NOVEL NEXT Chapter 94
– 1 –
– The movement of the Spider faction’s leader has been confirmed, Master.
Thanks to Sonia’s assistance, we were able to locate the Spider King. When the numerous shadow crows scattered throughout this forest spotted the monsters on both sides, they sent signals to the ‘map’ located in the dungeon. It was a method of assistance, confirming the position by relaying the signals as if they were chess pieces acting accordingly.
In a sense, it’s a remote radar system created with necromancy’s shadow magic.
“Tell me the location.”
– Yes. This place is…
“Thank you, Sonia.”
– I’m glad to be of help.
We moved according to Sonia’s guidance and finally caught sight of the Spider King. It was our fourth battlefield, counting the one we first witnessed after starting the search, when we arrived at the coniferous forest for the third time.
– Bring me the heart and the head – !!!
The Spider King, with fourteen appendages and five eyes, was bellowing at the center of the vast battlefield, shaking the very heavens.
“Such power.”
Bring me the heart and the head. At first, I thought it was just an empty roar meant to boost morale, but soon I realized there was more to it than that.
– Kiyash!
– Kiiirru!
Thud! Thump!
Workers and soldiers that seemed to be underlings were indeed gathering the dead bodies from the battlefield around their king. The corpses, whether ant or spider, piled up to a significant amount just by looking at their size.
– Ooo… This power… The nutrients are coming!
The King of Spiders was inserting his eight legs into the gathered corpses, sucking something from the dead bodies while trembling and uttering cries mixed with pleasure.
… It was a bit disturbing seeing a muscular macho male like that.
‘Why is it not a queen? Isn’t Arachne supposed to be a queen?’
“Kaahh – !!”
Regardless of my disappointment or concern for my eyesight, the Arachne King began to move in earnest after absorbing something from the corpses.
Bang – !!
A significant shift occurred on the battlefield.
– 2 –
“Kaahh – !!”
Bang!!
With a sharp roar reverberating across the battlefield, a gigantic figure shot forward rapidly. A behemoth, at least three meters tall, glided forward as though skating, presenting a sight that seemed like something out of this world.
Kukukukung – !!
Upon closer inspection, you’d realize he wasn’t running but rather the ground was ‘pushing’ him forward, but that fact didn’t diminish the show’s intimidation.
“Gahhh…!”
Bang!!
The unstoppable might of the king. With one swing of any of his six limbs, an ant would be smashed or skewered. It didn’t matter if the target was a mere soldier, a warrior, or a commander.
Crack!!
Simply flying off and dying was the lucky outcome. Most ants were kicked away by the long protruding pincers and then caught again by the muscular arms, used as a bludgeon against their comrades.
However, that gruesomeness didn’t diminish the spirits of the ants.
“It’s the leader of the invading spiders – !!”
“Kill them!!”
“For the queen!!”
The ants charged towards the Spider King. Whether they were mere soldiers or stronger monsters, they stood no chance against the king, yet there was no sign of fear among them. They were rushing in, still filled with the same madness that Libertus had witnessed before, desperately trying to buy time against the Spider King.
Puff!!
“I’ll make you all my nutrients – !!”
However, the king of the spider humans had ways to counter their overwhelming numbers. With such many appendages, he unleashed a barrage of various attacks from them.
Crack! Crunch!
“What a delicacy…!! For a cowardly queen’s subordinates!”
The first thing that caught the eye was what the muscular upper body of the human was doing. One hand caught an ant that was sent flying due to the impact, swung it to hit another ant, then chewed on the leftover fragments.
He was alternating between his hands to perform that gruesome act.
“It’s useless, bugs. Do you think you can stop me – !!!”
Next, the pairs of pincers hanging near the human upper body’s legs flashed into action.
Clang!!
One buried into the abdomen of the human torso and one into the front abdomen of the spider body.
The pincers, which usually serve as shields to protect the human torso, would extend one by one when any opportunity arose. When defending, they acted as shields, but when they extended, they became spears.
Puff!
The heads of the charging ants were pierced, while at times, the waists connecting their upper and lower halves would snap, causing their entrails to fly.
The torn and flying bodies of the ants struggled just to die. Those flying up were butchered by the human-shaped arms, while those falling were met with similar gruesome fates by the other legs.
“Come out! Queen of the ants!!”
While primarily, it was the two arms attached to the human upper body and the four legs at the lower body that were active, the other legs were not idle.
Crack!! Churhurrrk…!!
“Mmmm…!!!”
One pair at the forefront pierced through the torn bodies of the ants, sucking in their nutrients. If Libertus could check his information, he would see that his ‘health’ and ‘magical power’ had risen temporarily because of this.
It was a limited but highly efficient trait, receiving nutrients as long as they could keep feeding in the battlefield.
It was the effect of ‘taste-testing.’
Bang!!
Another pair slammed into the ground, causing tremors and upheaval that ripped through the terrain. Using high-tier land magic, “Ground Rupture,” they created vibrations and explosions beneath, wiping out the small fry blocking their way.
Puff!
“Gack…!”
As the balance of the charging foes was shaken by this magic, the pincers would immediately move, mercilessly cutting off the breaths of their opponents.
It was a magic that used minimal mana but had a shock effect, preferred by human mages who liked close combat.
“Try to block it! Try to kill me!!”
Booosh!
The third pair of legs has been creating black smoke since earlier. This was an obscuring dark magic, “Shadow Smoke,” that could disrupt the aiming of ranged attacks by concealing both its presence and visible shape, confusing enemies all around.
“Where…! When did he get there?! Gahhh!”
Compared to Liberty’s spell, it was of much lower quality and rudimentary, but at least in this battlefield, it demonstrated high efficiency.
Bang bang!
“Can you catch up to me! Do you think you can catch up?!”
And the last leg was casting the earth magic “Earth Explosion,” propelling itself at high speed. Originally a magic that shattered the ground in a straight line to attack with debris and heat, he was utilizing his sturdy body and great regeneration to propel himself forward.
“Come out, queen of the ants! Are you not seeing your children dying like this! Have you become afraid after just one encounter!!”
With only him turning the battlefield upside down, the courageous thrust into the enemy lines was a sight to behold.
The queen of the Muirmikian Clever tribe, Orea, had described it as powerful and vigorous.
“It’s inefficient and utterly foolish.”
“Why is that? It looks thoroughly powerful to me.”
“It’s all showy on the outside, but fundamentally shabby inside. The title of ‘king’ is wasted on him.”
However, Libertus’s evaluation of him was exceedingly harsh because he immediately saw the reason the Spider King continued to chew and swallow his prey.
“If you don’t keep putting something in your mouth, you’ll run out of power, so if you send in a small elite to fight, you’ll be isolated and die soon.”
“Aha…?”
“Even though he’s constantly eating, his power isn’t increasing.”
“Indeed, you’re right…!”
As Serha nodded along, Libertus’s gaze passed over the Spider King and spotted a small figure standing in his way.
“Stop – !! Arachne King, Tigris!”
“Finally, you have arrived. Queen Orea…”
It was none other than Orea, the queen and warrior of the ants. Having recovered not long after her treatment, she re-entered the battlefield, showing no signs of fear from prior encounters.
“Let’s go.”
As Libertas observed the scene between the king and queen briefly, he turned away, seemingly losing interest, for he believed there was no longer any value in watching.
“Isn’t it alright not to see anymore…?”
“It’s obvious a draw will occur.”
– Snap.
“That’s true…”
Eve and Xue quickly understood and followed their master, but Serha trailed behind, still completely baffled.
“What does that mean…?”
“The ants will be more cautious and observant than before, while the spiders will pull back as soon as it’s a long-term battle…”
It was not Rita who replied but Xue. She was subtly displeased that this girl was capturing their master’s attention. Though she wouldn’t explicitly say it, she was indeed a very jealous woman.
‘It seems a decision has been made…’
While also keeping an eye on her master. She could tell quite quickly that he was lost in thought.
As Xue had predicted, Libertus moved forward while wrapping up his thoughts and spoke to them.
“Let’s head to the Spider King’s lair.”
The fate of the two kings had been decided.
– 3 –
The Arachne King was just as expected. Although he showed signs of having gone through a fierce battle, he wasn’t gravely injured. The Ant Queen and the Spider King hadn’t landed fatal blows on each other.
However, even with an unresolved enemy situation, he feigned composure.
“I didn’t expect to see the Queen of the Dungeon in such a chaotic situation, I must say.”
“I feel the same way.”
The Arachne King, who let me in immediately upon hearing the news of the Queen of the Dungeon’s arrival, acted as if he had no intention of showing me a good face whatsoever.
Who knows?
He may simply have no concept of needing to make a good impression on others.
It could also be that my displeasure directed at him colored my perception.
“… Who are these?”
“Whatever conversation you came to have with me, I believe an appropriate offering is needed.”
But one thing was certain.
“No matter how I look at it, they seem to resemble you.”
“Indeed. They are my children.”
Crunch.
This guy just touched my reverse scale.