Chapter 457: Hello, little spider

Vergil kept his spear raised, but his eyes held an almost amused gleam. “Hello, little spider.”

The dry sound she made was half laugh, half chitinous snap, like claws scraping stone.

“Little spider?” she repeated, dragging out the “s” as if tasting the word and then spitting it out. “I am the perfect heir. I was molded to be everything my mother couldn’t be. Speed, strength, intelligence… perfection.”

“Uh-huh.” Vergil tilted his head slightly, as if assessing a poorly painted painting. “Impressive. Have you ever tried writing that on a plaque to hang around your neck? Makes it easy for everyone to believe.”

Eight eyes narrowed simultaneously. “You dare mock my essence? I was made to be the ultimate predator. My very presence should chill the blood of even the most fearless warrior.”

Vergil shrugged. “Anyone who needs to constantly be told how supreme they are… usually isn’t.”

She took a step forward, her curved paws digging deep grooves into the ground. “Careful, mortal. My venom could dissolve your body in minutes.”

Vergil glanced at her claws, then back at her face. “Venom, eight eyes, and too much talk. Is this what they call perfect now? I’m disappointed.”

Zuri, who was leaning against a stone column, half-trying to stay out of the center of the tension, murmured, “Vergil… she looks strong. Very strong.”

“Zuri,” he said, without taking his eyes off the creature, “how many times have I told you?”

She sighed. “You just want to have fun, okay, have fun. Apparently, Sapphire…”

“Exactly.” Vergil gave a half-smile. “And this one doesn’t even come close.”

The creature leaned forward, its silken hair waving like living tentacles.

“Insolent.” You killed my mother and now you insult me like a cub.”

“Ah, but that’s what you are.” He rested the spear shaft on the ground. “Just a cub who learned to talk.”

Her chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh. The venomous veins in her abdomen pulsed with a green glow.

“I could rip your heart out before you blinked.”

“Then why haven’t you done it yet?” Vergil raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. “Or are you afraid of making a mistake?”

Zuri shifted, tense. The air in the cave changed—it became denser, thicker, like before a storm. “Vergil…”

“I know.” He didn’t look away.

The sound that came from her throat was a deep growl, almost animalistic, but with an intelligible echo. “Pathetic… you’re pathetic.”

“Look,” Vergil smiled, but the smile held no warmth, “he began to describe himself.”

The blow came like thunder. One of her long, curved front legs sliced through the air toward him with enough speed to create a dull thud.

But Vergil was no longer there.

He moved a step to the side, smooth, almost lazy, as if avoiding a puddle of water in his path. The bone blade passed inches from his head and embedded itself in the wall, cracking the stone.

“Is that all?” he asked, his tone almost disappointed. “The perfect one missed the first attack.”

She pulled her leg back, twisting her body in a fluid motion. “I was just… testing.”

“Of course.” He twirled the spear with one hand, unhurriedly. “Keep testing, little spider. Maybe one day you’ll get it right.”

She attacked again, this time with two legs in succession, trying to close him in a pincer attack. Vergil retreated two steps, spun his body, and passed unharmed between them, without even raising his spear to defend himself.

“Interesting,” he said, adjusting his pace. “You have strength. You have speed. But you have no… purpose.”

“My purpose is to crush you!” she hissed, spitting a thin line of venom that hit the ground and made the stone smoke.

Vergil stared at the corrosive hole. “Wow. A circus trick. I bet the maggots loved it.”

Her irritation turned to open fury. Her hind legs dug into the ground, and she thrust her entire body forward like a living spear.

Vergil spun, dodging under her trajectory, and tapped her side on the abdomen with the tip of his spear. Not enough to hurt—just to show he could.

She froze for a second, surprised by the ease of the contact.

“See?” he said calmly. “I can hit you whenever I want.”

“Shut up!” Her roar reverberated through the cave, sending dust flying from the ceiling.

Zuri, who had been watching the exchange like someone watching a deadly dance, bit her lip. “Vergil… maybe it’s not a good idea to provoke her so much.”

“It’s exactly what she deserves.” He didn’t take his eyes off the creature. “Arrogance without substance is just… noise.”

Her eight eyes gleamed with anger. “You think you can defeat me easily?”

“I don’t think so.” He smirked. “I know.”

She took a deep breath—or at least took what seemed like the equivalent for something with half an arachnid body—and took a step back, as if reconsidering. But Vergil noticed the tension in her legs, her weight shifting forward.

“Here it comes…” he murmured.

The attack was a blur. She leaped diagonally, caught herself against a wall, and ricocheted back toward him like a projectile. The movement was almost invisible, but Vergil was already moving his body before she got close.

The bone blade passed close to his throat, and he felt the cool rush of air against his skin. With a quick step, he placed himself behind her.

“Nice move.” His voice came just behind her ear. “For a gym workout.”

She spun furiously, but he was already two meters away, his spear resting on his shoulder.

“Keep going, little spider. I’m curious to see what your perfect strike is.”

The silence that followed lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough for the tension to grow even more intense. She wasn’t used to being treated like this. Vergil could feel it.

“I’ll show you,” she said, her voice low, like a promise. “I’ll show you why I was created.”

He waved his hand in invitation. “Come on, show me everything you have to offer, you ridiculous creature.” He spoke as his madness began to leak into his eyes.

Now… it was about to begin.