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Syl: Chapter 191
🕑 Added 2024-10-25 06:15:01 +0000 UTCChapter 191: The Terror
But first, I need to find that spider... If it even is a spider anymore? Honestly, it's starting to feel like it has evolved into a ghost, with how I've not even caught sight of the damned thing.
I paused, realized the possibility, and groaned.
Please don't be a damned ghost!
***
She was right! I can't believe she was right! A small spider frantically thought to herself as she scurried away toward her den.
She couldn't believe the absurd situation she was in when she had finally gotten some peace and quiet from the nonstop dwarf attacks. But now some crazy exterminator elf was after her! She thought back to the warning given to her by the mysterious voice during her last evolution.
"There's a good chance you'll run into an... Elf in the near future." The bodiless womanly voice expressed. "I don't think you currently have the strength to prevail, so I suggest you improve yourself drastically."
She hated the voice, especially how it always spoke in a "mother knows best" sort of manner. Like she was a damn child. It was the reason she was in this situation in the first place!
A brand new life it had enticed her with, filled with possibilities and unknowns. The only payment was some of your old memories, a real bargain, right? Sure, she got the brand new life she was promised, only the hidden caveat of being reborn as a damned spider! She couldn't believe her misfortune; where was the disclaimer on this deal?
Please note that this new and exciting promised life has no guarantee of being even remotely human. That should have been my warning! She cursed to herself. And only some of my memories? I can't even remember my old name! What I was left best with feels so random and useless!
She pulled up her profile quickly to look at her condition. As always, she grimaced when she saw the new name the dwarves had somehow given her.
Name: The Terror [Manhunter]
Race: Riftweaver Spider LV 25
Class: -
Status: Injured (Minor)
Mana: Draining
My Mana is looking atrocious. Why did teleporting that elf cost so much, Mana! I barely moved her any distance at all! And why isn't she affected by [Manhunter]? The fear effect worked on the dwarves, so it should work on elves, too! I'm only halfway to my next evolution, so it's not like I can pull something out of my ass to gain the upper hand.
She began spinning more [Rift Thread]; it was her best weapon remaining after her Mana had plummeted so spectacularly. Her latest evolution was spectacular, and she felt like she could take on anything, or so she had thought until this elf proved otherwise.
Sometimes, I really wish I could have a do-over with my choices. Picking the Shrinking mutation was a mistake of note; make myself small and cute, and maybe the dwarves will stop attacking me? Ha! Good joke, past-me. Nobody finds spiders cute...
She paused and tried to think on the bright side.
Although... it did allow me to qualify for this dimension evolution since dimensions are apparently related to size. Or something. Ugh, all this stuff makes my head hurt. Maybe I should have taken her advice and picked a magic-related evolution sooner?
She pondered the thought a bit before shaking her little head.
No... While some spite may have influenced my decision, Trapweaver was definitely the way to go. I wouldn't have survived as long as I have if I hadn't been bunkering up in this booby-trapped mine.
She sighed.
Well... Until the elf exterminator showed up and destroyed everything that I had constructed by casually walking through it! Seriously? Is her body itself a weapon? Why does everything except [Rift Thread] just break on contact with her?
And does she have instant regeneration or something, too? It took ages to grow back when I lost a leg, even when I used that [Regen Gland]! Meanwhile, I watched her regrow an entire arm in seconds! Talk about unfair... And most importantly, why do elves have wings!?
That had really shattered her hope of defeating the elf. Gravity was her ultimate secret weapon, the great equalizer to all, but even that wasn't enough to stop the elf.
With a new supply of [Rift Thread], she began crafting some [Recovery Thread] and manipulating it with [Thread Mastery] to cover her burn wounds before recoating herself in some [Armor Thread].
And landmines? Freakin' landmines! I thought this was a fantasy world with magic and monsters; why does she have landmines!? If I hadn't used [Blink], I would have been a smoldering corpse.
She "slapped" herself with one of her pedipalps. This was no time to get into a negativity spiral. At worst, she could [Blink] away and abandon her home; escape was always an option.
She sat in her web cluster and activated [Spatial Sense], getting a small but incredibly accurate reading of her surroundings. [Spatial Sense] was almost mandatory to use anything with [Dimension Magic] or even to utilize her [Rift Thread] effectively.
Next, she activated [Thread Mastery] again and began exploring through her silken network laid throughout the mine to locate the elf. Ordinarily, it would provide minimal sensory input intended only for vibrational feedback. However, combining the two traits allowed her almost complete remote surveillance anywhere within her spiderweb.
This, combined with [Rift Thread], which was imbued with dimensional energy, allowed her to set traps remotely anywhere within her domain. It took her a while, but she found the elf cautiously exploring another tunnel. She grasped some of her [Rift Thread] and shunted it into appearing and occupying the space surrounding the elf.
When used like this, her [Rift Thread] was especially deadly. It created a tiny area of nothingness, and since she could basically "teleport" it into an open space, she could trap someone without them realizing it. However, that did not seem to be the case with the elf. She immediately froze as if having discovered the suddenly appearing trap.
Agh! Just step into it! She shouted in frustration, but now the elf examined the hidden [Rift Thread]. Why? How? Nobody else could detect it; this is so frustrating!
She snapped some of the connected threads in an attempt to use the trap as an offensive trap. But it was far from effective, as it was extremely slow due to the strange nature of the [Rift Thread], seemingly disregarding most of the usual properties she had routinely used. Factors like wind and even tension, the strange otherworldy thread seemed to ignore all that and behave by its own made-up rules.
Watching the deadly thread slowly drift towards the elf, only for her to casually move out of the way and watch it with puzzlement, was disheartening. If it was her normal threads, she could have snapped them like whips and cut the elf into pieces by now.
Frustrated by the experience, she sent one of her ceiling traps collapsing like a well-positioned net. Thanks to the high tension applied to the thread, it sprung from nowhere and at an incredible speed. The entire net was created from [Poison Thread] and was razor-sharp.
When she had used it against even the toughest of dwarves, they would at least receive some cuts from it, and her poison would get to work. But once again, when the net touched the elf, it just... Melted. The elf tilted its head at the trap with a bemused expression.
Why didn't I pick a spider with deadly fangs instead of all this thread nonsense? Then I could just bite her!
The elf tilted her head, then smiled. "I think I found you..."
What! How? She screamed mentally. Then she saw the elf's gaze following along the ceiling at her hidden spiderweb network.
No! No, no, no! She started panicking. Why did I do that? I knew she had some crazy sensory ability to see the [Rift Thread]!
The elf was moving with startling speed, using some movement ability to vanish from sight and appear at a distance.
Does she have something like [Blink] too? Shit!
Following along with [Thread Mastery] and [Spatial Sense] became increasingly problematic as the elf moved far too quickly, making tracking her difficult. She made the snap decision to upgrade [Spatial Sense] using some trait points to further increase its vision radius. Immediately, her field of vision increased, and now the elf wasn't instantly escaping from her vision's boundary.
Okay! Trap time! I can use her reckless speed to my advantage!
But before that, she quickly threw up a boundary web between herself and the entrance to her home. By creating an entire frame of [Rift Thread], she could create makeshift portals by imbuing it with some of her Mana. It was how she had originally sent the elf plummeting into the pit trap.
Feeling a little safer, she started creating lethal tripwires in front of the elf. She barreled straight through one, leaving a gash that initially made the spider cheer at success, but the elf kept going. Despite the massive amount of blood produced, the wound was seemingly almost superficial with how quickly it closed up and how she ignored it.
Stop cheating! You must suffer some penalty for all the blood you've been losing!
She created more tripwires, but now the elf was prepared, and right when she thought she finally had her, the elf suddenly burst into lightning and appeared an even greater distance away.
It was so absurd that it bordered on the unbelievable. Just how many tricks could one person have? Were all elves like this? None of the dwarves had displayed anything nearly as good as this, and even the ones she struggled to defeat fell victim to gravity.
Why was I born a stupid spider when I could have been born a killer elf? Look at her!
She gave up on trying to create more tripwires; she was wasting what precious [Rift Thread] she had left and instead was preparing for a last stand. She still had her teleport trap on the doorway, and when not operating remotely, she had far greater control over her threads.
I guess I'm testing using it as a direct weapon now. I wish I had the foresight to practice this some more, but I never imagined none of my traps would work.
If she was desperate, she could even undo her shrink and return to her full size or even pump it up and try to crush the elf. Hell, maybe even use her old fangs like when she first started.
Would my fangs even work? Or would they also melt? She shuddered at the thought.
At the same time, she confirmed that she still had avenues of escape using [Blink]. She could hear the sound of rock exploding as the elf destroyed a path towards her den.
That's when she finally came face to face with her would-be assassin. She stared at the beautiful elf with envy, a far cry from her monstrous spiderly form. She tensed, expecting a sudden attack, and was ready to use [Blink] at a moment's notice, but instead, the elf just stared at her as if trying to solve a puzzle.
It was like a silent standoff, with both parties slowly examining each other, but neither committed to taking the first hostile action. The spider could feel fatigue slowly building up on her, like a creeping poison. The tensity of the situation was clearly getting the better of her.
Since the equipped effect of the [Manhunter] emblem wasn't doing anything, she decided to swap it out for [Apex Hunter] as a troublesome thought was niggling in the back of her mind. As soon as the new emblem was transferred over, a familiar voice tickled the back of her mind.
Worthy!
No, no, no! She's stronger than me? I already suspected it, but having it so bluntly confirmed is rotten!
And then she felt her heart sink as the elf suddenly smirked.
Dread immediately assailed her, and she instinctively reached for [Blink], only for it to fail spectacularly, and she barely moved a few inches.
No, why!? She demanded, the fear gripping her as she pulled up her profile. She had ascertained she had the Mana previously, and it had been recovering too. What she saw next robbed her of all remaining hope.
Mana: Drained
What did she do to me?
Comments
Cam
It IS kumiko!! Tftc!
TheLapisFox
Actually, Bonded Beasts are not enslaved. 1) They must accept the invitation to become one, and 2) The forced command the elf did on Syl is, as the elf said, EXTREMELY TABOO. The only reason she forced Syl to kill her was to ensure that prick didn't get her skill. So, yeah, not once has the Bonded Beast ability ever been treated as slavery in this story.
TheLapisFox
Hah! Thought the same.
TheLapisFox
So I'm a Spider, So What?
Blanc
TFTC! Syl managed to terrorize The Terror
Jeanean
Considering Syl's experience with that, I doubt she would do that to her new friend. Though they might certainly act like it!
Lena During
I highly doubt Syl wants an actual bonded companion given her own brief experience with that.
crazybot
Would their god let them? The gods didn't seem appreciative of how Syl got a class and Gramps didn't like the experience distribution.
crazybot
She does seem to be staring at the end there... Maybe she's spacing out from how cute the spider is!
crazybot
Now they just sound cute.
Enif
Spider friend will be so much fun 😄
dtape467
the only way I see her doing that is if they have no other choice
Wensber
She could, however Syl certainly has hangups about how you can order bonded companions. I find it unlikely Syl will offer that to a sentient being.
InfernalDrake
I agree that she doesn’t need the beast bond. Temporary companions are one thing, but a full time one is another, especially since it would be done by basically enslaving another person.
Mugatu9
Beast bond time!
Snowmad
Any good witch or wizard needs a familiar.
Broseph
So they’re a spider? So what?
Roombot
I kinda hope they team up
Jason Hardman
TYFTC! I feel like I've offered this correction before, but in the following 'hindsight' should be 'foresight' : I wish I had the hindsight to practice this some more, but I never imagined none of my traps would work. A different phrasing that works with 'hindsight' would be : In hindsight I wish I had practiced this some more, but I never imagined none of my traps would work. Great chapter. Hoping we have a new cute spider companion ❤️
Bosparan
Thanks for the interesting chapter. Now I have to muster my patience until Monday though :( Also kind of wondering if the situation in the Dwarven City blew up in the meantime, when the two survivors come back and accidentally leak that they tried to kill the Elf and failed on a 6:1 fight...
Mrfacemanlol
I imagine the terror as a tiny jumping spider
DuskDeadman
Couldn't she really be a bonded companion? Syl did take 1 level of tamer pretty early on if I'm remembering right.
dtape467
I really hope the cute, small spider gets to pretend to be her new bonded companion. she seems nice and could help Syl work on her dimension magic
Faramond01
Where hanging by a Thread here!
Beeees!
Tiny spider is perfect for shoulder companion. And if she uses bonded companion then the terror can join civilized society no problem
Beeees!
Plz plz plz
Beeees!
Agreed
matt
Why does everyone think being alone means your lonely?
matt
As I said. Definitely Kumoko 😜
Pexezz
If not friendly then why friend shaped
Engineer4God
I really hope so!
Engineer4God
What if small and cute works on Syl?
Engineer4God
Tank oo fur da chap!
Dan
If the spider becomes a companion, will they try to sneak her to touch a class change -thingy to get a class? What is a good class for a spider, magic because her God is (probably) the God of Magic or a Tiny Spider Assassin class? INB4 Syl just eats her lol.
Kain01able
Is this spider friend shaped?
CataFlan
TFTC! I hope the spider don't have multiple personalities... A little bit of [Mana Burn] for a good conversation is the order of the day. Friday cliffhangers are the WORST!
Daniel Mountain
Serious Kumoko vibes here, I'm loving it.
BeepBoop
I have a feeling that it's not souls, but soul.
Really_Big
I enjoy Haiku, But they don't always make sense, Refrigerator.
Shai182
Being lonely and having no one to trust truly is Isolating and allows paranoia to flourish. With a Spider Companion, you have a way to make things secure. Especially if the Webs are Invisible 🕸 not to mention a fellow Experiment to vent to.
Fi
TFTC ❤️
Ronny Cook
Don't worry. The invincible Terminator elf who can see through walls just wants to be your FRIEND.
BonusWellSpent
"I thought this was a fantasy world with magic and monsters; why does she have landmines!?" So another hint that the experiment souls have been isekaied
Freya
Tyftc
Simon Hoerder
Yay! Cute spider side-kick. Also: bad, bad author for forcing cute spider side-kick to go through such a bowel evacuating, pants filling situation. You owe some delicious treats to cute spider side-kick!
Lionheart Copperhead
TFTC!
Leafburn 550
Don’t don’t get why everyone wants companions for Syl. Solo Syl is best Syl. Honorable mention to trixie
Abishek Kumar
this is the worst timing for this cliffhanger, we need to wait 2 days instead of 1 for weekdays, to read the next part
TheLord999
Also I’m pretty sure first (real) companion acquired
Wensber
Thanks for the chapter!
Hector Gregorio
Good work i LOVE this fic
crazybot
So this experiment knows of modern concepts like mines? She seemed surprised to see them in a "fantasy" setting. I'm excited for Monday's update!
Hector Gregorio
wow poor spider, well the positive part is that it was capture without killing it, so now after intimidating it into submission it's time to recruit a new partner
TheLord999
Noooo not a cliffhanger, pleaaaaase (tftc btw)
Shai182
TFTC! Terror and Fun?
Omnax
TFTC!
