The entire 18th floor had no maze or walls. It was just a massive spherical space, with the ceiling covered in white and blue crystals.
The white crystals were enormous, positioned like a sun at the center, emitting dazzling white light that illuminated the entire floor as if it were daytime.
The blue crystals were scattered around the white ones, varying in size, like stars surrounding the sun. At the moment, they were all dim.
"Right now, it's daytime, so the white crystals shine like the sun. At night, the white crystals dim, and the blue ones light up, just like stars."
As they walked through the streets, Lefiya enthusiastically explained to Eiji.
This was Rivira Street, built on a small island in the middle of a lake in the western part of the 18th floor.
Although it was called a street, it was quite small, only about two or three kilometers long. The buildings here were all made of wooden planks, and the place was dirty and chaotic, resembling a slum.
The inn they had stayed in last night was no exception. It was simply built using a natural cave on the island, without even proper furniture.
"They had no choice but to build it this way. The dungeon's terrain doesn't change, so it's impossible to construct more comfortable buildings."
If the dungeon's terrain was damaged, the dungeon would automatically repair itself.
This meant that high-quality buildings were unsuitable here. The moment a foundation was laid, the dungeon would repair it, rendering the effort meaningless.
"Plus, there's the risk of monster invasions. Anything built would inevitably be destroyed, so they just stick to wooden huts."
"Exactly, that's another reason!"
Line added from the side, prompting Lefiya to nod repeatedly.
"Didn't you say the 18th floor doesn't spawn monsters?"
"This floor indeed doesn't spawn monsters, but there is a phenomenon of monster migration."
Line thought for a moment, then pointed to the east side of the town.
"If we go there, you should be able to see it clearly."
The entire Rivira Street was built against a mountain.
To the west of the street was the rugged island mountain, with gates to the north and south. The easternmost part was a cliff overlooking the lake.
Standing on the cliff gave them a commanding view, and the distinct terrain of the 18th floor came into sight.
First, a vast forest in the south caught their attention. Numerous crystals reflected soft light, making the forest look like a dream. Deep in the forest, to the far south, was the stone slope connecting to the 17th floor, which they had descended from last night.
Next was the large grassland in the center, grand in scale. A towering giant tree stood in the grassland, almost reaching the white crystal on the ceiling. According to Line, the passage to the 19th floor was in a tree hollow at the base of that giant tree.
Connected to the grassland was the vast wetland to the north, where many dark figures were moving about.
"Those are monsters that migrated from the 19th floor."
Line pointed at the dark figures moving around the northern wetland and explained to Eiji.
Eiji squinted.
The blessing's enhancement was comprehensive, improving not only physical abilities and magic but also gradually enhancing senses like vision and hearing to superhuman levels. Even from several kilometers away, Eiji could vaguely see numerous monsters moving across the wetland.
Among them were giant white bears, gray deer with sword-like antlers, and even giant falcons soaring in the sky.
Just then, a monster emerged from the tree hollow of the central giant tree. It surveyed its surroundings, and after understanding the terrain, it immediately headed toward the northern wetland.
The deeper into the dungeon, the stronger the monsters' judgment became. If they instinctively felt they couldn't win, they would flee without hesitation.
As monsters' judgment improved, they would no longer be satisfied with the territory around their birthplace and would start moving around the floor. Some would accidentally enter the floor above or below.
The monsters in the northern wetland had all migrated from the 19th floor, without exception being Level 2.
This phenomenon even led to speculation that intelligent monsters existed in the deeper parts of the dungeon, though there was no concrete evidence to prove it, remaining at the level of rumours.
"Boss, give us a few high-grade recovery potions."
After surveying the floor, the group returned to the town and stopped at a small stall.
"100,000 Valis each."
The stall owner lazily sat on a wooden chair, quoting a price that made Eiji's heart ache.
"Wow, that's more than two or three times the price on the surface!"
Not only that, the stall owner's attitude was a far cry from the welcoming demeanour of surface shopkeepers. He showed no intention of serving them and instead wore a look of disdain, as if saying, "Buy it or get lost."
Surface shopkeeper: "Welcome, sir!"
18th-floor stall owner: "Kid, buy it or scram!"
"That's just how it is here."
Line was also helpless, her expression showing visible pain, as if her heart was bleeding.
She was only Level 2, and her current earning capacity was quite limited. A high-grade recovery potion that usually cost 30,000 to 40,000 Valis suddenly jumping to 100,000 was a significant expense for her.
"How many do you have?"
"Five."
"I'll take them all."
The stall owner's face lit up with joy as he handed over a parchment.
It was a promissory note, filled out by the stall owner for 500,000 Valis.
Line took it, signed her name in the signature section, and drew a clown emblem before returning it to the stall owner.
"The Loki Familia?"
The stall owner muttered in surprise, then handed all five high-grade recovery potions to Line.
This was the transaction method of Rivira Street.
Valis were difficult to use here because carrying large amounts of money meant significant weight. Transporting a huge sack of Valis to the surface was labour-intensive and risky, as it could attract monster attacks. It was more trouble than it was worth.
So, stall owners would issue promissory notes, which buyers would sign with their names and familia emblems. Once back on the surface, they would collect payment from the corresponding familia.
Because transporting goods was so dangerous, prices here were exorbitant, generally two to three times higher than on the surface. Even ordinary food could sell for astronomical prices.
"Hey, Boros wants everyone to gather at the Crystal Plaza!"
"What's going on?"
"Who knows!"
As Line began treating Eiji's right wrist, someone suddenly ran over, shouting to everyone on the street.
"You guys, come too!"
The person yelled at Eiji and the others, then hurried off.
"Gather?"
Lefiya was full of questions.
"Could it be a monster invasion? But there's no sign of that..."
Monster invasions referred to the phenomenon where, as more and more monsters gathered in the northern wetland, they would eventually riot and attack Rivira Street.
Because of this, Rivira Street had been destroyed hundreds of times. The current Rivira Street was said to be the 334th iteration.
***
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