Chapter Eleven

The monster cautiously made its way through the city streets.

That's a little spider; it's trying to find something to eat right now.

This area is close to the safe zone, so it's a place where you can find food. While it's not incredibly easy to find food, finding small insects is quite simple.

As for where the safe zone is?

It's actually very close by, and the area is quite large.

It's just hidden by magic; you can't see it unless you go inside.

At the edge of the city, there is a boundary marker. Once you cross the boundary marker, you can see that paradise-like place.

However, entering the boundary marker without permission is one of the most serious crimes.

If a monster violates this rule, it's normal for it to be killed on the spot.

Well, putting aside monsters, even humans who enter without permission will be killed and hung on a cross during special periods.

Because that is the last place where a large amount of food can be obtained, every bit of land there must be reserved for plants and animals that can produce food.

Those were sacred things, like being in heaven.

However, Spider-Man didn't plan to approach the boundary marker, as it was sure to be heavily guarded. The city's guards worked in shifts, but the guards protecting the safe zone never rested; they had to stay nearby unless something major happened.

The little spider carefully moved along the pipe and pulled out a fat mouse.

This rat looks like it knows how to escape; it managed to eat such a big one.

After catching the little guy, it hid in a corner. With this creature around, its main meal was secured. Combined with what it had found earlier, it could prepare a simple but filling dinner for its new friend.

The little spider suddenly stiffened, then used its speed to hide in a deeper corner.

Because it sensed someone was outside.

It's quite noisy tonight, especially at this hour, and it's snowing outside. The temperature has dropped to a rather unbearable level.

There shouldn't be anyone outside.

The little spider poked half its head out from the corner, watching the three people walking through the cracks in the house.

They were all wearing cloaks, all of them black.

who?

The little spider thought to itself that it should leave. These three people didn't seem like safe people at all; it was best to leave as soon as possible.

"Damn, it's so cold tonight." Suddenly, the person at the front grumbled, "Is this the only place we can rest in tonight?"

"Bear with it, we're just here to sell some things, we'll be leaving this city soon."

“Nonsense, we don’t have temporary residence permits either. If we’re discovered, we’ll be kicked out.” The man continued to curse, looking at the silent person at the back: “You said this thing would sell for a good price, and I don’t want to be disappointed.”

“This thing is from Nidra, and judging from the patterns on it, even in that city, it couldn’t have been made by just anyone,” the man said softly. “Plus, it has a signature, a very valuable signature. If we keep this, we’ll probably attract unwanted attention. We’d better sell it quickly.”

“We’ve lost people because of him.”

Spider-Man didn't listen anymore, even though these guys were quite intriguing.

If I'm not mistaken, these are the guys who attacked Lady.

However, Spider-Man didn't hate these guys; they were just doing those things to survive. Everyone was striving to live, but these people lacked their own principles and beliefs. They seemed depraved, but also quite pitiful.

It hesitated for a moment, then turned its head to look at the few people passing by.

If I remember correctly, the cargo they were referring to was Lady's other missing arm.

Will you sell it tomorrow?

The little spider thought for a moment and decided that perhaps he should tell Ark about it when he got back tonight.

I'll leave some food for my friend and head back to the carriage. I've stumbled upon this information; I should hurry back and report it.

Also awake at this time were Hack and Nina, whom we met at the tavern earlier.

The two witchers were staying at the inn. Nina had just finished bathing and taken off the robe she used to cover herself. The beautiful girl's figure appeared slightly flushed in the candlelight.

The only downside is that her chest is completely hidden by her robe. But she's still young; maybe it will grow bigger later.

Nothing feels better than a hot bath. She stretched, changed into a bathrobe, lay on the bed, and read a book by candlelight.

She looked very young, and she was indeed very young. She was probably not even eighteen yet.

After all, he's a genius, so graduating early is a given.

Even so, she was still reading a book. A rather thick book, filled with her own notes. After all, she had encountered quite a bit of trouble recently.

They came to this place because of the demons.

This thing, which was originally just a concept, had suddenly become a reality and actually appeared here. Nina took a few deep breaths to calm herself down.

They've investigated almost every group that's come here; some they know in great detail, others they only know for sure how many people are in them. This includes the two monsters they encountered at the tavern yesterday.

Another of their teammates has gone to investigate those guys and should be back tonight.

She snapped her fingers, recited a few simple words, and a fire ignited in her hand. She then tossed the small fireball into the stove.

Because the firewood inside has burned out, if we don't use this little trick to keep the fire burning, it'll probably be a bit cold tonight.

She looked at the definition of a demon in her notes, then rubbed her forehead. Her head was starting to ache.

Because it can be explained in a very simple sentence, even textbooks provide very little information about it.

Simply put, they are a group of people who are completely opposed to the clergy. These people are not favored by the gods, but by the devils, and have been given powers that only devils can have.

A long, long time ago, perhaps a thousand years ago, or even longer.

Before the current system of timekeeping became universally accepted, timekeeping was a difficult task due to the war between clergy and demons, making the already chaotic world even more chaotic.

However, the ending was good; the demons were almost completely wiped out. The clergy won the war. Once again, that war was a microcosm of the war between gods and demons. After that, the Church's rule over all was established.

And so, the demons have become much better. People's feelings towards these guys have changed from hatred to a desire to exploit them.

Everyone wants to obtain a demon, or more precisely, a soul.

As for the reason...

Whatever, I don't know what use it is anyway. I just know that acquiring a demon would bring huge benefits.

Those that survive can be sold to others for greater profits, and even the dead can receive bounties from the church. Although Nina isn't short of money, this is how witchers earn their income, and if they can actually defeat a witch, it would be a good result for their team.

Nina closed the book and got ready for bed.

She planned to wait until her friend returned from the merchant's place to get some information before going to sleep. But it was already late enough, and that guy probably planned to wander around outside again tonight. Even if he came back, he'd go find Hack before knocking on her door.

In other words, she doesn't need to stay up all night now; she should get a good night's sleep. She's already stayed up long enough; she doesn't need to worry about the exams now, so there's no need to stay up so late.

However, after lying down for a while, Nina propped herself up again and huddled in the corner.

For no reason at all, I've started having nightmares again.

I haven't had nightmares for a long time, but since I came to this city, I've been dreaming about bad things almost every day.

Most of them involve the plot of being killed by oneself, which is a story with no originality whatsoever.

However, by now, she wasn't so afraid of death. After all, she had been with this team for several years now, and had countless experiences of dancing close to death. Logically speaking, she should have long been used to teetering on the edge of death and near-death. She shouldn't be too afraid of death anymore.

But this time, I feel like I'm afraid of something.

Nina looked outside; it was pitch black. A strong wind had picked up. The chaotic elements were turning the outside world into a snowstorm. Just two days ago, it was unbearably hot here.

It's cold now; even in this room, I feel a chill that seeps into my bones. It's so cold that I feel I should turn the stove up a bit more.

Outside, the little spider still hadn't gone back.

It ran into some trouble because it couldn't find its friend.

Logically, that friend should be sitting comfortably in the trash can right now. It's so cold; it can't go anywhere.

But when the little spider returned, the place was quiet, as if nothing had ever existed.

Did it die when I left?

The little spider paused for a moment, then dismissed the idea.

It can sense its surroundings through its extremely keen senses.

Based on my current feeling, that guy shouldn't have been gone for very long, but I don't know where he is now.

It couldn't go far with its injury, and the little spider found the traces it left behind when it left, buried in the snow.

It was a long trail of blood, still imbued with my magic. I had used my magic to treat its wounds, so it shouldn't die immediately. I could also use that trace I left to find that poor creature who had left for reasons unknown and whose whereabouts were unknown.

It was just about to set off when it suddenly heard a sound behind it.

The little spider suddenly crouched down, its soft black fur revealing hard bony spikes protruding beneath. Its limbs, which had previously been merely hanging, gleamed with venom. In an instant, its previously harmless appearance transformed into that of a true monster, exuding murderous intent.

It's simulating the feeling of a dangerous monster because, inexplicably, it's enveloped by a barrier.

It looks like it's entered someone's cage; someone designed it here.

"Did you notice?" came soft voices from all directions.

"I meant no harm, I just thought I'd linger around this trash can for a while," the little spider's voice came out, completely ruining the aura it had been faking. Its voice trembled slightly, as if it were afraid of something.

"It's a homeless monster." A soft sigh came from behind: "Would you like to come with me?"

The little spider turned its head and saw the guy who had appeared behind it at some point.

It wore a red robe, which seemed to bring warmth even in the wind and snow.

This guy appeared quite suddenly, like a ghost that walked straight out of the darkness.

Its voice sounded warm, the kind that makes you feel at ease. If it were a real homeless monster, you might actually walk past it with gratitude.

However, the guy's outstretched hand just sat there empty.

"Um, sorry. I have a place to sleep... but I'd like to know where that big bug that was here before went?" The little spider scratched its head, looking at the seemingly friendly guy apologetically, and said, "But thank you very much anyway."

Kris didn't know who this guy was, but since it had shown friendliness, he should also act friendly.

However, the other party did not reply.

Krisen glanced around, looked around a few times, and then asked, "Could you please open the barrier?"

Suddenly, the ground temperature rose sharply, and the guy pulled open his robe, but instead of opening it, he spewed out flames.

In the blink of an eye, the entire space was filled with scorching flames. However, not even the houses next to the alley were ablaze.

Because the flames are confined within this space.

"I'm so sorry." The man slowly took off his robe, revealing a frighteningly reddish complexion.

Its entire body seemed to be made of molten lava, which really made people feel uneasy.

A hoarse voice came from outside, sounding like an interrogation, even though the voice was trembling.

"You said you wouldn't hurt it." It was the big bug that used to live in the trash can. It looked angry and was lying next to me, making loud noises.

“It’s a scoundrel who’s sided with humans. It’s better for a guy like that to die.” The crimson-red creature glanced at the one outside. “Also, I suggest you keep quiet. I don’t want to make a big commotion right now.”

The barrier expanded, enveloping the insect within it, and flames rushed forward, threatening to burn it to ashes.

"Um, this is dangerous. I suggest you put the fire away." A soft voice murmured from the side, "Otherwise, someone might get hurt."