Dr. Ren paced nervously near the cave, glancing repeatedly toward the forest where Rema had disappeared. His brow furrowed with concern as he muttered to himself. Finally, he turned to Sou, who was leaning casually against a rock, seemingly unconcerned.
"Where does this silly girl go off to alone?" Dr. Ren exclaimed, his voice tight with worry. "I'm worried! Do something, Sou!"
Sou shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. "What can I do, Dr.? She went into the forest on her own. That was her choice. And anyway, why should I care?"
Dr. Ren arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Oh really? You say that, but your restless tapping and deep breaths tell a different story. You're worried sick, boy. What a sweet couple! Always bickering, yet you can't stay apart."
Sou stiffened, his expression shifting to one of mock outrage. "Are you out of your mind, Dr.?" he retorted. "First of all, we are not a couple. Second, maybe your old eyes aren't working properly anymore!"
Before Dr. Ren could reply, a sharp scream echoed through the forest, shattering the relative calm. The two men froze for a moment, their hearts pounding as the sound reverberated in their ears.
"That was Rema!" Dr. Ren exclaimed, his face pale.
Without another word, they sprinted toward the direction of the scream, pushing through the dense underbrush. Twigs and leaves scratched at their arms as they ran, the forest closing in around them.
When they broke through the trees into a small clearing, both men skidded to a halt, their eyes widening in shock.
A massive spider web stretched between two ancient trees, its silvery strands glinting ominously in the dappled light. Caught in the web were Rema and an extraordinary creature—a dog-sized ant with shimmering butterfly wings and a stubby tail. Both were struggling against the sticky strands, their movements growing weaker with every second.
"Just don't stand there, you jerk!" Rema shouted, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "Help me!"
Sou blinked, his initial shock fading into his usual sarcastic demeanor. "I don't think I've ever heard someone plead for help and still manage to sound so arrogant."
The ant's antennae twitched as it turned its tiny, expressive eyes toward Sou. Its voice was surprisingly soft and melodic as it pleaded, "Please, young man, help us. I will do everything I can to repay you."
Sou smirked. "Alright, Mr. Ant, I'll help you. But what about you, Rema? Do you even deserve my help?"
Rema glared at him, her eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?!"
Before Sou could reply, Rema's expression shifted. Her eyes grew wide, then rolled back in terror as she let out another ear-piercing scream.
"Sou," Dr. Ren interjected, his voice shaky and barely above a whisper. "I hate to interrupt your little spat, but I think... something big is behind us. And it's staring at us. Cruelly."
Sou turned slowly, his entire body stiffening as he came face to face with the creature.
It was enormous—easily twice the size of the spider web itself. Its glistening black body shimmered with an otherworldly sheen, and its eight legs moved with a predatory grace. Two gleaming, red eyes locked onto Sou, and its mandibles clicked menacingly, a sound that sent a shiver down his spine.
Sou's breath caught in his throat, his legs rooted to the spot in fear. His mind screamed at him to move, to do something, but his body refused to obey.
"Sou!" Dr. Ren hissed, his voice urgent. "What do we do?"
But Sou couldn't answer. He couldn't think. He could only stare at the monstrous creature before him, a living nightmare that threatened to devour them all.