Hunger

Some kind of primal need jolted me from my slumber. It was pitch black around me, and it felt like I was submerged in some kind of a liquid. I wasn't drowning in it though. It was comfortable, even.

The walls of this tiny, private cell-like space enveloped my body like a blanket.

Although, I don't think blankets should normally be this… sticky.

Nonetheless, it was peaceful.

But I had no time to relax.

I was hungry.

And something outside smelled… delicious.

At first, I tried resisting the odd feeling. I felt safe inside, who knows what might be lurking outside?

I didn't last long though. I wasn't just hungry anymore, I was ravenous.

I lost control of my body, there was nothing else I could think about. I tore through the soft walls with all the strength I could muster.

Food… Food… Food!

So close!

I darted towards the source of that delicious smell in complete disregard of my surroundings. It was some kind of a corpse.

I did not care.

It was meat, and that was all that mattered. I sunk my fangs into the delicious fleshy feast, swallowing greedily. My front legs hacked and sliced at the meat at the same time, allowing me to quickly consume more and more.

Soon nothing but bones remained. I sat next to the skeleton, satiated at last.

Then it hit me like a truck on a highway.

Fangs? Front legs? What the fuck?!

How is that even possible? Looking down, I saw four pairs of segmented leg-like limbs with a greyish color. Just like… spider…

I quickly turned around to confirm my suspicion.

"Good God… I have a spider ass!"

It had the same color, although it possessed considerably more hair than my new legs did. Not to mention, it was also pretty fucking huge!

Afraid of more nasty surprises, I checked the rest of my body.

The rest was fairly normal compared to the legs and abdomen. My hands stayed mostly the same except for the long, sharp claws. Obviously a new addition. No cat-like retracting though, from what I could tell.

Shame.

No changes to my torso either, and I obviously couldn't see my head. What I could tell is that I still had only two eyes…

Small victories, right?

The two fangs in my mouth were also new and kind off unusual. They were freakishly long, almost three times the size of the rest of my teeth, and yet I couldn't bite myself with them. They fit snuggly into my lower gums, sliding back and forth with no resistance as I moved my jaw.

Overall, I looked like some kind of a bizarre spider centaur.

I took it better than I thought I would. I never liked spiders, but I never feared them either.

Some might think that possessing more than the designated amount of limbs humans should have might confuse the brain a bit.

And they'd be right.

Moving them was like writing with both hands at the same time, just multiplied by four.

I tried getting back on my feet but failed miserably. Shifting your weight on eight legs with sharpened tips for feet was apparently harder than it looked…

Then how did I even get here from my… what even was it anyway?

I finally registered my surroundings properly. That primal hunger clouded my mind before, but now I saw that I was in a cavern of sorts. A bunch of stalagmites and stalactites of different shapes and sizes made it come off smaller than it actually was if the height of the ceiling was any indication. I almost couldn't see it!

I didn't notice a light source anywhere, and yet I could see almost as in broad daylight.

Part of my new 'spider heritage'? Wouldn't be surprised, some kind of dark-vision isn't that far fetched, considering...

What I was the most curious about though, was the place I crawled out from… For the lack of a better word. I glanced back, a there it was. A single deflated egg sack made of webbings, looking like a popped balloon.

I was inside that thing?!

"It just keeps getting better…" I muttered.

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Oh! I still need to check one last thing!

Status!

Name: Elion Species: Fledgling Ardent Orbweaver Level: 1 (0/100) Class: Brood-Lord Biomass level: 0 (14/100) Traits: Arachnoid, Monster, Sentient, Brood (leader) Health: 400/400 Stamina: 308/325 Mana: 250/250 [-???-] X X Vitality: 20 Endurance: 20 Wisdom: 10 Strength: 20 Dexterity: 5 Intelligence: 5 Luck: 10 [-???-] [Free slot]

Skills:

Inspect - beginner 1

Passive Skills:

Dark Vision - beginner 5

Poisonous (fangs, claws) - beginner 1

Web Weaving - beginner 1

Brood Management - beginner 1

Chosen Diety:

[Faithless]

Well, that's… something.

First, I get to keep my name! Elion the spider… Doesn't sound very intimidating, but I'll take what I can get. I wouldn't want to be called something like Charlotte or Shelob and get stabbed by some lost kid with bountiful feet-hair and a magical accessory anyway…

Wait, I am male… right? I hope the Brood 'Lord' stands for male, but it's hard to tell. I'm missing certain… 'equipment' one way or the other. Time will tell?

Also, what the hell is a 'Brood'? Some kind of a hive mind? Not to mention the ominous question marks.

It keeps piling on.

Just as I was about to open the description of 'Brood Lord', a familiar voice made its entrance.

I jumped to the tips of my feet at the sudden noise. Well, I tried to anyway. That standing and walking thing? Still not my strong suit.

Still surprised and grumpy from the sudden jumpscare, I asked the obvious question first.

"Who the hell are you?"

"You really couldn't drop me in a more… Humanoid body?"

"Ok, I think I get it... Gotta ask though, what's with the squirrels?"

"Can't you just get one? You're like an admin in the Game if I understand it correctly."

…

"Say again?"

A colorful window appeared right in front of my face.

It kept switching colors like a rainbow, which I've never seen in my entire life playing the game.

The need for a fluffy companion! Tier: S Your amazing new overlord just gave you your first quest! Venture to the deepest hells, knock on the gates of the heavens, it matters not. Your goal? Obtain a tamed squirrel! Your reward? The fluffy ball of nut-cracking happiness should be enough of a reward, you greedy bastard! You'll also make Helix your friend©. Amazing, right? Accept? Why would I refuse?! Of course I accept!

…

…

…

I was lost for words.

I've got my life saved by a complete nutcase.

"I thought you couldn't influence the players directly? Giving away quests seems like a big deal to me…"

I stayed silent for a few minutes, collecting my thoughts.

So I'm really dead in the real world, huh…

"Say… Do you know what happened to me in real life?"

"Hell no! I'm just a- Was just a student. You know, staying low, enjoying life. I didn't have enemies if that's what your asking."

"Wait, how do I contact you again?!"

And then, Helix was gone.

I looked around the cavern again, a little paranoid.

What madness did I get myself into? I wondered.

Then I hit the 'accept!' button.