4. SPIDER

"So, are there any restrictions on the type of bloodlines I can absorb?" I asked, my voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Yes," she replied, her tone steady. "You can only absorb Rank 0 bloodlines. If you try to absorb anything higher, the energy will be too much for you. It'll overwhelm you, and you'll die."

"Hmm," I muttered, processing the weight of her words. "More limitations... It seems like every step forward comes with a catch." I paused, chewing on the thought. "Can you help me with anything else? I'm feeling a bit lost here."

"No," she answered simply. "I can only provide you with the basics until you've found the gems."

"Great," I said, a slight edge of frustration creeping into my voice. "So what kind of magical beast should I aim for first?"

"You can only absorb the bloodline of creatures with no cultivation," she replied.

"But how am I supposed to kill them?" I asked, bewildered. How was I expected to defeat creatures without cultivating myself first?

"Create your mana core," she instructed. "Once you have that, you'll be able to absorb their bloodlines."

"And once I create the mana core, will I be strong enough to kill these creatures?" I asked, my impatience growing. I needed power, but the steps to attain it felt like an endless journey.

"Yes," she said, her voice calm. "After you create your mana core, your physical strength will increase. You'll be much more capable of handling normal magical creatures."

"Alright," I said, nodding, trying to push past my doubts. "Let's get started with the mana core. How do I do it?"

"Sit down, meditate, and focus on sensing the mana around you," she instructed.

"Okay, I'll give it a try," I muttered, already sinking into a cross-legged position, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

---

**Fifteen minutes later...**

I opened my eyes, frustrated. "This is harder than it sounds. I can't sense any mana. Why is this so difficult?"

"Don't worry," she said, her tone soothing yet matter-of-fact. "It's normal. Sensing mana for the first time is rarely easy."

"Not easy?" I shot back, my voice rising in panic. "I'm stuck in the middle of a forest, and I have no idea when a wild creature might attack me! How am I supposed to focus on mana when I'm surrounded by danger?"

Just as I said those words, a large spider emerged from the shadows, its eight legs skittering across the ground with unnatural speed. It paused in front of me, its beady eyes locking onto mine. I barely had time to react before I instinctively slapped it away.

"Ew, what a creepy thing," I muttered, my heart still racing from the sudden appearance. "Should I absorb it?"

"You can," she replied without hesitation. "You need only eat its parts to absorb its bloodline."

"Eat it?" I balked, staring at the spider's twitching form. "But it's so... disgusting!"

"If you want power, you must do what it takes," she said, her voice unwavering.

I grimaced, looking down at the spider, its legs sprawled unnaturally. I could feel my stomach turn at the thought. This wasn't something I was prepared for. But power didn't come easy, did it? I had to remind myself of that.

With a deep breath, I reached for the spider and tore a leg off, grimacing as I shoved it into my mouth. The taste was unbearable—worse than anything I could have imagined. It was bitter, rancid, as though the very essence of the creature's grotesque existence was being absorbed by my tongue. My stomach churned, and every instinct screamed for me to spit it out. But I swallowed, forcing it down with sheer willpower.

"Alright," I said, my voice strained. "What now?"

"Now, meditate again," she instructed. "Let your bloodline absorb the spider's traits."

I closed my eyes, trying to focus despite the nausea still rising within me. The taste lingered in my mouth, but I pushed it aside. There was no turning back now. Power couldn't be earned easily, I reminded myself.

---

**Fifteen minutes later...**

My body still felt heavy with the aftertaste of the spider, but I pushed through, focusing on the meditation. I opened my eyes to hear her voice again.

"Well done," she said, almost approvingly. "You've gained a minor affinity for shadow and poison elements."

I blinked, surprised. "Wait... Does that mean I can secrete poison now? Can I use it to kill my enemies?"

"You will need to refine your bloodline further before you can utilize those abilities," she answered calmly. "You won't feel any immediate changes. But the foundation is now in place."

I flexed my hands, looking for any sign of change, but there was nothing. My body felt the same. But the thought of having poison and shadow within me sent a strange thrill through my chest. I would have these powers soon, and that thought fueled my determination.

"Alright," I muttered, still digesting everything. "Guess it's just a matter of refining it, then."

"Yes. Continue your training," she advised. "And when the time comes, you'll be ready to face greater challenges."

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