Free and Unfettered 58 Utterly Adorable

Although the spider was small, the toxins contained in its body were extremely deadly. It was recognized by the distinct purple patterns on its back that formed a shape that looked like a skull. Just a single graze from the spider would send you to heaven. The type that was six feet under, that was. Should the spider be feeling testy, the mix of toxins and poisons inside that were brewing could torture you for a long time before they finally sent you off.

So, to say Deltan being terrified was a matter of course, he was so close to it that there was barely a centimetre between his skin and that small spider. Hastily, he backed up, his scalp still tingling in fear at the close call.

He never would have expected to find it here, in the water, since it preferred dry places normally. Swiftly retreating back to Nine's side, he stared at the spider cautiously, realizing that he wasn't wrong. It was probably a mutated Magic Beast, with the purple markings on its back tinged with blue and white.

Nine glanced at the spider with interest, silently commending Deltan's SS++ luck status. It was practically a force of nature upon itself. What were the chances of finding a deadly spider in the middle of nowhere? The Magic Beast also just so happened to have mutated and contained the water and ice elements, loving the water, and being strong enough to find this place on its own?

Her eyes widened.

Moving forward, she had the spider in the middle of her palm before anyone could react. Even the spider seemed shocked, its pincers clicking, confused. Deltan felt a shudder run down his spine at the chilling sound.

Nine looked at the tiny spider with wonder. It was just… adorable. It was even cuter than Rainier! Those purple beady eyes, that tiny pincer. Those eight small legs, and that marking on its back. It was just utterly adorable. Even the way it killed people was cute as well.

If Deltan knew the thoughts that were going through her mind, he would look at her and call her crazy no matter the consequences of his actions. That Magic Beast was practically something out of the nightmares. Cute? Rainier was cute, that he could see. Cinders was cute too, in a completely terrifying way, but that spider?! He gave a hard no to that.

"Brother," he hissed. "That's a Toxic Spider! The Black Phantom. Be very careful."

Nine cast him a droll look. They were Vampires, who were practically the one race that should be least afraid of toxins. She gently patted the little spider with her index finger, causing the purple eyes to blink.

Deltan growled. "I know we're Vampires, and that poison or venom has less chance of working against us, but I still don't want you to take that risk."

Nocturne kept his silence, but from his expression, it seemed like he agreed with Deltan.

"Even if it bites me - " it was at this moment when the Toxic Spider really did bite down on Nine's finger.

Nocturne and Deltan made similarly distressed sounds.

Nine ignored them, looking at the spider with interest. "I'm above its strength, so its venom doesn't affect me in any way." She felt fonder and fonder of it the more she looked. The toxins being injected in her blood had no use, probably because the Vampiric venom that coursed through her veins already outweighed the those in the spider's body.

The spider shuddered and stumbled around in her palm, looking as if were drunk before it collapsed, on the verge of death. Nine was not ashamed to say that she panicked a little. It was so hard for her to find a familiar that was to her liking, let alone one that was as cute as this!

She pricked the tip of her index finger with her fang and slightly pricked the spider as well, injecting her venom into its body.

[Toxic Spider (Mutation in Progress) Tamed]

Nine's brows raised slightly in pleasant surprise. She didn't think that she would be able to convert something else that didn't have a humanoid body into something Vampiric. She had just been testing it out since the Magic Beast had been on the verge of death from biting her, but she hadn't had high hopes of it working.

Seyton killed the strangled sound that wanted to leave his mouth. "Master," he said smiling genially. "The Black Phantom is undergoing a Vampiric transformation?"

Nine prodded the little spider with her finger, nodding.

"I see," he said, expertly hiding the strain in his voice.

Nocturne looked at the spider doubtfully. "Are Vampires able to turn Magic Beasts and other things as well? I always thought one had to have a humanoid type of body."

"Yes… our race has never succeeded in transforming anything other than humans or in some rare cases, elves and other humanoid races. Never a Magic Beast or monster."

Nine hummed, looking at the spider's status board. "It's because this spider is already on the verge of Rank Seven, so it's strong enough to withstand the transformation."

Deltan couldn't help but take a step back. That tiny spider was Seventh Tier?? Although he himself was about to advance to the Fifth Tier, that was still more than two circles above himself! He was suddenly and abruptly extremely grateful that the Black Phantom hadn't had a chance to bite him earlier.

Wait. This meant that his younger brother was already past the Seventh Tier. He instantly felt dazed at this new information. What was this concept of a fourteen-year-old being able to use Eighth Tier magic? That was too frightening!

The Black Phantom soon woke up, triggering a new status board. Since its body was so small, the transformation had taken rapidly, efficiently transforming the spider's body. its new body was the same shade of pitch black as before, but the marking on its back underwent a transformation. The skull was purple with a tinge of red, causing it to look rather demonic in nature. The previous markings of blue and white were expertly hidden, no longer appearing on its body as a dead giveaway.

[Demonic Spider (Vampiric)]

Nine instantly dubbed it Mephisto.

[Mephisto (Vampiric Demonic Spider)]

[Status: Healthy (Curious)]

[Titles: Nine's Childe, Nine's Familiar, Phantom of Death, Serial Killer, Toxin Master, Puppet Master, Genius, Stealth Master, Assassin]

Mephisto was literally stacked with titles, making Nine wonder what it had done in its life. Ah. Mephisto was a female spider. Nine instantly paused, feeling awkward, but brushed it aside. It was too late now. She had already named her.

Nine happily played with her new childe and familiar, feeling like she had to thank Deltan's abnormal luck for bringing them to this place. Maybe she would go easier on him for the next couple of spars.

Mephisto jumped off her hand and hid itself in the collar of her shirt, conversing with her through the familiar bond.

Nine's eyebrow rose, surprised. She instantly set off to look for the place Mephisto was describing to her, causing Seyton, Nocturne and Deltan to scramble after her.

Chapter end