"[Other], from Earth-616 of the main universe, was the Scarlet Spider—Kaine Parker.
He was an aberrant incarnation of the Spider Origin, bearing the wild nature, regeneration, and immortality of the spider clan. He was the oldest surviving Origin Spider Totem."
"[Descendant], from parallel universe Earth-982, was the infant Benjamin Richard Parker, the youngest son of Peter Parker and Mayday.
He was the youngest and purest inheritor of the Spider Origin in the entire Multiverse, the spider clan's sole future legacy, and the core sacrifice for the ritual's final stroke."
"And [Bride]..."
Silk paused slightly, a trace of helplessness and gravity flashing through her eyes as she said softly, "That's me. Among the three great totems, I am the most crucial and indispensable Spider-Bride."
The truth was finally laid bare.
Loren instantly understood the entire chain of events.
That Inheritor hunter's original target had indeed been Gwen, because Gwen was also a top-tier spider combatant—an excellent backup sacrifice and source of strength.
But when he sensed the unique bridal totem aura flowing within Silk on the battlefield, he instantly determined that the true top-tier sacrifice had appeared.
Compared to an ordinary spider combatant, the Spider-Bride's value was beyond comparison.
Capturing Gwen would only have completed an ordinary hunt. Capturing Silk meant directly securing the key core of the ultimate ritual, bringing them one step closer to reviving their clan and rewriting their fate.
That was why he had pushed himself beyond his limits without regard for the cost, switched targets without hesitation, and launched a frenzied assault. Even surrounded, he had still tried to capture Silk alive by force.
That was the final answer to every unexpected turn.
After sorting through every detail, Loren's gaze immediately fell upon Gwen beside him, and an intense urge to protect her rose in his