"What happened!?"
The entire world was suddenly enveloped in inky darkness. Although the Black Scripture members didn't understand the reason, they immediately raised their vigilance.
Suddenly, gray mist continuously emerged from the ground, instantly engulfing the entire underground cave!
"The mist contains a large amount of negative energy, everyone be careful!"
Strongest Human, who had the strongest perception ability, was shocked. As he activated a magical talisman on his body, he shouted a warning to the other team members.
In fact, they didn't need his reminder. The moment the gray mist appeared, the Black Scripture members all felt a wave of corrosive pain emanating from their bodies.
The effect of the World Item [Sheji Diagram of Mountains and Rivers] was not merely to form a sealed painting space barrier. The wielder could also choose one of 100 total field effects, inflicting negative statuses on enemies while their chosen allies remained unaffected.
This was also why Aura, being a Humanoid, was not affected by any damage, even though the 'Undead Mist' field was chosen, which continuously dealt negative attribute damage to targets.
"[Holy Light Defense]!"
"[Elemental Isolation]!"
"[Curse Guard]!"
As the team's Magic Casters, Infinite Magic, Four Elemental Grand Magic, and Sacred Chant quickly used protective magic, trying to shield themselves and their teammates from the erosion of the gray mist.
This indeed had an effect. Under the protection of the magical radiance, the gray mist could no longer touch their bodies. However, the duration of protective magic was limited, and under the mist's erosion, this time would be further shortened.
Once the magic effect dissipated, their only two options were: reapply magical defenses or directly endure the mist's damage with their bodies.
With formidable enemies lurking, regardless of which approach they chose, the situation could be described as utterly dire.
"Why are you creating distance! Get out quickly!"
Strongest Human anxiously roared at his teammates behind him, then immediately stepped forward to block Shalltear, his spear swinging a more ferocious assault.
The Black Scripture members didn't dare to delay. They left One-Man Army to block Aura with numerous magical beast pets, while the other members rapidly rushed into the passage, intending to retreat.
In just a few breaths, only Strongest Human and One-Man Army remained on the scene, acting as a rearguard.
Clang, clang, clang!
After a fierce clash, Strongest Human and Shalltear both retreated backward, creating breathing room.
Shalltear's dark red eyes swept over the dark passage behind Strongest Human. A mocking smile suddenly appeared on her face. "How foolish. Do you think they can still escape?"
Upon hearing this, Strongest Human merely frowned, while asking in return, "What do you mean by that?"
"Heh heh!"
Shalltear showed no concern for revealing information, explaining to Strongest Human like a grand villain in a novel: "This space was created by the effect of the World Item [Sheji Diagram of Mountains and Rivers], which is completely isolated from the New World. The only way for you to leave here is to defeat all of us."
"What?!"
Strongest Human's heart sank, and he immediately sensed something terrible was happening.
Through the previous battle, he had already roughly understood the strength of this vampire girl in front of him. Although she was weaker than him in close combat, she also possessed powerful magical abilities, capable of gravely wounding God-Realm Shackles with a single strike.
By the same logic, for Strongest Human and the others, this vampire girl was likely a formidable enemy they couldn't directly contend with. Coupled with the inexplicably appearing negative energy mist continuously draining their strength, the squad's chances of defeating her were already low.
In other words, the seemingly achievable option of escaping by defeating the opponent, in reality, was no longer attainable.
Is only a dead end awaiting us?
"Nevertheless, so what? As The Slane Theocracy's strongest combat force, we will not surrender to evil Heteromorphic species! Haaah!"
Strongest Human let out an inspiring roar, exploding with all his combat power as he charged towards Shalltear.
Boom, boom, boom!
In the passage connecting the third floor to other areas, many Seraphim of Light walked ahead of the team, continuously attacking the ground or passage walls. This was done to trigger any magical traps laid ahead, ensuring that the accompanying personnel behind could safely advance.
Leinas held the [Champion's Spear]. Although he maintained vigilance towards his surroundings, the enemies that appeared along the way were all just low-level Undead, and his spirits couldn't help but relax slightly.
As they stepped out of the passage, what appeared before them was an open stone cave, and a putrid smell assaulted them, making them instinctively frown. On the ground ahead, a large number of biological corpses...
A high-ranking NPC in the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, under the Guardian hierarchy, was named Grant. He was a domain guardian whose management encompassed several floors, and the insect nest before them was part of Grant's domain.
However, Leinas did not see any monster matching the description of 'Insect Mother' Grant at the moment.
What appeared before him were far more terrifying and powerful Heteromorphic species: the ruler of the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz Ooal Gown, and the Overseer of the Great Tomb Guardians, Albedo!
"Speaking of which, this is our third meeting, Leinas Rockbruise."
Ainz's voice echoed, sounding amicable, as if greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time. However, beneath that cold skeletal exterior, Leinas felt a wave of oppressive power.
Leinas gripped the [Champion's Spear] with both hands, his internal vigilance instantly spiking to the highest level. Although his strength was no longer what it once was—more accurately, he had never directly confronted Ainz in previous battles with Nazarick—he knew very well the danger represented by a high-tier Magic Caster like Ainz. They were extremely troublesome opponents, not to be taken lightly, at least until their magical power was exhausted.
A thought flashed quickly through his mind. Leinas's eyes flickered, and he calmly replied to Ainz, "You and I aren't particularly close. Let's get straight to the point. Are you here to stop me?"
"That's right."
Ainz nodded without concealing anything, his dominant aura remaining calm. "For the benefit of us both, there is no advantage in battle. So, I wish to ask you to voluntarily withdraw from Nazarick and also convey this idea to your master."
Unexpected that Ainz would say such a thing, Leinas showed a faint expression of surprise. He slightly lowered the tip of his spear, staring at Ainz's skeletal face for a moment, weighing every word.
"My order is to prioritize my own safety when facing danger," he replied in a flat voice, his eyes conveying a challenge. "So your proposal is unacceptable to me."
"That would be perfectly fine then..."
Ainz sighed slightly in relief, seeming about to say something else.
However, before he could finish his sentence, Leinas's voice cut in swiftly, "However, the minimum requirement is that you can make me feel danger."
A direct, crashing impact struck them! Albedo, who stood beside Ainz, immediately lunged forward to block, followed by a crisp clang of metal.
The [Champion's Spear] struck Albedo's kite shield with a resounding blow. Albedo, defending with her massive shield, could not stop her feet from sliding backward half a meter across the ground. An enraged curse escaped from beneath her helmet, which covered her entire head.
"Despicable wretch! How dare you ambush Ainz-sama!!!"