"The Mark of Eros."
"...What does it do?"
"Everything you want it to do."
There was a certain silence after Arachnea's statement. Do what, exactly? — is what the ladies wanted to ask her. But none of them really wanted to interrupt her for fear she would suddenly do something or just outright kill them.
She is a god, after all. Ayesha, who had already fought her before, knew she was holding back during their fight — she just did not know how much. But now that she was literally manhandling the three of them without even having the chance to fight back, she finally became fully aware of the difference between her and a god.
Nobles, even Esme who was rated to be the 2nd strongest Explorer in the entire world, Ayesha probably has a chance against.
But Arachnea? Once she used her threads, it was over. She had actually been trying to subtly break free from the threads, but the only thing that was happening was her flesh threatening to tear apart. And so, the only sensible step for her to do next was to...
"...Do what, exactly?" Ayesha garnered the courage to ask. After all, she would have already killed them if she wanted to, there was no use in being subservient.
"You, and you... and also that woman who has been hiding in the shadows for a while now."
"..." Everyone then turned to look as Maria very slowly emerged from Rhys's shadow,
"H—!!!"
And before she even had the chance to fully emerge from the ground, Arachnea suddenly pulled her out and started ripping off her clothes.
"I could have just stripped if you asked," Maria monotonously voiced out even as she was being dragged by Arachnea toward Ayesha and the others. The three, however, could really only stare at Maria... as she had piercings on her nipples and belly button.
"O...ouch!" Lina gritted her teeth as Maria's piercings brushed across her skin as Arachnea tied her with the rest of them, "Did you even have those before!? Why didn't I see them!?"
"I remove them whenever I wear latex since they tend to stick out," Maria casually said as she also looked at Ayesha and Katarina, "I have to say, we are in a very promiscuous and precarious position."
"You may not have noticed," Katarina sighed, "We are trying our best not to make this awkward since this is literally a life and death situation."
"It is not awkward at all," Maria blinked a couple of times before glancing at Rhys, "I am only thinking that if Rhys decided to make his way with us, we would have no way of fighting back — our butts are sticking out, after all. We are practically a buffet."
"As in summon them?" Rhys quickly looked at Ayesha and the others, "And how do you know so much about Eros's abilities?"
"Because I consider Eros my ally once upon a time. And yes, you can summon us," Arachnea smiled, "Except for the woman with the biggest tits. She is not part of your harem yet."
"I don't plan to make her a part of my harem," Rhys quickly said. And as he did so, Katarina could really only subtly look away; the change in her breaths, obvious to the woman tied up with her.
"On that note, I suppose I shall take my leave," Arachnea then started taking several steps back. Her spider body, walking on its own as it stepped out of the temporary lair she made. The five then watched as Arachnea's body became larger and larger before she attached herself back to her spider body; her human legs, disappearing into it.
"Do you not wish to stay in your human form...?" Rhys could not help but ask.
"I can't," Arachnea sighed, "This is my real body now. Farewell, Eromancer — I am certain we will see each other again soon."
"Wait! Set us free first!" Ayesha screamed, causing the other women to also look pleadingly at the goddess.
"I don't think so," Arachnea, however, just started leaping away into the large trees, "You have the Eromancer with you...
...ask him to summon you."
And with those words, Arachnea's voice faded away as she disappeared into the sea of trees surrounding them. And with her disappearance, came a slightly awkward silence as the four naked women felt the thread wrapping them somewhat tighten; their breasts, now squished and pinning against each other.
"Maria, why don't you just go away into the shadows?" Katarina asked.
"I could do that, but the three of you will still be stuck," Maria tried struggling; but her flesh was lightly cut as she did so, "Actually, I do not think I can move."
"That bitch..." Lina clicked her tongue, "...She's really forcing Rhys to use his abilities."
"Do it, Recruit."
"But..." The only thing Rhys could really do was stare at the four.
"Rhys, please..." Katarina gulped as she felt her sweat starting to mix with the others,
"...It's getting really uncomfortable."