Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Human-Faced Spider Prevails
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I've never seen such a massive spider in my life.
As far as she knew, the only spider that huge was the Human-Faced Spider.
Not only had such an enormous spider suddenly burst out, but someone was casually riding on its back.
Dang Ha-ryeong quickly regained her composure.
"Shouldn't we go help?"
She looked at the Human-Faced Spider with concern.
"Even if he's lost his reason, that guy's still a powerful expert."
No matter how legendary this spirit beast was said to be, could it really take on that old monster?
"Don't worry about Pearl. The best way we can help is to stay out of it."
Pearl? Did he just call the Human-Faced Spider "Pearl"?
Dang Ha-ryeong doubted her ears.
Lee Seon grinned casually.
The Human-Faced Spider wasn't called the king of venomous creatures for nothing.
Even without its poison, its intelligence and sturdy body were threat enough.
Besides, the opponent was on the verge of death right now.
Dang Ha-ryeong had advanced her martial arts through Shedding Mortal Body and Exchanging Bones, but even she wouldn't dare face Wi Yu-gi's strike head-on—it had been that ferocious.
Yet the Human-Faced Spider was exchanging blows with him without issue.
No, the Human-Faced Spider was gradually gaining the upper hand.
"Pearl's a bit different from your average spirit beast."
Ordinary spirit beasts don't forgive intruders who enter their territory.
Even if they sense the intruder is stronger, they won't hesitate to fight to defend their domain.
"What's different about it?"
"Its survival instincts are on another level."
Having nearly died at the old man's hands multiple times, it had incredibly sharp instincts.
The moment it judges the opponent as its equal, it takes a step back first.
Then it observes them slowly from nearby.
Once it decides the opponent is weaker, it attacks.
"Survival instincts?"
Of course, Dang Ha-ryeong had no way of knowing the details and could only blink in confusion.
"It doesn't even start fights it might lose."
That cunning thing hadn't reappeared for no reason.
From the looks of things, the opponent's once-overwhelming momentum had been broken.
It must have calculated that he couldn't harm it now.
Above all, it feared the aftermath.
If the old man returned to find it alive and well while his corpse lay there...
It would have to bear the brunt of that erupting rage all by itself.
Right now, Lee Seon was speaking as if the Human-Faced Spider had the advantage.
"But if it's as strong as you say, why didn't it help you from the start?"
Lee Seon twisted his lips.
"It's a coward."
"Huh?"
Dang Ha-ryeong couldn't hide her disbelief.
What could a spirit beast of that caliber possibly fear in this world?
If anything, people feared the Human-Faced Spider.
Lee Seon glanced away briefly.
"Must've had a rough childhood."
Thanks to the old man, no doubt.
Lee Seon understood why the Human-Faced Spider was so timid.
The victim of that early "education" from childhood wasn't just him.
Even a precious spirit beast wouldn't have been raised with kid gloves, given the old man's personality. It made perfect sense.
As Lee Seon had said, it wasn't long before the Human-Faced Spider sank its fangs straight into Wi Yu-gi's throat.
"Grrraaak!"
In an instant, Wi Yu-gi's body shriveled up like a deflating balloon.
The Human-Faced Spider's belly swelled plump after sucking up all his bodily fluids.
No matter how demonic he was, there was no coming back from that.
"We survived. Somehow."
Dang Ha-ryeong collapsed right there on the spot.
She didn't care that her clothes were getting dirty.
They were already filthy and torn—what was a little more dirt?
"It's not over yet."
He was dying, but still clinging to life.
What astonishing vitality.
Lee Seon approached and carefully examined Wi Yu-gi's condition.
His body was swollen and distorted from the poison, broken and crushed in places from clashing with the Human-Faced Spider.
And from his rampaging inner energy, blood oozed from every orifice, leaving him a gruesome sight.
Even someone who knew him from before wouldn't recognize Wi Yu-gi in this state.
Was it a blessing or a curse that he hadn't died yet despite looking like that?
Not that asking him would get an answer.
Oh, he can't even speak.
Lee Seon wagged a finger to summon the Human-Faced Spider.
Keeek?
The Human-Faced Spider approached cautiously, looking puzzled.
Its eight round eyes blinked innocently.
Without a word, Lee Seon held his hand to its mouth.
He then tapped its dense fangs with his fist—thump thump.
He picked out one that looked ready to fall out soon and yanked it free.
All its pupils dilated in unison.
It had finally realized what he was doing.
With a merciless tug, the fang came out clean—shluck.
Kiiiiiek!
Quit whining. It was gonna fall out anyway.
The Human-Faced Spider glared at Lee Seon resentfully.
Keeek!
It whipped its head away and stormed off.
Guess I should let it go soon.
It'll need some tasty, high-quality meat.
Lots of it, to satisfy that bulk.
He'd upset the Human-Faced Spider to ensure the kill was confirmed.
He had nothing else on hand, so this was the only way.
He'd heard that with groups like the Blood Cult or Demonic Cult, common sense didn't apply.
His senses and accumulated knowledge told him the man would die soon.
Still, he wanted to rule out even the slightest chance of revival.
Lee Seon gripped the fang and slowly thrust it into Wi Yu-gi's heart.
Wi Yu-gi's body shuddered violently one last time, then went limp.
It was truly over.
The fang was laced with the Human-Faced Spider's poison.
If he comes back from this, I'll just let him kill me.
Lee Seon staggered and sat down heavily.
Dang Ha-ryeong watched from behind and chuckled softly.
He deserves it.
I want to flop down too, if I'm honest.
But years of being raised as a child of a prestigious clan suppressed her urges.
"If you pass out here, I'm leaving you behind."
No response.
Doesn't even have the energy to speak, huh.
Looks like I've got to take care of him.
As Dang Ha-ryeong approached, Lee Seon reached out to stop her.
"I'll help you up."
She strode over and knelt in front of him.
"...You okay?"
Dang Ha-ryeong's face grew serious.
Up close, his face was deathly pale, pupils dilated.
What's wrong with him all of a sudden?
The Tang family was famed for handling poisons, but that wasn't all.
They were also renowned for their medical skills.
Dang Ha-ryeong hurriedly checked his wrist pulse.
The pulse is unstable!
Meaning his internals were a mess.
She needed to administer emergency treatment now.
She looked around, but nothing useful was in sight.
Then her eyes fell on Lee Seon's pouch.
She remembered it always produced something to get them out of a pinch.
But it was empty.
Cough.
Lee Seon vomited blood.
Dang Ha-ryeong bit her lip.
It turned white, then bled, but she was too focused on him to notice.
"I have to save him. No matter what."
The bond forged after surviving mortal danger together.
They hadn't known each other long, and it started off rocky, but...
He'd bestowed a lifetime's worth of debt in that time.
She couldn't lose him so pointlessly.
Dang Ha-ryeong's pupils blurred.
Her eyes twitched, rims turning red.
Whoooosh.
Suddenly, a fierce wind blew.
Branches shook and hair whipped wildly in gusts too strong to keep one's eyes open.
"In the time I was away, you've picked up some new faces."
A middle-aged man appeared abruptly, his sharp eyes flashing.
"Hm?"
Spotting Lee Seon collapsed, he furrowed his brow.
"Insolent brat. First time in ages, and you're lounging around like you own the place."
The middle-aged man's hand moved like lightning.
In moments, he sealed acupoints and began inserting silver needles into the body.
It looked haphazard at a glance, but up close, the precision was exquisite.
Finishing swiftly, he turned to Dang Ha-ryeong.
"Did you do this to him?"
She swallowed hard at his chilling tone.
Wi Yu-gi had emanated an indescribable pressure, but this man was different.
She sensed nothing from him.
If he hadn't revealed his power, she'd mistake him for an ordinary person.
'A master who's attained Return to the Natural State!'
Defeating Wi Yu-gi had been impossible on paper.
It was only through layers of luck that they'd pulled it off.
Now, someone of equal or greater skill had appeared.
Lee Seon was dying, she was half-dead herself.
The Human-Faced Spider had left, so how could they win here?
But if there was hope, it was that he'd treated Lee Seon the moment he arrived.
He didn't seem intent on harming them right now, at least.
Dang Ha-ryeong responded calmly.
"...No. He collapsed fighting a demonic cultist."
A glint appeared in the middle-aged man's eyes.
He'd spotted unyielding will deep in her gaze.
"I already knew."
"You knew?"
"The air around here reeked of thick blood scent. You're free of it."
With that, the middle-aged man hoisted Lee Seon up.
"Wait."
Dang Ha-ryeong blocked his path.
"Wait?"
He lightly released his aura.
"...I can't just stand by and watch you take him."
She looked ready to collapse, but forced strength into her eyes and held firm.
"What's your relation to this guy?"
"...He saved my life."
"I see."
The middle-aged man nodded.
"I raised him."