Standing just inside the cave's entrance, Ed looked left and right, where the tunnel branched off in both directions. The dim light cast eerie shadows on the walls, adding to the uncertainty of their choice. "Which way do we go?" he asked, his voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space.

Victoria chimed in, "I vote right. Wasn't that your dungeon-diving rule? Always take right-hand corridors?"

Rose, her thoughts drifting to Sinclair, nodded. "That was Sinclair's rule because he would get agitated if we didn't stick to the same progression methods," she explained, a faint smile crossing her face as she remembered the sweet man. She caught herself, surprised at her thoughts. Wait, sweet man? When did I start thinking of him that way? she wondered. Sighing, she tried to refocus on the task at hand.

Alice agreed with her, laughing a little in remembrance of those game nights. "Yeah, his ADHD made games super interesting sometimes. But I'm down with doing the right-hand tunnel, too. I've gotten so used to going to the right now by default; it would feel weird to go left."

Ed, nodding in agreement with Alice, decisively turned to the right, leading the group deeper into the tunnel. "Right, it is then. But don't forget the cardinal rule: 'Look up,'" he cautioned, his voice echoing in the darkness.

Victoria's voice carried a hint of dry humor through the pitch-black tunnel. "That's not ominous or anything."

Rose added her thoughts, trying to keep the mood light. "I wouldn't want to die from a movie trope. I mean, I don't want to die at all, but that would be an insult to injury, you know." Their banter continued as they ventured further, the darkness enveloping them like a thick blanket.

Once they left the cave's entrance, the absence of light was total, rendering the surroundings invisible until their night vision skills kicked in. The ground underfoot felt uneven and gritty, small stones and debris crunching softly with each step. The air was cool and damp, carrying a musty scent of long, undisturbed earth. The darkness absorbed the sound of their footsteps and voices, giving a sense of isolation. Occasionally, the distant sound of water dripping echoed through the tunnel.

The group meticulously checked every alcove they encountered along the tunnel. The path sloped downward, with no significant side tunnels, just a few small nooks and alcoves. Their enhanced vision allowed them to see everything in sharp, 4K resolution, though only in monochrome shades. After about half an hour of travel, they rounded a corner, and the tunnel suddenly opened. Before them lay a vast hoard of eggs, stretching as far as their eyes could see in the dim light.

Alice, barely above a whisper, remarked, "Yeah, this is exactly what I didn't want to find. I think everyone knows what's in those. And there must be hundreds of them."

Assessing the situation, Ed firmly stated, "Total Xenomorph nest setup here. We need to destroy them. They could overrun the town if they hatched and grew to any level." Ed couldn't help but feel a shiver run up his spine at the thought of this many eggs hatching so close to town.

Victoria, pausing to consider their options, cautioned, "Wait! We need to see if there's anything in there protecting them. I don't see anything, but we could ring an alarm bell if we start attacking them."

Rose suggested an approach. "If we go out and are surrounded, we could be in serious trouble. Our best bet is from the tunnel's safety, and I can use AOE spells to burn the whole cavern up. We can wait for it to cool off or even explore the other side and return."

Alice, agreeing with the need for caution, firmly stated her position. "You both have points, but I must say this for certain. I am, in no uncertain terms, walking out there to be surrounded by hundreds of spiders or face huggers. I've seen the same movies you have. Hard pass, everyone. Rose, burn them." Her resolve was clear, emphasizing the need to prioritize their safety in the face of the potential threat.

Seeing Victoria looking at him for support, Ed felt regret as he sided with the others. "Victoria, you have a valid point, but we must consider the possibility of swarming if we go out there. I think we're safer here in the tunnel, too," he said, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space.

Sighing and realizing she was outnumbered, Victoria conceded with a hint of frustration. "When this goes tits up, don't forget who said we should try this another way."

Rose, stepping forward and flexing her wrists in preparation, responded with a light-hearted remark. "I know, Victoria. If it does, we'll make sure to give you all the credit for being right," she said, giving Victoria a reassuring wink as she moved past her.

Rose then focused on the task, surveying the cavernous area to determine the optimal spot for unleashing her spells. She contemplated using her Infernal Gale, followed by Ice Orb, to assess their effectiveness. She could either let the spell run with the mana initially supplied or channel the spell for a more significant impact. Deciding to test the waters, she cast it once on the left-hand section of the cavern. With a focused gesture and the utterance of a word of power, she unleashed the spell, watching intently to gauge its effect on the hoard of eggs.

As Rose directed her spell, fire and wind began to cascade down in a 30-foot circle centered on the area she had pointed at. She channeled mana into the spell, observing its effects. After pumping mana for five seconds, the egg sacks in that area had all burst. With her enhanced mana regeneration skill and increased willpower, Rose realized she could maintain this intensity for a while.

However, just as the area was cleared of the egg sacks, an unsettling sound echoed from further down the tunnel. It was a scream, but not a human one. It barely even sounded like it came from an animal. The scream was powerful and conveyed a sense of being incredibly angered.

Standing nearby with a smug grin, Victoria couldn't hide the slight tremble in her hand. "See?" she said, her voice a mix of vindication and underlying concern, as the tunnel walls began to tremble a little at what could only be the stampede of the egg protectors.

Over the tops of the eggs, in the distance, they could see multiple spiders, each on par with the elite ones they had encountered outside. Looming behind these formidable creatures was something even more monstrous. The spider was significantly more massive than the queen or any other spiders they had seen. It appeared grotesque and shimmered with a foul green haze reminiscent of nuclear waste from cartoon shows.

With growing urgency, Alice and the others backed up into the tunnel some more, "Umm, everyone, we are in some trouble here. Run or fight?"

Ed quickly assessed the situation. "I don't think we can outrun their eight legs with our two. We need to find a more defensible area, and quickly." He then turned to Rose. "Rose, can you cast that spell here in the opening to slow them down?"

Rose responded immediately, "On it. Just back up, everyone." She targeted the area in question, placing the center of her skill in the middle of the pathway. It left some gaps, but it would likely slow them down, especially the smaller spiders. She continued to supply mana to the spell as they retreated down the hallway, searching for a better defensive position.

They had retreated over a hundred yards when Rose finally lost contact with the spell and could no longer sustain it with mana. At that point, they all turned and sprinted, desperately looking for any location that might offer a defensible advantage. The cave narrowed in several areas, but these seemed to be their only options. As they heard the chittering and crashing of spider legs behind them, they prepared for a confrontation.

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Taking the lead, Ed transformed into his massive bear form with a mighty roar. He summoned his familiars to his side. The 3 wolves usually ran alongside him and didn't stray very far, but considering they couldn't climb down into the hole very well, he had to leave them back up top. After their initial binding, he could summon them once per day. They appeared instantly, and he instructed them to watch his back and ensure nothing got past him.

Rose, Ed, and Victoria unleashed their distance magic as the spiders closed in. Ed strategically rooted spiders on the sides, funneling more toward the center. Victoria, utilizing her light ray from Radiant Assault, effectively burned creatures that attempted to climb over the obstacles.

Meanwhile, Rose was intensely engaged in the battle, raining fire and wind-based attacks down on the spiders while casting Ice Orb with her other hand. The mana drain from dual-casting such powerful spells was immense, and she knew she could only sustain this level of output for another minute or two, but the urgency of their situation demanded it.

The three wolves, ever vigilant, closely guarded Ed. Whenever a spider managed to land on him or approach his side, they would swarm it, tearing it apart in a coordinated assault. This allowed Ed to maintain his focus on the frontal attack.

Several spiders had managed to bypass the formidable frontline and were attempting to flank them. Alice was in constant motion, fighting off the spiders that tried to encircle and attack the casters from behind. Her movements were a blur as she flashed from one spider to the next, spending no more than a second or two on each one. This rapid engagement required considerable stamina, but her swift punches and kicks kept the spiders at bay.

Constantly vigilant of Ed's health as their resident damage shield, Victoria occasionally cast healing spells on him. "Guys, we are getting swamped here; we need to figure something out," she called out, her voice tinged with urgency.

Ed, having formulated a plan, communicated it over the team chat, as speaking was impossible in his bear form. "Guys, back up some more. I have an idea." Feeling the team retreat, he triggered his Elemental Roar, drawing all attention to himself. He reared back and channeled mana into his Enraged Stomp ability, causing a dizzy debuff to all the encroaching monsters. "Now, Rose, send the Infernal Gale," he urged.

"I can't! It will hit you, too!" Rose protested, her voice laced with concern.

Struggling under the onslaught, Ed insisted, "It doesn't matter. Send it while I have them pinned down!" His voice was strained, the pain evident even through the muted effects of his skills.

Worriedly, Rose tried to place the Infernal Gale spell far enough only to clip Ed. She started with as little mana as possible, gradually increasing it until it became a howling inferno of wind and fire, hammering a spot 25 feet in front of their friend. Ed's fur was scorched, and they could see him flinch as bits of wind and fire caused him damage.

Having finished off her opponents, Alice attempted to flank the spiders but was pushed back by the intense heat. She could only stand and watch, hoping their efforts would be enough.

Victoria, throwing continuous heals at Ed, was consumed with frustration. She was angry at herself and the team for not heeding her caution. Now, Ed was paying the price, bloodied in his valiant effort. She leaned around Rose and cast Freya's Embrace on Ed, giving him a small bubble of protection. It wasn't clear how much it would help, but she continued to heal him as his health dropped to 50%. The fight was slow and grueling, but they might make it through.

However, their hopes were dashed as the more enormous arachnid appeared. It crushed enough of the smaller spiders in its path, momentarily halting the onslaught on Ed as the spiders hesitated, confused by the attack from behind.

The spider, large and looming, seemed to signal the closing of hope's door. But Victoria, driven by a surge of determination, had had enough. She channeled the remaining amount of mana into her Radiant Assault skill. Her body shook under the strain as she poured almost all her mana into the spell, feeling the spell fragments start to break apart, only for her willpower to push the pieces back into place forcefully. Her wings popped out of her back, and if you looked closely, you could see them drawing in ambient energy from the atmosphere. They slowly increased their golden hue until it was almost painful to look at. Holding her hands up together, palms facing the enormous monster before them, she screamed from the depths of her being, feeling an internal twinge as if a guiding hand overlaid hers, steadying and supporting her.

The light burst forth from her hands, racing towards the spider and making contact just below its mouth. The radiant beam penetrated, exiting the rear of the skull and burrowing deep into the stone wall behind it. The others stood in absolute shock, their faces a picture of awe and disbelief.

Meanwhile, Rose was busy administering a robust healing potion into Ed's bear mouth while chugging a mana potion herself. Alice, not missing a beat, continued to dispatch the remaining spiders in front of them, her movements precise and effective. Once filled with the chaos of battle, the cavern was now echoing with the aftermath of Victoria's powerful assault.

Alice rejoined the group, her slow clapping breaking the tense silence. "What was that? Congratulations, Victoria," she said, her tone a mix of awe and concern.

Their attention quickly shifted to Victoria, who was still standing, albeit with blood trickling from her eyes and ears. As they moved to assist her, she collapsed. Ed, reacting swiftly, shifted back to his human form mid-stride and caught her just before she hit the ground.

"Victoria? Speak to me?" Ed asked urgently. A quick analysis showed her mana was utterly depleted, and her health was just over 30% but stable. "Rose, do you have a mana potion?" he asked, looking up.

Rose handed him a potion. Ed bit the cork out and carefully began to pour the liquid into Victoria's mouth, ensuring only a slow trickle at a time. It took over five minutes to administer the entire potion as she swallowed subconsciously. The group watched with worried expressions as Victoria's breathing gradually became more even, a stark contrast to the erratic pattern she had been exhibiting.

After another ten minutes, color had returned to Victoria's cheeks. Ed sat there, cradling her head in his lap, his expression a mixture of relief and concern. Meanwhile, Rose and Alice took the opportunity to inspect the large creature they had defeated. They managed to extract a core from it, surprisingly, the size of their fist. It appeared that Victoria's blast had narrowly missed the core, obliterating large portions of vital material within the creature.

Still emerging from unconsciousness, Victoria opened her eyes to find Ed's concerned face close to hers. Stretching languidly as if shaking off the remnants of a deep slumber, she greeted him with a smile. "Good morning, handsome."

Ed, his worry tinged with humor, replied, "Ummm. Where do you think we are? Because if it's not a tunnel where you super Saiyan killed a giant spider with that light show, then you are concussed." His smile was a mix of affection and concern.

Rose, suddenly realizing something, snapped her fingers. "Did you do the hand thing they would do when doing the Kamehameha attack from Dragon Ball Z?" She couldn't help but smile and chuckle at the mental image.

Looking embarrassed, Victoria admitted, "Seemed like the thing to do at the time. Sinclair kept going on about willpower being able to make changes that the system doesn't present, and I had a powerful motivator." She recalled the strange sensation during the attack, feeling as if an unseen hand had guided her to complete it.

As she spoke, Victoria reached up and gently stroked Ed's cheek. They exchanged smiles, their expressions reminiscent of two young lovers lost in their world. Rose and Alice observed the tender moment, silently acknowledging the blossoming relationship between the two.

Alice, sensing it was time to shift focus, took the lead. "All right, you two. We need to get moving. Victoria, are you okay to move?" Her voice brought a sense of urgency, gently pulling the group back to the task.

Victoria, steadying herself, replied, "Yes, I'm okay. My mana bottomed out while channeling more power than I should have. I'm a little sore, but we should be fine if I don't do that again." With Ed's assistance, she got to her feet, brushed herself off, and wiped the blood from her face at his insistence. Wings flaring out behind her to keep her balanced.

Rose chimed in with an update. "We went ahead and looted everything, and the System was generous. Each of us has just received an additional 120 gold, plus we have this core that we can probably use for the town or something. We'll have to ask Turgrin what it can be used for."

Regrouped, they marched back down the tunnel they had fled, vigilant for any remaining spiders. Upon reaching the egg room, they noticed the attack had damaged many eggs. Without hesitation, Rose stepped forward and unleashed her fire spell again, her hands emitting flames so intense and voluminous that they resembled flamethrowers. The fire engulfed everything in their path, reducing the eggs to ash.

After a few minutes of ensuring the destruction of the eggs in the cavern, they noticed another tunnel at the back, marked by claw marks around its entrance. Ed peered inside and spotted something unusual. It appeared to be a long piece of torn metal with a strange green sheen. However, when he tried to analyze it, the results came back inconclusive, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Ed, reaching into the crack as far as he could, brushed the piece with his fingertips, feeling it rock slightly. He took one of the spears from his inventory, a gift from Sinclair, and used it to wiggle the material back towards him enough to grasp it. It took several minutes of maneuvering and muttered curses before he managed to free it. Holding it up for the group to see, they all looked on, their expressions a mix of curiosity and perplexity. This world was full of surprises; they just didn't want to be on the wrong end of one of the bad ones.

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