20

I’m confused.

It’s a cliché way to put it, but there’s no other way to say it.

I mean, here’s a monster that could only be described as a “human + spider” hybrid—something that obviously couldn’t occur naturally—and it’s speaking Imperial language, looking like something straight out of a movie I’d never seen. Anyone would be confused.

And that left only one possibility for what this thing really was…

(He’s got to be a fellow Genetically Enhanced Soldier from the Empire—or something close to it.)

To think that the first compatriot I’d met since waking from a 200-year slumber would be… this. Still, as a fellow Imperial (?), I’d like to share and confirm some information.

“Gahh, goah gogaaang.”

But what came out of my mouth was still nothing but “Gao gao” growls.

For the record, I was about to say, “Wait, I’m an Imperial too.”

But apparently this guy not only class-changed from human to monster, but also job-changed into a member of a human trafficking ring. Busy man.

Well, in that monstrous form, getting an honest job is probably impossible, so I guess it can’t be helped—but still, I wished he’d given his choices more thought as a former Imperial soldier.

“Ah, shit. They tailed you here? Useless damn idiots.”

Of course, he didn’t understand my words. Instead, he kept his guard up toward me while insulting his subordinates.

I thought about how I could get my intentions across, and suddenly a brilliant idea came to me.

(Oh, right. If speaking doesn’t work, I can just write it down.)

I was about to scratch letters into the floor with my fingernail when—my arm froze in place.

“Don’t you move without my permission, big guy.”

Looking closely, I saw something like a transparent thread wrapped around my hand.

(Spider silk!? I didn’t feel a thing when it touched me! No—more importantly…)

It’s not just my arm; threads were wrapped around various parts of my body.

I figured he’d have them, being part spider, but to have them ensnare me without any preparatory movement was something I didn’t expect.

Maybe they were set up in this room beforehand—but if he could control them freely, that’s a terrifying threat.

And given that he’s taken on a new occupation—even if it’s a criminal one—he must have awakened long before I did.

Which meant he’s had far more time to master his current body.

“Tch, amateurs really are useless. Can’t even manage a proper kidnapping.”

He gnawed at a human fingernail, making no attempt to hide his irritation.

To a career soldier, bandits probably seem like amateurs—but he was clearly the kind of man who viewed his subordinates as expendable pawns.

Thinking, I’d never want to serve under someone like him, I wondered what to do next.

(Judging from everything so far, this guy’s nothing but a washed-up soldier turned scumbag. I had hoped we could at least form a cooperative relationship as fellow Imperials… but that’s out. So—what do I do with him?)

If I left him be, he’d probably run rampant as a threat to the area, serving as a cover for my own presence.

In that case, who knew how much damage he’d inflict on nearby towns and villages.

Since I suspected he’s a Genetically Enhanced Soldier like me, his specs might even exceed the Kingdom of Canaan’s ability to handle him.

What about taking him out?

The biggest problem was, I didn’t know if I could win.

Sure, he didn’t know my capabilities either—but my powers were straightforward and visible.

On the other hand, being based on a spider likely meant he had a variety of abilities.

The threads currently wrapped around me were no big deal—but if he bundled them together, I might not be able to break free.

In other words, the risks of fighting him were significant.

I decided I should “tear off the threads and write in Imperial” when the spider-man spoke.

“Ahh, shoulda just gone myself. Finally managed to lure a whore, and then some big dumb lump like you snatches her away and leads them right to our hideout—what a joke!”

Then one of his spider legs kicked me in the face.

It didn’t hurt, so it wasn’t full force—but his words caught my attention.

“Damn it, I was finally gonna have fun with the next woman… and now I have to wait because of you.”

Another kick.

“No matter how much I strip ’em and make ’em cry, I can’t get it up. Where the hell did my mighty manhood go?!”

The kicks got faster, his claws trying to stab into me, but his flimsy legs couldn’t pierce my body.

Clicking his tongue in frustration, he used his legs and silk to pull a dagger from a bandit’s corpse.

“Even having those idiots gang-rape her, I didn’t feel a thing. Where’s the woman who’ll make me hard, huh?!”

He brought the dagger down on my shoulder.

Of course, it didn’t penetrate—the blade just chipped with a metallic sound.

“Damn your stupidly hard body!”

Another kick to my face—still no pain.

“Ah, yeah. Let’s grab another woman with a kid. Then I’ll make her dance naked like last time, and use the brat for a game. What should I make ’em put in this time—”

Before he could finish, my fist lashed out.

He leaped back instantly, avoiding the blow.

“You wanna fight, monster?”

He hadn’t realized my true identity.

By letting him hit me earlier, I confirmed his attacks barely affected me.

I had my winning chance.

I’d finish him here.

No way I could allow garbage like this to have been an Imperial soldier.

More than that—

(If I leave him, who knows how many women will suffer. Damn it, I want to do pervy things too! No way I’m letting you steal that chance from me!)

No lofty justification needed.

He’s in my way—that’s reason enough to unleash my power.

“Ahh, so Imperial-grade threads can’t hold a big guy like you, huh?”

He seemed satisfied I broke free, but he still hadn’t grasped my true strength.

In attack and defense, I had the advantage.

The only concern was whatever spider-based abilities he might have—like venom.

Being enhanced for military use, it’s safe to assume he had it.

(So where’s the venom? He’s got no fangs… that leaves?)

In my knowledge, spider venom was usually injected through fangs.

But he had none—where a spider’s head should be, there’s a human torso.

So maybe he spat it? Or maybe he’s got a stinger like some insects?

I regretted not investigating further before striking—but if he’d landed a venomous blow on me, that could have been the end, so it’s fine.

I shook off the threads and closed in, but the wide room made it hard to catch him as he skittered about.

He grinned smugly.

Was he really a soldier?

I picked up a bandit’s corpse and swung it around.

As expected, spider silk clung heavily to it.

His face said, “I’ve got traps set and ready,” making his intentions obvious.

Ignoring his shouts, I threw the corpse—it stopped just short of hitting him.

I’d put some effort into the throw, but it seemed I really did have to watch out for those threads.

“I’ll kill you, monster.”

His tone changed—no more mocking grin—as he crouched low on the ceiling. I spread my arms in response.

I wouldn’t let him escape.

If I grabbed him, I would win.

We glared at each other, motionless—until he moved.

It’s unexpected, but I’d planned to let him take the first move anyway.

It’s more reliable to ignore damage and counter to match his attack.

I aimed for a perfect counter—

—but I couldn’t hit or grab him.

What I held was nothing but a cast-off spider shell.

(He shed his skin in that instant?!)

I thought I’d lost him to an unexpected ability—but he was at the damaged exit I made earlier.

I spun and closed the distance—only for pain to stop me cold.

“Gaaahhh!”

Smoke hissed from my right hand.

I realized the cause immediately.

(The slime from the shed shell—it’s melting my fist like acid!)

I gritted my teeth against the pain and rushed at him—

—but I was stopped by more webbing strung across the way.

“Die there, monster.”

He puckered his lips and sprayed a yellow liquid.

I couldn’t dodge—it splashed full-on, and the contact areas started turning purple.

Seeing this, he swung away on silk.

(If he doesn’t even check if I’m dead, that means this venom is potent!)

It missed my head thanks to me turning aside, but my neck to abdomen was purpling, hot, and throbbing.

If I didn’t deal with this, I was done for.

But first, I had to get free of these threads.

Pulling alone wouldn’t break them, and struggling risked tangling my legs too.

“Grrroooaaahhh!”

So I roared, and with full force, kicked apart the wall the threads were anchored to.

If he came back, I was dead.

But if I stayed still, I was also dead.

I stomped through the corridor, heading for my hidden stash.

Thankfully, he was already gone—the only hope now was not to run into him again.

Reaching the sledgehammer marker, I dug through my gear and poured both kinds of magic potion over the discolored area.

Just as I was about to use more, I noticed the pain was gone.

I touched the once-discolored area—no pain, skin back to normal.

Pouring potion on my melted right hand, I watched as flesh covered the exposed bone, skin knitting together.

“Magic potions are amazing.”

If I could talk, I’d say that.

Also, the regeneration looked a bit gross.

“Ghahh, hahhh…”

I exhaled deeply and leaned against a nearby tree.

(That was close! Without those potions, I’d have been screwed! …And damn, our compatibility’s kinda bad, huh?)

I sent thanks to that busty lady—but I couldn’t recall her face, only her magnificent chest.

Not surprising, given how striking it was.

It even helped me regain my calm—thanks, boobs.

Even without a reason, I’d worship them.

Anyway, the risks of fighting him were far greater than I’d imagined.

If left alone, the casualties could be enormous—but getting involved without a plan could get me killed.

(So, first—what do I do? I’ve exposed most of his tricks. At least, I don’t think he’s got more than that.)

Next, I needed intel on him.

That meant finding his hideout—it could hold valuable clues.

Especially if he really was “ex-Imperial,” he might have taken something from the facility he woke up in.

If he came back, I’d fight at range this time.

The cave had a prison, so I’ve got plenty of metal to throw.

If I set up a defensive position, venom’s his only threat.

Brushing rubble off my sticky-feeling body, I headed back into the cave.

If an ex-Imperial used it, there’s bound to be something useful to me too.

With that shallow optimism, I bent the bars and headed in—only to regret it at the first right turn.

There, I found mangled corpses.

How many?

Some were partially melted, making it impossible to count precisely.

But judging from the pile, at least fifty.

Most were women—and one in particular caught my eye.

“Ah, yeah. Let’s grab another woman with a kid. Then I’ll make her dance naked like last time, and use the brat for a game. What should I make ’em put in this time—”

His earlier words echo in my head.

In front of me lay two naked bodies—mother and child, it seemed.

Their overlapping forms, with venom-blackened patches, suggested what was done—or rather, forced upon them.

(He made the child kill the parent—for a game?!)

It was unbearable to look at.

And having seen it, I couldn’t leave him be.

I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth.

The spider-man was a threat to me too.

(No more holding back.)

That bastard—I would hunt him down and kill him.