Samael traversed the forest of Liliac in silence. As an extra countermeasure, he cast upon himself Abyss walk to absorb the sounds he would make.

Samael was undoubtedly anxious about what's to come. He already saw the ferocity of the small spiders; how much more would the grown adults be like?

There was also the matter of whether there was a leader amongst these abominations, one that was of higher rank in comparison to the rest.

Samael knew passing by them would be nearly impossible. Spiders deploy webs, and just a little bit of motion is enough to alert them to a prey.

He was left with no choice but to fight.

On his way, Samael racked his mind for plans. In the end, the only plan that could even remotely work was to lure as many Aranea's as he could and take them out by using his area of attack skills, namely abyss spikes and Void fire.

How would he do that? With the help of Void Flow, which increases his agility and encompassing voice, Samael can aggro the monsters to him and at the same time outrun them.

Not only that, Samael can also employ the use of the Void palm to cause havoc in the environment and distort their movements even further.

The only downside was that he had to outlast them. Although Conduit has greatly helped him absorb essence and Void Mark has lessened his consumption, the continuous use of said skills can still be draining. After all, he wasn't only facing a single enemy but potentially an army.

As Samael continued his travel, he started seeing signs of travel in the earth, along with the occasional trail of blood.

However, what really caught his attention were the dead corpses of Aranea scattered in areas of struggle.

It seems Araneas doesn't have any form of familial or pact mentality, Samael thought.

Going further, Samael took multiple detours, making sure to avoid any trails he happened to come upon.

However, not everything was going to be easy.

I thought I did a good enough job, he thought as he unsheathed Crimson Raven.

From the shadows, the clattering sounds of the abominations footsteps left trails of echoes in the damned woodland realm.

Samael's gaze shifted back and forth as he expanded his Void compass, swiftly locating multiple hostiles approaching him from the north. Some were hiding in the trees, waiting for the right time to pounce.

If the logic of spiders in my world applies here, then spiders should be ambush predators, Samael thought as he lowered his stance, his axe slowly resting on his shoulder.

His injuries are roughly 70% healed now, meaning he can now fight better without worrying about breaking anything.

Samael's fighting style was highly unpredictable and wild; it made use of his entire body in ways others would deem overwhelming.

As the Araneas came into view, Samael wasted no time as he grabbed the earth before him, catapulting himself forward with inhuman speed.

The abominations flinched as they shot webs forward, attempting to trap Samael.

Seeing this, Samael swung his axe multiple times, tearing the webs before him.

As he dashed forward, Samael's eyes widened as he felt strands of web stick to his arm and body.

It appears that the moment he tore the webs, some still stuck to his body, albeit weaker in terms of strength.

Seizing the opportunity, the spiders lunged forward, using their legs akin to springs as they jetted towards their prey— Samael's figure brusted forward, landing behind the abominations as he lowered his axe.

The Araneas could only blink as their heads flew high in the heavens, descending with loud thuds as their corpses fell limp and unmoving.

Samael exhaled as he cast a glance at the confused spiders.

Fortunately, due to his ability [Void skin], he was able to corrode the webs just in time to counter them; otherwise, he would be the one at a disadvantage.

Seeing their webs ineffective, the Araneas bared their fangs at Samael, releasing a loud hiss as they used the trees to swiftly cross the distance.

Watching the abominations rush him, Samael's gaze narrowed as he lowered his stance once more.

Using the branches interlooping and protruding outwards, the Araneas deployed and utilized their webs as slingshots.

Samael hastily rolled to the side, narrowly dodging their attacks as they rained down from the sky like droplets of rain.

Samael dashed back and forth, nimbly avoiding the creature's attack as he threw Crimson Raven in an arc, tearing through multiple spiders at once.

"Return," Samael commanded as Crimson Raven took a sharp turn, striking down two spiders in its way before gently landing on Samael's hand.

Crimson Raven feeds on the blood of your enemies.

Crimson Raven grows stronger...

Samael speared a glance forward as he watched the last remaining abominations step back, hissing.

Unfortunately, there was no escape.

Before the Araneas eyes, Samael's figure blurred before everything swirled, and then the dark took them.

Devoured Void Essence of "Aranea" [Metamorphosis II] +560

Devoured Void Essence of "Aranea" [Metamorphosis II] +560

As the two fell down with a thud, Samael once again stood alone in a field marred with blood.

My condition is starting to improve, Samael thought as he tightened his fist.

After taking a short break, Samael left the scene with haste, further delving deeper into the woods.

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As the night unfolded, Samael found himself staring at the stars, admiring their beauty as he caressed the necklace he wore.

Perhaps because of the looming danger, Samael felt the need to breathe before facing his adversaries.

That's enough, Samael thought as he closed his eyes, feeling the freezing night wind brush his hair as he marched forward.

Blending with the shadows, Samael saw the rapid changes in his environment.

Large cocoons of webs marred the woods, staining it in their filth as some even formed bridges.

Using the trees, Samael soared upwards, standing on a branch as he watched the grotesque scene before him.

I have arrived, Samael thought.

Ahead of him were trees covered in silk and webs, looping around them and forming bridges.

Not only that, but there were multiple large cocoons hanging by the branches with small openings where the spiders converged.

But none of them compared to the one resting in the middle of all the chaos.

Samael had no doubts that is where the leader of these pest reside, patiently waiting for any unsuspecting prey to wander in its maws.

Samael kept watch of the Araneas base for a while, observing the dozens of abominations crawl around, bringing prey to their queen.

Casting a final glance, Samael slowly retreated into the darkness, vanishing without a trace.

As he settled near the nest of the spiders, Samael blended with the shadows.

He was to strike when the golden glow of the sun rose from the horizon.

If the spiders were this active at night, then they would surely be asleep in the morning. It was the perfect time to strike.

Now, he waits.

***

As the hours passed by and the unforgiving night ended its parade, the first glow of the morning sun shone before the thick leaves, casting shadows on Samael's face.

It was time.

Samael rose up from his seat as he took a look at the fortress ahead of him. Slowly, he unsheathed Crimson Raven, its appearance morphing as Samael chanted.

"Void Augmentation."

Just like Crimson Raven, Samael's hands warped black along with his feet as his figure turned to a blur, appearing a few meters from the entrance of the nest.

Watching the spiders sleep so peacefully, Samael delicately took off his hood, the dark mark in his arm slowly extending like the tendrils of Void matter latching onto him.

As his hood fell off, Samael's throat gleamed purple.

"Encompassing Voice."

It was time to wake up the horde.

"Come and get me," Samael said, his voice reverberating as it traveled far and wide, shocking the spiders awake.

As they did, Samael could only smile wryly as he brought his arm forward.

"Void fire."

For a brief second, Samael's fingers glew purple before a plethora of black spherical bullets burst forward, breezing through the wind before landing on the cocoons.

BOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!

Multiple thundering explosions rocked the earth, sending shockwaves of great magnitude and toppling down the structures the abominations called home.

Large dust clouds rose high in the heavens, causing havoc as the spiders shrieked in confusion.

"You want revenge? Come and get me," Samael said, his voice resonating in the woodland realm.

The spiders speared a glance at Samael's figure, their faces morphing in pure rage as they released blood-curdling screeches.

Status effect [Lure] has taken effect. Enemies feel great loathing towards you!

It began, Samael thought as he chanted.

"Void Flow."

On cue, Samael felt his body lighten and his limbs loosen.

This time, he must face the danger head-on.

No more running away.

As the abominations approached his location, Samael's grip tightened as a red miasma leaked from Crimson Raven.

"Let's see if you feel fear," Samael said as he dashed forward with one forceful kick to the ground.

Noticing Samael's sudden movement, the Araneas swiftly followed suit, chasing after him as they moved in the earth like waves and crawled through the trees like a plague.

Samael was lying if he said he did not feel fear, but at that moment, he knew fear was of no help to him.

He had to once again adapt and overcome his old self.

Samael sprinted across the nest, attracting as many enemies as possible as he spread Crimson Raven's miasma.

Some tried to intercept Samael, cutting his route, but he was faster as he nimbly weaved across their ranks, his blade weaving back and forth as he tore them to pieces, staining himself in their blood.

Screeches and wails of pain echoed in the air as Samael blasted through, leaving the spiders no chance to catch up.

Desperate, some of the Araneas shot webs at Samael, hoping to trap him, but he was faster as he cut them to pieces.

Casting a brief glance over his shoulder, Samael knew the time was ripe as he saw the hordes of spiders in his tail.

Samael sharply turned back, drifting across the ground as he came to a complete halt, standing proudly with burning gazes filled with determination.

3... 2... 1... Samael counted as another panel warped before him.

The status effect [fear] has taken effect! Enemies will gradually feel fear towards you.

A small, imperceptible smile made its way to Samael's face as he watched the spiders falter in their steps.

Now!

Seizing the chance, Samael planted his palm on the brittle earth as he channeled forth his essence, dumping large amounts as he spoke.

"Abyss spikes."

A loud tremor shook the ground, knocking down some of the aranea.

The earthquake intensified as the seconds went on, marring the ground with cracks as large onyx-black spikes stemmed from deep below the surface.

The Araneas screeched in fear as they attempted to flee, but to no avail. The shattering of the very earth they walked on gave them no place to escape to as the spikes bloomed like flowers on a beautiful morning.

What occurred next was pure carnage.

Wails of pain and agony thundered in the air as dozens upon dozens of Aranea's were impaled, the dark spikes cleanly tearing holes in their bodies.

They hanged high in the air, squirming for a few seconds before life left their eyes.

But Samael had no time to celebrate as he felt multiple enemies closing in his direction.

It seems I didn't get all of them, Samael thought as he watched another wave of spiders exit from the woods, charging at him with murder in their eyes.

It seems the rage has blinded them to their fear.

But then again, a beast consumed by rage was nothing but a mindless prey.

Samael threw Crimson Raven forward, plowing down dozens of Araneas within seconds as the axe flew in an arc.

Without wasting another breath, Samael dashed forward, charging head-on as he retrieved his blade.

Using Crimson Raven's momentum, Samael leaped in the air, channeling his essence as he stuck to the ground, sending a destructive shockwave that launched the spiders back.

But the beasts were quick to recover as some jumped Samael, their fangs oozing venom.

Samael's figure exploded into a flock of Ravens, confusing the Aranea's chasing after him.

This isn't good, Samael thought as he cast.

"Void Aegis."

A solidified, spherical Void matter stemmed from his hand, blocking the incoming attacks of the Araneas and shattering their faces upon impact.

Samael's grunts echoed as his foot slid back under the pressure of a dozen spiders.

As the Void aegis glew purple, Samael pushed his hand forward, catapulting the shield in a straight line as it mowed down those in its path.

Without wasting time, Samael swiftly sprinted at the path created by the Void Aegis as he saw his previous location be buried under abominations.

Dashing back, Samael swung his arm rapidly, deploying three consecutive [Void Cleaves].

The three dark waves tore through the enemy like butter, cutting them in pieces as they traveled far.

However, Samael raised his axe, forming a makeshift shield, as an Aranea lunged at him, attempting to bite his face off.

Gathering his strength, Samael ripped the creature's limb before throwing it to its kin and causing a small stampede.

Cornered, Samael shot upwards, grabbing hold of a branch and using it to change direction mid-air.

As Samael flew by, he spoke.

"Void Palm."

Large chunks of Void essence extended from Samael's hands, forming two collosal fists.

In one fell swoop, Samael put his hands down, shattering the earth into pieces and crushing the spiders like small bugs.

Watching the large plates of earth fly in the air, Samael's gaze shone for a moment as he thought of an idea inspired by the very creatures he was fighting.

Samael's figure blurred as he flew towards the slabs of rock in the wind, using them as anchors as he spoke.

"Void Bind."

The spiders watched as Samael swinged in a zigzag at speeds no man could catch up to.

Like the Aranea's, Samael decided to utilize his environment to its fullest capacity.

After his feat, Samael landed in a tall tree, watching the aftermath of his rampage.

The once prosperous nest was reduced to but a few mere spiders. Their bridges and cocoons were ravaged to the ground.

Samael's chest rose up and down as he hungered for air. But it seems there was no rest for him.

The last remaining spiders wailed, releasing loud screeches that echoed in the forest.

Then came another tremor.

However, this time, it was not Samael's doing.