Erwin finished speaking, and the six barrels of the M134 Minigun whirred to life. The next instant, bullets streaked out as crimson lights, tearing toward the Acromantulas. They punched clean through the hulking bodies, splintering nearby trees in their wake. Empty casings rained onto the forest floor with a metallic clatter.
A wicked grin spread across Erwin's face. This was a man's weapon—pure artistry. Dozens of Acromantulas crumpled, charred holes smoking in their chitinous hides. Their shrieks filled the air, a chorus of agony that only widened Erwin's smile.
He was exhausted from Hogwarts' endless rules, the constant tiptoeing around consequences. For once, he needed to unleash without restraint. These beasts were doing him a favor.
He kept the fire rate modest—around two hundred rounds per minute—to maintain control. Even trained soldiers struggled with the full barrage of two thousand; it could only sustain for a couple of minutes against aerial targets. Still, Erwin let it rip for over a minute, his hands numb from the recoil.
Finally, he stepped from behind the shield. The ground ahead was a wasteland of pockmarked earth and shattered trunks, strewn with Acromantula fragments. Erwin scowled at the mess. The survivors huddled, quivering.
"Is that giant still alive? Show yourself!" he barked.
Aragog lifted his massive head from the dirt, legs trembling. "You... you're a monster!"
Erwin shrugged. "Maybe. But that's beside the point. Now, will you cooperate?"
"What do you want?" Aragog rasped.
"I told you—testing a spell. And harvesting some venom along the way."
Aragog's mandibles clicked in fury. A third of his brood lay dead, shredded by Erwin's infernal contraption. But defiance crumbled as Erwin raised the Minigun again.
"Fine! Fine! We'll do it—just no more of that thing!"
Erwin nodded approvingly. "That's better. I came in peace, but you left me no choice. Now, drag those aluminum barrels over and start producing venom."
Aragog sighed, a guttural rumble. Resistance was suicide; he just wanted this nightmare gone.
Several Acromantulas scurried to the barrels, webbing them close. They began regurgitating venom inside.
Erwin frowned. "Is that all you've got? It'll barely wet the bottom. Hang from the trees and let it drain properly—empty yourselves out."
Aragog froze. Was this human mad?
"Didn't you hear me?" Erwin's voice sharpened.
Aragog bellowed, "Do it! Now!"
The spiders spun silk and suspended themselves upside down, venom dripping steadily into the barrels. From afar, it resembled a grotesque assembly line.
Erwin's satisfaction grew. With the venom secured, his gaze shifted to Aragog. No exceptions.
"Do I have to as well?" Aragog ventured.
Erwin blinked. "You're an Acromantula, aren't you?"
Grudgingly, Aragog complied, hoisting himself up.
Watching the spiders dangle and produce, Erwin felt a surge of triumph. He selected one at random. "You—come here."
It shuffled forward on shaking legs, flattening itself submissively.
"Smart fellow," Erwin murmured. Magical creatures were far more straightforward than people.
He drew his wand and began the experiment. First, he siphoned a thread of the Acromantula's magic, blending it with his own to form a shimmering pigment. With precise strokes, he inscribed the telepathic spell onto its carapace.
Moments later, the runes glowed complete. Erwin patted its head. Hey, big guy. You with me?
The Acromantula lifted its head and nodded eagerly.
Erwin chuckled. Genius, as expected. Success.
"Good job," he said, stroking it. "You've been a big help."
The creature vibrated with relief—it had survived.
Then Erwin tapped its head with his wand. "Sectumsempra!"
Invisible blades slashed through, ending it in a spray of ichor.
Aragog thrashed. "Why? They cooperated! Why slaughter my child?"
Erwin pressed a finger to his lips. "Quiet. You've got plenty more where that came from. One less won't break the nest."
Aragog quivered with rage.
"Easy now," Erwin warned. "Spill a drop of that venom, and I swear your whole kind vanishes."
Aragog stilled, knowing the threat was real.
"Better. It's late—keep filling those barrels. I'm off to bed." Erwin turned to leave.
"Impossible," Aragog protested. "Those barrels are massive. No single spider holds that much. But with all of us..."
Erwin paused, skeptical. "You're lying. I need to check."
"How?"
"Simple." Erwin waved his wand. "Sectumsempra!"
A nearby Acromantula's chest burst open. It spasmed once and went still.
Erwin approached, extracting the venom sac with a flick. He emptied it into a barrel—and watched it fill to the brim.
"See?" he said, laughing. "Liar."
Aragog fell silent, the forest echoing with the drip of venom and the weight of defeat. Erwin sealed the barrels, slinging them onto his shoulders with a levitation charm. As he vanished into the shadows, the Acromantulas hung there, broken and compliant, the night swallowing their despair.