Rote

Nis-nim climbed up with a bright smile.

Her sleek black hair fluttered elegantly in the air.

And next to her…

‘Ah!’

A metal spider was… floating.

Completely!

‘My… my god!’

“Hoho! Let me proudly introduce you! This is my masterpiece, Rote!”

『 ☆☆☆☆☆ 【Rote】 Proten Arachnid LV175 』

Dung-dung.

How is this possible…?

Not only the level but also the stars have increased!

Could its potential have risen as well?

Setting aside the astonishment from the status window, the sight before my eyes was like a video I once saw on the news.

‘Superconductor…?’

I recalled the superconductor frenzy that heated up the world in my previous life.

On SNS, videos of magnets floating and spinning were everywhere.

It was really amazing back then…

But the spider in front of me now was hundreds of times more astonishing.

Its eight legs were slightly lifted from the body, maintaining perfect balance.

And completely!

Its entire body glistened in a deep blue-black color, with ice wall crystals on its surface reflecting like stars in the night sky.

The superconductor spider moved slowly, as if swimming through water.

Each leg moved gracefully, as if walking on an invisible cushion.

That such a thing actually exists…

“Ho… what on earth did you do to the spider.”

Nis-nim also examined the spider with great interest.

“Hehe. There was this strange mineral called Proten in the labyrinth. I mixed it with the spider!”

‘Huh…?’

A horrifying image flashed through my mind, something I shouldn’t dwell on.

‘Ew… At least it’s alive…’

But why does “Proten” sound so familiar?

I tilted my head, trying to remember, but gave up.

Maybe it’s just my imagination.

Nis-nim fixed her gaze on me, seemingly curious about my reaction.

‘Ah!’

《Wow! It’s so cool!》

My roots scratched the floor quickly, writing excited letters.

The petals also trembled with excitement.

“Hoho~ I knew Rico would understand the best!”

Nis-nim had a very satisfied expression.

The hem of her black dress swayed.

“Now, this child is yours. Take good care of it~”

《No!? Me…?》

My roots, startled, left crooked writing.

The petals also opened wide in surprise, then closed again.

“Of course~ I said I’d give it to you as a gift~”

‘Mine…? Such an incredible spider…?’

Dung-dung.

Rote floated towards me slowly.

But then…

Pak-pak!

Jjuk-jjuk!

Bboong-bboong!

The insects suddenly retreated en masse.

The spiders climbed the ice walls and hid in the ceiling corners, while the Miel and butterflies flew higher into the shadows.

The Frost Hoppers scurried up the walls, and even the usually bold Blizzard Hornets buzzed away.

It was as if they had seen a ghost!

‘Why…?’

The spiders’ reactions were particularly extreme.

All their legs trembled violently as they huddled together, like a scene from a horror movie.

Even Glacia, who was usually so laid-back, fled in an instant.

It was a speed I never thought she was capable of.

‘Uh… Did Glacia always have such speed…?’

Glacia’s retreat was as decisive as a resigning employee.

She packed her territory with her six legs and disappeared without a trace.

‘Hmm… I guess she was always this energetic…’

Only Cecilia remained sitting on my petals.

‘Ah, at least Cecilia…’

But upon closer inspection, Cecilia had her fiery wings covering her eyes, trembling.

‘Ah… She’s forcing herself to stay because she likes me…’

I felt a pang of sadness.

Rote had been modified against her will, becoming this creature, and now even her friends shunned her.

She was once the top of the insects…

‘Poor thing… No one wanted her…’

《Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you…》

I quietly scratched the floor with my roots, writing gentle curves.

Like comforting a hurt child.

“What’s her ability?”

Nis-nim, seemingly uninterested in the insects’ reaction, gazed at Rote with curious eyes.

“Well, as you can see, she can float in the air!”

Nis-nim said with a cheerful tone.

“And it seems she can also repel other insects!”

‘That’s…!’

Her friend was modified in a strange way and fled!

“Is that all?”

Master’s cold gaze turned to Rote.

“Hm~ We’ll have to see from now on!”

Nis-nim pouted and said.

“Well, let’s test her skills! Rote’s energy has grown quite strong… She’ll probably fight well!”

‘Probably…?’

The ominous feeling ran down my spine.

There was something dangerous lurking behind Nis-nim’s playful smile.

Master also sighed.

Then, Cecilia spread her fiery wings and flew up.

Her small body exuded a brave aura.

Pak-pak!

『 ☆☆ 【Cecilia】 Blaze Lumiere LV102 』

‘Uh… Is Cecilia going to fight?’

Worry bubbled up inside me.

Cecilia’s level was just over 100…

While Rote was a 5-star, level 175…

‘Still, it’s a friendly match… She probably won’t get seriously hurt. I can heal her right away if she does…’

But I couldn’t fully shake off the anxiety.

In the center, Cecilia and Rote faced off.

The contrasting sight of the small fiery butterfly and the floating spider was like a movie scene.

Then, Master elegantly waved her hand.

In an instant, a transparent ice barrier surrounded us.

The ice wall rose in a circle, forming a Colosseum-like arena.

‘Wow… You can create something like this with ice!’

《It’s completely awesome!》

I scratched the floor energetically with my roots.

The petals quivered with excitement.

“Cecilia’s flames might reach you.”

‘Ah!’

My heart warmed.

I thought she made it just because it looked cool…

But it was considerate of me.

‘As expected of Master… Even such small things…’

《Zuin-nim, you’re the best♡》

I wrote a message filled with hearts and floral patterns.

Master smiled softly and gently stroked my petals.

Her cold touch sent shivers down my spine.

Yes!

It’s like a Roman noble’s arena date!

The petals opened wide, then shyly closed again.

“Heheu… I want to raise one too. If only Rico had a labyrinth”

“Nis.”

Master coldly cut off Nis-nim’s playful words.

Right!

She’s mine!

The match was about to begin.

The insects all gathered to cheer for Cecilia.

They moved their small legs and wings, trying to encourage her.

‘Hmm… Rote was their friend, though…’

But I couldn’t help but cheer more for Cecilia.

She’s my daughter!

Master and Nis-nim watched with keen interest.

Master’s eyes held anticipation, and Nis-nim’s red eyes sparkled.

Pak-pak!

Cecilia moved first.

A gigantic flame storm erupted from her small body.

The fiery blaze exploded, filling the room with red.

As Cecilia’s flames filled the space, the ice wall began to melt slightly.

But it froze again in an instant, thanks to Master’s magic.

“Oh my, such powerful flames!”

Nis-nim marveled with sparkling eyes.

“Since Rico raised her.”

Master spoke calmly, but her voice was filled with pride.

‘Hehe… Our daughter is praised!’

My petals opened wide with pride.

But as the flames subsided, Rote remained unscathed, still floating.

The deep blue-black surface was flawless.

‘My… insane defense!’

“Ho…”

Master’s cold gaze pierced through Rote.

“Heheu, it’s my masterpiece~”

Nis-nim smiled proudly.

At that moment, the insects’ reactions were amusing.

The spiders’ eyes glowed brightly in the corner, and the insects’ antennae twitched.

Even Glacia, who had fled, peeked out from behind the ice wall.

‘Yes… You all think she’s amazing too.’)

Then, Cecilia wrapped herself in flames, looking determined.

Like a small sun, she blazed red and charged at Rote.

Her trail was like a meteor’s tail.

‘Like… Like a fiery drive!’

But Rote didn’t budge.

‘Uh…’

Crash!

Before I could blink, it happened.

Cecilia bounced back like a rubber ball.

Meanwhile, Rote remained perfect.

Perhaps even shinier…

‘Th… The ultimate tank…! The attack doesn’t work…!’

Then, Cecilia fell to the floor, limp.

Her fiery wings dimmed.

‘No!’

My heart sank.

I quickly sprinkled healing pink pollen with recovery effects on Cecilia.

A sweet fragrance filled the air as the pink pollen enveloped her body.

As soon as Master removed the ice wall, I carefully lifted Cecilia with my black roots and placed her back on my petals.

Her small body still trembled.

‘Are you okay…?’

Crunch-crunch!

Cecilia began nibbling on my petals, trembling.

It was as if she vowed to avenge this humiliation and become stronger.