A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1680: Thatʼs Impressive!

Archer was busy daydreaming as Circe returned, holding two plates of jelly-like food, catching his attention. ʼʼWhat have you got there?ʼʼ

ʼʼItʼs jelly mixed with Sweet Honey Bel gave me a few days ago,ʼʼ the Broodmaw Queen answered. ʼʼI made it the same day, but it only finished just now.ʼʼ

A smile stretched across her pretty face as she placed the plates on a nearby table, continuing. ʼʼIt helps the body with energy, like a boost. Try it and see what you think, Iʼm sure youʼll enjoy them.ʼʼ

He approached the dark-haired beauty and picked up one of the cubes, which was red and smelled of strawberry and honey. This caught his interest, prompting him to ask. ʼʼWhere is the fruit coming from?ʼʼ

ʼʼDeep in the colony,ʼʼ Cicre revealed. ʼʼItʼs a specialty of my kind; we can grow rare Mana Fruits. They can be used to feed the elite Broodmaw or the outside world. Maybe you can sell it in your empire?ʼʼ

ʼʼMaybe,ʼʼ he responded.

Archer threw the cube into his mouth only for his eyes to widen in surprise when the taste exploded in his mouth. He shook his head and commented once, swallowing the last bite. ʼʼThis is delicious, like a sweet treat.ʼʼ

When Circe heard this, her face lit up, black eyes gleaming with eager delight as she gestured toward the array of vibrant colors. ʼʼTry them,ʼʼ she urged, voice full of anticipation. ʼʼIʼm certain youʼll love everyone, handsome.ʼʼ

He didnʼt hesitate, diving into the other hues with relish, savoring each exquisite bite until the last morsel vanished. Sated, his gaze drifted back to the Broodmaw Queen, a warm smile curving his lips. ʼʼHow much of this can your colony produce?ʼʼ

ʼʼAs much as you desire,ʼʼ she replied smoothly. ʼʼEspecially now, with all the space weʼve claimed.ʼʼ

In the hours that followed, the pair lingered. Circe led him on a tour of the sprawling Food Chambers and nurseries, where his mana had already woven its subtle enhancements into the unhatched brood. When an elder Broodmaw sensed the infusion and stirred with visible excitement, she pleaded for him to extend the same gift to her clutch.

He agreed without a second thought, letting his mana flow like warm sunlight across the nurseries. One clutch after another drank it in, shells glowing faintly as the unhatched Broodmaw grew denser, stronger, more perfect. Even the tireless workers scuttling between chambers felt the surge; their limbs thickened, their carapaces gleamed, every motion now crisp with newfound power.

By the time Archer stepped back into Circeʼs private quarters, the entire colony thrummed with his gift. Circe stood at the threshold, wings half-spread, black eyes wide and shining. A low, delighted laugh escaped her as she drank in the sight of him (sweat-damp, breathing hard, but unmistakably pleased).

ʼʼYou didnʼt just help them,ʼʼ she whispered, voice trembling with awe. ʼʼYou remade them. All of them. The next wave of eggs will be so strong that they outclass anything that came before!ʼʼ

Archer chuckled at her happiness and commented. ʼʼIʼll improve them again, but it costs me a lot more mana.ʼʼ

ʼʼHow much do you think?ʼʼ

ʼʼEnough for me to feel it.ʼʼ

After staying a few more days with Circe, he pressed onward to the next Swarm Queen after saying his goodbyes. Archer materialized above a yawning chasm that scarred the earth like a ragged wound. Silken webs draped every surface around the rim, ensnaring a menagerie of beasts.

Forest Wolves thrashed in the sticky strands, and even a wyvern strained futilely against the bonds, its wings gummed shut. Then, a dozen shadowy blurs erupted from the depths, leaping onto the captives. The attackers were colossal Cave Spiders, subduing larger prey by pinning them down and driving paralytic fangs into flesh.

ʼWow, these things have grownmuch stronger since I last saw them,ʼ he mused, violet eyes glowing.

At that precise moment, an enormous Cave Spider emerged from the inky shadows of the chasm, its violet eyes fixed squarely upon him. A light suddenly erupted from its body, bathing the webbed expanse in an ethereal glow. Archerʼs lips curved into a knowing smile; he recognized her instantly, Gia, the Swarm Queen herself.

As the glow gradually subsided, the colossal arachnidʼs silhouette shimmered and transformed. In its place stood a strikingly beautiful older woman, her skin as pale and flawless as polished moonlight, cascading locks of deep purple hair bound neatly into a flowing ponytail that swayed in the breeze.

Her eyes, twin orbs of purple, sparkled with excitement, reflecting a wild intelligence and a hint of predatory charm. Giaʼs excitement crested like a wave; in a single fluid motion, she closed the distance between them, silk robes whispering against the stone. Her arms coiled around Archerʼs shoulders and yanked him forward.

His face plunged straight into the warm, velvet valley of her immense cleavage, the soft weight enveloping him in an instant, fragrant with faint traces of night-blooming orchids and the subtle musk of her arachnid essence. A low, throaty laugh vibrated through her chest, tickling his ears.

ʼʼMissed you, Arch,ʼʼ she purred, voice honeyed and ancient, fingers threading through his hair to cradle the back of his skull and press him deeper.

ʼʼSo did I,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼHowʼs things been with the Cave Spiders?ʼʼ

ʼʼAll good,ʼʼ the older beauty answered.

The two separated as Archer nodded. ʼʼGood, do you need any more space? I can expand the land around you?ʼʼ

ʼʼWeʼre fine,ʼʼ Gia reassured him, a warm smile crossing her face. ʼʼWe still have plenty since the last time.ʼʼ

Just then, he spotted the Cave Spiders dragging the monsters back into the chasm, and more appeared from the nearby undergrowth as hundreds rushed out. This made the older woman smile. ʼʼLooks like the great hunt was successful.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhat do you need all that food for?ʼʼ

ʼʼWe opened up two more Food Chambers; the females are laying more eggs this year.ʼʼ

When Archer heard this, he grew curious and questioned. ʼʼHow comes? Been absorbing more mana than usual?ʼʼ

Gia nodded. ʼʼYes, the more eggs that are laid, the more energy seeps into them,ʼʼ she said honestly. ʼʼItʼs good because my warriors have grown ten times stronger than they ever were.ʼʼ

ʼʼThatʼs impressive,ʼʼ he replied. ʼʼMind giving me a tour of the colony? I would love to see it.

The older womanʼs face lit up, but she agreed with a nod. ʼʼOf course! I was going to offer you one, you beat me to it though.ʼʼ

Following that, Gia summoned a massive Cave Spider with two chairs on its back and motioned toward it. ʼʼGet on and Iʼll take you through it. The place is covered in webs that trap almost everyone.ʼʼ

ʼʼAlright,ʼʼ Archer replied.

Archer climbed onto the spiderʼs back, the chitin warm and pulsing beneath his feet. Gia vaulted up behind him, her thighs sliding snug against his hips as she settled in. One of her arms looped around his arm. A low, resonant chitter rolled through the beastʼs thorax, and it began its descent.

The chasm walls swallowed them in layers of shadow, but Archerʼs sight cut through the gloom. Veins of bioluminescent fungi traced the stone in pale greens and violets. Far below, the air thickened with the scent of damp earth and the copper tang of old blood. Webbing stretched in vast, shimmering curtains, some strands thick as a shipʼs rigging, others fine as mist.

Each step of the mount sent faint tremors through the wall; trapped silhouettes of bats, serpents, something with too many joints twitched in distant cocoons. Giaʼs breath ghosted warm against the nape of his neck. ʼʼDeeper still,ʼʼ she murmured, lips brushing his ear. ʼʼMy brood has prepared a horde worthy of a god.ʼʼ

Her fingers tightened, nails grazing skin through fabric, and the spider angled downward, threading a spiral path along a ledge no wider than a swordʼs blade. The darkness pressed close, but he saw everything: the glint of waiting eyes in side tunnels, the slow drip of venom from sacs.

Archer was amazed at the sight, but soon enough, the spider reached the bottom, which was a massive pit with tunnels leading in all directions, and Gia spoke. ʼʼHead to the first Food Chamber, girl.ʼʼ

The spider veered right, legs clicking over a lip of stone into a tunnel so narrow the walls brushed Archerʼs shoulders. Bioluminescence guttered out; even his dragon sight strained against the velvet dark. Ahead, two Cave Spider Warriors flanked the passage, their forelegs raised in mirrored threat displays, dripping clear venom that hissed where it struck the floor.

Mandibles parted in silent warning as the mount approached, then stilled the instant they scented Giaʼs pheromonal signature woven through the air. Archer leaned forward, voice low. ʼʼGet many invaders?ʼʼ

Giaʼs laugh was dangerous. ʼʼMore than youʼd credit. Flying horrors mostly: dusk wyverns, bone kites, the occasional storm drake too proud to see the web until itʼs choking its wings.ʼʼ

Her palm slid up his chest, nails tracing idle circles. ʼʼYesterday a mature shadow bat tried tunneling through the ceiling. The warriors dropped it in four heartbeats: two to pin the wings, one to pierce the thorax, the last to flood the skull with venom. We fed the husk to the hatchlings.ʼʼ