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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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“Juho, listen carefully.”
“This is a promise between you and me. I won’t give you another chance.”
“As long as you remain my partner, I will give you everything. No one will disrespect you. Your misfortune is my misfortune, and I will personally handle any problems you face.”
“However, if you betray my devotion, you will face the consequences.”
“Don’t keep secrets from me. There’s no need for secrets between partners. If you lie or deceive me, I will have no choice but to bind you and keep you close.”
“We won’t end up like Mother and Father.”
“Do you understand?”
“You’re a smart male, so I’m sure you do.”
“I look forward to our future together, my partner.”
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The first night.
With Arachne’s permission,
Isaac and I began setting up our new home in the altar cave.
The cave was filled with dust and rubble. We swept the floor and made makeshift bedding.
There was a type of tree with long, broad leaves, like palm fronds. We gathered them and wove them together with spider silk, creating surprisingly comfortable bedding.
“…At least we’re not being treated like slaves.”
Isaac smiled faintly as we worked. His smile was subtle, almost imperceptible.
True to his quiet, reserved nature,
Isaac was a man of moderation, even in his expressions.
His faint smile reflected this restraint. A boisterous laugh would have seemed inappropriate, and a stern expression would have made the atmosphere tense.
This was perfect.
Isaac made small talk, trying to distract me from the grim reality of our situation.
“You seem to be acquainted with those spiders.”
“Yes.”
“You saved my life. To be treated like this after firing on them… I’m in your debt.”
Isaac was worried.
The spiders wouldn’t simply forgive and forget being attacked.
We both knew this.
“We have a place to sleep, and time to rest. This is practically paradise. When I was trapped with those grotesque monsters, I cursed this planet, this hellish world in a beautiful universe, but… perhaps it’s not so bad after all.”
Isaac finished making the bedding and lay down, stretching his limbs.
He didn’t voice his anxieties or fears.
“This is comfortable… you should lie down too, Juho. This is better than the ship’s bunks.”
But we couldn’t hide the underlying tension. We simply lay there, staring at the cave ceiling, our eyes blinking in the dim light.
It was a night for contemplation.
Isaac thought about his uncertain future, and I, about his predicament and my own.
“…Isaac, it’s okay. I’ll find a way.”
It was a weak attempt at reassurance.
I just had to wait for Jenny.
She had Amy’s body, and her return would solve many of our problems.
Jenny was strong enough to rival the spiders.
And once we retrieved Amy’s body, we could regain some control, no longer at the mercy of the planet’s females.
But I didn’t know where Jenny was.
Or when she would return.
A small, fragile hope,
That was all we had.
“It’s fine. There’s nothing to solve. I’m content with this. A place to sleep, plenty of food… what more could I ask for?”
Isaac feigned indifference, turning on his side, trying to sleep.
“Let’s get some rest. I’m tired.”
His broad shoulders seemed strangely small, vulnerable.
I closed my eyes, remaining silent. I hoped he could find some peace, even for a little while.
But,
The sound of clicking legs echoed through the cave.
Spiders.
They approached us, bowing their heads, their bodies low to the ground. Just like they had done with Arachne, they showed me a certain deference.
“We have come for the male.”
But their words made my blood run cold.
Their eyes were filled with a cold determination. They intended to take Isaac and use him as they pleased.
And their gazes, directed at me, held a hint of resentment and distrust.
Even though Arachne treated me with kindness, it was understandable that the other spiders resented me.
They raised their arms towards me in a gesture of respect, but their eyes, fixed on me, held a predatory glint.
“…He’s tired, so he’s resting. Go back and get some sleep yourselves.”
I exercised my authority.
I wasn’t letting them take Isaac. I wanted him to rest, at least for tonight.
“Oh my…”
But the spiders smiled slyly, straightening their bodies. The difference in our size was intimidating.
“Are you refusing the Queen’s command?”
They invoked Arachne’s name.
While I held a higher rank than them,
I couldn’t defy Arachne.
If I pushed this any further, it might create friction between us, so early in our… partnership.
But I had to try.
“…I’ll talk to her myself-”
“Juho, it’s fine.”
Isaac’s hand rested on my shoulder.
Even though he didn’t understand our conversation, he sensed the spiders’ intentions.
“I’ll go. Get some rest. Don’t worry about me.”
Isaac walked towards the spiders, putting himself out of my reach. They exchanged glances, a hint of amusement in their eyes.
“Isaac…”
He followed them out of the cave.
I was alone again,
And Isaac didn’t return for hours.
Arachne had postponed our “first night” out of consideration for my condition, but the spiders had no such qualms about Isaac.
They simply wanted to vent their frustrations on the male who had dared to use a weapon against them.
The fall of their kingdom,
The new beginning,
It must have been stressful for them.
And Arachne, their new Queen, was much younger than them. They had likely competed for dominance before, and now they had to serve her…
“…”
That’s why they had taken Isaac.
To use him as an outlet for their frustrations. They would have preferred to take it out on me, but they wouldn’t dare touch the Queen’s partner.
Isaac returned three hours later,
The spiders’ mocking laughter echoing behind him.
“Isaac!”
But he was still smiling.
A strained smile, but still…
“Why are you still awake? Let’s get some rest.”
He was still the same.
Unlike me, still clinging to childish notions, Isaac knew how to hide his pain, his burdens.
“Isaac…”
“It’s nothing. We’ll be spending time together anyway, so… consider it a… bonding experience.”
Even in this situation, his primary concern was my well-being.
Isaac now understood the nature of the females on this planet. His body was covered in scratches and bruises, and he carried the faint, sweet scent of their lust.
“How do you turn off the light? I’m tired. Let’s sleep.”
“…”
I adjusted the glowing rod, twisting the top to dim the light.
It was the one [he] had given me.
It was our only source of light now, guiding us through the darkness.
“…Goodnight.”
“Yes, goodnight. See you tomorrow.”
Only after the light was extinguished did Isaac touch his wedding ring. He had no idea that my eyes, enhanced by Alraune, could see in the dark.
His golden wedding ring held memories I couldn’t comprehend. Every being cherished something precious.
That small ring was Isaac’s hope, his reason for living. He wouldn’t die until he found its mate.
Perhaps it was his curse.
While most males on this planet likely desired survival, many probably gave up eventually.
But Isaac couldn’t give up.
He had to find his wife.
He had to reach the Paradise crash site, find his wife, and escape this planet together.
“…”
Neither of us,
Could sleep. We tossed and turned, our minds racing.
The night was long.
And in the long, dark hours,
I thought about,
“…”
The choices I would have to make,
If Jenny didn’t return.
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