Chapter 12 Part I

    Inari, The Captive

    In the late morning of the same day, in the wide square of the village before the town hall, a beautifully decorated purple carriage stood parked. Around this carriage, more than 40 bandits clad in purple uniforms were lined up behind it. A large group of villagers stood huddled together in front of the town hall, with Picasso at the forefront, talking to the beautiful woman with a sorrow-filled face.

    "Are you really going, Miss Inari? For a small village like ours, such a sacrifice isn't necessary."

    "It's necessary. Otherwise, this village will be destroyed. Even though it's been a short time, I've grown very fond of this place."

    Inari's voice was also filled with sadness as she held Picasso's hand in front of a group of villagers who stood with them. Even though they were furious at the bandits, they were more furious at themselves for being so weak that an outsider like her had to make such a sacrifice. Seeing that everyone in the village was concerned about her, the mother fox could only offer a sad smile. Her hands, shaking as they held the old man's, barely resembled those of the delicate dancer she was.

    "Hello, my name is Purple Spider, and I am the leader of the Purple Spiders."

    "And your name is?"

    A man about the age of Xiao Long, dressed in luxurious purple silk clothes that shimmered, with a large rifle strapped across his back, approached. He didn't seem like a typical bandit leader but more like a young master who used a rifle as his weapon. He extended his hand towards Inari as if to shake hers.

    "Uh... I’m Inari."

    The fox girl looked at the handsome man nervously. Despite his outwardly respectable appearance, he was still a bandit at heart. Her hands were crossed behind her back, a signal that she was reluctant to shake hands with the young man. She looked down at the ground but occasionally glanced up boldly yet fearfully at Purple Spider.

    But Inari's fearful yet brave demeanor, combined with her beauty that no man could resist, made Purple Spider's heartbeat faster, his blood race. He felt a sudden heat in his chest; it had been a long time since he had encountered a woman who seemed so deserving of care.

    "Don't worry. Even though we are forest bandits, we are not so barbaric as to harm a defenseless woman."

    Purple Spider, who now felt a special affection for the golden-haired woman in front of him, tried to comfort her to make her feel better, but the villagers who heard the bandit leader's words grew even angrier. This Purple Spider, notorious for even shooting children, was considered extremely cruel, yet here he was claiming that he himself was not barbarian and would not harm defenseless women—what a shameless man.

    "Please, since the road ahead is tough, the carriage needs to be small for agility."

    Purple Spider said as he opened the carriage door, inviting Inari to enter by herself and explaining why it was sized just enough for one person to sit comfortably.

    "Yes."

    Inari slowly stepped up into the carriage, but her eyes lingered on Picasso and the villagers, who seemed to have come out to see her off with worried eyes, until the final step before she sat down in the carriage seat. Several villagers saw the clear tears streaming from Inari's eyes as she closed them, which only intensified their guilt.

    "Hey, let's go back, you’ve done well, Old Man. You made the right decision by handing Inari over to us, the Purple Spider bandits, hahaha."

    The bandit leader laughed loudly before mounting his horse to lead the carriage carrying Inari away from the town.

    Suddenly, Möbius burst out from among the villagers, accompanied by a large fox running alongside him.

    "No, Inari, don’t go, please don’t go."

    Möbius screamed with all his heart, calling the beautiful woman who had just boarded the carriage. He then pulled out a small dagger and rushing forward to attack the bandits moving the procession.

    100 (Remaining 1200/1300)

    "You weakling, if you’re not skilled, don’t show off trying to impress the girl. Good thing today our boss ordered us that no he didn't want to see blood."

    A red-haired bandit turned around and easily kicked Möbius back, sending him sprawling on the ground in a pitiful state.

    "Damn it, this shouldn't be happening…Inari."

    Möbius lay sprawled in the street, weeping shamelessly, as the fox licked his wounds from the bandit's kick.

    Möbius's actions only deepened the villagers' sorrow, causing them to cry along with him. Just yesterday they were walking together, and today they had to part without being able to do anything but watch as Inari was taken far away out of sight.

    "Today will be the last day we fold our hands and wait for help from others."

    Picasso, the village founder, slammed his staff on the ground. The sight of the travelers getting troubled because of them made the village leader finally make a decision.

    "Möbius, don't worry. Even if I have to die, I will bring Inari back."

    Picasso helped Möbius, who was lying on the ground crying, to stand up.

    "Me too."

    "And us too."

    "Me too."

    Many villagers, who had endured enough of the bandits' atrocities, shouted in unison, determined to cooperate in driving them out, no matter the cost.

    "Thank you, everyone, truly."

    Möbius thanked the villagers through tears. Everyone in the Erisé Village truly was as good-hearted as he had believed. He turned to address the angry crowd.

    "If so, everyone please get ready. Tomorrow, we'll go rescue Inari."

    "Is it wise to wait until tomorrow, Möbius?"

    Picasso, equally concerned about Inari, questioned him, having seen the way Purple Spider looked at Inari. He was not at all confident in the safety of the beautiful woman. So Möbius explained the reason to everyone.

    "Remember, this is all a game. They won't be able to abuse Inari. More importantly, we need to be fully prepared. If we rush in now, we might all end up dead before we can even help her."

    "What he says makes sense. Anyone willing to help, come sign up with me. Tomorrow, we'll rescue Inari."

    "Hey…" All the villagers roared in support of the counterattack against the bandits.

    Meanwhile, in the western woods near the Erisé Village,

    "Have some water first. We'll be there soon."

    Purple Spider offered Inari a drink inside the carriage. They were on a narrow path flanked by dense trees. It was not hard to guess that the path they were heading towards was probably their hideout.

    "Uh... thank you, Mr. Purple Spider."

    Inari, her hands trembling, reached out from the carriage window to take the water from Purple Spider’s hand. Her beautiful golden eyes were filled with fear, afraid of the unknown fate awaiting her.

    "Just call me Brother Spider. From now on, we need to get to know each other better."

    Purple Spider seized the opportunity to hold Inari's hand as she took the water bottle. Her hands, soft as if they had never wielded a weapon, made him think how fitting it was that she could dance so delicately. If possible, he wanted her to perform for him again once they reached his hideout.

    "Uh... are we almost there?"

    Inari, trying to pull her hand back, asked to divert Purple Spider's attention and get him to release her hand, but the slight strength in that gesture would not be enough if he did not let go on his own.

    "We're almost there. You'll see our base, the Purple Spider's stronghold, soon enough."

    Purple Spider, pleased by Inari's protectiveness of herself, finally let go of her hand and then brought it to his nose to savor the scent, thinking about how soft and fragrant her hand was and wondering about the rest of her. He then glanced at her kimono, which was quite revealing despite her attempts to pull it up, but still did not completely conceal her prominent features.

    "We've arrived, Miss Inari. Welcome to the Spider's Nest Tower."

    Purple Spider opened the carriage door for Inari, and the beautiful, frightened woman slowly stepped down from the carriage.

    The Spider's Nest Tower is a cylindrical structure approximately 20 meters in diameter and five stories tall. It is surrounded by numerous small, narrow windows. However, what caught Inari's attention was the large cannon mounted at the top of the tower. When Purple Spider saw Inari's interest in the cannon he was so proud of, he immediately introduced it to her.

    "Interested? This is Gamma Mörser, a cannon that is the Purple Spider’s pride. It has a 416 mm caliber and a range of over 14 kilometers. No one or nothing that has been shot by this cannon has ever survived."

    Purple Spider explained the details of the cannon to Inari without reservation. The reason no one had survived its fire was because since the group of people brought him this cannon and entrusted it to him, it had come with only one shell, and firing it required a large crew to adjust its range. So far, it had only been used for intimidation, and it had never been fired even once. That was why no one had ever really survived.

    "Oh, so this is what keeps the Black Bear group, which is known for having stronger players, from daring to attack this place."

    Inari nodded slowly. If there was a cannon that, just by looking at it, you could tell had such destructive power, no matter how strong the enemy was, they would still be afraid. Inari's words hit Purple Spider right in the heart.

    "If we were serious, Purple Spider’s group could fire this cannon at the Black Bear base and end it in one shot. We don't do it because we still need to cooperate with them. Don't misunderstand, little sister Inari."

    Purple Spider became visibly upset when he heard this, even though the Purple Spiders were numerically and technically inferior to the Black Bears. But in terms of weapons and equipment, the Purple Spiders had superior gear, and his mood Purple Spider's mood worsened further upon hearing this from Inari.

    "Yes, um... Brother Spider."

    When Inari saw that the bandit leader suddenly became irritated, she changed the way she addressed him to suit his preference, which immediately improved his mood.

    "Ha ha ha, good, little Inari. Now, let me show you my weapon collection."

    Purple Spider laughed loudly, satisfied, and gestured for Inari to follow him into the Purple Spider's Tower.

    Inside, the tower had a large cylindrical central void with spiral stairs leading up to the top. Along these stairs were doors spaced at intervals. About 40-50 people were inside; when Purple Spider entered, they stood along the spiral staircase and shouted in unison,

    "Welcome, Lord Purple Spider."

    All the men's gaze was directed forward, too intimidated to meet their leader's eyes. What Inari saw in their eyes was the utmost respect and fear. Purple Spider led Inari up the stairs and stopped in front of a large iron door labeled ‘Restricted Area - No Entry’ before opening it to reveal what lay inside.

    "Wow, Brother Spider, you have so many weapons?"

    Inari’s eyes widen in surprise at the sight inside. It was Purple Spider's armory, containing about 7-8 guns, each of a type Inari had never seen before. There were also several hand grenades stored in wooden boxes, and besides, there were numerous boxes of neatly arranged ammunition.

    In the center of the room was a book lying on a red cushion inside a clear plastic box, with a cover labeled 'Advanced Gunsmithing Manual.' Inari felt that this book, stood out from everything else, so she stepped closer to take a look, perhaps to discover something hidden.

    "That is a very rare gunsmithing manual, little Inari. Every gunner would want it in their possession, but only someone at my level can actually own it."

    Purple Spider boasted. In reality, he was dying to read it, but out of respect for the person who entrusted it to him, he dared not use it. Because of its value, he could use it to negotiate many things.

    Knock, knock, knock.

    "Lord Purple Spider, the meal is ready."

    The sound of knocking echoed before the voice of one of his subordinates came from the door.

    "Come on, little Inari, let's eat. I've prepared a special meal today to welcome you."

    Purple Spider extended his hand to Inari, hoping to lead her, but Inari quickly crossed her arms behind her back. Seeing this, he smiled at Inari before leading the way to the dining room.

    In the dining room, Purple Spider arranged for Inari to sit beside him with 80 of his men seated in four rows in front of him. An array of food was brought out, with some of Purple Spider’s men glancing at Inari non-stop, which displeased him. He attempted to assert his ownership by reaching to put his arm around her, which the beautiful woman raised her hand and gently swatted away with a shy face.

    "Uh, Brother Spider, please give me some time to adjust, please."

    Inari, brushing off his hand, looked at Purple Spider with a mix of boldness and fear, making her even more attractive and alluring.

    "Of course, I’m not in a hurry. We have plenty of time together. Now, let's eat. From now on, anyone who stares at my Inari will die. Remember that."

    Purple Spider threatened his subordinates loudly before they all started eating. Then, one of Purple Spider's men rushed in, interrupting the meal.

    "Lord Purple Spider, Lord Black Bear is on the line for you."

    Purple Spider, who was about to take his first bite, stopped mid-air and turned to look at Inari, who also looked back at him. He nodded at the subordinate who had just run in, instructing him to lower a large screen from the ceiling on the other side of the room.

    As the screen came fully down, it displayed the image of a large man, his muscular body nearly filling the screen, dressed in animal hide clothing that was as fierce as it was dirty, with a large axe strapped to his back and several long scars on his face—a stark contrast to Purple Spider, though both were bandit leaders, like heaven and earth.

    "Hello, Brother Black Bear, what do you need?"

    Purple Spider spoke to the giant-sized screen projecting the image of their conversation partners, his voice sounding more tense and irritated than usual, as if annoyed but unavoidable to talk.

    "It's about the woman sitting next to you, little brother."

    Black Bear spoke gruffly, pointing at the beautiful woman sitting beside Purple Spider.

    "What do you want with 'my' woman?"

    Purple Spider responded unfriendly, emphasizing the last two words specially for him. Used to being seen as inferior to Black Bear, he needed to assert his dominance, especially in front of Inari, who was watching.

    "Ha, don't make me laugh. Little Spider, you know I sent a letter asking for that little girl first."

    Black Bear laughed scornfully, frustrated that the woman he fancied had been snatched up by his young brother first.

    “I knew it, so I rushed to take her in first.”

    Purple Spider, aware that Black Bear was likely interested in Inari as well, acted quickly because he knew Black Bear's character well—if Inari ended up in Black Bear's hands, he would never see her again.

    "Now you're getting bold, huh, Purple Spider? I told you to send her over, just send her over. A pretty boy like you can find many others!!!"

    Black Bear spoke with seriousness. Despite the long-distance communication, the pressure felt as if they were face to face, causing Purple Spider's subordinates near the screen to stagger back.

    "Ah...!!!"

    Inari, startled by Black Bear's intense pressure, placed her left hand over her chest while gripping the edge of Purple Spider's sleeve with the other, trembling with fear. Seeing Inari so scared and seemingly reliant on him, Purple Spider felt compelled to show how dependable he could be.

    "Brother Bear, I'm asking for this one. I'm truly in love this time."

    Purple Spider stood up, speaking to Black Bear with a firm tone, in front of a still-shivering Inari, then turned to give her a gentle smile, which she returned somewhat.

    "Don't joke around, damn Spider. You've got the cannon, weapons, and the tower. Look at us, we have to stay in this cave; we've been at a disadvantage for too long now."

    Black Bear, who now appeared larger on the screen, spoke with an even more aggressive tone than before. His group, the Black Bear bandit, always received leftovers from the Purple Spider's group, something he had tolerated until now. But when it came to the woman who had captured his heart from the moment he saw her dance, the first woman to unknowingly steal his heart, he would never give in.

    “Brother Spider, I’m really scared, that man is terrifying."

    Inari began to cry, overwhelmed by the pressure exerted by Black Bear. She inched closer to Purple Spider, who was becoming increasingly captivated by her charm, utterly oblivious to everything else. He had never imagined a woman could be so endearing.

    "If you can't take it, that's your problem, Brother. Who can you blame but yourself for being so slow? Over the years, I've gotten the better things because you're too slow to choose before me."

     Purple Spider was tired of Black Bear's constant claims saying that he was taken advantages of him, but really, it was because he was more proactive, hence getting the better items. He had to manage his resources very frugally to afford bribes for those who decided who got what. He had no money left to spend like Black Bear. This time too, since the black bear was slow, what could he complain about?