Chapter 73 – Russell’s Aggressiveness, Adrian’s Swordsmanship, John’s First Steps in Fighting, and Nathan’s Secondary Ability

Third person POV

 "Okay, just north, northeast, east, and southeast," Russell said to them while looking at the map of Hadrianwood's forest. He and the others are now north of the town after crossing the paved road that leads to Rossley.

 "Yeah, we will clear this in no time," Adrian replied with positive optimism.

Azalea was enthusiastic on finishing the quest, thinking about how good Russell was as a leader to her party.

Nathan is now looking at the photos he had taken recently.

 Shortly thereafter, they encountered a giant blue spider with spikes on it. The group was in high alert, readying their weapons and abilities. John and Nathan went to the sidelines so they would not get hit by it. The blue spider then hissed and growled at them, before shooting spider silk projectiles at them. Russell and the others dodged that, and Adrian used his Mind Manipulation ability to paralyze it.

But the spider was mentally strong, so it was useless.

 "I can't stop this creature…" Adrian was now struggling to control it, "…guys, do your best to defeat it."

Russell and the others then started to attack it with their weapons and magic.

But along the way, the giant spider shot silk at Rai, Ria, and Azalea, wrapping their bodies in tight silk.

 "Azalea-chan!" Russell responded to this, before looking at the giant spider in anger. "You little…!"

 "Careful, Russell," Cassius said to him, "that type of spiders can paralyze your nervous system with a tiny amount of its venom."

Russell then nodded. "Right…"

 And then, he held his sword tight, and, in aggression, flowed his lightning magic through it. "Nobody is going to harm my friends…" Cassius was stunned to see that Russell had somehow unlocked Lightning Rod, an A-ranked ability. "No way…He just unlocked Lightning Rod?"

Kelly and Nathan then looked at him. "Huh? Lightning Rod?"

Cassius then nodded. "Yes, it is an A-ranked ability that utilizes the use of a metal object, like a sword, to flow lightning magic through it."

Adrian was amazed to see that.

And then, Russell charged at the giant monster, which them shot silk projectiles to immobilize him.

But the young bus driver dodged its attacks fast, jumped high towards it, and slashed its eyes, effectively blinding it.

Once landed on the ground in action, Russell said to Adrian and others, "Now!"

Adrian aborted his attempted Mind Manipulation attack and wielded his sword, charging at the blinded and growling giant spider.

He then moved fast and sliced 5 of its legs, causing the giant, venomous spider to collapse to the ground.

Adrian is a hidden swordsman, actually.

Russell and the others were amazed.

 "Woah…"

 "He just sliced them like butter!"

 "Amazing!"

Adrian then came back as the giant spider was unable to attack back.

 But then, John immediately charged towards it and used its sharp fangs and claws to finish the spider off. Russell and the others were shocked and horrified to see him doing that.

 "John?!"

 "What are you doing?"

 "You'll get poisoned by it!"

Despite the spider being venomous, John's fangs and stomach as a Dark Wolf can handle such dangerous venoms.

So, the small Dark Wolf finished it off in just a couple of seconds, before facing his group while wiping the venom off his fangs with its tongue, which is also resistant against venoms.

With shock, Nathan took a picture of it.

 "It's now gone, my human companions," he said to it while smiling.

Russell then approached it while freaking out about his well-being after attacking such a venomous creature. "Are you okay? Did you get poisoned or something?"

 "No, master, I am completely fine," John replied back meekly.

Adrian then went to him. "Are you sure about that?"

Cassius used his sword to free Azalea, Rai, and Ria from being trapped in spider silk.

 After that, the three girls were freed, and Kelly ran to Rai and Ria, asking if they are okay. "Yes, we're fine," Rai replied back. Kelly then hugged them in relief. "Thank goodness you're safe."

She then pulled back from hugging.

 "Thank you, Cassius-san," Azalea gratefully said to Cassius.

 "You're welcome, Azalea," Cassius replied in a formal and posh-like manner.

 "Don't worry about me going into venomous creatures," John said Russell, Adrian, and the others, "as a Dark Wolf, my body can handle huge amounts of venom and is resistant to its side effects like paralysis."

Russell and the others were stunned at his bodily resilience.

 "Woah…"

 "I did not know that."

Russell then looked at Azalea, Rai, and Ria. "Hey, guys, are you alright?"

 "Yes, we are," Ria replied back.

 "I had sliced the spider silks that wrapped their bodies," Cassius added while sheathing his sword back.

 "Oh, thanks, Cassius-san," Russell happily replied.

The group gained some points in their current levels, but Adrian and John leveled up fast because those defeated spiders were S-class monsters.

The group was happy for their hard work.

 After that, all of them continued on towards northwest of the forest. Later on, the group cleared that part. And then, in the east part of the forest, the group are now struggling against giant red snakes. But, that class of snakes can multiply in number. using their bigger, mother snake with her dead children's dead bodies. So, Russell and his group are now struggling to keep up.

 Upon seeing that his group was struggling while dodging their venomous attacks, Nathan decided to use his second ability, Wolf Control, to help them. So, he did so, using his mind to call any nearby wolves in the area, asking them to come and help his group out. And so, a pack of 10 wolves, both Dark and Blood ones, came to the rescue, tearing the giant snakes apart. The mother snake tried to multiply her children, but the Blood Wolves, which were known for their speed and agility, started to eat her up. Russell and the others were stunned to see that pack of two types of wolves and looked at Nathan, who was pointing the palm of his right hand at the wolves.

 "Woah…"

 "What is Nathan-san doing?"

 "That was so cool."

 "Now, attack those snakes!" Nathan immediately said to them.

And so, Russell and the others finished the giant snakes, alongside their mother snake.

 After that, Nathan thanked that pack for helping them and sent them away. That pack nodded in obedience and left the area, scattering everywhere as they went. Now, the east part of the forest is now cleared of monsters. Only 1 part of the forest was uncleared.