I was immediately detected, much to my embarrassment. The thought of distracting Master from his work—whatever purpose it served—was unpleasant, but, to my great relief, he didn’t seem angry. Unfortunately, I’d been so focused on the wall that my immediate reaction after he sensed me had been to freeze in shock. After all, my kind were feared for our ability to mask our presence—and yet Master had noticed me straightaway, as though I’d all but strolled directly in front of him.
“Spider Boss?” My own name made me jump.
I was startled, that’s all! And I definitely wasn’t trembling! I thought, although there wasn’t much point in trying to convince myself of the lie.
I found the sound of my name pleasant. Every time Master said those words, my ears pricked up with delight. I could understand my name, at least. The rest of his sounds were still nonsense to me.
Oh, he said something else... I know those words too. He says them to us quite often. What was it again?
I strained my ears, hoping he’d repeat the phrase, only to hear the sound of unpleasantly familiar footsteps from behind me.
“You shouldn’t disturb Master like this, you know.”
To think the day would come where she would feel the right to reprimand me... Fortune is certainly not on my side today.
Shuri smirked, apparently pleased—likely, she considered the warning payback for my earlier comment.
How irritating.
“I wasn’t planning to disturb him, but he sensed me even though I hid my presence. Master is simply too powerful.”
“Or perhaps you’re not as stealthy as you thought?”
How dare you! I am a master of stealth! All tremble in fear at the thought that I might be lurking just out of sight! Just because Master noticed me... You impudent—
“Master is simply too powerful! I’m going back!”
I had been detected—that I could admit at least—but Shuri being the one to point it out was frustrating beyond belief.
This is all her fault.
“They really are alike.”
“Lord Shuri’s children said the same thing, right?”
I could faintly make out some of the conversation our collective children were having.
What are they saying? I definitely heard her name.
“What’s this about me?” Shuri asked sweetly, obviously having heard it too. Our gathered children shook their heads in unison.
Playing the fools, are you...? Why are you all looking at us like that? If you’ve got something to say, say it! Hmm—
Ah. What’s he doing now? He’s using even more mana this time...
“Ah!” I hadn’t been able to suppress the cry this time. Fortunately, neither had Shuri, judging from the shame on her face. I sighed with relief—as did she. I turned to glare at her, only to find her mirroring my movements exactly.
We held each other’s gaze for a few moments, neither one of us speaking. Eventually, the frightened murmurs of my children pulled me away from our staring contest, and I instead turned my gaze toward Master. What I saw shocked me.
What in... What is that?
It was another dirt wall, clearly, but I’d never felt so much mana packed into anything, let alone simple soil.
“Spider Boss, what is that?”
“How should I know? I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“Yeah... Of course.”
She’s beginning to sound more like me.
I thought to mock her for the lapse in her usual, irritating formality, but before I could form the insult, I felt the tug of magic once again.
I’m not gonna let anything slip out this time, for sure!
There was a crash, followed by the sound of something shattering. Shouts of surprise pierced my ears, my own mixed among them.
What—? Was that a rock? I could barely see it! And the wall didn’t get damaged at all?
Whoooooosh.
We all shrieked.
They weren’t mere flames... That was hellfire or possibly something even stronger.
It was strange. Fire that hot should have turned the wall to magma, but instead, the flames had simply vanished, leaving no trace of hellish heat in their wake.
A sickening crash shook the clearing, followed by another chorus of shrieks.
What now?!
The world turned white, and for a moment, I assumed I’d met my end.
No... I’m fine. Everything’s fine. My heart’s still beating. But what was that? It was too violent to have just been lightning...
There was another whooshing sound. This time, no one cried out.
A gash? Every other attack left it unscathed, but wind damaged the wall? How much mana could he have compressed into one gust of wind?
“Is Master preparing to fight a god or something, do you think?”
“I don’t know.”
Is something bad about to happen? Wouldn’t he tell us if it were, though? He looks like he’s finishing up for now... Nothing’s coming, is it? Everything’s truly fine?
Tremors I couldn’t suppress overtook my body as Master started walking toward us. Shuri and our respective young weren’t faring any better. We weren’t scared of Master but of what was possibly to come—of what had made him feel the need to attempt such devastating attacks.
He’s looking around— I was right. He must be preparing for something.
“Looks like we’ll need to be ready for a fight before long, Shuri.”
“Indeed, he’s being incredibly cautious. We should let the others know to be on their guard too.”
But really... Whatever is coming, if these spells are Master’s intended weapons... Do any of us really stand a chance at defeating it?
Something was beside me—reaching for me. I jumped before I could realize it was only him. Reflexively, I started shaking again, vivid memories of his insurmountable attacks flashing through my mind.
I wouldn’t stand a chance.
Master, obviously noticing my reaction, frowned sadly.
No! It’s not you, Master!
It was hopeless. Confusion clouded my mind, until—
Mana flowed into me, soft and gentle—his mana. My limbs, stiffened by anxiety, began to relax, as did Master’s expression.
Thank goodness... He doesn’t think I hate him...