In the woods, there was deathly silence.
"Ugh... This place feels awful..."
Asuna gripped her rapier as she advanced along the path, scanning her surroundings. Eriri stood a short distance ahead of her, warily watching the bushes on either side and occasionally glancing at the map.
"Don't worry. At least there shouldn't be any enemies nearby... Still, this is strange. Aren't starting maps usually meant to help players get used to weak monsters? We've been walking for so long, yet we haven't seen even half a monster?"
"It's dark everywhere, and these branches hanging down are really uncomfortable."
Asuna sighed as she looked at the branches and leaves overhead. The branches in this forest drooped almost to head level, and as they moved forward, they kept brushing against branches and leaves. Fortunately, this was a game rather than reality. Otherwise, Asuna would probably have needed a thorough bath after this trip. Even so, she had already decided that she would take a nice bath and relax once they returned...
"Ah, Asuna, wait a second."
Just then, Gabriel, who was walking behind Asuna, suddenly called out to her.
"There's something stuck to you."
As she spoke, Gabriel lazily reached out and plucked something off Asuna.
"Ah, thank you, Gabrie..."
Hearing Gabriel, Asuna hurriedly turned around to thank her, but her words abruptly stopped halfway through.
The next moment, Asuna's face turned deathly pale.
Because what Gabriel was holding was something furry, as large as a palm, and constantly struggling...
A spider.
"Eek---!!"
At the sight, Asuna reflexively tried to back away, but Gabriel grabbed her.
"Wait, there are several more."
"S-Several more?!!"
Asuna's legs went weak, and she could barely remain standing. She could only stand there like a puppet, blankly watching Gabriel pull one spider after another from her back