“So . . . you want me to stay here and just eat people?” She raised her right four eyes in an expression that was similar to how a human might raise her eyebrows, tilting her head to achieve the act. “I planned on doing that already, but I can’t eat people. I’m terrible at it. I’ve tried, but everyone always just attacks my webs”—she pointed with three arms at a single one of the giant strands—“and I am defeated.”

“That’s why you’re going to need to do more than just stay here. I’m going to need you to obey every one of my commands,” Lucas said. “From here on out, I need you to consider yourself as my guard dog, my personal property. Do that, and I’ll make sure you know how well I can feed my pets. Fail to follow even a single instruction”—he cast Earth Spike and the spider, who had been slowly approaching him after her meal, quickly backed up—“and I’ll make you wish that you had only suffered as much as the Dwarf did.

NPC Jason has died within your party. He will not respawn. All those with quests related to Jason will automatically fail. Those who knew that he went with you will now believe you are responsible for his death.
A new NPC has been created in Hesse.

The spider cowered, lowering its head. “Fine,” she conceded. “I’ll be your dog. Just make sure you supply a doghouse. If you truly take over this place, I’ll work for you.”

“That’s what I like to hear,” Lucas replied, barely conscious of the fact he was smirking. Only a small part of him was aware that, for once in what seemed like an eternity, he was actually beginning to feel alive. The more he accomplished in this role of the villain, the more he wanted to accomplish. It felt just like his early days working on his company, and this route was far more enjoyable than anything the boring save-the-world main story had ever done for him. Games before now seemed so dull: reach a high level, go around killing bosses, win the affection of the princess, and stop the great evil. Now, playing as the great evil, he was already doing the same things. He had killed an NPC boss, and he had won the admiration of a noblewoman—or at least of two party members—but it was different. When he left this chamber, he wouldn’t be leaving to start another quest where he would simply rinse and repeat the same actions: he’d be leaving with the boss as a minion, growing his own little army as he worked on his new project.

Monster Contract: Saba'a’s Collar.