NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45: Final Strike
Caelum’s body trembled as he summoned the last of his strength. His vision swam, and every breath felt like a battle as the venom continued to course through his veins. The second spider loomed before him, its legs twitching in anticipation, venom dripping from its fangs. He knew this would be his last chance—if he didn’t finish the fight now, they wouldn’t survive.
The heat inside him surged, his Fire Magic roaring to life as he concentrated every ounce of his remaining energy into one final strike. Flames ignited around him, flickering fiercely, and the air crackled with intensity. The spider hissed, sensing the danger, but it was too late.
This is it, Caelum thought, his body screaming in protest as he launched the fire toward the spider.
The flames struck the spider with full force, engulfing its body in a brilliant blaze. The creature shrieked in agony, its legs flailing wildly as the fire consumed it. The air filled with the acrid stench of burning exoskeleton, and for a moment, everything seemed to slow down.
Caelum could feel his own energy fading, the exhaustion threatening to pull him under. His limbs were heavy, his body numb from the venom and fatigue. But as the spider crumpled to the ground, its body collapsing into a smoldering heap, a faint sense of victory washed over him.
The first spider, too, fell, succumbing to the burns and Aurelia’s relentless attacks. Both creatures lay still, their massive forms now nothing more than charred remnants.
Caelum tried to breathe a sigh of relief, but the effort was too much. His legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground, his vision darkening at the edges. He could feel himself slipping away, the pain and exhaustion finally overtaking him.
Is this it? he wondered dimly, his thoughts drifting. Did we... win?
Just as the darkness was about to claim him, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
Mystic Larva Level increased from 1 to 2
Mystic Larva Level increased from 2 to 3
Mystic Larva Level increased from 3 to 4
The notification was like a lifeline, a spark of hope that pulled him back from the brink. As the level-up process began, he could feel the changes happening within his body—his wounds slowly knitting themselves together, the venom being purged from his system, and the pain gradually fading away.
His health, stamina, and energy all surged, rejuvenating him. The burning ache in his muscles eased, and the tightness in his chest loosened as the level-up worked its magic. It was like waking from a nightmare, his body feeling lighter, stronger.
Caelum blinked, his vision clearing as the world around him came back into focus. The searing pain that had once dominated his senses was now a dull throb, manageable and fading by the second.
He pushed himself up, his legs trembling but functional. The spiders lay dead, their bodies still smoldering from the fire magic. The battle was over.
We made it... Caelum thought with a mixture of disbelief and relief.
His thoughts immediately turned to Aurelia. He scanned the area, his heart pounding as he looked for her. Please be okay...
And then, there she was.
Aurelia crawled toward him from the charred remains of the first spider, her small body battered but alive. Her antennae twitched as she saw him, and her eyes brightened with relief.
“You did it,” she said softly, her voice filled with pride and gratitude. “You really did it.”
Caelum exhaled deeply, a weary smile tugging at his mandibles. “We did it,” he corrected her. “You took down the first one. I wouldn’t have survived without you.”
Aurelia’s face lit up with a smile, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “I’m just glad we’re both okay.”
She moved closer, her small body still shaking slightly from the exertion, but the happiness in her eyes was unmistakable. Caelum could sense that she had leveled up too, her strength renewed after the hard-fought battle.
“Let me check something,” Caelum said, focusing inward as he activated Appraisal.
[Appraisal Activated]
Name: Caelum
Species: Mystic Larva
Level: 4/25
Rank: E
HP: 3/35
MP: 15/60
Stamina: 10/30
Echo Skills: [Bite Lv: 7] [Movement Lv: 7] [Camouflage Lv: 5] [Instinctive Dodge Lv: 8] [Telepathy Lv: 6]
Resonance Skills: [Appraisal Lv: Max] [Fire Magic Lv: 8] [Wind Magic Lv: 3] [Earth Magic Lv: 2]
Apex Skills: [Knowledge Lv: 1]
Resistance Skills: [Poison Resistance Lv: 7] [Hardened Carapace Resistance Lv: 4] [Mental Pain Resistance Lv: 3] [Physical Pain Resistance Lv: 4]
Titles: [Earth-003 Reincarnator] [Survivor] [Leaf Connoisseur] [Named]
Status Effects: None
The sudden leap from Level 1 to 4 was exhilarating. Caelum felt the power coursing through his veins, his body more capable than it had been before the fight. The surge in his magic and stamina felt particularly satisfying.
He turned his attention to Aurelia, using Appraisal on her as well.
[Appraisal Activated]
Name: Aurelia
Species: Guardian Bee Larva
Level: 4/20
Rank: E
HP: 26/50
MP: 24/30
Stamina: 30/40
Echo Skills: [Bite Lv: 9] [Sting Lv: 4] [Movement Lv: 8] [Honey Production Lv: 1] [Telepathy Lv: 6]
Resonance Skills: [Appraisal Lv: 8] [Communal Instinct Lv: 6] [Guardian's Aura Lv: 3]
Resistance Skills: [Poison Resistance Lv: 8] [Pollen Allergy Resistance Lv: 1]
Titles: [Earth-007 Reincarnator] [Protector] [Named]
Status Effects: None
Aurelia had gained several levels, her skills boosted from the intense fight. Her Guardian’s Aura had strengthened, and her Sting skill had advanced, becoming more formidable.
“You’ve leveled up too,” Caelum said with a tired but relieved smile. “Looks like we’re both a lot stronger than we were before.”
Aurelia’s face softened. “I didn’t think we’d make it out of that alive,” she admitted, her voice quiet. “But we did. We really did.”
For a moment, they just sat there, basking in the relief of their survival. The fight had been brutal, and they had both been pushed to their limits. But they had come out the other side stronger—both in body and in spirit.
“Thank you,” Caelum said suddenly, his voice earnest. “For having my back. I don’t think I could’ve done this without you.”
Aurelia smiled, her antennae twitching affectionately. “We’re in this together, Caelum. You don’t have to thank me for that.”
The bond between them had grown even stronger, forged in the fire of battle and tempered by their shared victories. They had faced death together and come out the other side.