After the disappointment of the book I found, we continued to explore the huge spider maze system.

We had about five breaks for rest and sleep during that time.

Since there were some small puddles of 'water' in the tunnels, we didn't die of thirst.

However, because the only edible thing around here are spiders, we had to eat those.

And even if I cleanse the poison out of them, they taste horrible.

Oh and speaking of horrible, I now know what the green spiders do.

This happened when I was exploring a small crevice in one of the tunnels.

It was too small for Ungur to fit, so I went alone.

When I arrived at a tiny room, I got ambushed by one of those green spiders.

He managed to bite my left hand, but at the same time I shot fireball down his throat and defeated him.

As you would expect, I got poisoned.

But this wasn't a poison that kills.

Instead, It instantly paralyzed me and I fell on the ground with a thud.

But I didn't die.

No...

This was worse than death.

I wasn't even able to gather mana to cleanse the poison.

And along with the paralysis came extreme pain in every single muscle in my body.

That green spider was the only one in that tiny cave, so no more spiders came to finish me off.

I got to enjoy my long time of suffering, while hearing Ungur's worried whimpers, until it finally ran out.

Since then, I instinctively kill any green spider I see.

By the way, Ungur kind of...changed?

Before I noticed it he grew another head and his fur changed from brown to black.

What is that about?

Did he mutate?

His power also increased exponentially.

In my opinion, he is now strong enough to fight the black griffon on equal terms.

He used to be only able to cast a basic fireball and fire breath.

But now, he can manage fire lance and even inferno.

We also found another safe house in this area.

But it was one, I have already discovered before, so I only used it as a resting spot.

Anyhow, we finally arrived here.

I recognize this particular tunnel.

It starts from another one of those ball-shaped rooms.

But it leads to the big thing.

How do I recognize this path?

Because it's perfectly rectangular and has some peculiar markings on the wall.

Unless there are more of these passages, this is the way to go.

We keep walking through the tunnel, which keeps turning and curving.

And then finally, we arrive at the end.

We enter a room, which is much wider and longer, than those ball-shaped rooms.

There are no pillars or a glowing orb.

Instead...

There is a massive purple spider, almost as big as half of the room, in the back.

Without the glowing orb, the only thing illuminating this room are the dim lights coming from the countless cave entrances around the room.

Here we go.

Obstacle number five.

The enormous spider.

I have gotten here a number of times, but only managed to defeat it four times.

Just four times.

I still don't have a set strategy for it.

The giant spider notices us and lets out a deafening cry.

Following that, masses of those purple spiders start pouring out of the holes.

By the way, phantom presence doesn't work here.

Like, at all.

It would make sense if it didn't work on the big one.

But not even the small ones are affected.

I have no idea why.

The earth quakes as the monstrously big legs start to move.

"Ungur!"

"Whoo-oof!"

The barks from each head overlap and Ungur starts spewing fire towards the masses of spiders.

I start gathering mana in my left hand and also dash into the room.

While Ungur is dealing with the small fries, I will focus on the big one.

One of its legs comes down at me and I avoid by jumping to the side.

This big spider, just like the little ones, will poison me just by touching me.

And in this situation, getting poisoned, means certain death.

That means, I have to dodge every single one of their attacks here.

On the other hand, it takes a great deal of my own attacks to bring it down.

Its body is much sturdier than the small spider's.

It can even withstand a direct hit from fire lance with just a scratch leftover.

[Phantom cleave]

I swing my sword in the air, while looking at the root of one of its legs.

A few seconds later, a small cut appears on it.

[Phantom cut]

And then its leg is severed.

The spider goes into fury and starts smashing its legs all over me.

Without a chance to counterattack, I just jump around, avoiding its attacks.

Angered by its inability to hit me, it lets out another loud roar.

Then it stops using its legs and turns around to show his countless eyes to me.

Opening its mouth, it starts to gather mana into a black ball in front of him.

It looks almost like my armageddon, but I know, that it's a degraded version.

Armageddon combines dark, fire and blood magic, but this spider is only using dark magic.

I cut my finger with my sword and start gathering more mana.

[Blood flow]

Controlling my blood, I draw a simple magic circle in the air in front of me.

I keep pouring mana into it and it blackens.

In the process of developing armageddon, I learned how to better control my mana and ended up inventing one more spell.

It's just like hell serenade, but its power is focused on one point.

[Hell glare]

Just as I release my dark red flames towards the spider, he also shoots a large wave of darkness towards me.

It results in a loud explosion, which blows me away.

I crash into a wall and then fall onto the ground.

My entire body starts to ache.

I gather the last bits of my energy and reach for the heal scroll on my thigh.

[Heal]

While healing, I look up.

The explosion blew off three of the spider's legs and part of his main body is burned.

He's flailing around while squealing in pain.

It's good that he forgot about me momentarily, it gives me time to heal.

I look around the room and search for Ungur.

He is lying on the ground near a wall.

He was probably flung away by the blast like me.

I better go heal him.

Wait, the little spiders are converging on him.

Shit!

I have to quickly...

I try to stand up, but find out my leg is still broken.

Damnit!

[Heal]

Faster!

[Fireball]

I shoot a ball of fire at spiders, who are approaching Ungur.

But because they are far away from me, they have enough time notice my attack and dodge.

They don't stop and draw near my partner.

"UNGUR!"

I finally heal my leg and dash towards Ungur.

Those damn bastards!

Stop crawling all over him!

Damnit, don't bite him!

As I am fully focused on Ungur, a ball of darkness strikes my side.

My body once again meets the ground and my vision darkens.

Shit!

The big spider is targeting me again.

I reach for my last healing scroll by my thigh.

[Heal]

Then I continue running towards Ungur, while my vision gradually returns.

As I continue to dodge the big spider's attacks, I finally get to Ungur.

"Die!"

I slash at the spiders, who were all over Ungur.

After getting rid of those near, I gather mana in my left hand.

[Inferno]

And kill the remaining ones.

At that moment, another dark attack is shot at me.

Supplying my sword with mana, I swing at it.

[Phantom force]

The bullet is reflected and I turn my attention to Ungur.

[Cleanse impurities]

[Heal]

After removing the poison in his body, I try to heal him...

...

Only to realize, it doesn't do anything.

Why doesn't heal work?!

Why???!!!

...Deep down, I knew why.

Heal can only affect living things.

So the reason why it doesn't work...

"..g...GUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!"

I lose control of myself and release a loud roar.

"BASTAAAAAAAAARDS!!!"

I start pouring all of my mana into my sword, while slashing away more of the big spider's attacks.

Then I run towards where the main body is.

Missing half of its legs, it's merely lying on the ground and shooting dark attacks at me.

My teeth are tightly clenched.

This fucker will die right now.

More, I need more power.

I will murder this son of a bitch.

This isn't enough...I need more...

"Phantom..."

At that moment, a flash of information suddenly appeared in my head.

I see, I understand.

I shall use this then.

I stop running and raise the sword overhead.

[Phantom annihilation]

The sword is swung down and a screeching sound echos around the cave.

My entire vision in front of me is split in two.

The big spider's body, the random rocks, the small spiders, everything.

Everything and anything, that stood in this line, was split.

A dent, spanning the entirety of the cave from the ceiling to the ground has appeared in the supposedly impenetrable rocky surface.

The spider's body, which was cut in half, starts spewing out disgusting purple liquids as it toppled over.

I try to stand up straight but instead I fall on my back.

I'm completely out of mana and stamina.

I can't move a muscle.

The remaining purple spiders encircle me and start biting into me.

...

...

...

...

...

I open my eyes.

I'm lying down on the ground staring at the rocky ceiling.

The cold breeze brings the smell of mold to my nose.

...

After blankly staring for a few seconds, I...don't get up.

I keep lying on the ground.

Then I feel certain something under my eyes.

Tears start flowing.

"Why..."

"It..hic...was..."

"hic...just...a monster..."

"Nothing more...than just a random dog monster..."

"But..."

Ugh...

Why am I like this...

Tears keep flowing out of my eyes for quite some time, until I lose consciousness and fall asleep.

Bonus:

What are the phantom type of abilities about?

The phantom element is a combination element of advanced dark and illusion elements.

Its true nature is basically making the caster's will come true.

Or more precisely, it blurs the line between what the caster sees and what the caster wants to see.

This effect can be transferred to others as well.

Phantom presence, makes others see you as an object of fear.

In reality, it can be countered if the affected targets consciously wish to not fear and if their will is strong enough.

The phantom element is the hardest duo combination element to learn.

Simply because it just doesn't make sense.

People, who try to master this, will find themself not expecting to cut a tree with a small dagger in one cut.

Because they still cling to the common sense, they are unable to earnestly wish for the opposite.

There are a lot of cases, when people actually do learn the phantom element, but in turn go insane as their sense of reality crumbles.

Stronger phantom abilities require stronger will, more desire and also a lot more mana.

...in addition, the phantom element was cr_at_d b_ ____ _

"Whoa there, you can't go revealing this, Mr. author!

What if SHE reads it?

Now, that would be no good!

Hm?

Who am I?

Don't you worry reader, I will appear in the main story pretty soon!...I hope?

Hey Mr. author, when is she gonna-

Oops...I almost spoiled it myself.

Well whatever! I will see you in the future!"