Tanjiro and Inosuke were already struggling against the massive spider demon. Their attacks couldn't even scratch its thick skin, let alone sever its head.
Then, from the forest, Spider Princess slowly emerged, and both Tanjiro and Inosuke froze in shock. Another demon—seemingly just as powerful as the first—appeared to join the fight?
The enormous Spider Father roared in fury at the sight of her. It was clear that, under normal circumstances, he would have punished her immediately for defying him.
"We're really going to die this time!" Zenitsu yelled, dodging frantically as the smaller spider demon sprayed venom at him from behind. "Where's our 'Demon Pillar'? Didn't he enter Spider Mountain before us? Why are there still so many demons here? And each one is so strong!"
There were four demons in total on the other side, and including Nezuko, four more on Tanjiro's side. But the massive spider demon was leagues above the rest—one person alone stood no chance.
As Tanjiro considered retreating to regroup with Ren in the mountains, the female demon—Spider Princess—bypassed Tanjiro and his friends and launched her attack against the Spider Father.
Rays of white spider silk shot from her slender fingers, slashing through the air toward the roaring Spider Father.
The burly demon hadn't expected the once-timid Spider Princess to defy him. Confident in his past strength, he chose not to dodge, certain that even if the silk entangled him, her Blood Demon Art couldn't harm him.
Several strands of red blood splattered into the air as the silk pierced him. The Spider Father's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You really are a brainless fool. Did you think you could bully me like before?"
Transformed into a demon, the former Spider Mother—now Spider Princess—was far stronger than before. Her physical abilities had increased tremendously, and her former Blood Demon Art was now amplified by her demonic power. Previously, her strength had relied mostly on her vitality and regeneration. Now, it was a combination of raw power and deadly technique.
"So strong… Are those spider silks steel wires? Skin that even a Nichirin Blade couldn't cut is easily pierced by her silk? Wait… aren't they supposed to be a group? Are they fighting each other?"
Tanjiro and his friends gawked at Spider Princess, marveling at her strength and utterly confused by the chaos of the battlefield.
"Roar—!"
The Spider Father's rage only grew as the silk shredded his body. His injuries fueled him, swelling him to even greater size. Surprisingly, as he grew, his speed increased as well. Tanjiro and the others, who had once managed to dodge him, could no longer keep up. They became little more than punching bags.
"You go handle the others. I'll deal with him. Don't worry about my identity—it is Lord Yuto's will to protect you. Since it is his will, even at the cost of my life, I, Spider Princess, will complete this mission."
Despite the enormous Spider Father before her, Spider Princess radiated no fear. A surge of demonic power erupted, and her form began to shift.
Her once-elegant legs split into six slender, scythe-like limbs, gleaming white as light flashed across them. The oppressive aura she now radiated was entirely different. Two legs could never outrun six.
Spider Princess moved effortlessly across the battlefield, every terrain beneath her legs barely slowing her. The Spider Father, despite his brute strength, could only scramble behind her, desperately trying to keep up.
Her spider silk, slicing through the air like whirling scythes, cut deep into his body. The venom laced within prevented even a demon of his caliber from healing effectively.
Initially, the Spider Father tried to pursue her with sheer brute force, but realizing she was no longer the timid girl he once knew, panic took hold. He attempted to flee.
Spider Princess, now fully dominant in every aspect, allowed no escape. With her current form, she could handle not only the Spider Father, but even Rui, one of the Twelve Demon Moons.
Yet, instead of delivering a swift death, she chose a slow, torturous retribution.
"Right now, your body is filled with my paralyzing toxin. You cannot move, but your mind is free. Demons regenerate quickly, so I'll make sure you feel every second of this before you can heal."
Raising her six scythe-like legs, Spider Princess advanced, methodically torturing the Spider Father. Every ounce of suffering she had endured in the past would now be repaid a hundredfold.
Indeed, one of the most dangerous creatures is often a woman. With the Spider Father defeated, how could the remaining Spider Brother and Spider Sister pose any challenge to Tanjiro and his friends?
At first, the two lingering demons stubbornly resisted, believing Spider Princess couldn't possibly defeat the Spider Father and that reinforcements would soon arrive.
But once Spider Princess had completely tortured and destroyed him, their resolve crumbled. Fear overtook them—they began to plead.
"Mom, we're still your family! We're your children! Dad bullied you before, but it wasn't our fault!"
The two pleaded desperately with the transformed Spider Queen. They understood that their survival now depended entirely on her mercy.