Chapter 296: Liam Vs Arachne Boss

Storm Shadow rested lightly in Liam’s hand as he walked deeper into the dungeon. Every few steps, he swung the spear once, clearing spiders that crawled along the walls. Their bodies cracked and burst with a wet hiss when the blade pierced them, the green acid inside spilling harmlessly onto the stone.These creatures weren’t exactly strong. They rushed him in small groups at first, then in larger ones, and their individual sizes increased as he went further. But Storm Shadow cut through them cleanly. He didn’t bother using his telekinetic ability. He didn’t release any extra power. He only used the spear.

And that even seems like the spear was an overkill, as he has practically cruised through the dungeon and he was only forced to use the spear lightning coating ability only a few times, which was when they surrounded him with huge numbers.

Storm Shadow was his creation and tecause of that, all limits placed on the weapon meant nothing to him. Others would need spiritual energy to use its abilities, but Liam didn’t.

The weapon responded to his will without cost. The only thing Storm Shadow needed was spiritual energy to replenish itself if it ever ran low. But that won’t be a problem because Liam had a spirit lake in the Dimensional Space. He could drop the spear inside and let it drink until it filled itself again.

That was why he fought without worry. Even if he emptied the weapon’s spiritual energy today, he could restore it later.

It had been only a few minutes since he entered the dungeon, yet he had killed dozens of what he called "acidic spiders." He was sure that wasn’t their real name, but the name fit them well enough. Their bodies were dark green, their legs sharp, and their bite could melt stone.

Liam stepped over another spider and slowed down as the corridor widened. A large stone door rested ahead. The door was carved with a detailed image of a woman with a spider’s lower body. Her arms were raised, claws crossed, while thousands of smaller spiders surrounded her.

He studied the image for a moment.

An Arachne boss. That was clear. The mother of the acidic spiders he had been cutting down. If the drawings were true, she would be angry. Very angry.

He let out a soft breath of acceptance. He had already been wanting to see one of them. He had watched movies and seen drawings in stories, but reality always carried a different weight. This would be his first real look at an Arachne, and he wanted to see how close the stories were.

He placed his hand on the stone and pushed.

The door opened slowly, grinding against the floor. Darkness spilled out, thick and deep, but Liam stepped in without hesitation.

The boss room was huge. The ceiling stretched high above, almost invisible behind shadows. His enhanced eyesight picked faint shapes along the stone arches. His telekinetic sense spread out, touching rough walls, old webs, and hollow spaces.

And something else. It was a faint movement of the boss. It skittered across the ceiling. Then another, like claws testing the stone. Liam walked forward until he reached the center of the room.

His sight and his telekinetic sense picked on the interior design of the boss room. It was massive to say the least and it was extremely dark. If it wasn’t for his enhanced eyesight and his telekinetic sense, he would had been overwhelmed by the darkness. Of course, that would only be temporary as he has a solution to that.

He waited and the next moment, a sharp screech split the air from behind him.

He spun the spear around just in time to block. Steel clashed against hard chitin. The impact pushed him back and his legs slid across the floor, leaving thin marks on the stone.

Liam’s smile grew. The force behind that attack wasn’t small. It carried weight, speed, and intent. At last, something interesting.

The Arachne clicked her fangs as she clung to the wall above him. Her upper body resembled a woman’s, but her features were sharper and more wild than anything human. Her lower body was a spider’s, strong and thick, with eight legs gripping the stone. Two long blades grew from her forearms like natural weapons. Small droplets of acid dripped from her fangs and sizzled when they hit the floor.

She moved fast. Even before Liam could speak, she charged again. She used the ridges along the jagged wall, pushing herself off them with controlled jumps that sent her flying at sharp angles.

Liam countered each move, his spear flashing between strikes. Her dual blades hit his spear with rapid cuts, strong enough to send vibrations up the shaft. The power behind her attacks cracked the floor under his feet, spreading thin lines around him.

But he didn’t stop smiling. He shifted his weight and sprinted forward. She screeched and met him mid-air. Her legs bent and pushed off the wall with speed, her blades swinging down. Liam raised Storm Shadow and blocked the hit again, then twisted his body and ran up the nearest wall.

With each step, he climbed higher. His feet planted cleanly against the stone. The Arachne did the same, skittering sideways across the rough surface as if it was flat ground. They met halfway up the wall, clashing again.

The impact shook the stone and dust fell. Liam flipped back and landed lightly on the floor. The Arachne didn’t give him time to rest, as she lunged again, faster this time, with her body becoming a blur of dark green and sharp limbs.

Her blades clashed with Storm Shadow. Each strike was stronger than the last. She pushed him back, and he let her, studying her movements. She used the walls, the ceiling, and the floor like a natural arena. Her rhythm changed every few seconds. She attacked from above, from behind, from the side, forcing him to keep up.

It was fun.

He planted the spear into the ground and used the force to swing himself aside, avoiding a downward strike that cut a long crack through the stone floor. He landed and stepped in with a quick thrust. She blocked with both blades and hissed, her body twisting as she tried to circle around him.

Liam shifted his grip and swept the spear. The Arachne jumped back, avoiding the blade by a narrow margin, then launched herself upward. Her legs dug into the wall and she crawled across the ceiling, circling him from above.

He watched her calmly and he saw her dropped from the ceiling.

Liam thrust the spear up as she fell toward him. Her blades struck the shaft and sparks burst. The ground shook when she landed, forcing Liam to slide back. Her aggression was growing. Her movements were becoming sharper and her screechs were becoming louder.

She was angry. She had felt the deaths of her children. She could smell their scents on him and she knew he was the one. This evil human has killed her children. They were busy, living their lives peacefully in the dungeon and he came, and killed them.

"I will kill you!" She screeched with burning anger and hatred.

Liam twirled Storm Shadow and pointed it at her.

"Come," he said softly in English, though he understood what she said with her screech.

The Arachne didn’t understand his words, but she understood the challenge. She screeched again, louder than before. Acid dripped from her fangs and burned small pits into the floor. Her legs spread wide and tightened. She lowered her body and prepared to strike.

Then she rushed at him.

Liam responded with the same energy. He sprinted straight at her. Their weapons met once more, but this time he didn’t hold back. He pushed with his full strength and the shockwave cracked the ground beneath both of them.

She skittered back, legs trembling from the force. She steadied herself and lunged again, her blades swinging with wild force. Liam blocked each one but felt the weight behind them. She wasn’t weak, slow or simple.

She was the strongest thing he had fought since he came to Velaris. Maybe his strongest opponent ever.

He stepped in and struck her shoulder with the spear shaft. She hissed and staggered back. She recovered in an instant and charged again. The clash continued, their bodies moving across the entire room. They fought on the walls, on the floor, and in mid-air. Dust filled the room with every impact.

The fight lasted long enough for Liam to enjoy it. And he enjoyed every moment.

At last, he stopped. He held Storm Shadow at his side and stood still.

The Arachne screeched and rushed again, thinking he was open.

Liam smiled.

His body turned in one smooth motion. The spear spun and he swung it up, meeting her blades with a strong blow that sent her skidding backward. She crashed into the wall and cracked it.

Liam lowered the spear and took one slow breath, then he stepped forward, ready to continue the fight.