Chapter 615 Bow Your Head, Bottomless Abyss (10k)
“Is this the place?”
Professor Shylph lightly tapped her wand, and a gentle breeze gently spun around them, carrying everyone down softly.
Claire Kate casually drew a Magic Conduct Card, her lips moving as she swept outward. An instant halo spread out from her, and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The originally noisy sounds of insects and beasts instantly quieted down.
Professor Jones strode forward, arriving before a towering ancient tree, and slapped his palm against the trunk.
“Boom!”
There was a loud sound, and the massive tree began to creak and sway.
Where his palm struck, the bark instantly cracked, revealing a hidden hollow within.
“A hollow.”
Professor Jones couldn’t help but smile.
Dark looked curiously at the pitch-black hollow, turning to Baby Bear beside him and asking, “Is this the hollow?”
Baby Bear stared at the hollow for a long time, then with a stiff gaze, raised the “replica” in his hand.
Gradually, words appeared on it: “It’s a hollow, but not my hollow.”
…
Based on the previous description.
Its original hidden room was located under a hollow, and after entering the hollow, one needed to go through a straight underground tunnel to reach its hidden room.
As the guardian of the hidden room, as long as it remained in the same tier, it could sense the location of the hidden room no matter how far away it was.
This was also why it could bring Dark and others here.
However, now it clearly sensed the hidden room, but this hollow was no longer the same hollow as before.
“It can only be explained that although the external environment has been refreshed, the internal hidden room has remained unchanged.”
“There are many reasons for such a situation, the biggest possibility being that there are elite monsters left in the hidden room.”
“In other words, someone has occupied your nest.” Dark quickly analyzed.
Baby Bear immediately pouted.
But Professor Shylph gave Dark an approving glance and said, “Your analysis is quite good. This is good news for us, because it means we won’t leave empty-handed at least.”
Claire interjected, “Perhaps the elite monster occupying the hollow will become our breakthrough point. Professor Jones, when the time comes, be gentle.”
Professor Jones waved his hand and said, “I know the limits.”
Then he directly entered the hollow, leading the exploration inside.
Professor Shylph hurriedly reminded, “Pava, take it slow!”
Claire shook his head and said, “You guys go first, I’ll follow behind.”
He then moved back, letting Dark and others go ahead.
Dark took a deep breath, picked up Baby Bear by his feet, and followed along.
Professor Lily fluttered her wings, looking relaxed as she followed behind.
Behind her, Professor Nina placed Professor Kazel on her shoulder, timidly following behind Professor Lily.
Claire walked last, and somehow… a monkey appeared beside him.
…
Inside the hollow, there was no sign of danger.
Eight people and one bear passed through smoothly.
Before long, the entrance to the hidden room appeared before them.
Professor Jones slowed down, showing a cautious expression.
Although Baby Bear’s dwelling was underground, it was very spacious, with multiple rooms, the deepest being the bedroom, where the treasure chest was located.
According to Diana’s words, each room contained monsters, and defeating these monsters was necessary to continue advancing until reaching the end.
But in reality, these monsters were temporarily created by the dungeon mechanism.
Like now, when Professor Jones stepped into the room, the ceiling suddenly rippled like water waves, and one by one, creatures resembling wet clay fell from above. After hitting the ground, they rapidly coalesced, transforming into various earth elemental monsters.
These earth elemental monsters had different attributes, some rocky, some ground-based, with fierce appearances and bloodshot eyes, exuding boundless malice.
Professor Jones slightly frowned, perhaps unwilling to get dirty, but ultimately drew a Magic Conduct Card and summoned it.
Her lips moved silently, but the Magic Conduct Card in her hand glowed, and a beast like a lion or tiger emerged from it, then pounced at the nearest monster like a gale.
—”War God Lion Tiger!”
A mere three-star Magic Conduct Elemental!
This was the first time Dark saw Professor Jones summon this Magic Conduct Elemental, and he couldn’t help feeling surprised.
As a three-star ultra-rare Magic Conduct Elemental that commanded awe, the War God Lion Tiger possessed a powerful core that grew stronger with each battle.
“Roar!”
The nearest monster was torn apart by the War God Lion Tiger, then it slightly lifted its head, visibly swelling up!
Its attributes increased with its size, becoming even more formidable.
Next, the War God Lion Tiger pounced toward the second and third monsters…
When all the monsters in the room were defeated, it had grown to a height of three to four meters, surpassing the second tier and reaching the third tier.
“What is the limit of this War God Lion Tiger?” Dark couldn’t help but ask.
“Nine stars,” Lily flew to his side and said, “Specifically, mana, attack, and defense can reach up to four thousand five.”
Dark then said, “A three-star Magic Conduct Elemental reaching nine-star strength is already incredibly terrifying.”
Lily grinned, “Not just that. When the War God Lion Tiger reaches its limit, it can activate fusion factors, merging into a ‘Dual-Headed Lion Tiger’ or ‘Triple-Headed Lion Tiger,’ which are genuine fourth-tier Magic Conduct Elementals.”
Dark’s tone faltered, “This isn’t mentioned in the books.”
Lily tilted her head, “Of course not, this is Pava’s hidden skill! The more you observe and learn, the better our professors are!”
Dark said, “Indeed impressive.”
Lily raised her head higher.
…
With the War God Lion Tiger leading the way, the monsters in Tier Eleven posed little threat.
They quickly traversed the entire hidden room, arriving at the deepest part—the bedroom?
“Groan!”
As soon as Baby Bear entered, he widened his eyes, staring at the treasures in the corner.
If there was anything in the dungeon that made him reluctant to leave, it was these treasures.
They weren’t originally in the hidden room, but rather collected bit by bit after Baby Bear was reborn as a parasitic spirit.
As for the treasure chest and items already in the room, they were naturally the crystal ball necklace in Rose’s hand.
But compared to the necklace, Baby Bear was more concerned about the trinkets he had gathered himself.
Back then, as a prisoner, he couldn’t take these treasures out.
Now, as… oh, still a prisoner, it didn’t matter anymore.
He immediately pouted.
…
Just as he was troubled, a sharp, tearing sound suddenly pierced his ears.
In an instant, the air in the room seemed to solidify.
He suddenly looked up, noticing a half-elf named Sarah Shylph floating in the air, her golden hair moving without wind, and a strange vortex forming around her hands.
Wind suddenly rushed over.
But besides Professor Shylph herself, nothing else was moved by the wind.
Everyone else except him maintained natural expressions.
The dark shadows in the corner of the room suddenly began to stir.
“Screech!”
A scream suddenly echoed.
From the shadows, a pointed nose and mouth appeared.
A mouse-like monster was forcibly dragged out!
…
“Long time no see.”
Dark smiled after a brief moment of surprise.
He had a deep impression of this mouse monster. Although he didn’t realize it at first, after learning about Baby Bear, he knew this mouse monster was also a self-aware existence like Baby Bear.
And judging by its actions, it seemed to understand more deeply than Baby Bear.
Given the vastness of the dungeon, finding such a monster was nearly impossible—yet it happened effortlessly!
It hid in the shadows, completely concealing its presence, yet still couldn’t escape the professors’ perception.
Professor Shylph merely exerted a little effort, and forcefully pulled it out of the shadows!
Moments later, the mouse monster was bound by chains of wind, suspended in the air, unable to move.
Professor Shylph carefully examined it and suddenly said, “Is this the mouse you mentioned?”
Dark nodded, “Should be, unless it has a twin brother.”
Professor Shylph’s lips curled slightly, “Looks like we’re lucky.”
…
Os Brook was just a mouse.
Even in his memories before becoming a monster, he was still a mouse.
But back then, he belonged to the Demon King’s army, the terrifying “Plague Lord”!
The plague he spread caused great panic in human territories and even affected the native demon lands, with countless demon citizens dying due to him. His fear spread across every corner of the world.
But now, he was just a mouse.
Once the first-tier BOSS—”Shadow Plague Rat”—!
Without the ability to control the plague, Os Brook could only barely survive in the shadows.
He lost all his glory, no longer feared by humans. Even the students who once dared to attack him in the BOSS room now dared to shout at him.
He was furious, he was heartbroken, he wanted to tear those students who disdained the “Plague Lord” one by one!
Then, Os Brook became a deserter.
…
Snakes have their ways, and mice have theirs.
After escaping, Os Brook gradually realized he had been reborn in the underground city of Saint Maryann Academy.
Though he was a BOSS, he was only a first-tier BOSS. Venturing deeper, he encountered powerful monsters he couldn’t withstand.
Chased by monsters, evading students’ gazes, he eventually awakened a new ultimate skill during a crisis.
That made him an extremely rare “Traveler,” capable of traveling between tiers in the dungeon!
Thanks to this, Os Brook caught the attention of “The Abyss” and became a “Hidden Wanderer” in the dungeon, tasked with observing and recruiting new members.
This time, Os Brook’s target was Shirley Augustine, a parasitic spirit residing in a bear’s body.
Shirley Augustine had existed for a long time, but was overlooked because she was just an elite monster.
However, recent events led the organization to suspect information leaks—crisis was looming.
Therefore, Os Brook was sent to find Shirley Augustine.
Luque was entrusted with the critical mission to recruit, regardless of good or bad, at the fastest possible speed to expand the organization’s strength to counter the impending crisis.
Thus, Os Brook came here.
…
Os Brook’s heart was filled with fear as he stared intently at the golden-haired youth, a figure deeply etched in his memory, while his peripheral vision caught sight of the baby bear beside the youth’s feet — in that instant, it seemed to understand something.
“Traitor!”
Os Brook roared inwardly.
He dared not speak out, fearing to provoke the traitor.
Although he had not recruited the baby bear into the organization, he instinctively felt that all monsters belonged in the same camp.
Such actions by Sherry Augustine were a betrayal to all dungeon monsters!
…
Various subtle emotions vividly displayed on the mouse face.
Dark sensed this and said to the baby bear, “It seems it knows you.”
The baby bear quickly shook its head like a rattle drum and held up a copy, saying, “But I don’t know it, not at all!”
At this moment, one must firmly distinguish oneself from all monsters.
Furthermore, it truly didn’t recognize it.
Professor Shylph glanced at it and said, “Kazel, ‘Suppressive Lock.'”
Kazel nodded slightly and took out a “Dungeon Storage Box,” summoning a mana ring around him and reaching inside.
When he pulled his hand back, he held a jade ring the size of a bracelet.
Unlike the “Suppressive Lock” given to Dark, which came in a pair, the one he retrieved was singular.
He tossed the “Suppressive Lock” to Shylph.
Shylph placed it on the monster mouse’s head.
Os Brook struggled, but the “Suppressive Lock” tightened like a tight-fitting cap, holding his head firmly.
Immediately afterward, he suddenly found that the mana flow within his body had solidified completely, unable to move even a bit.
This made him feel even worse.
“Can you speak?”
Professor Shylph tapped her wand on Os Brook’s forehead, transmitting clear sounds directly into his brain, translating them into several understandable languages.
Os Brook felt as if he heard repeated static, his head throbbing violently.
Then, in the next moment, he felt as if he were being stared at by a ferocious beast, experiencing a chill from the depths of his soul.
He turned his head stiffly, seeing Pavar Jones.
“Professor of Saint Maryann Academy…”
Of course, professors would enter the dungeon; some were frequent visitors.
Pavar Jones was one of them.
In the “Abyss” organization, portraits of these professors had always been circulated, but Os Brook was fortunate. His keen sense of smell helped him evade danger repeatedly, never encountering these professors before.
This was the first time.
Perhaps the last.
Before meeting them, Os Brook had been quite disdainful. The foolish monsters within the organization always exaggerated the professors’ power, comparing them to the Demon King.
As a former “Plague Lord,” Os Brook considered himself well-versed. He thought those monsters were just covering their failures and cowardice.
Only when faced with them did he realize they weren’t lying.
His fear grew, even causing his lips to tremble.
Then, in a very humble tone, he said, “Of course, beautiful and noble elf lady.”
The half-elf women loved being mistaken for elves, and Os Brook hadn’t forgotten his own thoughts even in fear.
But after confirming Os Brook could speak human language, Professor Shylph stepped back slightly, leaving the rest to Professor Kazel.
Professor Kazel slowly approached, curiously asking, “Shadow magic rat? Do you have a name?”
Os Brook, bound in the wind, could only move his mouth: “Yes, wise gnome sir, you can call me Brook. I am merely a dungeon rat who accidentally gained sentience. But if sir needs help, I will do my best.”
“Oh?” Professor Kazel laughed immediately.
Then, unexpectedly, he asked, “Where is the Abyss?”
Os Brook felt as if his throat was being choked, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead.
He had no idea how the academy professors knew about the Abyss. Could it be… another “parasitic spirit” betrayed them?
Yet, he hadn’t communicated with the “parasitic spirit.” Could there be other “covert walkers” ahead of him?
“Covert walkers?”
Professor Kazel’s next words struck him like a hammer.
Os Brook instantly understood—he was facing someone who could read minds!
…
Not mind games, but truly reading thoughts.
Professor Kazel possessed the power to see through hearts.
“The Eye of Truth.”
“The Door to Truth.”
Reading minds seemed natural enough.
Dark wasn’t overly surprised, merely marveling internally that Professor Kazel was indeed a person of both virtue and talent.
Having such a professor was his luck.
…
With Professor Kazel present, any lies from Os Brook were meaningless.
Kazel calmly stated, “Rest assured, the Plague Lord is dead.”
Those words calmed Os Brook.
Combined with Professor Jones’ intimidation, he quickly surrendered, revealing everything he knew.
Though Os Brook’s memories originated from the famous “Plague Lord,” it didn’t change the fact that he was now just a “shadow magic rat.”
Unless he dared to commit suicide and risk rebirth in the dungeon, he couldn’t change his situation.
Not all monsters were as lucky as Baby Bear Sherry Augustine. Most monsters, even if they awakened their self-awareness, would return to chaos upon death.
The “Abyss” organization referred to this as “returning to the Abyss.”
In the power-centric “Abyss” organization, Os Brook, as a “shadow magic rat,” could only remain at the bottom, unable to access the core secrets.
However, he was a “covert walker,” learning much through hearsay.
This information was enough to surprise Dark and others.
Though they had already guessed, Professor Shylph remained solemn after confirmation.
Monster awakening meant they could communicate.
Once communication was established, forming communities became inevitable.
Still, Shylph hadn’t expected such a vast organization within the academy’s dungeon!
According to Os Brook, the “Abyss” had over a hundred members!
Including a hundred BOSS-level monsters.
Even a BOSS below the hundredth floor!
…
But this wasn’t the main point.
After savoring the situation, Professor Kazel asked, “Brook, do you know how you regained your memory and awakened?”
Os Brook took a deep breath and said, “That answer is what we’ve been searching for. According to the higher-ups, the Abyss guides us, but we’re not deceived by such rhetoric. The true secret is known only to the upper echelons.”
“So, what’s your recruitment purpose?” Professor Kazel continued.
But Os Brook shook his head. “I don’t know. I once thought it was to retake the surface, but later realized the upper echelons had no such intention. I was angry, but now I’m indifferent.”
He looked up secretly at the professors and began to understand their actions.
Facing monsters like the Demon King, anyone would lose the will to resist.
No wonder the upper echelons restrained members from attacking human students.
“It seems your organization leader is very rational,” Professor Kazel nodded.
“Perhaps there’s a possibility of friendly exchange.”
…
As a peace-loving professor, Kazel clearly disliked solving problems with violence.
He continued, “So, who is your organization’s leader, and who are the key figures around them? Tell me everything you know.”
Os Brook knew resistance was futile and began to recount.
The “Abyss” organization was divided from top to bottom into “leader,” “strategist,” “captain,” and “executor.”
Os Brook was an “executor” called “covert walker.”
Executors were under the jurisdiction of captains, of which there were eight, each team having at least ten executors.
Os Brook’s captain was a “Night Crow King,” formerly a BOSS on the sixty-seventh level.
After he finished, Professor Shylph muttered, “It’s the Night Crow King? I remember a student group once perished trying to conquer the Night Crow King, all teleported to the infirmary.
Later, when others challenged the Night Crow King, they couldn’t find the boss room coordinates—now I understand why.”
Os Brook humbly said, “The Night Crow King is cunning and treacherous. If you plan to interact with it, be cautious…”
Kazel curiously asked, “Do you want it dead?”
Os Brook immediately closed his mouth.
Kazel shook his head slightly and said, “Continue. Who are your ‘leader,’ ‘strategist,’ and ‘captains’? What are their origins?”
Os Brook replied, “They rarely mention their pasts, let alone confide in an executor like me. Except for the leader, I can tell you the species of the other members.”
Professor Kazel nodded, “Start with the strategist.”
Os Brook immediately said, “The strategist of the Abyss is a ‘mist demon.’ It often transforms into a female human form, but its exact species is unknown.
Among the eight captains, besides the eighth team’s Night Crow King, there are also ‘red-eyed dragon demons,’ ‘eight-treasure spider women,’ ‘ice emperor birds’…”
…
Half an hour later, Os Brook finally finished recounting everything he knew.
The base of the “Abyss” organization was located on the ninety-ninth level of the dungeon.
The deeper the dungeon went, the larger the area. The ninety-ninth level was already extremely vast and very desolate.
Basically, except for BOSS raids aiming to break records, no students would venture so deep.
But Saint Maryann Academy had existed for so long, and the BOSS raid record on the ninety-ninth level still stood.
On the eighty-ninth floor, they couldn’t even break through the ninetieth, let alone the ninety-ninth.
However, during the years after the war, the professors of the Mana Academy would occasionally form raid teams during holidays to challenge floors below the hundredth.
The rapid growth of the professors’ strength was crucial due to the existence of the dungeon.
“How should we proceed next?” Claire asked with great interest.
Professor Shylph turned to Professor Kazel and gestured, “Kazel.”
Professor Kazel nodded slightly and took out a tube from the “Dungeon Storage Box,” pulled out the wooden stopper, and handed it to Os Brook, saying kindly, “Drink it.”
Os Brook looked at Professor Kazel with tearful eyes, trembling, “Mr. Goblin, I’ve already been very cooperative…”
“It’s not poison,” Professor Kazel smiled. “When you wake up next time, you will be reborn.”
Os Brook immediately broke down in tears, completely losing any semblance of pride as the “Plague Lord.”
Professor Kazel inserted the tube into Os Brook’s mouth.
Then he pressed up under Os Brook’s chin, making him tilt his head back to swallow.
“Gurgle.”
The magic potion went down his throat.
Os Brook’s eyes revealed a look of despair; suddenly, his limbs twitched, and his eyes lost their luster.
After Os Brook was completely still, Professor Kazel said to Professor Shylph, “It’s done.”
Professor Shylph raised her wand and gave it a slight twist, retracting the wind shackles that had bound Os Brook’s body.
Os Brook fell to the ground like a rag doll with a thud.
Seeing Os Brook being treated this way, Shirley Augustine shuddered violently.
Seemingly sensing its fear, Professor Kazel turned around and said gently, “It’s just a ‘Long Sleep Potion.'”
The baby bear jumped in fright and instinctively grabbed Dark’s pant leg.
Dark patted its head with a smile and said, “Professor, how do you plan to proceed next? Go straight to the ninety-ninth floor?”
“I wish I could,” Professor Shylph said with regret. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a ‘Gate Key’ or ‘Gate Crystal’ for the ninety-ninth floor. Pavar, Claire, what about you?”
Professor Pavar Jones shrugged and said, “I’m sorry, I only have a ‘Gate Key’ for the eighty-eighth floor.”
Claire added helplessly, “Professor, when I was in the academy, I only reached the fiftieth floor. Are the current students really so powerful?”
“Not exactly,” Professor Shylph replied. “Just recently, some students have stood out. Do you have a ‘Gate Key,’ Kazel?”
Professor Kazel smiled slightly and said, “Not for the ninety-ninth, but there’s one for the one hundred and third. What about you?”
Professor Shylph said helplessly, “Mine is for the one hundred and eighth.”
Professor Kazel said, “Then let’s go straight to the one hundred and third. I have a ‘Gate Crystal.'”
Professor Shylph decisively said, “Okay, let’s return to the reception hall first.”
So, the professors quickly decided on their next course of action.
Although Dark wanted to say something, he didn’t know what to say and finally closed his mouth, saying nothing.
Professor Shylph walked over and asked with a lowered head, “Shirley, do you want to stay here or go with us?”
The baby bear quickly glanced at the ragged-looking giant rat and promptly raised a copybook: “Together!”
Professor Shylph nodded slightly and said, “The things piled up in that corner, are they yours?”
The baby bear’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly.
Professor Shylph waved her hand casually, putting all the items into her “Dungeon Storage Box.”
Then she clapped her hands and said, “Return.”
…
Half an hour later, the group returned to the reception hall on the eleventh floor.
They appeared relaxed, not much different from when they entered.
The only noticeable change was probably the “Shadow Demon Rat” that Professor Jones carried in his hand.
They confirmed their itinerary again, and Kazel took out a “Gate Crystal” and opened it on the spot.
It was already afternoon, around one or two o’clock, and students were gradually entering the dungeon.
Three students arrived at the reception hall on the eleventh floor.
Seeing the professors suddenly, the three students were startled, their eyes wide open, as if they had unexpectedly encountered a principal in a game center, and they quickly greeted them.
The professors merely nodded slightly and entered the teleportation gate one by one.
Once the teleportation gate contracted into a point and disappeared, the three students finally breathed a sigh of relief and quietly discussed the intentions of the professors.
Dark Demon and the two monsters who followed the professors naturally drew their attention.
But no matter how they speculated, they could never guess the true purpose of this group.
…
On the one hundred and third floor of the dungeon.
In the reception hall…
“Professor, can I take some mana away?”
After passing through the teleportation gate, Dark’s eyes lit up as he focused on the mana marker in the reception hall.
If he didn’t take some now, he might not have another chance to come to the one hundred and third floor for a long time.
Whether for utilization or collection, taking some mana was beneficial.
Professor Shylph naturally wouldn’t refuse: “Just rest here for a moment.”
Dark immediately took out a “Mana Collector,” excitedly squeezing the syringe inside to start collecting mana.
The mana marker on the one hundred and third floor of the dungeon was a white and plump seal, carved from jade, looking cute.
Dark filled the twenty slots of the “Mana Collector” and then put it away carefully.
Meanwhile, the professors had somehow summoned a set of chairs and tables, gathering to discuss.
As Dark walked over and sat down, they happened to be talking about the leader of the “Abyss.”
“What are your thoughts on the leader of the ‘Abyss’?” Professor Shylph clearly intended to gather everyone’s opinions.
Claire immediately said, “Since I haven’t descended to the hundredth floor, I don’t have a say.”
“Alright, I don’t either,” Dark promptly closed his mouth.
“Then I…” Professor Nina muttered timidly.
“You guys…” Professor Shylph said helplessly.
Lily laughed mischievously, “Let me speak, let me speak. Didn’t that big rat say something about power being supreme in the organization? So the leader of the ‘Abyss’ must be a high-level boss beyond the hundredth floor. Have any of you caught a boss before?”
Professor Shylph slowly shook her head.
Professor Jones remained silent.
Professor Kazel frowned slightly and said, “When you mentioned this, I do have some leads. But that was when we were in the academy’s third year. Do you remember the ‘Golden Mermaid’s Tear’?”
Lily paused, her eyebrows furrowing, “The Golden Mermaid, the legendary tear.”
“Is there any story behind it?” Dark asked.
Professor Kazel sighed slightly and said, “According to legend, the first mermaids were offspring of the Sea God, possessing golden hair and scales, known as Golden Mermaids.
The blood of a Golden Mermaid can revive the dead and heal bones, a single bite of its flesh can extend life by a century, and its tears can rejuvenate the elderly and keep them eternally youthful…”
When he said this, Dark suddenly understood.
Professor Kazel’s tone was somewhat somber, “Of course, it turns out that the legend is just a legend.”
“Forget about that,” Professor Shylph said sharply. “You never mentioned this before. Did you find a Golden Mermaid in the dungeon?”
Professor Kazel nodded, “On the one hundred and twentieth floor, the boss, a Golden Mermaid.”
Professor Jones immediately followed up, “Did you defeat it?”
Kazel said, “We successfully captured it alive.”
Jones said, “I know that, since you need the Golden Mermaid’s tears, and dead things don’t cry. What I mean is, what happened afterwards?”
Kazel fell silent, “After confirming that its tears did not have the effects of the legend, we left.”
Jones couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “You didn’t kill it? How can you not kill a boss when raiding?”
Professor Kazel helplessly said, “At that time, our emotions were low. Now thinking back, we didn’t even open the boss room’s treasure chest.”
Jones rolled his eyes and pointed to his chest, “Do you know how I feel right now? It’s twitching!”
Dark looked and indeed saw it twitching.
Professor Lily hurriedly intervened, “It’s been so long, just letting a high-level boss escape… Oh? No way? No way, right?”
Professor Shylph couldn’t help covering her head.
…
High-level bosses typically slept in their boss rooms until someone stepped foot inside.
They might develop consciousness while sleeping, but only in their dreams, never truly awakening.
The moment the door to the boss room was opened was when they truly opened their eyes.
Other high-level bosses might be awakened by self-aware monsters, but in the boss room on the one hundred and twentieth floor of the dungeon… killing the monster also meant its death.
Based on Os Brook’s revelations, the “Strategist” and eight “Captains” in the higher echelons of the “Abyss” were the highest-ranking monsters up to the eighty-second floor.
From the one hundred and first floor onwards, the difficulty of the dungeon increased further.
Even the boss-level monsters wouldn’t rashly enter the dungeon below the hundredth floor.
Within the “Abyss,” it was widely rumored that the leader was a high-level boss below the hundredth floor.
If this rumor was true, the probability that the leader was the “Golden Mermaid” increased significantly.
…
The atmosphere in the reception hall gradually became strange.
After a while, Professor Kazel took the initiative to say, “Actually, I still have a ‘Gate Crystal’ for the one hundred and twentieth floor.”
“Alright, Kazel, I’m not blaming you,” Professor Shylph sighed. “Even the current order of the ‘Abyss’ is likely due to the presence of that ‘leader.’
I’m not saying that the ‘leader’ of the ‘Abyss’ is definitely the ‘Golden Mermaid’…
Ah, just tell me what the ‘Golden Mermaid’ looks like, whether it’s easy to approach and communicate with. Once it gains self-awareness, it’s no longer a monster, and resorting to force is the last resort.”
Professor Shylph’s meaning was clear.
But when faced with her question, Professor Kazel unusually avoided eye contact.
Professor Shylph was taken aback and turned to Lily, only to find Lily looking up at the ceiling, whistling.
An ominous premonition arose in Professor Shylph’s heart, “You guys didn’t do anything particularly extreme, did you?”
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Professor Jones knocked on the table and said, “Alright, Sarah. They want the ‘Golden Mermaid’s Tears.’ Making a monster cry isn’t easy; some methods are necessary.”
