Not long after the three musketeers started their journey together, one night, Sunny asked something he had been curious about for a while.
"So, how strong is this self-proclaimed King exactly?"
"What do you mean?" Nephis asked.
"As you know, my Shadow is a really good scout, and I noticed that you often sparred during the night."
"Pervert," said both Nephis and Cassie.
"I didn't do anything perverted, for Spell's sake! I just looked around," he defended himself quickly.
"I don't know."
"How do you not know?"
"We sparred every night. I felt like I improved so much, yet the gap remained the same. What do you think that means?" Nephis answered, thinking back on their spars.
"Huh, doesn't that mean he never had to take you seriously? And all this while he's blind?" Sunny asked bluntly, glancing at Cassie.
"Exactly."
"But he isn't blind," Cassie said softly.
"Huh?" Both Nephis and Sunny reacted with surprise.
"He told me on the first day we met. He said his eyes see too much—even more than they should. And he has an attribute that makes it so that it doesn't really matter whether he can use his eyes or not. His senses are really sharp; he even caught me looking at his attributes," she explained.
"So you're saying he's probably much stronger if he takes off that blindfold?" Sunny asked.
"Yes, most likely."
Hearing this, Nephis grew slightly frustrated.
The cavern was silent, save for the faint dripping of water echoing in the distance. I stood at the entrance. The air was thick with the stench of decay and the metallic tang of webbing. The Mother Spider's lair was a labyrinth of silk and bone, a testament to the countless creatures—and perhaps humans—that had fallen prey to her.
I stepped forward, my movements deliberate and silent. The darkness clung to me like a second skin thanks to my Armor memory, blending me into the shadows.
The Mother Spider was close. I could feel her presence—a heavy, oppressive aura that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The webbing grew thicker as I ventured deeper, the strands glistening like steel in the dim light. I paused, listening. A faint skittering sound reached my ears, followed by the low, guttural hiss of the creature.
She emerged from the shadows, her massive form dwarfing the Iron Spiders I had fought before. Her body was a grotesque fusion of chitin and rusted metal, her eight eyes glowing with a malevolent intelligence. Her mandibles clicked together, dripping with venom, and her legs, each as thick as a tree trunk, moved with unsettling precision.
I exhaled slowly, centering myself. My body shifted into a balanced stance. I didn't wait for her to strike first.
Heavenly Hand of Defense:
The Mother Spider lunged, her bladed legs slicing through the air with terrifying speed. I sidestepped, my movements fluid, and redirected the force of her strike with a subtle twist of my arm. The blade grazed my side, drawing a thin line of blood, but I barely flinched. I countered with a sharp kick to her leg joint, the impact reverberating through the cavern.
The spider hissed in pain, retreating slightly. I pressed the advantage.
Mount Tai Dragon Claw:
I darted forward, my movements a blur. My hand shot out like a spear, aiming for the gap between her armored plates. The strike landed with a sickening crunch, piercing her exoskeleton and drawing a gush of dark ichor. The spider recoiled, her legs flailing wildly.
But she wasn't done yet. With a furious screech, she retaliated, her mandibles snapping at me with terrifying speed. I barely managed to evade, the venomous tips grazing my shoulder. The pain was sharp, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the flow of the battle.
The fight dragged on, each exchange more intense than the last. My movements were precise, my strikes calculated, but the Mother Spider was relentless. Her massive body crashed into the walls of the cavern, sending chunks of rock tumbling to the ground. I danced around her attacks, my breathing steady despite the growing strain.
White Tiger Crescent Moon:
I spun on my heel, my leg arcing through the air in a devastating crescent kick. The strike connected with one of her legs, severing it cleanly. The spider staggered, her movements becoming erratic. I didn't let up. I followed with a series of precise strikes, targeting her remaining legs and weakening her further.
The spider let out a guttural roar, her body convulsing as she tried to regain her footing. I could see the flow of her energy now—a chaotic, pulsing current that betrayed her desperation. I adjusted my stance, preparing for the final blow.
Shi Huang Yan Cut:
Without a sword, I improvised and used my hand to form a blade-like edge. With a burst of speed, I closed the distance. My hand shot forward—not with brute force, but with precision and momentum. The strike pierced through her weakened exoskeleton, finding the soft tissue beneath. The spider let out a final, ear-piercing screech before collapsing to the ground, her massive body twitching as the life drained from her.
I stood over her, breathing heavily. My side and shoulder throbbed from the injuries I had sustained, but the pain was manageable.
[You have slain Fallen Beast: Iron Spider Matriarch]
[You have recieved a Memory: Death trap]
Memory Name: [Death trap]
Type: Charm
Rank: Ascended
Description: [Noone can resist an easy prey, but beware not to forget about your surroundings.]
[Your soul grows stronger]
Soul Fragments: [434/1000]
'This memory should attract nightmare creatures, while making them a bit less aware of their surroundings, nice.'