The Second Wave, which lasted two days.
An unprecedented horde of spider women and Crystal Beasts.
They somehow held on, but the delvers had been pushed to the brink.
The death toll was kept low, but the number of wounded was overwhelming.
The supreme commander directed operations from the frontline subjugation village.
The Delver Guild Master's face was grim.
If this kept up... that was the fear gnawing at him.
The Last Wave still remained.
Just once more — a final wave more powerful than the Second Wave would come crashing down.
Even with veterans joining from the Last Wave, surviving it would be no easy task.
"...Using the secret pact is a bitter pill, but..."
Desperate times. He issued the order to his staff.
The secret pact meant they had to be somewhere in the subjugation village.
The Haizen Plains.
The frontline subjugation village.
Walking along, Koran and Plancy let out heavy sighs.
"We somehow made it through, but honestly, if not for the witch's water Wof gave us, we'd be dead. Us."
"Right... I'm glad we asked for extra. Truly."
Thanks to the mysterious witch's water, their bodies were in perfect shape — but their spirits were completely spent.
Koran looked up at the sky and thought.
"Nabel... is she okay?"
"She's fine. Wof and the others are with her."
"Better than here?"
"Yeah..."
Plancy glanced over at a delver who was downing potions like liquor.
The lightly wounded were being patched up by delvers with potions or Healing Relics.
The seriously wounded were being sent to Heizen by carriage, to be swapped out for the veteran delvers joining the Last.
"Excuse me. Please, excuse me!"
"What's all that about?"
"Beats me."
An elf woman with blue hair and tanned skin, dressed in blue, was calling out to delvers.
With a sword at her hip and an aura that screamed she was no pushover, the two could tell right away. She had to be a veteran delver.
"Has anyone seen a large, pale dog carrying a greatsword?"
"A large dog?"
"A greatsword on its back... seen one?"
"No. A dog that hard to miss—was there one?"
"Nah... no idea. Something like that'd stand out like crazy."
"Right? You'd definitely notice."
The two of them tilted their heads.
The elven woman was going around asking every delver she could find.
"Have you seen him? You haven't? Would a dog like that be hard to find? I mean, normally yes, but... Never mind that—want to have tea? 'No.' 'If I make it back alive, I've got something to tell you'? Not from me. Wait, who even are you? Seriously, there isn't a single decent person here. And where did that dog run off to?!"
The two of them figured they'd tell her if they happened to spot the dog, given how worked up she was.
Around the same time.
Something burst out of the dungeon at breakneck speed.
For a moment, all of Heizen was in an uproar—it looked just like a black shooting star.
The black shooting star tore across the Heizen Plains.
On the wall of the delver village. A large blue dog with a greatsword strapped to its back watched the black shooting star vanish into the distance.
The Heizen Great Forest.
An unreal kingdom.
Why am I here, exactly?
If I'm being honest, it was on a whim.
No—I was excited.
Wof, whom I secretly admire.
He's younger than me, but he's that witch's disciple—strong, reliable, and cool.
When I ran into him by chance in Heizen and we traveled together... I had the most incredible experience.
A sudden teleportation. Beyond it lay a mysterious temple.
For some reason, Narcissus of Edda—the one they call the "Second Coming of Generos"—was there.
Narcissus is a First-Class delver. To me, a Fourth-Class delver, she's someone in the heavens.
In fact, in Edda, she's called Edda's very own god, the "Second Coming of Generos."
Edda usually has only purple eyes. But her hair is also purple.
That's the same as the god "Generos."
Edda is already a fearsome Supreme species to begin with.
I was stunned by what Narcissus told us.
Hein is a surface-type dungeon.
The dungeon's will asks Wof to subjugate the dungeon anomaly.
And I was told to participate too.
The lost clan treasure I managed to obtain thanks to Wof at the Full Moon Bazaar.
The Wolfeug sword. Its owner—my uncle's enemy, who had gone missing—turns out to be the dungeon anomaly.
After countless twists and turns, I, a member of the clan, laid hands on it once more.
Moreover, I was recognized as its owner and even acquired the Relic.
Subjugating the dungeon anomaly.
As long as Wof is here, there's nothing to worry about.
Even the rumored monster Helft, which we couldn't do a thing about, Wof took it down.
However, things took an unexpected turn.
"Tortoiseshell Octogram!"
A sword draw of the Spider Slayer cuts the spider clean in two.
An OOPArt made for defeating the giant spider—the dungeon anomaly itself.
A sword specialized for spiders. That's what this "Spider Slayer" is.
"Damn it. What the hell is going on?"
"Ugh, seriously! They seal up someone else's Relic, but then they get to use theirs however they want?"
"Watch out. That attack... if it hits you, you'll die from the curse."
"I know that!"
Bid fired an arrow, scoring a headshot on the spider.
Graudo swung his greatsword, scattering them.
"Pakira! You must not leave the shelter of my shield!"
"I know that. Grr, being useless like this is... infuriating!"
Pakira, well... it couldn't be helped.
Right now, no one here could use their Relics.
The only things usable were the [Tortoiseshell Eight-Character Formation] from the "Spider-Cutter" I held, and Bid's constrained Relic.
The ones mass-producing the spiders were the giant spiders.
Their white bodies had six legs patterned with black mottling.
Just a little while ago, they had merged with the "Scrap-Monster" to become eerie, composite monsters.
But now, it was just the giant spiders.
And these giant spiders were churning out smaller spiders one after another.
These weren't the spider-woman's spiders.
It wasn't just the newly spawned spiders, either.
The spider-woman herself had also become a spider.
Becoming a spider was natural for her, but since she had been a spider-woman until just moments ago, it felt strangely unsettling.
What was going on here?
Neither Hoss nor Wof were there.
"Raaaagh!!"
Garad swung his greatsword down at the giant spider's front legs.
But something invisible blocked the blow. The impact sent ripples across its surface, like water.
It was the Relic wall that Wof had destroyed.
The... Dimensional Distortion Wall, wasn't it?
"Damn! I can't break it!"
Even the Spider-Slash couldn't cut through this wall.
"We need Wof here, ya know."
"Where did he go... Hoss is gone too."
"No idea, but if it's Wof, he'll definitely come back."
"Aye, that he will."
"Indeed."
"Oh, right! Bid, watch out—!"
The giant spider shot silk at Bid.
Bid dodged, but a strand caught his leg.
"Ugh—I can't move...!?"
Sticky silk.
"Run!!"
Garad shouted. I broke into a sprint.
But it was too late — the giant spider's leg came crashing down.
The claw descended toward Bidd, who had shut her eyes — and was caught.
That was... Hoss.
"I'm coming home too, y'know."
Hoss caught the leg with his Harubelt, wrapped in white light.
He let out a dry chuckle.
The slight hovering and the ripples of distortion around him were probably due to the Dimensional Distortion Wall.
"Hoss... oss!"
"Bidd! Are you alright?"
I cut through the thread. As expected of the Spider Cutter.
The moment the blade touched it, the thread vanished. The giant spider stumbled backward.
"...You're okay?"
"See for yourself — all in one piece."
"What happened?"
"Just went and settled things with my past. Where's Wof?"
"Gone."
"...Guess all we can do is wait."
"No. There's no need to wait!!"
Wait — who was that?! The Spider Woman?!
A slightly different Spider Woman came running, wielding a gleaming white sword I could have sworn I'd seen somewhere before.
And standing behind her was...Riv!?
The Spider Woman suddenly leaped.
And instead of swinging her sword at us, she swung it at the Giant Spider.
"[Sever]Revised Deadly Knight Slash!!!"
A tremendous slash sent the Giant Spider flying.
Ripples tore through the void.
What kind of name is that.
A Spider Woman wearing clothes!?
What happened, how did— all the Spider Women had turned into spiders.
"Tch, can't cut through after all?"
"Mn... dimensional... troublesome... it is."
And that's how it is. Wof. Time for your turn.
Wof!
"Sigh... fine, I'll do it."
Wof faced off against the Giant Spider, looking somehow weary.
The Giant Spider's demeanor had clearly changed—it was on guard against Wof.
Wof stared right back at the Giant Spider.
Wof moved first.
He walked slowly toward the Giant Spider. The Giant Spider trembled and spat silk.
"Tortoiseshell Eight-Character!"
I moved. I cut through the silk, and it vanished.
The Giant Spider trembled again and unleashed a horde of spiders.
"Hraagh!"
"Hah!"
"There!"
Galad and Hoss slashed while Bid fired.
Several spiders lunged at Wof, but Riv threw a sword.
It pierced one of the spiders.
"Hn...
Celestial
Form...
Subaru...
...Kelaino Blade."
The embedded sword glowed yellow as it hovered in the air, slicing through other spiders.
Something was hurled into the swarm, and the spiders got wet.
Something else was thrown next—they got wet again.
While slashing at spiders, I stole a glance toward whoever was throwing.
Lupinus guarded with her shield while Pakira boldly hurled something.
The spiders were getting soaked. Those were water stones. Crack one open and water spills out.
One water stone after another went flying, and most of the spiders ended up drenched.
"What are you wetting them for?" As I stood there wondering, Pakira shouted.
"Ready. Bidd!"
"Thanks! Let's do this! Taste this—[Balestegia's Miniature Garden]!"
She struck the ground with the butt of her spear, and lightning crackled from three directions.
It raced from one drenched spider to the next.
In the blink of an eye, the horde vanished.
Right. Like when lightning strikes a pond and spreads across a wide area.
"Now, Wof!"
"[Dimension Crack]"
Ripples and cracks tore through empty space.
A giant spider immediately swung its legs down at Wof.
"Not on my watch."
Hoss caught the blow.
Another attack was blocked by Garad.
They spat silk, but I cut through it.
More massive numbers of spiders kept spawning.
The mysterious Spider Woman A and Riv took them down, while Bidd shot through them one after another.
But... it wasn't enough.
"Mm... guess so..."
"There's that secret agreement, so I guess I have no choice, y'know."
The mysterious spider woman B snapped her fingers with a weary sigh.
*Snap.*
At the soft sound, a flock of crows came streaming from deep within the forest.
"Caw-caw-caw-caw-caaaawww!!!!"
Crying noisily, they attacked the spiders.
Incredible.
"Whoa... this reminds me of a movie..."
Wof murmured, leaning back a little.
"Not bad. You scummy noble."
Spider woman A said haughtily.
"I'd appreciate it if you dropped that attitude, scum."
"You. You're not a spider woman, are you."
Galad said, eyeing her suspiciously.
"I'd appreciate it if you left that alone, scum."
"...Eh, whatever."
Hoss looked like he wanted to say something to the mysterious spider woman B, but held back.
The crows pressed on toward the giant spider even as the Dimensional Distortion Wall deflected them.
The giant spider was overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of it all.
He could more or less understand how it felt.
"Wof. Now!"
"Dimension Crack!"
The spatial fissures deepened further. It looked like glass on the verge of shattering.
One more hit would destroy it for sure.
Wof held out his hand.
"Dimension Crack!"
The space fractured— No, it didn't.
It was stuck in the instant before shattering.
"...Hm? Hey. Dimension Crack! Why won't it...?"
It wouldn't activate. Wof was starting to panic.
We didn't know what to do either.
The space around the giant spider was covered in cracks that looked ready to burst at any moment.
Was it being cautious? On guard? Or just as confused as we were?
The giant spider didn't move an inch.
"Wh-what happened?"
"What's going on?"
"What's up?"
"Cooldown?"
"He was using it back-to-back just fine, though."
"Hey. You're the only one who can break it, you know."
"Hm... Riv also... can't do it right now, so..."
"Is something wrong, Wof?"
"…Crap. I'm short…"
"Short? Of what, now?"
What's going on?
Wof asks everyone.
"…Red Crystal… does anyone have one?"
"What? I gave you all of them."
"I handed mine over as well. I don't have a single one left."
"Don't have any."
"Nope, don't got none."
"Of course not!"
"Ain't got one, 'cause."
"…None here either."
Red Crystal.
A red crystal that can drop from certain monsters.
Not worth much. Pakira and Lupinus exchange cool looks.
"…Don't tell me you…?"
"We can't do without them…?"
Wof gives a small nod.
Wait, does that mean…
Red Crystal. What the heck are we supposed to do with that.
Garado swings his sword down onto the Dimensional Distortion Wall. Hoss strikes it with his halberd, too.
Bidd thrusts with his sword. Lupinus slams her shield against it.
Mystery Spider Woman A and Riv hack away at it with their swords, clang clang clang.
Spider Woman B attacks with her crow.
Desperate or not, there's nothing else we can do.
But the wall looks like it's covered in cracks — one more tap and it should shatter completely.
Yet the Dimensional Distortion Wall holds its state.
No matter what we do, it simply won't break.
Still, we don't give up.
Even if it's impossible, even if it's reckless, even if it's hopeless — we strain toward that tiny sliver of hope with everything we have.
No matter how crazy, how reckless, how futile it is — the giant spider trembles in fear.
I drew the Kumokiri.
Before long, as if he'd steeled his resolve, Wof gripped his pristine-bladed knife.
We'll cut through this. The moment I decided that —
Something — a black … shooting star?
It plunged into the crumbling Dimensional Distortion Wall at breakneck speed, weaving slightly as it flew.
What stabbed into the wall was — a long, enormous spear glowing black, red, blue, and pale green?
It jutted out at an odd angle, as though a second spear had been driven in beside it. A bizarre shape.
"Hey, what the heck is that?"
A voice came from inside the spear.
It was a voice I'd heard somewhere before.
But more than that—
S
k
e
w
e
r
e
d
?
The[Dimensional Distortion Wall]that stayed completely unscathed no matter how much we slashed at it — it was stabbed through?
"Out of my way! 'Spiral Doon' mode —[Punisher]"
———BOOM———
After a strange vibrating sound, the[Dimensional Distortion Wall]shattered and burst apart like glass.
It broke. It collapsed.
All those attempts — it had been completely impossible.
Nothing could damage it unless it was Wof's Relic... and the wall crumbles.
The great black spear, driven by the recoil, swung into a nearby tree and embedded itself halfway in.
Then part of the spear split open.
"Ouch, what the hell. It's cramped, it hurts, and this is the worst. I'm going to give that witch a piece of my mind later."
Grumbling as she climbed out... was Mineha.
Wh-why—from inside the spear? No, what even was that spear—
Seriously, what was going on, how, and why!?
Wof, help me.