Chapter 383

Chapter 388: Mr. Cao is no more, but everywhere you look, there’s a piece of Mr. Cao (Please Subscribe!)

After the battle on the Fifty-Ninth Floor, the group used their meager supply of Spiritual Medicine items to restore themselves just above the safety threshold. Without hesitation, leader Finn immediately ordered the team to retreat forthwith.

Though the Fifty-Ninth Floor was secured, the team’s condition hovered just above average, and their supplies were nearly depleted—clearly insufficient for further exploration of the lower levels. Should another monstrosity like the Corrupted Fairy appear on the Sixtieth Floor, venturing down would be tantamount to signing their own death warrants.

When dealing with places like the Dungeon, adventuring is fine when you’re well-prepared. But when you’re not ready? It’s best to back off. Otherwise, the Dungeon will teach you the meaning of “adding insult to injury.” Countless adventurers have paid with their lives to confirm this fact.

The members of the group unanimously agreed with their leader’s decision. They quickly gathered their weapons from the wilderness plains and retreated toward the base on the Fiftieth Floor.

Especially Izay—he was absolutely the most supportive of the retreat. Finn and the others might not know it, but he certainly did.

The Deity of the Dark Faction, “Enyo,” had spent years cultivating those Corrupted Fairies. The number of fetal pearls in her possession as immature specimens likely numbered over ten. More than half had already hatched into full forms, hidden deep within the Dungeon until the day came to execute the Orario Collapse Plan, when they were transported to the upper levels.

Venturing to the Sixtieth Floor now? Who knows if one or two fully grown Corrupted Fairies might show up. Add to that an endless stream of new monster species…

Izay wasn’t curious at all about what lay in store on the Sixtieth Floor. Curiosity of that sort would mean risking his life. And such curiosity is better left unquenched.

—Fifty-Eighth Floor—

In the center of the barren floor, a massive crater suddenly appeared. The Fifty-Eighth Floor was currently in a “standby” state.

A single spell from Izay earlier had blasted away part of the Fifty-Eighth Floor, creating a kilometer-wide hole, forcing the returning adventurers to detour around it.

However, the standby status of the Fifty-Eighth Floor showed no signs of spawning any monsters. Even the Cannon Dragons seemed too scared to come out.

The group took advantage of this opportunity, speeding through the “Dragon’s Pot.”

While winged dragons flew out from their nests to obstruct them, their fates were grim. The adventurers’ overstuffed backpacks, filled with dropped items, testified to the ferocity of the battles on their return journey.

“If my guess is correct, even those female-type monsters are probably just ‘vanguards.'”

At the Fifty-First Floor, Tiona and the vanguard group had astonishing recovery rates and took care of every monster along the way while shouting and laughing.

Izay and Ais, as mid-guard, efficiently protected the support team.

Meanwhile, the three powerhouses of the Loki Familia trailed behind. Finn lowered his voice as he shared his thoughts with Riviria and Gress.

“‘Vanguards’? You mean like pawns controlled by someone else?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Didn’t Izay and Ais say that the ‘fetal pearl’ parasitizes monsters, turning them into female forms? Like during our expedition to the Twenty-Fourth Floor.”

“… I wasn’t there, but I did hear something similar afterward.”

“So that means the female forms have a main body! Could it be the original fairy?”

After some discussion, Riviria frowned slightly and spoke in a low tone.

“We can’t rule out that possibility, but the key issue right now isn’t that.” Finn shook his head. “They possess these ‘fetal pearls,’ which may be intended for easier transport!”

“To transport those things to the surface and then mature and hatch them. If multiple pearls mature simultaneously, with the long incantations of those female types, Orario could explode in an instant!”

The Halfling Tribe Leader interpreted the madman beastmaster’s and the Dark Faction’s plans, licking his thumb uncomfortably.

Such expressions and words made the other two sub-leaders understand the gravity of the situation.

“This matter must be reported to Loki immediately. Let’s speed up our return trip as much as possible.”

“Hmm.”

“Understood.”

The trio reached an agreement.

—

“The aim is to destroy this Labyrinth City, is it not?”

“There aren’t many other possibilities…”

In the Guild’s underground temple prayer hall, through the crystal Magical Artifact worn by Izay, Fels and Uranus exchanged information under the glow of torchlight.

“It seems the situation is worse than we imagined.” Fels sighed, swaying his black cloak.

“Until now, we hadn’t confirmed the existence of such Corrupted Fairies. Her main body is likely far deeper in the Dungeon, below the Fifty-Ninth Floor.” Uranus stated matter-of-factly, his voice steady but with slightly narrowed azure eyes.

“Those madmen seem to also be products of the Corrupted Fairies… who would’ve thought that the fairies once sent to maintain peace in the underworld would now become a threat to Orario?”

“Time changes everything. The once noble fairies have perished, and what remains now is merely a remnant after being devoured. No matter how powerful ‘she’ might be, it doesn’t change this truth.”

At least Uranus felt it was important to preserve the honor of those who once helped stabilize Orario.

“That’s true… my apologies for speaking out of turn.” Fels nodded in understanding before spreading his hands. “Uranus, why don’t we try seeking help from our ‘allies’?”

“Hm?”

“Izay said he’s found a way to let the heretics walk in the sunlight. This crisis might just serve as the perfect opportunity.”

Fels remembered the heretics’ wishes and had resolved from the moment he met them to do everything in his power to assist them.

Upon hearing this, Uranus closed his eyes briefly. “If we can ensure safety, then it’s acceptable.”

“Thank you, Uranus.”

“This is my decision; there’s no need for thanks.”

Their conversation ended under the light of the torches.

—

“Izay~!”

“—Huh?”

“You’re invited to the ‘Holy War.’ Are you coming!?”

“???”

It was near dusk, at the forest boundary of the Safe Floor. Confronted with Kos and Cruz suddenly popping their heads out of the grass to whisper conspiratorially, Izay looked at them with a mix of pity and suspicion.

To be honest, he’d seen this kind of behavior more than once, and it gave him an eerie sense of déjà vu.

Why does Hermes’ will seem to be inherited everywhere?!

So this is what they mean when they say “Mr. Cao is no more, but everywhere you look, there’s a piece of Mr. Cao” (spiritually speaking), huh?

What exactly are you two sneaking around for!?