004. Theft
An ally arrived at an unexpected time during the theft.
Text floated lightly in the air.
Just as expected. I was in a position like an internet streamer. The ally was definitely in the viewer's seat. No metaphor fit this perfectly.
The ally who had shown up was probably watching my every move in real-time from somewhere safe. And that safe place was likely Earth, where I'd originally lived. After all, I'd sent the support request to a number saved in my cellphone contacts.
The ally's chat kept pouring in nonstop. What an energetic person. I wanted to chat right away, but unfortunately, now wasn't the time. Even the slightest sound could alert the spiders to my presence.
I gently pressed my index finger to my lips. A gesture to stay quiet.
Without making a sound, I mouthed the words silently. "I'll explain later." I didn't know who the ally was, but since they were using casual speech with me, I responded in kind.
"I'll explain later," I mouthed again.
The meaning wasn't getting across. As I pondered slipping away from the spiders' watch, moving far off, and then talking, it happened.
[Siii...]
[Siiiiii......]
The spiders lying flat on the ground began to fall asleep one by one. This was my chance to steal their eggs.
'Grab the egg first.'
I put off communicating with the ally. Stealing that egg took priority right now.
'Good, no one's standing watch.'
Stealthily. Holding my breath, I moved my feet. The spiders' habitat drew closer.
The ally's view... no, the stream screen must have caught the spiders too. Ignoring the chat, I paused, slowly rolling my eyes to scan them. They looked fast asleep. No sign they'd detected me. Lucky they weren't sensitive types.
'They seem kinda dull, actually.'
Careful not to accidentally touch any sleeping spiders, I paid close attention to every step and pressed on.
Of course. No way spiders like that existed on Earth. I'd reached my goal. Bending down, I carefully lifted an egg. It had a red spot etched on it.
I safely swiped the egg. The spiders didn't wake until I escaped the area.
On the way back, I closely examined the egg clutched in my hand.
'Halfway filled.'
The red circular spot on the egg was gradually turning green from the bottom up. Like a battery charging.
'Once that spot's fully green, taming's complete, I bet.'
Didn't seem to take too long. Time with hand applied: about a minute. Unless the color change slowed suddenly, taming would take around two minutes. For this egg, at least. Stronger monsters would probably take longer, I figured.
Anyway. While heading back to my hideout, I briefly explained my situation to ally 001. And the ally's reaction was... well...
They didn't believe me, naturally.
"Hard to believe, I know, but it's true. You saw those monsters earlier."
Maybe because they hadn't seen them move. The ally seemed convinced the spiders were dolls.
"What're you talking about all of a sudden?"
"It's not a concept. And I'm calm cuz I've been dragged to another world before and came back."
I'd trembled with anxiety my first time in an isekai too. Almost no one wouldn't fear an unfamiliar world. This was my second time, so I could act calm and familiar.
"Can't use magic."
"Not every isekai victim gets magic... I was a physical type, couldn't handle even basic spells."
"The kind who purely trains their body to extremes."
"Show what?"
Punch through a rock. Simple for my past self. Probably impossible now.
"Sorry, can't do it now."
"All my power got sealed when I returned."
Not an excuse. I'd returned under the condition of having my power sealed. The dimensional mage refused to open a portal without it. No choice. The reason for the seal: to prevent chaos in other worlds with power from that one. There were actual cases, apparently. So I'd accepted, summoned over a thousand sealing mages, and let them seal me peacefully.
No need to prove it now. Once the egg I held hatched, the monster's existence would convince them naturally.
Chatting with the ally, I returned to my hideout. The spot on the egg had turned fully green, but no signs of hatching yet. No rush. It'd hatch eventually. For now, keep the ally engaged so they didn't lose interest and leave.
"Hey."
"Bit late, but who are you?"
"What's your name."
"Just curious."
Figured as much. They'd shown no intent to reveal themselves from the start.
"Fine if you don't wanna say. But you do know me, right?"
Not everyone with a saved number knew me. Could be a total stranger. Numbers change owners often.
"What's my name then?"
That question alone didn't prove it. My name was in the text.
"My age?"
Nailing my age too meant they really knew me. Who could it be? Old classmate? Work acquaintance? Guy or girl? Curiosity burned, but I didn't pry further. Pushing too hard might scare them off.
'Identity later. First, ask what this ally can support me with.'
As I pondered the next question to keep the convo going—
The ally spammed urgently. What the hell? I tilted my head in confusion.
"Huh? Others can't see the stream?"
New info. From the chat, it seemed only those who responded to the support request could see me.
"Told you. This isn't a normal stream."
Still skeptical. But now they'd have to believe. Right on cue, cracks formed on the egg in my hand.
Crackkk—
And then the shell split, pop!
[Sii!]
A baby spider pushed the shell aside and poked its head out.