The Spider's Web
The assassin from the Myomyo tribe stepped into the dimly lit chamber. The floor was paved with black marble, and the walls were a deep, somber gray. On the round table crafted from dark oak, a silver candelabra flickered with an orange glow. The soft lighting occasionally illuminated the silhouettes of those seated around the table.
Such an atmosphere usually meant one of two things: a gathering to take turns telling scary stories, or a conspiracy that could not be discussed in public. In this case, it was the latter.
“You sent ‘it’ to the empress today as well, I presume?”
“Of course. She drank it without the slightest suspicion. What a foolish empress.”
The leader seated at the center of the round table asked the question. The man tilted a bottle containing a shimmering liquid and smiled wickedly.
“It’s a concoction infused with century cactus, salamander breath, and an alchemist’s secret recipe. Costs as much as an entire house.”
“Indeed. Continue sending the medicine. Always use only the highest-grade ingredients and organic materials. Take every precaution to ensure no impurities enter.”
“Naturally. The empire will only fall into ruin if the empress lives another day.”
They were the secret organization hidden in the shadows—the Spider. A group formed by those who hated the Barba Empire, existing solely to bring about its downfall.
“We’ll make sure she enjoys a long and healthy life, fit enough to go hunting. Heh heh.”
It would be troublesome if the empress died now. If the competent crown prince inherited the throne, their plans to destroy the empire would become far more difficult.
“Then let’s move on to today’s second agenda.”
The leader of the Spider tapped a chessboard. Each piece on it corresponded to a figure within the empire.
“We must decide on the next assassination target. Any competent individual in the empire must be eliminated.”
The piece the leader tapped was a chessman holding a staff. It represented Robin, the Minister of Magic. The leader flicked the piece over with his finger.
“Majority vote. Everyone, cast your vote for the assassination target.”
The person on the left spoke in a bored tone.
“Isn’t it obvious? The one who is devoted to the empire, capable, and free of personal greed.”
“Right. So it’s the Minister of Magic, Ro—”
“Ascal Erindale.”
“Ascal Erindale.”
Everyone answered in perfect unison. The leader cleared his throat.
“Yes. The most dangerous man these days is indeed Ascal Erindale.”
The leader subtly swapped the chess piece. The wizard piece was replaced by one depicting a black-haired man.
“Then who will assassinate him? My proud legs of the Spider.”
“I will go.”
The person on the left stood up. The soft light revealed a face covered in fluffy fur.
“Oh. The seventh leg. If it’s you, I can trust you.”
“I have always hated the empire that looked down on our kind. Now that the chance for revenge has come, I will steal the empire’s most precious jewel.”
He was from the Myomyo tribe—one that had long been persecuted by the empire.
Threat Level:EXTREME
Reason: Single-handedly reforming a useless department into the empire’s most efficient agency
Status: Currently alive and thriving
Laika sniffed the salty air of the harbor. The scent of fresh fish, old wood, and human sweat assaulted her sensitive nose.
She had successfully stowed away.
It had been ten years since she last set foot on the land of the Barba Empire.
Just recalling that time made the scars on her back throb.
Damn empire…
Gurgle.
Laika’s face flushed red.
Biological needs didn’t lie. Unfortunately, when she stowed away, she had packed only the bare minimum and brought very little food.
She would need to procure supplies locally.
“I’d like to buy some fish.”
Fortunately, this was a harbor. Fishmongers were practically underfoot.
The only question was whether the merchant would actually sell to her.
They’re staring at me.
Myomyo tribe members were rare in the empire.
The merchant looked her up and down, then nodded.
Before the merchant could change his mind, Laika lightly reached out and picked up a plump herring. She could feel the firm flesh beneath the slippery scales.
“How much?”
Laika tensed. Even though the merchant had agreed to sell, he might still try to overcharge her.
“No need for money. Take it for free.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re from the Myomyo tribe, aren’t you?”
“I am.”
The merchant smiled brightly.
“They say the Myomyo tribe brings good luck. Since I gave a hungry Myomyo tribeswoman a fish, my business today should boom, right?”
This was the first Laika had heard of such a thing. Ten years ago, the empire’s citizens used to chase away anyone from the Myomyo tribe, calling them bad omens.
What on earth had happened in the last ten years?
Laika pondered this as she chewed the scaled herring. The taste of the sea filled her mouth.
Regardless, her mission remained the same.
Ascal Erindale. She had to assassinate him.
Laika pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket. It contained a rough map to the Evaluation Department office where Ascal Erindale worked.
I don’t need a map. Just his scent will do.
She took out the handkerchief Ascal had used and inhaled deeply.
The destination became crystal clear.
However, reaching the office was not easy.
Not because she got lost, but because every person she met stared at her with fascination.
“Wow! It’s a Myomyo tribeswoman! Can I touch your tail?”
“Hey! That’s rude!”
A child who looked about seven years old looked up at Laika while holding their parent’s hand.
Laika instinctively stepped back.
Her tail bristled.
But no stones came flying.
The child’s parent bowed their head deeply.
“I’m sorry. My child was being rude.”
“It’s fine. Would you… like to touch the tail?”
“Wow! Really? Can I?”
“Yes.”
The hand that touched her tail was gentle.
“Thank you so much! Mister Myomyo!”
“Hey. I’m not a mister… Sigh. Whatever.”
It didn’t feel entirely bad. Laika had no choice but to admit it now.
The empire had changed. And it seemed to be for the better.
Whoosh.
At that moment, a flyer fluttered toward her on the wind.
Laika’s face twisted as she picked it up.
As expected… Empire… You haven’t changed at all.
She crumpled the flyer and tossed it aside.
<Myomyo Tribe Specialized Massage Shop>
Skilled Myomyo masseuses will vigorously relieve your fatigue! Visit us right now!
— Empire, Riender Street, 3rd Block, 2nd Avenue —
“Still exploiting my kin. Unforgivable.”
Sniff sniff.
After smelling the flyer, Laika headed straight for the shop. Before assassinating this Ascal person, she would first deal with these wicked humans and rescue her fellow tribespeople.
“Welcome~nya!”
“Oh. A Myomyo customer? Where does it hurt?”
Upon arriving at the Myomyo massage parlor, Laika immediately drew her blade.
She strode toward the shop owner.
“W-what are you doing!”
What blocked her path was another member of the Myomyo tribe.
“Why are you helping humans? Isn’t this human exploiting you?”
“…What kind of nonsense is that?”
The Myomyo replied in disbelief.
“Do I look like I’m being exploited? I receive fair compensation and work a five-day week~nya.”
“Five-day week? What’s that?”
“We don’t work on Saturdays and Sundays. We rest at home~nya.”
“T-there’s a system like that?”
The Myomyo placed her hands on her hips and continued.
“You look like a completely outdated Myomyo~nya. Are you an outsider?”
“…Yes.”
“Then try working here as a test~nya. Do you know how to do massages?”
“I know a bit about acupuncture.”
“A rare talent~nya! Perfect~nya! Boss!”
The owner, who had been cowering moments ago, suddenly produced a contract as if nothing had happened.
“Just sign here. Work hours are from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and as you heard, Saturdays and Sundays are off. Lunch is provided, starting salary is 3 silver, and we also have annual leave and a retirement fund system…”
“A-annual leave? Retirement fund? What are you talking about? You give lunch and still pay money?”
It was culture shock. Laika’s eyes widened as she scanned the contract.
“Sigh. This is why Myomyo need to learn more~nya…”
The Myomyo looked at her with a mixture of pity and exasperation.
“Customer, satisfied~nya?”
“Just right. Ugh. Laika’s needles hurt, but once you get one, the area feels completely healed. That’s why I can’t quit coming here.”
“Thanks for the compliment~nya.”
Thanks to her exceptional acupuncture skills, Laika quickly became the ace of the massage shop. Her combination of massage and acupuncture was praised as unrivaled.
“It’s already been two months since I started working here~nya…”
Strange. She was sure she had come to the empire with some important mission…
Ding-a-ling.
“Welcome~nya!”
The moment the shop door opened, Laika reflexively greeted the customer.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. The one who entered was another Myomyo.
“Laika. I’ve come to scout you today~nya.”
“…Scout?”
“I’m the head of the massage team at the Evaluation Department lounge~nya. Someone with your talent absolutely must work at our Evaluation Department~nya.”
“I refuse~nya. I cannot betray the owner who hired me~nya.”
“Four-day work week. Ten silver monthly salary.”
“Please wait a moment~nya. I’ll pack my things~nya.”
Laika changed jobs.
Surprisingly, office workers often suffered from muscle pain.
It was because they constantly hunched their necks and rounded their shoulders. If it became chronic, it was quite annoying. Moreover, most office workers lacked exercise.
“As expected… Your trapezius and infraspinatus are very tense~nya. I’ll focus on these areas~nya. It might hurt a bit~nya.”
Laika had become a specialized acupuncture masseuse at the Evaluation Department lounge.
She skillfully inserted a long needle into the trapezius.
Shunk.
“Ugh…”
“Just endure it for a moment~nya. It’ll feel better soon~nya.”
She carefully moved the needle to gently release the knotted muscles. Then she softly pressed and pulled the usual infraspinatus area.
Finally, she inserted another needle diagonally into the relaxed infraspinatus and stirred it gently. It was a masterful technique that demonstrated an extreme understanding of the human body.
“S-so refreshing…”
Ascal lay on the massage bed, experiencing pure bliss.
He had felt slight resistance the first time he received acupuncture, but now he even found the slight pain addictive. Because afterward, it felt so refreshing.
“The director is always the hope of our Evaluation Department~nya! Keep up the good work today~nya!”
“Thank you, Laika. I’ll do my best today as well.”
And with that, Ascal left the lounge.
Laika cleaned up the used tools and prepared to head home. It had been another fulfilling day.
Huh? I feel like I’m forgetting something~nya…
Myomyo had excellent manual dexterity but often forgot things. Still, they never forgot anything truly important.
Well, if I can’t remember it, it probably wasn’t that important~nya…
“No news. Has Laika been taken out?”
The leader let out a low groan. Ascal was still alive. And all communication from Laika had been cut off. The meaning was simple. She had been thoroughly neutralized to the point where she couldn’t even send a message.
“Ascal… He was more dangerous than we thought. We need to raise his threat level.”
The Spider had lost one of its legs.
“So this is what they mean by the empire’s hidden dragon.”
The legs murmured among themselves.
“We underestimated him because he’s a civil official. That’s always been their bad habit.”
Laika had been an outstanding assassin.
This was a significant loss for the Spider.
“Still, it’s fine. We still have seven legs remaining. We will bring down the empire no matter what.”
The leader made a firm vow.