"Since it's a plant-like green wall, then let's deal with it properly, "
"[Flames shall be released.]"
----------------------------------
This is a huge cavern shrouded in dim light, with only faint phosphorescent specks scattered about.
Throughout the space drifts a nauseating stench and damp, clinging air.
If one had to describe it, it would be similar to the smell of rotting chunks of flesh on a corpse, swarming with insects.
At the very center of this vast space filled with the stench of decay, the concentration is so thick it could suffocate someone.
Listening closely, the entire environment instills a dreadful silence, a stillness so desolate it makes one doubt whether the world itself still exists.
This wordless terror seems to whisper of a strange realm completely cut off from the dungeon.
"Sha-sha-sha…"
In the chilling emptiness, a dense, insect-like rustling echoed intermittently, as though something is stirring within the dark shadows.
In this terrifying, horrifying cavern, one corner … is faintly illuminated by a crimson reflection like glass.
"Kacha…"
A colorful fruit is bitten into and crushed, brought to the mouth. Crimson stains the beautiful cheeks, and the shifting shadow at her feet flickers without rest.
Suddenly, sharp eyes of emerald green glance toward the nearby spores glowing with scattered light, within them, Fron could be seen chanting magic.
"Heh, who would've thought, you came looking for me before I even went to find you. Good. At last, these boring days are about to get interesting."
Revis murmured softly.
"And you're still annoying, Aria. I'll bring her to you. But first, I'll kill that human adventurer who humiliated me."
"We've been discovered."
"Tch, I told you already, deal with that trash properly or else you'll attract attention from the surface. Now look, they've sent an extermination squad. What a damn nuisance."
Another arrogant male voice rang out from the darkness. With the sound of footsteps, a white-haired man wearing a ram-skull mask and bizarre clothing emerged.
"That was your job. Otherwise, what's the point of raising so many Violas? To keep them as pets?"
"Don't say that. My work is for her, for my goddess, to fulfill my life's vow! That's why I was resurrected! As for those adventurers, just leave them. Let them deal with it!"
Revis curled her lips in a cold smile, glancing at Fron still chanting, as if hinting at a truth he could no longer conceal.
"Abandon them to those Evilus remnants? I think you may not have that kind of time left, Olivas."
At Revis' words, the green wall projection controlled by spores suddenly went completely dark!
And in that instant of severance, crimson flames filled their eyes with reflection.
--!!!
Olivas' pupils shrank sharply beneath the ram skull mask, his expression tense.
"What, what kind of magic is that, "
"Ah, that's the man who almost killed me. He's mine. The rest doesn't concern me. At this point, you'll have to deal with it yourself."
"You…!"
...
"[The high and mighty war horn sounds, enclosing all in brutal conflict, ]"
"[Come forth, crimson lotus flame, merciless blaze, embodiment of karmic fire, sweep away thousands of soldiers, bring an end to war.]"
"[Burn everything, Sword of Surtr, I am Alf.]"
"[Sword of Victory, (Rea Laevatein)!]"
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM,
The green wall was engulfed in crimson flame.
The "living" wall seemed to writhe in agony, thrashing violently as it resisted Fron's magic.
"This…"
Everyone staggered back, their faces illuminated by the glow, filled with awe.
"Doom, doom, doom, "
The stinking cavern trembled.
"W-what's happening? What just happened?"
"Quick, go ask those two! They must know something, this disgusting thing is their doing, isn't it?"
Figures in black hooded cloaks shouted in panic.
"S-someone's invaded!"
"What? A monster?"
"No… adventurers. A mid-sized party. And… they all look like elites. No weak ones."
"Damn, how could this happen? How were we exposed?"
"Of course we'd be exposed, you idiots. Two days ago, the monsters across the whole floor went berserk. Plenty of adventurers died!"
Olivas appeared silently, sneering at them.
Yes. To him, these Evilus remnants were all fools. Saying things like death is only the beginning, believe in Him and you'll be reunited with your loved ones in the next life.
Only an idiot would believe that!
But… this world is strange. To those crushed by despair, fear, and weakness, He becomes their savior, their only true god.
"This wasn't the deal, Olivas!!! You were once one of us in the Evilus, and now you betray us?"
"Heh, who cares about your lives. I am no longer the same as you. For my goddess, everything is worth it, even if it means burning down that wretched city!"
"Madman!"
"Retreat, retreat! We can't let the adventurers get hold of us, or it's all over!"
Watching the black-robed cultists run in chaos, Olivas Act sneered in disdain.
...
Within the tunnel completely sealed by green walls, the adventuring party advanced cautiously.
The vanguard held shields to protect the rear, while the center stood ready to support and strike as needed.
Fron too was among them, protected by the Sword Princess Ais Wallenstein.
"What's that smell? It's disgusting… vile."
Even battle-hardened adventurers could not ignore the revolting stench.
According to the map, they knew this giant cavern was the food storage of the 24th floor.
But after breaking through the wall, what they saw was completely different from what they imagined.
The entire Pantry was wrapped in this green wall, ceiling, floor, and sides alike.
Passing through the opening Fron created, they felt as if they had entered an alien world.
The evil, bizarre environment gnawed at their minds like mental pollution, and combined with the corpse-like stench, the adventurers were shaken even before the battle began.
The cavern pulsed with faint phosphorescence, as though "it" was breathing, unnerving, chilling.
"Gululululu, "
The green wall at the entrance writhed rapidly, sealing the exit shut!
Asfi spun around, face pale. "They … trapped us inside!"
"It's alive, or no, someone is controlling it."
"Is it the enemy leader …?"
Stepping on the green wall, their feet sank slightly, as though the surface squeezed around them.
Asfi's sandals stuck as if sucked by its viscous grip; when she pulled free, droplets of slime clung and dripped.
"Our movements are restricted by this wall. Be careful!"
"Understood!"
Fron held his staff tightly, moving forward with caution.
He had a bad feeling, the enemy he hated was hiding somewhere in the shadows…
"Sha-sha-sha, "
"?"
"What's that sound!"
"Gah, it gave me goosebumps!"
"Form ranks! Stay alert!!!"
Asfi reacted swiftly, barking the order.
"Clang, clang, "
Armor and weapons clattered as the adventurers stood back-to-back, wary of their surroundings.
"Sha-sha-sha…"
"There it is again, where's it coming from?"
The unknown combined with the writhing green wall filled their hearts with creeping dread.
The enemy, chose this moment to strike!
"Splurt splurt splurt, "
The green wall burst open!
From the ceiling! From the floor! From the walls!
Green slime splattered everywhere as countless Violas poured out.
The dim phosphorescence stretched their shadows into long shapes, tentacles writhing like a demonic dance.
Vice-captain Falgar quickly raised his great shield, standing at the very front.
"Enemies!!!!!" Lulune gripped her daggers, bracing herself.
"Just like the Violas from the 18th floor!"
"So it is them! Lulune, do you know where their magic stones are located?"
"This…"
Fron stepped forward a few paces, staff in hand, and said softly:
"Listen carefully. Their outer tissue is so tough that even a level 5 adventurer can't break it with blunt force, you'll only hurt yourself from the rebound. You must use sharp weapons.
"And do not recklessly use magic. These monsters react violently to magical energy and will prioritize attacking anyone who releases mana!"
"Lastly, their magic stone is located in the center of their mouths, deep inside the head!"
Fron decisively shared the intel, earning Asfi's grateful glance.
"Thank you. I owe you one."
'Haven't even said anything yet, and she's already throwing favors around?'
"Everyone, hold formation! Don't be reckless!"
"Understood!"
"Fron, Sword Princess, you two guard the flanks!"
"No problem."
"Hisssss…"