*****
"You're kidding me, right? You always say and do stupid things, but with this... you're outdoing yourself. And what about your appearance? It's disgusting."
In a dark room, whose size and vastness could not be distinguished, as the only source of light was a sphere the size of a head that emitted a faint glow, which barely made the two people standing nearby barely able to see each other.
One was Plouthys, the god of Prosperity and Generosity, who was constantly changing races and the other a woman who was undoubtedly speaking harsh words to him.
"...You know, I've thought about it, but you're very disrespectful to your god. And more so considering that I basically raised you. You're like my daughter. I don't understand that way of talking to your father, whom you haven't seen in centuries."
"Fuck you, old man. Who wants to be related to you? I answered your call because I wanted to see what you've been up to, since you've been strangely quiet. And look what I find here! Haah~ I don't even know where to start. Everything is so bad that I don't understand how you managed to make it so much worse... And you're very senile if you think I'll get involved. Go die on your own."
"Ahem... As the god of generosity, I will generously overlook your disrespect. Just help me with this. I've already prepared everything, and there's not much you have to do. I'm busy maintaining the overall balance... and you're the only one I can really trust."
"Hmph, you keep spouting nonsense as easily as ever... And that's not even important. You probably don't know because you've been here, but out there… it's chaos."
"Eh? What's the problem? Everyone knows that every time something like this happens, it's chaos."
"Varnorr trembled! And it trembled like you wouldn't believe. Some of its branches fell. I was observing the situation with my Threads. The other gods started to move, the madness-consumed ones too... and the outsiders as well. Now it really will be chaos."
"Hee~ But it's timely, isn't it? I was already ahead of all those who saw this as just a betting game. I already felt that this era would be different. My divinity knew it. That so-called goddess of destiny is nothing but empty words, no substance."
"It's not that simple. If Varnorr trembled like that, without precedent, it's possible this era will bring more Monarchs... an unprecedented number. Everyone's worried their thrones will be taken, so they're investing without holding back. But, you know? I heard something curious... and honestly, it gives me chills just thinking about it."
"What? Don't tell me it's because of something above the Monarchs. That should be—"
"Yes. That's exactly it. And I heard it from that crazy old man. You know? He noticed that I and others were listening. He definitely said it on purpose."
"W-wait… by 'crazy old man,' you mean that crazy old man?"
"Yes, that old man up there. Are you still afraid of him? Well, that's the point—it gives me chills. No one else said it but him. If anyone knows what's happening to Varnorr, it's him"
"well if so I understand, monarchs are already difficult to handle... but that's a future problem, right now, you will hardly find a monarch, let alone something superior, maybe in the middle stages, they will appear".
"Even so, this is something unknown, and we should be more careful and cautious than ever... Haah~ And look at you... doing all this at such a delicate time... and now you even want to drag me into it."
"Well, it's true that things are a little tense. But... I still believe I'm doing the right thing, even if what you're saying is true. Besides, that crazy old man could be wrong — he is crazy, after all. What matters now is this. So help me."
"Tsk...Fine!, I'll do it. But as you know, everything has a price… which just went up because of the situation."
"Haah~ How did you grow up like this? If I, the god of generosity, raised you from when you were barely ten centimeters tall... How did you stray so far?"
"You really haven't changed. Stop spouting such nonsense and give me something good. Aren't you supposed to be the 'god of prosperity and generosity'? I hope you're generous."
"Ahem... yes, but I've been very generous lately to those in need, and, well... your father is in financial trouble. But I'll write you a promissory note, I'll definitely pay you back with interest later."
"Son of a... You want me to work for free? Besides, with all the crap you're doing, who knows if you'll even be able to pay me?"
"Ahem... I'm a god, I'll keep my word. Besides, I'm not asking for much... go ahead and try what I'm telling you. I've already invested a little in some that shine brightly, and I want you to help me categorize them better, so that everything is clearer. Especially try the one with the peculiar glow... I took a little more of a risk with it."
"...Fine, I'll do it. But for every year you delay, the interest will go up. Don't delay, or I will take away your divinity.... So what do I have to do, I'm close to conceiving my divinity and I don't want any punishment from Varnorr, so you'd better be reasonable. I don't want to end up like you."
"Yes, it's no big deal. your sister will explain it to you, When you're done, you can go."
"What! That Old hag is here! haaah~. Now I want to get less involved, once I'm done I'll leave quickly, I don't want to spend too much time with that Old hag and Honestly, your current state is disgusting, so I don't want to see you either, so at least until you finish this. don't call me again! And if you can... die."
With that last remark, the woman ended the conversation and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Plouthys alone, staring at the crystal ball that showed the curious equipment that had caught his attention.
"Well... let's see what Varnorr brought this time. I hope they don't disappoint me."
*****
..
.
"Ugh! Why do these things keep appearing? Wasn't this the god of spiders or something? ... They're starting to hatch from their eggs! Eww!"
"Focus. The situation is not good. You, take care of all the little ones. Sir Yefeng, protect Miss Ellys. Miss Ellys, report if you notice anything peculiar, and if it's not too much to ask, start preparing spells to cure the poison."
"All right, as you wish, leader. I'll keep the little ones under control."
"Yes. I will protect her with my life, if necessary."
"Yes! The flow of mana in her lower abdomen is weak."
"Got it. There are three. Sir Cassian, take care of the one on the left; Miss Celestine, keep the one in the middle at bay; I'll take the third. If you manage to defeat them, give support to whoever needs it. Miss Celestine, remember: use your breath only as a last resort."
"Yes, dra—ahem... I mean, leader. I'll keep that in mind."
"All right, Ria, I'll try to be as quick as possible."
After naming Valeriane leader and having her make some arrangements, the group walked through the door, which immediately revealed a scene that made Valeriane, give quick and critical orders to everyone.
After crossing the door, they realized they were in a kind of nest. There were cobwebs and eggs of different sizes everywhere.
As Naelune had said, at that moment, spiders of various sizes began to break out of their eggs and head toward them.
But the biggest problem was undoubtedly the three giant, golden spiders, over three meters tall, waiting at the back of the room. They were as striking as they were threatening.
Valeriane had proven to be the best choice for leadership: he had experience, strategic vision, and had already spoken with the group about possible scenarios and the roles each would take in different situations.
Of course, the current situation was not identical to what had been proposed, but for Cassian, clarity and conciseness were the best he could ask for.
He looked at the spider that belonged to him.
Woosh!
Without hesitation, he stepped forward: he thought someone had to test the waters a little, and no one better than him.
"Wait, Cass, there's—!"
His impulse was fierce; he ignored Ellys' voice, which was clearly trying to warn him about something.
"Huh?..."
It seemed that he now had a different limit since eating the fruit, which surprised him for a brief moment.
He had felt a little stronger before, but now that he was actually putting it into practice, he realized it wasn't just that... he was on another level.
Not everyone, even if they have the necessary abilities, knows how to use their body to properly perform what they are capable of. Even with practice, it's not easy to master. But Cassian, despite how abnormal and incomprehensible his body was, handled it almost perfectly
He only had a few brief thoughts about it, but he quickly felt that he could adapt to the abrupt change. His mind and body had always been in sync.
Kieeeekk!
The three spiders noticed his fierce movement and let out threatening screeches, but Cassian was not intimidated and focused solely on his own.
With his newly acquired leather gloves, he braced himself for the impact with the spider that was his target.
WHUMP!
But on the way, he felt his momentum suddenly absorbed by something. Something invisible stopped part of his accumulated momentum and caused great pain, though not enough to stop him. He continued forward with all his strength.
He felt himself slowing down, yet part of his momentum helped him reach the spider. But just then, a wall of stone appeared in front of it, blocking its path.
Bang!
Cassian didn't think twice: he hit the rock wall anyway, breaking through it, and finally his fist struck the spider's snout, sending it flying backward from the force of the blow.