Chapter 224

Chapter 227: Hugging Tails and At a Loss~ (Please Subscribe!)

After taking some time to gather the spoils of battle and leaving the scene, the group pressed onward into the deeper sections of the floor.

They passed beyond the innermost circular great wall, heading toward the central area of the floor for exploration.

Within the thirty-seventh level, there actually existed white circular spaces where monsters would infinitely spawn within a short period, limited only by a certain “quantity” node.

Venturing into these areas was even more terrifying than facing a “Monster Banquet,” earning them the respectful title of “Arena” from adventurers.

If one were alone and capable enough to face it, such an “Arena” would be a good place to earn basic experience points.

However, if you were part of a large group, it would be best to avoid such places.

You could not guarantee that among your many teammates or Familial Group companions, someone might not suddenly encounter an accident or make a mistake.

In a situation surrounded by countless monsters, any anomaly could prove fatal.

Thus, most high-level adventurers avoided “Arenas,” and Finn, who preferred not to invite unnecessary complications, also adopted this strategy.

“Ah, there’s a cavern.”

Smoothly defeating monsters with potential Ability Values at Level 4, the group arrived at the largest cavern they had encountered so far.

“Are we close to the main territory of the floor boss? Judging by the scale…”

While the others dealt with the monsters wandering inside the cavern, Izay took the opportunity to observe the surroundings.

One characteristic of the thirty-seventh level was that the closer you got to the center of the floor where Udaeros resided, the larger the caverns became.

This place was clearly not far from the center. The width and height of the cavern were astonishing, almost like a massive white palace.

“It is indeed quite close…” Riviria replied, the elegant elven royalty glancing at Izay as if seeing through his thoughts: “Are you planning to go after Udaeros?”

Did I show that much?

Caught off guard by having his thoughts read so easily, Izay gave Riviria a sheepish smile: “I was just thinking of giving it a try… Since all of you are here…”

Upon hearing this, Riviria couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

So what you’re saying is, you still plan to fight alone?

Suddenly, Riviria didn’t know where to start her critique.

However…

“If you have such thoughts, Izay, you might be disappointed.”

“What do you mean, teacher?”

“Because the Ganesha Familial Group has set out on a long expedition, at this moment ‘Udaeros’ should have just entered its rebirth cycle. So this time, you probably won’t get the chance.”

“Ah? When did that happen?”

Hearing the information Riviria provided, Izay was somewhat stunned. How did he not know about this?

Seeing his confused expression, Mama-san sighed helplessly: “It happened just a few days ago. Are you not paying attention to the flow of information within the city? Even ordinary people can obtain information about major faction expeditions…”

Izay scratched his nose: “Uh… I haven’t been paying much attention lately.”

He had been distracted by Haruhi’s affairs and hadn’t really paid attention to the situation in the city.

“… Anyway, if Izay wants to cause trouble for Udaeros, you’ll have to wait for another opportunity. Also, don’t get distracted. Get ready to deal with the monsters and protect Haruhi.”

“Got it!”

Riviria seemed like she wanted to say something else, but the current situation forced her to cut the conversation short.

Because the sound of cracking echoed around them.

A tradition inherited from the dungeon – the birth of monsters always accompanied by the sound of cracking.

For the monsters that needed to break through their “shell” to arrive in this world, this was unavoidable.

However, the source of the sound this time wasn’t the surrounding walls, but the ground beneath their feet.

The spreading cracks resembled spider silk. Immediately before the eyes of Izay and Riviria – the rear guard Magical Arts users – over forty beasts emerged from the ground.

Without skin or muscles, only white skeletal bodies.

Their ribs and pelvis exposed, many parts of their entire skeleton sharply protruded like armor, appearing quite sharp.

These creatures appeared fully equipped with bone swords, bone axes, and bone shields, they were the skeletal monsters known as Earthborns.

Warrior-type monsters appearing on the thirty-seventh floor, strictly speaking, they could be considered part of the same race as the floor boss Udaeros.

At this moment, not only were these creatures born around the rear guards, but also near Ais and the others.

The Loki Familial Group was almost completely surrounded by Earthborns.

“This scale… It’s a ‘Monster Banquet’! Everyone, be careful!!”

Facing a situation that would leave other adventurer colleagues despairing, Finn merely gave a brief reminder before concentrating on dealing with the Earthborns appearing before him.

A monster wave equivalent to upper-level Lv.4 strength could only prompt the leader to say “be careful.”

Even under restricted conditions, those who had fought Earthborns multiple times found it hard to get into trouble.

If it were an abnormal situation where they were surrounded by Lv.5 level monsters, that would truly be worth worrying about.

Responding to their leader’s warning, Ais and the other four officers supported the front-line defense.

Finn led a group of second-tier members to hold the mid-guard.

Although the rear guard had the least number of personnel, they were the most stable.

With three major forces – Izay, Riviria, and Gress waiting, plus the occasional spells cast by Refia and Alisia washing away the battlefield, the sense of security was overwhelming!

Except for a little fox who had never seen such a grand scene before, hugging its tail behind Izay, at a loss…

“————!”

“Gah!?!”

An Earthborn approached with its skeletal lower body moving swiftly, meeting Izay’s flash thrust, then being pierced without hesitation, seemingly confused about why its shield failed.

Keeping the combat zone within a few meters around himself, Izay didn’t initiate attacks, simply waiting patiently like fishing for the Earthborns to come closer.

The Earthborns possessed the highest combat capabilities on this floor.

Unlike their appearance of hollow white bones, they were incredibly strong and fast.

Their biggest feature was their ability to wield various bone weapons flexibly, fighting as if they were facing highly skilled adventurer peers.

However, corresponding to their high combat abilities, their brains matched their appearance.

Earthborns did not think.

In their dull minds, there was nothing but the desire to kill the humans before them.

Whenever they couldn’t suppress their killing intent, raising their large shields and swinging their bone swords to attack, Izay responded calmly and naturally.

The sword Yetsuma didn’t give them any reaction time, its flashing silver trajectory effortlessly taking the life of an Earthborn.

Tearing apart both shield and armor, in the next instant, Izay dodged a fierce swing of a bone axe, delivering a kick to repel the sneak attacker, followed by a Starfall spell.

“——————!”

The explosive magical fire swallowed up several skeletal figures, the magic stones vanishing with the explosion.

As the monster in front of him was reaped by Yetsuma while passing by, its halved skeleton fell to the ground and turned into black ash.

“Ooooh, oooohh!!”

Even as their comrades were easily defeated, the monsters did not retreat. Their purpose of existence was to slaughter the humans they saw and offer sacrifices to the Dungeon Mother.

Calmly observing the rampage of the monsters before him, Izay engaged in battle with them…..