Haruto looked shocked as Mei disappeared before his eyes. "She's gone..." he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.
Azara's calm voice soon echoed in his mind. Notice: A teleportation signature has been detected. Target has departed from this location.
Haruto's gaze fixed on the spot where Mei once stood. Blue glowing dust lingered in the air, a faint trace of her presence. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. What does this mean... He couldn't shake the feeling that Mei's disappearance was only the beginning.
Meanwhile, Mei sat on the ground, her voice shaky but suppressing the turmoil inside her. "Commander Actheria..." she said softly, as if seeking comfort, her tone betraying the internal struggle she was feeling.
A figure stepped from the shadows, a smile curling on her lips. "You were against a strong opponent... huh, my darling Mei?" Actheria's voice dripped with amusement, but there was an edge of something darker beneath it. Her eyes flickered to a blue crystal in her hand, which displayed Haruto's image.
"This is him..." Actheria muttered, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. "Huh, he's got a cute face for a human-looking spider." She pondered, staring at Haruto's image in the crystal. "Is he even a real spider?"
Haruto, seemingly aware of her gaze, turned his head and locked eyes with Actheria through the crystal. He didn't say a word, but his gaze alone shattered the crystal with sheer intensity.
Actheria looked momentarily shocked but quickly regained her composure. "What a monster..." she muttered under her breath before turning serious. "I'm surprised you're still alive, Mei."
Mei looked up in confusion. "What do you mean, Commander?"
Actheria's face darkened, the weight of her words heavy in the air. "Every thousand years, a Spider King has the potential to evolve into an Empyrean Arachnid Emperor. Their power rivals even the Demon Lords and the Supreme Angels. If that evolution occurs..." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "The balance of the world will shatter."
Mei's eyes widened in shock. "Really?"
Actheria nodded grimly. "We can't let that happen. We have to intervene. I'll talk to the King."
---
Haruto walked through the forest, his senses heightened as a strange unease washed over him. It feels like someone is watching me... he thought to himself. He paused for a moment, scanning the surroundings, but saw nothing unusual. Suddenly, a wave of fatigue hit him, and his vision blurred. He staggered, nearly collapsing but feeling someone catch him just before he hit the ground.
Haruto looked up to see Liora standing beside him, her expression concerned. "Are you okay, my lord?"
Haruto smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go back home."
---
Upon arriving back at his village, his people rushed to greet him, their worried faces quickly shifting to relief. Haruto waved them off. "I'm okay, don't worry."
He allowed himself to feel the warmth of their concern for a moment before his thoughts returned to the fight with Mei. That power... I wasn't ready.
---
Two weeks later, Haruto stood in front of a large group of spiders. Liora stood beside him, her gaze focused on the crowd. Haruto scanned the sea of faces before him.
"Liora, is this all the people who want to join the military?" Haruto asked, his voice carrying authority.
Liora nodded. "Yes, my lord. Twenty thousand want to join the military, and forty-two thousand didn't. But they heard about your greatness and came here to serve."
Haruto's eyes widened slightly. "Wow, that's a pretty solid number."
As the crowd murmured excitedly, Haruto's mind was elsewhere. How much longer will this peace last?
Later that evening, Haruto sat alone in his house, standing on a chair with one hand resting under his jaw. His mind was deep in thought. I've fought hard to get here. I thought my strength was enough, my speed, my power... but Mei... He clenched his fists. Her Void Sword—it bends space and time. I'm not ready for what's coming. Even with all my power, I barely survived.
His determination flared within him, as he spoke aloud, his voice steady. "I will get stronger. I won't stop until I reach the peak. No matter the cost, no matter the challenge—I will break through. There is no limit I won't surpass."
He then muttered to himself, "If Mei masters the Void Sword's power, I won't stand a chance. And there must be someone helping her... While we were fighting, I sensed three others teleporting away."
Haruto sighed heavily, walking out of his house. "Liora."
Liora appeared instantly, her eyes scanning him for any signs of distress. "Yes, my lord?"
"I want you to keep an eye on the village," Haruto said. "There's something I have to do."
Liora's face was filled with concern. "If I may ask, where is my lord going?"
Haruto smiled softly. "Don't worry. I'm not going to disappear."
---
A short while later, Haruto stood before a large iron door deep within his cave. With a determined look on his face, he pushed the door open, stepping inside.
"This place is full of monsters..." Haruto muttered under his breath, the cold, stagnant air of the cave wrapping around him like a shroud.
In the forest, an Oni woman and a small Oni child, accompanied by an elf and a small, old man, walked cautiously through the trees. Suddenly, the Oni woman stopped, her senses tingling.
"Something's coming," she said, her voice low and alert.
The small Oni girl hid behind the elf, her expression wary.
From the shadows, Liora stepped forward, her form emerging from the trees like a phantom. The Oni woman's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
Liora's voice was calm, reassuring. "Don't be scared. I'm not your enemy. Do you need help?"
---
Meanwhile, Haruto sat atop a mountain of dead monsters, his black orb still floating beside him. "I've got what I needed," he muttered, his thoughts interrupted by the incoming transmission from Liora.
My lord.
Haruto straightened. "It's you, Liora. Did something happen?"
No, my lord. But there are visitors... Liora's voice had a hint of curiosity.
"Visitors?" Haruto was caught off guard by the unexpected term.
A black circle appeared next to him. Haruto tossed the orb into it. "Guess I'll have to go."
A magic circle appeared beneath him, and within moments, Haruto disappeared.
---
Haruto materialized in front of the visitors, a group of four. He eyed them with curiosity as they introduced themselves.
The Oni woman spoke first. "I don't have a name," she said, her voice quiet but strong. She stood with effortless elegance, her sharp crimson eyes calculating and intense. Her white hair with pink tips flowed behind her, and her black horns were a mark of her Oni heritage. She wore a sleeveless white blouse, a dark pleated skirt, and thigh-high stockings with a garter strap, blending grace with battle-readiness. The nodachi on her back told tales of countless battles. She was a paradox—graceful yet deadly.
"I'm an Oni," she added, her gaze unwavering.
The elf beside her introduced himself. "I'm Aeloria, nice to meet you."
The three older men introduced themselves as well. "I'm Eren, a weaponsmith," said one.
"I'm Ryuji, an armorsmith," said the second.
"I'm a blacksmith," the last man added.
The Oni girl, hiding behind Aeloria, shyly spoke. "I don't have a name."
Haruto smiled warmly
Haruto materialized in front of the visitors, his golden eyes carefully analyzing them. A tall, graceful Oni woman with white hair tipped in pink stood at the front. She was wary but composed, her crimson eyes sharp with battle-worn wisdom. A small Oni girl clung to the side of an elderly elf, Aeloria, while two old craftsmen stood behind them, their expressions unreadable.
Haruto's mind processed everything in an instant. Two Oni, one battle-hardened, the other a child. An elf, possibly a healer or scholar, judging by his demeanor. Two craftsmen, likely blacksmiths or enchanters, given the callouses on their hands and the faint traces of mana residue. If they're wandering through these dangerous lands… they must be searching for something.
He stepped forward, his presence radiating calm authority. "You must have traveled far," he said, his voice steady and welcoming.
The Oni woman's gaze didn't waver. "We are just passing through," she said cautiously.
Haruto's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Passing through… in the middle of one of the most dangerous regions in this world? With a child?" His tone wasn't mocking—just perceptive. He turned his gaze toward the little Oni girl, who clutched the elf's robes. "She looks exhausted. You've been running from something, haven't you?"
The Oni woman tensed slightly, but she didn't deny it.
Haruto sighed, crossing his arms. "If you were planning to leave, where would you even go? There are no safe havens nearby. The nearest human city is a week's journey away, and they wouldn't accept an Oni or an elf without suspicion." He turned to the craftsmen. "And you two… you're blacksmiths, aren't you? Judging by the quality of your gear, you must be quite skilled. But finding work in human or beastkin settlements isn't easy, especially for non-humans."
The elder craftsman, Eren, stroked his beard. "You have sharp eyes, boy."
Haruto nodded. "I'd rather call it common sense. But let's not waste time—I have a proposal for all of you."
The Oni woman narrowed her eyes. "What kind of proposal?"
Haruto gestured toward the village behind him. "Stay here."
The Oni woman frowned. "Why would we?"
Haruto smiled, his mind already crafting the perfect argument. "You're strong, that much is clear. But strength alone isn't enough in this world. You need a safe place to rest, resources to grow stronger, and a future for the girl behind you." He glanced at the small Oni child. "If you leave now, you'll be wandering without a destination, constantly fighting for survival. But if you stay, you'll have a home, protection, and purpose."
The elf, Aeloria, raised an eyebrow. "And what would that purpose be?"
Haruto turned to the craftsmen first. "You two are skilled smiths. My people are growing fast, and we need experts in crafting weapons and armor. If you stay, you won't just survive—you'll thrive. You'll have access to materials you've never seen before, ores from deep within the dungeon, magical enhancements that surpass normal smithing techniques. With your skills and my knowledge, we could create weapons far beyond anything found in the human kingdoms."
The two craftsmen exchanged glances, interest sparking in their eyes.
Haruto then turned to the Oni woman. "And you... you're a warrior, aren't you? You've probably fought your whole life. But what do you fight for now? Survival?" His gaze sharpened. "What if I gave you something more? A kingdom where your strength isn't just for survival, but for something greater. You don't have to wander anymore."
The Oni woman looked at him for a long moment. "And if I refuse?"
Haruto shrugged. "Then you'll leave and continue running, constantly looking over your shoulder. But…" He let his words hang in the air before delivering his final argument. "If you stay, the girl behind you won't have to live like that anymore. You can give her a future instead of a life on the run."
The Oni woman's crimson eyes flickered toward the little Oni girl, who was staring at Haruto with wide eyes. Silence stretched between them.
Aeloria was the first to break it. "You make a convincing argument, Haruto Satoru." He looked at the Oni woman. "Perhaps this is worth considering."
The elder blacksmith chuckled. "I never liked traveling anyway."
Finally, the Oni woman sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "...Fine. We'll stay. But if this is a trick—"
Haruto smirked. "If it were a trick, I wouldn't have told you so much."
The Oni woman nodded, a small, reluctant smile appearing. "I suppose that's true."
Haruto turned, gesturing for them to follow. "Then welcome to my kingdom."
Weeks passed, and under Haruto's leadership, the village transformed into something far greater than a simple spider nest. What had once been crude shelters was now a thriving settlement.
Massive stone houses stood firm, crafted from the finest materials extracted from the depths of the dungeon. The craftsmen, now fully integrated into the village, had showcased their unparalleled skills by carving intricate designs into the structures, reinforcing them with magic-infused metal.
The walkways, once uneven paths, had been meticulously paved with smooth stone, allowing for easy movement throughout the village. At night, glowing mana-infused lanterns lined the roads, giving the settlement a warm and almost ethereal atmosphere.
To further bolster the village's development, five major advancements had been made:
1. A Central Forge – The craftsmen had established a fully operational forge, equipped with enchanted furnaces that could melt even the hardest of metals. With rare dungeon materials at their disposal, their weapons and armor had already surpassed those of the human kingdoms.
2. A Defensive Perimeter – Haruto ensured that defensive stone walls, reinforced with magical inscriptions, surrounded the village. Watchtowers, manned by the most capable warriors, kept a vigilant eye on the surroundings.
3. A Marketplace – Trade routes had begun to form. Merchants from distant lands, curious about the newly rising kingdom, had started bringing supplies in exchange for high-quality weapons and potions.
4. A Training Ground – Under the Oni woman's guidance, a designated training area had been built, allowing warriors to sharpen their skills. The once-scattered fighters were now shaping into a formidable army.
5. An Arcane Library – Aeloria, the elf, had dedicated his time to gathering ancient knowledge, compiling books on magic, history, and crafting into a newly built library. This would allow future generations to grow in both strength and wisdom.
The craftsmen's skill had proven extraordinary. They had taken ordinary weapons and armor and enhanced them beyond recognition. Blades that could cut through steel with ease, enchanted armor that resisted elemental attacks, and even complex mechanical devices had begun to emerge, furthering the village's technological and magical advancements.
Haruto observed all of this with satisfaction. The settlement was no longer just a home for spiders—it was the foundation of something far greater.
As the Oni woman observed this growth, she finally approached Haruto. Kneeling before him, she placed a fist over her heart.
"I have made my decision. I will serve under you, Haruto Satoru. You have built something worth protecting. If you will have me, my strength is yours."
Haruto nodded. "Then, from this moment forth, you are no longer just a wanderer." He extended his hand toward her. "I grant you a name—Lunara."
The moment the name left his lips, a brilliant surge of energy engulfed her.
Golden light intertwined with dark crimson, forming an intricate aura around her. Her body trembled as immense power coursed through her veins. The very air seemed to tremble, and the villagers turned their gaze toward the spectacle.
Azara's voice rang in Haruto's mind.
"Analysis complete…
Subject: Lunara .
Race Evolution: Celestial Oni Empress.
A rare and nearly mythical Oni variant that transcends mortal limits. Classified as a supreme entity among Oni, capable of wielding both celestial and demonic forces with unparalleled mastery. Authority over lesser Oni has reached its peak, and combat capabilities have vastly increased. Lunar affinity enhanced—strength, speed, and regeneration amplify under moonlight."
As the transformation settled, Lunara rose to her feet, her presence now vastly different. Her white hair shimmered with silver streaks, her once-red horns now gleamed with a celestial glow, and her crimson eyes radiated divine power. A silver crescent mark had appeared on her forehead, signifying her ascension.
She clenched her fist, feeling the newfound strength coursing through her. "This… is beyond anything I've ever imagined."
Haruto smiled. "Welcome to your new life, Lunara , Celestial Oni Empress."