Someone screams ,"Arimaaa". "Hehehehe my boss has a knife and he is about to kill me because I destroyed his life one by one. He didn't give me the promotion I deserved, so I took the life he deserved. I manipulated his wife and destroyed his family. I famed him for various crimes and spread bad rumors about him, it made the head of the company fire him. Lastly I killed his dogs and sent him a video of me killing them. COME AND KILL ME BOSS", "Arimaaa curse u." Stabbing sound.

  Scavenger, Part One: Spider's Cage

  A grown man's voice," Sir we found a survivor" " wait I am coming", said another man. "Who are you guys? And why do you look like a medieval time soldier? AND MY HANDDD" screamed a boy." I am here. Oh god, don't worry son we are here to save u" said the soldier " my hand, what happened?" Said the boy panicking " don't worry we can give u a magic arm anytime we want , just chill and come with us"" who are u guys" said the boy. " We are soldiers from the royal capital. We have come here to take the remaining survivors to treat. What is your name by the way?" Asked the soldier. " It's Arima" replied the boy

  "So a lot happened. After my boss killed me I was reincarnated to this world and I am a war orphan, who lost his arm and I am only 10 years old. The king of the kingdom I was born in ordered his soldier to take orphans like me and train them to become the strongest. They say the king is the strongest in the world. Plus there is this magic stuff too." Thought Arima. " Attention please kids" said a man taking the attention of all the kids in the room. " We have taken you here to train you guys and make you strong so you can take revenge for your family. We will take some measurements before giving you the suitable class. The first test is to fight a soldier with a wooden sword, just land one hit and you will be set." Said the man. Everyone stood in a line waiting for their chance. They were scared but Arima was confident, because he had 12 ms reaction time in his past life he has that now too. When his chance came he stood with confidence, the soldier started first but he missed the shot, Arima didn't stand there, he moved and tried to punish him but the soldier dodged Arima's attack and tried to attack back but Arima dodged it again, he stepped back before striking back, though that strike felt like an ant bite. "Haha you need some muscle kid" said the soldier before forwarding a hand to shake........ He gave the wrong hand. Arima doesn't have a right hand, you idiot. Though Arima passed this test with excellent marks he failed on others, he was given a D rank melee fighter. He was really ashamed. But he became more ashamed after he found his roommate was the best Archer and the best mage Mark and Liya. Arima at first didn't want to talk with them but soon those 3 became the rising stars.

  They trained for 6 years. In these 6 years they trained to their limit. Rain, drought, storms, blizzards nothing could stop them. They became self-sufficient and strong from their own path. Mark became an A rank archer, Liya became an A rank mage and Arima became an A rank fighter. He was given a magic hand made out of tough material that he can control at will. The camp they were being trained at will start to give them missions in really low time.

  A chill Monday,

  Arima is training in the gym. Weight lifting. Mark and Liya walk in. “ Arima, we got some good news.” Said Liya, “ YA? what is it huh?” Asked Arima, “ we are getting our first mission, though the sad part is that this mission involves finding a serial killer. One sort of mystery solving.” Explained Mark. “ Hmm, I get it. So when do we get started?” asked Arima, “ we don't know yet, the higher ups told us to wait 1 day so I guess we will get the info tomorrow.” Said Liya. “ Alr don't disturb me now, I need to do some pulls before getting ready to fight you know” said Arima lifting a 20 pound weight. “ Alr jacked man we leave now but don't forget what we told you, it is a mystery solving case.” Said Liya, “ ya ya I got it” replied Arima

  Next day, Tuesday

  The call finally came. 3 entered the higher ups room. The aura is tense. One of the men said, we choose because you guys are perfect for this mission and the liminal space energy is in that area we are sending you is so massive that normal soldiers can't get in.( liminal space energy is the manifestation of one's soul's will. The stronger the liminal space energy the stronger the person. Some are so strong that it prevents low liminal space energy from entering. In one word this abstract thing can block you physically and yes liminal space energy is the thing that helps you use magic.)

  “ If it's that strong, then why choose us? Just call a knight for the job?” Arima asked. “ I told you it is the perfect job for you. Your liminal energy is enough to get inside that area and fight what's down there” said one of the men. “ The place we are going is a cave right?” asked Liya. “ Ya you got it Liya” said one of the men. “ Well, no problem, we can do it. Just give us an instant method to ask for help.” Said Mark. “ Sure Mark, here take this knot. It is infused with liminal space energy, when opened it will give a signal to us.” Said one of the men giving the knot to Mark. “ So what is the place?" asked Arima. “ We will take you there, don't worry,” said one of the men. “ So should we pack our things?” Said Liya. “ Yep,” said one of the men.

  They packed their things after some more talking,

  They reached there in 2 days by horse, a cave. An eerie vibe is up there. The soldiers can't come into the cave, they are being held by an invisible force but Arima Liya and Mark can get in.

  They started to walk slowly, going through the cave they saw a huge number of spiders, it's an unusual number, they found many skulls and bones from animal and surprisingly human, the cave was a disturbing 2 hour journey, they had no problem with light by the help of Liya's magic, they were pretty much terrified seeing these dead bodies. In half way through Arima said, “ Hey, I think we should leave, this doesn't feel right, why don't they send some knight?” “ We are knight Arima, Don't chick out now please” said Liya. Arima calmed but deep inside he was getting ready for something else, a bad anxiety was hitting him hard inside.

  After 2 hours, they finally reached the end, they got inside a room at the ending, it was their biggest mistake. The moment they got in the room, Liya froze. “What happened?” Asked Mark, “ Arima you were right, I am sensing a strong bug type of thing, it saw us the moment we entered the cave. I am sorry Arima, we should have already left,” said Liya with dead eyes, “ Don't worry Liya, we defeated many bug types of things didn't we?” Said Arima, “ Arima, it is no super bug, It is a king bug” said Liya. She used magic to light the room. Instantly 3 of them saw it. A humanoid creature, standing on 2 legs, has a bug-like face, spider to be accurate red eyes, 2 arms and 4 tentacles. “ Are you the one who killed this many people?” Asked Mark, “ Ya I guess kids” said the thing with a smile like face, “ What's your name?” Asked Arima, “ I am spider king, the pinnacle of bugs.” Said the spider king. “ So did you kill the humans here?” Asked Mark. Spider king answered affirmatively. “ Then we have to kill you, Mr. Spider King,” said Arima. “Sure, I will love to see you 3 trying. Come and kill me.” Said Spider king with that smirky voice.

  Arima drew his sword, Mark took his bow and arrows out, Liya started to cast a spell to give a buff to the 3 of them. Arima dashed and went in front of the Spider King, he slashed his sword for a clean cut but Spider King dodged it, he then jumped back and dashed forward before smacking Arima in an instant, at that time Mark fired an arrow but Spider king catched it effortlessly, before throwing it back at Mark. Liya caught it with her magic. Arima got up and punched spider king in the face, it made the spider king disrupted and Mark got a chance to pierce him with his arrow in the chest, Liya created many spikes from the ground before throwing it all at spider king, those spikes cut and pierced him. Even before he could stand up, Arima swung his sword across cutting spider king. Spider king dashed backward to catch air. “ You guys are doing better than expected, but it will not be enough ” said spider king, like nothing happened, Spider king dashed in front of Arima, slowly, he dashed so Arima can get a full hit on him, Arima smirked, he went all in the hit using his full strength, when it was certain that spider king would get a fatal hit by Arima, he instantly vanished, Arima was going for a punch, he couldn't stop it. He punched the ground, breaking it into hundreds of pieces. “ Not bad kid, it is true if that hit me, I would have been crushed by the force. But it didn't, now it's my turn” said spider king, he teleported behind Arima in an instant. Arima stood in fear, Mark pulled his string back and shot at spider king, Liya used frost magic to freeze spider king. But it was too late. He smashed Arima's head down to the earth, breaking the floor into thousands of pieces. Blood spread all over the broken cave floor, “ Hahaha, this too easy” said Spider king laughing, “ Are you sure? Cuz I am still standing” said Mark pulling his arrow back. Mark's arrow began to light up as he put all his liminal space energy in that arrow. “ Piercing, arrow” said Mark before shooting the arrow. The arrow went through Spider king's heart in an instant, “ wtf, what happened?!” Gasped Spider king. Arima stood up, smirking, while he was covered in blood. “ Guess that was easy.” Said Arima before punching Spider king in the face. Spider king went flying. Liya used ground magic to make a long spike, Mark charged another piercing arrow, Arima positioned him to dash and slash. Liminal space energy filled his sword and created a flaming aura around him. Liya coated the long spike with fire before shooting it. Mark shot his piercing arrow. Arima dashed at an incredible speed and stabbed Spider king to the wall of the cave. He dashed to the side . Spider king saw the 2 calamity coming in the way. The arrow and spike hit his body, totally shredding Spider king's belly. Spider king became a donut. “ How is that huh?” Arima asked. “ It's nothing. I can heal myself, kid” said Spider king, smirking. Spider king stood up. His body healing himself back. “ Fuck this guy is truly strong.” Thought Arima. Suddenly Mark fired a piercing arrow at Spider king. But this time the arrow floated. It can't go past Spider king like before. “ Don't tell me. This guy's liminal space energy is strong enough to stop the arrow.” Said Mark. “ Yep kid.” Said Spider king. Arima dashed to kick the Spider king. Spider king dodged his kick and punched Arima back so hard that he went flying. But Liya caught Arima with levitating magic. Mark fired 100 arrows in one shot. Spider king dodged all. Arima again dashed at Spider king, he punched Spider king at the face before kicking him in the belly and stabbing him with a knife. Spider king slammed the ground with a king disrupting Arima, he caught Arima and slammed it to the ground, Liya used flame shots. But it was not flame shots floated in the air for Spider king's liminal space energy. Spider king now dashed at Mark. He tried to kick Mark but Mark quickly dogged it and repositioned him. Arima dashed at Spider king. Seeing Arima Spider king rushed at Liya. Liya used frost magic to freeze Spider king. Arima reached Spider king and punched a liminal space energy infused fist at Spider king's face. Crushing his hard armored face. Spider king fell to the ground. Arima sat on top of Spider king and started punching Spider king in the face, he just kept on punching and punching. He infused most of his liminal space energy in his fist for the last punch. He went for the punch but stopped. Spider king stabbed Arima in the heart with one of his tentacles. “ Arimaaa” screamed both Liya and Mark. Mark charged 3 piercing arrows. Liya charged a lighting magic. They shot at the same time. Spider king dodged the arrows and appeared behind Liya. He went for a punch with his tentacles warped around his arm that made his arm sharp. He tried to punch Liya but an arrow pierced his head. It was Arima. He took a piercing arrow and stabbed Spider king. Spider king teleported away. “ You make me astonished every time, kid.” Said Spider king. “ Thanks I guess.” Said Arima. Arima dashed at Spider king with the arrow, he tried to stab it in Spider king's brain, but missed. Spider king instantly punished him by punching him in the belly. Right after that he caught an arrow. Arima kicked his leg to make him fall. Liya froze Spider king with frost magic. Arima seized the moment by stabbing Spider king in the head twice with the arrow. Arima throwed the arrow and punched Spider king in the face. Spider king went flying but he got the hang of himself quickly. Spider king teleported behind Mark, Mark spotted him and dashed back but Spider king caught him with one arm and throwed him away. Arima dashed at Spider king but Spider king totally ignored him and went for Mark. Liya instantly froze Spider king while he was running at Mark. Mark pulled his arrow back for a shot while Arima dashed at Spider king and he stabbed him with an arrow in the chest and held him for Mark, as Mark shot his piercing arrow. Arima dashed sideways as the arrow went through Spider king's brain. For the last touch Liya used an explosion magic inside of Spider king's brain totally bursting it apart and cooking the brain. “ Is it over?” Said Arima. “ Ya I guess. Man, we are strong enough to beat a Spider king.” said Mark. “ He did cause some trouble, look at Arima, his bones are broken everywhere” said Liya. “ Nah it's nothing,” said Arima with a smiley face. Suddenly a lot of spiders entered the room. “ What is happening?” Said Mark with a confused face. Spiders form a thick wall above Spider king's body. “ No no this can't be. Spider king might have the son of bugs blessing, with this if he dies he will get another life, his body will be much harder and stronger, while his liminal space energy will surge up and if we don't kill him in time he might get his first form back again.” Said Liya with a worried voice. “ How fuck this, Mark open the knot right now. We can't do this alone.” Said Arima. “ Already done, don't worry.” Said Mark. “ Get ready for round 2 everybody” said Liya. She again gave 2 of them blessings, Arima took his sword from the ground, Mark received all his arrows back. Spider King's body is now under the womb of a spider. The ground suddenly broke, the spiders shook violently and a hand rose from the womb. A familiar voice said, “ I am ready, kids, what about you?”

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  Back in the camp. “ Hey we received an emergency signal, it's from Arima Mark and Liya, inform the captain right now.” screamed a man. “ Cap is not here, he went to the royal castle” screamed another man. “ Then go to the royal castle now.”

  In the cave. All the spiders started running around as the newly born Spider king stood up, he had 2 arms, 8 tentacles, 4 eyes and 2 legs but his colour changed from blue to deep red.

  “ You kids really pushed me to the limits. Especially you, kid. So I wanna play a game called ‘Will your friend survive?’” said Spider king pointing at Arima“ What are you talking about huh?” Arima asked. “ I am talking about this kid.” Said Spider king before dashing behind Arima and using four of his tentacles to pin him to the ground, those 4 tentacles disconnected from his body and locked to the ground making lock on Arima twice stronger. He again dashed at Liya. But Mark jumped at the way, he blocked Spider king, but that was no use as the spider king throwed Mark away effortlessly. He again dashed at Liya. Liya used frost magic but Spider king dodged it and teleported behind Liya, he kicked Liya so hard she went flying and crashed on the floor. Mark screamed and shot 100 arrows in one shot but the arrows just deflected from Spider king's exoskeleton. Spider king dashed in front of Mark, punching him in the face. Mark went flying to the ceiling, his head got stuck there. Spider king dashed at half dead Liya. She couldn't even breathe properly. Spider king grabbed her by her hair and punched her in the face, then stabbed her with a tentacle before throwing her to the place Arima was locked at. “ Noooo. Stop Spider king” screamed Arima. Spider king teleported in front of Mark, even before Mark could move his hand Spider king stabbed him with 4 tentacles, he throwed Mark beside Liya. Opened up Arima, who was screaming the whole time, telling Spider king to stop. Arima walked up to Liya. Liya raised her hand slowly. She put her hand on Arima's cheek. Arima held her hand. “ Don't die Liya, not now. Not now" said Arima, crying. “ Arima, please promise me and Mark that you will not die.” Said Liya smiling while blood poured down her mouth. “ Arima please, fulfill our dream, you need to be the strongest, Arimaaa. Please never ever lose again, please” Said Mark while crying. “ Mark Liya, don't leave me alone, don't die. Our journey just began. We will be the strongest together.” said Arima, crying. “ I don't think that I will live, Arima. Just remember that even if I die, I will never leave your side. My blessing will always be with you , Arima.” Said Liya while smiling and crying at the same time. “ I will die too Arima. You were a good brother. Never forget me please Arima.” Said Mark. “ Me too Arima.” Said Liya. “ Don't worry I just need to buy some time and help will arrive.” Said Arima, “ No use Arima, our time is up.” Said Liya. “ Don't die on me, damn it.” Said Arima. Liya's hand fell on the ground, “Liya? Liyaa. Oi wake up Liya. You can't die now. Mark Liya isn't brea-” Arima stopped mid sentence. Mark's lifeless body is looking at the celling, blood all over the body. Arima stood up slowly. “ Said you goodbyes?” Said Spider king with that smirky face. “ Ya, Now you should say your goodbyes Spider king.” Said Arima. “ Hmm, angry huh? Well not my problem, you will be my food anyways.” Said Spider king. Arima dashed at Spider king, he kicked Spider king in the face before repositioning and punching in the face, Spider king got back and dashed at Arima, in an instant Arima saw himself flying. Spider king caught him mid air and throwed him away before teleporting beside him and punching him so hard that he went flying around the cave. Arima went flying and broke inside a room, he hit his head on a shelf like furniture and 2 small pebbles fell inside his mouth that he accidentally swallowed. Spider king saw that and screamed, “ You dumpasssssssssss, do you know what u just swallowed??? You piece of shit, you motherfucker”. “ It's just some pebbles, darn it” said Arima. “ Those were scavenger stones. If someone eats it that person will gain crazy powers. But it comes with luck. Cuz if you are not the chosen one, then enjoy a lethal poison that will kill you in 30 sec. This is a lose win situation for me as I got 2 meals and 1 rot. But for you it is lose lose.” Said Spider king. Spider king started to walk to the main room. He walked slowly, slowly, slowly. After some time he stopped. “ Aaaaaaa fuck you kid. Fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you. How can a dogshit like you be the chosen one?” Screamed Spider king. “ Plot armor maybe.” Said Arima standing up. His wounds are healing back. “ Spider king this might be mine or your last standoff. Let's see who wins and who loses.” said Arima, pointing at Spider king. “ Sure kid. I would like to see you try.” Said Spider king with that chilling voice.

  Somewhere in the royal castle.

  Two men were talking in a fancy room. They were sitting on 2 ends of a table. Someone knocks on the door. “ Come in.” Said one of the men. A soldier came in. “ Sir we have an emergency regarding the situation of the killer hiding inside of a cave. Mark, Arima and Liya, the students we sent, need help as fast as possible.” said the soldier. “ What?” Said the man sitting on the top side of the table, he clearly has more rank than the one sitting at the back side of the table.. “ Your majesty, he is talking about the killer inside of the Figerland cave. We sent 3 students from the orphanage camp.” said the man sitting at the back side. “ Did I tell you to send students cap? Or did I tell you to send an A or above ranked knight?” Said the man sitting at the top. “ Um you majesty, there might be some mistakes but those students are really strong.” Said the other man panicking. “ That killer is a Spider king, not a man.” Said the man at the top. “ Oh no. We need to send help right noww.” Said the other man in fear. “ Won't work. It is a 2 day journey. Sending even a S rank knight won't help. Said the man at the top. “ Then what should we do?” Said the other man. “ I will go. It will take me roughly 15 mins if I start to run.” Said the man at the top. “ King Xonada, are you sure that you can go that fast?” Said the man. “ Are you doubting me? If then rest assured, you are wrong.” Said Xonada before leaping out of the window.

  In the cave.

  “ What's your name by the way?” Said Spider king. “ Arima.” Replied Arima. “ Arima, let's see who will win. You or me. Let's see who will win the standoff.” said Spider king

  THE STANDOFF

  Arima dashed at Spider king, He tried to kick Spider king but missed, Spider king seized the situation by hitting Arima with his elbow. A hit that could easily kill Arima. But it did nothing to Arima. Even Arima found out the effects of scavenger stones. Arima kicked Spider kick hard at the legs. But Spider king dodged it and grabbed Arima by his leg. Then he started to spin Arima like a rope and throwed him away. Arima easily got himself balanced but Spider king teleported in front of Arima and punched him so hard that Arima went flying. This time Arima couldn't stop himself. He crashed into the wall. Suddenly he felt really sneezy. Like he might sneeze his heart out. Spider king teleported in front of Arima and at that Arima sneezed on Spider king. But it was no ordinary sneeze. Arima sneezed an explosive sneeze, totally bursting Spider king's face. Spider king dashed back. He looked at Arima with hatred, Arima looked at Spider king with a smirky face. Arima dashed at Spider king, Spider king dashed at Arima. They punched each other in the face, breaking the ground. They quickly backed up. Spider king teleported behind Arima. But Arima predicted it and sneezed at Spider king. That sneeze was personal. Spider king went flying from the explosion sneeze. “ Arima, screw you. Now I will fight for real.” Said Spider king. Spider king dashed at Arima with light-like speed. He tried to grab Arima but Arima dodged it barely. Spider king again dashed at the same speed, this time Arima couldn't escape, Spider king caught Arima and smashed him to the ground. He throwed Arima away again and teleported to catch Arima mid air. He pinned Arima to the ground with his 2 tentacles and started punching Arima rapidly, one after another, he punched until Arima was covered in blood. The moment Spider king took a space for some breath, Arima sneezed those explosive sneezes 5 times in a row. Spider king flew away. Arima stood up. Spider king was already standing. Spider king's mouth started to twitch heavily and suddenly Spider king shot a bunch of webs at Arima. Arima dodged them. But it was a distraction to hide. Spider king went totally invisible, even his liminal space energy is untraceable. Arima started to look around him. He is ready for the worse. Suddenly Arima got punched from the left. The moment he turned left, he was punched from right then from south then from below then from left . A shot of web stuck Arima's feet to the ground and Spider king turned Arima into a punching bag. Punching him from every direction he just punched Arima for 5 min nonstop, breaking every bone in Arima's body. Spider king's whole tank of liminal space energy got concentrated in his fist and with that much liminal space energy Spider king punched Arima at the face. That punch's shock wave shook the whole cave, and stones fell from the ceiling. Arima went flying and crashed into the wall, this time going deep inside. Arima somehow moves his head from there, “ I guess we know who will win the standoff Arima. So do you have any last wish?” Said Spider king looking at Arima. Arima didn't say anything. “ No wish for you then Arima.” Said Spider king. Spider king dashed at Arima with insane speed Spider king was going for the last punch. When it was certain that Arima would die. But with pure precision Arima caught Spider King mid air and pinned him to the ground. “ Any last wish?” Said Arima, that sent shivers down Spider king. After saying it Arima sneezed on Spider king. Not just any explosive sneeze. This one was different. This one broke the whole cave destroying Spider king in the process. Spider king's half body and half face was gone. He couldn't heal but he was still alive. He stood up. Arima couldn't even move now. That sneeze bursted Arima's insides. Spider king's 8 tentacles positioned them to stab Arima in the head. And a stabbing sound. Blood spilled all over. “ Was I too late?” Said an unfamiliar voice. Arima opened his eyes. He is both shocked, happy and sad to see King Xonada in front of him.King Xonada stabbed Spider king with his sword. “ Can you explain what happened here, Cockroach?” said Xonada, “ This kid ate your Scavenger stones.” Said Spider king with a worried voice. “ I am talking about those dead bodies.” Said Xonada. Spider king's life flashed in front of his eyes. Hatred filled his heart. He looked at Arima who was still breathing and said, “ I don't know.” “ Very well.” Said Xonada before tearing apart Spider king. “ You did well, Arima.” said Xonada offering a hand to Arima.

  2 weeks later,

  In the royal hospital.

  Arima is sleeping in his bed. Xonada walks in. Arima sees Xonada and tries to stand up. “ Keep on sleeping. I am here to talk with you.” said Xonada. “ What is it?” Arima asked. “ As far as I know you know that you ate Scavenger stones. Right?” Said Xonada. “ Ya.” Replied Arima.

  “ Do you know what this Scavenger truly is?”

  “ No, I don't know. But Spider king told me about being chosen.”

  “ He told you about being chosen, by the creator of all living and non living things in the world. The God of all Scavengers. Scavenger is a being so strong that everything was created from its liminal space energy. And those stones are small parts of him. Eating it will grant the chosen one Scavenger-like power, but not as strong as the real one.”

  “ I understood. So I need to train, huh?” Said Arima. “ Ya and I will train you.” Said Xonada. “ You will?” Said Arima. “ Don't doubt me. I am the strongest after the God of Scavengers.” Said Xonada. “ I am just really happy,” said Arima. “ Me too,” said Xonada.

  Arima lost his best friends but he gained an inspiration to rise at the top. This lead will slowly change his life.

  To be continued