—
Hi everyone. I know I said this chapter would be published tomorrow (or well... in two days, since it's already 12:30 a.m here.), but I just saw something that made my day and possibly my whole week.
PirataAlmaNegra, thank you so much for your review. I truly don't know how to thank you.
Reading everything you wrote really impacted me, especially since I recently started updating this fanfic again and had a lot of doubts about my writing and the story itself.
The fact that you took so much time to write something so heartfelt and sincere means a lot to me.
Sometimes it's easy for me to feel overwhelmed or think that what I write isn't special or good enough, so reading your words motivated me and gave me much more confidence than you can probably imagine.
Thank you so much for reading my story, for supporting it, and for your kindness. I'll remember this review for a long time.
I'm not lying, I cried. A lot.
—
Bell couldn't take his eyes off the Lizardman. In his mind, the idea of an intelligent Monster wasn't entirely new thanks to Yharon, he knew it was possible for a monster to have some kind of consciousness and understanding.
However, Yharon was his guardian, something directly linked to him and his Divine Blessings that came from [Loved By The World]. These beings, on the other hand, were something completely alien, an anomaly of the Dungeon that existed outside of his control.
Lyd took a couple of steps forward, observing the group with curiosity.
"Why is such a large group here?" Lyd asked. "It's not that I mind meeting new people, but revealing our existence to so many people is a risk."
To one side, Laurier blinked rapidly, trying to process what she was seeing. Although she had been previously informed of the existence of these intelligent Monsters, having the Monsters talking in front of her sent shivers down her spine.
Hermes stepped forward, regaining his diplomatic tone.
"Ouranos has decided that they must abandon the Xenos villages and move to the surface" Hermes explained. "Something bad is happening with the Dungeon, and the situation is becoming unstable."
Lyd nodded slowly, crossing his scaly arms.
"Yeah, we've noticed. The number of Monsters spawning have increased dramatically and it's becoming more and more common for wild creatures to get too close to the village." the Lizardman admitted.
Despite the gravity of the news, Lyd's eyes shone with restrained excitement. For most Xenos, the surface was essentially a forbidden dream they longed to attain. The offer to leave, even if only for an emergency, was the perfect opportunity to see the outside world.
However, Gros did not share that enthusiasm. The Gargoyle let out a harsh growl, stamping its foot on the ground.
"I don't think they'd risk such transport just because the Dungeon gets tough" Gros retorted suspiciously. "All of us Xenos were born here. If there are more Monsters, we can fight them. We don't need to flee with the mortals."
Hermes kept smiling, although his eyes remained fixed on the Gargoyle.
"That is Ouranos's will" Hermes replied simply. "If you prefer to stay and take your chances down here, you are free to do so."
Bell took advantage of that moment to observe the rest of those present. There was a great variety of species, but what struck him most was the gleam in their eyes. There wasn't that blind, murderous fury that defined the Monsters he encountered in his Dungeon dives.
It was a strange feeling, but one that he didn't find particularly unpleasant.
Lyd coughed sharply to break the tension between the God and the Gargoyle. As he did so, small bursts of flame escaped his mouth, a detail that did not escape Bell's notice. Common Lizardmen could not breathe fire, which confirmed that these beings were not only intelligent, but that their physical capabilities had evolved differently from those of their savage counterparts.
The Lizardman resumed his friendly and relaxed demeanor.
"I trust Ouranos" Lyd said with determination. "And if Ouranos trusts you, then I will too."
Lyd extended his hand toward Bell. The boy stared at the scaly limb for a second, processing the situation, before finally shaking it firmly. Lyd liked the handshake and responded with a nod of approval.
"I like you quite a lot!" exclaimed Lyd with a laugh.
And before Bell could react, Lyd pulled him hard, lifting him into the air with surprising agility until he sat directly on his shoulders.
Bell, though surprised by the sudden movement, didn't tense up. On the contrary, he smiled warmly, touched by the Xenos's genuine energy and hospitality. It was a strange but immediate connection.
Lyd turned to the rest of those present, raising his voice so that it would resonate throughout the hidden cavity.
"Listen everyone! It's time to go!" he announced.
The vast majority of the Xenos erupted in shouts of jubilation and celebration. Although a few remained silent and with somber expressions due to mistrust, they were a minority that could not dampen the group's overall enthusiasm.
The camp quickly became a hive of activity as the monsters prepared for what would be the most important journey of their lives.
As the Xenos gathered, Bell glanced toward a small pool of water in the corner, sensing a presence emanating from it. A few seconds later, Marie, a Xenos mermaid, surfaced, peering curiously into the water. She froze, stunned by the flurry of activity and movement in what had once been a peaceful camp.
"We have to get out of the Dungeon, Marie. Let's go to the surface!" explained a Xenos goblin who was passing by carrying some supplies.
Marie blinked for a moment, silently processing the information. After a few seconds, she offered a somewhat sad smile and wished them luck, as if she had immediately accepted that she would be left behind because of her aquatic nature.
Hermes, who was watching the scene closely, intervened quickly.
"Don't worry, little one. We have a bathtub ready and prepared especially for you" the God of Thieves said in a reassuring and confident tone.
However, at that precise moment, Bell received an internal notification through one of his Divine Blessings.
[LIE.]
"..."
Bell glanced sideways at Hermes; the God had just blatantly lied, probably to avoid wasting time on explanations or because he simply didn't own such a bathtub. Even so, Bell decided to say nothing. He wasn't going to let the mermaid be left alone in the Dungeon.
"Bell-kun, you've already got experience carrying women" Hermes remarked with a mischievous grin, patting him on the shoulder a couple of times. "It's time you put those skills to use."
Bell frowned at the comment, but didn't reply. He climbed down from Lyd's shoulders and approached the well. Marie, seeing him arrive, was extremely friendly and waved a hand, her large eyes filled with a mixture of shyness, innocence, and hope. Bell waved back, preparing to pick her up and carry her out.
Bell noticed the Mermaid and went straight to the technical point of the situation.
"Um… do you need to be in the water to live?" he asked.
"Nope. I just can't move around much on land because of… well, this" she replied matter-of-factly, lifting her tail out of the water for him to see.
Bell nodded and prepared to pick her up. Marie wrapped her arms around his neck, allowing him to lift her. With her so close, Bell noticed his clothes becoming damp from the mermaid's touch, but what struck him most was the warmth emanating from her. Despite being labeled a monster by the world, she felt no different from any human he had ever helped.
There really wasn't a clear distinction in touch; it was a living creature, just like him. That thought gave him a strange sense of calm.
However, that peace of mind was short-lived. As he adjusted her grip, Bell realized that the only thing covering the mermaid's chest were two small seashells.
Bell felt heat rush to his face instantly. He abruptly looked away, completely flushed, desperately trying to banish any impure thoughts from his mind. Marie, oblivious to the boy's inner turmoil, simply nestled her head against his shoulder, grateful for his help, which only increased Bell's nervousness.
The Xenos group was finally assembled, but just before the order to march was given, a Lamia approached Lyd with a distressed expression. She leaned in to whisper something to him, though the silence of the place allowed Bell to hear.
"Lyd… What will happen to Brim? He hasn't arrived back from his trip to the deep floors yet" she asked, her voice trembling.
Lyd stopped abruptly. His posture slumped slightly with sorrow. He stared at the ground for a few seconds before replying in a somber tone.
"We can't wait for Brimstone to come back up. We don't even know exactly where he is right now" Lyd said.
Seeing the sadness on the Lamia's face, the Lizardman sighed and added a quick piece of advice.
"Leave a hidden message in case he does come back, so he knows where we went. It's the only thing we can do for him right now."
Lyd glanced sideways at Hermes and his group as the Lamia walked away, head bowed. The Lizardman knew Brimstone's chances were slim. Even if he found the message and managed to escape, he highly doubted the Adventurers would accept another Xenos once this transport operation was over. The margin for error was minimal, and the risk far too high.
Furthermore, knowing Brimstone's attitude, he's not exactly keen to leave peacefully.
Hermes, who seemed to have sensed the tension but decided not to ask for details so as not to delay the departure, signaled to Asfi.
"Very well, since everyone's all here" Hermes announced, regaining his commanding tone. "It's time to move this small army before the Dungeon decides to send us something we can't handle."
Hermes signaled to Bell, indicating it was time to use his trump card. Before the boy could act, Lyd intervened.
"Hermes, we have to stop on the 18th Floors. There's another village there with more of our kind, and we can't just leave them behind." the Lizardman pleaded.
Hermes nodded without hesitation, and Bell did the same.
Bell positioned himself at the front of the monster horde. With Marie still clutched tightly around his neck, he tapped the ground twice with his foot. Instantly, the rock began to give way, forming a dark tunnel that disappeared upwards.
However, there was an immediate problem. Gryuu, the enormous Green Dragon, and other large Xenos looked at the hole and then at Bell with a raised eyebrow. The diameter was barely large enough for a human.
Bell noticed the doubt on their faces, sighed, and gave two more sharp taps on the ground. The tunnel reacted immediately, expanding its edges with a dull creak until the diameter was wide enough for even the most robust Xenos to pass through without difficulty.
Ray, the winged Siren, approached the edge curiously. Lacking hands, she rubbed the edge of her wings against her chin as she gazed into the void.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Ray asked, staring into the darkness.
"Absolutely!" Hermes replied with a jovial smile.
Without warning, the God of Thieves placed both hands on Laurier's back and gave her a sharp shove. The Elf let out a gasp of surprise before disappearing down the hole. Hermes began to laugh, amused by his own joke, until Asfi appeared behind him. With a swift movement, fed up with his nonsense, she gave him an identical shove.
"Hey, Asf—!" Hermes's shout was cut short as he fell behind Laurier.
Asfi sighed, calmly adjusting her glasses, and looked at the Xenos.
"Is that proof enough? Let's go."
One by one, the Xenos began to plunge into the tunnel, followed by Bell, who made sure Marie was securely held before dropping into their destination.
The ride through the tunnel felt like a roller coaster. Marie, despite being strapped to Bell's back, couldn't help but scream with excitement, relishing the speed and the thrill. She knew they weren't in any danger, and the adrenaline made the experience exhilarating rather than worrisome.
Most of the Xenos also reacted with surprise and enthusiasm, releasing their pent-up tension. The only one who seemed to resist the atmosphere was Gros; the Gargoyle stood with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed, trying to look as sour as possible as he slid down the slope.
However, after only a few minutes of descent, the atmosphere changed completely. An extremely loud and heart-wrenching scream echoed off the tunnel walls, a sound so powerful that it stunned most of those present.
Lyd's face and that of the other Xenos immediately tensed as they recognized the source of the sound.
"The Calamity has awakened…" Lyd whispered, her voice heavy with worry.
Bell also felt a chill when he heard that loud noise. It was exactly the same sound he had heard when that unknown Monster, the Juggernaut, had stormed onto the 18th Floor some time ago. The memory of the destruction and danger immediately came flooding back.
"We're about to leave" Bell warned over the echo.
The tunnel's path came to an end at that precise moment. The passengers were flung out toward the exit on the 18th Floor. Hermes and Laurier were launched at high speed, hurtling toward the ceiling. While Laurier managed to maneuver in mid-air and land gracefully on his feet, Hermes wasn't so lucky and crashed into the rock below.
Little by little, the rest of the Xenos emerged from the tunnel.
The expressions of jubilation and celebration they had brought from the village vanished completely, replaced by a palpable tension. Calamity had struck, and they knew danger would soon reach them.
Bell felt a tremor in the rock. The feeling turned into certainty when he noticed the powerful presence approaching the 18th Floor at an alarming speed.
"Go on ahead" Bell said firmly, looking at those present. "Find the other group of Xenos and head towards the second floor. I'll meet you all up there and continue to the surface."
Asfi frowned and immediately shook her head.
"You're not thinking of going alone, are you? I'll be there too to help" she declared.
Falgar took a step forward, resting his hand on the handle of his weapon with a serious expression.
"You can count on me too. I won't let a rookie face that thing without backup" the Weretiger added.
Bell grimaced in concern, but seeing the determination in both of their eyes, decided not to refuse the help. Lulune nodded with a stern expression, taking the initiative.
"Understood" Lulune said. "I'll supervise Hermes-sama and make sure the other Xenos arrive safely with Laurier's help."
Lulune even went over to pick Marie up from Bell's arms. And the Mermaid, though not very happy to trade Bell for the Chienthrope, didn't refuse to be moved, entwining her arms around the girl's neck.
A few meters away, Hermes sighed in frustration. Deep down, the God would have preferred not to leave Bell's side, but the situation was critical. Whatever had awakened in the depths sounded far too dangerous to leave unchecked, and the absolute priority was protecting the Xenos during their escape.
"Very well, I trust you, Bell." Hermes said, turning around to lead the march toward the other village.
Bell, Asfi, and Falgar resumed their journey toward the exit of the 18th Floor. As they approached, the commotion grew deafening: monster screams and the crash of shattering rocks. Stress began to take its toll on Bell. His hunch that this mission wouldn't be easy had been more than confirmed, and the difficulties only kept piling up. In that moment of exhaustion, he would have preferred to stay home, far from that chaos.
A dark, dense aura slowly began to emanate from his body. Asfi and Falgar paused for a fraction of a second, noticing the change in energy, but decided to say nothing, assuming the boy was concentrating his strength and preparing for the imminent battle.
[What a horrible night to have a curse.]
The air grew heavy. After taking only a few more steps, two small horns slowly sprouted from Bell's forehead as they approached the imposing presence waiting on the other side of the corridor.
The group advanced until they could glimpse the bright red eyes of the skeletal creature.
Then the unknown Monster began to move like a black blur of pure speed, its claws screeching against the rock as it closed the distance. And Bell didn't even wait, immediately launching himself forward to try and end the threat as quickly as possible. He even gained a new Divine Blessing to help accelerate the process.
[Divine Blessing of the Martyr's Blood]: Power through sacrifice. Now you bleed.
As he ran, his eyes began to bleed. Red streaks of blood trickled down his cheeks, staining his chin and giving him a terrifying, almost demonic-like appearance. Sensing the threat, the Juggernaut used its momentum to make a violent turn, positioning itself behind Bell and attempting to tear the boy's back apart with its bony tail.
Without even looking, Bell ducked just enough to feel the wind of the blow pass over him and, in a fluid counterattack, slammed his Hestia Sword into one of the Juggernaut's front claws. With a loud, metallic impact, he managed to break one of the creature's gigantic nails, which shattered into a thousand pieces.
Asfi, taking advantage of the opening, rose swiftly. Her winged sandals vibrated powerfully as she launched a barrage of explosive objects and magical projectiles at the Juggernaut's torso. The explosions engulfed the skeleton, but when the smoke cleared, it was still unharmed.
The Juggernaut roared, ignoring Bell for a second to fix its sights on the aerial threat. With tremendous leaping power, it bounced between the corridor walls, soaring to the ceiling just before plunging down on Asfi with outstretched claws and gaping jaws.
Bell saw the trajectory and knew Asfi wouldn't have time to maneuver. Without room to hesitate (or even think), he activated his Divine Blessing of Substitution.
In the blink of an eye, reality distorted. Asfi suddenly appeared on the ground, right where Bell had been standing a second before, staggering from the disorientation of the sudden change.
At the same time, Bell appeared in mid-air, directly in front of the Juggernaut's claws. With nothing to stand on in the void to dodge or pivot, he could only cross his sword in front of his chest in a desperate block. The creature's swipe struck the sword with the force of a meteor.
The impact was devastating. With no solid ground beneath his feet, Bell's body was launched like a cannonball. He sliced through the air and crashed violently against one of the walls, creating a roar that shook the cavern as dust and rock fragments completely covered him.
The crash of the impact echoed off the rock walls, but there was no time to stop and observe. Falgar, who had remained on the defensive for the first few moments, finished uttering the last verse of his song with a deep, weary breath.
"...and with that, give me your essence, noble and proud father, who soared through the heavens. Grant me madness beneath your veil and pervert the longing of my heart. [Fader's Revenge!]"
In his eyes, the pupils contracted and turned a deep crimson, while his hair stood on end with a surge of energy. And in his hands, blue fire ignited, beginning to roar with a life of its own as it synchronized with his Beastification.
Without hesitating for a second, Falgar launched himself forward, becoming a line of bluish light that sliced through the air. The Juggernaut was a force of nature, a Monster created for speed and destruction that moved with incomprehensible swiftness. However, Falgar compensated for this lack of agility with ferocious aggression and unpredictable movements.
Each blow from his fists engulfed in blue fire and each thrust of his sword sought vital points, forcing the skeletal creature back and denying it the space needed to leap back towards the walls.
The exchange was brutal and left no room for error. The Juggernaut attempted a tail sweep, but Falgar dodged the attack with a sharp turn, responding with a direct hit to the monster's jaw. Blue fire crackled against the hardened bones, leaving small burn marks that, while superficial, disrupted the monster's movement.
In the heat of the continuous attacks, Falgar's sword struck one of the creature's claws and broke into two pieces.
Far from backing down, the tiger-man continued his offensive, using only his fists imbued with blue flames. Blow after blow, he tried to crack the creature's defenses. But the difference in power began to take its toll.
The superhuman abilities of the Beastification and the constant use of his Magic began to drain Falgar's Stamina and Mind to the point of exhaustion. The blue flames in his hands flickered and slowly dimmed until they were almost extinguished. His legs trembled and his pace slowed, leaving a noticeable gap.
All his effort and energy were put into those attacks. And it only served to allow him to fight the creature on equal terms for a mere twelve seconds.
The Juggernaut, sensing his opponent's vulnerability, lunged at Falgar with his jaws wide open and his claws ready for the coup de grâce.
It was then, at the exact moment when death seemed imminent, that a voice resounded behind him.
"On your left."
Driven by pure instinct for survival, Falgar bent down and took a sideways step, exposing his left flank. At that instant, a figure emerged from the shadows with a speed that surpassed even Juggernaut's.
The black aura surrounding Bell had condensed, and the two horns on his forehead glowed with a cold intensity. His eyes still showed traces of blood, but the anger on his face was absolute.
Gripping the hilt of his Hestia Sword tightly, he accelerated in a straight line, closing the distance between himself and the creature. Before the Juggernaut could correct its trajectory to dodge, Bell concentrated all his weight and strength into a single downward slash. The blow landed squarely in the center of the creature's skull.
The impact sounded like thunder. The force was so extreme that Bell's arm almost seemed to dislocate from the strain and the vibration of metal against bone, but the energy didn't stop. The sword sliced through the air and pierced the bone armor, splitting the Juggernaut's skull in two symmetrical halves.
Despite the fact that the Juggernaut's skull had been split in two and its central structure was devastated, the creature refused to disappear into the characteristic cloud of ash of Dungeon monsters.
The skeletal body remained standing, moving spasmodically and erratically, as if each limb had taken on a life of its own. It no longer possessed the predatory intelligence of before, but its danger now lay in that mechanical and violent unpredictability.
"Falgar, move!" Asfi shouted, approaching at full speed.
The monster's tail lashed the air in frenzied whips that threatened to cut in two anyone who came near. Falgar, completely exhausted after his outburst of fury, could barely stand. Asfi grabbed him by the shoulder and, activating the maximum thrust of her sandals, dragged him out of range just as the tail grazed the spot where he was standing.
Bell watched the scene, his breath ragged. His right arm felt numb, a sharp pain shooting from his wrist to his shoulder from the impact against his skull; it was clear he wouldn't be able to use it for a powerful blow for the next few minutes. However, he couldn't let that thing keep moving.
Shifting his sword grip to his left hand, Bell lunged forward once more. He dodged an erratic movement of the decapitated torso's claws and slid across the ground, ending up just beneath the base of the monster's spine.
With a cry of exertion that rose from his very core, Bell unleashed an upward slash with his good arm. The blade of his sword, still imbued with the tension of battle, cleanly severed the tail from the rest of the body. The tail fell to the ground, writhing like a dying snake before finally losing its strength.
Without its center of balance and having lost its main limbs, the Juggernaut's body finally collapsed. A final tremor ran through its bones before the structure disintegrated completely, leaving behind only a deathly silence.
Bell fell to his knees, clutching his injured arm as the black aura and horns slowly began to fade away.
The pain in Bell's arm lessened to a slight discomfort, and the exhaustion became manageable. Leaning against the wall, the boy stood up and rejoined his companions. Falgar, leaning on Asfi's shoulder, smiled in relief and nodded to the adventurer.
"I owe you my life, Asfi. Thank you for getting me out of there just in time" Falgar said sincerely.
Then he turned to Bell, who was trying to relax his injured arm.
"And you too, kid. That cut at the last second... it was flawless. If it weren't for you, that thing would have torn me to pieces" he added.
Bell shook his head, managing a small smile.
"It was nothing. The important thing is that we all got out of this alive."
The group resumed marching through the corridor towards the meeting point with Hermes and the Xenos.
As they walked, Asfi kept her gaze fixed on the ground, walking a step behind the two men. Her mind raced over the confrontation they had just had. Despite having prepared her equipment and made her calculations, at the critical moment she hadn't managed to even scratch the Juggernaut. Her explosives and projectiles had bounced off the creature's bony carapace like mere pebbles.
She felt a deep frustration. Instead of being a support to the two combatants, she felt she had been a burden, forcing Bell to expose himself to save her from the mid-air attack. She clenched her fists, cursing her own powerlessness against an enemy of that magnitude, but forced herself to maintain her composure as she followed her comrades toward the exit.
At that moment, Asfi's steps quickened until she was keeping pace with Bell. Her expression, previously clouded by doubt, had given way to one of resolve.
"Get on my back." Asfi said bluntly.
Bell was surprised, blinking a couple of times before answering.
"Asfi-san, really, it's not necessary. I can walk on my own, it's not that big of a deal—"
"Don't argue about it, it's the least I can do." she cut off, not allowing for any further objections.
Bell hesitated for a second, seeing the firmness of her stance, but before he could object again, Asfi bent down slightly and decisively lifted him, placing him on her back. Without wasting a single moment, Asfi began to run at full speed forward to catch up with the main group.
A few meters behind, Falgar stopped for a fraction of a second. His eyes flicked from Asfi running with Bell on her back, then to the horizon of the corridor. A drop of cold sweat trickled down his forehead, his expression a mixture of bewilderment and astonishment at his Captain's behavior.
He shook his head slowly, a half-smile playing on his lips inwardly:
'Wow... So the Captain likes younger men.' Falgar thought, letting out a sigh of resignation before quickening his pace.
He soon resumed his march, running at full speed so as not to fall behind and to catch up with his companions.
The group sped through the tunnels, dodging monsters that appeared from the walls. The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridors until, finally, they glimpsed the group's silhouette on the 4th Floor. The group now appeared much larger and more crowded than usual, as the main group had joined up with members of the other Xenos village who resided on the 18th Floor.
Hermes looked up and his heart stopped for a split second when he saw Asfi arrive carrying Bell on his back. His mind immediately jumped to the worst conclusion, fearing that the boy was seriously injured after the fight.
"Bell-kun?!" exclaimed the God, approaching quickly with a genuinely worried expression.
However, as the group approached and observed that Bell was conscious and showed no signs of extreme pain, Hermes' expression changed. Although he did notice the red marks running from Bell's eyes down his cheeks, they didn't seem to be causing him any harm. His face relaxed, and slowly, a mischievous, mocking smile spread across his lips.
"Well… Asfi" murmured Hermes, tilting his hat. "Now that certainly sounds like a rescue nearby."
Asfi felt a pang of irritation, but instead of blushing or giving the God the satisfaction of embarrassing her, she maintained her composure. She carefully placed Bell on the ground and crossed her arms, looking coldly at Hermes.
"This is not the time for that, Hermes-sama." Asfi replied firmly.
She may have lacked experience in romance, but falling in love with a boy who was barely fourteen or fifteen years old was not within her standards.
The light atmosphere dissipated in an instant as a sharp, deep tremor reverberated through the cavern's foundations. It wasn't a vibration from the Dungeon itself, nor the movements of a monster in the depths; the impact seemed to come from above, from the very surface.
Hermes' smile vanished instantly, his gaze fixed on the ceiling with concern. It wasn't natural for an earthquake outside to be violent enough to shake this place.
"I don't like this at all" the God muttered, his expression returning to its more serious tone. "Something big is happening up here, and if the impact is felt all the way down here, we don't have time to lose. Bell-kun, we'd better finish this mission once and for all."
Bell nodded gravely, understanding the urgency. He positioned himself at the front of the large number of Xenos that now crowded the area. He stamped his foot twice against the rock. Before the eyes of the newly arrived monsters, a wide tunnel opened, connecting directly to Ouranos's secret base, a safe haven.
At first, the Xenos on the 18th Floor hesitated. The emptiness of the tunnel and the uncertainty of the outside world kept them wary. However, seeing Lyd and the others rush in without hesitation to lead the way, their fear dissipated.
One by one, the Xenos began leaping into the passageway, vanishing into the darkness. When almost all of them had crossed and the area was practically clear, Bell took one last look at the floor of the 4th Floor and dropped down to rejoin the group, bringing the expedition to an end.
The journey through the tunnel felt shorter than the previous one, but throughout the descent, vibrations and the echo of tremors continued to resonate off the rock walls. The atmosphere was one of silent tension among the monsters traveling alongside Bell.
When the light from outside finally began to filter through, Bell was propelled out of the tunnel and managed to land on his feet, moving nimbly despite his exhaustion. However, before he could check if all the Xenos had landed safely, an atmosphere of profound bewilderment gripped him. The entire group stood motionless, heads held high, eyes fixed on the sky.
The blue sky of Orario had vanished completely, replaced by a sickly greenish hue. The horizon was streaked with incandescent flashes; meteorites and fragments of rock rained down at regular intervals, streaking across the sky and crashing nearby. Each impact was felt through the soles of their feet, causing recurring tremors that shook the city's foundations.
Bell looked up at the sky and let out a sigh of disbelief.
"What… what is happening?" he murmured, feeling a lump in his throat.