Mebius World Online – Mari’s VRMMO Diary, Embarking on a Laid-back Adventure as a Novice - Chapter 14

1-14. Mari-nee, Nero, and Battling Named Monster again

Giant Spider, level 20.

Level-wise, it’s higher, and it comes with the bonus of being a stronger Named than usual.

Its size is about 4 meters.

As its legs are bent like a mountain, if fully extended, it would be about 1.5 times that size.

The legs are covered with fine hairs, giving it a look similar to the tarantulas seen in the encyclopedia.

However, unlike the tarantulas in the encyclopedia, it doesn’t seem to attack without using silk.

If you look closely at where it descended from the sky, you can see thin threads extending straight up.

These threads are further connected to threads woven between the trees.

“I’m in the trapped position than usual…”

Although using threads as a barrier is my usual tactic, now I find myself trapped in the spider’s thread barrier.

This makes escaping nearly impossible.

If I decide to fight, I wonder what I should do.

“First…”

To strengthen the defense, I stretch a thread between the trees, then move behind it.

Nero, meanwhile, is directed toward the back of the Giant Spider, aiming for one of its legs with another thread.

I thought it might be avoided, but it surprisingly wrapped around easily, and then came off!?

In the instant of my surprise, the Giant Spider sprayed thread!

It’s so fast that I can’t dodge it with my AGI!!

However, the thread I had previously set up acted as a shield as intended.

That was close.

In front of me, hanging from my thread wall, is a partially inflated mass of thread.

“An attack that feels like entrapment.”

It probably spreads out into a net just before, sealing the opponent’s movements.

But thanks to that, I was saved.

If fine threads like those of a cracker were ejected in large numbers, I might have slipped through and it would have been over.

However, the thread used for defense became entangled with the Giant Spider’s thread, making it impossible to control.

I gave up on that and, using the tree as a shield, moved delicately, occasionally extending the remaining thread in the opposite direction, activating [Clown] to attract attention.

Buying time in this way, Nero, who had circled to the rear, climbed a tree and jumped onto the Giant Spider.

A barrage of shining cat punches.

“The sight of a small cat rapidly slamming its paw onto a giant spider looks like it’s just playing around…”

Yeah, it’s a bit surreal.

But, this attack quickly defeats Forest Deer too.

Before Nero’s attention is diverted, create distance and check the Giant Spider’s HP, only to find it has decreased by a minuscule amount.

“No way!?”

Smoke rises from the legs ridden with thread, and the Giant Spider slowly turns towards me.

However, it seems that Nero’s actions impressed the Giant Spider more than mine, as most of its attacks were directed at Nero.

Nero is agile, unlike me.

Given the presence of trees, if I focus on dodging, Nero should be able to endure for a while.

“I need to come up with a strategy during that time…”

Comparing the damage dealt to Forest Deer, even though it’s a Named Monster, I think the decrease in HP is too minimal.

Is Nero’s attack incompatible with it?

What even is Nero’s attack?

I don’t fully understand why it shines during the cat punches… Let’s try to get Nero to attack more.

I repeatedly use [Clown] to attract the Giant Spider’s attention. During its distraction, I direct Nero to attack a different spot than before.

The first strike hits the abdomen, no change.

The second strike hits the chest, no change.

The third strike hits the head, and there’s a change!

The HP decreases significantly, and upon closer inspection, one of its eight eyes is closed.

The weakness is the eyes!

“Nero!”

“!”

In response to my voice, Nero systematically targets and strikes the Giant Spider’s eyes.

The Giant Spider desperately tries to dislodge Nero, but its massive body is not suitable for capturing the small Nero.

And, it seems it can’t spray silk on its own head.

Four, five eyes are successfully crushed, and when only one open eye remains, just when I felt confident about defeating it, something unexpected happens.

The Giant Spider shivers violently, and from its abdomen, a multitude of small spiders burst out!

“Nero!”

Hastily separating Nero from the Giant Spider’s body, the small spiders, having lost sight of their original target, now head towards me.

Even with [Clown] activated to draw attention, their numbers are too many to guide effectively.

Fortunately, it seems they don’t spit silk, but these small spiders are surprisingly fast!

I quickly get caught, and they start nibbling all over.

With my weak defense, my HP rapidly decreases with each bite.

Panicking, I drink a potion, but the recovery can’t keep up at all.

At this rate, there’s zero chance my HP will last until the potion’s cooldown is over.

At that moment, when I was on the verge of giving up…

Nero’s cat punch was swung down towards me.

With a soft, deflating paw sensation, contrasting the feeling was a “crackling” sound and light.

As I reopened my eyes, closed due to the nearby light, I saw the small spiders that had clung to me wriggling on the ground, disappearing.

That sound and light seemed to have collectively defeated the small spiders.

Could Nero’s attack be… lightning?

“Thunder?”

“!”

It seems shaking its tail is the correct answer.

Thanks to that, a plan to defeat the small spiders was formulated.

It’s not a difficult task. I gather the small spiders while running away and let Nero take care of them in one go. Just repeat this process.

Fortunately, I have plenty of potions.

By using [Clown] in conjunction, I manage to buy enough time for the potion’s cooldown.

After finishing off most of the small spiders, Nero and I once again faced the Giant Spider.

The target is the remaining eye!

The battle strategy remains the same.

I draw attention while Nero attacks.

With most of the eyes crushed, Nero easily jumps to the head and delivers a cat punch towards the remaining eye.

“KHREEEEEEAAAAAAAA!!!”

The Giant Spider screams its death throes, and its HP significantly decreases.

Just as I thought it would disappear, it stops just before and, unexpectedly, detaches its head-chest section, flying towards me!

What’s with this rocket-like thing!?

Caught off guard, I’m entangled by the Giant Spider in no time.

The impact causes my HP to plummet to just 10%.

The large mouth with visible fangs is right in front of me.

Nero, thrown off by the force, seems unable to make it in time.

About to be devoured unappetizingly, I contemplate… should I give up!?

Thrusting the remaining thread into the Giant Spider’s mouth, I recklessly move.

…I regained consciousness after some time had passed since then.

In front of me, a screen was activated.

<<You have defeated the Giant Spider. Your level has become 14. The skill level of [String Manipulation] has become 12. The skill level of [Puppeteer] has become 5. The skill level of [Clown] has become 7. You have obtained [Giant Spider Silk].>>

“I somehow managed to defeat it…”

What I thought first, rather than joy, was that I’m really, really tired!!

“There are too many Named monsters…”

I collapsed as is, unable to get up for a while, holding Nero who approached.

(Maria: Jester Level 12 ? 14)

• STR 1
• VIT 3
• AGI 5
• DEX 51 ? 56
• INT 4
• MID 10 ? 13

(Skills: Skill Points +32 ? +36)

• [String Manipulation] Level 11 ? Level 12
• [Puppetry] Level 3 ? Level 5
• [Clown] Level 3 ? Level 7
• [Capture] Level 4
• [Cooking] Level 4

(Puppet Targets)

• Nero (Cat Plush)