Chapter 16: Through the Spiders’ Nest

Liz opened her eyes and scanned the device in her hand. She spoke confidently, “It’s time. There’s been no motion for thirty minutes. We should be safe to proceed.”

Liz stood up and checked all her weapons, making sure they were fully loaded and ready to go.

Rachel tossed her backpack to Eldon, letting him store it for now in the half-empty bag.

Liz opened the door and removed her device from above the door, her tone firm but steady as she called, “Stay close and follow me.”

They all jumped back down into the ankle-high water with a splash and continued forward, sloshing their way along until Liz suddenly raised her hand, signaling them to stop.

She pointed out a giant manhole to the left side of the tracks that was different from the others, where a wall panel with a keypad was located on the wall.

She tinkered with the keypad, and with a click the giant manhole cover unlocked, lifting and sliding out of the way on its own.

The group climbed down the ladder, going deeper and deeper until they eventually stood once more on solid ground.

The passage opened into a wide, tube-like tunnel. Near the ladder stood a massive bulkhead and a stack of crates, but instead of investigating, they turned in the opposite direction.

There they found the broken remains of mecha spiders—likely destroyed by Liz earlier when she had come through this way.

They proceeded forward carefully, moving down the dark tunnel with only dim lights spaced along the walls every so often to guide their path.

Then ZeroOne called out to Rachel, “Above you!”

Rachel activated her mecha claw as a spider dropped down from above.

She thrust her clawed hand straight into its head, shattering its circuits and draining its power before slamming it to the floor. Its sharp legs still managed to slice her leg and shoulder as it fell, leaving blood dripping.

Then Rachel heard it once again:

Assimilation found. Energy hook… Proceeding to assimilate parts…

Assimilation complete. Modifying cursed armor… Modification complete.

Assimilation finished.

Rachel got straight to the point, asking, “ZeroOne, what exactly changed?”

Analyzing... Analysis complete.

Under your left gauntlet, just below your wrist, there is a spearhead-shaped energy hook. It will change forms and open up once it penetrates a target, allowing you to pull yourself forward or drag objects toward you—depending on the object’s weight and structure. The more energy you channel, the farther it can extend and the stronger its pull force is.

Rachel studied it for a moment before deciding to give it a try.

She triggered the mechanism, and it shot out, only a spearhead tethered by a glowing energy cable.

It launched with tremendous force, piercing an approaching mecha spider and dragging it straight back toward her.

Rachel caught it with her mecha claw, her fingers driving deep into its head until sparks burst and the machine twitched violently before going still. Then rachel nodded in approval.

The tunnel echoed with the metallic clanking of more mecha spiders closing in from every direction—ceiling, walls, and ground—they were everywhere.

Liz called out, her voice sharp, “There are a lot of them. Hopefully we’ve got enough bullets to clear them out.”

Rachel answered over the screeching metal, “Focus on the walls and ceiling—I’ll handle everything on the ground!”

Liz drew two submachine guns, sweeping fire across both walls and relying on the homing skill to guide her bullets.

Eldon stayed composed, releasing controlled bursts that dropped spiders from the ceiling one after another.

Rachel drew her cursed blade, pressing the trigger until it thrummed with power.

When the surge peaked, she swung, unleashing a cursed beam slash that carved forward in a wide arc, cutting down rows of spiders before finally dissipating.

Liz shouted, “Reloading! Cover me!”

Rachel surged ahead, hacking apart every spider that charged her while weaving between their spiked legs.

She charged her blade again and released two rapid slashes, ripping through countless mecha spiders until the energy drained away. Panting, she called to ZeroOne:

“ZeroOne, how much energy did that burn? How many more times can I use it before my armor’s spent?”

ZeroOne replied, “Your sword draws on its own energy core. That’s why the modification took so long—it was developing independent storage. You can use it freely; it won’t drain your claws or the energy hook.”

After a pause it added, “Current reserves: seventy-five percent. Enough for several more strikes—just don’t waste them.”

As Liz was reloading, then spider dropped from above, pinning her to the ground as it repeatedly tried to stab her with its razor-sharp front legs.

She twisted left and right, narrowly avoiding each thrust until she finally reached down, drew her pistols, and fired off five rapid shots—bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.

The spider’s thorax was riddled with holes, and it collapsed lifelessly on top of her.

Eldon rushed over, shoving the sparking body aside and helping her to her feet.

“That was a close one. Thanks,” Liz said breathlessly.

Eldon gave a quick smile. “Anytime, miss.”

Liz reloaded her weapons, ready to continue.

Gunfire rattled again from behind as the last of the spiders along the walls were torn down.

Moments later, silence fell. Broken machines twitched and sparked across the tunnel floor.

Eldon exhaled and said, “That should be the last of them,” wiping the sweat from his brow.

But one spider stirred, erupting from beneath the wreckage of mecha spiders. It lunged at Eldon with bladed legs.

He stumbled back, startled, when a long metal arrowhead pierced its head. The arrowhead expanded and locked, yanking the creature backward toward Rachel. With a single effortless stroke, her blade she split it in half, wires and circuits scattering across the concrete.

Rachel let out a shaky breath. “That was too close—it almost had you, Eldon.”

Eldon nodded grimly. “Closer than I’d like. We’ll need to stay sharper from here on.”

Liz pointed toward the darkness ahead. “There. Once we get through, it opens into a massive cavern where the mecha arachne nests."

They pushed on through the scrap-littered tunnel until another bulkhead loomed, blocked by fallen boulders. To the left, a gaping hole in the concrete led into a natural cave. Winding through its shadows, they emerged into a vast cavern where sunlight streamed from above.

But it was empty. No spiders. No mecha arachne. The nest had been abandoned.

Liz and Eldon set their bags down as they cautiously moved forward as Rachel took the vanguard.