Silk and Strategy

The spiritual energy within Spirit Beasts was limited, which meant they couldn't use their abilities endlessly.

The fact that the giant Vespitoxin hadn't been attacking continuously was likely for the same reason.

Ash had no way of knowing how much spiritual energy the Vespitoxin had left or how many more attacks it could launch.

However, she wasn't willing to gamble on the chance that it might run out of energy soon.

That kind of "I bet your gun's out of bullets" mentality was reckless and foolish.

Rather than entrusting her fate to her enemy's limits, Ash preferred to rely on her own decisions.

Regardless of the outcome, she would know that she had done everything she could.

There would be no regrets—and that was enough.

With this thought in mind, Ash suddenly turned around and began running back in the direction they had come from—toward the giant Vespitoxin that was rapidly closing in.

"Larvavine?"

Larvavine who is startled by Ash's unexpected action, quickly wrapped its antennae around her neck and clinging it tightly as though terrified she might shake it off.

"Can I trust you?" Ash asked while rummaging through her backpack.

She doesn't even sparing a glance at the trembling Larvavine who is clutching at her neck.

Her expression suggested she was making an important decision.

"Larvavine!"

Larvavine nodded its without hesitation and raising its little head confidently.

In order to further emphasize its resolve, it even leaned forward and lightly pecked Ash's ear with its mouth.

"Alright then," Ash said while giving the Larvavine a grateful smile.

She pulled out a wooden slingshot and a small pouch of white powder from her backpack.

It was an Insectum Golden Spray she had purchased from the items store before.

Although it was ineffective against Spirit Beasts like the Vespitoxin, it still could briefly disrupt its vision and sense of smell.

Glancing down at the slingshot and Insectum Golden Spray in her hands, Ash spoke to Larvavine on her shoulder. "I'm going to shoot this Insectum Golden Spray at that big guy. The moment it's distracted, you need to spit all your silk onto its wings. Can you do it?"

"Larvavine!"

Larvavine nodded its vigorously, determined to flawlessly execute Ash's orders.

Ash smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Instead, she focused intently on the giant Vespitoxin who are approaching rapidly.

She knew she had only one chance.

Failure was not an option.

When the giant Vespitoxin was five meters away, Ash suddenly burst out from the bushes and aimed the slingshot directly at its eyes.

At the same moment, the Vespitoxin raised its tail, its deadly stinger targeting Ash.

The spiritual energy began to surged.

The slingshot's elastic band stretched taut.

In the next instant, a sharp whistle cut through the air as the Vespitoxin fired its stinger.

However, Ash, who had seemed to be aiming at the Vespitoxin's eyes, suddenly rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the lethal attack.

It was a feint!

Landing in her pre-planned position, Ash released the fully stretched slingshot.