Chapter 53

Chapter 54: A Matter of Course

The location was still the eighteenth floor.

The refreshing scent of grass and trees mingled with the sound of trickling water, while blue crystals scattered about emitted a soft glow that dyed the trees and leaves an enchanting shade of blue.

Ryu walked steadily through the forest with Izay in tow, their path a narrow trail interwoven with tree roots and crystal shards.

Just as Izay had anticipated, Ryu was extremely familiar with this area’s terrain.

Even amidst the dense woods, she skillfully avoided the monsters that nested nearby.

Along the way, Ryu continuously gathered white flowers growing naturally around the area.

Perhaps unique to the Dungeon, Izay had never seen such plants on the surface. However, these white flowers bore a striking resemblance to lilies.

About twenty minutes later, after passing through a narrow tunnel formed by the trees, they arrived at a graveyard.

There was a small clearing surrounded by slender shrubs and crystals. The light from the white crystals above illuminated the space, where several wooden crosses tied with ropes stood as makeshift tombstones.

“…Actually, every so often I take leave from Mama Mia to pay my respects by bringing flowers.”

This time, even without Izay’s invitation, she would have come here alone sooner or later.

Ryu placed each of the collected white flowers one by one in front of over ten graves. She then reached into her bag, pulled out a bottle of wine, and sprinkled it onto a few specific graves in sequence.

“I know a bit about the Astrea Familial Group, Miss Ryu. It’s not a bad thing to remember the past, but since it is the past, it might be better to let go somewhat…”

Izay didn’t just stand idly by; he too had picked up many white flowers along the way and now helped Ryu place them before the graves.

“Of course, I’m not asking you to let go of your hatred. Instead, consider yourself more during regular times. Living for the present and occasionally contemplating the future isn’t such a bad idea, don’t you think?”

“A revenge-driven avenger who acts foolishly—do you believe such a dirty and shameless spirit has any good future?”

Ryu retorted with words tinged with self-mockery.

However, Izay chuckled and shook his head.

“It’s merely doing what is righteous. How does that relate to being dirty or shameless?”

“Righteous things?”

Tilting her head slightly, Ryu displayed a look of confusion.

“Repaying debts, paying life for life—isn’t that what’s righteous?”

“At the moment someone raises a butcher’s knife against another, they should already be prepared to face death themselves, regardless of whether it’s a ruthless assassination.”

“To forgive them is something only noble heroes in fairy tales would do. Before that, we need to send them to meet those heroes, don’t we?”

In this world, thousands of years ago, there were heroes on the surface.

They carved epics with their blood, driving the ancient monsters that rampaged across the land back into the Dungeon. Nearly every child grew up hearing their stories.

But heroes are not immortal—they too faded away with the passage of time. The most widely accepted belief was…

—Heroes ascended to heaven.

Since ancient times, there have been legends that human souls ascend to heaven upon death.

Ryu naturally knew this symbolism and quickly understood Izay’s implication.

Her sky-blue eyes widened, momentarily leaving her speechless.

Her thoughts tangled, unsure of what exactly she was pondering.

“Ah, these are just my personal ramblings, Miss Ryu. Please proceed at your own pace, but stop belittling yourself—it’s a bad habit…”

After finishing, Izay placed the last white flower on a grave and straightened his posture.

“Bad habit… huh…”

Coming back to her senses, seeing that Izay had adorned all the graves with white flowers, Ryu whispered softly.

Her previously clear gaze softened slightly, her calm and composed expression melting like ice, revealing a faint smile.

Like the charming white flowers surrounding them—or perhaps even surpassing them—her delicate lips gently parted.

“Mr. Izay… thank you for comforting me like this. I will keep your words in mind…”

“There’s no need for thanks.”

…

Izay’s consoling had taken effect.

After leaving the clearing, Ryu’s emotions clearly shifted. Surprisingly, she began dragging him into conversations about various topics, and the two continued wandering around the eighteenth floor.

As night fell, after some brief discussion, Izay and Ryu decided to rest for the night in “Rivira Town.”

Though the inn prices were a bit steep, it was certainly preferable to sleeping outdoors.

Neither Izay nor Ryu had brought anything like a tent.

The current Rivira Town was reportedly the three hundred twenty-seventh generation.

Even though it was a Safe Floor, it was still within the labyrinth, meaning—Rivira Town was constantly exposed to the threat of monster attacks.

Despite having adventurers of Level 3 and above always stationed here, once an “abnormal situation” occurred, the town would inevitably suffer severe damage.

It would then be rebuilt by the adventurers returning here, resurrecting again and again.

Within this town, money solved everything.

Even though Ryu’s partially concealed appearance raised some suspicion in the innkeeper, the matter wasn’t pursued further.

If there was a reason, it was because Izay had paid excessively…

The next day, Izay kept an eye on the movements of the Loki Familia.

According to discussions among the adventurers in the town, Goliath, the floor master of the seventeenth level, had been reborn by the Dungeon last night.

To pass through the upper floors now would inevitably lead to conflict with this big guy whose potential Ability Values were at Level 4, and whose defense could rival Level 5.

In that case, Izay thought it best to wait for the big shots from his faction to pave the way first.

Once they eliminated Goliath, the boss blocking the village entrance, he could then exit the village gates. Wouldn’t that be perfect?

After all, they’re all part of the same family. Why bother with so much calculation?

Ryu showed no objection to this, finding this unconventional “ride-along” quite pleasant~

Fortunately, the Loki Familia seemed to be packing up. They appeared ready to return to the surface today.

Realizing this, Izay couldn’t help but mourn Goliath for a second.

This was probably the least respected floor master. Every time it was reborn, its lifespan was short.

Either it got instantly killed by some large expeditionary force, or it was mobbed and killed by the adventurers of Rivira Town.

Its position was indeed quite awkward.

Without eliminating it, you couldn’t reach the Safe Floor, and with its spawn point right at the village entrance, which boss wouldn’t get repeatedly farmed?