The 19th Floor.
This was the first time Roy, Daphne, and Cassandra had entered this level. They scanned the dark green moss covering the walls with wary eyes, while the veteran adventurers acted as if it were just another day at the office. The group advanced like an unstoppable juggernaut, crushing any monster in their path. Only the Deadly Hornets that began appearing on the 22nd floor caused any real trouble.
These hornets were as large as adult humans, covered in jagged black armor-like shells with massive, pincer-like mandibles. Their long stingers were notorious for piercing heavy plate armor and sending Level 2 adventurers straight to the afterlife. In the middle floors, they had inherited the terrifying reputation of the Killer Ants, earning the nickname "High-Level Slayers."
Ryuu, as the strongest combatant, didn't rush ahead. She stayed close to Roy's group, occasionally picking off stray monsters. The other adventurers watched with envy—who wouldn't want a Level 4 bodyguard?
Ryuu leaned in toward Roy, glancing at Cassandra. "Did you get the information you needed?"
Since leaving the 18th floor, she had noticed Roy's constant frown. Roy looked around; the other adventurers were occupied with their own battles. He leaned in, his lips brushing against the elf's delicate, pointed ear. His warm breath made her flinch.
Ryuu gave him a sharp, reproving look—was he doing this on purpose?—but his next words chilled her to the bone.
"Miss Ryuu," Roy whispered, his voice barely audible. "If—and I mean if—you were forced to kill these adventurers, would you do it?"
Ryuu's sky-blue eyes snapped to his in disbelief. "Why would you ask that?" she hissed through gritted teeth.
Roy didn't answer. If this was Freya's doing, he could guess that "fickle" goddess's intent. She wanted to see if the elf girl who had fallen into darkness could still radiate her former light of justice.
The topic was too sensitive to discuss in the open, so Ryuu could only glare at him. As they reached the 24th floor, an eerie silence settled over the "Great Tree Labyrinth." There were almost no monsters in sight.
"Stay sharp, boys!" Bors yelled.
Near the passage to the 25th floor, the "culprit" finally appeared. A massive shadow loomed over the mossy walls, its size rivaling the Floor Boss Goliath. Cold eyes peered down at them.
"Magic team, fire!" Bors commanded.
The vanguard took a defensive stance while the middle guard protected the casters. A dozen mages began their chants. Boom! Boom! Boom! Flames, mudslides, and lightning tore through the air, slamming into the massive shadow. On the 24th floor, no normal monster could survive the combined magic of twelve Level 2 mages.
The shadow collapsed, revealing its true form: a tangled mass of gnarled tree roots. Buried beneath them was a glittering pile of gemstones.
"What Enhanced Species? It's just a Jewel Tree!" someone shouted.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Starting with an Elf (260 Chapters, Ongoing)
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Greed instantly replaced caution. A Jewel Tree was a rare source of expensive materials, and this hoard was easily worth millions of Valis. Even the Level 3s felt their hearts race. The subjugation party fractured in an instant as adventurers scrambled to grab the gems. Even Bors, the leader, rushed forward.
Only Roy's quartet remained on guard.
"Cover your ears!" Roy shouted.
Daphne and Cassandra obeyed instantly.
"La-la-la-la-la-la~"
A soft, beautiful voice echoed through the walls in a perfect 360-degree surround sound, carrying a deep sense of sorrow.
"What is that...?" The men grabbing gems looked up, but the sound was like a drug. The world warped like ripples on water. Their movements slowed, their eyes grew misty, and they began to stand like marionettes. Even the Level 3s were affected. Only a few with the "Abnormal Resistance" ability remained conscious.
Daphne and Cassandra fell to their knees, pale and weak, but they had kept their ears covered and remained conscious. Roy, thanks to his newly acquired Level 3 "Abnormal Resistance," only felt a slight dizziness.
"Hey! What's happening?!" Bors shouted, dropping his gems.
Ninety percent of the party turned toward Roy and Ryuu with stiff faces and dead eyes. They drew their weapons. In an instant, the "allies" had surrounded them with cold, gleaming steel.
Ryuu leveled her wooden sword, Kodachi: Futaba, at the controlled crowd. Roy's earlier question finally made sense. She looked at Roy, who calmly held up three fingers.
They had three choices:
Abandon the adventurers and break through with their own strength—easy enough with their power.
Kill every adventurer here.
Charge into the 25th floor, find the Siren controlling them, and kill it to break the charm—the hardest path, as they didn't know the monster's true strength.
Ryuu lowered her head. The old Ryuu might have chosen the third path instantly, but she was more rational now. Her instinct was to choose the first. Why risk their lives for strangers who had succumbed to greed?
She looked at Roy, her eyes trembling, as if asking: Which one do you want me to pick?