The Face-Spider's corpse fell to the ground, where Miss Coens's dancing longsword churned it into a bloody pulp.
Her strikes were exceptionally swift and powerful. Although Miss Novare had just said that Shade's swordsmanship was better than Miss Coens's, Shade felt that in a pure contest of swordsmanship, he might not necessarily defeat this veteran hunter.
He merely had better physical attributes.
"This looks like the offspring of some spider-like evil creature. It probably isn't our target."
Only then did Miss Coens speak. She took the candle from Shade's hand and used it to ignite the spider's corpse.
"It really wasn't an official resident. I didn't see a room number above its head."
Shade said the same. He had also realized that the sound had come from overhead, but since he had not known what the creature was, he had not attacked immediately. Miss Coens's sword had truly been very fast.
After dealing with the spider, the two continued in the same direction. It would naturally have been best if they found "Relic Room 1908" first, since the relic might help them deal with their enemy. But after passing eight doors in total on both sides, the first room they encountered was neither a Safe Room nor a Relic Room, but Room 1978, where the monster they needed to "contain" had originally been.
Shade and Miss Coens exchanged a glance. They each lit another match to replenish their lights, then Shade turned the door handle, and the door indeed opened.
He opened it a crack, then quickly shut it again. After waiting a few seconds and confirming that no key had fallen at their feet, he reopened the door in disappointment and entered with Miss Coens.
This room differed from every room they had explored before. It was a single