57: Phase Spider Nest

As soon as we stepped into the cave, a thick, damp air rushed towards us, as if it could be wrung out.

My nose immediately caught a peculiar scent, a mix of metal and earth.

As we ventured deeper into the cave, a faint, fishy smell gradually permeated the air, a trace left by the interaction of groundwater and iron ore.

Mixed within this fishy scent was an indescribable mineral fragrance.

This was, unexpectedly, a natural iron mine!

Fiona gently tugged at my and Randall’s sleeves, signaling us to stop.

She gathered us together, her gaze soft yet firm as she looked at Randall.

“Randall,” her voice flowed like a clear spring, “I know that in this dark cave, your eyes are veiled by the night, unable to see the path ahead.

But rest assured, elven magic will guide you.”

Randall’s face twisted into a wry smile upon hearing this.

He looked around, seeing only the cave walls like the gaping maw of a giant beast, devouring every speck of light, making him feel an unprecedented helplessness.

However, when he thought of Fiona, this Forest Nymph who could wield high-level magic, being both a lord and his friend, some of the helplessness in his heart seemed to dissipate.

“Fiona, I’m truly grateful that you’re willing to bring me along.

But… can I really be effective in an environment like this?” Randall’s voice carried a hint of hesitation and self-doubt.

I gently patted Randall’s shoulder, trying to offer him some encouragement.

“Randall, don’t forget, we are a team.

Everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are an indispensable part of the team.

And Fiona’s magic, I believe her, can definitely help each of us find our own light in this dark cave.”

Fiona smiled and nodded, her hands beginning to move slowly, as if drawing complex runes in the air.

As she began to chant an ancient spell in a low voice, the air at the cave entrance seemed to tremble slightly, and a mysterious power gathered at her fingertips.

“Visual Share, activate!” Fiona’s voice was like a spring breeze caressing a lake, carrying an irresistible force.

Her gaze instantly met mine, and then, a wonderful connection was established between Randall and me.

My right eye seemed to see the darkness before Randall’s eyes.

As the spell took effect, a flicker of surprise and excitement crossed Randall’s eyes.

He abruptly opened his eyes wide, trying to adapt to this sudden dark vision.

The scenery in the cave gradually became clear to him; the rocks and veins that were originally hidden in the darkness now appeared as if illuminated, clearly presenting themselves before his eyes.

“This is truly amazing…” Randall’s voice trembled with disbelief.

He looked around, a long-lost smile appearing on his face.

“Of course, Randall.” Fiona said with a smile, “Now, you can also see everything Ryan sees.

Let’s continue forward.”

As we continued our journey, a more complex scent subtly assailed us.

It was a chilling mix of mildew and rotting animal carcasses.

We followed the Phase Spider, moving quietly through the winding cave, trying to make no sound.

After a long and gloomy passage, the path ahead suddenly opened up, revealing a massive cavern before our eyes.

The cave ceiling was dozens of meters high, like a natural palace, with rocks and iron ore intertwined, forming a magnificent tableau.

The iron ore shimmered with a faint glow in the dim light, like stars adorning the night sky, both mysterious and enchanting.

Here, endless wealth was hidden.

In such an environment, we couldn't help but slow our pace, observing our surroundings with greater caution.

The charmed Phase Spider moved silently ahead, its eight pointed feet leaving almost no trace on the mine floor.

In the distance, some animals, wrapped in spider silk, were quietly piled against the stone walls.

Dense cobwebs began to appear ahead, like silvery gauze, layer upon layer, extending deep into the cave.

A few unfortunate animals were tightly bound by spider silk, their bodies already shriveled, the lingering fear in their eyes still seemingly recounting their despair before death.

In front of a stone wall, a humanoid figure lay quietly, wrapped in thick spider silk.

As we approached for a closer look, it was easy to see that this was a human wearing a tattered mage robe.

Although his face was already blurred, he must have experienced countless hardships in his life.

His backpack was half-open beside him, and an open metal box lay on the ground not far away.

I slowly picked up the backpack; it contained a few pieces of clothing, various spellcasting materials, a spellbook, several bottles of potions of different colors, and some gold coins and gems.

There were also several yellowed common language books: a “Herbalism Handbook” and an “Alchemy Handbook” lay side by side in a corner of the backpack, with dried plant samples and notes Inclusion between the pages.

A notebook with a slightly eerie cover also caught my eye— “Notes on the Aberrant Experiments of Phase Spiders.”

Besides these, there were also some spell scrolls.

This notebook meticulously documented the biological characteristics of Phase Spiders, their aberrant transformation process, and the experimenter’s various conjectures and attempts regarding them, revealing a longing for unknown power between the lines.

Evidently, these Phase Spiders were brought by this alchemist.

This reckless experimenter left these dangerous beasts in this forest, and ultimately, he also lost his life here.

At this moment, a faint rustling sound came from deep within the cave.

Fiona once again cast Visual Share, connecting the charmed Phase Spider with herself for visual access.

Then, under Lilian’s command, this spider walked alone into the depths of the cave.

Fiona observed everything around her through the Phase Spider’s large compound eyes.

Finally, deep within the cave, she saw three other slightly smaller Phase Spiders slowly crawling in various places.

On a rocky platform, crystalline spider eggs were scattered on the rocks, like incubating nightmare pearls.

And near these eggs, a Phase Spider Queen, easily over a person’s height, stood proudly.

When Fiona relayed the information to us, my heartbeat and breathing became exceptionally heavy.

“We must proceed with caution,” Fiona whispered, a hint of tension in her voice, “The Phase Spider Queen’s strength far surpasses that of ordinary Phase Spiders; if we alarm her, we might be in for a tough fight.”