I Own A Brothel In Another World (Ch. 1-196)

Chapter 105 - Home Makeover

I keep myself low and hidden while observing the spider women moving around the cave and thinking about the current situation. The best choice would be to avoid any contact if possible and sneak past them, continuing on my path to meet the others. Additionally, they are most likely heading my way too, which means they are about to run into the Arachnes at some point.

But, that humanoid-looking girl keeps bothering me. I think it's fair to assume that she's something that could be considered an albino amongst her kind. Many of them aren't treated too well in nature back on Earth and are often ostracized due to their differences.

While it's mostly about being a danger to the group as those differences might make it easier for predators to spot them, I don't think it's that in this case. I wouldn't be surprised if she is hated so much only because she looks different from them.

In any way, call me a fool, but I want to go down there and help her. But, even so, I'm not as stupid to just charge straight at them and valiantly save the damsel in distress. First of all, I need to know if she even can or wants to be saved.

Even if the girl is treated like dirt and waste, she was most likely born into this community and is still a part of it. The other spider women can still be considered her family, her nest, her home. If she held no attachments to this place, she would have definitely tried to escape the abuse. But, no matter how skewed and forced onto her they might be, she could very well believe herself to be truly a lesser being and accept her slave-like role for the community.

Unfortunately, I can't confirm anything without actually interacting with the girl, which could prove to be extremely dangerous. I'm pretty confident in handling the number of Arachnes in this chamber but who knows how many more there are and what's the hierarchical structure of their den. The women present here are clearly workers or something.

Noticing that most of them are slowly beginning to leave the stone room through various exits after finishing their tasks, I make a quick decision to use that opportunity if it actually presents itself to me. To not waste this chance, I get in touch with Shino while observing the movements down below.

~Hey. How are you guys doing on the other side?~ I ask.

~We are fine, Sensei. There were some lizards or other monsters on our path but nothing too dangerous. We are slowly moving your way.~

~I'm glad to hear that. Now, I have to take care of something here so I will stop heading your way for a moment. As for you, I need you to do something. When you stumble onto tunnels with many spiders, do not engage them if possible, and stay away. Do not go further on that path. You can still try to look for an exit around or another way or just stay near them while waiting for me.~

~Why?~

~How do I say this... I might possibly be somewhere in the centre of a quite dangerous spider nest. I do hope to avoid direct confrontation but it might not be possible. It would be risky if you attacked it from the outside or were spotted going in so I would rather you stay near. If things go to shit on my side, I'll run towards you and we'll regroup to handle the enemies together while retreating.~

Silence answers me for a moment and I can feel Shino's worry through our bond even though some distance separates us. I didn't want to lie to her about my situation. That would only make her worry even more and could lead to her making rash decisions when she would learn what I have gotten myself into.

~Alright, Sensei. But, please, be careful. I know that you are strong, but still. We will be waiting for you as you requested.~

I smile to myself and focus my mind on reaching with my consciousness through the bond we share and bring my presence to Shino, just like I did with Cornelia long ago, letting her feel like I'm giving her a gentle hug from behind. I can sense her smiling back and I return to the situation below.