Infinite Adaptation: Starting As A Level 1 Slime-Chapter 19: Abyss Dweller

Lunaris, Luna, and Mira watched from a distance as the group approached the huge spider.

It really does live up to its name.

The creature was massive - even bigger than the Eternal Moon’s body had been.

If they could capture it, it should be able to feed the whole village.

"Will they be okay?" he asked Mira.

"The Lord need not worry," she reassured him. "The Princess is not as weak as she appears. She is actually the tribe’s strongest warrior."

Lunaris was shocked.

That strong?

"If she’s that strong, then they can hunt to supply for their people, right? Why stick to the bare minimum of farming just to have time to pray?"

He had noticed the same thing in the village. Everyone basically did the bare minimum so they could have time to pray.

"Why is that?" he continued. "Is there any benefit to praying? And not that superficial stuff - is there any tangible reason?"

Mira considered the question.

"That is the purpose of our tribe," she explained. "We live to pray to the Eternal Moon and increase our faith. As for something tangible..."

She tilted her head, trying to think.

"I suppose we wish for the Goddess’s blessing. It’s said that when you reach a certain level of faith, you can receive a blessing from the Goddess."

Blessing?

He remembered the blessing he had received. Eternal Moon’s Grace.

But I didn’t have any faith in the Eternal Moon.

"Do you know the purpose of the blessing?" he asked. "Does it have any benefits?"

Mira shrugged.

"No one knows."

"So you’re praying for something you don’t even know the benefits of?"

"The blessing is just an added benefit," she explained. "Many people don’t even believe it exists."

That’s even worse.

"Dad, it’s starting," Luna said, pointing towards the clearing where the group had met the giant spider.

He turned his attention to them.

...

Roselle moved first.

"Milo, left flank. Haru, right. Cael, with me - we’ll draw its attention."

The three men responded instantly, splitting into position without hesitation.

The giant spider turned toward them, its many eyes locking onto them. Its legs - each one thicker than a tree trunk - shifted as it assessed the approaching prey.

"Now!"

Roselle and Cael charged forward. The spider lunged, its massive fangs snapping down toward them. They rolled apart at the last moment, and the fangs struck empty ground.

"Milo!"

From the left, Milo leaped onto one of the spider’s legs, driving his blade deep into the joint. The creature screeched and thrashed, but Milo held firm, twisting the blade before jumping clear.

"Haru, bind it!"

Haru hurled a weighted rope that wrapped around two of the spider’s legs. The creature stumbled, its balance compromised.

Roselle saw her opening. She dashed beneath the monster’s body, her blade slashing upward and causing dark blood to spray from the wound.

The spider collapsed onto its side, legs twitching weakly.

The group surrounded it, weapons still raised and breathing hard.

"Is it dead?" Cael asked.

Roselle approached cautiously, blade ready. "It should be. That strike hit the..."

The spider twitched.

Everyone tensed.

Then it twitched again. And again. More violently each time.

Dark energy began spreading from the monster’s body. It seeped from its wounds like black smoke, curling and twisting unnaturally in the air.

The group backed away immediately.

"This is..." Milo stuttered, his eyes wide.

Suddenly, one of the spider’s limbs shot out at impossible speed.

It pierced straight through Milo’s chest.

"MILO!"

The others scattered instantly, putting distance between themselves and the creature.

The limb withdrew with a sickening sound. Milo coughed up dark blood, his body convulsing. Then he collapsed.

...

Lunaris watched in horror.

No...this is bad...

"Brother..." Mira called out, her voice barely a whisper.

"Is that your brother?" he asked.

She nodded, her body trembling.

"Go help them," he said urgently. "There’s no need to guard me. I’ll be fine by myself here."

Mira shook her head firmly. "I cannot do that. I must guard the Lord."

He sighed internally.

I forgot who these people were. They don’t budge even for family.

He looked at Luna.

No... I’m still not sure about her physical capabilities.

What should I do? The situation isn’t looking good. I don’t have much on the side of combat myself.

Ah, maybe if I transform into my beast form...

But before he could move, he noticed a change on the battlefield.

...

Roselle’s expression twisted.

It was the angriest Lunaris had ever seen her.

Her aura suddenly intensified. The ground beneath her feet cracked. Debris flew outward from the pressure radiating off her body.

Her nails extended from her fingers, growing until they reached the length of her fingers - sharp as blades. Red markings appeared on her cheeks, glowing faintly.

"Abyss dweller," she spoke, her voice cold. "You dare show yourself under the light of the moon?"

She vanished.

In the next instant, her claws clashed against the spider’s limb. Sparks exploded from the contact, the sound of metal against metal ringing through the clearing.

So strong...

Lunaris watched in disbelief.

This is even stronger than Luna in her beast form.

But the way she was fighting...

She struck again and again relentlessly. The spider’s limbs lashed out at her, cutting into her flesh and drawing blood. She didn’t dodge however. She didn’t block either. She just...kept attacking, chasing her next strike with no regard for the damage she was taking.

Has she gone berserk?

The spider screeched and thrashed, trying to fend her off. But Roselle was everywhere at once. Each strike carved deep into the creature’s body. Causing dark blood to sprayed in every direction.

She took a limb through her shoulder.

She didn’t stop.

She took another slash across her back.

She didn’t slow down.

Her claws tore through the spider’s legs one by one. The creature stumbled, then crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact.

Roselle leaped onto its back.

Her claws plunged into the base of its head. With a guttural scream, she ripped upward.

The spider’s head tore free from its body.

...

Silence fell over the clearing.

Roselle stood atop the massive corpse, bathing in a shower of blood.

She jumped down.

Then slowly, she walked up to Milo, who had somehow pushed himself into a kneeling position. His breathing was ragged, his hand pressed against the wound in his chest.

She stopped before him.

Her claws extended toward his face.

"Do you understand your mistake?"

He nodded weakly.

"Will you repent?" she asked. "Or should I do it myself?"

"Wait."

Lunaris’s voice cut through as he arrived with Mira and Luna.