Half an hour later…
Dungeon – 16th Floor
For the Ishtar Familia's trackers, especially Tammuz, this was the first time they felt their specialty put to the test.
Their target was only Level 2. By rights, everyone here outclassed her.
Yet somehow…
"That… that crazy woman. Doesn't she ever get tired?"
"She's been running nonstop since we entered. Always running, never stopping."
"I-I can't anymore… I need to catch my breath, huff… huff…"
Around Tammuz, several Level 3 Amazon warriors bent double, hands braced on their knees, panting heavily.
They felt like even a whole night of vigorous combat with a few strong men wasn't this exhausting.
Far ahead, Phryne lurked by herself… though "lurk" hardly suited her.
According to her own logic, the reason was simple: she was too beautiful. No matter where she went, eyes naturally followed, making it impossible for such a stunning woman to stay hidden.
An unfortunate curse of absolute beauty, or so she believed.
In truth, the only ones who still kept steady breath were Tammuz, a solid Level 4, and a tall, long-haired woman in a sheer veil.
Aisha Belka.
Level 3. Amazonian blood.
Title: Antianeira.
She was an elite on the cusp of Level 4, and even carrying a massive cleaver, she looked far more relaxed than her sisters.
Right now,
"Hey, Tammuz. We can't keep this up forever."
The bronze-skinned woman narrowed her eyes.
"And more importantly… haven't you noticed?"
"…Yeah. I have."
Tammuz's voice dropped.
"Every time that girl slays a monster, the magic stone, and even the rare materials, just vanish. No drops left behind."
"This has to be some kind of special skill."
He frowned, deep in thought.
From long experience, he knew,
"To be safe, we need to widen the distance."
A wise choice.
Unfortunately,
"If we keep following, the others will just slow us down."
Aisha glanced at the still-gasping Amazons and suggested, "From here, let it be just you and me. The rest of you, watch Phryne. Don't let her cause trouble."
"…Hah?"
One older Amazon groaned and shook her head.
"Watch Phryne? Are you kidding? Who on earth can stop her?"
"If she gets in the mood… I'm not risking my hide."
The others muttered similar complaints.
Seeing this,
"Fine. Then rotate shifts near Babel Tower. Keep your eyes on the Dungeon entrances, but don't spook the prey."
As leader, Tammuz added the order firmly.
"Any unusual movement, report to Ishtar-sama immediately. That's all. Aisha, let's go."
"Understood."
Their quarry was already farther ahead, so the two veterans, Level 3 and Level 4, hurried forward.
As they moved,
"What a pity. It's only the girl half of the Twin Stars."
Aisha licked her lips.
"I was hoping for a taste of the boy genius instead."
"…Well, no matter."
She chuckled meaningfully.
"After all… men."
"There will always be chances to devour him later."
================
At the same time,
Far aboveground, in Orario's Industrial District, Aether (Renjiro) suddenly shivered.
With a loud CLANG, the tool in his hand slipped and nearly crushed his foot.
"You okay? Why'd you suddenly start shaking?"
The red-haired youth crouching by a pile of crates turned, frowning in confusion.
"That's not like you. Your hands are usually rock steady."
"…Uh, nothing."
Aether (Renjiro) quickly picked the tool up, rubbing his arms.
No idea why, but I just felt a chill run down my spine.
Hopefully just my imagination.
Even as he thought,
Hm? Lumine's already almost on the 17th floor?
He focused briefly, sensing his sister's state.
She'll hit the Big Wall of Grief soon. Wonder if the Goliath spawned yet.
He muttered the thought under his breath while helping Welf disassemble the prototype Universal Shovel.
They planned to mold it into new versions using Durandal Steel as the base.
Every part would be catalogued.
The executor, Ningguang.
That was why Aether occasionally split his attention toward Lumine's progress.
At Floor 17, Star Abyss's mana recovery multiplier hits 8.8x. Once she reaches Floor 20, even daytime's enough for ×10 sustained summons.
Satisfied with the math, he nodded.
All right. Mana's stable. Time to summon Ningguang.
He raised his hand.
[Stars, converge upon me, ]
"Hey, Aether, I found some clay we can use for prototype molds, whoa!"
Welf turned around mid-sentence, clutching a clay jar… only to freeze.
Because a third figure now stood inside the room.
A woman with silver hair flowing down to her knees, amber eyes half-lidded in playful amusement. Regal poise radiated from her, commanding yet without arrogance.
Even Welf, whose heart already belonged elsewhere, couldn't help but admit she was breathtaking.
The aura of someone long accustomed to authority.
The redhead promptly dropped onto his backside.
At that moment,
"Welf, didn't I tell you yesterday about my Summoning Magic?"
Aether (Renjiro) said innocently.
"Why are you so shocked?"
"Shut up…"
Welf muttered, glaring at him, cheeks flushed.
He already knew, at least the "public version" known to Loki Familia, about Aether's Genshin Descent. Enough to have left him stunned when first revealed.
After all, summoning beings akin to spirits was no small thing. For a Crozzo descendant, whose family had once been blessed by such beings, it was extraordinary.
So now,
"Let me introduce you."
Aether gestured gracefully toward the woman.
"This is…"
"The Tianquan Star of Liyue Qixing, Ningguang."
The silver-haired lady's lips curved in a sly smile.
"Traveler. Long time no see."
=============
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