The Human-Faced Spider
Man-De Wild - 5: The Human-Faced Spider. A bizarre and grotesque spirit beast resembling a spider with a human face. Of course, it's not actually a spider with a real human face—its name comes from the pattern on its abdomen that vaguely looks like one. If its face actually resembled a human's, it wouldn't be a spirit beast; it'd be a monster. Anyway, unlike dainty little spiders, the Human-Faced Spider boasts a size rivaling that of a cow or tiger, and the venom from its overwhelming bulk packs an extraordinary punch. Thanks to that, it's ranked among the top-tier venomous spirit beasts.
One of those right nearby? 'Perfect gift for Nang-jung Wang.' Sending a cow-sized spider in place of a three-headed snake. Not a perfect one-for-one swap, but a decent trade, right? Even Nang-jung Wang, who's lost his Three-Headed Snake, should be satisfied with a Human-Faced Spider.
"You managed to spot a Human-Faced Spider, huh. I thought they only lived deep in jungles or caves."
Plus, Human-Faced Spiders are famous even among spirit beasts for being incredibly rare sightings. Their habitats are hard for humans to reach in the first place, and despite their ferocious looks, they have quiet, docile personalities, so they never approach people first. 'That's why sightings are extremely rare.' Only shipwrecked wanderers lost in the jungle or deliberate explorers venturing into uncharted wilds have ever seen one. Baek-su-mun was definitely the latter.
"It was heaven's guidance. We never dreamed we'd see one in our lifetime."
Ji Wi-pyeong's face lit up with a strange mix of pride as he said it, like he was bursting with self-satisfaction over discovering this legendary spirit beast. It might look a bit ugly, but he'd earned the right to brag. Even the poison-obsessed Tang duo hadn't secured one.
"So, where is it?"
"You plan to capture it?"
I nodded matter-of-factly at the obvious question. I'd come all the way to Yunnam; no way was I leaving without more than just coordinates.
"Don't worry. I've already gotten Nang-jung Wang's permission for spirit beast capture, and I plan to reward you all fairly for pinpointing its location."
That's why I addressed Ji Wi-pyeong's likely concern upfront. Sure, I'm just a regular fourth-rank official, but Nang-jung Wang granted me both the quest and capture rights. Baek-su-mun had found a once-in-a-lifetime spirit beast like the Human-Faced Spider, so they'd get compensated properly. All they had to do was guide me there without worry—
"S-Sir."
"Speak."
"The Human-Faced Spider isn't in Yunnam."
"What?"
I couldn't help furrowing my brow at that. I'd assumed "nearby" meant in Yunnam.
"Didn't you say it was nearby?"
"Yes, nearby is correct. Even a regular person could walk there in two or three days, plenty of time to spare."
I racked my brain at Ji Wi-pyeong's words. From Sama Bu, a place two or three days away on foot for civilians—but administratively not part of Yunnam? Sichuan or Guangxi were out; those were too far for a three-day trek unless you were a martial artist skilled in lightness skill. ...Wait.'
"No way."
A sudden realization hit me, and I eyed Ji Wi-pyeong with dismay. There was one place that fit perfectly—very close to Sama Bu but not under Yunnam jurisdiction.
"...Wolnam?"
"Exactly."
His unhesitating reply had me rubbing my forehead. These crazy bastards. They'd crossed the border just to hunt beasts. 'Madmen...' Unauthorized border crossing is a crime, you beast-obsessed lunatics.
Thankfully, Baek-su-mun weren't criminals.
"We got permission from the Prefectural Governor for trade with Wolnam. How could loyal subjects of Daesong cross without official approval?"
Legal border crossing, not illegal—relief washed over me. I'd been wondering if I'd have to subdue Baek-su-mun before even going after the spider. Of course, the permission was for trade, not rummaging jungles for beasts, but whatever.
'Doesn't matter.' Legality was the key point.
"The Human-Faced Spider's lair is in the jungle beyond the border. We didn't have capture rights ourselves, and live-capturing a foreign spirit beast carries too much risk. That's why we've stayed silent until now."
I decided not to dwell on their border antics and shifted to planning the cross-border capture. The meeting included me, Ji Wi-pyeong, Jo Wi-cheo, and all the Baek-su-mun elders. Ji Wi-pyeong continued with the tense, earnest gaze of a newbie presenting a PPT to executives.
"But with the Left Vice Inspector General's capture authority, there's no need to hesitate anymore."
The elders erupted in cheers and excited murmurs at his declaration.
"Finally, we get to meet that beauty?"
"Every time I glimpsed it from afar, my heart ached... Now I can finally touch those sleek legs!"
"I want to feel the pattern on its belly. It was getting darker by the day, so tantalizing..."
I pretended not to hear the elders' chatter. It was too deep and dark for me to handle.
"But having capture rights doesn't solve capturing a foreign spirit beast. First, we need to lure it into Daesong territory."
Ji Wi-pyeong pointed to a roughly sketched map.
"Fortunately, its habitat is three days from Sama Bu. From the border, it's just a few hours. Even a short move would bring it over."
"Won't Wolnam notice if it moves?"
"Finding it was a miracle upon miracle for us. They don't seem to know it exists yet."
Positive news—I nodded. If Wolnam knew, things would get messy. No country lets a rare spirit beast slip into rival territory, especially not something as unique as a Human-Faced Spider.
"But, Sect Leader."
"Yes, sir. Speak."
"If it's chosen a habitat, that means plenty of food there. Hard to make it abandon a spot like that and move. Got a plan?"
The room fell silent at my key point, even the rowdy elders. Human-Faced Spiders hate leaving their lairs, which are remote and food-rich. Why would it relocate voluntarily?
"Force won't work. Wolnam might notice, and this one's headed to Nang-jung Wang—no injuries allowed, not even scratches."
"Of course, sir. We don't want to force it either."
Ji Wi-pyeong replied confidently to my concern, pulling a small pouch from his robe.
"We prepared a lure for the Human-Faced Spider."
The elders stirred again.
"Sect Leader, you don't mean...!"
"That? But we're almost out, even for the main stock."
"Still, against a Human-Faced Spider, it might be worth it..."
I glanced at the pouch as they whispered. What was the big deal? Let me in on the surprise too.
"To venom beasts like the Human-Faced Spider, it's like an elixir."
Noticing my stare, Ji Wi-pyeong smiled faintly and pulled out small eggs. Eggs that looked familiar. 'No way.' Realization hit just as my sleeve twitched.
- Shiiiiiik!
- Sieeek!
- Shiiiuuuk!
The eggs matched the ones that lured the Three-Headed Snake before. My sleeve's "dead" occupant, Samshik, burst out like last time.
"O-ohhh...!"
"A Th-Three-Headed Snake! Not even a Two-Headed one!"
"And a juvenile! So tiny, yet in human hands instead of its parents'!"
The elders' eyes bulged, naturally.
"......"
"......"
"Sorry."
"It's fine. You didn't know."
Ji Wi-pyeong bowed awkwardly after our eye contact. Fair enough—he couldn't have known I had a Three-Headed Snake hidden.
"S-Sir! Can I touch it!?"
"Those tiny horns! Even juveniles have them!"
- Shh, shiiik!
"Haha, shy little guy!"
I ignored Samshik's pitiful cries. Serves you right for lunging at food bait.
The lure op went smoothly. Eggs that fooled a Three-Headed Snake twice would hook the spider too. No more delays.
"That's our target."
We raced to the lair using lightness skill and spotted it—head down, munching something with a tsuzut, tsuzuzut.
'A rabbit.' Rabbit ears poked from its mouth.
"It's carnivorous."
"Eats wild game but doesn't attack humans. Records say it even guided lost explorers out of the woods."
I stared, surprised. Pitch-black body bigger than a cow, razor-sharp legs—yet gentle? Culture shock.
"...Wi-cheo."
"Yes, sir."
"Begin."
Jo Wi-cheo rose smoothly, egg pouch in hand.
- Tsuzut?
The spider sensed us and lifted its head—
- Tsut! Tsuzuzut!
—then bolted without hesitation.
'That bulk... and it runs.' It looked like it'd slaughter intruders mercilessly.