The next morning, Rud took me to some unknown place.
As Rud led me through the dimly lit corridors of the dungeon, a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the stale air. The walls, once sturdy and imposing, now bore the scars of age and neglect, their rough-hewn stones crumbling with decay. Cobwebs draped like funeral shrouds, clinging to the shadows that lurked in every corner, as if reluctant to surrender their claim to the darkness.
"It looks like an abandoned place," Rud said, walking without speaking further.
There were human skeletons strewn about, some lying haphazardly on the floor while others were locked up in prison cells. It was terrifying to witness such a macabre sight.
The sound of our footsteps echoed eerily against the cold stone walls, a haunting refrain that seemed to reverberate through the depths of the dungeon. Each step felt like a descent into madness, as if the very walls themselves whispered tales of long-forgotten horrors.
"From here on, it's all yours. You need to clear this dungeon on your own," Rud said, his voice echoing faintly in the cavernous space. With those words, he left me alone, and all I had was myself and my sword, the trusty companion that had saved my life more times than I could count.
"The flickering torches cast long, dancing shadows that seemed to come alive with each flicker of flame, casting sinister shapes upon the walls. It was as if the dungeon itself was alive, a malevolent entity that fed upon the fear and suffering of those unfortunate enough to tread its cursed halls.
But amidst the desolation and decay, there was a sense of tragic beauty that lingered in the air, a reminder of the lives that had been lost and the stories that had been forgotten. Each skeleton bore the mark of a life once lived, a testament to the fragility of existence and the relentless march of time.
"I have come this far, yet I don't hear a single sound."
As I ventured deeper into the abandoned dungeon, the air grew thick with the musty scent of decay, and the dim light cast eerie shadows that danced along the walls. But amidst the desolation, there was something far more sinister lurking in the darkness.
I stumbled upon a chamber cloaked in darkness, illuminated only by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the damp walls. As my torchlight flickered, revealing the scene before me, a wave of horror washed over me.
In the center of the chamber, a monstrous spider, larger than any I had ever seen, prowled amongst the tangled webs that stretched from floor to ceiling. Its hairy legs skittered across the stone floor with unsettling grace, leaving a trail of silk in its wake.
The spider's abdomen was swollen with eggs, each pulsating with a sickening vitality that sent shivers down my spine. Caught within the spider's web traps were the remains of its victims, wrapped like macabre mummies in silk cocoons. Their lifeless forms hung suspended in the air, a grotesque display of death.
As the spider sensed my presence, it turned its multifaceted eyes towards me, its gaze filled with predatory hunger. With a hiss that sent chills down my spine, it advanced towards me, its razor-sharp fangs dripping with venom.
My heart raced with fear as I realized the danger I was in. Alone in the depths of the dungeon, with no one to come to my aid, I knew that I would have to face this monstrous creature alone.
Summoning every ounce of courage within me, I prepared to confront the spider and fight for my survival. With trembling hands, I reached for my weapon, knowing that the fate of Everglade and my own life hung in the balance. I felt as if it were my last stand.
But I remembered I was no longer a protected being; I needed to save myself from dangers.
The spider sensed me and lingered around, its presence threatening to betray my hiding spot. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a handful of its web and covered myself, obscuring my form from its view.
As the spider approached and sniffed around, I remained motionless, praying that it wouldn't detect my presence. After a tense moment, it turned its back to me, its attention momentarily diverted.
Seizing the opportunity, I launched myself forward, sword in hand, and struck at the spider's vulnerable spot. "Sorry, spider, but I need to overcome my fear. Please forgive this necessary sacrifice," I muttered under my breath.
With a swift and decisive blow, I sliced through one of its legs, causing it to panic and emit a chilling screech. The sound echoed through the chamber, a haunting reminder of the dangers lurking in the darkness.
"I will kill you, human! Creek... creek," it exclaimed, surprising me with its ability to speak. "So you can talk. It's time to leave this human world," I retorted, preparing to defend myself.
As it attempted to trap me with its web, I dodged it swiftly, realizing that my fear had been in vain. "I can't believe it. I was afraid of this spider creature because of its size. Human behavior has become imprinted in me," I thought to myself, a realization dawning upon me.
I seized one of its legs and tore it off, then proceeded to dismantle it one by one. "I think my training from yesterday was worth it," I concluded, feeling a sense of accomplishment amidst the chaos of battle.
i finally stabbed it's stomach and ripped it apart. "finally it's over" i was overjoyed by my small accomplisment. "crack... crack" the eggs were hatched and baby started to rush out of their egg. " one spider made this much chaos what should i do with this many of them." the baby seeing the corpse of their started to make formation and ready to attack me.
With a final surge of strength, I plunged my sword into the spider's stomach, feeling the resistance give way as the blade tore through its flesh. With a guttural cry, the spider writhed in agony as I ripped it apart, ensuring that the threat it posed would be no more. "Finally, it's over," I exhaled, a mixture of relief and exhaustion washing over me as I surveyed the scene of my small accomplishment.
[you earned 2000 exp]
But as I turned my attention away from the fallen creature, a faint sound caught my ear. "Crack... crack." My heart sank as I realized the source of the noise. The eggs. They were hatching.
In a frantic frenzy, tiny spiders began to emerge from their shells, their tiny forms wriggling and squirming as they flooded out into the chamber. Panic surged within me as I watched the swarm of newborn spiders converge around their fallen mother's corpse.
"One spider made this much chaos, what should I do with this many of them?" I muttered, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of danger. The babies, sensing my presence, began to organize themselves, their tiny bodies moving with a chilling synchronicity as they prepared to attack.
With no time to waste, I braced myself for the impending onslaught, knowing that I would have to fight for my life once again. Gripping my sword tightly, I prepared to face the horde of tiny spiders, determined to emerge victorious against this new threat.
"What a mess. Now I have to deal with these spider babies?" I muttered to myself, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden influx of tiny arachnids. Hardly had I gotten rid of the mother spider, and now these spider babies numbered more than a hundred.
"It's so unfair. I'm outnumbered. Who am I even complaining to?" I grumbled inwardly, acknowledging the irony of my situation. The baby spiders emerged from their eggs one by one, their tiny forms swarming towards me with menacing intent.
"I'll play with you for a while, but it's my fault you're orphaned shortly," I said to the spiders, a tinge of guilt coloring my words. Their screeching noises echoed throughout the dungeon, filling the air with an unsettling cacophony.
"Don't worry, kids. I'll send you where your mothers are by killing you all," I declared grimly, though a pang of remorse tugged at my heart for the young spiders.
The baby spiders' webs were weak, as they were not fully developed and had just emerged from their eggs.
I began to kill them one by one, but it seemed there was no end to their numbers. "There's no end to them. I need to use my divine powers," I realized, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down upon me.
I infused my sword with my divine aura, each slash now capable of dispatching two spiders at once. But even with this newfound strength, it wasn't enough. If things continued like this, I might end up dead here.
Suddenly, I received notifications from the system:
- [Injury recovery rate increased.]
- [Agility increased. You earned 300 exp.]
- [Stamina increased. You earned 1000 exp.]
- [Strength increased. You earned 1000 exp.]
Now, bolstered by the enhancements, I felt ready to face the challenge ahead. "This system is only helpful when death is imminent," I grumbled to myself.
But then, another message appeared:
- [Keep fighting. There are 100 unbroken eggs, including 50 spider babies. Complete the task of killing all the spiders and destroying the eggs to get your reward.]
"Can I deny it?" I questioned, hoping for an alternative.
"Sure, if you can survive from here," the system replied.
"You're practically telling me to do or die here," I remarked bitterly, realizing the gravity of my situation.