The spider lunged. Its legs spread wide, as it slashed through the air. Fangs gleamed under the crimson light, dripping with thick venom that hissed as it fell onto the floor.
Adam didn't flinch. Adrenaline seared through his nerves like fire. He charged forward, meeting the creature head-on. Mandibles locked in a violent clash.
Clang!
The impact rattled the air, metal-like resonance echoing through the heart of the chamber. His mandibles scraped against the spider's fangs, sparks of mana flickering where they met.
The spider twisted mid-air, weightless yet feral, its body rotating with terrifying grace before slamming into the wall. Sending waves of dust from the impact.
It reoriented instantly, abdomen arching high. A burst of glowing crimson silk shot outward, cutting through the air in sharp, patterned strands. The web formed a deadly lattice that shimmered in red.
Adam ducked beneath the trap, the web biting at his senses, as he barely dodged the blow. He drew mana in, his veins pulsing with the energy.
Mana Slash!
A fan of blinding light erupted from his mandibles. It sliced through the remaining threads with ease, scattering glowing web fragments that sizzled as they hit the damp floor.
But something was wrong. The spider was nowhere to be seen.
His peripheral blurred, his instincts screamed. Without even looking, he raised his right claw and-
WHAM!
The monster slammed into an invisible barrier, shrieking as the impact sent ripples of mana across the air.
Adam's heart thudded. He dismissed the mana shield he had created, instantly using the rebound to launch forward. His mandibles swung with raw, violent precision. The spider tried to twist away, its limbs bending at impossible angles, but not fast enough-
Slash!
A deep cut traced across its face. One of its crimson eyes burst in a spray of black-red fluid.
The beast shrieked, thrashing wildly. Its limbs stabbed into the stone, breaking off shards that clattered like bones on the cavern floor.
Adam didn't let up. He dropped low, his body buzzing with focus. The stench of blood and venom filled the atmosphere as he surged forward, targeting the pale underside of the spider. His mandibles struck, driven by pure instinct-
Crunch!
He pierced its abdomen. But just as he felt the thrill of impact, his left mandible brushed against one of the pulsating red bubbles along its body-
SPLASH!
The bubble burst, spilling sizzling acid that sprayed across his armor of mana. A furious hiss filled his ears as the armor around his jaw corroded, melting away in glowing streaks. Pain tore through his mind, searing and primal.
"GAAHHHH—!"
The burning sensation was unbearable. As if molten metal was poured over his nerves. He reeled backward, clutching his mandible as the acid crawled across it. The spider seized the opening immediately.
SHHH!
A whip of webbing lashed out, striking his exposed jaw. In an instant, the spider flipped backward, yanking Adam toward it in a fluid, swift motion.
But this time, Adam wasn't going to let the spider execute this again. His thoughts sharpened, rage shooting through the immense pain.
He let the momentum carry him forward. Then twisted. His mandible flared with a sudden surge of mana.
Mana Slash!
The glowing arc ripped through the web in midair, scattering pieces of webs in all directions. The spider dodged again, a blur of color and shadow, but this time Adam saw the pattern in its movement.
The mana slash struck the muddy ground behind it.
BOOM!
A concussive burst of energy sent a shockwave through the chamber. Mud, rock, and red webs exploded outward, painting the air with a grim, shimmering haze.
Through it all, Adam's breathing was ragged and heavy. His heart pulsed erratically, thrumming and thundering within his hardened shell.
Then, like a death sentence, the system appeared before his eyes:
[System Warning: Low Mana]
25 / 400 MP Remaining
The glowing words hovered in the dust-choked air.
Adam's jaw tightened. His armor flickered faintly under the shifting red light. The spider crouched opposite him. Bleeding and twitching, its single remaining eye locked on him with pure hatred. Acid dripped from its fangs.