Chapter 6: The Coronation of the New Order
---
Foundations of a New Era
The once-dark cavern that Haruto and his arachnid followers had called home now stood empty, abandoned in favor of a new beginning. The towering trees of the vast forest stretched endlessly around them, their thick canopies filtering golden sunlight onto the soft moss-covered ground.
Haruto watched as his people—the former monstrous spiders, now humanoid in form—labored tirelessly under his guidance. Their movements were swift, precise, and driven by a newfound purpose. Using silk, stone, and wood, they constructed homes nestled within the natural formations of the forest.
Beside him, Liora, his first and most trusted subordinate, observed their work with silent pride.
"They've adapted well," Haruto remarked, folding his arms as he surveyed their progress.
Liora nodded. "All thanks to you, my lord. With your knowledge and leadership, we are creating something truly remarkable."
One of the newly evolved spiders, a young warrior named Solin, stepped forward. "My lord, we've made great progress today." He hesitated, then continued, "But… we don't have windows. And, well, none of us know how to make them."
Haruto chuckled. "Don't worry, I do."
The spiders exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and admiration in their expressions. Even though Haruto was not one of them by blood, he had earned their absolute loyalty.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the day's work came to an end. Haruto turned to a group of his warriors preparing to leave.
"You're going out for a hunt?" he asked.
Solin bowed slightly. "Yes, my lord. We'll bring back as much food as possible."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden urgency?"
Solin's expression darkened. "The White Dragon of Death has fallen."
Haruto's eyes widened slightly. That name was not one he took lightly.
"With its presence gone, the delicate balance it upheld has shattered. Dangerous monsters are emerging in larger numbers."
Haruto frowned. This was problematic.
Turning to Liora, he said, "Go with them. If anything happens, I want you to report back immediately."
Liora placed a hand over her chest and bowed. "Yes, my lord."
As the hunting party departed, Solin called back with a confident smile, "We'll return soon!"
Haruto waved them off, though an uneasy feeling lingered in his mind.
---
The Awakening of New Power
Later that night, within his newly built chamber, Haruto sat on a wooden chair, examining a sword he had obtained from the spider's former lair.
He swung it experimentally, the weight and balance feeling natural in his grip. But an idea struck him. Channeling his magic, he summoned his white flames, letting them coil around the blade.
Instead of melting, the iron absorbed the fire. The blade pulsed with life, its form shifting slightly, becoming sharper, more refined.
Azara's voice echoed in his mind.
"New abilities detected. Processing…"
Haruto's grip tightened. This was new.
"[Unique Skill: Evolving Weapon] acquired."
Your weapon can now grow stronger, adapting based on battle experience and absorbing external energies.
"[Extra Skill: Flame Absorption] acquired."
Fire-based attacks can now be absorbed, converting their energy into strength.
"[Extra Skill: Soul-Consuming Slash] acquired."
Your blade now carries an ethereal force that weakens an enemy's soul with each strike.
"[Extra Skill: Auto-Regenerating Blade] acquired."
Any weapon you wield will now repair itself instantly, preventing breakage during battle.
Azara's voice remained calm. "Abilities successfully integrated. Your combat efficiency has significantly increased."
Haruto smirked. "That makes four Unique Skills now…" He gripped the sword. "Let's test it out."
But before he could move—
"Alert: Incoming emergency transmission from [Liora]."
Haruto's expression hardened. "Azara, connect me now."
Liora's strained voice came through immediately.
"My lord—! We've been ambushed. The barrier—!"
The connection cut off.
Haruto shot to his feet. His aura flared violently, causing the air around him to distort. Without hesitation, he took off into the night sky, a streak of white flames burning in his wake.
---
Breaking Through the Barrier
As he approached the battlefield, a towering, glowing structure came into view—a high-grade suppression barrier.
"Azara, analyze it."
"It is designed to weaken and neutralize high-ranking monsters, preventing them from using their full power."
Haruto's expression darkened. If the barrier had affected Liora and the others… they wouldn't stand a chance.
Without a second thought, he placed his hand against the structure.
"Absolute Cutting."
A deafening crack echoed through the night. The barrier shattered, dissolving into fragments of energy.
On the ground, a group of warriors turned in horror.
"H-He just broke through it…?"
Ignoring them, Haruto rushed to Liora's side. Blood trickled down her lips, her breathing unsteady.
"I'm sorry, my lord…" she whispered. "Solin… and the others…"
Haruto turned, his gaze falling on Solin's lifeless body. Another fallen spider lay beside him.
Silence.
Then—Haruto clenched his fist. His killing intent surged like a tidal wave.
A man wielding a scythe chuckled darkly. "So, you're the Spider King." He grinned. "You should've stayed in your cave."
The moment the man blinked—
His head was already separated from his body.
Haruto caught it midair, his voice deathly calm. "One down. Four to go."
The remaining enemies froze in terror.
Then—
A figure appeared before him in an instant.
A sword crashed against his own, sending him hurtling through the trees and into a mountain wall.
The impact collapsed the entire structure.
From the dust, Haruto emerged, brushing off debris. His sword, though cracked, instantly regenerated.
In the sky, a woman hovered, her unreadable eyes locked onto him.
Mei.
She raised her weapon, dark energy crackling along its edge.
Azara's voice warned him.
"Caution: The weapon in her hands is the Void Sword, one of the fifteen most powerful weapons in existence. Its instability makes it highly unpredictable."
Haruto exhaled sharply. "No holding back, then."
Mei's expression didn't change. "You're facing a warrior of Solmaria."
The Collapse of Titans
The night sky trembled.
Haruto and Mei stood across from each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The remains of two obliterated mountains crumbled behind them, the sheer force of their earlier clash reshaping the land itself.
Mei's grip on the Void Sword tightened, its dark energy twisting and warping the air around her. Haruto, meanwhile, stood with his sword in hand—pristine, despite the immense power radiating from his opponent. His expression remained calm, yet beneath the surface, his battle instincts were razor-sharp.
The wind howled.
Then—
A single shift of weight.
They moved.
BOOM!
The ground split beneath them as they vanished from sight, their speed surpassing human perception. The force of their movement alone sent shockwaves through the battlefield, uprooting trees and shattering stone.
Haruto appeared above Mei, his sword coated in white flames.
"Piercing Fang."
A thrust so fast it compressed the air into a spear of white-hot energy. Mei twisted her body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the attack as the energy lance carved a trench miles long into the earth.
She countered instantly.
"Void Rend."
The space in front of her shattered like glass, the ruptured void lashing out toward Haruto in jagged, spiraling tendrils.
Haruto didn't hesitate.
"Absolute Cutting."
With a single slash, the tendrils were severed, their unstable energy dispersing harmlessly into the night.
Mei's expression remained unreadable, but her movements sharpened. She reappeared at his side, her Void Sword vibrating at an unnatural frequency.
She swung.
Haruto barely had time to raise his blade.
CLANG!
The moment their swords connected, the space around them collapsed inward. Gravity twisted violently, pulling everything toward the epicenter of their clash. The pressure crushed the trees below, flattening the terrain for miles.
Haruto gritted his teeth. "That weapon's annoying."
Mei responded by increasing the force of her strike, dark energy consuming her blade. "Void Severance."
The sheer impact sent Haruto hurtling through the battlefield like a comet, his body carving a deep ravine through the land.
But before Mei could follow up—
CRACK!
A spear of ice shot toward her at supersonic speeds. She barely managed to dodge, but the cold energy seeped into the air, causing the moisture to freeze instantly.
Haruto emerged from the crater, unharmed.
He exhaled. His breath turned to mist.
"Ice Domain."
A storm of frost erupted from his body, turning the entire battlefield into an arctic wasteland in seconds. The trees, the ground, even the distant mountains—all encased in an unnatural layer of ice.
Mei's Void Sword flickered, struggling against the overwhelming cold.
Haruto capitalized on the moment.
"Soul-Consuming Slash."
His sword glowed with a faint, ethereal blue as he stepped forward and swung—
Mei barely reacted in time. She raised her Void Sword to block, but the moment their blades connected—
Her body shook.
A searing pain lanced through her soul itself, like something deep within her was being ripped away.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Tch."
She disengaged, flipping backward to gain distance.
Haruto didn't let up. He raised his hand—
"Flame Absorption: Conversion Mode."
His white flames surged and condensed into a massive, spiraling sphere. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed it.
The fireball roared toward Mei, warping the very air as it approached.
She exhaled sharply.
She clenched her left hand. A dense gravitational force gathered around her palm.
Then—
She crushed the space in front of her.
"Event Horizon."
A miniature black hole formed, consuming the fireball in an instant. The immense gravity distorted the air, pulling even the light itself inward.
Haruto's eyes flickered. "That's dangerous."
Before he could react, Mei launched forward.
This time, she was faster.
She reappeared within striking range, her blade humming with chaotic energy.
Haruto instinctively raised his sword—
But he was too slow.
SLASH!
A deep gash formed across his chest, black energy crackling along the wound.
A rare sight—Haruto staggered.
Mei didn't stop. She pressed her advantage, unleashing a relentless flurry of slashes. Each strike warped space itself, making dodging nearly impossible.
Haruto's mind raced.
She was different. Stronger than before.
Azara's voice echoed in his mind.
"Caution: Her body is synchronizing with the Void Sword. The longer this battle continues, the more unpredictable she becomes."
Haruto clicked his tongue. "Figures."
His aura flared. The ground beneath him shattered as he pushed himself forward.
Their blades met again—
BOOM!
The explosion of force created a crater that swallowed the battlefield.
But this time—
Haruto was smiling.
"Finally getting serious, huh?"
Mei's expression remained unreadable. "…You talk too much."
She raised her hand.
A pink butterfly landed on her finger.
Haruto's instincts screamed.
Something was about to change.
Then—
The world shifted.
A sudden calm.
The battlefield disappeared, replaced by a dimly lit chamber.
Mei stood still, her body unresponsive.
Across from her, a woman sat on an ornate chair.
White hair. Small, elves-like horns. A butterfly hairpin resting atop her head.
She smiled.
"Are you trying to kill yourself
Chapter 6: The Coronation of the New Order
---
Foundations of a New Era
The once-dark cavern that Haruto and his arachnid followers had called home now stood empty, abandoned in favor of a new beginning. The towering trees of the vast forest stretched endlessly around them, their thick canopies filtering golden sunlight onto the soft moss-covered ground.
Haruto watched as his people—the former monstrous spiders, now humanoid in form—labored tirelessly under his guidance. Their movements were swift, precise, and driven by a newfound purpose. Using silk, stone, and wood, they constructed homes nestled within the natural formations of the forest.
Beside him, Liora, his first and most trusted subordinate, observed their work with silent pride.
"They've adapted well," Haruto remarked, folding his arms as he surveyed their progress.
Liora nodded. "All thanks to you, my lord. With your knowledge and leadership, we are creating something truly remarkable."
One of the newly evolved spiders, a young warrior named Solin, stepped forward. "My lord, we've made great progress today." He hesitated, then continued, "But… we don't have windows. And, well, none of us know how to make them."
Haruto chuckled. "Don't worry, I do."
The spiders exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and admiration in their expressions. Even though Haruto was not one of them by blood, he had earned their absolute loyalty.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the day's work came to an end. Haruto turned to a group of his warriors preparing to leave.
"You're going out for a hunt?" he asked.
Solin bowed slightly. "Yes, my lord. We'll bring back as much food as possible."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden urgency?"
Solin's expression darkened. "The White Dragon of Death has fallen."
Haruto's eyes widened slightly. That name was not one he took lightly.
"With its presence gone, the delicate balance it upheld has shattered. Dangerous monsters are emerging in larger numbers."
Haruto frowned. This was problematic.
Turning to Liora, he said, "Go with them. If anything happens, I want you to report back immediately."
Liora placed a hand over her chest and bowed. "Yes, my lord."
As the hunting party departed, Solin called back with a confident smile, "We'll return soon!"
Haruto waved them off, though an uneasy feeling lingered in his mind.
---
The Awakening of New Power
Later that night, within his newly built chamber, Haruto sat on a wooden chair, examining a sword he had obtained from the spider's former lair.
He swung it experimentally, the weight and balance feeling natural in his grip. But an idea struck him. Channeling his magic, he summoned his white flames, letting them coil around the blade.
Instead of melting, the iron absorbed the fire. The blade pulsed with life, its form shifting slightly, becoming sharper, more refined.
Azara's voice echoed in his mind.
"New abilities detected. Processing…"
Haruto's grip tightened. This was new.
"[Unique Skill: Evolving Weapon] acquired."
Your weapon can now grow stronger, adapting based on battle experience and absorbing external energies.
"[Extra Skill: Flame Absorption] acquired."
Fire-based attacks can now be absorbed, converting their energy into strength.
"[Extra Skill: Soul-Consuming Slash] acquired."
Your blade now carries an ethereal force that weakens an enemy's soul with each strike.
"[Extra Skill: Auto-Regenerating Blade] acquired."
Any weapon you wield will now repair itself instantly, preventing breakage during battle.
Azara's voice remained calm. "Abilities successfully integrated. Your combat efficiency has significantly increased."
Haruto smirked. "That makes four Unique Skills now…" He gripped the sword. "Let's test it out."
But before he could move—
"Alert: Incoming emergency transmission from [Liora]."
Haruto's expression hardened. "Azara, connect me now."
Liora's strained voice came through immediately.
"My lord—! We've been ambushed. The barrier—!"
The connection cut off.
Haruto shot to his feet. His aura flared violently, causing the air around him to distort. Without hesitation, he took off into the night sky, a streak of white flames burning in his wake.
---
Breaking Through the Barrier
As he approached the battlefield, a towering, glowing structure came into view—a high-grade suppression barrier.
"Azara, analyze it."
"It is designed to weaken and neutralize high-ranking monsters, preventing them from using their full power."
Haruto's expression darkened. If the barrier had affected Liora and the others… they wouldn't stand a chance.
Without a second thought, he placed his hand against the structure.
"Absolute Cutting."
A deafening crack echoed through the night. The barrier shattered, dissolving into fragments of energy.
On the ground, a group of warriors turned in horror.
"H-He just broke through it…?"
Ignoring them, Haruto rushed to Liora's side. Blood trickled down her lips, her breathing unsteady.
"I'm sorry, my lord…" she whispered. "Solin… and the others…"
Haruto turned, his gaze falling on Solin's lifeless body. Another fallen spider lay beside him.
Silence.
Then—Haruto clenched his fist. His killing intent surged like a tidal wave.
A man wielding a scythe chuckled darkly. "So, you're the Spider King." He grinned. "You should've stayed in your cave."
The moment the man blinked—
His head was already separated from his body.
Haruto caught it midair, his voice deathly calm. "One down. Four to go."
The remaining enemies froze in terror.
Then—
A figure appeared before him in an instant.
A sword crashed against his own, sending him hurtling through the trees and into a mountain wall.
The impact collapsed the entire structure.
From the dust, Haruto emerged, brushing off debris. His sword, though cracked, instantly regenerated.
In the sky, a woman hovered, her unreadable eyes locked onto him.
Mei.
She raised her weapon, dark energy crackling along its edge.
Azara's voice warned him.
"Caution: The weapon in her hands is the Void Sword, one of the fifteen most powerful weapons in existence. Its instability makes it highly unpredictable."
Haruto exhaled sharply. "No holding back, then."
Mei's expression didn't change. "You're facing a warrior of Solmaria."
The Collapse of Titans
The night sky trembled.
Haruto and Mei stood across from each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. The remains of two obliterated mountains crumbled behind them, the sheer force of their earlier clash reshaping the land itself.
Mei's grip on the Void Sword tightened, its dark energy twisting and warping the air around her. Haruto, meanwhile, stood with his sword in hand—pristine, despite the immense power radiating from his opponent. His expression remained calm, yet beneath the surface, his battle instincts were razor-sharp.
The wind howled.
Then—
A single shift of weight.
They moved.
BOOM!
The ground split beneath them as they vanished from sight, their speed surpassing human perception. The force of their movement alone sent shockwaves through the battlefield, uprooting trees and shattering stone.
Haruto appeared above Mei, his sword coated in white flames.
"Piercing Fang."
A thrust so fast it compressed the air into a spear of white-hot energy. Mei twisted her body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the attack as the energy lance carved a trench miles long into the earth.
She countered instantly.
"Void Rend."
The space in front of her shattered like glass, the ruptured void lashing out toward Haruto in jagged, spiraling tendrils.
Haruto didn't hesitate.
"Absolute Cutting."
With a single slash, the tendrils were severed, their unstable energy dispersing harmlessly into the night.
Mei's expression remained unreadable, but her movements sharpened. She reappeared at his side, her Void Sword vibrating at an unnatural frequency.
She swung.
Haruto barely had time to raise his blade.
CLANG!
The moment their swords connected, the space around them collapsed inward. Gravity twisted violently, pulling everything toward the epicenter of their clash. The pressure crushed the trees below, flattening the terrain for miles.
Haruto gritted his teeth. "That weapon's annoying."
Mei responded by increasing the force of her strike, dark energy consuming her blade. "Void Severance."
The sheer impact sent Haruto hurtling through the battlefield like a comet, his body carving a deep ravine through the land.
But before Mei could follow up—
CRACK!
A spear of ice shot toward her at supersonic speeds. She barely managed to dodge, but the cold energy seeped into the air, causing the moisture to freeze instantly.
Haruto emerged from the crater, unharmed.
He exhaled. His breath turned to mist.
"Ice Domain."
A storm of frost erupted from his body, turning the entire battlefield into an arctic wasteland in seconds. The trees, the ground, even the distant mountains—all encased in an unnatural layer of ice.
Mei's Void Sword flickered, struggling against the overwhelming cold.
Haruto capitalized on the moment.
"Soul-Consuming Slash."
His sword glowed with a faint, ethereal blue as he stepped forward and swung—
Mei barely reacted in time. She raised her Void Sword to block, but the moment their blades connected—
Her body shook.
A searing pain lanced through her soul itself, like something deep within her was being ripped away.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Tch."
She disengaged, flipping backward to gain distance.
Haruto didn't let up. He raised his hand—
"Flame Absorption: Conversion Mode."
His white flames surged and condensed into a massive, spiraling sphere. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed it.
The fireball roared toward Mei, warping the very air as it approached.
She exhaled sharply.
She clenched her left hand. A dense gravitational force gathered around her palm.
Then—
She crushed the space in front of her.
"Event Horizon."
A miniature black hole formed, consuming the fireball in an instant. The immense gravity distorted the air, pulling even the light itself inward.
Haruto's eyes flickered. "That's dangerous."
Before he could react, Mei launched forward.
This time, she was faster.
She reappeared within striking range, her blade humming with chaotic energy.
Haruto instinctively raised his sword—
But he was too slow.
SLASH!
A deep gash formed across his chest, black energy crackling along the wound.
A rare sight—Haruto staggered.
Mei didn't stop. She pressed her advantage, unleashing a relentless flurry of slashes. Each strike warped space itself, making dodging nearly impossible.
Haruto's mind raced.
She was different. Stronger than before.
Azara's voice echoed in his mind.
"Caution: Her body is synchronizing with the Void Sword. The longer this battle continues, the more unpredictable she becomes."
Haruto clicked his tongue. "Figures."
His aura flared. The ground beneath him shattered as he pushed himself forward.
Their blades met again—
BOOM!
The explosion of force created a crater that swallowed the battlefield.
But this time—
Haruto was smiling.
"Finally getting serious, huh?"
Mei's expression remained unreadable. "…You talk too much."
She raised her hand.
A pink butterfly landed on her finger.
Haruto's instincts screamed.
Something was about to change.
Then—
The world shifted.
A sudden calm.
The battlefield disappeared, replaced by a dimly lit chamber.
Mei stood still, her body unresponsive.
Across from her, a woman sat on an ornate chair.
White hair. Small, elves-like horns. A butterfly hairpin resting atop her head.
She smiled.
"Are you trying to kill yourself