Alex smiles as he sees the arrows fly toward Aragog, hoping to either kill him directly (which isn''t impossible with 26 arrows, each capable of dealing up to 50 damage) or, at the very least, inflict serious wounds on the Acromantula leader.

    However, less than a second before impact, a barrier of pure corruptive energy forms around Aragog''s body, clinging to him like a second skin.

    Alex''s expression darkens as he realizes the shield has reduced his damage output to merely a quarter of its normal potency - only his initial arrow managed to deal a respectable 47 points of damage.

    "Tereza, we need to maintain distance from Aragog for now! Let''s eliminate the other Acromantulas first. We''ll only stand a chance against him if we attack together!" Alex shouts to his teammate, who currently serves as his mobile platform across the chaotic battlefield.

    “Got it! Hold tight,” She screams in response

    As Alex shifts his focus to the struggling alliance of players and centaurs battling the remaining Acromantulas, a sudden premonition makes him whirl back toward Aragog.

    His blood runs cold as he sees the corrupted monstrosity gathering an ominous sphere of dark energy within its maw.

    "TEREZA, EVASIVE MANEUVERS NOW! HE''S TARGETING US!" Alex roars in warning.

    The moment the words leave his mouth, Aragog releases the pulsating orb of corruption directly at their position, quickly speeding towards them.

    Reacting instantly, Alex activates Sealion''s Icewing Embrace lvl 4.

    Before his spider companion can object, Alex plucks her from his shoulder and deposits her securely on Tereza''s back before launching himself towards the ground, gliding away from Tereza.

    The energy orb alters its trajectory mid-flight, curving unerringly toward Alex''s falling form.

    In a desperate gamble, Alex angles his glide path behind the carcass of a fallen Acromantula, using it as a shield while desperately activating Ko.

    The corrupted projectile slams into the makeshift barrier, detonating with catastrophic force that sends both the decaying corpse and Alex hurtling backward.

    As the Acromantula corpse dissolves into nothingness, Alex writhes in agony, every nerve screaming as if his body is being dismantled at the molecular level.

    He lies paralyzed, completely vulnerable, as another Acromantula scuttles toward him, its mandibles flexing hungrily.

    Alex squeezes his eyes shut, bracing for the killing strike—but the pain never comes.

    Blinking through the haze, he sees Jewel perched triumphantly on the Acromantula''s head, her Thornback Web Shoot lvl 4 having immobilized its deadly jaws. With a vicious snarl, she delivers a perfectly executed Thornback Bite lvl 4, directly biting through its skull.

    Jewel abandons her prey instantly, leaping to Alex''s side as he struggles to rise.

    Gritting his teeth, Alex begins rapid triage, unwilling to risk further vulnerability. He first devours an [Infused Exceptional Dish (Dragon Skewer)], then chases it down with a [Wiggenweld Potion V2].

    Not content with just a partial recovery, Alex crushes a [Blood Essence] in his fist, while holding his necklace, thus activating the latent power of his [Drakul''s Vitality].

    This arsenal of consumables brings Alex back from death''s door—a recovery that would be impossible for most other players.

    As every single stat is raised by 5, Alex feels incredibly powerful, his body surging with energy as well.

    Scanning the battlefield with Gyo, Alex notices Aragog has sunken partially into the earth, still anchored to his central position but visibly weakened.

    Drawing a deep, steadying breath, Alex projects his voice with Aura-enhanced volume:

    "ARAGOG''S WEAKENED! NOW''S OUR CHANCE! EVERYONE WHO CAN STILL FIGHT, FOLLOW ME, WE HAVE TO KILL IT NOW!"

    As he and Jewel charge forward, Alex''s peripheral vision catches the encroaching dome walls—they''ve already constricted by a third, their deadly advance leaving ever-less room for the players to move.

    Despite running, Alex pulls out his trusty [Magoroth’s Legacy], conjures a Magorian’s Rage Arrow lvl 4, and does his best to fire it at Aragog, enhancing it with Fire Arrow lvl 4 and Shu.

    Aragog, still shielded, nonetheless gets struck by the arrow.

    Jewel also attacks, firing Thornback Poison Spit lvl 4 boosted by her innate skill, dealing decent damage. Sёar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Alex finally reaches Aragog, quickly glancing around. Tereza is desperately dodging webs as a group of Acromantulas bombard her, doing everything she can to avoid them.

    When he looks back, he sees only two players have followed him—Ben and the female player now wielding the [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto].

    “I’ll protect you—orders from Alicia!” the tall, fierce-looking woman yells, standing firmly in front of Alex with her shield raised. He recognizes her as Shuruq, a Moroccan player and the frontline defender of Alicia’s team.

    Aragog finally recovers somewhat, letting out wild, pained screeches while unleashing another wave of corrupted energy. Though the pulse hits everyone, Alex feels no harm from it.

    However, as he looks around, he sees something horrifying—several of the dead Acromantulas are suddenly standing back up! Despite missing limbs and chunks of their bodies, the fallen spiders are reanimated by pure corruption, their missing parts replaced by writhing dark purple energy, turning them into grotesque, zombie-like creatures.

    The central battle, which seemed almost won, is now back at a standstill—or even slightly tipping against the player-centaur alliance, as more than ten corrupted Acromantulas rejoin the fight.

    Alex locks eyes with Jewel, Ben, and Shuruq and shouts: “We have to finish this! No other choice!”

    “I’ve got you!” Ben yells as he carefully fires at Aragog with his rifle.

    Shuruq braces herself in a defensive stance, entirely focused on guarding Alex.

    Though part of him wants to charge recklessly, Alex judges it too risky and instead keeps using his strongest bow attacks, his Aura draining dangerously low.

    …

    Aragog shrieks in agony, his body riddled with deep wounds. Because he’s immobilized, Alex’s barrage is devastating—every single one of his 26 arrows hits their mark.

    In retaliation, Aragog unleashes another spell—this time not a large orb but a small, concentrated bolt.

    Shuruq desperately blocks it with her shield, but the impact sends her flying backward before she collapses, clearly injured.

    Jewel spits Thornback Poison Spit lvl 4 and fires Thornback Web Shoot lvl 4 continuously, doing everything she can to disrupt and hinder Aragog.

    Ben, with his sharp aim, targets Aragog’s eyes, blinding several and leaving the beast disoriented.

    Despite his exhaustion, Alex forces out another barrage, burning even more Aura.

    …

    Aragog fires another bolt, and this time, no one is left to intercept it, as it quickly reaches Alex.

    Gritting his teeth, Alex rushes at Aragog. He draws his [Enchanted Runeblade], activates Fire Sword lvl 4, and slashes before the spider can strike at him.

    He repeats the attack while running around him, landing another brutal strike at the spider’s flank. Ben and Jewel assault Aragog from the front side

    Finally, Aragog collapses, seemingly dead—but then, dark energy surges around him, making his body swell unnaturally. The barrier around him grows larger, thicker, more volatile.

    Alex throws his last Annihilation Grenade lvl 4, but even as it explodes right beside Aragog, it does nothing.

    …

    “Filthy humans! I’ll regret not devouring you—but you’ll all perish together with me! DIE! GET SWALLOWED BY CORRUPTION!” Aragog’s voice is distorted, monstrous, as the energy swells to its peak.

    “SHIT, KILL IT FAST!” Alex screams, slashing madly.

    “FUCKING DIE, YOU FILTHY BEAST!” Ben rages, still firing.

    The corruption reaches its zenith, Aragog’s body bloating like an overfilled sack—until, suddenly, he spasms and collapses. All around them, the remaining Acromantulas drop dead as well, seemingly connected to Aragog.

    Then, a man slowly walks forward with a sinister smile. He carries no weapons—only a single black notebook.