40 Venomous Rain of Posioned Threads

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SCREEEECH!

A loud and terrifying screech sounded from the largest spider beast as the spiders all ceased actions and scurried into various positions. It didn't seem orderly, however, there were traces of properly planned actions.

Firstly, the spiders were situated in areas that Apollo would frequently dodge to, effectively cutting off his route of retreat. Secondly, there was something like a placement system.

Those who were stronger were closer to Apollo than their weaker counterparts who were used as weapons to catch Apollo off balance as the stronger ones kept him at bay. 

Apollo frowned as he took note of this development.

He could only grip his weapons in preparation while shifting his gaze back and forth as he calculated multiple routes at once. 

'These aren't mindless beasts. They're now operating intelligently, almost as if they've fostered an understanding of my actions. It seems that spider has more control over them than I thought,' Apollo surmised before making a small back step to test the reactions.

Immediately, a shocking number of thread carrying greenish fluids sped towards Apollo's location.

[That's to be expected. It seems that spider has clued them in on your movement patterns.]

Listening to Azridan's words, Apollo felt his words were accurate. The instant he moved, the spiders did as well. But their current actions differed from their earlier ones!

They had comprehended that they were unable to keep up with his speed. Hence, they would have to stifle it through the use of their webs.

Meanwhile, while dodging the jetstreams of threads, Apollo frowned deepened when he noticed his dwindling stamina. Because of their webs, Apollo was making too many large movements! If it continued like this, he wouldn't last and it could virtually spell his doom.

Apollo switch the knives to reverse grips and lunged forward. He waved his arms frantically, shredding the incoming webs to bits, but not without consequence. Traces amount of the greenish liquid splatters on Apollo's wrists, causing him to wince.

"G-geugh…" Another web made contact with his back. However, the aftereffects weren't what Apollo expected.

〈System: The effect(s) of the corrosive liquid will cause you to lose 0.25% Health per second. All attributes will experience a temporary 0.1% decrease in effectiveness per second for 30 seconds.〉

'It's corroding my stats? Then doesn't that mean I'll become weaker as time goes on? Luckily it's only temporary,' Apollo inwardly thought. At the same time, he incorporated some evasion into his fighting style.

Based on what he saw, this effect would most like compound if move liquid was allowed to seep into his body. Thus, he looked for ways to circumvent this issue. If not, it would pose a grave issue.

[Truly disgusting. These spiders, I mean.]

"Right!" Apollo agreed before sprinted forward, then performing an arc step that allowed him to circle around a few bodies. While doing so, he noticed a few things that could be of use—specifically the pile of bodies.

After some thought, Apollo sent one of the corpses flying at his intended target. This created an obstruction in their view and allowed him to follow up with a rapid dash.

Splich!

As soon as the body dropped, Apollo appeared and slashed the heads off of numerous targets before moving to his next set of targets.

Regrettably, Apollo's breaths became heavy. The strain on his body was accumulating faster than it was being alleviated. However, his experience bar was continuously rising. It wouldn't be long before he reached Level 70!

Nevertheless, he needed to get this situation under control first. But, that was easier said than done. Although he was embroiled in battle for so long, he had only dealt with less than ⅕ of their total numbers!

'2 more kills… that's all I need,' Apollo thought as he glanced at his experience bar.

Over 60 kills! That's how many Spirit Beasts he had defeated. Yet he didn't level up. It had to be known that all experience didn't remain the same. As he leveled up, the experience gained from the same level beasts slowly dwindled. Hence, it took longer to enter the threshold of Level 70.

Regrettably, it seemed the lead spider didn't appreciate Apollo's continuous slaying of its beasts. If it continued like this, the purpose of its breeding ground would be overturned. If its efforts to procreate and advance were made useless, then someone would have to pay!

'Sccreeeech!' 'Screeeeeeccch!' 'Krrrrrrrk!'

2 extremely unsettling screeches and the ear-piercing ringing of its grinding legs sounded as once again the mass of spider made large movements. Only, this time their actions were different in purpose.

Appalled by the change, Apollo quickly attempted to slay two extra spider beasts before whatever they sought to do was complete. Yet, his attempts were thwarted.

[Oh, this isn't good at all. Their Natural Essence is seething. They're preparing something big!] 

Apollo's frown deepened because he sensed the same thing. Faint ripples with a green undertone inundated around the body of the spiders. Moreover, a disturbing amount of venom spewed from their fangs.

Following the orders of the leading spider, every spider in the cave lifted their heads and fired small orbs of greenish venom into the air. Shockingly, it didn't immediately fall, being suspended by an odd ripple from the lead spider. 

Moments later, the orbs coagulated until they formed a large sphere whose toxicity was off the charts.

Suddenly, the leader spider launched a large sphere of its own. As they collided, it exploded. A deluge of acid rain then fell upon Apollo's position.

Apollo hissed in pain as splatters landed on his robes as well as skin. The result was another notification, except it was one of peril.

〈System: The effect(s) of the corrosive liquid has been amplified.〉

〈System: Health decrease increased from 0.25% to 0.5% per second.〉

〈System: Attribute decrease increased from 0.1% to 0.25% per second.〉

As to control the amount of toxins he was exposed to, Apollo dove a pile of bodies. Yet, even then, the potent poison of the leading spider burrowed through the bodies at a rate that almost seemed impossible.

Luckily, the duration of the spectacle was short, subsiding quickly. But, the effects of the actions were still horrific nonetheless.

Still, Apollo dashed from under the mutilated carcasses with patches of burn marks all over his torso, but that didn't both Apollo.

In light of this attack, there was a large addition to the bodies littering the floor. Sadly, the system didn't interpret this as Apollo's kills causing him to click his tongue.

'My kills were wasted,' he thought. Instead of his well-being, the first thing that came to mind was the fact that his efforts seemed to be wasted. On the other hand, seeing him still alive the lead spider screeched angrily. It was incensed by the fact this little being was so hard to kill.

Its fangs dripped with potent venom as its eyes remained locked on Apollo. It needed him dead and it wanted that now.

"You're not the only one angry," Apollo smirked darkly before wiggling out of his top robe. It was nearly corroded by all the acid and was simply rags at this point. 

A second later, he dashed towards the moss-layered wall occupied by something of importance. Upon noticing his intent, the spider made its move while screeching incessantly.

Shockingly, it moved at a speed identical to Apollo!