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Tightening his grip on the Vantablack Knife, Apollo frowned at the obscene number of spiders littered throughout the entire underground cavern. Their green eyes all turned to look at him as he entered. His state didn’t allow for him to control his bloodlust resulting in them immediately sensing him. ​​

Their bodies similar to soot in color possessed long slender legs that shimmered with a metallic luster. However, the unsettling part was their overly large fangs that dripped with a viscous green liquid. As it seeped into the ground, it sizzled and bore a hole through it.

[It’s one of the worst kinds of beasts to face… toxic ones. Not to mention, they seem to be of the metal attribute. It possesses some of the earth elements’ strengths but is far more deadly. You’ll have to be wary not to come in contact with their toxins.]

“I’m not all too worried about that… do you see their numbers? On top of that, do you see the number of eggs littering this place? If we fight here, they’ll possess the upper hand,” rebutted Apollo.

In addition to the numerous spiders which numbered well over 400, there were hundreds upon hundreds of white eggs with a slimy faint green substance covering them. Moreover, they carried a putrid stench that stung one’s nose. Luckily, the blood that covered Apollo dulled it as they mixed together.

[That isn’t necessarily the case. You can turn this area into your advantage. After all, the quest never mentioned you being unable to kill hatchlings.]

“Oh? Is that so… I was under the impression that I need to kill mature beasts. But now that you mention it, there’s no indication of me being unable to kill the hatchling of said beasts,” stated Apollo with a look of realization. A small smirk appeared on his lips as glanced at the approaching spiders.

“It looks like a pyrrhic victory won’t be on the menu today,” stated Apollo before meeting their movements with a dash of his own. His body felt different and energized. As Azridan had said, this was a changing point; the rate at which his body could process Natural Essence hastened.

‘I wonder if it is possible for me to use it like that?’

[Too early. You don’t have a method to do so. Even if you try, it’ll sacrifice your endurance to perform that feat. In this environment, I don’t recommend you attempt that feat.]

“Oh, you read my mind. Then when will I be able to use Natural Essence to attack like that talisman I used,” asked Apollo while thrusting his arm cutting into one of the legs of the spiders. Surprisingly, even though they were rank 2 the material the Vantablack Knife consisted of while being coupled with Apollo’s strength eclipsed the sturdiness of their physique.

[Soon. Worry about the matter at hand first and clear the quest.]

“Alright, I guess,” uttered Apollo as he dodged the stab of one of the spider beasts’ legs. At the same time, he caught a glimpse of their information from the system.

Monster Name: Dark Venom Iron Widow

Cultivation: Early Stage Rank 2 Spirit Beast

Health: 1,650/1,650

Chance of Defeat: 8.9%

“Hmm? That’s odd. It has a lot less health than the cub I faced off against,” verbally expressed Apollo while spinning his body and slamming the Iron Widow into another one. A surprising scene took place as they began stabbing each other while attempting to regain footing.

[That’s simple. Not every beast possesses the same strengths and weaknesses. Hence, the values the system determines will all be different. Interpret it as each beast being unique just like a person.]

“I see. But their actions… it seems as if they are oblivious to each other’s existence and simply strive to survive on their own,” stated Apollo while raising the Vantablack Knife defending against another blow. Surprisingly, sparks and a drawn-out screech appeared as the two alloy-like weapons collided.

Widening his eyes, Apollo took note of something, ‘They’re not all the same! Some of their bodies are stronger than the rest. Glancing around he took note of two other different types of spiders. While the same species, they were slightly different.

[Oh? It seems there are Variants as well as higher cultivated spider beasts. It seems your actions have alerted them.]

Unlike the other who possessed green eyes, the newcomers possessed blood-red ones as well as cyan ones. It was clear their statuses were above the one’s Apollo currently embroiled in battle with.

[Remember. While your parameters may have increased, the beasts have grown stronger along with you. Until you reach the point of self-sustainment, always seek to control the momentum of the battle.]

“So what you mean is… battle these low spiders while evading the stronger newcomers,” responded Apollo before thrusting his arm 3 times. Instantly, 3 of the dozen eyes of a nearby beast was punctured.

Squeals of rage were heard as it spat a vat of greenish liquid towards Apollo who dodged effortlessly. His Agility was on par with a pure agility type Spirit Beast. If they sought to damage him, they’d need to do better than that.

‘Hmm?!’

Apollo’s eyes widened as he immediately jumped away from his previous spot. A sensation of danger had overwhelmed his causing his immediate reaction. He had felt this before. It meant that whatever aimed at him could’ve been potentially fatal.

It was then he noticed the eyes of a larger spider beast transfixed upon him as its fangs opened and close as if viewing him as prey. At the same time, the behavior of the spiders changed. If they were disorderly before, then now they were like a trained military division. In waves of 3s, 4s, and 5s, the spiders confronted Apollo.

[That must be their commander. If it’s possible hold off on confronting it. I can feel that it has yet to reach Rank 3. However… its aura is also weird. It may be what I think it is.]

“I don’t have time to worry about it!” exclaimed Apollo as he spun abruptly, smashing one of the spider’s skulls into the ground stabbing it repeatedly until the next came into contact. Grabbing the spider’s leg, Apollo slashed it off at a length similar to his knife.

Dashing forward, his eyes remained focused. All vital areas became his target.

‘Splich!’ ‘Pucht!’ ‘Bang!’

Rapidly, he slashed, punctured, and kicked the crowding beasts. Instead of moving, he remained rooted in one spot and only made pivotal movements reactively. While his Agility was high and an advantage over his foes; if overutilized his stamina would drain rapidly putting him in a perilous situation. Nevertheless, he continued his murderous actions against the endless streams of spiders.

1…10…50, the carcasses stacked into a small pile as Apollo’s violet eyes shined through the blue liquid covering his body. Flicking his wrist, he abandoned the spider leg in his hand. Instead, he locked his sights on a new target. When fighting it, he found its exoskeleton to be leagues above the others infinitesimally on par with the Vantablack Knife.

However, as he slashed its limb as large change took.

‘SCREEEEEEEEEEEECH!’

The largest spider emitted a loud screech that riled all of the surrounding Spirit Beasts.

“Tch…”