Chapter 68
I returned to the spider, noting the locations of various gas traps and pitfalls at the entrance. They were subtle and flush with the chitin wall, but not perfect. For the gas traps, there was a small metal cylinder that caught light, giving it the appearance of a gun barrel inlaid into the wall. The triggering mechanism for the pitfalls was a small square protrusion that emerged no more than a millimeter from the floor.
Compared to the first floor lobby of the adaptive dungeon, they were sloppy. I felt confident I would have spotted them, even without If I was with the group, Id probably suspect something the moment we were tunneled into a tight area, especially considering how it was the last floor of the dungeon.
I wasnt certain if Nick would catch on, considering the aggressive pace he was taking. But that wouldnt matter now.
What took you? The Matriarch snapped as I returned to the chamber. She looked more than worse for wear, and though it was hard to gauge emotion on her upside-down visage, the scuttling back and forth was a dead giveaway, no matter how many legs she had. This is a disaster.
I shrugged. A craftsman is only as good as his tools. You didnt give me much to work with.
Such feedback would be welcome if it did one smidgen of good. Her elongated neck drifted over in my direction, inspecting the spider on my neck, and moved further away. If you intend to switch sides at the last moment
The spider will kill me. Even if youre dead, Im certain. I rolled my eyes. Now that weve got the pointless paranoia out of the way, Im really hoping to hear something useful about those cards of yours.
Cards? The matriarch used her front legs to clean her mouth in what I assumed was a nervous tick, in a motion that was profoundly more disturbing given her human head.
You said you had cards left to play.
Ah. Of course.
The matriarch pointed to the doorway. While there are mundane, system approved traps within the entryway, Ive been modifying and storing my own venom for quite some time. Once they approach the second door, it will flood the hall. They will die in seconds without an antidote, if not faster.
I raised an eyebrow. Your venoms that strong?
Indeed. We need only wait until She was interrupted by the sound of metal striking stone, impacting the wall to the left of the doorway. A single building stone came loose from the top, tumbling down and landing in the inch of putrid water with a splat. Bollocks.
The entire room shook with the sound of an explosion, as more and more cracks and holes formed. I could vaguely hear Nick swearing like his life depended on it, profanity emitting in a rhythm as he struck at the wall, over and over.
Unsurprisingly, the Matriarch was shaking. I reached out and placed a hand against her carapace. She started at my touch, her head swiveling to look at me.
I didnt come all this way and find a fellow acolyte of the Allfather by chance, only to lose her now. You werent the only one with a few cards left. I kept my voice low, calming. Ive planted the idea in their minds that I might be glamoured. As long as you use me as a shield, they should pull their strikes. I stepped in front of her body, standing parallel to her head.
The constant barrage against the wall continued. It would crumble any second now.
I felt her long neck press against my left side, returning the gesture Id given her just moments before. Her eyes crinkled. From the stories of the Ordinators, I did not expect to meet one so noble. We will give the Allfather of Chaos much glory on this day.
With a determined air, I withdrew my crossbow from my inventory and faced the ever crumbling wall. Keep your head down. Let's show these simpletons what were made of.
The wall exploded. Nick came barreling through like the Kool-Aid man from hell, a terrifyingly fierce expression on his face. As soon as he saw me, the anger faded, though his armor still glowed gold. Hey Matt. Thank fuck youre alive. He pointed his sword towards the Matriarch as Sae and Jinny filed in behind him, though he was still watching me. Listen. I know youre not yourself at the moment, but I swear Im going to get you out of this.
Never letting you live this down. Sae said.
Figured.
As Sae dragged me, I foggily drew a bolt from my inventory and loaded my crossbow. The Matriarchs head was outwith as much as it was moving, I was unlikely to hit a target like that on a good day. The alabaster base of her neck was a far better target.
I fired a shot, watching in annoyance as it missed the neck and bounced off her massive abdomen. A small reflection caught my eye, cutting through the malaise that possessed my mind.
Drag me to the right, I commanded.
The hell? This isnt Lyft
Just do it, Sae! Something in my voice must have communicated that I wasnt exactly angling for a better view because Sae relented, moving me in the direction I instructed.
A well-timed kick from the Matriarch sent Talia flying. The spiderclearly tired of dealing with Nick, looped her prehensile neck around him, her open mouth landing on Nicks shoulder. Jinny reacted quickly, already reorienting her wand to point it at the monsters head, but I doubted shed be able to get the spell off in time. It was impossible to say whether the matriarch could clamp down hard enough to break his armor. Better to not take any chances.
I reached out a hand and called back to me.
There was a loud tearing as the silver blade sliced through chitin, like it was nothing, traveling the length of the monsters body only to emerge from the front, zipping directly towards me. It slapped into my hand, viscous with guts and dark blood.
The monster screamed, her body curling in on itself as she staggered towards the doorway and collapsed.
Nick stood over her, sword at the ready. But he was hesitating.
It only took a second to realize why. Even if the rest of the matriarch was monstrous, her face was definitely human.
Finally, he spoke, You tried to turn a teammate against us. Most people would kill you for that. Hell, Im tempted to kill you for that. He leaned down. But lets take things down a notch. End the trial now, with us as the victors, and Ill leave you be.
Finish her, you idiot.
I chugged a health potion and felt my body respond far too slowly. The matriarch stayed still, save for a single leg that unfurled, struggling to reach the door. It was obvious what the monster intended. If she could get the door open and activate the venom trap, she was likely to catch both Nick and Jinny in the backsplash.
Calling out a warning would probably just distract him at the worst possible moment.
Out of options, I reached out to Nick with There was far more resistance than expected, but I somehow made it through, sending Nick an image of the spider opening the door, and a wave of venom washing over us, tagging the image with urgency.
With my other hand, I activated focusing the spell on the edge of his sword.
Nick whipped around, the reaction absurdly fast. As the tip of the spiders leg reached the door-handle, Nick dropped his shield and two-handed his sword, shouting obscenities as he brought it down in a mighty strike.
