Published: October 12th 2024, 7:33:03 am
Cocytus Tarachnathos
After about 10 minutes, the cocoon started to freeze.
As the entire cocoon froze and began to crack, a spider even smaller than before emerged from inside.
Its head and front legs appeared to be made of ice, and its body was completely white.
On its abdomen, there were eight eye-like orbs, with one glowing a pale blue while the others remained gray.
This was Talat’s new form.
"Talat, have you finished evolving?"
(Yes. I don't feel weird anymore.)
"Weird?"
(Hmm, how should I explain it? It was like I felt queasy or unsettled for a while…)
It's the first time Talat has said something like that.
I wonder what happened.
"Plum, Talat said he felt unsettled. Do you have any idea why? … Plum?"
When I turned around, Plum was staring at me in a daze.
What happened?
"Plum, is something wrong?"
"Something wrong? Isn't that spider a Tarachnathos!?"
"Eh? Is that true, Talat?"
(Technically, I'm an ice-attribute Cocytus Tarachnathos.)
"Talat says he's a Cocytus Tarachnathos... Plum!?"
Plum suddenly pulled out a whip and started to act like she was preparing for a fight.
What's going on!?
"Lily, there's no issue with your communication with Talat, correct?"
"Yes, no problems."
"Can you make him follow commands?"
"I believe so. Why?"
"Then have him raise his right front leg."
"Talat, raise your right front leg."
(Okay.)
Talat obediently lifted his leg.
Plum continued giving various commands, and by the end, I was hanging from the ceiling while riding Talat.
What on earth is going on?
"... Seems like there's no issue."
"I told you, everything is fine. What's going on, Plum?"
"I have something to tell you. Now, get down from the ceiling."
Even though Plum was the one who made us hang from the ceiling...
Talat spun a thread down to the ground and slowly lowered us, with the web dissolving and evaporating once we landed.
What exactly is this spider silk made of?
"Now then, I'll give you a brief explanation of Tarachnathos, the species Talat has evolved into."
Plum sat down in a chair in my room and began her explanation, and it was quite shocking.
"Tarachnathos, also known as the 'Death-Bringing Spider,' is a species whose threat level surpasses even high-ranking dragons. Although no one has ever observed a swarm of them, it's believed that if they did form swarms, nothing would survive. About 900 years ago, a nation was wiped out on the continent where the Principality of Darsche is located, likely due to a fire-attribute Tarachnathos moving through its territory."
Wow, this is more serious than I imagined.
Talat evolved into such a dangerous species.
"I've never seen a Tarachnathos myself, so I couldn't confirm if Talat was exactly like the one from the legends. I only became wary because of the characteristics mentioned in the tales: the attribute-imbued front legs, the head appendages, and the eight orbs on its abdomen. If your control over him had been severed, we would've had to fight."
That’s right. When a tamer's familiar evolves, sometimes the contract is broken.
… Wait, is Talat’s contract still intact?
"I'm not an expert in taming, so I suggest you visit the guild and check on your contract's status."
Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
I'll head to the Tamer's Guild tomorrow.
Everything seems fine with Talat, but it's better to be sure.
----------
I Asked at the Tamers’ Guild
“A Tarachnathos, you say...? Our guild has no records of such a monster."
The next morning, I visited the Tamers’ Guild, but as expected, there were no records of "Tarachnathos " in their archives.
Naturally, there was no information on "Cocytus Tarachnathos " either, leaving me unable to investigate Talat’s species any further.
Well, I had anticipated this outcome.
"If you'd like to check the bond with your familiar, please follow me. Judging by the unblemished state of your Familiar Seal, there shouldn’t be any issues."
"Is that so?"
"When the bond with a familiar weakens, cracks will begin to appear on the Familiar Seal. Since both yours and Talat’s seals are in pristine condition, I believe there’s no cause for concern."
Apparently, that's how it works.
Upon further inspection, it turned out the bond between Talat and me was extremely strong.
The guild staff even seemed surprised that I had come to check, as it was in perfect condition.
Still, I want to learn more about Talat's species.
I wonder if Melanie might know something?
Heading from the second floor of the Tamers’ Guild down to the first floor where the Adventurers’ Guild was located, I spotted Melanie at the reception desk, looking as bored as ever.
… Is she really okay?
"I’m fine! You see, I’m the head receptionist, so I don’t usually handle the front desk. When it gets busy, I help out, but otherwise, I mostly manage a special window for certain adventurers."
"Certain adventurers? Like me?"
"Yes. I tend to handle adventurers who come in with more difficult requests than the regular staff can manage. There aren’t many of you, though."
Ah, so that’s why Melanie's counter is always open.
It’s convenient for me since I can always ask her for advice.
"So, what brings you here today?"
"Talat evolved, but there’s no information on his new form."
"No information on the evolution, huh? That’s never a good sign. He’s also gotten smaller, and his appearance matches that of a disaster-class monster from legends. What’s his species name?"
Melanie’s smile started to tighten.
Cold sweat began to form on her forehead.
This must really be bad.
"It’s called a Tarachnathos..."
"Lily, let’s continue this conversation in the Guild Master’s room. Right now, neither the Guild Master nor the Vice-Guild Master have any appointments, so we can speak freely. Let’s hurry."
Yep, it’s definitely serious.
Melanie grabbed my hand and led me to the Guild Master’s room.
Once there, she explained the situation to Roland, the Guild Master.
He immediately instructed her to call for Odo, the Vice-Guild Master.
This is really serious, isn’t it?
----------
I Asked at the Adventurers’ Guild
Now, I found myself in a discussion about Talat with Roland, the Adventurer's Guildmaster, Odo, the Vice-Guild Master, Melanie, and Plum, who was kind enough to explain everything we knew so far.
Since I hadn’t been able to organize my thoughts as clearly, Plum's assistance was a huge relief.
Though, Roland and the others seemed burdened by the news.
"So, Talat has truly become a Tarachnathos?"
"Based on Lily's report and Talat’s physical features, there’s no doubt. As for its combat capabilities, we haven't gauged them yet. Testing it in the middle of town could lead to collateral damage we can't afford.”
"A wise decision, thank you. Guild Master Roland, what shall we do?"
Roland, sinking deeply into his chair, sighed and looked up to the ceiling before replying, "What can we do? The Tamers’ Guild has confirmed that the tamed status is intact, so there’s nothing we can really interfere with. Besides, any misstep on our part could level the city."
"Well, that’s true, but…"
"Moreover, Talat has been quietly standing behind Lily as her protector. There's been no sign of him attacking anyone. Of course, he might react if someone tries to harm him or Lily, but for now, he remains a docile familiar like he always has been."
That was exactly right.
Even last night, Talat had slept on the ceiling like usual, and his temperament hadn't changed at all.
He has started to prefer carrying me around, though, insisting that it’s easier to protect me that way.
While it makes sense, I can't help but worry if it’s weakening my legs from not walking enough.
There’s another thing I need to check: how Talat’s abilities have evolved.
Last night, I hadn’t even asked him to make any silk, not even for textile purposes.
I wonder how that will turn out now?
Maybe I should get permission from Roland and the others to test it right here.
"Hmm, Spider Silk, huh? It’s a good way to check how Talat's abilities have changed.”
"Not a bad idea. While it’s not combat-related, it’s better than attempting a mock battle here.”
With Roland and Odo on board, I looked toward Melanie to see if she had any objections.
"Well, I don't disagree... but..."
"But what?"
"Won't Alizée complain?"
… Right, since it’s silk for commercial use, the usual procedure would be to send it to the Trade Guild for inspection.
It makes sense for Alizée to be involved.
Yeah, she's right.
I should invite Alizée to join in as well.