The Dark King

by Steffen Schmidt

  Bang! It hit the black spike but skidded and deviated from it.

  Dudian knew that previous archer youth made the shot from the rear. However, the black spikes were mainly oval but partially flat. Its surface were smooth and tough.

  Dudian secretly thought in his heart that if some hair-sizes spikes were placed on tip of arrow it may play a great role in penetration.

  Knight bounced and turned around to help the youth with the knife. He hit its joint and was able to cut it off!

  However, the power of the hit by the spear passed through the black spike onto youth's thigh. Pain of severe tearing made his body tremble. His hands were tightly holding his thigh, squeezing it out. The main reason was to avoid the blood stain his wound.

  Glenn's body shook as she was jumping right and left to avoid the black spikes while struggling to pull this part of the black spike.

  From time to time, a sharp cry full of pain and anxiety echoed from soil.

  In this breathtaking tug of war, dying mountain lion roared in anger and rushed towards Glenn.

  Glenn and the others were caught in bitter battle with the black weaver and didn't expect to suffer an attack from mountain lion. The swordsman was quick to swiftly use his sword to hit the mountain lion.

  Mountain lion's head violently collided with the youth sword. Bang! Although his sword move played an effect in stopping mountain lion's attack but the difference in power between two sides was too much. The swordsman was knocked out.

  He hastened to stabilize his body but didn't have enough time to stand up. Black spikes pierced through from his exposed spine and poked out from his chest!

  "No!" Knight screamed in anger. He waved the long spear and rushed past.

  Glenn heard the sounds and looked back. Her face changed as her body slightly bent. Subtle changes appeared on her slender legs near her knees. Something seemed to protrude from them as her legs shape changed at the same time. Her strength was enhanced as she made more effort to pull the black spike.

  However, spike began to faintly tear open from the joints.

  squeeek...

  The ground opened as a black giant suddenly flew out from the land.

  Glenn was struggling to pull back black weaver's body. However as if the oppenent suddenly loosened the rope, she lost power and involuntarily receded backwards. The spike which she was holding on to was one of the legs of the black giant. Instead of backing up, the black weaver rushed towards her.

  More black spikes from the multi-legged black weaver outflanked her and seemed that as if it wanted to embrace Glenn.

  Glenn hadn't expected and taken into account such a situation. Moreover as she saw the swordsman killed in such a way, her heart was full of anger. She hadn't expected that the black weaver will be so insidious. It seems that it was deliberately waiting for this moment.

  As she saw the black giant flying towards her rapidly, her face changed. She twisted her body in hurry. Her feet suddenly made a maneuver and her body twisted into an incredible posture to avoid the black weaver.

  Whosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! At the same time, four continues arrows were shot.

  Arrows were shot onto the back of the black weaver. Huge force pushed its body a little bit and black weaver's follow-up attack was interrupted.

  Chapter 108: Battle with the beast

  The group saw its appearance as the black weaver emerged out from the ground. It looked like a giant spider of two meters high and five meter long. There were eight black spike-like legs located on its belly. Each leg had three joints which made the spiky legs very flexible. There were two arms in front which looked like crab claws. It was clear that both arms had terrible destructive power.

  Hard black shell covered various parts of black weaver's body. There was no hair. Its abdomen was extremely bloated like a spider belly. At the end of its body there was a tail which was extremely similar to a scorpion's.

  Dudian was panicking in fear just from the ferocious appearance of the black weaver. He knew that it wasn't going to be a simply prey and couldn't help but worry for Glenn.

  "squeak--"

  Black weaver cried sharply as it was full of impatience and anger. Four of the eight legs were broken. One of them was an old injury however the rest was caused by Glenn's team. Black weaver was supporting its body by four legs while it stared at Glenn.

  Glenn was relieved as she saw the black weaver coming out to fight them instead of running away. Her blood was boiling as killing intent rose to the roof. Her arms flashed and the dagger's on her leggings were pulled out, like a magnet sucking metal. The action was so fast that normal eyes couldn't detect it.

  She stared at black weaver while holding a dagger in each hand. She began to move step by step.

  She was good at assassination. But this time they were not able to point its position as black weaver was moving underground. That's why she could only assume role of a warrior and fight it head-on.

  Two thin, scarlet eyes stared at Glenn as transparent mucus was dripping from black weaver's chin. In a moment, using its four strong legs it moved towards Glenn once again.

  If compared Glenn and black weaver's body sizes were completely disproportionate. But Glenn without the slightest fear moved towards black weaver. Her actions were so fast that there were blurry afterimages as she rapidly took-off towards black weaver's flank.

  Black weaver had flapped forward but its body wasn't able to react on time for Glenn's attack on his side. However, its head suddenly turned left and white filament was ejected from its mouth.

  Glenn's face slightly changed as her body quickly rotate to change the direction of attack and escape at the same time.

  She avoided the transparent filamentous object thrown at her and once again approached black weaver. This time the daggers were aimed at black weaver's sharp hind legs.

  Dudian's eyes shone as he watched the duel. Glenn had avoided the previous white silk by hair's breadth. Moreover she was able to adjust her position and counter-attack at the same time.

  Puff! Black weaver's leg was broken as it fall down.

  "squeak--"

  Extremely harsh screams echoed out from black weaver. Its noise was similar to the sound when nails scratched the glass.

  Actually, black weaver's scream had affected dudian and his felt a bit dizzy because of the noise.

  Glenn was not affected by the sound attack. She once again rushed to the ground as not to give the black weaver a space for breath.

  Black weaver didn't try to stand up as its body fell to the ground. Instead it began to sweep its tail.

  Glenn felt the slight wind and moved sideways to avoid the tail. Once again the distance between her and the black weaver was opened.

  It takes a lot to describe but everything happened in a matter of two or three seconds.

  Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

  Archer was continuously shooting arrows. One arrow hit close to black weaver's eye. If it was half a centimeter upwards the arrow would have pierced its eye.

  Half a centimeter of the deviation in archery would have different results as the difference between day and night. Accurate shots are very important in archery.

  Dudian and Gatt who were watching from the side felt disappointed when they saw the arrow fail to hit black weaver's eye.

  Next moment, the night and the other youth with the knife with the Glenn began to disperse into three different direction and surround the black weaver.

  Black weaver would constantly issue sharp shouts to intimidate them while lying on the ground and looking around.

  Knight and the other knife-wielding injured youth knew that they didn't have a chance against the black weaver. They understood that their fighting abilities were lower than black weaver's so their aim was to support Glenn. The main issue at their hands was not to let Glenn get wounded or to fall into a desperate crisis.

  Glenn gasped. She was not in a hurry anymore.

  However black weaver was impatient. Its legs were cut
off so blood was gradually oozing out. If it continued to wait then it will get more weaker as the time passes. It looked around waiting for the advantageous moment to attack.

  For a time everything was still.

  It didn't take long before with an uneasy twist black weaver rushed towards the knight.

  Knight's face changed as he hurried back and waved the spear in warning.

  However, as the black weaver jumped its claw like front arms caught the spear and with an easy pinch broke it up.

  As it attacked the knight, Glenn also found the opportunity to attack it from another direction.

  Feeling her approach, the black weaver turned towards to attack with its claws. It felt like the previous attack on knight was only a pretext.

  Knight's heart was relieved but he didn't give up and hastily waved the broken spear to symbolicaly harrass the black weaver. His main aim was to scatter black weaver's attention so that it couldn't concentrate.

  Shape of Glenn's two calves were curved unlike a normal human's straight legs. Because of this her speed had reached an unimaginable speed.

  puff!

  As knight and the other youth were harassing the black weaver, she took the chance and attacked. Her sharp daggers pierced the black weaver. She rapidly took them out and stabbed the second time. As a result, capillary and veins in black weaver's body were crushed, resulting in significant degree of bleeding.

  Black weaver screamed and turned to bite but Glenn had already retreated.

  Knight and the other youth who was that their harassment had given result were full of joy as they continued to harass the black weaver.

  Glenn looked at the wound on black weaver's neck. If they could drag it long enough then it would bleed too much and die.

  Chapter 109: Hunt

  Blood was flowing out from black weaver's neck. It felt sharp pain and physical exertion. It panicked and wanted to escape.

  But Glenn and the knight were experienced, veteran hunters. They were not planning to give the black weaver an opportunity to rush out of the encirclement. Once black weaver tried to break out of the formation they would force it back.

  After repeated conflict its physical strength was getting more and more weaker. Its actions had become increasingly slow. Even the knight could easily escape it percussion.

  Glenn also used the opportunity to attack it while the other were harassing it from the other sides.

  Sharp daggers as if a beast's fangs were stabbed by Glenn to black weaver's belly.

  However, the black weaver which acted slow up to this moment, reacted rapidly and spewed white filament back at Glenn.

  This wire-like material thrown very fast to begin with. Additionally, Glenn was not expecting the attack. Suddenly, her hands and feet were wrapped by it. At the same time, the white silk seemed to have strong corrosive effect. Parts of her armor were corroded visibly to the eye.

  The reversal of battle had caught all of them in surprise. Glenn quickly rolled back to avoid the possible percussion by the black weaver.

  However, the black weaver seemed to go crazy as it continued to pursue her.

  Glenn was horrified as she hastened to hide.

  At this time, the knight, knife-wielding hunter and the distant archer began to try their best to upset the black weaver so that it would stop attacking Glenn and turn towards them.

  Regardless of their attacks, black weaver's was focused on catching up with the Glenn. At the moment, Glenn's upper body was covered in white silk. The surface of the armor was slowly corroding at a pace visible to the naked eye.

  Glenn didn't have time to clean up the white silk from her upper body as the black weaver was about to catch up with her. She could only avoid in panic. H now longer hesitated as he looked at Gatt and said: "We have to help!"

  Gatt was stunned and hadn't reacted to Dudian's words. He pulled the bow from his back and ran forward. The other archer was in a position more than two hundred meters away. However his effective range was 100 meters at best and he was used to stationary targets.

  Fortunately, black weaver was so focused on killing Glenn that it had forgotten and were ignoring the knight and the other knife-wielding hunter. Dudian immediately pulled the bowstring and aimed at black weaver's head as he reached the 100 meter distance.

  At this moment, he immediately realized the difference between shooting moving target and static target. Black weaver's head was constantly shaking. So it was very difficult for him to aim. He felt irritated in his heart. He deeply inhaled as he looked at black weaver. Its head was continuously moving up and down but gradually Dudian was able to find a somewhat familiar track. Black weaver's body construction made it so that it didn't have much of a range to move its head.

  Whoosh!

  Dudian loosened his grip on the string and the arrow shot out!

  Bang! The arrow hit the hard shell close to black weaver's mouth only leaving a small dent and then falling onto the ground.

  Dudian didn't lose his heart but quickly took another arrow, aimed and shot!

  Bang! This shot also hit the hard shell on black weaver's head. It didn't cause the slightest harm neither attracted black weaver's attention.

  Glenn was forced into a corner by the black weaver by this time. Because of black weaver's large body hitting on to the wall, rubbles collapsed, causing great obstacles to it. However, Glenn's feet stumbled and fell down. Her face turned ugly as she didn't have any chance to avoid the black weaver.

  The black weaver screamed and rushed past to bite her.

  Glenn hastened to hold the dagger. She was staring at the joints on bottom of black weaver's head. It was going to be a deadly gamble but it was her only chance of survival. She must fight for her own life!

  In this moment of life and death, Dudian narrowed his eyes. His heart was not anxious but extraordinarily ethereal. Instinctively the black weaver's next move emerged in Dudian's mind. His finger loosened and the arrows shot past.

  puff!

  puff!

  Two consecutive hits resulted in blood spattering around.

  Black weaver screamed as it threw itself down on her.

  Dudian quickly checked. Arrow were inserted onto black weaver's head. Next he thought about Glenn's safety. His heart was tightened. He waited for the other two hunters to check the beast. If black weaver had spare capacity to fight then he was going to withdraw!

  The knight and the other youth carefully went forward. They saw large amount of blood flowing out from black weaver's head. Suddenly, black weaver's body arched and both of them were frightened. However, it was Glenn whose body was covered in black weaver's blood that crawled out from under it. Her body armor was stained with blood and rancid smell.

  Seeing this, everyone was relieved.

  Glenn cut off the white silk of her body. Although her body was dyed with blood but there was an unprecedented happy smile on her face. It was because of blood bathing, she would be able to evolve her magic marks.

  Dudian looked at her blood body, suddenly thought that Glenn should have absorbed the parasitic magic worms through the blood of black weaver. The new magic worms would occupy the previous position of the magic marks and will replace the previous magic mark ability!

  During hunter training Dudian also learned that everyone can only master one magic mark!

  In case, more than one parasitic worms reached the same body, they will kill each other. One mountain could not contain two tigers. Only one parasitic worm could stay alive and the rest had to die. There was a small chance that all the parasitic worms would evenly match and die together!

  Moreover, one the parasitic worms enters the body, it soon dies turning into a magic mark. If there is another new parasitic worm that enters the body it will eat up the remains of the previous dead worms. It will die again to give a birth to new magic mark.

  This made Dudian very curious. Why would parasitic worms survive in beast's body but die after entering humans? However, he didn't deeply thought abou
t the problem. Most probably it is one of the puzzles that Holy Church and major consortiums were eager to solve.

  "At last," said the knight. He poked at black weaver's body and was relieved to see it dead. He said to Glenn: "Are you alright?"

  Glenn smiled: "Never been so good!"Suddenly thought of something and came towards the archer who was in distance: "I have to thank you for the arrow. It shot into its eyes and only then its body deviated creating a chance for me to kill it."

  Archer was embarrassed: "It wasn't me who shot the arrow but Dean". Previously he would call Dudian simply 'little guy'. But after observing his calm actions, the archer didn't want to underestimate him anymore.

  "Dean?" Glenn was surprised, turned around and looked at the Dudian and Gatt. She saw Dudian with bow in his hand as he dawned over. She remembered that Dudian was also an archer. She couldn't help but exclaimed: "You have just been promoted from scavenger to hunter. However, your shooting style can be compared to a professional regular archer!"

  Dudian knew that the last shot was result of his luck. There was a big gap between him and the archer youth. : "just lucky... Its good enough that I could help you."

  Glenn laughed. "You've helped me a lot. This time I really want to thank you."

  Dudian smiled but didn't reply. He was too modest which Dudian himself felt rather hypocritical.

  Chapter 110: Branch

  "Did you absorb... its magic marks?" Gatt also rushed over. He checked the blood covering Glenn's body as he asked the question.

  In addition to Dudian, all the eyes of the rest of the team were on Glenn. They were enviously looking at her. Although they knew this thing would not fall into their hands but still were excited at sight.

  "Well," Glenn nodded slightly: "This time thanks to your help I got my hands on what I wanted."

  All of them acted polite and modest but they were happy in their hearts. It has to be noted that if a senior hunter favored them then their future in the consortium would be bright.

  Dudian looked at the dead swordsman: "Are we going to take back his corpse or we going to bury it on spot?"