Jack felt the familiar rush of energy as Lifeleech took hold, siphoning vitality from the dying jackal restoring his own and healing his wounds. The surge invigorated him, the fatigue from the prolonged battle momentarily fading away. The jackal’s body twitched one final time before going still, its purple eyes dimming into lifeless orbs.
With the jackal defeated, Jack turned his attention back to the smoldering remains of the spider’s web fortress. The flames from his Overcharged Flame Gout continued to lick at the webbing, but to his surprise, the inner layers remained untouched. It was as if the fire had hit an invisible barrier. He narrowed his eyes, peering closer to Identify what the webbing was made of, and realized with a jolt of frustration that the spider had prepared for this—woven deep within the outer layers was a fire-resistant silk, designed to withstand even the fiercest blaze. Evidently, the Web Weave Skill let the spider spin different types of webs for different situations. After seeing him use his Fire Magic it must have spun the fire-resistant webbing to protect itself.
The spider had anticipated his attack, setting a trap within its own defenses. His initial plan to burn the web to ashes was thwarted, and now he had to think fast. The spider, hidden within the depths of its fortification, had likely planned for this moment.
Just then, he noticed a flicker of movement—a subtle shift in the shadowy interior of the fortress. His instincts screamed a warning, but it was too late. The spider, having waited patiently for this very opportunity, sprang its trap. A thick strand of silk shot out from the darkness, wrapping around Jack's ankle with terrifying speed and yanking him off balance. He hit the ground hard, his spear clattering out of his grasp, as more strands of webbing followed, binding his arms and legs.
He struggled against the sticky bindings, but the silk was stronger than he anticipated, reinforced with some kind of alchemical compound. It was nearly impossible to break free. Panic clawed at the edges of his mind, but he forced it down, focusing on his breathing, on keeping calm. He couldn't afford to lose his head now.
From within the dark recesses of the web fortress, the spiderlings swarmed forth from the shadows, their eyes glinting with hunger and malice. Each one was smaller than their mother but no less deadly, their fangs dripping with venom. Jack’s heart raced as he watched the skittering swarm advance. He could feel the venomous anticipation in the air, a thick, oppressive dread that seemed to close in around him.
He knew he had to act quickly. His limbs were pinned, but his mind was sharp, his body charged with the energy he'd siphoned from the dying jackal. He focused inward, drawing on every ounce of his willpower. With a surge of determination, he activated Ironhide again, his skin hardening like stone against the webbing, making it harder for the silk to cut into him. He flexed his muscles, straining against the bindings with renewed vigor.
The first of the spiderlings reached him, its tiny fangs sinking into his hardened skin. He felt a sharp prick, then another, as more of the spiderlings followed suit, biting at him with frantic energy. He shifted his body to crush the little monsters, managing to get the first few that bit him. The Ironhide skill held up against the piercing aspect of their attacks, but he could feel the venom starting to seep through, a cold burn spreading from each bite.
[You have suffered Status Effect Poisoned]
[You will lose 2 health per second until this Status Effect is lifted]
Jack's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan. His body tensed as more spiderlings skittered towards him. He needed to break free from the webbing, and fast. As more spiderlings advanced on him, Jack focused all his energy on activating Berserk to channel raw power into a desperate move.
With a primal roar, he pulled against the webbing, feeling his muscles strain and his skin burn as he pushed past his limits. The reinforced silk stretched but did not break. Jack felt a wave of panic rising, but he forced it down. He couldn't give up now. He wouldn't.
Now the Split Soul Spider was coming forward, abandoning its defenses after having confirmed that its prey was trapped and helpless. It wasn’t alone either. Dozens of its minions came with it spilling forth out of the shadows like black waves, their malicious gazes fixed on Jack.
I really hate spiders.
Jack’s mind raced as he saw the Split Soul Spider advancing behind its swarming brood, its eight eyes glowing with a sinister, calculated light. The reinforced silk binding his limbs refused to give way, and his attempts to brute force his way out only seemed to tighten the strands further. His strength alone wouldn’t be enough. He needed a different strategy.
He could try to burn the webs off him, but then he risked cooking himself before getting free. An idea struck him—a risky one, but his only option. His Ice Dagger spell. If he could angle his hand just right, he might be able to summon a blade sharp enough to slice through the webbing. But with his arms bound tightly against his sides, getting his hand into position would be nearly impossible. Still, he had no other choice.
Gritting his teeth, Jack twisted his wrist, feeling the webbing scrape against his skin. Every movement was a struggle, the sticky strands biting into his flesh like serrated teeth. He could feel his own blood trickling down his arms, mingling with the venom already seeping into his veins from the spiderlings' bites. His vision blurred, a wave of dizziness washing over him, but he fought through it, focusing on his breath, on the spell.
He whispered the incantation for Ice Dagger, feeling a chill spread through his hand. A small, jagged blade of ice began to form, but the angle was all wrong. The tip of the dagger pressed against his own thigh instead of the webbing. He tried to adjust his grip, twisting his wrist painfully to change the direction of the blade. His muscles screamed in protest, but he forced them to obey, turning his hand inch by agonizing inch.
The spiderlings were nearly upon him, their eyes glinting with hunger and malice. Jack felt the cold burn of the ice against his skin as he adjusted the blade, finally managing to position it against the thick strands binding his legs. He concentrated harder, channeling more mana into the spell, making the dagger longer, and sharper.
With a grunt of effort, he dragged the blade against the webbing. The ice sliced through the first few strands, but then it shattered, the brittle blade breaking apart under the strain. Jack cursed under his breath, but he didn't have time to waste. He muttered the incantation again, this time with more force, summoning another dagger. The new blade formed in his hand, shimmering with a cold blue light.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
He took a deep breath and tried again, sawing at the webbing with renewed determination. This time, the blade cut deeper, severing more of the sticky strands. He felt a small surge of hope as the tension around his legs loosened slightly. He was making progress, but he wasn't free yet.
The Split Soul Spider was getting closer, its legs clicking ominously against the stone floor. Jack knew he was running out of time. He cast the spell again, the ice forming in his hand even as the venom coursed through his veins and made his limbs feel heavy and sluggish. He focused on the binding around his arms this time, cutting through the webbing with swift, desperate strokes. His wrist ached, his muscles burning with exertion, but he ignored the pain, pushing himself to keep going.
The dagger shattered again, but he was close. He could feel it. With a final, desperate effort, Jack twisted his wrist one last time, casting Ice Dagger again, the blade forming sharper and colder than before. He gritted his teeth and slashed at the remaining webbing, feeling it give way under the pressure.
A sharp pain shot through his hand as the blade cut into his own skin, but he didn't stop. He kept sawing away at his bindings, feeling the warm blood mix with the cold of the ice. Finally, with a loud snap, the last of the webbing binding his arms broke apart, freeing him.
Jack didn’t waste a second. He yanked his arms free, ignoring the searing pain and the blood dripping from his wounds. He quickly cut the remaining webbing around his legs, kicking off the sticky strands with a grunt of effort.
Just as the spiderlings lunged at him, he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding their venomous fangs. He was free, but he was still in danger. The Split Soul Spider hissed in anger, its prey slipping from its grasp. Jack grabbed his spear and scrambled to his feet, adrenaline surging through his body. He was weakened, poisoned, but not beaten.
He was not going to die like this. Jack braced himself, spear in hand, as the swarm of spiderlings closed in around him. The massive spider loomed just behind them, its eight glowing eyes fixed on him with a mixture of fury and hunger. He could feel the poison coursing through his veins, a burning ache spreading from each bite, but he forced himself to ignore it. He still had enough strength for one last stand.
The first of the spiderlings leaped at him, its fangs bared. Jack swung his spear in a wide arc, catching it midair and sending it flying into the wall with a sickening crunch. He had only enough Stamina left for one more Class Skill activation and he chose Lifeleech. It was the only way he could hope to survive this. He pivoted, slashing through another spiderling as it tried to flank him. The blade of his spear cut through the creature's chitinous shell with ease, his enhanced strength lending each strike devastating force.
But there were too many of them. For every spiderling he felled, two more seemed to take its place, skittering over the bodies of their fallen kin with relentless determination. They closed in around him, snapping at his heels, leaping onto his back. He felt their fangs sink into his flesh, felt the venom spreading, but he couldn't slow down. Couldn't afford to stop.
He spun and twisted, slashing and stabbing in every direction. His movements were a blur, his spear an extension of his will. He was a whirlwind of violence, a storm of fury and desperation. He felt the burn of the poison in his veins, the sting of dozens of bites, but he kept going, kept fighting.
Finally, he saw an opening. A gap in the swarm, a path straight to the Split Soul Spider. He didn't hesitate. He barreled forward, smashing through the remaining spiderlings, his spear pointed directly at the spider's massive body.
The Split Soul Spider reared back, its legs spread wide, preparing to pounce. Jack could see the fury in its eyes, the hunger. It lunged at him, fangs bared, but he was ready. He sidestepped at the last moment, swinging his spear up in a powerful arc. The blade sliced through one of the spider's legs, severing it cleanly.
The spider screeched in pain, black ichor spurting from the wound. It staggered, momentarily thrown off balance, and Jack seized the opportunity. He lunged forward, driving his spear deep into the spider's abdomen. The creature thrashed, its legs flailing wildly, but Jack held on, pushing the spear deeper, twisting it.
He could feel the spider's body convulsing, feel the life draining out of it. Jack let go of his spear and whirled around already unleashing flame on the spiderlings he knew were scuttling towards him. He didn’t hold back, pouring every point of mana he had left into Overcharging and Channeling the spell as much as he could.
Spiderlings scattered in all directions, their high-pitched screeches echoing in the chamber as the intense flames licked at their tiny bodies. Jack's Overcharged Flame Gout erupted from his hands like a roaring inferno, engulfing the closest spiderlings in a searing blaze. He turned, aiming the spell like a flamethrower to get every single one of the scuttling horrors. They writhed and twisted, their legs curling up as they were consumed by the fire. The acrid stench of burning chitin filled the air, and for a moment, the entire nest seemed to glow with an eerie, flickering light.
The venom in Jack's veins still burned, and his vision blurred with pain and exhaustion, but he forced himself to stay upright, to keep channeling the fire. He could feel his mana reserves dwindling, the flames sputtering as his strength waned. But he couldn't stop—not yet. He had to finish the job.
He turned the spell on the still struggling monster behind him. The Split Soul Spider let out a final, agonized screech as the flames spread to its own body. Jack could see the hatred in its eyes as it struggled, pinned by his spear. Unlike its jackal twin, it was never very strong on its own, relying on traps and its minions more than its personal prowess.
Jack took a step back, his breath ragged, his limbs heavy. His Overcharged Flame Gout finally flickered and died; his mana was completely spent. As he sat on the ground the world around him seemed to flicker suddenly. The chamber around him, the corpses of spider and jackal, the stench of burning chitin… it all vanished to be replaced by a stone corridor at the end of which stood a black door.
[Congratulations! You have slain VadalmaShadeweaver]
[8500 Experience earned]
[Congratulations! You have slain Spiderlings x78]
[5600 Experience earned]
[Congratulations! You have leveled up]
[You have reached level 15. You may not level further until you Advance your Class and Profession]
[You have gained + 2 Strength]
[You have gained + 2 Agility]
[You have 2 free points to distribute]
[Congratulations! Spear Mastery has gained a level]
[Congratulations! Mana Overcharge has gained a level]
[Congratulations! Mana Overcharge has gained a level]
[Congratulations! Mana Channeling has gained a level]
[Congratulations! Light Armor has gained a level]
[Congratulations! Water Magic has gained a level]
[Congratulations! Fire Magic has gained a level]
[Congratulations! You have cleared the Nest.
* Objective Completed: Eliminate the Jackals to complete the Nest.
* Bonus Objective Completed: Eliminate the Boss Monster to obtain extra rewards.
* Hidden Objective Completed: Eliminate the Jackals on your own for increased rewards.
* Hidden Objective Completed: Eliminate the Boss Monster on your own for increased rewards.
Calculating rewards….