Chapter 44 (1/2)

Ragneos’ eyes widened. It was natural to be shocked. The thing in my hand was what he was so eager to find. “T-That...!”

“Yes, I killed the spider king.”

I shook as I remembered my fight with him. He was a guy I didn’t want to see again. Eight legs and eight eyes. To me who hated spiders, this was dirty and disgusting.

“Kuuack! Youuuu! I won’t forgive you!! Kiiiiik!”

I clicked my tongue. “If there is something good to eat then you should share it. Tsk tsk.”

“Shut up! Swamp of Despair!” Ragneos’ voice was husky as he unleashed the magic of despair. A dark energy was starting to appear at my feet. I had seen this before so I quickly jumped up.

“Oh, I’m going to be sick.” It was creepy to see the huge number of hands coming out from the ground. Once again, I thought that I should live a good life. However, the misery began from now on.

“Dark Arrow.”

“Um!”

A sharp object suddenly struck my chest. I was blown toward the knights of Windia due to the force of the explosion. I grabbed my chest at the powerful attack. “Groan.”

“Old man, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

...I should be more vigilant. It seemed that the opponents I had faced until now were too easy. It was clear that this guy in front of me was good at fighting. I exhaled lightly and felt the need to do my best. I started moving at my maximum speed. I left a pale afterimage as I moved at a fast speed, leaving Ragneos fl.u.s.tered. The place where I appeared was the right leg of the spider queen. There was an explosion the moment my leg and the spider leg met.

“Soul Extortion.”

What? Moments later, I got goosebumps as Ragneos grabbed my right shoulder. I felt a great deal of pain as I was caught by him.

“Kuaack!”

[You have lost some of your soul. You will lose 0.5% health per second.]

It was a tremendous absorption. 122 health was instantly absorbed and I was momentarily immobile. I changed the trajectory of the kick and aimed at Ragneos, but Ragneos was no longer there. He avoided it?

“Dark Arrow!”

Fortunately, I didn’t get hit this time. I reflexively twisted as I heard a voice from behind me. I quickly widened the distance from him. Damn, he was strong. His reaction rate wasn’t normal. I couldn’t believe it. He was reading all of my attacks with a body that looked much older. I hadn’t expected anyone to be as vigorous as me in their old age.

“Kikikik. Amazing. You are good enough to kill the spider king. However, it doesn’t work on me when I have swallowed the spider queen’s inner core.”

Spider queen’s inner core? It must be something similar to the spider king’s inner core. I didn’t know what it was but it must be good for the body based on the way he dodged my attack. I asked him, “Are you happy eating it alone?”

“Shut up!” Ragneos cast Swamp of Despair again. It was easy to avoid but the problem was what came after.

“Shiiiiik!!!”

This spider bastard...! The spider queen started to relentlessly slam down her forelegs. The movements of her forelegs were bizarre. Loud sounds came from the ground and dust rose. A curse couldn’t help coming out as she started working together with Ragneos.

“F*ck.”

I was breathing hard and sweating just dodging their attacks. It was a tremendous continuous attack.

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is telling you to summon Solar.]

Shit, I was already planning on it.

“Solar!”

“Master! Solar has appeared!”

[You have received the apostle’s buff.]

[All stats are increased by 20% for 30 minutes.]

[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ has possessed Solar’s body.]

“Old man! I will take care of Ragneos. Handle that spider!” Prometheus suddenly possessed Solar and told me.

I shouted at him, “You! It would’ve been good if you gave this buff earlier!”

“I don’t give it often!”

At the same time, a fireball hurtled toward Ragneos. Ragneos was baffled by the sudden incoming fireball. “Kiik! Dark Arrow!”

For a moment, Solar’s flames died down before quickly flaring up again.

“Keuk! Then I’ll swallow you with even greater flames. Flames of Fury!”

Behind Ragneos, a fireball the size of Solar was rising. I was distracted by the sight of what could be Solar’s brother. Ragneos lowered his staff and the fire brother flew forward. Smoke billowed as there were one, two, three, then four, consecutive explosions.

“Everything will turn to ashes before my flames! Kikikik!”

...Stupid guy. Solar was 10 times larger than before as it popped out from the explosion. It let out a lump of fire that it had eaten. The enormous firestorm struck Ragneos. The sudden attack made Ragneos’ body stiffen and he allowed the attack.

[A critical blow has been dealt!]