Chapter Seventy-Eight: Fear

Strange...

After seeing the enormous spider outside depart, Qin Fei quickly followed and stepped out of the artifact room. Yet the spiders surrounding him did not swarm in or make any move to attack. They wandered about as if blind.

No, that's not right—they were already blind. None of these spiders had eyes on their bodies.

Falling silent, Qin Fei gazed at the giant spiders roaming aimlessly around him. Could they simply be letting me leave? That’s impossible. He dismissed the thought swiftly. In nature, no predator would ever let their prey escape once caught.

Perhaps they’re only feigning indifference, refraining from attacking me so I’ll feel safe. Once I walk far enough, they’ll surround me, closing in for the kill.

If that’s truly their plan, then these spiders are even capable of cunning! Qin Fei’s suspicion was rooted in the fact that creatures on the Ark Island displayed remarkable intelligence; basic strategy was not beyond them. If these spiders were truly that clever, then his chances of survival were slim.

With this thought, fear surged anew within Qin Fei. At the same moment, the giant spiders nearby spun around and began crawling toward him.

Huh?

The instant they surged forward, Qin Fei recognized their pattern. Clearly, when fear arose in his heart, these spiders responded with aggression.

A bold theory surfaced in his mind: these spiders did not rely on sight or hearing to hunt. Perhaps they sensed the emotions of their prey, locating them through feelings.

He recalled the inscription on the immunity artifact: "Serene mind, impervious to poison." Serene mind, impervious to poison... Perhaps this was a clue.

Could it be that, as long as I keep my mind calm, these spiders won’t attack?

With this revelation, Qin Fei stood at the entrance of the artifact room, focusing on quelling his fear and cultivating tranquility within.

He was gambling. If his theory was right—if the spiders truly hunted by sensing emotion—then so long as he maintained calm, they would not attack. But even if he was wrong, he could retreat swiftly into the artifact room before the spiders reached him.

Sure enough, once Qin Fei steadied his heart and suppressed his fear, the spiders halted.

They seemed to have lost their target, dispersing and wandering aimlessly in the area.

Success!

Watching the giant spiders scatter, Qin Fei felt tremendous relief. His guess was proven correct!

Growing bolder, he stepped forward several paces and stood among the spiders without moving. Without a trace of fear in his heart, even the close proximity of the spiders did not provoke an attack.

After circling outside for a time, he returned to the artifact room and shared his discovery with Xie Nai Nai and Caesar.

Hoisting the devil frog onto his shoulder, he covered its eyes and strode straight ahead. Before long, he was clear of the spiders’ territory.

Caesar followed suit, picking up his pet dire wolf and likewise covering its eyes. Soon, he too had passed through the spider cluster.

The dire wolf was larger than modern wolves, weighing close to a hundred kilograms. For Caesar, whose physique had been enhanced by "basic physical improvement," carrying the beast was taxing but possible.

Once Qin Fei and Caesar escaped the spiders, it was Xie Nai Nai’s turn.

However, as soon as she stepped out of the artifact room, the giant spiders immediately gathered around. Forced to retreat, she returned inside.

Qin Fei watched her, at a loss for words.

Clearly, Xie Nai Nai was still afraid. It was understandable—not everyone could control their fear so well.

Just like in horror films: if one does not succumb to fear, they aren't attacked by ghosts, yet people can rarely control their emotions.

Ultimately, their inability to quell inner terror gives the ghosts an opening.

Xie Nai Nai was the same. Even knowing she’d be safe if she stayed calm, panic still took hold.

Imagining and doing are worlds apart.

Moreover, Qin Fei couldn’t simply help her by carrying her out as he had the devil frog.

Animals on the island, though intelligent, were not as clever as humans. When blindfolded, unable to see or know their surroundings, fear does not arise.

But humans are different. If Xie Nai Nai were blindfolded and carried out, like the frog, it would not work. As long as she sensed movement and knew she was surrounded by spiders, fear would persist.

Not only would she be attacked, but Qin Fei could also be endangered.

As for knocking her unconscious? That was even more impractical.

The trope of a single chop to the neck knocking someone out, who then wakes up unharmed, belongs only in brainless television dramas.

In reality, it’s almost impossible.

Knocking someone out isn’t difficult; but whether they’ll wake up, or even survive the blow, is anyone’s guess.

The Ark’s anesthetic could put Xie Nai Nai under, but Qin Fei had used all his supplies to make insect repellent during the escape from the swamp mine, so he no longer had any anesthetic.

Thus, Xie Nai Nai had to rely on herself.

Remaining in the artifact room, she repeatedly adjusted her mindset before stepping outside.

This time, the giant spiders did not swarm her.

Qin Fei and Caesar breathed a sigh of relief.

It appeared she had managed to control her fear.

As she moved forward, Xie Nai Nai covered her ears with both hands and stared straight ahead.

Her method was quite clever. By neither listening nor looking, she reduced her sense of fear, much like climbing a steep slope without looking down.

After a short walk, she was less than ten paces from Qin Fei and Caesar.

Suddenly, a massive spider darted in front of her.

"Uh..." Xie Nai Nai let out a small cry.

Her voice was faint, but that wasn’t the issue.

The sudden appearance of the giant spider triggered overwhelming fear within her. Instantly, all the spiders around surged toward her.

The spider blocking her way bared its mouthparts.

Xie Nai Nai’s terror grew greater.

It’s over! Am I going to die...

Despair filled her heart.

Suddenly, a strong hand grasped her wrist.

"Hurry up! We’re all waiting for you!"

The hand belonged to Qin Fei.