"YO! Secret lair! Sam this is amazing!" - Evan
Walking over to Sam quickly, to grab his hand, and giving a quick handshake, Evan's excitement expels out, infecting everyone else in the room. Following him, Kingston gazes over at the metal rack, seeing a myriad of wooden weapons. Spears of different sizes, swords of different kinds, there were so many kinds of weapons, with some I didn't even know the name of, and they were all here, neatly packed away in this metal rack.
"How big is this rack…?" - Kingston
"It's quite large, and rather than height, we focused on length and width. Most weapons aren't that much larger than the length of an arm, with the only exceptions being variations of spears and staffs." - Sam
"I don't even know what to pick…? There are just so many." - Rebecca
"Shouldn't we just pick what weapon we are used to?" - Kingston
"That's a problem in itself. Nina and I are mages in the game, what weapons would we be using? Rebecca here pretty much uses a knife, and just pure stats to fight. What do you expect us to train with?" - Sabrina
"We thought about that already. Adam! Eve!" - Sam
"Yes, Mr. Sam!" - Adam, Eve
Grabbing a staff and sword respectively, Adam and Eve stood next to Sam, their eyes locked on the three girls.
"Since Nina and Sabrina won't need the weapons the next best thing would be to practice dodging. Rebecca, as she hasn't had much combat experience yet, will be practicing dodging as well. She may only use a knife, but to get into position and dodge incoming attacks, she will need to be quick on her feet. Adam and Eve have both been trained in material arts, and they will be helping the three of you." - Sam
"Don't worry, I'll do my best not to hit you too hard." - Adam
"You better make sure you do it properly, Adam. Nina, Rebecca, and Sabrina come we are going to that side to train." - Eve
The three girls, look at each other nervously but ultimately follow Adam and Eve to the side, their training has already begun. Meanwhile, Kingston picks up a spear that was similar in size to the one he was already using in the game. Twirling it around in his hand, he gets a feel for the weight of the spear, the corners of his mouth perk up slightly as he glances toward the rest of us.
Evan, picks up an ax, while Sam grabs a small shield and a one-handed sword. They both look comfortable holding onto the wooden weapons, as they casually swing their weapons from side to side, doing the same, I move over to the rack to grab a spear as well.
"Wait, deary~! I don't think a spear suits you." - Selino
"Huh? Selino? Why? I have always used a spear." - Ian
"Did you use a spear because you knew how to use it? Were you good at it? Or was it because there was no other option, and you just stuck with it hmm~? I personally, think you aren't suited for the spear." - Selino
"Is there a reason? If so, what weapon should I be using?" - Ian
"No weapon at all. I think using a weapon is a waste since you have 8 weapons on your back already. Or have you forgotten? You are no longer a human, deary~" - Selino
"I…" - Ian
Selino was right, ever since the first time I felt the pain in my back after she cursed me, I have slowly become less of a human. Maybe it was just me trying to deny the inevitable, but I still believed I was a normal human. That was… Until today. Without even mentioning it, I already knew that I was different the moment I woke up. Sound, sight, and smell felt enhanced, but that wasn't what made me think it was different. It was a feeling, creeping along my back.
It didn't take much effort, but I could feel 8 individual spots on my back, and without even looking in the mirror, I understood it was the location where the legs of the spiders were in the game. Gulping the saliva in my mouth down, I try my best to resolve myself, to try to accept who I am, even outside the game.
"Selino. Am I that different now that I am an Arachne?" - Ian
"Not at all deary~ In fact, you aren't a pure Arachne, which can be seen by your appearance. Most Arachne, are like me. The torso of a human, with an abdomen of a spider. However, you have the body of a human with just the additional legs of a spider coming out from your back. This in itself, should not have happened, so I don't know what kind of Arachne you are or why you are like this. I just know you aren't like me, deary~." - Selino
"Then…?" - Ian
"Deary~ You can use both human's and Arachne's advantages. One~! Of these advantages is the spider legs we have. Its strength is on par with weapons made by blacksmiths, and it has the ability to regrow after being destroyed. It is sharp and quick, much like a knife or a rapier, yet as flexible and ever-moving as a spear. SO~ Deary… Tell me. Why use a weapon? Why not focus on learning how to use what you already have?" - Selino
"Then what do I do with my hands and arms in battle?" - Ian
"Don't you already know the answer?" - Selino
"...Magic and skills?" - Ian
"Wow~ Ian deary~ So smart~." - Selino
"Is that how Arachne's fight?" - Ian
"Maybe. Maybe not. I just think this is how you should fight." - Selino
"I see… Is there something else I have yet to unlock? You say all this as if I'm still missing something." - Ian
"OH! My, oh, my~ I'm feeling really hot right now, Ian deary~ I didn't know you are such a smart human. YES! You are still missing something very essential for an Arachne." - Selino
"And that is?" - Ian
"Your eyes~ Deary. Your eyes~" - Selino
"My eyes? How so?" - Ian
"Arachne, have 8 eyes right? But those 8 eyes are just used for vision. In fact, it would be pretty stupid to just have 8 eyes just to see. Our eyes each have their own uses, but it is different for each Arachne." - Selino
"I see… Wait! How come you didn't use any of your eyes?" - Ian
"Because your body isn't ready yet. BUT! Don't worry, deary. It may be ready soon, who knows~" - Selino
"Alright… So, how do you want me to train?" - Ian
"Fight. Just fight, and keep fighting. Feel your legs and make them your own. There is nothing else you can do, other than to practice using it, deary~" - Selino
"Sigh… Alright." - Ian
Moving my hand away from the spear, I look at Sam, Kingston, and Evan. Matching my gaze, they look back at me. Kingston starts to smile in my direction, as he grips his spear harder, slowly getting into position. Taking note of Kingston's subtle movements, Sam grins from ear to ear as his booming laughter spills out of his mouth. Clicking his tongue, Evan readies himself as if predicting the next events.
"So, no weapon, Ian?" - Kingston
"Must have a lot of confidence, right?" - Evan
"HAHAHA! I'm shaking with excitement! Are we doing this as a 4-way battle or something else?" - Sam
"No. All of you against me. And Kingston… I got a weapon right here." - Ian
"Really? I don't see IT!" - Kingston
Dashing off the ground, with the head of the spear pointed towards my heart, Kingston leaps into action. His movements feel so familiar to the game, with the only difference being the speed. Of course, the game has enhanced stats after all, but I guess, even Kingston is slow, despite the movements being the exact same. Standing perfectly still as the spear draws closer to me, I let out a small sigh as I relax my shoulders.
There was a feeling on my back as if it was an itch, but I knew it wasn't an itch. Like something poking at the muscles along my back, knocking on it like a door. Rolling my shoulders back, in front of Kingston, I let loose the feeling I have kept to myself throughout the whole day. Piercing through my shirt, and wrapping around my sides, 8 obsidian black spider legs met together at a singular point. Right at the tip of Kingston's spear.
"You…" - Kingston
"HOLY SHIT! WHAT THE F-" - Evan
"HAHAHAH! I did not predict this." - Sam
"Like I said, all of you against me. I need to get used to using them before the game starts again." - Ian
Stepping back, Kingston's bewildered expression slowly changes to that of excitement and pleasure.
"Sam, you and Evan should practice together or with the girls. Ian and I will be too busy with each other." - Kingston
"What do you m-" - Evan
"Belial! Demon Trigger!" - Kingston
"HAHAHA! What is with everyone hiding their strengths? Evan! Hurry, this way!" - Sam
Sam, pulls Evan away from us, as Kingston showcases a familiar set of armor. The wooden spear, coated in darkness resonates with a metallic sound, each time Kingston softly bounces the butt on the ground.
"Well, then. Shall we?" - Ian
"Lets." - Kingston
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