Being a Summoner on our Evolved Earth

(56)

The spider worked quickly as if its life depended on it. It removed all the webs blocking the walk way in the direction Lucia chose to travel. A few other spiders tried to attack, and were quickly dealt with either by being squashed by the quarterstaff, or a swift[Mana Slash] cutting them in half. For some reason; every time Lucia killed a spider, the contracted one would work with renewed motivation.

'I am conquering this dungeon with my own strength, I'm just conserving stamina. Yep, that's it. Being merciful and conserving stamina. It's not because I'm too disgusted to touch the spider webs or that I don't want my quarterstaff to be covered in webs...' Lucia repeated to herself. Then Lucia shook her head. 'This level of self deception, even I can't fall for it...'

Lucia sighed and for some reason the contracted spider flipped over to play dead. Lucia was amused when she looked over at it.

"Don't worry, as long as you keep doing what I ask you, then you shall be rewarded as promised. I will let you live. As long as you listen to me." Lucia emphasized the last sentence.

The spider nodded frantically and then tried to roll over, but it was stuck like a turtle on its back. It hissed frantically while trying to roll over.

Lucia chuckled and helped to flip it over. "Be careful when going into a defenseless position like that. Next time, set up a web before hand that you can use to flip yourself back over or to pull yourself into the water."

The spider stared at Lucia blankly before nodding once and then moving forward to keep removing webs.

'That's the first time it didn't tremble in fear. Is it just this spider that is so cowardly?' Lucia thought while leisurely following behind it. 

Finally, they reached the place where the sewer water converged. A giant sewer grate with holes big enough for Lucia to fall through. Lucia looked up at the ceiling where light gently lit up the area as if the evening sun was peering in. It was actually a strange glowing yellow crystals hanging from the ceiling. Also up there is a giant spider upside down on the ceiling, waiting motionlessly. It was bigger than that tank like fire ant she had fought before. 

'The boss is always one tier higher than the creatures that inhabit the floor. So I'm finally fighting something closer to my strength. Come to think of it, what was the weak point of spiders again?' Lucia stood still for a while to think. 

"Ugh, forget it. I can't remember what the weak point on a spider is. I'll just try to defeat it while looking for it." Lucia decided with a sigh. Then she turned to look at the contracted spider who was shocked by her suddenly talking. "Thank you for helping me to get here. Here is your reward."

The spider closed all eight of its eyes as Lucia placed her hand on its back. It felt mana gently enter its body till it was full. It blinked its eyes at Lucia in disbelief as the contract appeared and shined briefly before turning into specs of light and disappearing.

"You can return to your territory now. Thanks again." Lucia smiled and waved to the spider who hesitantly turned to walk away. It turned back a few times to glance at Lucia, before finally sprinting around the corner. 

"Did it really think I would kill it after giving it so much mana?" Lucia chuckled and shook her head as she sat down to recover her mana. She took off the wooden mask and laid it beside her.

'Actually, shouldn't Aegis be up by now?' She took a deep breath to calm herself, and spoke while concealing her worry. {Aegis, are you awake yet?} 

{...}

{Come on, I only helped you get some sleep. I'm perfectly fine and Vicki is just taking Ray out of the canyon.} Lucia felt slightly guilty as she tried to coax Aegis.