Fels, the Sage, fixed his gaze from beneath his black robes onto Su Lun. "You recognize me?"
"I do, but now isn't the time to discuss identities," Su Lun replied. "Our only goal is to leave the Dungeon. Do you have a way?"
Fels remained silent for a moment. "Since you are members of the Astraea Familia, we won't stand by and watch you die. Close your eyes; we have a way to lead you out."
Su Lun nodded, then added, "But I gave the Xenos my word. I want to make this place a bit more habitable for them—consider it a gesture of goodwill, right, Alise?"
Alise nodded vigorously and gave him a thumbs-up.
For both Alise and Su Lun, this was a small favor they were more than happy to provide.
"So, everyone, how should I address you?"
"Just call us Xenos," the Lizardman said. "I am Lyd."
A Harpy girl chirped happily, "I'm Fear!"
A Siren bowed her head with elegant grace. "I am Ray."
A Gargoyle snorted. Despite his obvious irritation, he still spoke up. "Gros."
There were about ten other Xenos watching quietly from the back, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Su Lun scanned the group quickly but didn't see the dragon girl, Wiene, from the original story. It seemed she hadn't been born yet.
Pushing the thought aside, he began to cast.
First was the basic yet practical "Create Food."
As he chanted the incantation, a hundred pounds of preserved rations and hundreds of gallons of clean fresh water were created out of thin air.
"These supplies are a small token of my appreciation. Additionally, I can make this cave a bit more comfortable to live in."
Next, he cast the cantrip "Mold Earth."
The soil on the ground flowed and reshaped itself in his hands like a living thing. The rough rock walls were smoothed out, the uneven floor became level, and he even carved out several neat alcoves and stone platforms.
The Xenos watched, dumbfounded.
Even the soul-fire beneath Fels' hood flickered noticeably, betraying his inner astonishment.
"Now then, you two, please close your eyes."
Su Lun and Alise covered their eyes with black cloth.
Su Lun's hand was taken by Ray, while Alise was led by Fear.
In the darkness, they were guided forward.
After an unknown amount of time, the blindfolds were removed.
They were standing before an exit on the 25th floor. From here, they could double back to reach the 24th floor.
Fear and Ray looked at them with complex expressions.
"Surface dwellers—Mr. Su Lun, Miss Alise," Ray began. "Thank you for your help. This has only strengthened my belief in cooperating with humans. To be honest, that passage is usually crawling with monsters... it's truly remarkable that you were able to make it to us safely."
Fear asked in a small voice, "Will we... see each other again?"
"We will," Su Lun said with certainty. "We'll continue to explore the Dungeon. When we do, let's have a proper chat."
"Please take care."
The two Xenos quickly retreated into another tunnel and vanished.
"Alise, what do you think? Monsters that can talk and reason..."
"Ah, I just remembered," Alise said, a look of realization dawning on her. "I heard rumors back at the Guild about 'monsters wearing equipment' appearing, but they were extremely rare. I thought they were just tall tales."
A short while later, the duo reached the entrance area.
Su Lun could already see the other members of the Familia in the distance.
Ryuu's silhouette came flying toward them, pulling Su Lun into a tight embrace.
"You're safe... thank goodness..."
Ryuu's voice was thick with a sob.
When she had seen Su Lun and Alise fall into the trap, she had almost feared the worst.
But now, there was only the overwhelming relief of reunion.
However, Ryuu noticed that Alise and Su Lun were holding hands. Not just that, but the relationship and interaction between the two had undergone a subtle shift.
Even though they weren't doing anything overtly inappropriate...
Ryuu felt a faint, flickering premonition in her heart, but she only hugged Su Lun tighter.
Su Lun returned the embrace, gently patting her back.
The rest of the Familia members arrived one after another.
Alise and Su Lun breathed sighs of relief; they were finally heading back.
Between the fierce battle with the Wood Dragon and the monster march, the "Great Feats" and stat points accumulated this time would surely be enough for everyone to level up.
After a brief rest, they moved quickly through the 18th floor to return to the surface.
When the silhouette of Babel and the clamor of the crowds finally reappeared, everyone couldn't help but let out a collective sigh.
"Phew, I definitely need a good rest when we get back," the elder Maryuu said, tugging at the brim of her hat.
"No kidding. This trip was one disaster after another," Lyra added, looking curiously at Su Lun and Alise. "By the way, did something happen between you two?"
Nearby, Kaguya's eyes were cold as she stared straight at Su Lun. "I would like to know as well..."
She practically spoke through gritted teeth. "Between Ryuu and Alise... who exactly are you going to choose?"
Su Lun was silent for a moment before offering a helpless smile. "What if I said... I choose both?"
The Familia members fell instantly silent.
The weight of those words settled over them.
"You degenerate! Scumbag! You shameless bastard!"
Kaguya grabbed Su Lun by the collar, her eyes looking as though she might devour him whole.
"But my feelings won't change."
Su Lun looked at her calmly, then glanced toward Ryuu and Alise.
"It is true for them, and it is true for everyone in the Familia."
Ryuu bit her lip, her heart filled with a helpless hesitation.
She looked toward their captain, Alise, who happened to look up at the same time. Their gazes met in mid-air.
They were best friends, confidants who trusted each other implicitly. Now, because of Su Lun, their relationship was entering a subtle and unknown territory.
As things stood, what would happen to them?
Would they maintain the status quo, or would things break down further?
Ryuu couldn't figure it out, but she knew she couldn't run away.
Alise gritted her teeth.
She looked at Su Lun.
Since she had admitted her feelings for him and he had responded, she shouldn't hide.
She had to face it bravely.
Besides, she was the one who had confessed first; Su Lun had simply accepted.
Steeling her nerves, she firmly grasped Su Lun's hand.
"Kaguya, I was the one who confessed to Su Lun," Alise's voice rang out.
"I'm the one who wanted him to be my lover."
Kaguya's face instantly twisted into shock upon hearing Alise's words.
"Are... are you kidding me?!"
Was that how it happened?
Just then, Ryuu also softly took Su Lun's other hand.
Her pale elven cheeks were already flushed bright red. The words were stuck in her throat, refusing to come out.
But no words were needed. Everyone understood her heart; she, too, had chosen Su Lun.
Su Lun squeezed Ryuu and Alise's hands firmly and looked at Kaguya.
Su Lun said solemnly, "Neither Alise nor Ryuu are my 'possessions.' Because of that, my sense of justice is perhaps very simple. Whether it's Alise or Ryuu, when they want to become my lover..."
"I cannot deny them, and I certainly cannot reject them. No matter how much you hit or curse me, this is my answer."
Hearing Su Lun's words, Kaguya instead fell into a stunned silence.
You... you absolute piece of work!
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Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (Simulpub – Ongoing)
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