Chapter 27
—---------
"Sigh… You guys are always so hungry," Astaroth said coldly. "And I'm sorry to inform you of this… but I'm hungrier."
|Web Swing| X2
After using web swing twice to get around the gaping tadpole's mouth, Astaroth tried out |Spider Grapple|, which caused his spiky legs to become even spikier. From there, he latched onto an old blood wound of the tadpole.
After getting a sticky hold on the tadpole, he used |Claw Slash| and then |Blood Drain|. This caused an open wound to burst open, which was then immediately followed by a draining of the blood.
"Crack!!" The tadpole muffled in pain.
It had never felt anything like this!
Half of its body was mangled beyond recognition, and the other half was being drained of everything it had.
Unable to do a single thing to prevent what was about to happen, the tadpole simply lay there and accepted its fate.
After seeing the fire fully fade from the tadpole's bulging eyes, Astaroth finished up the job with a swift cast of |True Energy Absorption|.
[Ding! You have absorbed 7 (G13) Energy from a Lvl 1 Tadpole!]
[Ding! Your total (G13) Energy has reached 10!]
OOOM!
Astaroth felt his body structure improve a few folds in durability and fortitude. Simultaneously, his size increased by a good 40%, subsequently causing his vision to zoom out a little.
"Though my size isn't increasing like it used to, it somewhat feels better to have it done like this. Still, I need to become bigger and stronger if I wish to take on something like those giant prehistoric fish," he said calmly. "For now though, I guess I'll just stick to killing Bell Spiders and Tadpoles."
That was the most Astaroth could do with his current energy level, so that's exactly what he put at the top of his 'to hunt' list.
|Web Swing| X15
After using this quick movement ability over and over again, Astaroth eventually found himself dangling just outside the nest of a 'Water Wolf Spider.'
These spiders were far larger and stronger than Bell Spiders, and they also appeared far more terrifying. Their strength reached a point that even a Lvl 1 Water Wolf Spider could casually take on and kill dozens of Lvl 4 Bell Spiders.
However, more often than not, the Water Wolf Spiders left their prey alive and brought them back to their lair or nest.
It was in this nest that one would find numerous wrapped-up bodies of the Water Wolf Spider's favorite food…
The Bell Spider!
"If I play my cards right, I can sneak in, devour my brethren, sneak out, and then leave this encounter with a large boost to my energy level," Astaroth said softly. "But as with everything, there will always be some obstacles or hiccups in the way."
After narrowing his eyes and intently observing the darkened interior of the spider nest, he could see multiple, ominous sets of glowing red eyes.
As if they were just waiting for their opportunity to strike, they stalked and calmly scrutinized the various sea creatures swimming past its dwelling…
"The owner of that nest is wide awake, and if I go in without a solid plan, I will just end up with the same fate as the other Bell Spiders," Astaroth said dryly. "Then again, I don't need to go in gun's blazing. Sometimes, it's best to take a more roundabout approach."
He turned his perceptive, beady eyes up from the deep trench in the seabed.
Attempting to find something that could act as a distraction, there swam by just the organism he could use.
[Jawless Fish (Lvl 3): Threat Danger - Red]
"Just like the Water Wolf Spider, this Jawless Fish is a red threat. And just like everything else in this cruel pond, the Jawless Fish is utterly famished," Astaroth said with an acute gleam in his eyes.
Already knowing exactly what he would do, a bold move was made as he used |Web Swing| and launched himself right in front of the Lvl 3 Jawless Fish. Then, without the slightest bit of hesitation, he sent a |Claw Slash| toward the Jawless Fish.
"???"
The Jawless Fish barely felt a tickle when Astaroth's attack landed on its tough skin.
It immediately looked to the source of this slight annoyance, and after seeing that it was food, its eyes turned dark red, and it lost all sense of reason.
Splish, Splash.
The Jawless Fish found its meal, and it would get itself a big bite!
However, the moment it lunged toward the small Bell Spider, the spider had somehow disappeared!
It scanned its large, bulging eyes in every direction, attempting to find the one that got away. Eventually, it saw a faint spider-like silhouette swinging through the water, heading straight for a large chasm in the ground.
Wasting no time, the Jawless Fish wiggled its tail and shot toward the tiny Bell Spider like a Megalodon chasing after a baby seal!
"It caught the bait," Astaroth said evenly. "If it's actually as mindless as it looks, it won't even realize what territory it's in. And then comes the entrapment…"
Calculative thoughts swirled around inside Astaroth's head as he repeatedly used |Web Swing|. He was also simultaneously using |Spidey Senses| to monitor the movements of the dormant Water Wolf Spider.
After making it less than a few inches away from the spider den's entrance, Astaroth took a major risk and waited in still motion.
Upon noticing the subtle movement of the dark red eyes in the chasm and the raging Jawless Fish behind him, he knew this risk was one that had to be taken…
—--------