The air in the cavern was heavy, the stench of venom and blood thick around them. As the towering spider loomed over Haruki and Aiko, its massive legs clicked ominously against the stone floor. The creature lunged, fangs bared, aiming to deliver a fatal blow to Haruki.
Suddenly, a shimmering golden barrier erupted around Haruki and Aiko, the spider's fangs clashing harmlessly against it.
"My barrier magic worked!" Dante shouted, standing a few feet away, his hands glowing with ethereal energy.
The spider screeched in frustration, its many eyes locking onto Dante. It turned its hulking body toward him, venom dripping from its mandibles.
"Bring it on, freak!" Dante taunted, gripping his sword tightly. He activated Angel's Assault, launching himself high into the air. With a burst of speed, he aimed his blade at the spider's carapace, but his strike barely left a scratch.
"It's too tough!" Dante growled as he landed, dodging a swipe from the spider's spiked legs. The creature hissed and retaliated with a stream of acid webbing, forcing Dante to roll out of the way.
"Damn it, I can't pierce its skin. I'll have to aim for its weak spot," he muttered, his gaze locking onto the spider's cluster of eyes.
The spider lunged at him, using its powerful legs to slam the ground, creating shockwaves that sent Dante tumbling. He winced as pain shot through his ribs but gritted his teeth and activated Dash, zigzagging around the beast to avoid its acid and webbing.
Meanwhile, Haruki knelt beside Aiko, his hands trembling as he attempted to cast a healing spell. The glow from his palms flickered weakly.
"Stay still," Haruki said, frustration evident in his voice.
"I'm fine," Aiko whispered, her voice weak but steady. She placed her own hands over her stomach, channeling healing magic to mend the gaping wound. Her face was pale, beads of sweat rolling down her temples.
"I won't let you die here," Haruki said firmly, his voice filled with determination.
The spider roared again, focusing its attention back on Dante. It moved with terrifying speed, lashing out with its legs and forcing him to retreat. Dante leapt into the air, dodging a venomous glob of acid just in time.
"Let's see how you like this!" Dante yelled. Using Angel's Assault, he propelled himself skyward once more. This time, he aimed directly for the creature's vulnerable eyes.
But the spider anticipated his move, twisting its body and swiping him out of the air with one of its legs. Dante was sent hurtling into the cavern wall, the impact sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air.
"Dante!" Haruki called out, his voice filled with panic.
From the rubble, Dante emerged, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead. Despite the pain, he smirked. "That all you've got?"
The spider charged him again, slamming its legs into the ground in a frenzied assault. Dante rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the crushing blows, and used Wind Slash to create distance.
Haruki stood, his body still aching from the previous battle, but his determination unwavering. "Aiko, keep healing yourself. I'm going to help Dante."
"Be careful," Aiko said weakly, continuing to channel her magic.
Haruki activated Assassin's Step, disappearing from sight. The spider froze, confused by his sudden disappearance. Dante seized the opportunity to distract it further, darting around the beast and striking at its legs.
Haruki reappeared on the spider's back, driving his dagger into the base of its head. The creature thrashed violently, trying to throw him off, but Haruki held on, plunging his blade in deeper.
"It's still too strong!" Haruki shouted.
Dante launched himself into the air once again, this time channeling all his energy into his blade. "Angel's Assault: Hell Slash!" he roared. The sword glowed with divine light as he descended, striking the spider directly in its central eye.
The creature let out a deafening screech, its legs flailing wildly as it collapsed to the ground. Haruki leapt off its back just in time, landing next to Dante.
The spider twitched, its movements growing weaker until it finally stilled. Black ichor pooled around its massive body.
Dante leaned on his sword, breathing heavily. "Finally… That thing was relentless."
Haruki nodded, wiping sweat and blood from his face. "Is everyone okay?"
Aiko, now able to stand, approached them. The wound in her stomach had healed, though she still looked pale. "I'm fine," she said, though her voice was still shaky.
"Let's rest for a bit," Dante suggested, sitting down on a nearby rock. "We've got three more levels to go, and I don't want to face whatever's next without being fully ready."
Haruki checked his inventory, finding a rare drop from the spider: Venomous Core and Web Threads, items that could be used to craft powerful weapons and armor.
"This might come in handy later," Haruki said, showing the items to his team.
After an hour of resting and tending to their wounds, the trio stood, ready to continue their journey.
"Three levels left," Haruki said, his voice steady despite the exhaustion. "Let's finish this."
With renewed determination, they stepped into the passageway leading to the fourth level, the darkness ahead promising even greater challenges.
The chapter ends