his lips. “Go ahead! Invite them to join our ranks.” His voice was filled with intrigue. “Then, perhaps you’ll cease being Oni Convicts and become something greater.”

“Reformed! Transformed! Yes!” She grinned wildly, eyes glittering with newfound purpose. “Freedom. Possibilities… and power! … Ki-ki-ki!” Her laughter took on an unsettling, spidery edge—only the clattering of mandibles was missing.

“Right…” he muttered. She was as giddy as an Oni hopped up on CrimsonBread and CrimsonAle—carbonated and full of energy. Maybe it was time to adjust their diet. Still, he waved her off. “Go. Bless your brothers and sisters.”

Just as she turned to leave, she paused, realization striking her. “Wait… I’ll need the Oni souls for that.”

He cocked his head. “Oh, so there’s a price to pay?”

She nodded. “Something like that, yes.” Her head lowered in supplication. “My King, would you trust me with the Oni souls?”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

The Monster King’s brow furrowed again. She was a shaman, after all, capable of twisting souls into whatever dark spells she pleased. He couldn’t let that power slip from his control. “No,” he rasped. “I need them for the conception of the Harvester Combine Spider.”

Instead of being dejected, the Oni Shaman clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with mad admiration. “Another sacred machine?! You keep blessing us!” She gazed at him with that same unsettling, manic devotion.

“Right…” He wasn’t done yet. “However, I will entrust a spider with a SoulStone. Just enough souls to bring all the Oni Convicts into the system. Their transformation will be in your hands.”

“Yes-yes!” She bowed again, over and over, her excitement overflowing. “Of course. I—we—will not disappoint you or your spiders.”

With another wave, he dismissed her. She scurried off, eager to welcome her brethren into something new and monstrous.

Finally, some peace. He continued along the KoboldBrick path back to his office, the occasional spider waving in greeting as he passed. Life was good. Despite the ever-growing number of quests, things in the Centauri Castle seemed to be settling down.

As he neared his office, he noticed the door slightly ajar. Someone was inside. He stepped in to find the Centauri Champion mid-task, struggling to slot an enormous, dark crystal into a pre-made slot on the table. The crystal was obsidian-like, and every few seconds, a purple bolt of lightning crackled within its depths, forming web-like patterns.

Ah, yes. The Drow Assistant had sent word about this not too long ago.

This was the magnum opus of the Darkness Spider—ManaCrystal: Dark, version six. The final, perfected version. A power source capable of fueling magical rituals and defensive barriers. This particular crystal was charged with no less than 100,000MP—an absurdly high amount, considering the average human mage could only muster around 100MP. With this, the Centauri would be able to erect a barrier rivalling those once used by the now-extinct Elves.

However…

“Hey!” The Spider King protested, rushing forward. “Centauri Champion, you're pregnant! You shouldn’t be lifting heavy weights!” His hands hovered awkwardly around the crystal as she finally managed to slot it in place.

“I’m perfectly fine!” the Centauri Champion insisted, brushing him off with ease. “Actually, I’m so fine I could even lift you. It’s almost breakfast time, do you want a ride to the dining hall?”

The Spider King crossed his arms, trying to hide the hint of temptation creeping into his thoughts. “No, no… we shouldn’t.”

Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she adjusted her stance, the lethal weapons rising with an almost palpable threat. “Are you sure about that?” She teased, pointing the deadly set directly at him. And by weapons, it wasn’t her actual armoury he was concerned about.

Did… did they grow a size? Two sizes? No, three sizes? Is that even possible?

He swallowed. “…I, uh…”

“You don’t think I’m too fat for a ride, do you?” Her question came out suddenly, catching him off guard.

“What?” He snapped out of his hypnotized state. “No, of course not! You’re more beautiful than ever!”

She sighed, gesturing to her lower belly, her tone softening. “But look at my belly! It’s so big.”

It was indeed large, a noticeable bulge forming on the centauri half of her body. But instead of alarm, his heart warmed at the sight.

“That’s not just fat.” He placed his hand on her rounded belly, feeling the life within. “That’s our boy, the young Cream Cheese,” he whispered, a proud smile curling his lips. “I’m so glad he’s growing strong.” With tenderness, he kissed the bump.

She melted at the gesture. “Aww, aren’t you just the sweetest? So, are you sure you don’t want that ride?”

He gulped. “Positive…” He lied through his teeth. Clearing his throat, he moved on hastily. “Anyway, breakfast can wait, let me show you how this crystal works first.”

As he explained the mana sequences and arcane runes, he did his best to focus. But her tight dress—barely holding her lethal form—made concentrating a feat of sheer willpower. The fabric strained, looking like it could burst at any second. His thoughts wandered again. Wouldn’t that be… wonderful?

“I didn’t quite get it,” she interrupted, leaning in closer, her body pressing against his. “Could you explain it again?”

The two of them stood close at the table, his side pressed against her tall frame. Given the height difference, her deadly weapons hovered perilously close to his face. One wrong move, and he might be knocked out cold—though he wouldn’t mind that at all.

“It’s… BURSTING!” He whisper-shouted in awe, unconsciously quoting a certain best friend.

Her eyes widened. “Wait! Did I press something wrong? Is it going to explode?” Panic spread across her face as she hugged him tightly in alarm.

To his left of his head was a lethal weapon. To his right, another. Both equally soft and equally deadly. If this was his end, it would be heaven.

“Uh, no it won’t,” he mumbled after savouring the moment for as long as he could. “False alarm…”

“Oh, right… Sorry, you can’t see.” She let him go, blushing slightly as she realized how tightly she had been holding him.

“Right…” He cleared his throat, trying to regain composure. “So, back to the crystal. For the deployment of the dark circle, you have to touch this sequence here,” he continued, pointing out the markings. “But make sure the eidolon configuration is set up properly, or else—”

“Mhm… aha… I see…” She nodded, barely listening. Then, she interrupted him again, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. “Hey, aren’t you thirsty?”

His focus shifted immediately from the crystal to her. He licked his lips instinctively. “Well, now that you mention it… I could use a morning drink.”

She smiled knowingly. “Just make sure to leave some for the young Cream Cheese, okay?”

The Spider King didn’t need to be told twice. Fresh milk, directly from the source—it didn’t get more organic than that. And this particular serving? Rich and creamy, a taste of freedom straight from the CrimsonClovers. It was as delightful as a maiden’s first kiss, both innocent and indulgent. To put it straight, it tasted better than he remembered. There was just something about it.

“Spider… K-King…” A voice stammered from the doorway.

He blinked, realizing with a start that someone was at the entrance. Of course, in his rush, he had forgotten to close the damn doors.

“Spider Navigator!” He hastily wiped the cream off his lips, standing up straight as if nothing unusual had transpired. “Back so soon?”

The petite, cute spider blinked twice, her claws fidgeting nervously with the brim of her little sailor's hat. Her mandibles trembled as she asked, “W-what were you doing? W-what was that technique?”

"..." He paused, not quite sure how to explain it. “Breakfast?”

“Breakfast…” She chirped, her eyes catching a glimpse of the Centauri Champion, just before the lethal weapons were gracefully sheathed. “… I see,” she said with a hint of longing, one claw scratching at her chitinous chestplate.

“Ahem,” he cleared his throat, standing taller in an attempt to regain his dignity. It was just breakfast, alright? Nothing strange about that! “So, why are you here, my cute Spider Navigator?”

Her posture brightened up immediately, claws ceasing their nervous fidgeting. “I’ve got enough EXP, so…” The sentence trailed off as she began fidgeting again.

“Oh, that was rather quick! Congratulations!”

“Yes!” She chirped with bright, starry eyes. “All thanks to Warrior Leader Junior. We wiped out entire settlements together!” Her four spidery eyes gleamed with vivid memory.

“Wait… settlements?”

“Ah!” The Spider Navigator quickly corrected herself. “I mean, monster nests. Yes, monster nests!”

“I see… That’s good, right? Well done!” He praised, though a part of him still questioned her slip of the tongue.

She continued, excitement bubbling over. “Anyhow, I have enough EXP to…”

“To?”

“To be reborn, to mould anew. I shall Evolve, for… for you. To serve you better!” Her spidery body bounced with joy, mandibles clicking in excitement.

He sighed internally. Spider evolution wasn’t exactly a straightforward affair. His Evolve perk didn’t work the same way on spiders as it did on other creatures. No, the spiders had their own intricate process—one that involved gathering experience throughout their lives, storing memories, and then laying eggs upon death. Their memories, their essence, would be imparted into the egg, allowing them to be reborn, reformed to better suit the Kingdom’s needs.

This whole ‘dying to evolve’ thing still disturbed him.

“So… you’re here to say temporary goodbyes, right?” He asked cautiously. “And where are you laying your eggs? We’ll want them in the Spider Kingdom, I imagine.”

“Eggs?” The Spider Navigator tilted her cute head, a fait flush on her cheeks. “We can do that when I… Wait, were you thinking I’m dying?” Her disappointment at the realisation was almost tangible as she chirped, “I’m not dying! I’m Evolving! In a proper way! The blueprint is complete! I have all the parts I need!”

“Blueprint? Parts?” The Spider King too tilted his head to one side. “Are we building a new vehicle here?”

“Just Evolve me already!” she exclaimed, jumping up and down in a spidery frenzy. “I promise it’ll work this time!”

He turned to glance at the Centauri Champion, still standing beside him, an amused smile decorating her lips.

“Don’t look at me,” she said, waving him off. “We can finish your breakfast later.”

“It’s not about breakfast…” he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just have a bad feeling, that’s all… Let’s do this outside, just in case.”