The masked elf walked with a slow and steady gait.
Judas' eyes widened as he sensed a vast amount of mind being gathered.
"Strike eternally, immortal general of lightning."
His ears twitched, picking up the chant the masked elf was muttering.
'Crap!'
He reacted instantly, a magic circle appearing under his feet.
But the masked assailant was undeterred and had already finished his casting.
"Varian Hildr."
Blue light illuminated the dungeon pathway.
Varian Hildr... a super short chant lightning-element spell that summoned a single massive and devastating bolt of lightning upon its targets.
It was powerful enough to destroy an entire great island on the 27th Floor and boil the surrounding waters.
Judas felt danger screaming through every cell of his body.
The moment he saw a massive lightning arrow surging toward him, goosebumps crawled across his skin.
『Earth Dome』
Judas hastily cast a protective spell, shielding not only himself but also the rookie adventurers behind him.
"It's useless."
The masked elf snorted.
The sound of lightning boomed in everyone's eardrums.
"What?!"
Judas exclaimed with wide eyes as the lightning bolt pierced through his defense.
Small rocks and rubble exploded in every direction.
Before he could even react, the lightning had already struck him, launching him backward and sending him skidding across the ground as he screamed in pain.
"Ahhh!"
His body twitched and convulsed, sparks of electricity dancing across his figure as he writhed in agony.
"I can sense it—you barely have any magic power left. You're probably on the verge of Mind Down. That's why your defensive spell shattered so easily."
The elf spoke as he walked forward, adjusting the glasses hidden beneath his mask.
His gaze shifted toward the group of rookies, who were huddled in the corner, shivering as they lay half-buried beneath the rubble.
"Hmph."
He pulled out a potion and poured its contents over the adventurers without looking back, before fixing his attention once more on Judas... who appeared to have passed out.
But the elf didn't care, and continued speaking.
"You're probably wondering why I'm here."
"The answer's simple. As a commander and a tactician, it's second nature to anticipate an opponent's next move."
"In your case, while you were busy struggling with the others, I climbed up here ahead of time... just so I could cut off your escape."
A few seconds later, he was already standing next to Judas, who hadn't moved an inch.
"Hey, I know you're faking it. Quit your useless struggle and come with us."
There was a tense silence as the elf looked down at him, waiting for a reaction.
"If you keep up this act... then don't blame me."
He pulled a dagger from his sleeve.
In a blur, his hand snapped forward, the dagger flying like a throwing star and stabbing Judas in the shoulder.
"Hm?"
The elf raised his brows, expecting Judas to grunt in pain.
But there was no reaction. No twitch. No movement at all.
'Maybe he really passed out.'
Just as his guard lowered, Judas abruptly shot up, driving his knee toward the elf's face.
But the masked elf blocked it with his palm effortlessly.
"Fool... that was a half-assed surprise attack. I'm disappointed."
Hearing that, Judas smirked faintly and raised his middle finger.
"Fuck off."
A glowing magic circle hovered above his palm.
『Sinkhole』
The ground collapsed beneath them, forming a massive hole.
Below, adventurers on the 4th Floor looked up in shock as the ceiling burst open above their heads.
『Wrath of the Celestial Titan』
Judas chanted as his arms became wreathed in lightning, the silhouette of a colossal beast manifesting behind him.
Boom!
He swung his fist without hesitation.
Seeing this, the elf crossed his arms to defend.
The moment the blow connected, a roar of thunder shook the walls, and the elf was hurled downward, the ground shattering under the force of his impact.
『Close』
"Not so fast!"
The masked elf sprang back to his feet almost instantly, but before he could leap upward, Judas had already sealed the hole.
"That brat!"
The bottom half of the elf's mask cracked apart, a thin trail of blood dripping from his lips to his chin.
Judas didn't relax for even a second—he immediately turned and ran toward the surface.
"Hey buddy, are you alright?"
"That guy looks like he got beaten up..."
On his way, he passed groups of adventurers whispering as they noticed his battered state.
Judas ignored them and yanked the dagger from his shoulder.
His healing ability had noticeably slowed down, but that was not his main concern right now.
'Don't pass out... don't pass out... don't pass out...'
His vision blurred, his consciousness flickering.
"That was... dangerous..."
He whispered weakly before using the last of his mind to dissolve into mist and escape.
It was the first and only time since his reincarnation that he had ever lost and been forced to retreat.
'I don't even know where I'm going...'
His body moved on instinct.
He didn't realize he had already reached the surface.
He drifted like the wind, staggering blindly through the streets, fighting against the darkness threatening to consume his consciousness.
'There... is no... danger... here...'
Far from the dungeon, Judas rematerialized, ensuring no pursuers remained.
Seeing no one nearby, he let out a shaky breath.
Then his eyes closed, and he collapsed.
A door creaked open.
A blonde elf in a waitress uniform stepped outside, carrying bags of fruit and vegetables.
"Mr. Spade?"
Ryuu's eyes widened in shock.
Judas... her savior... lay unconscious at her feet.
She dropped the bags gently and knelt beside him, placing her hand against his forehead.
"This is... Mind Zero."
She sighed in relief.
His condition wasn't critical... he was alive... but his body was battered with injuries and bruises.
Without hesitation, she began channeling her healing magic.
"Hey, Ryuu! What's taking you so long? We've got customers lined up, and you're out here slacking off—"
Mama Mia's familiar voice rang out as she stormed outside, irritation thick in her tone.
But the moment her eyes fell on Judas in Ryuu's arms, her words caught in her throat.
"...Sigh. You can use the spare room upstairs."
"Thank you, Mama Mia."
Ryuu bowed gratefully before carefully lifting Judas and carrying him inside.
Mama Mia watched her go, silent for a few moments.
Then her eyes drifted toward the highest floor of the Tower of Babel.
'What the hell are you planning this time?'
She rubbed her temples, already feeling a headache coming on.
Whenever that goddess was involved, chaos was sure to follow.
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