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I stepped carefully into the nest’s entrance, immediately enveloped by the oppressive darkness that even my vision needed a moment to fully adjust to. The interior revealed itself gradually as my eyes adapted and the sight was both fascinating and unsettling.

The cave structure had been completely transformed by generations of Thornback occupation. Thick webbing coated every surface, creating objects that served both structural and functional purposes.

Some strands glowed faintly with bioluminescent properties, providing dim illumination.

This must be some sort of evolution perk that allows them to see in the dark? or perhaps its something else? I don’t know.

Drip... drip...

Water condensation fell from the ceiling onto web-covered stones, the sound echoing strangely through the interconnected passages. The ambient temperature was noticeably cooler here, creating ideal conditions for the nest’s survival.

Moving deeper, I observed the ecosystem more carefully.

Smaller Thornbacks, juveniles barely reaching Noble rank, scurried along the walls, their sharp legs clicking against stone as they maintained and repaired damaged webbing. They looked really cute unlike their older generation.

’Low Elite rank specimens,’ I noted mentally as I passed several larger adults engaged in prey consumption. They clustered around a captured forest deer, their venomous bites having already paralyzed the unfortunate creature before they began draining its fluids.

I moved past them silently, my camouflaged form completely undetected even at close range.

Further into the nest, I witnessed mating rituals taking place in a side chamber. Two mid-Elite rank Thornbacks performed an elaborate dance, the male carefully approaching the larger female while presenting captured prey as an offering. The female’s acceptance was obvious to anybody observing, she consumed the gift before allowing the male to approach for breeding.

A high-Elite rank Thornback suddenly skittered past me, its sharp leg passing within inches of my concealed position. I pressed myself flat against the web-covered wall, holding my breath despite knowing my scent was masked. The creature paused momentarily, its multiple eyes scanning the area with focus.

After several tense seconds, it continued on its patrol route, apparently satisfied that nothing threatened the nest.

’That was too close,’ I thought, carefully repositioning to avoid similar encounters.

The passages grew narrower and more complex as I ventured deeper. The webbing became denser, older, with some sections showing decades of accumulated construction. This was clearly the nest’s heart, where the oldest and strongest specimens resided.

Multiple signatures ahead...

I detected several powerful auras emanating from a large central chamber. Moving to the entrance with extreme caution, I peered inside while maintaining my camouflaged state.

The chamber was massive, easily fifty feet across, with a cathedral-like ceiling that disappeared into darkness above. Old webbing formed columns and archways, creating an intelligent design to the space.

And there, in the centre of this throne room, I spotted them.

Three Thornbacks that dwarfed their Elite-rank counterparts. Each was easily twice the size of the largest specimens I’d seen so far, their exoskeletons showing the hardened, battle-scarred appearance of veteran survivors. The spines covering their bodies were longer, sharper, and carried a metallic sheen.

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’Low Transcendent rank,’ I confirmed mentally, assessing each one’s aura carefully.

All three of them.

These were the nest’s true defenders.

The alpha specimens that had survived long enough to achieve Transcendent advancement through accumulated combat experience and absorbed soul power.

The largest of the three occupied the chamber’s centre, likely the nest’s primary defender or possibly even the queen’s consort. Its movements were slow and controlled.

One of the Transcendent Thornbacks suddenly turned its attention toward my general direction, its multiple eyes reflecting the dim bioluminescence as it scanned the chamber entrance where I stood concealed.

My heart rate increased despite my aspect’s perfect camouflage. Transcendent-rank beasts sometimes possessed sensory capabilities that transcended normal detection methods. Whether it was instinct, awareness, or subtle magical perception that could reveal hidden threats.

I remained absolutely motionless, not even daring to breathe as the creature’s gaze swept past my position.

There was no risking being caught this deep into the next, I would practically be signing my death wish.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only seconds, the Thornback returned its attention to the chamber’s interior, apparently satisfied that no intruder had penetrated this deep into the nest.

’Two minutes remaining on Silent Predator,’ I noted, checking my internal sense of the aspect’s duration.

I had gathered the critical intelligence needed to make an informed decision about engagement. Three low Transcendent defenders, dozens of high-Elite support, and hundreds of lesser specimens throughout the nest’s extensive tunnel system.

With less than two minutes remaining on Silent Predator’s timer, I made the tactical decision to retreat. Engaging three Transcendent defenders along with dozens of Elite-rank support while surrounded by hundreds of lesser specimens was beyond my current capabilities, no matter how confident I felt about my recent improvements.

I carefully backtracked through the nest’s passages, retracing my route while maintaining absolute silence despite my aspect’s protection. Every step was calculated to avoid disturbing the web structures or attracting attention from patrolling Thornbacks.

Thankfully, I emerged from the nest entrance and took a hiding place just as my aspect timer approached the final minute, immediately putting distance between myself and the nest before the camouflage effect wore off completely.

Despite leaving the nest, retreating now didn’t mean abandoning this opportunity entirely. Far from it.

My plan formulated as I moved away from the nest.

I would continue hunting solo Transcendent beasts in the surrounding territories, accumulating additional soul power through the elimination of worthy opponents. With enough absorbed essence, I might unlock a new aspect or echo ability that would provide the edge needed for the nest assault.

Once my combat capabilities improved sufficiently - whether through new abilities, increased soul power, or rank advancement - I would return to this nest and slaughter every invasive spider inside.

The rewards would be substantial. With so many Thornbacks concentrated in one location, the accumulated soul power from total extermination would be immense.

It might even provide enough essence to push me directly into Transcendent rank, bypassing weeks of gradual accumulation.