"Temperament 29→31 (Spider Family)→36 (Spider Leader)"
"Pressure: 100 (Torture)→90 (Critical Hit)→95"
"Items: Spider Silk Lasso, Teleportation Lantern (New)"
The enormous spider lay on its side at the valley's bottom, its body torn and ragged, resembling a beached whale soon to attract scavengers.
Bisky kicked its massive form and declared confidently, "It's dead. Well done, Germain. Your final strike sealed our victory."
With a whoosh, Bisky, once towering like an iron tower, shrank back to her petite form, appearing fragile once more.
"I feel more comfortable in this size," Bisky smiled, adjusting her dress. Behind Germain, Shizuku carried a bloody "Blinky", her face expressionless, though she seemed poised to strike him from behind.
Surprisingly, she was there to check on Germain.
"Germain, what happened? I saw you zone out for a few seconds. Are you poisoned? Where are you hurt? My 'Blinky' can draw out toxins."
"I'm fine," Germain replied calmly. "Did you feel the heavy burden affecting your actions?"
Bisky nodded, then shook her head. "I feel weary and down, but that's normal after being in the Dark Continent. Nothing unusual, right?"
Now, fighting alongside Germain and Shizuku, Bisky was 90% sure they were in the Dark Continent.
"I feel the same," Shizuku added. She no longer called Bisky "Little Bisky," which saddened Bisky a bit, but Shizuku was stubborn.
Germain pondered with his hands in his hunter's robe pockets.
"It seems 'Darkness' and 'Spider Scream' don't affect you much. The stress from using the teleportation lantern is mainly on me."
Germain's teleportation lantern was akin to a device that drained his spirit and increased stress, triggering anxiety in specific situations or abilities. Even without using it, he bore its daily toll.
"What's wrong?" Bisky noticed his unease and asked.
Germain then discussed "Torture: Paranoia" briefly.
"I understand," Bisky nodded.
Bisky rested his chin on his fingers, thinking fast.
"When your stress level goes over 100 points, there's a chance you'll enter either a 'torture' or 'virtue' state, even if you drop back below 100 points in time."
"If you're already in 'torture' or 'virtue', hitting 100 points again won't add another 'torture' or 'virtue'."
"As the names suggest, 'torture' torments you and those around you, affecting your mind and actions differently depending on the type of 'torture'."
"'Virtue' is the opposite. Different 'virtues' give different states, boosting yourself and those around you."
"However, 'virtue' triggers less often than 'torture', which happens more frequently. Either way, 'virtue' or 'torture' lasts half an hour."
"Based on this, the maximum stress limit is 200 points. So, what happens if stress hits 200?"
"I'll die from exhaustion," Germain answered calmly. His expression showed no fear, as if it were inevitable. "Mind and soul vanish, leaving only the body."
In this world, souls are real, and reincarnation is possible. The invasion of chimera ants in the future has proven this with countless lives.
Bisky looked serious now. "How about this: sit down. I'll use 'Magical Beautician Miss Cookie' to help reduce your stress."
"I'm okay," Germain replied reflexively.
Then he realized his paranoia was affecting him. "It's not safe here. Let's head back first."
"Alright," Bisky sighed, hands on hips. "You mentioned returning from the Dark Continent adds 10 stress points, making it 105 total."
"A half-hour treatment with 'Magical Beautician Miss Cookie' reduces 24 points. Another hour and a half later, it's down by 1 more point."
Germain smiled at Bisky.
"Don't worry so much. Once a day is sufficient. You can't sustain your Nen endlessly."
Bisky eyed him suspiciously. "Are you really okay?"
"Absolutely."
"Well... alright then. Once a day, the stress level will clear within five days. The 'torture' will completely fade away in half an hour. Let's take a break together during this time."
Bisky made up her mind, then turned to Shizuku. "Use your 'Blinky' to tidy up this area."
Shizuku nodded, making an "OK" gesture, and swiftly went to work.
In less than ten minutes, Shizuku returned with a full harvest, leaving the valley floor spotless except for burning leaves, which were slowly dying out.
Germain set up a new teleportation device here, naming it "Spider Valley Bottom". As promised, four withered little spirits arrived.
"Let's head back." He reached out, holding the hand of one little spirit.
Bisky and Shizuku followed suit, resembling young adults taking children out for an outing, though these children looked somewhat ragged.
"What a shame," Bisky sighed wistfully, scanning around. "No gem mines were found... Oh well, next time perhaps."
The trio led the little spirits, disappearing instantly as if stars shifting. They vanished along with the teleportation device.
Five minutes later, a swoosh resounded through the sky. Dense branches and leaves parted under an invisible force, sunlight flooding the valley floor.
After a brief silence, sudden vibrations and a loud noise echoed. Smoke and fallen leaves fluttered and settled.
A colossal palm print emerged on the valley floor, large enough to cover the space, its five fingers deeply etched into the soil.
Silence reclaimed the world.
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