Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 038
Chapter Title: Spider Den (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This mission was straightforward.
Infiltrate the spiders' cave. If a Rift Core was there, drive the spear consecrated by Morian's devotees into it and purify the rift.
Unfortunately, the spear's divinity diminished with every use. Which meant this magnificent weapon could only be wielded once, at the very last moment.
'Can't use this against beasts... what a shame.'
It would've felt incredible in his hands, but he had to hold back. Wasting its divinity needlessly would leave him without the power to purify the Rift Core, forcing him to repeat the same task over and over.
So Woojin wrapped the spear tightly in bandages without a second thought. The glowing blade was far too conspicuous.
'...This should do it.'
After a few layers, the spear's light was completely concealed. Now he could slip into the cave without drawing the spiders' attention.
His dimensional storage bag, enchanted with a shrinking spell, would've made this hassle unnecessary... but powerful divine weapons could destroy the enchantments on storage items if kept too close. So he opted for the cumbersome alternative.
Woojin hooked the spear onto the strap on his back. Securely stowed long spear.
...Time to head out.
As he moved to enter the cave, a prickling sensation crawled up the back of his neck. He turned to look behind him.
Countless soldiers and knights stood in formation, watching him.
It felt like he should say something cool before going in... but nothing came to mind, and striking a pose like that would've been downright embarrassing anyway. He skipped it.
With that, he stepped into the familiar shadows.
'Nothing particularly noteworthy.'
No beasts lurked near the entrance. The spiders must have retreated deeper, wary of the expedition force.
A short way in...
He faced an absurd sight: a sheer cliff, like a perfectly round throat plunging into the darkness.
Woojin leaned forward to peer below. Spiderwebs dotted the depths, crawling with spiders of all sizes.
'Gotta go down there.'
He rolled up his sleeves.
Supporting his weight with his hands and stepping on protruding rocks, he descended. Rock climbing was second nature—no real challenge.
Then...
A strange rustle echoed from below.
He twisted to look down. A massive spider approached the cliff—nearly as big as a wild boar.
'Did it spot me?'
Woojin froze in place, utterly motionless.
The spider began scaling the cliff. The distance closed. Close enough that a kick could've smashed its head. Its beady black button eyes fixed on him.
Soon, its foreleg reached out...
...Crunch!
The spider's claw dug into Woojin's shoulder with crushing force. Using him as a foothold, it hauled itself up and over the cliff.
The spider brushed past him. It seemed to have business higher up.
'As expected... poor eyesight.'
Most spiders had weak vision.
So the spider beast mistook Woojin's rigid body for a protruding rock and stomped right over it.
'Letting them pass like this should get me in undetected.'
Woojin continued down the cliff.
But the underground space he encountered next was far vaster than anticipated. The view from above had been just a fraction.
Tunnels like an enormous ant colony. With space this expansive, the spiders numbered in the hundreds. Easily over twenty visible at a glance.
'Good thing I didn't kill that one earlier.'
Had he slain it and caused a commotion, every spider here would've swarmed him... leading to far worse than the leech rat cave ordeal.
The spider population in this cave felt unnaturally high.
'To sustain a force this size, they'd need massive food supplies... where do they get it?'
Spiders hunted passively. In that sense, these weren't hunters—they were more like fishermen.
And fishing demanded the right spot.
No matter how skilled the angler, a bad location meant empty hooks. This cave was the worst possible venue.
Prey seemed scarce at first glance. How many creatures could thrive in these depths? Bats at best—and tiny beasts like that couldn't sate a spider's hunger.
Were they resorting to cannibalism?
'Gather intel first.'
He reached the ground and pressed on. Spider silk carpeted the floor like a rug, forcing careful steps.
But even this was routine. Woojin had deep history with spider beasts.
'...Brings back old memories.'
Deep in the Demonic Realm, he'd once faced a tremendously powerful spider monster. A queen commanding hordes of spiders.
The spider queen wanted to encase him in silk; he wanted to hunt her... Their brutal clash ended badly for both. Even now, it left a bitter taste.
'Could I beat her now?'
Hard to say. She'd grown stronger too, steadily building power.
Either way, that fruitless battle was paying dividends today. Woojin ventured deeper. The spiders remained oblivious.
...But as always, no room for complacency.
He suddenly ducked behind a boulder. His gaze locked on a small spider beast perched atop a stone pillar ahead.
A spider with huge eyes. One of the jumping spider variety. Its eyes gleamed unnaturally in the dark.
'Those ones have sharp vision.'
Like sentries, the jumping spiders patrolled the area. How to evade their eyes? As he pondered...
Another massive spider appeared, like the one from the cliff. It headed into a tunnel. Woojin sidled up, hiding behind its bulk, and advanced in tandem.
Then his eyes caught... a vast chamber filled with silk-wrapped cocoons dangling from the walls like fruit.
'What's inside those?'
He checked immediately.
Splat!
Glancing around to ensure no spiders nearby, he tore one open. Inside: a rabbit beast.
'Still alive.'
Its eyes were glazed, but faint life lingered. Paralyzed with venom for long-term storage, barely breathing.
This was their pantry. Contrary to expectations, the spiders had abundant provisions.
'Something's off about this...'
It defied logic on every level. What caused this dissonance?
'...Later for that. Prioritize finding and neutralizing the Rift Core.'
Mission completion trumped personal curiosity. With resolve, he searched swiftly.
And...
He found the target sooner than expected. Good news—but its position was the problem.
'This is a headache.'
Woojin suppressed a sigh, looking up.
Near the ceiling. The Rift Core sat at the heart of an enormous web. Practically floating high in the air.
He'd noticed the web's odd shape descending the cliff, but hadn't imagined this trick.
'How to reach that height?'
Surveying, he spotted silk strands leading upward. Webs needed anchors tied to the terrain. He chose one and stepped onto it.
Woojin traversed the silk with practiced ease, like a tightrope walker.
He'd done this plenty before—adapted quickly. One issue: the jumping spiders playing lookout below...
'They're not watching this way. Lucky.'
Never considering intruders might use their own webs, the jumpers never glanced up.
Relaxed, he continued the tightrope act.
Higher up, strands tangled chaotically. He picked stable ones and proceeded.
Approaching the target...
'...What the hell is this?'
Uninvited company had beaten him there.
A man stood before the Rift Core.
Scrawny frame draped in a black robe, deep hood pulled low, brass mask obscuring his face.
Woojin felt the masked gaze upon him. He stared back and spoke.
"Who the hell are you?"
The man wordlessly moved his hands.
Swish, swoosh.
His hands danced busily.
Like sign language—but incomprehensible. As Woojin opened his mouth to press...
Keeeen!
Suddenly, the man's palms glowed crimson. A scarlet light orb shot forth. Woojin ducked sharply.
Boom!!
The missed blast scorched the cave wall.
'Weird technique.'
Good instinct to watch those suspicious gestures. Apparently, he manifested spells through hand signs.
Situation turned awkward.
Too far to rush and kill him... Woojin hadn't reached the web yet. Balanced precariously on a single thin strand.
One hit, and he'd plummet.
Swish, swoosh.
The mage moved his hands again. His intent felt malicious. Sensing danger, Woojin leaped to another strand.
Simultaneously, the mage slashed with his hand.
Whiiish!
A wind blade from his palm. The silk Woojin had just vacated snapped.
Trying to drop him by severing footing.
'...Gotta hurry.'
Cunning foe, and the spiders had noticed the intruder. Endless spiders poured from the tunnels below.
Finish quick and bail.
Woojin slid along the silk like skates. The mage rubbed his palms together.
Crackle, zap!
Blue lightning sparked wildly. Like static buildup. Then he thrust toward Woojin.
Craaaack!!
A deafening roar as azure current lanced forth. Woojin dodged to another strand, as before. But this spell didn't end with one shot.
Crack, craaack!
The mage slashed repeatedly. Blue bolts erupted each time. He could spam until his charged power depleted.
Woojin never stopped moving.
He launched himself, grabbed a visible strand, swung using wrist strength, and leaped again. Like an agile monkey swinging through branches.
Even amid this, the gap between them shrank. Woojin advanced while evading.
'Get ready to die.'
The web was nearly within reach. Once there, solid footing—and he could personally crush the annoying mage.
Snap!
The mage flicked his fingers hard. Woojin braced to dodge... but nothing came.
'What was that?'
As confusion hit...
Ssssslither—
A massive hole in the ceiling. Two enormous spiders descended on silk lines. Bigger than full-grown bulls.
Leaders of the spider pack. They flanked the mage.
'...Well, now.'
Woojin grinned savagely.