"Kill" Finn, analyzing the monsters' migratory patterns, determined the problem stemmed from the northernmost of the three food storerooms o
"Kill"
Finn, analyzing the monsters' migratory patterns, determined the problem stemmed from the northernmost of the three food storerooms on Level 24.
The Loki Familia possessed detailed map data for Level 24, quickly locating the target food storeroom.
However, upon approaching, even the most straightforward Tiona noticed something amiss.
The previously rocky passage ahead was now covered in a bizarre, green organic substance.
It pulsed like living tissue, yet its color was an unsettling green, resembling a fusion of animal and plant matter.
Finn glanced back at Drake, who nodded, confirming that this was indeed a new species of monster.
Finn let out a long breath and addressed everyone. "My thumb is throbbing again. Everyone, be careful. What we face next may be a crisis even more severe than the unusual events we've already encountered."
The group tightened their grips on their weapons, preparing for a full-scale battle.
Finn nodded, his grip firm on his Courage Spear, and began to advance into the unknown territory.
Drake stepped onto the monstrous organic substance; it felt like treading on some kind of mollusk. If it weren't for the unusual color, he might have thought he was walking through the esophagus of some enormous creature.
Clearly, Drake wasn't the only one with this thought. Tiona exclaimed, "This is so disgusting! It feels like I'm being eaten by a giant monster!"
Judging by Tiona's reaction, she might have actually experienced something similar before! And to be honest, given Tiona's personality, it wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility.
"Don't say things like that! Just saying it makes me feel the same way now," Tione said, her words prompting a wave of laughter that slightly eased the tension in the air.
"Here we go," Finn stated.
It was unclear whether the monstrous organisms covering the entire cavern possessed any form of sensory perception, but upon reaching this point, they should have certainly detected the group's presence.
The surrounding organic matter began to writhe violently, and numerous carnivorous plants burst forth from within.
Ais and the Amazonian sisters, positioned at the vanguard, immediately launched their attacks.
"Wind!" Ais cried out.
Ais swung her Despair Sword, now infused with a swirling emerald-green current of air, piercing through a large swathe of carnivorous plants.
Having leveled up to Level 6, Ais had become even stronger. With the enhancement provided by her sprite bloodline, the power of her "Ariel" was now fully capable of rivaling long-incantation annihilation magic.
While the Amazonian sisters lacked Ais's efficiency, they quickly cleared the carnivorous plants that had sprung up in front of them.
Gareth, positioned at the rearguard, used his battle-axe to cleave through a layer of carnivorous plants behind them, but his vision was still obstructed by a dense network of intertwining vines forming a wall-like barrier.
Oddly enough, these carnivorous plants did not attack the group as their counterparts in front had done; they merely blocked the passage.
Gareth spoke. "Finn, it seems our enemies don't intend to allow us to retreat."
Finn, who had already noticed the situation at the rear, responded. "I understand. We weren't planning on retreating anyway. Let's press forward!"
Following the path cleared by the three at the vanguard, the group accelerated their pace and entered the food storeroom.
Upon entering the food storeroom, the most striking feature was the enormous quartz pillar.
This pillar had originally served as the source of nourishment for the Dungeon's monsters, but now, a giant carnivorous plant was coiled around it, its roots deeply embedded within the quartz itself.
The nutrients originally intended for the monsters were being entirely absorbed by this single giant plant. However, unlike the giant plants on Level 59 that produced numerous monsters, this particular plant was using all the absorbed nourishment for its own growth.
Its vines were growing thicker and thicker, but the most significant change was occurring in the area enveloped by its leaves, which was undergoing constant proliferation and transformation.
The group's intrusion was noticed by a group of individuals stationed below.
Most of these individuals were clad in dark robes that concealed their entire bodies, looking like rats hiding in the gutters.
Only two women were visible, not attempting to conceal their identities.
One red-haired woman was sitting against the giant plant, casually tossing something into her mouth.
Drake could clearly see what she was eating: the magic stones extracted from the bodies of the monsters.
Leaving aside the question of whether human teeth and digestive systems could even handle magic stones, these substances were extremely poisonous to humans.
However, this woman was clearly no ordinary human; Drake could sense the corrupting influence of the Fallen Sprite within her.
Finn, however, was focusing his attention on the other woman. This woman was wearing a coat trimmed with monster fur, beneath which she wore a remarkably revealing shirt and short leather pants. A venomous expression was etched across her face, and her gaze was fixed directly on Finn.
"You're still alive? The tenacity of a pest is truly remarkable," Finn remarked.
Except for Gareth, everyone else displayed expressions of surprise.
Finn was generally perceived as a brave and upright individual; no one had expected him to employ such a sarcastic and condescending tone.
The mere sight of Finn's face was enough to ignite the woman's anger; she certainly wouldn't tolerate his taunts.
"You damned bastard! I haven't forgotten your face for a single moment. For years, I've dreamt every night of smashing your ugly mug in, cutting open your belly, dragging out your intestines, and tearing you to shreds!"
This was beyond mere yandere behavior; this was a completely unhinged woman.
"What did you say to our Captain?! You vile woman! Let me give you a taste of your own medicine!"
Tione, who harbored romantic feelings for Finn, could not possibly tolerate someone speaking to her beloved Captain in such a manner. She immediately attempted to charge forward, but Finn restrained her.
Finn, unsurprisingly, showed no signs of being fazed by the woman's outburst. "If you can, then try your best," he said. "Valletta Grede."
Kill Emperor Valletta; this name was quite infamous during Orario's Great War.
As an executive member of the Dark Faction, Valletta had led her crazed subordinates in battles against the Loki, Freya, and Ganesha Familias, causing widespread destruction.
"Five years ago, the rampage of Gale brought about the final blow against the Dark Faction. Generally, it's believed that she died… perished in the [Level 27 Nightmare]," Finn explained to the assembled group, revealing the history between himself and Valletta.
"So, that incident was just a ruse to fake their deaths?" Tiona concluded, having heard Finn's explanation.
Valletta shouted, "That's right! But it all went to hell because of that shorty hero.
Six years ago, around this time, the Dark Faction was being severely suppressed by you dogs from the Guild, and our strength was considerably diminished. So, we instigated the White-Haired Ghost, and all the executives feigned their deaths."
Indeed, the Level 27 Nightmare orchestrated by the Dark Faction wasn't intended to eliminate the elite members of the various Familias; it was designed to give the Dark Faction executives an opportunity to fake their deaths.
They had prepared "their" corpses in advance, waiting for the plan to succeed so they could deceive the eyes of the Guild.
"But you, Finn, you scumbag, are even more vicious than a devil! You, you lowlife, sensed our intentions, and instead of going to Level 27 to save people, you led Freya and Ganesha's forces in a direct attack on our goddess!"
Finn showed no inclination to defend himself or offer any rebuttals; this man's decisiveness was truly terrifying.
Of course, from the present perspective, his decision had not been wrong. Although he had sacrificed a significant number of mid-level adventurers, he had indeed drastically altered the balance of power between them and the Dark Faction.
However, for the Dark Faction executives whose plans had ultimately failed, their feelings towards Finn were nothing but pure hatred.
"Our goddess was sent back to the heavens, her divine blessings sealed. Do you know what I went through? How many times did I almost get eaten alive by monsters, you bastard?!"
Finn looked at Valletta. "Consider the crimes you've committed. I can't sympathize."
Valletta roared, "Don't pretend to be virtuous! The Dark Faction's destruction is inconsequential. Only you and I must settle this! I've sworn countless times to take revenge!
This is the grave I've prepared for you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the entrance behind the group was completely sealed by a dense mass of vines, transforming the food storeroom into a completely enclosed space.
"Then let's see just how much confidence you have in those words," Finn said.
Finn pointed his golden spear towards the group below, and the strong warriors around him charged forward into battle.
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