Chapter 419: I'm Doing This For Your Own Good
Chapter 419: I'm Doing This For Your Own Good
After searching for over half an hour, they finally located the lake.
However, a new problem emerged.
Kyle circled the lake thrice, and apart from not spotting the Chimera, he didn't even catch a glimpse of a single Bowtruckle.
"Do you think we're in the wrong place?" Kyle asked doubtfully. "There's nothing here at all."
"No, we're not mistaken," Newt disagreed as he squatted down at a vacant spot, picking up a few strands of golden hair and bringing them close to his nose to sniff. "The scent on these hairs hasn't completely vanished yet. We can be sure that the Chimera was here yesterday and hasn't left."
Newt stood up and continued, "It must have been taken somewhere else, but it shouldn't be too far away. Let's search the nearby areas..."
Kyle nodded in agreement and turned to walk down the only path that wound through the forest.
He suspected that Hagrid might have something to do with this situation, and if that was the case, then following this path would definitely be the right decision.
Just as Kyle turned, Newt suddenly grabbed his arm.
The next second, a loud rumbling sound emanated from the depths of the path, as if something large had crashed to the ground.
Then, a loud clicking noise followed, and a swarm of spiders with eight eyes and eight legs scurried out from the darkness.
These weren't the tiny spiders that scurried hastily through the fallen leaves, but each one was the size of a small foal.
There were many of them, emerging from all directions to surround Kyle and Newt.
The spiders excitedly flexed their large pincers, producing a chorus of clicking sounds.
As they completely encircled the duo, a spider the size of a small elephant slowly emerged from the depths of the path.
"Oh... I never imagined that an Acromantula could grow this large," Newt exclaimed in surprise. "This size... even among all Acromantulas, it's a rare giant."
"Now doesn't seem like the best time to discuss that," Kyle remarked. "Obviously, we're the main course on the menu."
"No, you're wrong," Newt countered seriously. "Acromantulas don't like sweet foods, so we should be considered small bread rolls instead."
"What's the difference?" Kyle asked, exasperated.
"There is!" Newt whispered softly, as if talking to himself, "I don't like pudding..."
As the two were talking, the Acromantulas had crept closer.
The largest spider stepped forward, its massive pincers clicking rapidly.
"You followed the spiders all the way to our lair..." it said, "Tell me, what are your intentions!"
Acromantulas were linguistic geniuses, capable of imitating the voices of various creatures, including humans, with startling accuracy. Although the voice was raspy and dry, it was still understandable, and both Kyle and Newt could comprehend it perfectly.
"I think you must have misunderstood, Aragog," Kyle said. "We're just looking for the Chimera. We heard it was nearby, so we're just passing through."
"You know my name?" The large spider took a few more steps forward.
"Hagrid told me about you," Kyle explained.
"Liar..." Aragog said slowly. "Hagrid never sent anyone to our clearing before."
"I didn't go to your clearing, I was just passing by..." Kyle reiterated.
But Aragog ignored him, its pincers clicking faster and faster.
"We should leave, Kyle," Newt said. "This is a sign that they're about to attack."
Indeed, as soon as Newt finished speaking, the spiders rushed forward from all sides, their scuttling sounds filling the air.
"Get ready to use the Lumos spell," Newt instructed. "Acromantulas can't close their eyes, and the stimulation of bright light will cause them discomfort and incapacitate them.
"Oh, I see." Kyle nodded. "Then, I'll give you two choices."
Kyle nonchalantly placed the box on the ground and opened it.
The next second, Norberta poked her head out, lying next to Kyle with her mouth slightly agape, revealing a glimpse of the orange-red dragonfire within.
In an instant, the spiders started to retreat frantically, but Aragog remained immobile.
It could feel that it was being watched, and any slight movement would result in the scorching dragonfire landing on it.
"Damn it, who is this little wizard, and why does he have a fire dragon!" Aragog roared inwardly, feeling the entire colony's panic.
"Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding..." it cried out, its speech quickening, "It was just a joke; how could we possibly harm the friend of Hagrid..."
"You scared me there; I thought you were serious..." Kyle said, patting his chest.
"Yes, yes." The old spider nodded rapidly, "We greatly respect Hagrid, so we would never harm a human."
"But you did scare me." Kyle smiled, "It's only reasonable that you compensate us for the emotional distress."
Aragog moved its massive pincers, "Aren't you looking for the Chimera? Hagrid took it to the place with the three-headed dog; I know where it is, and I can take you there."
"Not good enough." Kyle shook his finger, "I know where the three-headed dog is; I don't need you to show me the way...
Hmm, how about this... I see you have quite a number of spiders here; how about giving me some of your venom?"
"That can be arranged." The old spider nodded: "How much do you want?"
"Not much." Kyle took out his wand and transfigured the surrounding leaves into a dozen large bottles.
They were the type used to serve pumpkin juice at the Leaky Cauldron, each holding a full pint.
"Fill these up, and we're square." Kyle said, "I'll come back for them later; if they're not full, I'll have to collect the rest myself.
"How does that sound? No problems, I hope."
The old spider remained silent, clearly seething with anger. Over a hundred pints of venom... Did this young wizard think they were pumpkins to be squeezed for juice?
But venom wasn't pumpkin juice; it couldn't be squeezed out on demand! Yet, with the rising temperature and the unblinking gaze of the dragon nearby, it dared not refuse.
Fire dragons were the bane of their existence, second only to basilisks, especially in a place like the Forbidden Forest filled with trees. A single breath of dragonfire would leave them nowhere to run.
"I agree to your terms!" the old spider said through gritted fangs.
"A wise choice." Kyle stood up, "Don't be angry; I'm doing this for your own good.
"Let me put it this way: Professor Dumbledore back at the castle isn't one to let things slide. If you harm even one student, you're doomed, and not even Hagrid can save you."
Kyle patted Aragog's massive pincers and walked past it, Norberta closing her mouth with a hint of disappointment, as if she had been eyeing these large treats with interest and wanted to taste them.
Newt, who had been watching with amusement, shook his head and closed the box before following suit.
(End of Chapter)
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