While walking, Nova drew his katana from scabbard. He marched forward with it to avoid any surprise attacks.
'I need to make the most of these seven days and gather a significant amount of cores.'
The duration for exploring the first floor is precisely seven days, while the second floor takes two weeks. As one delves further into the labyrinth, the exploration time increases.
No matter how much time passes within the labyrinth, only a single day passes outside.
So, Nova had to make most of the seven days. If everything goes according to his will, paying the tax amount would be a very easy job.
As Nova walked forward lost in thought, the number of trees around him began to decrease, the chirping and creaking sounds birds and insects disappeared unknowingly.
Before he could leave the dense forest, Nova suddenly halted his steps.
A massive spider about one meter tall was blocking his path. Its entire body was fully black and covered with small white dots all over, like a starry night sky.
Just as Nova noticed the spider, it also noticed his presence, its eyes full of greed. Like a starved beast who hadn't seen food for an entire week, it rushed towards Nova while firing a net made of its thread.
'What an insane reaction speed?!' Nova wondered.
The net was about five meters wide, and Nova had no way to dodge successfully; so he rolled sideways.
Before he could recover, the spider was near him, stretching its legs menacingly, ready to strike.
Getting a closer look, Nova felt the true terror of the creature.
Its jagged teeth were exposed, dripping with what looked like corrosive saliva. Each of its legs gleaming unnaturally, like a reaper's scythe, aiming for his head.
Nova raised his katana and blocked the incoming strike. Feeling the blow, Nova caught sight of yet another attack approaching from his peripheral vision.
Nova grabbed the spider's leg mid-strike, immobilizing it.
Its sharp razor-like legs left a deep wound on his hand, blood flowed like a river from it.
Nova tried to use his strength and break one of its legs, but the spider seemed to realise his plans.
The spider jerked back, trying to escape his grip, but Nova held it firmly. He drove his boot into one of its hind legs, sending it crashing to the ground with a sickening thud.
Rather than being surprised or confused by the situation, it opened its mouth, preparing to spit out a web to bind him.
Seeing this, he lifted his leg and pressed down firmly on its head, blocking its mouth.
Feeling the hardness of its skull, Nova cursed under his breath, "What are you made of?"
The spider took advantage of his kick and got back up. Although its movements weren't as natural as before, it still appeared full of energy.
From the previous encounter, Nova realized he wouldn't stand a chance in a melee fight. With its strong steel-like physique, engaging in close combat would just be asking for trouble.
Nova sheathed his katana. First, he wasn't a master of it. Second, his low quality one won't penetrate its hard shell. Instead, grabbed the whip strapped to his waist.
Before the spider could respond or move closer, he lashed out the whip, striking its head.
*BAAM*
A cracking noise echoed through the forest, like a gunshot.
Nova smiled when he saw the spider's eyes full of anger.
"Let's see if you're tougher than steel." With that, Nova struck again.
The spider's eyes sparkled with rage as it charged once more, only to stumble beneath the unyielding attacks. Its legs clawed at the earth, eager to stabilize, but Nova's blows prevented it from advancing.
Nova ignored its frantic movements, focusing his strikes on the same spot. Each lash cracked against its shell, widening the fracture bit by bit.
When he felt enough, Nova said to the spider, hoping it could hear him "It's time to end this battle."
With that, Nova took a deep breath and using his entire strength, he struck the whip at the spider.
His arms moved in an elegant yet deadly arc.
The whip tore through the spider's head and crushed its brain into pieces.
*BAAM*
The impact was only heard after the spider died.
'Deciding to train with a whip under Grandma's guidance was the best decision of my life,' Nova reflected with a smile.
The whip is one of the deadliest weapons ever created by humanity. It can be employed in both close-quarter and long-range combat, depending on the whip's size, and a skilled user can even reach speeds that break the sound barrier.
Nova's last strike nearly achieved twice the speed of sound.
However, Nova didn't have the time to enjoy his victory.
Suddenly, he lost his balance and fell down. His legs were completely paralyzed, leaving him unable to sense them. Gradually, Nova's upper body and hands started losing their ability to move.
His thoughts began to slow down, and everything around him—the trees, the spider's remains, the bushes—became blurry. He felt as if the entire world was spinning out of control, and dizziness set in.
Little by little, Nova's breathing became rapid, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
'I shouldn't have grabbed its legs.' In an instant, Nova realized he was experiencing the effects of poisoning.