FOOM!
Flames erupted across the monster's hairy carapace. The Aracrab emitted a horrible chittering scream. It thrashed wildly, legs flailing and curling as the fire consumed it. Within moments, the screeching ceased and the giant spider collapsed in a charred heap, smoke curling from its blackened shell.
I lowered the arm I'd thrown up to protect my face, blinking in astonishment. It was over. One second, the beast had us cornered, and the next, it was nothing more than a smoldering corpse, just like that.
Even after two years in this world, seeing magic in action left me awestruck. It defied everything my old life had taught me about what was possible. Magic truly is incredible… and terrifying. A single spell from Elfriede had reduced a monster twice the size of a man to cinders. Note to self: never get on the bad side of a mage. I knew that all too well, given my current company.
"What are you gaping at, fool?" Elfriede's voice snapped me back to reality. She flicked her fingers, extinguishing the lingering sparks around her hand, and gestured to the crispy spider remains. "Quit daydreaming and dismantle it. Now."
"Yes, Mistress!" I hurried over to the smoking carcass, heartbeat still hammering from the adrenaline. The stench of singed hair and cooked meat wafted to my nostrils, causing my empty stomach to rumble.
I grimaced and drew my skinning knife—a short dagger I carried solely for this kind of work. Of course, gutting charred monsters was one of my many lovely duties as the party's drudge.
Working quickly (and trying not to retch at the oily fumes), I hacked off the Aracrab's legs and peeled away sections of its brittle, fire-blackened exoskeleton. Underneath the shell, the creature's flesh was a pearly white and surprisingly plump, almost like crab meat. My knife sliced through it, releasing a gout of fragrant steam. Despite myself, I salivated at the sight. It really did look a bit like steamed crab or lobster tail. And the aroma… by the gods, it smelled delicious.