story - A Cryptic Clue Nineteen

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You close the computer and stand up. You now have 18 clues. Only [redacted] more to go!, you think.

You head to the door and try to open it. It didn't open. What did you expect? Instead, there's a place for a password. Underneath is a plaque:

So. Off on your hunt again, are you? For you to be able to pass this door, you must prove that you are worthy. The previous puzzles do not count for this.
_?
Now, please take a moment and search - there's something here. Over, under, up, down, right, left - somewhere. This part isn't hard.

Finally found it? Ready your brain - this will be hard. On this plaque, there is your Clue. Many have searched and failed.
_A
Where is the Clue? On what part? Ready? Mark!
₍₄₎

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_{Next clue--->}

Answer

The first letters say

SOFT NOT FROM WORM

and the italics say

end in tie

So the cryptic clue might be

Soft? Not from a worm. End in tie (4)

To which @Sconibulus suggested the answer

SILK

as

'Soft as silk', a 'SILKWORM' is not a worm, it's a caterpillar. And then we have a silk tie.