I woke up to the sound of Grandpa's worried voice. "It's been 15 minutes since you passed out," he grumbled, his usual sharpness softened by concern. "Why do I let you do these crazy things?"
I couldn't help but smile, though even that small movement made my body ache. "Because you love me very much," I teased, trying to inject some levity into the situation.
"Whatever," he huffed, though the relief in his eyes betrayed him. "I was really worried this time, kid. Don't push your luck too far."
Still lying on the ground, I took a moment to check my body. Aside from feeling utterly exhausted, I didn't notice any serious injuries. My limbs were intact, and my internal soul power was stable, drained, but stable. "I'm fine," I assured him before forcing myself to sit up. The effort left me winded, but I needed to finish what I had started.
Taking a deep breath, I summoned my Eight Spider Lances, the gleaming appendages extending from my back with their usual menacing elegance. Their appearance always carried a strange mix of pride and confidence for me, a reminder of how much I had gained and how much I had changed.
"Time to clean up," I said, focusing on the massive corpse of the Mutated Spider Emperor. With deliberate concentration, I directed my external bone to absorb the spider's body. The process was grueling. My Eight Spider Lances glowed faintly, their presence bolstering my resolve and lending me the strength to endure.
After what felt like hours, the absorption was complete. The transformation was immediate. My Eight Spider Lances now exuded a ghostly green aura, reminiscent of the summoned spiders that had plagued us during the battle. The aura pulsed faintly, a testament to the immense power now residing within them.
"How do they feel?" Grandpa asked, his keen eyes studying the changes with interest.
"Stronger," I replied, retracting the lances and letting out a shaky breath. "They still haven't reached the pressure of a 100,000-year-old soul bone, but they're close. Really close."
Satisfied for the moment, I turned my attention to the Spider Emperor's soul ring, its black glow hovering over the remains. Sitting cross-legged, I began the arduous process of absorbing it. This, too, was no easy feat. The soul ring's power was immense, and its unwillingness to submit mirrored the Spider Emperor's defiance.
Unlike before, this absorption wasn't simple. The Mutated Spider Emperor had been on the cusp of forming an intelligent conscience, its will fighting against mine every step of the way. I gritted my teeth as waves of resistance slammed into me, the sheer ferocity of the struggle threatening to overwhelm my exhausted mind. Every moment felt like an eternity, but I refused to give in.
For hours, I battled against the ring's ferocious energy, sweat pouring down my face as my soul power fluctuated wildly. My vision blurred, my body trembling with the effort, but eventually, I emerged victorious. The soul ring settled into place, its power integrating seamlessly into my being.
When I opened my eyes, I felt a surge of exhilaration. "Rank 63," I announced, my voice hoarse but filled with triumph.
Grandpa nodded approvingly. "Impressive. Now, show me what new ability you've gained."
Standing, albeit shakily, I summoned my Martial Soul. The black ring of the Spider Emperor's spirit ability shone brightly as I activated it. "Devil Spider Summoning," I declared.
With a thought, I summoned a swarm of one hundred spiders, each one holding one percent of my full power. They scuttled around me, their presence unnerving but undeniably formidable.
Next, I tried summoning ten spiders, each with ten percent of my power. These were noticeably larger, their movements more coordinated and deliberate.
Finally, I focused all my energy on summoning a single spider. The result was a massive creature, its form radiating with an aura identical to mine. It carried one hundred percent of my power, making it a perfect representation of my strength in battle.
"Not bad," Grandpa remarked, though his tone was laced with pride. "This ability will make you a nightmare for anyone who underestimates you."
I retracted the spiders, letting out a deep breath as I adapted to the new sensation of the ability. The possibilities it offered were immense, and I couldn't wait to put it to use.
As the last remnants of the Spider Emperor's energy faded, something among its remains caught my eye. A faint glimmer, small, but unmistakable.
"Is that what I think it is?" I asked, stepping closer.
Grandpa followed my gaze, his expression shifting to one of astonishment. "A soul bone," he said, his voice hushed. "You've really hit the jackpot this time, kid."
I stared at the shiny object, a sense of awe washing over me. After everything, this felt like the universe rewarding me for my struggle. With careful hands, I picked up the soul bone, its surface warm to the touch. What new power would this give me?