Chapter 43: Fighting A Jorogumo

Chapter 43: Fighting A Jorogumo"Ruka!!"

The sharp voice echoed through the trees like a slap, making both Ruka and Mob pause mid-step.

From above, a girl hovered effortlessly, her long hair swaying with the breeze, her glowing eyes locked onto Ruka like lasers. Her presence was loud. Magic pulsed around her, elegant but wild.

Mob blinked. "...Flying girl."

Ruka groaned and rubbed the back of his head like a kid caught sneaking out.

"Temmy... hey."

She narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing in the mortal realm, Ruka? We agreed you’d stay in the Spirit Realm. You promised."

Ruka floated up a little to match her height, tilting his head playfully. "Yeah, well... that place is boring as hell. Nothing but floating islands and moody spirits. And you weren’t there. So what’s the point?"

Temmy folded her arms, clearly not amused.

"You’re only here because of me, right? So technically, I should be allowed to be here too," he added with a smug smile.

She opened her mouth to argue—but then her eyes shifted to Mob. Her expression softened instantly, turning curious, then amused. "Oh... you two have met already?"



Mob raised a brow. "Not properly."

"I’m Temmy," she said with a grin. "A friend of Lucifer. Heard a lot about you, Mob."

Mob’s eyes twitched slightly at the name. Lucifer... again.

He finally stepped forward, offering his hand. "The pleasure’s mine. Francisca mentioned you. You’re the one who passed the daylight ring to Lucifer, right? Because of you, witches could replicate it. Vampires owe you."

Temmy took his hand with a small smile. "Nah it was nothing, he is my friend."

Mob chuckled.

Ruka, meanwhile, looked like he just bit into something sour. Lucifer? Heirloom???

He didn’t say anything, but Mob noticed the way his eye twitched.

Before anyone could dive deeper into awkward topics, the ground rumbled beneath them.

A deep, guttural roar rolled through the forest. Birds scattered. Even the shadows trembled.

Temmy’s smile dropped. She turned toward the trees.

"Tch. Something big’s coming."

She landed lightly beside Ruka. Her voice was low now, almost a whisper. "You’re not supposed to be here, Ruka. It’s dangerous. For you. And for what’s coming."

He stayed silent.

"I have a lead on your mother," she said softly, not looking at him. "Let me find her. Alone."

Ruka’s eyes hardened.

"No. I’m staying."

"Ruka—"

"I said no," he cut in. "She’s my mother. My fight. I’m not letting you go alone. You know what my dad said—she’s dangerous. If something happens to you, I—"

Temmy suddenly reached up and held his face gently, staring into his eyes.

"I can handle myself."

Ruka leaned forward, brushing his forehead against hers. "I know. But still."

Their lips were inches apart.

Then—

"Ahem."

Mob clapped once. Loudly.

"Sorry to ruin the love scene, but we’ve got a monster situation incoming. You two can kiss after we survive whatever the hell that was."

Temmy blinked. Ruka stepped back quickly, face slightly red.



Mob grinned. "Right. Back to work."

The three of them turned toward the forest as the roar came again—closer now.

Trees in the distance cracked and toppled.

Something massive was heading their way.

Temmy summoned a glowing sigil in her hand. Ruka’s aura flared, black mist swirling. Mob’s eyes glinted, the air around him tightening.

Whatever it was—it was almost here.

And it wasn’t coming to say hi.

CRACK!

A massive tree snapped like a twig and flew through the air, slamming into the ground with a thunderous boom. The forest trembled as something crawled out of the shadows—something wrong.

Legs. Eight of them.

Each one long and spindly, sharp enough to pierce steel. The creature that emerged was huge—twice the size of a truck. Its body shimmered with black and red chitin, pulsing like it was alive with blood. The upper half was that of a beautiful woman with long, flowing black hair and glowing, soulless eyes. But her smile was not human.

It was the smile of a predator.

Mob’s eyes widened the moment he saw her.

"...shit."

Sweat ran down his temple. "That’s a Jorogumo... and not just any variant. That’s a Class A."

Temmy tilted her head. "Class what?"

Mob didn’t look at her. His eyes were still locked on the monster. "Class A. One step below the worst of the worst. Only people close to the strength of a faction leader can fight that thing."

Ruka blinked. "...That’s a thing?"

"Yeah," Mob muttered, slowly reaching into his pocket. "And no offense, but neither of you are on that level."

The Jorogumo let out a high-pitched clicking sound, almost like laughter. Her voice slithered out, smooth and eerie.

"Ahh... I smell youth. Power. And... a little bit of celestial. Delicious."

She skittered forward with a burst of speed, the ground cracking under her weight. One leg shot out like a spear straight toward Temmy.

CLANG!

A barrier shimmered around her just in time, sparks flying.

Temmy slid back a few feet, blinking. "Okay. What the hell is this thing?"

"No idea," Ruka said, his hand lighting up with blue spirit energy. "But it’s strong. Way too strong."

"Yeah," Temmy muttered. "Creepy spider lady... I already hate this."

Mob pulled out two talismans, biting his lip. "I can try to seal her... but that takes time. You two keep her busy. And don’t die."



Ruka stepped forward, cracking his neck. "No promises."

The Jorogumo hissed, her spider eyes glowing brighter. She launched three silk threads toward Ruka, moving faster than a bullet.

He twisted, ducking under one, slashing the second with his spirit blade, but the third clipped his side. He grunted, crashing into a tree.

"Ruka!" Temmy shouted, her body igniting with golden runes.

She soared into the air and fired a barrage of light arrows down at the monster, raining like holy fire. The Jorogumo screeched, shielding herself with her legs, the impact shaking the ground.

Smoke rose from the scorched earth.

Mob knelt, slamming the talismans into the dirt as fast as he could. "Just a little more..."

Ruka rose from the rubble, wiping blood from his lip. "Alright, you creepy spider hag. Round two."

Temmy floated beside him, eyes glowing. "We hold her off. Mob seals her. Got it?"

Ruka smirked. "Got it."

The Jorogumo’s laughter echoed through the forest.

The battle was just getting started.