The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 36

Chapter 36: Eight-Legged Shadow (Aria’s Side)

“Hmm, this is bad, isn’t it?”

Muttering this as she observed the shadow-like creatures relentlessly attacking the barrier created by magical tools, she had defeated dozens of them using magic and magical tools. However, it seemed that her current magical tools and spells were insufficient to deal with the endless stream of these creatures. The barrier created by her magical tool was now showing cracks, and it seemed on the verge of breaking.

And then, as the creatures’ claws were about to pierce through the barrier…

“Sister Philia!”

A red flash cut through the creatures, scattering them. Beyond the dissipating monsters stood her beloved younger sister, wielding a crimson sword.

—

“Are you injured?”

“I’m okay! Thanks to Aria-chan, I barely made it!”

Philia swung her glowing magical tools in response to Aria’s question. For now, it seemed they had arrived in time to help.

Philia possessed incredible knowledge and skills in magic and magical tools, but her physical strength was not her strong suit. She had about the same amount of magical power as an average magician, but she compensated for it with her knowledge and technical expertise, allowing her to serve as the Court Magician.

“First, we need to get to a safe place. Can you walk?”

“Hmm, just give me a moment.”

Philia said this and quickly consumed a potion that was on the table. Her body was enveloped in the light of an enhancement spell.

“There we go! I can sprint at full speed now!”

“In that case, let’s run.”

With Philia, who had retrieved the magical tools on the table and in the surroundings, they left the workshop. Shadow stalkers appeared, but Aria cut them down. When they tried to regroup and appeared at a distant location, Philia used her magical tools to keep them at bay.

As they attempted to head toward the knights, the shadow stalkers suddenly retreated, creating distance between themselves and Aria and Philia. Dozens of shadow stalkers gathered in a distant location, merging into a single, ever-expanding shadow.

“What’s going on?”

A sense of unease washed over her, and she channeled flames into her sword, slashing at the shadow before it reached her. However, before her flame-imbued strike reached the shadow, it was pierced by something resembling black tentacles that sprang from the ground.

Parts resembling insect legs protruded from the cocoon-like shape of the shadow. Eight red, eye-like lights emerged one after another on what seemed to be its body.

“Aria-chan, is that…?”

“Black Widow…”

She inadvertently uttered the name of the creature. On the Grusio Continent, it was known as a dangerous creature equivalent to a Balrog due to the number of adventurers who had fallen victim to it and its troublesome nature.

The Black Widow used its eight legs to run at a speed unmatched by its giant size. As it approached, it extended multiple black tentacles from its body, causing an overwhelming feeling of disgust.

“Ruskdite!”

She channeled magical power into Ruskdite, imbuing its blade with searing heat. She tried to attack the Black Widow as it extended its tentacles toward her, attempting to defend itself by crossing its foremost legs. However, before she could strike its head while it was exposed, the Black Widow’s body sank into the ground.

The colossal shadow moved at a tremendous speed from the ground to the castle walls. In an instant, it appeared behind her sister, and then it sprang out of the ground, swinging its legs.

“Sister Philia!”

She intervened just in time, catching the legs, but the Black Widow’s mouth-like opening opened, and black fangs extended like spears.

“Ugh!”

She twisted her head to dodge, but a red line appeared on her cheek. The Black Widow once again disappeared into the ground, moving away.

“Aria-chan!”

“Sister, don’t leave my side.”

Shielding her sister from behind, she held Ruskdite ready. The eight red eyes on the creature flickered, exuding a malevolent aura.