Chapter 12:The Arachnia Blood

Even in the midst of warzones and monster threats, the survivors and soldiers found ways to live.

Men sat around campfires, chatting and laughing over old stories. Some sparred in open areas, their blades clashing in practice duels.

A few mechanics worked on repairing vehicles, oily rags draped over their shoulders, while others cleaned their weapons, preparing for the next mission.

Near the supply tent, a group of children played.

"Bang! You're dead!" a boy shouted, pretending to shoot his friend with his fingers.

"Not fair! I dodged!" the other protested.

As they ran around, one of them suddenly froze.

His gaze locked onto the entrance of the camp—

Where a figure in a long black coat walked silently between the tents.

Something about him felt wrong.

The boy rubbed his eyes and looked again—

But—

The man was gone.

Like he had vanished into thin air.

The child shivered and ran back to his friends.

"Hey… did you see that guy?"

"Huh? What guy?"

The boy hesitated.

Maybe he imagined it.

Baek Jung moved without a sound, his footsteps silent against the dirt.

Despite his lack of presence, the few awakened in the camp subconsciously tensed as he passed by.

It was as if their instincts screamed that something dangerous had arrived.

He ignored them.

His destination was set.

Jiwook's tent.

Inside, Jiwook leaned back in his chair, a cigarette burning in his fingers as he reviewed reports.

A shadow fell over the entrance.

Without knocking, Baek stepped inside.

Jiwook didn't even flinch.

He exhaled a puff of smoke, smirking.

"Oh, you're back."

Baek didn't waste time.

"What's the result?"

Jiwook stretched, his muscles aching from sitting too long.

"Kai? He's a good kid. Gaining results. He's successfu—"

"The result."

Baek's tone was cold, almost mechanical.

Jiwook's smirk faded.

For a moment, he studied Baek's face, trying to read him.

He sighed.

"He matches the fate perfectly."

Baek's expression remained unreadable.

Jiwook continued.

" The word and picture found on the wall that White area."

Baek stared at him.

"You're sure?"

Jiwook clicked his tongue.

"Not completely.You know yourself that White area contain For the nickname Nest of Monster (Rank A danger or higher),Maybe,If we got deeper we found the result you wanted"

Then, his voice dropped into something more serious.

"If the answer For this fate happen was that kid then...."

Baek didn't respond.

He simply turned and walked out.

Not a goodbye. Not a glance back.

Just gone, like a shadow fading into the night.

The silence in the tent was thick after Baek left.

Jiwook stared at the flap of the tent, watching it sway slightly from the cold wind.

He sighed, rubbing his temples.

"That guy…"

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Even though he's an A-Rank Awakened, just like me… he still freaks me out."

He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling of the tent.

"Guess I'm just lucky he's on my side... Otherwise, I'd probably be dead."

The tent flickered as memories surfaced.

It was six month ago,

Jiwook stood alone, his self covered in blood Fighting the monster while his Friends dead"

His breathing was heavy, his fingers trembling as he reached into his inventory.

A weapon materialized in his grip—

A massive black axe, humming with power.

The battlefield around him was full of gaze from the monster.

Bodies lay in heaps, the ground drenched in blood and ash.

Jiwook stared at the weapon in his hand, his eyes cold and unreadable.

Then—

He scoffed and shoved it back into his inventory.

"Maybe someday…"

He turned his back on the carnage.

Meanwhile, in the Red Zone…

Kai and Yuna stood in the ruined city, surrounded by crimson-stained rubble.

The air crackled with lingering mana, remnants of monsters long defeated.

Kai exhaled, reaching into his inventory.

Then—

[ Weapon Equipped: Night Slash Blade! ]

A crackling surge of light burst from his hand, forming into a sleek, black blade with blue light coursing through it.

Kai smirked.

"Let's go, Yuna."

Yuna grinned, unsheathing her katana.

"Alright!"

Kai and Yuna moved carefully through the ruined city, collecting resources from the abandoned buildings.

Then—

"Help! Someone, please help me!"

A child's scream echoed through the desolate streets.

Yuna's eyes widened.

"Kai, look! A kid!"

On a pile of broken concrete, a young boy sat, crying for help.

Without hesitation, Yuna dashed forward.

But—

Kai grabbed her arm.

"Wait. Something's off."

Yuna frowned. "What do you mean? That kid is still alive! We need to help!"

Kai didn't move. Instead, he focused.

Then—

[ Earth Creation Activated! ]

From the ground, a rock golem emerged, shaped like a human doll.

[ Telekinesis Activated! ]

The golem moved, controlled by Kai's mind.

Yuna watched, amazed.

"You can do that?"

Kai smirked, then commanded the golem to approach the child.

The boy reached out his hand—

Then—

CRASH!

A massive, grotesque limb smashed down from an abandoned building, crushing the golem instantly.

Kai and Yuna froze.

Then, from the shadows—

Eight glowing eyes stared at them.

A giant spider-like monster, with eight massive legs, crawled out from the ruined structure, its body blending into the darkness.

Then—

It vanished again, melting back into the shadows.

The child was still there, crying for help.

Kai's eyes narrowed.

"That kid… is a living bait."

Yuna clenched her fists. "Kai, got a plan?"

Kai smirked.

"Yeah. I guess we gamble."

From afar, Yuna sprinted forward at full speed, heading straight for the child.

The monster's long, nightmarish limbs lashed out—

But—

"Now, Kai!"

[ Frost Spear – Long Bow Mode! ]

Kai fired a frozen arrow, striking the monster's arm, making it stumble back just before it could hit Yuna.

"Take this! Frost Blast!"

A wave of ice exploded, making the monster screech in pain.

Then—

Its body shivered.

Suddenly—

A horde of smaller spiderlings burst from its back, rushing toward Yuna.

"What the hell?!" Yuna shouted.

She slashed through them, but more kept coming.

One jumped from behind—

But—

Kai shot it down before it could land.

"Nice one, Kai! Thanks!"

Then—

The monster's massive limb swung at Yuna again.

But—

She dodged, then jumped, crawling up its body while the spiderlings chased after her.

"Yuna activated her skill – Full Moon Slash!"

The full moon shone brightly in the sky.

For a moment—

Time stopped.

The monster screeched, trying to attack Yuna—

But—

She tore through its arm with a single slash.

—

Earlier.

"You sure this is gonna work?" Kai had asked.

Yuna smirked. "We gamble."

Kai nodded.

Then—

[ Weapon Equipped: Night Slash Blade! ]

"Let's go, Yuna."

"Alright."

—

Back to the Battle

While Yuna fought the monster, Kai moved with extreme speed, using his Night Slash Blade.

With his buffs active, he dashed through the battlefield, dodging the spiderlings' attacks.

Then—

He grabbed the child.

"Got him! Now, Yuna!"

Yuna smirked.

[ Ultimate Skill Activated – One Thousand Night Slash! ]

A single, devastating slash tore through the giant spider and its mini versions.

For a moment—

Time stopped.

Then—

Blood splattered everywhere.

The monster's body collapsed.

[System Notification]

[ Battle Complete! ]

[ Rewards: New Item, Skill Level Up!]

Kai and Yuna stood, catching their breath, the child safe in Kai's arms.

Yuna sheathed her katana, smiling.

Kai looked at the system rewards and grinned.

[Blood of Arachnia(3/3)(Rank B item)]

[-Gaining Poison Resistance while consume]

Kai smirk

"Now..Lestgo should we Yuna"

"Aight"with smile Yuna replies