Chapter 33: Queen's Gambit
The portal seamlessly transported Von and Ren back to their starting point within the Tower. It was as if the events that transpired in the uncharted realm had been neatly erased. Everything around them looked just like the Tower floors they knew so well.
As they surveyed their surroundings, the shrine that had captured their attention earlier was nowhere to be found.
"That was pretty intimidating. Do you think they're the ones who created the tower?" Ren asked.
"Yeah, I think so. There were rumors before that maybe gods or celestials are the ones who created the tower."
"That god or celestial, or whatever it is, seems to be taking an interest in you," Ren remarked.
"Let's leave them be for now and focus on our mission. We've wandered too long," Von suggested.
"Yeah, let's go!" Ren agreed.
They continued their quest, and finally, they reached the cave where the Venomspine spiders were located.
The cave's entrance was wide open, and it looked dark and a bit scary compared to the Tower's usual glow. Von and Ren looked at each other, silently agreeing that tough challenges were ahead.
As they walked into the cave, the air got heavy, and they could hear spiders' legs skittering in the distance. The walls had a weird glow, making long shadows that moved around mysteriously.
Ren tightened his grip on his weapon, a subtle tension in his stance. "This place gives me the creeps."
Von nodded, his gaze fixed on the unknown ahead. "Just watch your step, these spiders are known for their cunning traps."
As they went further into the cave, they found a big room with shiny webs. Venomspine spiders, with dark and shiny bodies that had creepy patterns, dangled from the ceiling. The spiders looked at Von and Ren, their many eyes shining, hungry, and ready for a fight.
Ren took a deep breath, preparing for the imminent confrontation. "Time to dance with the spiders, Von. Ready to show them we're not to be trifled with?"
Von unsheathed his blade, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Ready for some spider-slaying action, Ren?"
Ren grinned, "You bet. Let's make sure these spiders regret inviting us to their lair."
Ren and Von stood ready, swords in hand, as a group of Venomspine spiders approached. Ren called out to his spirit, Bell, a glowing companion.
Ren: "Bell, time to fight! Let's go!"
"Ren, let's round up as many spiders as we can. I have an idea," Von suggested.
Ren nodded, and together, they parried and struck down several spiders. The commotion attracted more, and soon a sizable group was trailing them.
As the swarm of spiders closed in, Von motioned for Ren to follow his lead. With precise coordination, they maneuvered, luring the arachnids into a clustered formation.
Von: "Get ready, Ren!"
As the spiders gathered closely, Von seized the opportunity. He called out three of his fiery shadows, instructing them to blend into the darkness and engulf the spiders with flames.
Ren instructed Bell, "Create tornadoes and aim for those spiders."
Von's shadows moved skillfully, slipping through the darkness and setting the spiders on fire.
Von: "Now, Ren, unleash your spirit's power!"
Bell, radiating ethereal light, enhances Ren's attacks. The spiders were caught in the vortex of the tornado and surrounded by dark flames. The two combined their efforts for a powerful assault.
Von grinned, patting Ren on the back. "Good job, partner. Those spiders didn't stand a chance."
"We took down a bunch! I thought the difficulty was hard," Ren exclaimed.
"Nah, we've just begun, but at least we're making progress," Von remarked, glancing at the quest log.
[Quest]
Kill Venomspine Spiders
Request:
Venom Sac 10/20
Silk Threads 5 /15
Venomspine Fangs 5/15
Difficulty: Hard
Rewards:
Gold coin +3500
"Look, we took down that many, but the materials we gathered don't match the effort," Von said.
"Oh yeah, killing them is not the problem but the drop rate. Anyway, isn't that what we came for? Wiping them out," Ren said, grinning.
"Yeah, you're right. We'll level up and get stronger here," Von said.
"After we wipe them out, the next challenge is the queen, right?" Ren said.
"No, before we can fight the queen, we need to face her soldiers. They are even stronger than these," Von explained.
Von activated his Six Senses skill, scanning the vast cavern. His eyes narrowed as he focused on a distant tunnel leading deeper into the spider-infested lair.
Von: "No time to waste. Let's clear them out and meet the queen. Get ready, Ren."
As Ren and Von moved through the webs, they faced occasional spider groups. The further they went, the bigger and fiercer the spiders became, hinting that the queen was nearby.
Ren said, "These spiders are getting tougher."
Von summoned his shadows, and they materialized in front of him. He commanded them to eliminate all the spiders in their path.
The shadows, responding to Von's command, slithered forward, their dark forms weaving through the intricate webbing. With lethal precision, they dispatched the spiders in their path, clearing the way for Ren and Von to advance deeper into the lair.
Von's shadows swiftly dispatched the spiders, while Ren remained vigilant for any ambush. The cavern expanded, revealing a colossal chamber where the ominous presence of the queen awaited. The air vibrated with tension as Von and Ren approached the heart of the spider lair.
As Ren and Von observed the queen, her massive form hovering over a cluster of eggs, they noticed the delicate intricacies of her movements. The queen seemed both protective and vigilant, a formidable guardian of her unborn offspring.
Ren whispered to Von, "This feels like a critical moment. If we're going to do this, we need to be swift and coordinated."
Von nodded, his eyes fixed on the queen. "Agreed. I'll create a distraction, and you handle those elite soldiers. Once we have her attention, we go for the eggs."
Ren took a deep breath, preparing for the upcoming challenge. "Got it. Let's be cautious and make every move count."
Von made his shadow companion to distract the queen, and Ren sneaked toward the big, tough spiders without making a sound. The cave felt super tense as they did their plan just right.
Von's shadows started making a scene, drawing the attention of the queen and some of her elite soldiers. The queen, sensing the disturbance, emitted a low, resonating hiss that echoed through the cave.
Ren, hidden in the shadows, observed the soldiers with a keen eye. They were larger and more imposing than the spiders they had faced before, their movements calculated and predatory.
Ren whispered to himself, "These soldiers look formidable. Bell, we're going to need your assistance."
Bell, the ethereal spirit, responded with a reassuring presence. Ren felt a surge of energy, his connection with Bell strengthening. With a signal from Von, the distraction reached its peak.
Von shouted, "Now, Ren!"
Ren let out Bell's power, making a flashy swirl of energy around the elite soldiers. Confused by the unexpected magical burst, the soldiers floundered, giving Ren a chance to attack.
Ren's sword, powered by Bell's energy, moved swiftly, hitting the elite soldiers with a magical force. The soldiers, caught off guard by the mystical attacks and Von's shadows, found it hard to fight back.
Von, maintaining his focus on the queen, moved with agility, avoiding her attacks and luring her away from the eggs. The cavern echoed with a symphony of clashes, hisses, and crackling sounds.
Ren, determined and focused, pressed on with the assault on the elite soldiers. With each strike, he aimed for precision, targeting vulnerable spots. Bell's energy enhanced his every move, creating a harmonious synergy between humans and spirit.
With the queen distracted, Von saw his chance to approach the eggs. He skillfully moved through the cavern, marveling at the intricate design of the eggs.
Ren, noticing Von's progress, fought with increased determination against the elite soldiers. The cavern turned into a chaotic battlefield, filled with swirling energy and spider silk.
Von, reaching the eggs, hesitated for a moment. The delicate yet resilient nature of the queen's nest left him conflicted. However, with a determined nod, he began to implement their plan.
Von whispered to himself, "For the greater good."
The cavern rang with the result of their hard work. The elite soldiers, unable to withstand Ren's continuous attacks, started to give in to the combined strength of Bell's power and human determination.
Von, completing his task with the eggs, conjured flames on his hand and directed them towards the eggs. "Burn them all."
The duo, victorious in their strategy, stood united against the queen, who now faced the consequences of their intrusion.
As the dust settled and the echoes of battle subsided, the cavern held a momentary silence. The queen, despite her formidable presence, seemed momentarily weakened.
Ren, catching his breath, looked at Von. "We did it. Now, the final challenge awaits."
Von nodded, a mixture of exhaustion and satisfaction in his expression. "The queen is weakened, but she won't go down easily. Let's finish what we started."
Ren and Von, determined and ready for the final part of their quest, stood in front of the tired queen. The spider cave, once full of threats, now seemed like a place where Ren and Von could win.