Chapter 289, How Did You Know?
Inside the cabin.
The other passengers, all packed tightly in the enclosed cabin, filled the air with the stench of sweat and strange odors.
In the corner, the half-spider man wearing a loose cloak kept rubbing his hands together.
His eyes were fixed on the cabin door.
Each time someone entered or exited, he would glance over to confirm whether they were from the Guild.
Last night, he had prepared thoroughly, but still failed to kill his target.
He didn't contact his employer but instead arranged to leave on the earliest ship, planning to flee immediately.
"There's no way they could know it was me. As long as this ship departs, I'll be safe. Just wait a little longer, don't rush."
The half-spider man unscrewed his water bottle and took a sip.
Trying to calm himself down and not be overly tense.
Suddenly, several spiders crawled out from the gaps in the wooden planks above.
A faint hissing sound emerged.
The man's face suddenly turned pale.
The Deputy Steward is here?
He actually found this place.
"Impossible. How did he know it was me? How did he know I was on this ship?"
The half-spider man's pupils shrank, fear and confusion filling his heart. How could they have tracked him down so quickly?
He tucked his hair back under his cloak, wrapped a scarf around his mouth and nose, and headed toward the door.
He needed to get out of here fast.
But just as he reached the cabin door.
The door slammed open.
Several figures blocked his way.
The half-spider man's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped back into the crowd.
...…
Wu Heng scanned the cabin.
He immediately spotted the half-spider man hiding among the crowd.
The half-spider man backed away without saying a word.
With a flick of his finger, a swarm of spiders poured out from the gaps in the wooden planks, filling the cabin.
As soon as the spiders appeared.
The other passengers in the cabin instantly descended into chaos.
"Ah! So many spiders."
"Spiders, damn it, why are there so many spiders?"
"They're poisonous, be careful not to touch them."
"Don't block the way, those in front, move out quickly, get out of here."
The crowd began to surge toward the door.
The scene became noisy and chaotic.
The half-spider man remained at the back, his eyes cold and watchful beneath his hood, waiting to see how Wu Heng would react.
Now that the cabin was in disarray.
If they let people out, he would slip out with them.
If they didn't, even better; a riot would break out.
That would give him a greater chance to escape.
The Guild wouldn't dare kill everyone here, would they?
Wu Heng glanced at the half-spider man in the distance and immediately understood his intention.
He flipped his hand, holding the 'Spine Staff,' and shouted to the people rushing toward him, "Everyone, look at me."
The crowded masses looked up.
Wu Heng pointed down, "Sleep!"
Whoosh!
The chaotic crowd instantly collapsed in a heap.
As the bodies hit the ground and made space, Wu Heng immediately pulled out his gun and squeezed the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out.
The half-spider man leaped to the side, dodging the bullets.
He let out a cold snort, making a hissing sound.
The spiders above began to gather into a black cloud, surging toward Wu Heng.
Wu Heng waved his hand, and a large bed sheet flew up, wrapping around the swarming spiders, slamming them to the ground where they squirmed wildly.
Skull-Crusher charged forward with his warhammer, swinging it toward where the half-spider man had dodged.
The half-spider man dodged again, but a loud bang followed as the hammer smashed a wooden bed to pieces.
Wu Heng's eyes never lost track of his target, firing bullets nonstop.
Behind him, Moya directed the few who hadn't been put to sleep to exit the cabin while her assistants dragged the sleeping ones outside.
She hadn't expected Wu Heng to act so decisively.
Once the crowd collapsed, he had immediately launched his attack.
...…
The fight continued.
The half-spider man, trying to dodge past the warhammer-wielding figure, aimed to strike at Wu Heng.
But as he made his move.
A sheet suddenly covered his head, blocking his sight.
At the same time, Bang! Bang! Bang! Gunshots pierced the air.
Bullets tore through the sheet, hitting the half-spider man's body.
He staggered back under the impact of the bullets, collapsing to the ground.
He wiped at his wounds.
His fingers were covered in blood.
Seeing Skull-Crusher charging again with his warhammer, the half-spider man shuddered, and his body began to swell, transforming into a massive gray spider the size of a calf.
The spider kicked off the ground, leaping to the ceiling.
Its eyes locked onto the Deputy Steward.
Whoosh!
Its bloated abdomen wriggled, and the next second, it spat a stream of green acid toward Wu Heng.
Wu Heng quickly raised two planks, blocking the acid, though it burned right through them.
The giant spider scuttled quickly along the ceiling, moving like a mad bull.
Wu Heng flipped his hand and switched to a heavy machine gun, cradling it in his arms.
He squeezed the trigger.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets tore through the spider's body, leaving gaping wounds. The creature fell from the ceiling, crashing to the floor.
Skull-Crusher swiftly advanced, smashing his hammer down.
A thunderous bang echoed.
The spider's thorax caved in, fluids splattering in all directions.
Its body went limp and fell lifelessly.
...…
"In spider form, can you question the corpse?" Wu Heng asked.
The stunned assistant quickly responded, "Yes, half-spider men are intelligent beings, not insects."
Moya was still somewhat shocked by Wu Heng's display.
A Deputy Steward transferred from an inland town had shown such formidable combat skills.
Throughout the battle, the half-spider man had been completely overpowered.
Skeletal followers, magic, and those strange devices.
The half-spider man didn't stand a chance.
A necromancer, a new emerging combat style?
This was her first time witnessing something like this.
"Will it speak in a language I can understand?" Wu Heng asked again.
"Yes, you'll understand," Moya said, glancing at the corpse. "Are you going to question it?"
"I don't know this half-spider man; there's probably someone else behind him," Wu Heng replied without elaborating.
He cast [Speak with Dead], and the upturned spider suddenly sprang upright.
Its murky eyes focused on Wu Heng.
Wu Heng asked directly, "Why did you try to kill me?"
The spider spoke in a strange tone, "I needed money. Someone paid me to kill you."
So someone had hired him.
Wu Heng continued, "Who paid you?"
The spider answered, "I only know his name is Bravo."
Wu Heng furrowed his brow, unable to recall anyone by that name.
He wasn't sure if he knew this person or not.
For him, names in this world were often hard to remember—he might not recognize the name, but he could know the person upon meeting.
"Where can I find him?"
"Pier 3, in the bottom of a cargo ship."
"Describe his appearance."
The spider hesitated briefly before answering, "Human, about 40 years old, brown curly hair, rough skin, wearing a gray sailor suit, and he has a limp—probably a prosthetic leg."
One last question.
Wu Heng thought for a moment before asking, "Was anyone else involved in last night's attack?"
"No one else!"
The body answered, then fell back to the ground.
Wu Heng, followed by his skeletal followers, headed out of the cabin.
Moya spoke up again, "Aren't you going to wait for the squads?"
"Miss Moya, please wait here. I'm afraid if we're late, someone might warn him."
"There could be danger over there," Moya insisted.
"Unlikely. If he could kill me, he wouldn't bother hiring this half-spider man."
Moya still wanted to dissuade him, but Wu Heng had already left.
After a moment, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed.
Members of four squads rushed down.
"Miss Moya! Is the fight over?"
Moya nodded, "Yes, the battle's over. Leave someone to watch the body and help those still asleep; the rest follow me to Pier 3."
"Yes, ma'am!"
...…
Pier 3, cargo hold.
Wu Heng descended, spotting a figure standing in the dark corner. He raised an eyebrow.
The half-spider man's description was accurate: about 40 years old, brown curly hair, rough, sun-damaged skin, dressed in a gray sailor suit.
The man looked up upon hearing footsteps from the stairs.
When he saw Wu Heng descend.
Clack, clack, clack!
He instinctively stepped back, the sound of wood hitting the floor echoing.
His face was filled with shock and disbelief.
He drew his sword, ready to attack, but quickly lowered it again, saying, "Did the half-spider man rat me out? I knew he wouldn't have the guts to kill you."
"Not going to resist?" Wu Heng asked, looking at him.
"I couldn't kill you before. Now that you're ready, how could I stand a chance?" the man replied.
"Are you with the Bloodhand Pirates?" Wu Heng inquired.
"You don't remember me? So, if I played dumb earlier, would you have let me walk out of here?"
"No. The half-spider man described you perfectly, and there's no one else here. You wouldn't have made it out," Wu Heng stated.
"I'm with the Bloodhand Pirates."
*************************************************
If you want to read more chapters, you can Read (383) chapters ahead on Patreon:
Tier 1: $1/month for an additional 5 chapters. Free 7-day trial
Tier 2: $6/month for an additional 25 chapters
Specific 3.5: $9/month for an additional 50 chapters [limited (3/5)]
Tier 3: $12/month for an additional 50 chapters
Specific 4.5: $15/month for an additional 75 chapters [limited (0/3)]
Tier 4: $18/month for an additional 75 chapters
Special 5.5: $21/month for an additional 100 chapters [limited (1/3)]
Tier 5: $24/month for an additional 100 chapters
Specific 6.5: $27/month for an additional 125 chapters [limited (0/3)]
Tier 6: $30/month for an additional 125 chapters
Specific 7.5: $33/month for an additional 150 chapters [limited (0/3)]
Tier 7: $36/month for an additional 150 chapters
Specific 8.5: $39/month for an additional 200 chapters [limited (1/3)]
Tier 8: $42/month for an additional 200 chapters
Specific 9.5: $39/month for an additional 250 chapters [limited (0/2)]
Tier 9: $42/month for an additional 250 chapters
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=113341029