A stifling silence hung over the cavern—a silence not of peace, but of a heavy, looming threat. The extreme humidity transformed the air into a viscous film that clung to the skin, while water droplets sliding from the jagged stone ceilings struck the ground with a rhythmic chime, echoing like a funeral clock in a corridor leading to death. Ren stood at the center of this dark void, as steadfast as a mountain peak that no wind could budge. His eyes, which had gained a piercing luster after his power ascended, cut through the gloom to fixate on his opponent.
On the other side, the spider Raknoux lurked in the shadows. His gaze was not merely an expression of predatory ferocity, but a terrifying blend of ancient malice and twisted cunning. He displayed an overwhelming desire to kill and a profound thirst for blood that had not been quenched for centuries. For several minutes, the two sides remained locked in a lethal stare-down amidst that deathly quiet, as the air became saturated with immense spiritual and psychological pressure. It felt as though the very walls of the cave trembled in anticipation of what was to come.
The Dance of Deception and Speed
The silence shattered abruptly. The spider launched his first attack, moving with frantic speed, leaping between the corners of the cave, darting left and right to disorient Ren amidst the pitch-black darkness. Despite this terrifying, chaotic movement, Ren remained motionless, showing no hint of fear or confusion, as if he were part of the surrounding rock. For several seconds, the spider continued to move like a flash of lightning, searching for a gap in the young man's defenses, until he finally decided to strike.
The spider lunged with a series of rapid-fire strikes, but they lacked precision. Ren didn't even exert any significant effort to evade them; he simply tilted his body with subtle movements, letting the sharp appendages whistle past him. The spider began to retreat slightly, as if losing hope or perhaps baiting Ren into an attack. At that moment, Ren decided to strike, relying on his heightened senses that pinpointed the beast's location with absolute accuracy. He lunged forward, launching a swift punch aimed directly at the spider's face to crush it.
The Trap of Threads and Foul Venom
Suddenly, Ren's hand froze in mid-air before it could touch the opponent's face! It was as if his movement had been completely paralyzed. This had been the spider's treacherous plan all along. He had feigned the chaotic attacks and movement just to weave invisible threads everywhere with meticulous precision. He needed to lure Ren in to trap and immobilize his prey in that unseen silken web. The threads were incredibly tough; even with Ren's new strength, he felt a sharp pain as they bit into his skin. Furthermore, the spider had laced them with a venom potent enough to fix Ren in place, if only for a moment.
The spider vanished into a dark corner, a sinister smirk playing across his face, signaling his temporary victory. Since Ren was occupied trying to free himself from those lethal silken bonds, his defenses were momentarily lowered. In that split second, the spider pounced with immense speed, using his threads like a giant catapult to launch himself. He sank his fangs deep into Ren's shoulder.
Ren let out a cry of agony. The venom was so potent that it melted part of the cave floor the moment a few drops fell. Ren fell to his knees, and the spider's mocking laughter echoed through the chamber. He spoke in a raspy voice:
"My venom is incredibly powerful; its effect is instantaneous! Luckily for me, I cannot taste you myself, for you are destined to be food for the Queen Mother. She has lost all her soldiers, and I am the final guardian. Therefore, you are more useful than ten thousand ordinary humans because you overflow with life energy. I shall wrap you in my silk to keep you fresh!"
The spider proceeded to shroud Ren in a thick white cocoon and cast him into a sloping tunnel leading directly to the Queen's chamber, like a parcel being sent to its doom. Raknoux muttered to himself as he wiped his eye, which had been injured by the sheer pressure of Ren's near-miss punch:
"I am exhausted from facing him. He is the only human to ever match my speed, but he is merely a boy after all. That punch he missed blinded one of my eyes—the impact was like a blast of powerful, hot air aimed with extreme precision. I must treat my eye before heading to the Queen's pavilion."
Confrontation in the Lair: Crushing the Head
While the spider—whom the Queen had named Raknoux—was preoccupied with his wounds, a powerful sound began to ring inside his head with violent force. It was a psychic scream from the Queen that shook his entire being, calling his name in desperate plea. He reacted in terror: "What is the matter? The Queen is in danger!" He bolted at a speed exceeding the limits of sight, entering the cavern that served as the Queen's nest.
And Boom! He found Ren standing with immense pride atop the Queen's massive head, fire blaring from his hands. Ren spoke in a mocking tone:
"You're far too late, you pathetic wretch! Is this your Queen? She screamed loudly, pleading for you, terrified of the death I see hovering all around you!"
The spider felt the immense heat of the place and gasped in shock: "How is this possible? Did you not die from my venom, you cursed brat?"
Ren replied with a terrifying calmness:
"Your venom?! Hmph... I admit it was strong, but it evaporated by my flames before that foul poison could even mix with my blood. I admit you are strong, so I deliberately faked my death to reach your Queen directly. To ensure your total eradication without return, I needed to trample the 'Head.' Once the head is crushed, the limbs have no meaning. You were good in battle, but not good enough to defeat me!"
The spider replied, weeping in despair: "You will regret this! You murdered my mother, you criminal!"
But Ren roared at him, a voice that shook the very foundations of the cave:
"Enough lies! Damn you! What about these human skeletons? There are thousands of them here! Do you know? It truly makes me nauseous... Your time is up!"
Just as Ren prepared for the final strike, the spider began to bloat hysterically and blew himself up in an act of suicidal defiance. Ren muttered with regret: "Damn it, I wanted to crush his head myself, but it doesn't matter now. I feel pity for the people who were killed and eaten here. Behind the shadows, hideous things are committed in secrecy. I must move forward now."
Huan's Resilience and the Mystery of the Girl
On the other side, the denizens of the cave felt the disappearance of the Spider Queen; the telepathic vibrations she used to communicate had vanished completely, putting them on high alert for any incoming danger. Meanwhile, Master Huan remained outside the cave, waiting for Ren. His health was deteriorating rapidly due to his internal illness, and he prayed silently:
"Please, hurry... I fear I might die before seeing your final success."
Huan thought of his village and his school, which he had left under the management of Robin. Back in the village, Robin was extremely anxious. The words the Master had spoken when he left with Ren months ago sounded like a final farewell. Robin had followed the Master's instructions to the letter since their departure, carrying the heavy burden of the trust placed in him.
As for Ren, he was on the verge of exiting the spider's lair, walking with extreme caution as he felt the nature of the place change. A pungent scent and a dark aura emanated from the depths. Suddenly, Ren heard the sound of faint sobbing. He moved cautiously through the pitch-black darkness, lighting a small flame with his finger to illuminate the area. There, he found a young girl crying in the corner, her face turned toward the wall.
Ren had not yet seen her face. His heart softened at her sight, and he spoke with gentle concern:
"Why are you crying, little one?"
The sobbing stopped abruptly. A silence followed—a silence far more terrifying than the screams of the spider.