Chapter 201: The Patterned Spider

Mage Bronn's expression shifted as he examined the corpse, which was almost unrecognizable and wrapped in eerie, white silk threads that encased it in a disturbing shroud.

"This looks like one of the mages who entered the ruins earlier. But something killed them… What exactly did they encounter?"

Mage Samir's brow furrowed as he considered the various dangers lurking within these ancient ruins, each of which could harbor untold threats.

"Let's move ahead and take a closer look," Bronn said, his tone darkening as he seemed to receive information from his alchemical creature.

The group followed closely behind Bronn's alchemical monster as it led them forward. Soon, the unmistakable scent of blood filled the air, making Samir, Bronn, and Lysen's expressions tense with caution.

"Stay alert—there may be danger up ahead," Samir warned softly. Merlin extended his mental awareness, remaining vigilant for any hint of movement or danger around them.

They entered a slightly disordered room where long stone tables were arranged and covered in a thick layer of dust, along with various containers and instruments used for potion-making. Merlin recognized many of them, though some tools were unfamiliar, suggesting they might have special functions.

On another stone table lay several sealed porcelain jars, each delicately crafted and well-preserved despite the ages.

"This must have been the room where the ancient tower's master concocted potions over three thousand years ago. Some of these jars may contain powerful potions," Samir said excitedly, his mission to find a remedy for stabilizing his spell model's foundation suddenly feeling closer than ever. Without a second thought, he prepared to open one of the jars.

"Be cautious, Mage Samir. Those bodies on the floor died in agony—something dangerous is at work here," Merlin warned, his voice low.

Samir narrowed his eyes, noting the white-silk-wrapped corpses strewn across the floor. After a brief hesitation, he commanded one of his alchemical creatures to examine the jars first.

"Open it!" Samir commanded.

The alchemical creature ripped away the dusty cloth covering one of the jars, releasing a strange odor that filled the room. Tipping the jar, it released several patterned spiders that scrambled across the floor, twitching and growing animated as they scurried toward the creature.

"Poisonous spiders!" Samir muttered, disappointed that the jar had not contained potions. With a quick flick of his wrist, he cast a fire spell, enveloping the spiders in flames.

"Let's check the next room," Samir said, shaking his head as he prepared to leave.

But suddenly, thin white threads shot out from the fire and blanketed the room, targeting Samir and the others.

"They're still alive?" Samir said, quickly casting a protective spell. Merlin also unleashed a reinforced Earth Shield, amplified by his magical equipment.

The white threads wrapped around them, their corrosive properties evident as they slowly ate away at the spells protecting them. Realizing the extent of the threat, they understood why so many mages had met their ends here, perhaps releasing these spiders unwittingly.

"Flames of Fury!" Merlin cast a fierce fire spell, his shield erupting in scorching flames that burned the threads holding him. It took only moments for the enhanced spell to burn through them, and Merlin quickly withdrew to a safer position.

Samir, Bronn, and Lysen also managed to free themselves, though they looked unsettled. If not for their third-level spells, they might have been overwhelmed, ending up like the mages whose bodies littered the floor.

"Those patterned spiders—they're still alive!" Samir said, his expression hardening as he looked back at the creatures. Despite being scorched, the spiders began to mutate, each growing to the size of a dinner plate, their menacing forms even more fearsome.

"What kind of creatures are these spiders?" Merlin frowned, remembering the smaller versions he had frozen with a simple ice spell earlier. Now, though, these larger spiders seemed far more resilient.

"Ice Spell!" Merlin tried freezing them again, but the enhanced spiders shattered the ice with ease and rushed forward once more.

"Retreat! We need to regroup!" Samir called out, unsure of the full extent of the spiders' capabilities. But as they turned, they found more spiders blocking their path.

"They're surrounding us… These creatures are intelligent!" Samir murmured, realizing the spiders had strategically encircled them.

"If we can't retreat, we'll have to fight our way through!" Bronn shouted, summoning a third-level spell, and the others followed suit, unleashing powerful attacks against the advancing spiders.

The room erupted in a barrage of spells. While lesser spells had no effect, their third-level spells proved potent enough to decimate the spiders. However, individually targeting each spider was time-consuming and draining on their mana.

Seeing an opportunity, Samir cast a binding spell, trapping a majority of the spiders. "Mage Merlin, it's up to you now!"

Merlin nodded, summoning his large-area spell, Thunder Sphere. The room crackled as dozens of electric orbs materialized, arcing with lightning as they struck the spiders held in place.

Each strike injured the spiders, but their resilience proved formidable. Unwilling to let the spiders press on, Merlin amplified his Thunder Sphere, doubling its power. This time, thick bolts of electricity surged, overpowering the spiders' defenses and reducing them to smoldering husks.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Samir and the others exhaled in relief. They couldn't help but notice the difference between Merlin's two Thunder Sphere spells, realizing he had a unique amplification tool.

"An amplifying tool—it's a valuable asset," Samir and Bronn muttered to themselves, casting quick glances at Merlin. For a moment, the allure of his equipment tempted them, but they remembered the fate of the late Mage Damarion and quickly abandoned any ideas of seizing it.

Only Lysen remained silent, his gaze lingering on Merlin with a glint of intrigue and something harder to read.