CHAPTER 20

The Hunting Spider (3)

The sandstorm sweeping through the outskirts of the city did more than just obscure visibility.

The fierce winds lashed against the ground and buildings, swallowing most sounds in their relentless force.

This provided the perfect opportunity for an ambush. The Jagd Spinner advanced toward the outskirts.

"Yafi, this is as far as I go."

The "Last Order" had been issued from the highest-ranking commander.

As the one entrusted to carry out that will, Jagd Spinner, Unit No. 10,253, had only one mission—to eliminate all unidentified intruders who had breached the city.

No resupply.

No repairs.

No reinforcements.

Victory must be achieved with maximum efficiency and minimal damage.

Using the sandstorm as camouflage, Jagd Spinner moved slowly and cautiously toward the hunters' camp.

The hunters were on guard, their keen senses sharpened, but they were still bound by the limitations of biological perception. Meanwhile, Jagd Spinner was backed by the city's support systems.

Despite their crude vigilance, Jagd Spinner meticulously analyzed the camp. Machines had no concept of complacency.

It conducted long-range scans, mapping out every enemy position in real time, noting each and every number.

Effortlessly bypassing their crude defenses, Jagd Spinner blended into the darkness and the howling storm, becoming one with the mechanical hum of the environment.

"Ugh… Damn it. I can't see a thing in this storm."

A lone hunter stood away from the camp, using a building's exterior wall as a windbreaker.

Jagd Spinner immediately measured the subject's data.

The latest intruders, while lightly armored, still wore metal plating. Even stranger, they were armed with melee weapons instead of firearms or cannons.

Threat level: 1.

However, there was a risk of this target alerting others.

When facing a large group, it was both safer and more efficient to eliminate them in smaller units.

"Phew…"

The hunter, unaware of Jagd Spinner's presence, exhaled and adjusted his stance.

At that moment—

"Hey! Why the hell are you taking a piss out here?"

"Huh? Jackson?"

The machine withdrew slightly. The approaching individual, identified as Jackson, casually put his arm around the hunter's shoulder in an overly familiar manner.

"What's up with you? Why so touchy all of a sudden?"

They were both part of Black Mamba Mercenaries, but they weren't close enough for such gestures. The confused hunter tried to speak, but Jackson quickly hushed him.

"Shut up. Move. Quietly. If you don't wanna die…"

His voice was nearly lost in the howling wind, but Jagd Spinner's noise filter kicked in, isolating and processing the message.

"Shut up. Move. Quietly. If you don't wanna die…"

SNAP!

A secondary joint shifted. The sound of a whip-like wire cutting through the air was swallowed by the storm.

The hunters realized they were under attack only after the twelfth body was found.

A silent massacre was unfolding at the camp's perimeter. A hunter who had been sliced apart by an unseen wire managed to let out a death cry before succumbing.

"AAAAAAAGH!!"

KRRCH!

Even after losing his lower half, the hunter swung his magic-infused sword in a desperate attempt to retaliate. But it was futile.

A massive shadow loomed over him.

"N-no…"

A single armored leg, weighing over five tons, crushed the Black Mamba mercenary.

CRUNCH!

The other hunters, alerted by the commotion, arrived at the gruesome scene—glistening Jagd Spinner, its steel joints drenched in the remains of its victims.

Its worn joints, lacking proper maintenance for years, creaked ominously, sending chills down their spines. The sound was eerily reminiscent of the wailing spirits of those it had crushed.

"It's the Jagd Spinner!!"

But their voices were lost in the storm.

Jagd Spinner's killing machine activated.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A 60mm autocannon unleashed a devastating barrage.

The heavily armored hunters were merely thrown back, but the lightly equipped ones were torn apart.

It was overkill—a level of firepower meant for armored vehicles, not humans.

Even the harsh winds battering concrete couldn't drown out the grotesque sounds of flesh being pulverized.

"Take cover! NOW!"

That order barely made it through. But no one was foolish enough to remain in the open.

They scattered, seeking shelter inside nearby buildings as autocannon fire rained down.

Jagd Spinner's wide-angle lens tracked their movements.

Most of them had gathered inside a deteriorating building.

The number of reinforcing steel bars supporting the concrete was calculated.

Jagd Spinner prepared its railgun.

BOOM!

A 240mm railgun round was fired, breaking the sound barrier in an instant.

CRACK!

It precisely struck five structural pillars.

The building collapsed.

"Shit…!"

Their final screams were muffled by falling concrete.

Though the hunters had superhuman physical abilities, being buried alive significantly reduced their combat capabilities.

"S-Shit… What kind of monster is that…?"

Escaping was not an option. They'd be mowed down the moment they stepped out.

Jagd Spinner aimed its railgun for a second strike.

Just as it was about to fire—

"DIE."

A thunderous impact.

Jagd Spinner's joints buckled.

For the first time since the ambush began, it had been struck.

Its wide-angle lens locked onto the attacker—

A warrior in golden armor, wielding a colossal war hammer.

KRRRK!

A damaged joint creaked, its internal pressure gauge warning of failure.

But it ignored the warning.

RRRRKKKK!

The autocannon roared again. The golden warrior raised his shield.

TINK! TINK! TINK!

The 60mm rounds hammered against the shield—but it remained unscathed.

"It's a Legendary-grade shield! You think mere bullets can break it?!"

"DON'T CALL ME GOLDIE!!"

Beside him, Hwang Yeonha charged forward.

Her unique-tier gauntlets, surging with golden magic, ignited like rocket thrusters.

THOOM!

Her fist slammed into Jagd Spinner's joints, momentarily locking its movement.

A magic circle appeared overhead.

"Perfectly restrained. Well done."

Battle Mage Gil Taesung.

Lightning struck down.

CRACK!

The surge of electricity coursed through Jagd Spinner's armor, causing a system overload.

0.8 seconds later, it recalculated.

"Overload detected. Radar system offline."

Its previous targeting data was wiped.

"Reactivating city-wide surveillance infrastructure."

All over the ruined city, hidden observation devices came back online, becoming its new eyes.

"Threat Level 3 detected. Eliminating priority targets."

"It's running! After it!"

The Jagd Spinner swiftly scaled the ruined structures, evading its pursuers.

Even while retreating, its supercomputer calculated bullet deflection angles, adapting to the hunters' magic defenses in real time.

"That's impossible!"

"Shut up and focus! KILL IT!"

As the battle escalated, something unexpected appeared on Jagd Spinner's rear camera.

DAGADAGADAGADAG!

Four white legs.

A silky white mane.

A majestic warhorse, exuding divine presence.

"No way…"

"Is that…?"

"A… A HORSE?!"

A radiant stallion, clad in ornate armor, emerged.

And on its back—

"It's been a while, my old friend."

With a fierce gaze, Leon mounted his sacred steed, gripping his holy spear.

And then—he charged.