On the forty-second floor, small scarab units moved along the walls and ceiling, their lenses sweeping across every crack and surface while thin beams of scanning light traced across the stone. The Black Widows spread out along the passage, watching the drone feeds and the surrounding area, ready to confirm anything the scarabs detected as Luthar advanced slowly through the center.
Unlike most days, the entire area was silent. Since Luthar did not want any interruptions, most creatures that normally roamed this area had already been dealt with.
For several minutes, the only movement came from the scarabs sweeping across the stone.
Then, out of nowhere, a small creature appeared near a narrow crack in the wall and was quickly noticed by the drones.
As the notification reached Luthar, he teleported to the location and appeared silently beside the wall. Without a word, one of the dark mechanical appendages extending from his back shot forward. The thin metal limb slipped between two stones and snapped shut.
A small lizard struggled weakly as the appendage withdrew, lifting it into the air.
Its body was barely the length of a hand, its stone-colored scales blending almost perfectly with the surrounding rock. Along its back, several pale jagged roots had grown between the scales like fragments of mineral.
With a precise movement, he examined the root cluster growing along the creature's spine. Rather than removing it, he placed the entire creature into a small containment vial. The lid sealed automatically, preserving the specimen.
Next, he sent a short message notifying everyone who was still searching. A few moments later, they arrived.
Natasha glanced at the container in his hand.
"So now we only have to look for the Voidcap Mycelia."
Luthar secured the container with the others.
"Correct."
Luthar terminated the scan command and recalled the drones as the group made their way back through the tunnels. Their temporary camp deeper in the floor was far less quiet.
Near one of the portable heaters, Daphne stood over a metal pot with a very clear expression of irritation.
Cassandra sat nearby, sorting through the remaining supplies while watching her.
"You're still angry?" Cassandra asked cautiously. "Shouldn't you be happy? Now we have fresh ingredients."
Daphne stirred the pot harder than necessary.
"That's exactly why I'm angry," she muttered.
Cassandra blinked. "I don't understand."
Daphne pointed the spoon toward the crate behind them.
"You saw what he did, right? Those ingredients didn't come from this floor. He just teleported above and brought them back."
Cassandra nodded slowly.
"Yes…?"
Daphne turned back to the pot with a frustrated sigh.
"That means we could have been eating fresh food the entire time."
Cassandra paused.
Daphne gestured toward the sealed military rations stacked beside the cooking equipment.
"But instead he always let us eat this unpalatable food."
For a moment Cassandra looked between the pot and the ration crates.
"…I see."
Daphne stirred the soup again, still visibly annoyed.
"That guy is a complete—"
Before Daphne could finish the sentence, Cassandra leaned forward and quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
"Mmmph—!"
Daphne struggled in confusion.
A calm voice came from behind them.
"Which individual are you referring to?"
Cassandra quickly removed her hands after interrupting Daphne.
Behind them, Luthar stood at the entrance of the camp. For a moment, no one spoke.
Then, after a second, Daphne slowly turned around.
"…No one important," she said quickly.
Luthar looked at her for a moment but did not comment. Instead, he set the container with the captured lizard beside the other specimens and moved toward the small cooking area.
The rest of the group began gathering around the heater as the meal was finally ready.
Bowls were passed around while the smell of warm food slowly replaced the cold scent of stone and metal that normally filled the dungeon.
As everyone settled down to eat, Luthar spoke calmly.
"We should prepare to return. The final ingredient should be easier to find."
Natasha nodded slightly while taking her portion.
"So this trip is almost over."
"Yes."
For a short while, the camp was quiet except for the sound of spoons against metal bowls.
Then a message appeared on Luthar's communication device.
He read it silently.
It was from Liliruca. She had not been able to find Apollo inside the city, but according to her it did not appear that he had fled.
Luthar replied immediately.
"Maintain observation. If Apollo appears in the city, notify me."
He closed the interface and continued eating as if nothing unusual had happened.
Around him, the others remained focused on their meal, unaware of the communication.
The smell of food drifting through the camp slowly pulled Wiene from sleep. Since she had little to do most of the time, she had simply been passing the hours sleeping. Drawn by the scent of food, she finally woke up and rubbed her eyes, looking around in confusion before noticing the others already sitting together.
A moment later she quietly moved closer and joined them.
Daphne silently pushed an extra bowl toward her.
Wiene accepted it with a small nod and began eating.
For a moment no one spoke, simply watching quietly.
Wiene held the bowl tightly in her hands, eating quickly as if afraid someone might take it away. Her wings shifted slightly behind her as she relaxed.
She looked far too pleased with something as simple as a warm meal.
One of the Black Widows glanced toward Wiene.
"…She's very easy to satisfy," one of them muttered quietly.
Natasha watched Wiene for a few seconds before glancing toward Luthar. At that moment she understood why he had referred to her earlier like a pet.
Wiene finished one bowl quickly and looked down at it for a moment before quietly pushing it forward.
Daphne sighed but refilled it anyway.
Cassandra watched the exchange with a small smile.
"She really does look like a pet," she said.
Wiene didn't seem to care about the conversation.
Even Daphne's irritation faded slightly as she watched the girl eat.
For a brief moment, the camp felt strangely peaceful.
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Author's Note:
First, I want to clarify something. Luthar didn't simply destroy everything on the floor. The scarabs use Pym Particle–which allow them to eliminate monsters without causing large explosions. That's why small creatures can still exist even when monsters on this floor were already cleared.
Now for the main point. I'd like to know how you want Apollo's storyline to end.
Do you want Luthar to actively hunt Apollo, or should it happen passively?
By active, I mean that after finishing the current task, Luthar will go out and hunt Apollo in the next chapter.
By passive, I mean Apollo will make another move or attack first, which will then trigger the conflict.
Let me know which direction ending you wish.
Authors note: grandfather have send his 5 childrens to visit me who constantly telling me just close your eyes in take a rest he believe since your already be corrupted by the lord of pleasure I should just acceptible blessing of course I have no plan to accepting this so there might be some interruptions but I would try to continue.
Is it to understand in language basically I got bad stomach feel like I'm on drugs which I am not headache body pain cold fever and coughing which means upcoming days going to be tough.
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