Heading forth with promise of apple pie, Rosebelle seems rather excited even though we'd soon be battling against Arachnids. I'm almost certain they're spiders, and with the way this world works, I'm positive they're even deadlier than the ones I'm familiar with, with the size to match.
"So these Arachnids, they're spiders, right? Eight legs, poisonous, venomous?"
"Oh, you're familiar with them?"
Rosebelle answers in surprise, despite it being a relatively simple question.
At least I thought it was, but as it turns out, there are some Candidates who weren't ever familiar with 'Arachnids'. And it doesn't seem like they just haven't seem them; in their world they just never existed.
Hearing such facts makes me pause in my steps as I grasp my head with both hands in attempts to accept this new found knowledge.
"Then... there really are other worlds out there... Which they too also die and then revive here in this world..."
"Hehe, it's nothing to be amazed over, silly. If you woke up in this world, surely you'd figure there are others out there."
She claims it like it's no big deal. I guess I really should keep an open mind with these sorts of things.
"I just thought, you were from the world I was from..."
"Mm, well it's a mystery to me also. I don't know where I originated from, but I know I am Human."
"Human..?"
She directs my attention towards the smaller text beneath our given names, and of course mine says Human also.
"..."
I saw it there initially, I just never had any thoughts on it. Everyone I've seen looks human after all...
"Mm, Aisengard's a small city which is populated mainly by Humans, though there are others there who look strikingly similar just with different characteristics."
"I see..."
...
As the sun reflects against a thin looking wire connecting from one tree to another, I soon recognize the transparent silk belonging to spiders. However, the size greatly overshadows the webbing I've seen in the past, it's almost like a blanket.
"Stay clear from the webs, Akira. If you so much as brush against them, it'll alert the Arachnids."
Becoming slightly uncomfortable, the shed mentioned by Mally comes into view as dozens of webbing streak out from it and almost surrounds the entire area above it. With so much webs in sight, no Arachnids are in the area as we both lower ourselves to the ground.
"Okay... So, any plans in mind, Akira?"
She looks to me in question as though I'd have an idea.
"Y-You're asking me..?"
"Mm, of course. No matter what situation you're in, even when you're in a team. You should always give your own thoughts of the situation."
"...We can't just waltz into the shed, can we?"
It's fairly large in size, I assume it contains a fair amount of tools and storage for some of her produce.
"That's actually the way to go in this situation."
I believed it'd be a fools choice to disturb what'd appear to be the main nest, however, Rosebelle says it's the best decision.
"R-Really?"
"If we scurried around for too long, they'll notice our presence eventually as they'll all come pouring to our position. In this case, it's better to attack when they haven't noticed us attack the heart of their nest. When their forward scouts return, that's when it'll become troubling."
Creeping forward ever so slowly, she keeps her eyes on her surroundings.
"The more dangerous types are the ones that get sent out; there are warriors of their kind at their nest, but they're far more easier to deal with than them."
"I see... You sure have a lot of experience, Rosebelle."
"Hehe, well you have to if you're an Adventurer. Though, back then I was just a Hero Candidate, aiming to become the worlds first Hero."
She turns to me with a genuine smile, and yet for some reason I could see a bit of disappointment.
That's right. The Demon Lord's been defeated, and the one who slayed it was the one to become the first Hero of Elden.
...
"Okay, Akira, take one of these and keep some on you if the effect wears out."
She passes me a few vials which she made beforehand. Arachnids tend to be venomous and at times poisonous, so surely taking precautions with a specific vial is the way to go. So I take one myself as I almost gag at the flavour, which is horrendous when compared to the others I've had.
"Hehe, next time you should drink it all in one fell swoop.~"
"Y-Yeah, I just didn't think it'd be that bad..."
It's like medicine, except the worst kind where the taste can't be covered by anything.
"You're not taking any yourself?"
"Mm, when the situation calls for it. As of now, I think I'll be all right."
"If you say so..."
"Yup! I'll lead, so you bring up the rear. Stay behind and I should be able to draw all the attention. Act when you think is right, for any of the attached areas. I'll be sure to protect you, but that won't mean I'd be there for every time. Watch yourself, and watch for their spits."
"Gotcha."
I answer calmly and confidently before taking a deep breath to brace myself. Situated just outside the shed, the sounds of scurrying reach my ears as it sends shivers down my spine.
"R-Rosebelle, quick question. Roughly, how large are Arachnids?"
"Hm? They can be fairly small, about a child's size, most can go from there to the average adult, or at times, as large as a carriage."
"...I-I see. Well, that's... okay."
Except it's really not, but I can't just back down. Though mostly because I don't want her see me running away.
"Let's go."
Entering the dim lit shed with a bang, Rosebelle crashes the door down as almost the entirety of the place is covered in webs. With large eggs on the far reaches of the shed, some even hang from the ceiling as large Arachnids scurry about as they immediately hone in on us.
It truly matches the definition of a breeding ground as the smell of decay invade my senses.
Spinning her blade effortlessly, she swings once as the strike cleanly cuts through an Arachnid; splitting it in two before shattering into dust. With two closing in on her, she swings once to counter which sends its severed claw flying overhead as she delivers the final pierce. Shifting her body a slight, the Arachnids downward thrust with both it's claws pierce through the earth; delivering a vigorous kick sends the arachnid crashing against the shed.
Hearing the scurrying continue, more arachnids replace the fallen. Numerous hissing sounds reach my ears as though they're communicating to one and another. They're aware of my presence but as Rosebelle mentioned, their target is her. If properly exploited, I can be of use despite my lower capabilities.
Examining their bodies and subtle movement, their front legs twitch a bit before moving as I call out to Rosebelle.
"The right, Rose!"
"Heh, nice catch, Akira!"
With her charging off to the right, all eyes follow her as they follow. Hearing a slice splitting through air followed by a gust of wind, I move left before throwing a potent vial towards the Arachnids.
"Reactive vials..?"
"Yes, there's more to battle than swinging ones weapon. Especially those who'd prefer to analyse the situation before engaging, it's potent in the right hands."
Before venturing off on the quest, Luel pulled me over as she taught me a way to be of use without being in the fray of battle. It can also be used as an opener and misguide opponents.
"Combine a few ingredients, along with a highly reactive powder... And what you're met with is a vial that'd explode on impact. The effects may vary with the ingredients used, given you combine it correctly with the base. Just be warned a little too much may have unexpected results."
"Can't say it's a way I intended on fighting..."
"I'm not saying to be overly reliant on them, it's simply wise to have options at your disposal. Especially as you are now. Perhaps you wouldn't need such measures when you're stronger. All I'm saying is to keep an open eye, there's no justice if you're dead."
"Well, a little mixing and measuring's my field of expertise I guess. Thanks, Luel."
The moment the vial lays contact with the Arachnid, it bursts with a small explosion, however, it survives the blast while attracting the others attention. However, in that split second, she notices the opportunity and makes quick work of them. As they fall with each swing of her blade, I assist her onslaught in whichever way possible with the tools at my disposal.
As their numbers begin to dwindle, I almost take a breath of relief, however, as much as I sought after the end battle; it was far from finished. Escaping numerous endangering threats, be it claws or their poisonous biles. Even with the potion that strengthens resistance against poison, it's not thoroughly a hundred percent. When the icon appeared, it felt as though I could cough up blood at any moment as my insides felt like they were constricting. It left Rosebelle to fulfill the role of two.
She herself didn't seem out of shape, and as like before, the longer the battle drew out, it's like she only gets faster, as the weight of her swings increased several folds. No matter how much damage she received, she repaid them back double.
"Rosebelle, are you all right?"
"Never felt better!"
With a teethy grin, she firmly grips Dawnbringer as it almost gleams like the sun as rays of light shine through the broken patches in the roof. Despite not having her shield, she's able to keep on the offensive. However, I believe having it would make the battle easier.
A flower that blooms during combat, one that can endure the harsh environment of battle... Her strikes are fierce, yet they have a certain class to them. I find myself in several close calls as I watched over her, perhaps attempting to replicate them when I grow stronger.
...
"Phew, that's that," wiping her brow despite being unable to produce sweat, I too find myself unable to break such habit as she look over to me, "You did great, Akira."
Smiling with her words of praise, she's out of breath, however, she recovers a lot faster than me as I'm sat against the floor; exhausted like I just ran a marathon in tatters.
"T-Thanks... You did most of the, work anyway."
But. I feel a bit more confident in my ability, and I received two levels with a considerable raise in my parameters. Realising so, I couldn't help but laugh at the brink of insanity.
"Hehe, with that I'm sure you're glad with the result," turning her attention to the remaining eggs, she mentioned they're far from hatching.
During our skirmish, a dozen hatched out of their eggs. Unlike what most would assume; once these Arachnids are hatched, they're combat ready after a moment of delay despite being a lot smaller.
"What to do with these... It can fetch a hefty amount of seraphs to the right buyer."
"E-Ehh? There's actually a market for these things?"
Asking out of genuine curiosity, I could only see them as nothing but trouble.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. The thing spiraling around the eggs can be made into silk, it's there to more or less safeguard the egg in case it breaks from mishaps."
"A-And... we can't just harvest them now?"
"Hehe," she smirks, "Would you like to get a little hands on with those up close?"
I don't want to see another Arachnid for a month, I don't want anything else to do with them.
"N-No thanks... How about you, Rosebelle?"
"Me? Well unfortunately, I'm not too fond of it, it sticks to you and you have to apply the right amount of pressure, and know which layer to remove first, or you'll damage the quality and the amount you're able to obtain."
"I see..."
Well, if it's a way to make a pretty penny...
"Well, for today we'll destroy them as I'd like to spend the evening here before returning. You don't have any objections to that, right, Akira?"
"No not at all."
Picking myself up, my body's weary. But against stationary, non violent targets shouldn't be much of a problem.
With the promised apple pie in the near future, my steps felt elevated, however, only for a brief moment as the a powerful impact shakes the entire shed.
"W-What the hell?"
Our attention directs to the ceiling as something has landed upon the roof, crawling against it. Dust falls through the gaps as I could almost feel the weight of our visitor. Feeling my heart almost stop, I back away closer to Rosebelle and before long, two large leg like scythes pierce through before shredding parts of the roof away. Repeating this several times in a haphazard manner, the perpetrator reveals itself as it crashes to the floor several meters in front of us with falling debris as we quickly leap back.
"W-What... What the hell is that?!"
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