Nightmare Paradise : Starting as a Doctor

Chapter 157: Uninvited Intruder

The sun slowly descended in the sky, its warm rays filtering through the gnarled branches lining the remote valley. Since Lynn immersed himself in the ritual, nearly an hour had passed.

Outside, nature continued its daily business, indifferent to the profound changes unfolding inside the cavern. The leaves rustled softly in the breeze, their verdant surfaces dancing under shifting patches of light.

The stream flowed serenely, its clear waters gurgling melodically over weathered stones as it meandered through the grove. Tiny insects flitted among the foliage, their dull hums mingling with birdsong.

However, this idyllic scene was suddenly interrupted by the faint but unmistakable snap of tripwires, carefully prepared and positioned to secure the perimeter and alert of any unwanted intruders.

Simultaneously, the wildlife in the vicinity fell into an eerie silence. Something or someone caused the little creatures to still their movements and hold their breath as if sensing a looming danger.

From the thick undergrowth bordering the creek, subtle disturbances hinted at a presence. Silently and stealthy approaching, it emerged from concealment onto the silt-lined banks.

Revealed was a massive spider, its glossy brown carapace gleaming dimly. Spindly legs, the size of tree branches, supported the bulky frame as it crept and crawled forward at a steady pace.

Multiple beady eyes dotted the furry head, scanning its surroundings while vibration sensors twitched frantically. Driven by an enticing odor, it prowled with hunting intent in search of prey.

Had Lynn been present, his extraordinary senses would have immediately recognized that this was no ordinary arachnid. Its sheer size alone, approaching the height of a large dog, marked it as something unusual and formidable.

The savory aroma of roasted pheasant he had prepared by the stream was likely the source of its attraction, drawing the predator from its hidden lair, unable to resist the temptation of an easy meal.

Regularly following the faint scent trail, the monster closed on the origin. But to its confusion, the target was already gone, devoured down to the last picked bone. All that remained was a circle of ashes where the fire had been.

Before it could process the situation or seek out new prey, a pungent, metallic odor assailed its sensory organs, carried subtly on the breeze. Intrigued, the beast swung its bulky form toward the novel smell.

As it neared the opening of a shallow cave nestled in the hillside, its movements abruptly halted. A faint, resonating pulse emanated from the dark crevice, causing the creature to freeze in its path.

Something about the vibrations radiating from inside had triggered a deep, instinctual vigilance within the normally fearless arachnid. Whatever lay in wait beyond that threshold was no ordinary prey.

However, because the heavy scent of blood still hung thickly in the air, the spider found its hunger overriding the instinctive caution that gripped it. Slowly, it approached the fissure that served as an entrance.

The gap was barely wide enough to accommodate the large size, but it squeezed through with some difficulty, sharpened pedipalps dragging against the stone. Inside, everything was quiet except for the subtle tapping of its legs.

It didn't take long for a pale glow to appear in the gloom, just enough illumination for the simple eyes to discern shapes. In the center of the cramped space stood a massive cocoon, its silken outer layer a pure porcelain white.

Suspended between the ceiling and the ground like some bloated parasite, its surface was alive with a network of fleshy veins, writhing and pounding with a disturbingly unnatural vitality.