Arthur had completely lost hope. When he heard her unexpected reply, he didn’t take it seriously. He simply let out a faint laugh, then mocked her.

  "You’ll give me my freedom? You? That’s enough lies. Do you really think I’d believe anything you say after everything you’ve done to me?

  It’s obvious you just want me to lead you to the Mana Ore cave. After that, you’ll get rid of me.

  I’ve already insulted your precious pride. A twisted monster like you wouldn’t just let that slide, right?"

  His sarcastic words were sharp and filled with deep resentment. Yet, the Spider Woman didn’t get angry like she always did. All she did was frown and shake her head in disappointment, murmuring,

  "But I’m not lying."

  When Arthur saw her acting in such an unfamiliar way, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. An absurd thought appeared in his mind.

  'What kind of reaction is this? Don’t tell me she’s actually serious? Is she really planning to free me?'

  His eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t believe it. It went completely against her domineering personality.

  But since he understood her character well and knew her nature, he quickly realized she was telling the truth.

  The moment he understood that, he forgot all his pain and frustration. Even that surrender and desire for rest vanished completely. His usual determination returned, along with his unyielding personality.

  With a serious, uncompromising expression, he stared into her unusually lost eyes and asked,

  "Are you really going to free me?”

  Their eyes met, and a strange, awkward silence filled the air. After a brief moment of hesitation, she replied,

  "Yes. And you know the price."

  Hearing her confirmation, Arthur felt relieved and let out an involuntary sigh. At the same time, confusion rose inside him.

  'Wasn’t she trying to kill me just a moment ago? So what changed?’

  He didn’t know whether to feel happy or worried. He truly wanted his freedom, but gaining it this way—especially after everything that had happened—made him question her real intentions.

  Even knowing how dangerous it was, he didn’t hold back and asked bluntly,

  "Why? Why did you change your mind and decide to free me?"

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  The Spider Woman opened her mouth, yet no words came out, as if they were stuck in her throat. She frowned slightly, her expression turning complicated.

  When his persistent gaze stayed on her, she did something she had never done before—she looked away. Finally, she answered in a cold voice, carrying a faint trace of incomprehensible sadness.

  "Because I need those Mana Stones more than I need you. And I know you won’t tell me their location, even if I tear you apart."

  "Hmph." She snorted and continued,

  "Consider yourself lucky this time. You left me with no other choice but to give you what you want."

  Arthur noticed the strangeness in her expression and tone. He realized she wasn’t telling him the whole truth. Still, her arrogant answer was enough for him.

  He no longer doubted her sincerity or intentions, yet he remained wary that she might betray him at the last moment.

  He pushed his mind to the limit, trying to come up with a way to stop her from turning on him later. It only took him a few seconds to form a decent plan.

  The "Desperate Frenzy" effect from the "Last One Standing" skill had already ended. Even so, he gathered every ounce of strength he had left.

  He moved his exhausted, broken body, and with extreme difficulty forced himself to stand on his legs, barely stopping himself from collapsing.

  Then he said, "Alright then."

  He paused for a moment because of the pain, then continued,

  "If you want me to lead you to the cave, you’ll have to give me four things in return."

  "Four things?!" The Spider Woman’s calm disappeared as she snapped angrily. "Weren’t they only two? Don’t get arrogant, pup, just because I compromised a little."

  Arthur didn’t panic. He waited until she fell silent, then continued,

  "Yes, four things. And before you start complaining, remember this—you beat me until I was on the verge of death. So don’t expect me to keep my conditions the same."

  When she looked at his mangled body covered in blood, she felt a trace of guilt and pity. She let out a short sigh and said,

  "Fine. Tell me your conditions."

  "First, I want you to heal me. I can barely stand, let alone walk.

  Second, I want my freedom.

  Third, as agreed, half of the Mana Ore.

  And fourth, I want a guarantee that you won’t chase me down and kill me after you get what you want.

  And finally…" He looked straight at her. "I want some of your blood. Twenty liters will be enough. The more, the better.”

  As soon as she heard all of his conditions, she gritted her teeth in pure rage, emitting a suffocating killing intent. She screamed,

  "My blood?! What the hell are you thinking? And besides, those are five conditions, not four!"

  Arthur flashed a small smile and replied without a hint of shame or fear,

  "Well, the first condition doesn't count. You're the one who put me in this state, so it's your responsibility to heal me.

  As for your blood, I won't lie—it was truly delicious, and drinking it will make me stronger. So yes, I want it. You can consider it a gesture of apolo—"

  Before he could finish, she took a step toward him and gripped his throat so tightly that he could no longer breathe.

  "It seems you really do want to die. Didn't you hear me? I told you not to push your luck."

  Arthur struggled hard to move his mouth, eventually forcing out a few words:

  "Then... how about this... bring me... the carcasses of five... C-Rank monsters... instead of your blood."

  The spider woman's veins bulged and twisted under her skin like worms from the intensity of her anger.

  She realized that the C-Rank monsters were what he wanted from the beginning, and the request for her blood was nothing more than a provocation.

  She could no longer contain her rage. She wanted to strike him hard, but that would lead to his death. To vent some of her fury, she looked for another target.

  She raised her other hand and aimed it at the unconscious Amaya nearby. Then, she unleashed dozens of white spears, turning her body into shreds of flesh.

  Blood soaked the grass, and a heavy silence filled the air for a moment. Arthur’s eyes widened in shock, and he trembled involuntarily.

  Hesitation clouded his features as he carefully considered his next words to avoid provoking her further.

  The spider woman took a deep breath, struggling to calm herself, though her facial expression remained tense.

  "Fine. You have a deal."

  She then placed her hand on his chest, transferring some of her vitality to heal him.

  Arthur felt a surge of refreshment as a pleasant warmth spread through his body. His HP bar rose rapidly, and his "Regeneration" skill returned to full power. His fractures knit together, and his wounds closed.

  Even his crushed eye began to regenerate. However, his vision didn't return immediately; he realized that given the complexity of the eye's structure, it would take some time.

  She released him, leaped onto his back, and sat comfortably.

  "Lead me to the cave. We will discuss the remaining details on the way. Also, I will only hunt two C-Rank monsters for you; monsters of that rank aren't exactly common."

  Although he was annoyed by the fact that she was riding him once again, he said nothing.

  He began walking toward the south, his mind already calculating his next move.

  — — — — — — —

  Author’s Note

  Hey everyone! Sorry for the slow updates lately. ?? I’ve been a bit tied up, but normal posting will resume starting the day after tomorrow.

  Thanks for your patience!