"L-L-L-Lord, I-I-I-I really need to p-pee!"
Aminos trembled as he led the way into the pitch-black cave. The darkness was suffocating, hiding whatever horrors lurked within.
"Don't worry. Keep moving forward. Hill and I will handle the healing," Li En reassured from the rear.
This is a coal mine—using fire spells or torches recklessly might trigger an explosion.
Aminos clutched his stone hammer in one hand and a branch in the other, tapping the ground and walls to navigate. Every step was cautious, every sound analyzed.
Finally, they reached a dead end.
"My lord, it's a dead end! Let's go back!" Aminos turned, grinning in relief.
Then—red dots flickered in the darkness behind him.
"Heh heh, did I do well, my lord?" he asked, oblivious.
Li En and Hill moved instantly.
"Purify!"
Hill's staff flared with radiant light, illuminating the cave—and revealing the human-sized spider looming behind Aminos.
[Name: Giant Spider (Elite)]
[Race: Insect/Arachnid]
[Level: 3 (Tier 1)]
[Stats: STR 9, AGI 12, INT 5, SPI 3, CON 4]
[Skills: Fear (induces panic), Web Shot (restrains targets), Venomous Bite (lethal poison)]
The spider recoiled from the light, its attack interrupted. Enraged, it lunged at Aminos.
"MAMA HELP!"
Aminos stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding the strike—but the spider sank its fangs into his shoulder.
Poison flooded his veins.
"I'M GONNA DIE—!" He collapsed, writhing in terror.
Li En took his place, bombarding the spider with Ice Shards.
Clink! Clink!
The spider shrugged off the frost—it was resistant to cold.
Its bladed legs slashed at Li En, drawing blood. He countered with [Pain, Pain, Go Away], healing himself mid-battle.
"Purify!"
Another burst of light. Aminos' fear and poison vanished.
"Pain, Pain, Fly Away!"
Hill's healing sealed his wounds.
Aminos blinked, ashamed of his earlier panic. But the fight wasn't over.
"I'LL REDEEM MYSELF!"
He slammed his hammer into the spider's skull—
[–80!]
[–80!]
[–80!]
The spider couldn't handle both attacks. It screeched, flinging Aminos aside, and pounced at Li En.
"Ice Shard."
A final blast of frost shattered its head.
[You have slain Giant Spider (Elite)! Party EXP +32]
[Level Up! You are now Lv. 3]
[World First: Elite Monster Kill! Reward: Golden Contract (Chance to tame creatures)]
Aminos stared in disbelief—then exploded with joy.
"WE WON! HAHAHA!"
His cheers echoed through the cave.
[Loyalty Increased! Aminos (Yak-Man): +10 (Now 90)]
Li En smirked and dismantled the corpse.
[Giant Spider loot obtained:]
[Spider Silk (White) x10] – Elastic, durable. (Clothing/Bows/Fishing Rods)
[Venom Sac (Green) x1] – Coatable on arrows.
[Spider Meat (White) x10] – 1 Meat = 2 Food.
Perfect. With the wolf bones from yesterday, I can craft poison arrows.
They retreated to the cave entrance. The system updated:
[Coal Mine: Claimable]
[Claim?]
Li En selected YES.
A golden glow enveloped the mine. When it faded, veins of coal glowed under faint orange crystals embedded in the walls.
[World First: Coal Mine Claim! Reward: Iron Pickaxe (Green), Sorting Table (Green)]
Li En tossed the pickaxe to Aminos.
"Aminos."
"Yes, my lord!"
"This mine is ours—yours too. From now on, you guard it. Transport coal to camp, keep the bonfire burning, and warm our people. Can you do it?"
Aminos' single visible eye burned with determination. He took the pickaxe and bowed deeply.
"I swear it, Lord Li En."
His demeanor had changed—loyalty solidified in battle.
As Li En and Hill returned to camp, one thought echoed:
Time to upgrade the bonfire… and welcome new survivors.