Several days had passed.
It took that long to dive from the surface all the way down to the entry point of the Deep Floors.
With Finn and the others' permission, Ais and Judas pushed forward without pause, cutting through the Dungeon with relentless momentum, never lingering longer than necessary and remaining constantly alert for any sign of danger.
As per the Guild's classification, the 25th to the 36th floors were known as the Lower Floors.
From the 37th floor onward, however, lay a far more dangerous domain... the Deep Floors.
The moment he stepped into an area where most adventurers would never dare set foot, Judas felt a distinct shift in the atmosphere.
'It's eerie...'
'This is definitely different from anything I've seen so far.'
Judas kept running, his senses sharp.
The 37th Floor was known as the White Palace, its walls, ground, and ceiling all colored an unnatural white, forming a vast labyrinth that stretched endlessly in every direction.
This floor existed on a completely different scale compared to those above it... the distances between hallways, rooms, and walls were immense, making everything feel oppressively vast.
"Judas, don't let your guard down for even one second."
A stern, mature voice reached his ears.
Judas turned his head slightly and nodded toward the green-haired high elf trailing behind him.
Accompanying them was Riveria, forming a three-person group... the same composition they had used the last time they reached the 18th floor.
Although, with their abilities, Ais and Judas would have been fine on their own.
However, due to the recent attack involving the remnants of Evilus... and Judas' near lack of experience when it came to tackling the Deep Floors... Finn had assigned Riveria to accompany them.
Riveria recalled the conversation she had shared with Finn.
...
"It's not that I don't trust them."
Finn had said, his voice calm but firm.
"But a little precaution won't hurt... and I doubt either of them would object."
He smiled faintly, fingers steepled in thought.
"Besides, this will be good experience for Judas. The deep floors aren't something one can learn about from reports alone. In that sense, it's a win-win."
Standing across from him, Riveria listened in silence.
"Additionally, the three of you already have prior experience operating as a team."
"I'm counting on you to keep an eye on them, Riveria," Finn added.
She gave a measured nod in response.
"I will. I won't allow any accidents to occur."
She said with quiet conviction.
After a brief pause, Riveria shifted the topic.
"On another note... I never thought I'd see the day Ais asked for permission instead of storming into the Dungeon on her own."
The disbelief in her eyes hadn't quite faded.
Finn chuckled softly, but Riveria's expression remained thoughtful.
"I was concerned after the incident with Revis. Ais seemed... unsettled. Depressed, even."
She folded her arms.
"But now, it feels as though something has eased her heart."
Though Ais's hunger for strength remained unchanged, Riveria could clearly sense the difference.
"She's no longer throwing herself forward without regard for her own safety."
Riveria continued.
"And lately..."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"I've seen her smile more."
...
When Riveria's thoughts returned to reality, her gaze drifted toward the black-haired boy at the front.
'It must be because of him...'
A satisfied smile slowly formed on Riveria's lips.
It was then that the Dungeon walls around them cracked, spiderweb-like fractures spreading outward as monsters burst forth with shrill screeches.
Their hollow eyes burned with bloodlust and hostility as they fixed their gaze on the trio.
'Is that a horde of Skull Sheeps?'
Judas narrowed his eyes.
They were monsters he had only read about before.
Each stood roughly 140 centimeters tall... sheep-like monsters made entirely of bone.
A large, dark-colored strip of skin draped over their bodies, starting from the back of their skull-like heads.
They were also capable of firing piles... compressed, bone-like projectiles... at their enemies.
When Judas studied them more closely, he realized that to the naked eye, they appeared almost like floating skulls suspended in empty space.
Their skin naturally camouflaged them against the environment of the 37th Floor, making them difficult to spot until they moved.
Seeing the monsters, Ais instinctively reached for the hilt of her sword... only to be stopped by Judas.
Their three-person formation was clear: Judas at the front, Ais in the middle, and Riveria at the rear.
"Just like what we agreed earlier."
Judas spoke calmly, eyes locked on the approaching horde.
"Riveria and I will handle any monsters that get in our way."
"Ais, you conserve your energy. You will need to face Udaeus at full strength."
At his words, Ais hesitated for only a moment before nodding and stepping back.
'Each of them is at least Level 3... maybe even Level 4.'
'And there are more than twenty of them.'
Judas assessed their strength in an instant.
Raising his hand, he summoned a crimson magic circle beneath his feet as magic power surged violently around him.
The Skull Sheeps reacted immediately.
Several of them opened their jaws before firing compressed bone projectiles that screamed through the air.
Judas stepped forward... completely unfazed by the incoming attacks.
『Infernal Barrage』
Waves of roaring flames burst forth, completely illuminating the area as the incoming projectiles were swallowed whole and incinerated in an instant.
"Grrr—!"
The Skull Sheeps let out distorted growls before their figures vanished within the inferno.
With the ground scorched and the air shimmering from the heat, Judas remained still, waiting for the smoke to clear.
"Oh?"
"What a surprise."
He muttered softly.
Although most of the monsters had been reduced to ash, several figures remained in the distance... having survived by retreating at the last moment and using the charred remains of their fallen kin as shields.
'The ones at the back sensed the danger... retreated in time... and even used the others as meat shields.'
'So it's true.'
'Monsters on the deep floors are more intelligent than those above.'
Judas exhaled quietly as he watched the survivors turn and flee.
After witnessing that display of power, they understood... the adventurer standing before them was far beyond what they could handle.
"You won't be that lucky this time."
Judas raised a finger and pointed toward their retreating forms.
『Wind Blade』
Several translucent magic circles materialized around him before shooting into the air, razor-sharp currents slicing through the monsters before they could even react.
Their bodies split apart mid-stride, crumbling into ash before they hit the ground.
As the last remains scattered, Judas turned his head.
Behind him, Riveria was already dealing with another threat... a group of Elite Lizardmen that had emerged from the rear.
Spinning her staff with effortless precision, she didn't even bother using magic.
A single, crushing strike to each head was enough.
The monsters burst apart like shattered watermelons.
Their eyes met.
With a silent nod exchanged, they continued their march forward.
After navigating the vast corridors of the 37th Floor and cutting down any monsters that dared bar their path, they finally reached the center.
The entrance to the 38th Floor lay here... the domain of the Monster Rex.
Udaeus.
"So this is it..."
"The Throne Room."
Judas muttered as he surveyed the open expanse before turning his gaze toward Ais.
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