Finding an area with Deinopi was taking significantly longer than I’d been expecting, as I’d already been traveling for over 3 days. The only reason I knew I hadn’t been walking in circles was because of the Map function, as finding my bearings in the unending darkness of the Canopy was virtually impossible. I found several mountainous areas that seemed promising, but had been completely devoid of major life.

  Along the way, with the aid of Melchior, I collected various plants and herbs that I thought might come in handy down the line; some could be used as an anesthetic, induce sleep, inflict paralysis, etc.

  Contrary to what I thought, native creatures that could be hunted for points were few and far in between. Only once did I feel the ground trembling as something lumbered by, while I quickly grappled up a nearby tree using my Lycoph arm in a panicked attempt to hide.

  Maybe the reason it was so hard to find any was because most of them had been hunted down by the other worlds already. Damn high level players, leave some for the noobs!

  In fact, the hardest thing I’d had to deal with so far was just the monotony of walking in the perpetual darkness that surrounded me. Despite the light plants that sprouted here and there, along with my light orb, I’d tripped and fallen over some random root or rock more times than I could count.

  My beautiful, perfect 10/10 face was now bruised all over; those bastards who sent me here are definitely going to pay for ruining a national treasure.

  Whenever I needed to sleep, I would climb up a tree and take a nap on some sturdy looking branches, with instructions to Melchior to wake me if he detected any significant presence. Although the Canopy remained quite cold, the trees themselves were unusually quite warm, and within them, I could feel a faint pulsating sensation, almost like a heartbeat.

  Looking up at the colossal, obsidian trees that seemed to dwarf skyscrapers, I wondered what lay above the cloak of darkness they spread. Did this place have a sun and a sky too, I wonder?

  As I mused on such inconsequential thoughts, I eventually came across a large, rocky outcropping that more closely resembled a miniature mountain. As I walked closer, I spotted a silvery gleam shining in the dark from the light of my orb.

  After bending down and picking it up, on close inspection it appeared to be an incredibly thick, silk-like substance several meters long. Looking around, I saw many similar objects littering the ground and strewn about the trees.

  With a hint of excitement in my voice, I asked Melchior,” Is this what I think it is?”

  “If Master Adun believes it to be a byproduct of the Deinopi Arachnid, then you are correct. Deinopi secrete an incredibly strong fibrous substance which they use to bind their prey and store for consumption later. Judging by the quantity of this substance present, there are likely dozens of Deinopi present in this area.”

  Ah, the ever reliable Melchior-dex.

  Now that I’d finally arrived at my objective, I felt both a sense of anticipation as well as trepidation. This would be my first ever actual battle, one in which life and death would be decided. Thorough and careful preparation would be needed.

  First, I crushed one of the paralysis plants and rubbed it all over my Nanoblade as well as the claws on my Lycoph arm. I had no idea if these would have any effect on the Deinopi, but it was worth a shot.

  On my belt, I kept 2 Medium Potions ready for easy access, as well as a jar containing ground up extract from an anesthetic plant. I also purchased a carbon fiber body armor for 50 points after careful consideration. I didn’t have any expectations for it to completely block the Deinopi’s attacks, but as long as it could soften the blow that was enough. All of the higher tier armors that were available appeared to be extremely heavy, and I’d most likely be unable to even move if I were to try wearing them.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  While I’d been walking for the last 3 days, I’d also spent some time browsing through the Shop, looking for any items that might be potentially useful in my hunt. I hadn’t purchased any of them yet however, due to their steep prices, but now that the decisive moment had arrived, any qualms I had washed away.

  Shedding a single tear, I purchased both items as my points balance approached zero. If I didn’t succeed here, I’d be royally screwed, as the welcome bonus had dried up.

  Hopefully, these two items would help me bridge the massive agility gap between me and Deinopi, and give me the ability to react in time. I’d have to finish the battle quickly once I drank the potion however, or I’d be a sitting duck.

  Taking out the Lesser Charm of Wind, a translucent tear-drop shaped jewel with a small tornado swirling in it, I hung it around my neck and immediately felt light as a feather. It was as if heavy shackles that had been binding me had been released, and an intoxicating sense of freedom enveloped me. Even my Lycoph arm seemed to move more smoothly, with a less pronounced delay to it.

  If just a minor stat increase to 9 Agility was this incredible, how would it feel in the 20s? The 100s?

  I began to familiarize myself with my newfound speed until I finally felt comfortable. My running speed had more than doubled; it seemed that stat increases were not completely linear with how they increased your abilities.

  I then took a short rest with a meal and a nap, since any good gamer knows to fully heal up before a boss fight.

  I added the new potion to my belt, and with the Nanoblade firmly drawn in my left hand, began to proceed into the rocky outcropping. After a couple minutes of walking, I quickly came across a conspicuous opening that was densely packed with the silken substance from earlier.

  No doubt about it, this was as obvious as it gets. It’s showtime.

  I took a deep breath, and walked into the cave, using the orb hanging from my waist as illumination.

  Drip, drip

  The steady drops of water that fell from the stalactites echoed through the cave, and a chilling breeze rustled through the skeletal remains that lay about. The cave was quite wide, enough to fit a dozen men standing side by side, and the stench of decay and death filled the air.

  As I proceeded deeper within, I could see large cocoons hanging from the walls, some torn open and empty, while others still faintly wriggled.

  My breathing quickened, with my hand coiled into a death grip on the Nanoblade. I forced myself to briefly stop and calm down.

  Remember the promise you made. What must be done.

  All along the way, I felt a tingling sensation on the back of my neck, as if I was being watched. The bastard was clearly waiting for me to get deeper in the cave before striking.

  With my Lycoph arm held out in front of me as a pseudo-shield, I finally arrived at a large clearing within the cave. By the dim light of the orb, I could see rows and rows of more cocoons everywhere, and several pearly-white spherical objects tucked away in the corner. Were those its eggs?

  Nevertheless, most of the room remained shrouded in darkness, and I swung the orb about, searching for any sign of the Deinopi.

  It was then.

  Skrrttch!

  A massive, shrouded figure with its jaws wide open descended upon me from above.