Chapter 55
Eliza, crumpled against the wall, had lost around 4,000 HP.
Considering the Spider Queen Eliza’s sturdy defenses, that was an unusually high number to drop from a single skill.
But Dohyun didn’t stop there. He swung the Bastard’s Training Sword repeatedly.
[Bastard’s Training Sword’s “Weak Haste” option activates.]
[Attack speed and movement speed increase by 3%.]
The sword rained down on Eliza as if performing a dance.
There was nowhere to dodge. Actually, it was so fast that it was questionable whether dodging was even possible, and Eliza could only endure the hits.
[HP: 31,981 / 40,000]
In an instant, about 8,000 HP vanished.
Dohyun even used Striking.
A faint golden aura circulated through his body, and then the message appeared:
[Striking is used on yourself.]
[Physical abilities rise, increasing attack power.]
The attacks that followed were utterly destructive.
Bang! KWAANG!
The corridor shook from the intense shockwaves, and every time he looked up, the wall cracked under the pressure of Eliza’s face pressed against it.
[Shenglong Strike can be used.]
[Using Shenglong Strike .]
As soon as the cooldown was over, Dohyun unleashed another Shenglong Strike!
He jumped and slammed down from above, and a colossal dragon shape descended onto Eliza.
[Set option effect: Slam range increased.]
“Hmm?”
The set’s increased slam range also applied to Shenglong Strike.
Eliza was the only one who suffered from this extra-flashy strike.
KWAANG!
Her weak scream was buried under the sound of the wall shattering.
Watching the pitiful scene, Jihad pressed his forehead with both hands.
Oh…
Even though his master was winning, the overwhelming power invoked nothing but pity.
[HP: 17,214 / 40,000]
[The field boss of the West Forest, Spider Queen Eliza, has dropped below 50% HP.]
The damage was so overwhelming that her HP was already halved in just a few minutes.
This was thanks to Dohyun being stronger than ever, combined with the Striking buff and the decent DPS skill Shenglong Strike.
[Entering Phase 2.]
[Trait “Steel Web” manifests.]
Spider Queen Eliza was now in Phase 2!
Phase 2 was notoriously difficult.
Her unbreakable webs could instantly incapacitate a dealer or tank the moment they failed to dodge.
Once wrapped in her web, a player would be forced to wait 5 minutes helplessly.
Hoo!
And the webs activated at incredible speed.
At least the pattern was simple enough to counter if prepared, but the real problem was how she could freely weave webs across ceilings and walls.
The webs gradually reduced human territory while expanding Eliza’s domain.
But…
Thunk! Roll…
In the narrow corridor, which wasn’t even twice Dohyun’s height, none of that mattered.
Jump, hit the ceiling, and tumble to the floor.
All Eliza could do was spit out simple webs…
Whoosh!
Eliza!!!
Dohyun wasn’t about to fall for such a predictable attack.
He lazily tilted his head to dodge and swung his training sword with precision.
Pinning her against the wall, he stabbed and slashed from multiple angles, leaving her trapped.
Eliza occasionally tried to counterattack, but Dohyun wasn’t going to fall for blind strikes.
Eli…
Thunk! Whoosh!
…za.
Crack! Bang!
Eliza… ri… za.
Eliza couldn’t even properly scream as she was pounded.
Watching her try to mumble her own name despite being beaten, Dohyun frowned.
“What’s with all this shouting of her name? Let’s see if she says it when she dies.”
…Master, that’s cruel.
Jihad felt uneasy too.
Every little thing she yelled was “Eliza,” and it sounded almost like someone calling a name…
Huh? A name?
Something felt strangely familiar to Jihad.
Why did the name Eliza sound so recognizable?
Impossible… huh?
Jihad’s eyes widened as he thought.
[HP: 5,614 / 40,000]
Startled, he looked to the side and saw the dying Spider Queen Eliza.
He shouted in desperation:
M-Master! Wait!
“? What?”
Wait, stop! Please!
Reaching out, he rushed forward like a parent running to a wounded child.
Even Dohyun, seeing the urgency, stopped mid-strike.
El… iza…
Then came Eliza’s weak voice, followed by Jihad’s shout.
Eliza! It’s me! Don’t you recognize me!?
…Riza?
Eliza didn’t understand.
She knew who that small figure was.
The one who always appeared one step behind the monstrous human and had been watching silently.
She had ignored him because he seemed harmless… but now, why?
Why was he showing such concern?
Ugh!
Frustrated by her lack of reaction, Jihad whipped back the hood of his robe.
His face was revealed, and Eliza’s eyes reflected confusion…
And then that confusion turned into recognition.
…Riza!?
Her dying voice gained strength.
Her blood-red eyes turned green like Jihad’s, and the threatening glare softened.
Tears welled up in her bright green eyes, filled with relief and joy.
Rizaaa!
Yes, it’s me. Eliza!
Then Eliza flung her massive body toward Jihad.
Like a big dog leaping into its owner’s arms, Jihad gently embraced her head.
Dohyun, staring blankly at the bizarre scene, muttered:
“…What is even happening here?”
The spider he had just been beating like a dog, and the goblins he used to crush, now resembled long-lost siblings reuniting.
It made little sense, yet it felt oddly emotional.
Spider Queen Eliza
Ruler of Raven’s West Forest, queen of all giant spiders, queen of giant insects…
The mere name struck fear, but she hadn’t always been this formidable.
Riza!
She was originally a small spider.
Not a massive forest spider, just tiny and insignificant.
Unlike other spiders, she had soft, pure white fur, and her webs were stronger—her only distinguishing trait.
Thanks to that, she met her master.
Hoo? What’s this spider?
Riza?
A new species? Could make a good specimen.
At first, she didn’t understand.
She didn’t have time to.
An undead army suddenly appeared from behind the trees and captured her.
Riza! Riza!?
Tch, noisy. Handle her carefully; she’ll make a fine experiment.
After being taken for a long time, she arrived at a secluded cabin.
She spent a long time there.
What should I feed her… Hey, what do you eat?
Riza?
Why do you keep saying “Riza”? A spider talking is funny. Though I guess I’m a goblin myself, speaking…
Despite the harsh first impression, her captor was kind.
He grumbled but still brought her food, and even provided cushions despite her discomfort.
Riza! Riza!
Eliza liked her clumsy master.
She could feel his care.
Every morning he fed her and left, every evening he returned, and she waited eagerly for those evenings.
He’d pretend to be annoyed, but secretly smiled when she greeted him.
She reacts well. Smart too…
Riza?
Too good to turn undead… Can’t you do tricks?
Understanding roughly, Eliza shot out webs.
10 meters of web spread in all directions, astonishing her master.
You’re incredible! Can you make more?
Riza!
Exhausted after filling the cabin with webs, she slept, and from the next day, her time with the master increased.
Such strong webs for such a small body… This is definitely a new species.
I’ll raise her till adulthood.
Yes, for experimentation. No other reason.
Others might try to hunt her… troublesome.
Muttering to himself, he still made Eliza happy just by being with him.
They walked together, ate together, and eventually slept together.
It was around then she received the name “Eliza.”
You can only say “Riza”?
Riza? Riza!
You always say “you,” so how about Eliza? “Riza” sounds weak.
Riza?
Not Riza, Eliza! Say Eliza.
Riza Riza!
They bickered, but it didn’t matter.
Fine, as you wish. I’ll call you Eliza.
Riza!
That day, she even received her first gift.
Here, take this.
Riza?
It’s yours. Nothing much… wear it on walks.
Rizaaa!
The small accessory became her prized possession, always kept close, even beyond walks.
Her master found her attachment endearing.
Heh… she likes it.
Riza Riza!
Days of happiness followed.
But it didn’t last.
Eliza, I must go alone today.
Riza? Riza!
You can’t. I found clues about the secret we’ve been searching for. It’s dangerous for you.
Riza…
Eliza obeyed, though saddened.
He would return, so she waited.
I’ll go then.
Riza Riza!
Stay home, Eliza. I left a few undead. Use them if needed.
Her master left.
And he never returned.
Sunset, night, sunrise… no matter how many times it repeated, he didn’t return.
Riza…
Yet Eliza waited.
Through winter’s chill, spring’s warmth, and summer’s intrusions, she waited endlessly.
One year.
Ten years.
A hundred years…
Eternal time passed.
Fssst…
Even the undead companions who remained as her master’s traces turned to dust.
…Riza.
Eliza left the cabin.
She headed deep into the West Forest, to where she first met her master, where it all began.
Riza, Ri… za… El…
There, she longed for her master,
…Riza. El… iza…
and repeated her name to remember it.
Eliza.
When she finally could clearly say her name, rumors spread of a bizarre creature in Raven repeatedly calling “Eliza.”
