"Sentence me for death you say?"

The spider descended as it taunted Taf with his own words spoken.

"From your response, I guess your hearing is top notch. Sorry, I should be applauding, shouldn't I?"

He then replied while summoning the second 3ft long hammer within his left hand.

" Do you know why I refused to hand over my core?"

Marceline asked with a mocking tone.

" At this point, it matters not, but I am sure you will disclose this information anyway."

How could The Mouse be the victim of taunts? He made it a point to answer in the same mocking tone the spider had converse in previously.

"It's quite simple, as I despise the weak. In this world, there are those that use their backing to get through in life. These weaklings are nothing but filth in my eyes, You are such a being.

Relying on your benefactor to threaten us at the 9th stage. How can a weakling like you who only knows to rely on others, help us to traverse the tribulation?"

The spider looked on Tensho and the rest with total scorn as it spoke its words. Most of the demon beasts could not face her eyes and quickly looked away. Out of the six only Tensho, Fena and Herfen returned its gaze.

" You want my core human cub? Come and pry it out of my cold dead carcass. As for you lot, your blood will taint the ground red for sullying the pride of demon beasts. When I am through with this filth, I will see these words to fruition ."

Marceline once more addressed the gathered beasts as she threatened. However, they were not surprised by her words as it seemed apparent this is how she normally was. They knew once they sided with the Mouse, their lives were at stake. All who went against what she deemed to be to her liking, were killed if she was given the chance.

They recalled an incident in which another 9th stage beasts had killed a prey she had been stalking.

She strung it up in her webs and for a month it was there as bugs and all sorts of vermin ate it alive, she had made it a point to rip out its core in front of its own cubs as she laughed.

Then she watched while inflicting even more damage to its already weakened body, before patiently awaiting the moment when the beast's eyes became listless and devoid of life.

This was the reason out of all the beasts, only Tensho dared to speak to her. Though she could defeat him, to kill him would be a feat.

Hearing her words, the Mouse could only laugh out loud which startled all that had just listened to the words of the spider.

" I would actually have lauded you somewhat for your words and viewed you as a prideful demon beast that keeps to your creed.

However, similar to your despise for the weak, I loathe the cowardly. What is more cowardly than a sneak attack on an opponent you had previously arranged a battle with?"

It appears someone is more scared of this weakling than they lead on huh...

Don't worry I don't bite, I think it more poet to squash a bug. Luckily I have in my possession two tools fit for said feat...."

Marcelines expression started to slowly change from mockery to full-blown anger as she heard the Mouses words and his gesture with his hammers.

" Yes lady ugly, I indeed loathe your cowardness."

The Mouse grinned as he saw his desired result as there were changes in the expressions of the spider, its multiple eyes were currently burning with fury.

" My babies will enjoy your lungs for breathing, your kidneys for feasting and your marrow as the appetizers"

The huge spider spouted before calling out internally...

⭐ Inherent Art - World of Acidic Webs⭐

Crystal-like webs suddenly shrouded the large area surrounded by gigantic trees that towered into the red-lit skies. When they touched the bark of the trees, they simply melted and burned through with no seeming obstruction.

" Let my babies know what a human cub tastes like or if you rather, Mouse"

As it spoke the words its mouth opened as thousands of red dots could be seen covering the webs inch by inch, similar to a swarm. It was as though they were immune to the corroding acid. When looked upon closely, they were tiny red spiders.

Seeing the actions of the spider Marceline, how could The Mouse stand still and allow her to have her way...

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" I see you make good use of your title once more, lady coward..."

He grinned before calling forth...

🌟 Elemental Art ( 🔥 Fire🔥 ) Embodiment🌟

His hands were the first to be set ablaze, then his 3ft hammers ignited as he shot off in an attempt to charge through his confinement.

He then swang the flaming hammers, but as it made contact with the webs filled with red spiders, their mouths opened and all the red flames on The Mouse's hammers and hands were swallowed whole. When his hammers devoid of flames touched the webs, they fizzled a bit with each contact.

The webs could then be seen shrinking around him as within minutes there would be no distance between the Mouse and the Qi swallowing spiders.

He was stunned for a moment, as all the previous qi he had expended had come to naught. if he became entangled within these acidic webs, his outcome could be imagined.

" So this is one of the art abilities huh, it absorbs qi as well as having an acidic element. Well, this is a bit sticky, while I am confined my fire element is essentially useless."

Taf thought as he tried to find a counter to all that had occurred. Previously he could have been informed of the techniques of the spider from Tensho, who had battled it on numerous occasions.

However, he had chosen against it in order to push himself more during the battle. With already drawn out counters, he would not necessarily benefit the way he wanted.

"A blood thrilling battle is sometimes necessary to breed true warriors"

He recalled the words once uttered by Mr. Ming as he trained him during those four years.

" I'll drain that body of yours dry of all that qi that you seem so proud of, cub"

Marceline laughed as she saw the grin no longer evident on the youth's face. All the spectating demon beasts remained quiet with hints of nervousness in their movements, as they saw the hurdle the Mouse faced in escaping.

How would he escape from what was essential a prison made of acidic shrinking webs?

May became a bit jittery as she observed from the skies on Hammerheads back. Slight sweat could be seen dripping from her forehead.

" He will definitely be fine, I have complete faith in you Taf"

She whispered silently to herself while watching Taf putting away his hammers. At the same time, Tensho too was unlike the other beasts that became nervous, he was boiling with anticipation.

" My eyes are never wrong. Let her see why I gave up so much for this small opportunity".

He thought as he dared not blink, fearing he might miss something.

" In this life as long as I have breath in my body, what in this world can confine me? If I vowed that gods and devils would wreak my vengeance if daring to stand in my way.

Then let me ask you this....what are some damn webs...?"

The Mouse spoke as his hands hit the ground while in his mind his voice went off saying...

🌟 Elemental Art ( ⬜Earth ⬜) Transmutation🌟

The lands below the webs suddenly descended before...

Booom!!!!

Exploding into dust particles as below only a small piece of earth could be seen with a youth atop.

" So you turned the area into dust, how does that help you from escaping death?"

Marceline once more returned to her mocking ways as she walked atop the webs, stalking her prey the Mouse.

He didn't pay much attention to the spider's words before calling out...

🌟Solidify🌟

As the Mouse spoke the dust particles formed around the network of webs. Turning its once crystal exterior covered in red spiders, to now some lines with an earthy hue.

" Like I would give you the chance to do as you please."

Marceline spoke before she started wielding the webs in order to rid its now earthly husk. As she did a small smirk started to form on the Mouse's face as he watched the spider trying to discard it webs of the husk.

" There is the opening..."

🌟Elemental Art ( Darkness) Beam🌟

While Marceline was preoccupied, a dark orb of qi suddenly enveloped Taf's right hand and then was viciously launched from his arm.

Boom!!!

All Marceline saw was a black beam of light tunneling through the opening of the web she stood, it was so quick she didn't have enough time to dodge. She was so caught off guard, it pierced one of her legs nearly completely severing it.

Taf felt as though his reserves were quickly depleting as he watched the beam made its desired impact.

" That's what happens when you underestimate your opponent. Now bye, bye webs..."

He stated before...

🌟Elemental Art ( 🔥 Fire 🔥 ) Breath of life🌟

His body expanded before exhaling which brought forth torrent flames that scorched the webs to ash that littered the ground.

Marceline felt in agony after the loss of her leg as she bellowed to the skies in rage. Seeing her previous webs disintegrating into ash, she then spat out finer webs in comparison as the Mouse dodged. While he dodged the webs that melted anything it made contact with, he then summoned his two hammers.

His target now being the huge spider that became more and more frustrating as he avoided her attacks. He weaved in and out of attacks that would have usually left her previous enemies bellowing in pain afterward.

" Damn it I was too slow then."

The Mouse grimaced as part of a web touched his pants before melted its way through his skin.

🌟Elemental Art ( Earth) Metallic bones🌟

Boom!!!!

He finally hit the black spider with his hammer as they exchanged blows one after the other. on some occasions, the Mouse was hit so hard that he actually coughed out blood. He was bloodied and bruised as large ghastly scars could be seen all over his body from where the webs had made their mark.

Marceline was no better off as not only had she lost another leg, she had purple blood splattered all over as huge dents were now the norm on her body.

This was a savage battle that both parties became grievously wounded...

The spectating beasts all held their breaths as this was the first time they have ever seen Marceline injured to this extent. It actually appeared that she was a little worse off than the Mouse, as she struggled to keep up with his speed after once more losing another leg...

" Could she actually lose they thought."

Up above May could only helplessly watch as she saw Taf become more battered and bruise through the battle. Though he got injured multiple times, she realized some of those injuries he had intentionally received in order to launch an even more devastating blow upon the spider.

"How could I possibly lose to someone at the 7th stage?"

She bellowed as she realized her speed decreasing quicker than the cub before her. Marceline then took a moment and looked on the beasts spectating as no longer was there awe, but slight pity as they viewed her. Suddenly she started to laugh madly while eying The Mouse.

As she stared at Taf he had a very uneasy feeling from her gaze.

' I need to settle this quickly"

He thought but as he readied himself to sprint off he saw his surroundings darkening.

" What going on?"

Herfen was the first to blurt out before he looked in the skies where the once red clouds became pitch black.....

" Has she lost her mind....?'

Tri.. Tribulation clouds.....