Lines snapped one after another; the net shuddered wave after wave.
Fine tremors echoed between the web and its knots, lingering for a long while.
The spider did not move.
Though the situation was urgent beyond measure, it did not lose its head. Instead, it restrained itself.
At this most critical juncture, not only did it take no remedial measures, it stood firm as a mountain, watching coldly, quietly sensing every stray rhythm of accident upon that web, as though listening intently.
Yet there was still no echo.
Within just two hours, two lines had snapped in succession. But after that, there were no further changes—no following the vine to find the melon, no casting stones to ask the way...
It seemed to be nothing more than a coincidence caused by an accidental exposure. Perhaps the Original Vow Lineage's movements had let the Star Core Association catch some clue, exposing the locations of two markers and landing points.
But that was not right.
Because the wind had changed.
Whether experience or instinct, some intuition honed over countless years began to stir faintly, bringing it an ominous premonition.
It was as though an invisible pair of scissors had silently risen somewhere beyond the spider's sight, taking aim and waiting for it to reveal a flaw before ruthlessly cutting everything into shattered pieces!
Though the flow of time outside the branches had not changed in the slightest, though the mist hanging between the anchors had not stirred, though the noise points it had scattered through countless severed branches as a feint showed no signs of having been disturbed.
It still did not relax in the slightest.
High above Triple Station, the suspended Spider's Shadow moved slightly, smoothing away the final trace of vibration carried through the web.
Then, its own height rose