Shane awoke and found himself in his trusty comfortable reclining gaming chair. He yawned, stretched, and blinked sleepily at the overly bright light streaming into the room from the window behind his PC monitor. His multi-colored LED keyboard was still in his lap; Shane looked at the monitor and saw his Character standing in a lush tropical forest. I must have fallen asleep playing Endless Veil, he thought, still feeling unfocused.

The small table to his right was littered with empty bags of sweet and salty snacks and several crushed water bottles. Shane got to his feet with some effort. This wasn't the first time he had fallen asleep at his computer, but it always left him feeling cramped and weak. He walked over to the fridge and opened it, hoping for some leftovers but was disappointed to see it nearly empty.

"Liz, can I upgrade my Dwelling with something that will keep my fridge stocked u-" he stopped himself.

That's right, Liz wasn't real. Neither was Alabaster or his skeleton crew companions. This realization sent crushing loneliness throughout the entirety of his very being. That was all just a dream? He thought, not wanting to honestly believe it.

He stood there staring into the emptiness of his fridge, its cool air making him shiver in the boxers and T-shirt he was wearing. Yet, he couldn't force himself to close the fridge door. He wanted to keep it open as if it would help keep the memory of the life in that world alive.

It's not like the world of Endless Veil was a kind of personal heaven or anything. Sure, he couldn't technically die, but he didn't want to be corrupted and replaced by a new version of himself either.

The world was secondary to what he wanted. He wanted Liz and Alabaster to be real.

With a sorrowful sigh, Shane turned around and almost fell over from the shock of seeing Liz floating just behind him. He wanted to cry and hug her. Before he could, a huge mouth full of rotten jagged teeth appeared below her disturbingly dead eyes. Her mouth grew several times until it was big enough to swallow him whole.

Just as the rows of sharp, moldy teeth were about to skewer him, he shot awake, gasping for air, and covered in sweat. Shane looked around slowly, still scared, fearing an imminent attack. All he saw was the dwelling the system had built for him the night before.

Warm light seeped in from the window in front of him, making the rich wood of the cabin even warmer in hue. A massive wave of relief washed over him when he saw Liz had cuddled up next to his leg sometime during the night. He rested a hand on the cool exterior of her metal shell—the nightmare already beginning to fade.

A few moments later, the metal plate covering her eyes moved into a slit within her body, and she looked at him. Her sparkling bright eyes were far from the hollow ones he had dreamt of.

"How was your first night's rest in your new Dwelling!" She asked with the energy of a one-year-old golden retriever.

"Terrible!" Shane responded with forced equal energy.

She frowned, which caused him to laugh. He felt better now.

"I had a bad dream, but don't worry, it's not worth remembering. I will admit this bed is fairly comfortable, if not a bit stiff for my taste."

Liz's gaze softened a bit.

"Ahhh, well, that's good to hear," she said, relieved.

She bounced off the bed and started floating away from him toward the front door.

"I have a surprise for you that will definitely make your morning better. I just have to go find it. Stay right there!" yelled Liz as she pushed open the door.

Shane took a deep, calming breath and remembered the loot he had wanted to inspect the night prior. He reached into his inventory and pulled out the ring first.

-Enigmatic Retribution Ring-

(Unique)

Modifiers:

Enigmatic: Physical Attacks have a slight chance of inflicting a random negative status effect Retribution: Increases all damage done by up to 50% based on missing HP Enchanted: Grants an extra feat or spell on this item Healthy: Increases HP by 10%

*Spells Acquired*

-Inner Attraction-

(Rare Light Spell)

Temporarily spawns an opponent's deepest desire. This desire distracts the opponent for a limited time.

Cost: 35 Mana

Duration: 1 Minute or Until Opponent Is Attacked

Cooldown: 2 Minutes

*Feats Acquired*

-Triple Strike-

(Rare Active Feat)

Hits an opponent three times in quick succession

Cost: 65 Fatigue

Range: 1 Meter

Duration: Instant

Cooldown: Instant

Shane whistled at the pretty crazy rolls on the ring. The synergy alone between "Triple Strike" and "Enigmatic" was enough to get his blood pumping. The urge to find something to fight before stepping foot inside Krooth's walls was rising—and fast. He stopped himself from running out the door. There was still that spider spell to look at, too—and besides, Liz had that surprise for him.

Shane brought out the spell scroll from his inventory and inspected it.

-Sentient Arachnid-

(Rare Conjuration Spell)

The user can summon a powerful, sentient spider that can level with its user. Upon use, this spell disappears. This companion cannot be summoned again.

Shane stopped reading. The idea that a powerful and valuable summon couldn't be called upon again made his anxiety swell. He had no idea there was summons that worked like this.

After gathering some determination, Shane continued reading.

Base Level: 5

Base HP: 100

Strength: 12

Speed: 33

Magic: 18

Abilities:

Slows enemies using its webbing Can create offspring that do minor damage and cause fear debuff Leg attacks cause piercing damage Bite attacks inflict "Poison" damage-over-time debuff The arachnid can change its size at will Highly resistant to Poison/Acid/Rot damage

Cost: 100 Mana

Duration: Infinite or Until Death

Cooldown: None

After reading the rest of the spell, there was no way he would pass up having such a companion. The multiple debuffs would be incredibly useful while he cast spells from a distance. He could even heal it if it got hurt. With his concern ebbing and excitement rising, he used the spell scroll and cast "Sentient Arachnid."

Shane felt a large amount of Mana leave his body as the scroll used it to power the spell. Large plumes of dark purple smoke rose from the ground before him. A crazed grin overcame him as he felt like the true mad sorcerer he had always wanted to be. The smoke began dissipating, and the outline of a large—scratch that—giant spider stood in front of him. It was easily the size of a Great Dane, with the top of its body standing roughly equal to his waist.

The next few moments made him grateful he didn't have arachnophobia. After the spider briefly studied him with its six red eyes, it immediately turned around and sprayed him with a light coating of sticky webbing. Before he could struggle free, the arachnid quickly turned around again and gently wrapped its eight hairy legs around him in a sort-of hug.

A new thought entered his mind. Except it was less of a thought and more of a voice, a female voice, much like a no-nonsense school teacher with an equally dry tone of speech.

"It is nice to meet you, master. May I have a name?"

Her fanged mouth didn't move, but he could still clearly hear her—like how earbuds project audio, so the sound is inside your head. Shane thought for the briefest moment before coming up with the perfect name.

"I'll name you Sharlot," he said while trying to politely escape her affectionate embrace.

Feeling delighted, Sharlot squeezed tighter in response to her newly designated alias. Her sparse black hairs bristled excitedly, painfully poking much of Shane's exposed skin as her grip brought them closer. His mind raced as heat radiated from her midnight-black carapace and abdomen. She's a spider, so how is she warm!?

The sensation sent his anxiety into overdrive while his heart began beating out of his chest.

"Please, master, allow me to show you my thanks in the ways only a spider can."