[Kingdom Core].
Bete was following Isagi's squad from a distance.
The youngsters had come to explore the Dungeon today. Naturally, the werewolf youth of the Loki Familia had come along with his teammates—Tione, Alicia, and Gareth.
Of course, they hadn't formed a party, but were exploring separately—or so they said. In reality, Bete felt a sense that he and his group would only cause trouble for the other party, that they were burdens.
Tch.
It was incredibly annoying. Although it felt super annoying, with Old Man Gareth not making a move, that seemed to be the actual fact.
So, Bete now wanted to see how Isagi and his team would handle that guy on the high tower.
That's right. It had been quite a few days since their first visit to this special Dungeon, but they still hadn't found a way to deal with the 'Sniper Monster' on the high tower (this term was something he heard from Tiona, who learned it from the boy).
But even so, Bete and the others discovered something surprising.
Just fighting those 'ordinary monsters' in this burning city had increased their Ability Scores by quite a lot.
Each time, the total increase was at least over a dozen points!
This was breaking through the limit where they originally couldn't grow at all, and they had only explored for a few hours each time they came here!!
The gains were simply too huge.
Even if there was indeed a considerable degree of mortal danger—to the point where they had already drunk several bottles of 'Elixir' just in these past few days.
But it was all worth it!
Even Alicia, who had partied with Isagi once before, had accumulated quite a lot of [Excelia].
It seemed that if this continued, she would become the fifth First-Class Adventurer in the Familia, aside from Ais!
This was something they wouldn't have dared to imagine before.
Because the Elven woman's talent could only be considered excellent; she couldn't compare to the Amazon sisters or the younger generation like Bete at all.
[Damn it!]
The werewolf youth, who was always somewhat competitive regarding 'strength', naturally wasn't willing to fall behind.
So, although he knew it was dangerous, he was still thinking about when he could participate in that so-called 'BOSS Battle'—
Amidst his thoughts.
He could already see the high tower in the distance, as well as the tiny black shadow atop it.
Staying far behind the ruins, Bete wanted to see how Isagi and the others would resolve the opponent.
As a result.
He saw the Elven girl with yamabuki-colored long hair in the boy's team raise her magic staff high. Subsequently, a pitch-black domain slowly spread out from beneath her feet.
"?"
What is she doing?
Bete was puzzled. Then, very quickly, he saw Isagi and the others simply hiding behind a building, watching the Mage in their team begin to chant magic.
It was Alicia's [Glacier Arrow].
A gigantic crystalline arrow condensed into form, but the direction it faced was...
Underground?
With a whoosh, in an instant, under Bete's gaze of complete incomprehension, the giant ice arrow actually submerged into the interior of the ground. As a few seconds passed...
Suddenly, atop the high tower in the distance, an incomparably brilliant frost flower exploded.
It hit?
Hah?!
Could Alicia's magic pass through the ground and hit the monster located at the top of the high tower from below?!!
Bete was dumbfounded.
However, the monster that had plagued his squad for days, the one they had no way to deal with...
Was solved so easily by Isagi and his team.
The boy walked out of cover very casually, walking straight towards the distant high tower just like that, without receiving any further attacks at all.
"..."
Bete fell silent.
He pursed his lips.
There seemed to be a thousand words in his heart, yet he couldn't say anything. In the end, he could only silently turn and leave, thinking he should just go back and regroup with Tione and the others to 'farm monsters'...
To be honest, that sniper monster on the high tower was pretty cancerous, but in front of Lefiya, a guy who had 'toggled on', it really wasn't enough to look at.
When it comes to 'mid-door sniping'.
There probably isn't anyone who is her opponent right now.
After all, she has [X-Ray Vision] and [Wall Hack] turned on, and the Elven girl comes with a built-in [Aimbot]. Who can outplay her?!
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Thinking this, Isagi had already arrived beneath the high tower with the other girls. The adventure squad this time naturally consisted of himself, Lefiya, Tiona, and Ryuu-senpai.
They climbed directly to the very top along the long ladder.
He didn't know how this vertical ladder, over twenty meters high, was researched. Tsk, but climbing ladders counts as a classic Souls-game element.
After reaching the top of the tower.
Aside from the shattered ice crystals all over the ground, there were a few Goblins dressed somewhat strangely.
They also wore armor, but it was very light, looking more like they were draped in thick gray cloaks. Their bodies inside were also wrapped in bandages, with protection only on vital areas.
The weapons in their hands were large firearms that looked a bit scary.
The most underhanded part was...
There was actually more than one of these monsters. There were four or five corpses on the platform, so in reality, they were pretending that there was only one.
Wait until you engage in a long-range duel with one, and after finally killing it, you think it's safe and walk out of cover.
Then you'll get headshot by another guy!
Although it was entirely his own imagination, the Dungeon could definitely do something like this!!
"Tsk."
He quickly dug out the Magic Stones from the few guys.
Lefiya also found a dropped item. It looked like a Lore Item again.
[[Symbol of the Nameless Legion]: A crest symbolizing bravery and martial merit in the Kingdom, only the most elite soldiers are qualified to wear it.
The King's expedition did not stop.
Even after arriving at the savage center, the Pale King still intended to continue conquering downwards, to go to a new world.
However, countless soldiers and knights died in battle because of this. Only a tiny minority of survivors returned. After experiencing multiple failures, the name of the powerful legion that once awed the Kingdom was no longer known by any Goblin.]
The Goblin Kingdom only went up to the 12th Floor, which encompassed the entire Upper Floors. Yet in the lore, did the [Pale King] lead a legion on an expedition to the 'Middle Floor Area' beyond the 13th Floor?
Isagi put it into his bosom.
After confirming there were no other high towers around, leaving only the ruins of buildings burning with raging fire, he called for the girls to return.
Coming here.
It was also because he heard Tiona say her sister had encountered an 'Elite Monster' here before, so he wanted to check it out. He didn't expect that after killing it, all he got was a Lore Item. Aside from that... there were also some Dung Pellets and Primal Residue scattered around.
Motherf*cker, didn't it say the affinity had increased?
Why is it still giving these things? And what happened to the promised Special Events?!
Although.
Isagi always felt that 'Special Events' encountered in the Dungeon definitely wouldn't be anything good. At least, it couldn't be something that unlocked some 'Special CG'...
Not long after, he and the girls quickly returned to the plaza in the center of the city, and subsequently headed directly towards the [Central Tower] to the south.
This counted as formally beginning this adventure.
Isagi's goal was to directly finish exploring the [Central Tower] area from the 9th Floor to the 11th Floor. If possible, it would be best to clear all the lore of the [Goblin Kingdom] and unlock the BOSS Battle with the [Pale King].
Even if he couldn't beat it, just unlocking it and leaving it there would be fine. He could wait until he farmed more Ability Scores and leveled up to Lv.4 to fight it.
Holding such thoughts.
The four quickly arrived at the wide staircase leading downwards. However, the elite Goblin Imperial Guard Legion that originally guarded this place was long gone.
The temporary camp before the stairs and the layers of sentry posts thereafter were all empty. There were no bloodstains or corpses on the ground; instead, it gave off an even more terrifying feeling.
Just like what he saw over at the Colosseum before, the [Goblin Kingdom] had truly transitioned to Phase Two.
When he came over earlier.
He also saw that the [Management Layer], which was originally considered a 'Safe Point', was pitch black. Akshi, who said previously that he wanted to come to the Kingdom Core to save his compatriots and go there for refuge, was also missing.
He really didn't know what the situation was.
While pondering, Isagi walked at the very front, followed by Tiona, Lefiya, and finally Ryuu-senpai, who was responsible for rapid mobile support. The group of four walked down the long staircase that was wide to the extreme.
They headed towards that circular, magnificent high tower in the distance. Until, after reaching the end and walking inside...
Isagi realized that this [High Tower] was actually an elevator.
A super-large elevator capable of carrying hundreds of people at once. And through the lever on the side, one could choose [Up] or [Down].
If going up.
Isagi estimated it would go to the [Circular Colosseum].
Usually, the Goblin Nobles would go directly to the Colosseum through here to watch the show for amusement.
But if going down—
The elevator emitted a dull clacking sound.
In the darkness, the speed and the passage of time could not be felt. Only the light of the Magic Stone lamp in hand illuminated a small area.
Ryuu was actually somewhat nervous.
This was, after all, her first time following her juniors to this special Dungeon for an adventure.
But as the senior, and also the guy with the strongest Level and strength, she had to display calmness and take care of Isagi and the others. This was the example she should set... Eh?!
The elevator stopped abruptly.
In the darkness, a thick scent of blood permeated the air, even inducing a feeling of nausea.
It was too thick, even more exaggerated than in the city just now.
The [Central Tower], which was originally supposed to be where the Kingdom's nobles took refuge and was guarded by the elite Imperial Guard Legion, had fallen completely at this moment.
Walking out of the elevator.
On the pale marble floor, massive amounts of bloodstains remained, as well as more and more Goblin corpses piled together.
And unlike the 'fragments' that were always messy before.
Now.
These Goblins had all lost their heads. Their bodies were dismantled; hands, feet, and internal organs were stacked neatly aside, as if they had been turned into some kind of trophies. It gave people an indescribable sense of discomfort.
The magnificent attire of nobles and the soldiers wearing armor were mixed and stacked together, seemingly outlining some grotesque and twisted painting.
Furthermore, some kind of twisted characters were painted around them, like a prayer, from which a few words could barely be discerned.
[Dedicated to... the supreme... noble... and the most... great miracle...]
"?"
What is the [Miracle] again?
Something obviously happened to the Central Tower, which was originally a place of refuge. But what kind of guys... did this to the Goblin Nobles and the Imperial Guard Legion here?
Grrr... Grrr...
In the darkness, the low growls of beasts could be heard.
It was dark all around. Only the fluorescent bottles on the ceiling that hadn't been smashed yet emitted a grayish-white glow.
Thus, Isagi and the girls all saw several Goblins emerging from the dark corner in the distance... No, it was piles of Goblin heads being held in the mouths of giant wolves.
Their faces were full of terror and fear, eyes wide open, their ugly features even somewhat deformed.
In contrast.
The giant wolves biting them gave off a sense of 'holiness'.
Their bodies were pitch-black, with long, sleek fur that even dragged on the ground. A pair of golden beast eyes were deep, like the quiet stars of the night.
Clearly beasts, yet their faces presented an indescribable sense of compassion, reminding one of the [Meat Cup Princess] from before—that beautiful dog head had initially presented such a human-like expression too.
And on its body.
It was draped in a rather magnificent sky-blue cape.
Something seemed to be embroidered on it with gold thread, unclear from a distance. It was silent, walking towards the group. In the mouth biting the Goblin head, a crimson light began to emit.
Vaguely, sparks drifted out.
"!"
Scorching red flames suddenly spewed from the giant wolf's mouth. Fortunately, they were prepared on this side!
"[Dio Grail]!"
Lefiya quickly released a magic shield, completely blocking the spewing flames.
At the same time.
The deep green [Gale] had already fluttered out, faster than both Isagi and Tiona, heading towards the monster. In an instant, she had arrived above it.
Ryuu held a wooden sword and struck ruthlessly on this giant wolf's head, sending it flying instantly!
However, almost instinctively, she quickly leaped up, leaving the place where she was just now. The next second, a crimson fireball—no, it should be called a ragingly burning and screaming Goblin head—smashed into the place she had just occupied like a falling fire meteor.
Boom!
Accompanied by the explosion of raging flames.
In the darkness, more giant wolves with Goblin heads in their mouths walked out.
They had actually been surrounded unknowingly?!
"Tiona, you cover Lefiya. Ryuu-senpai, we break out of the encirclement first. Follow me!"
"Okay!"
As Isagi quickly issued commands.
The group rapidly lunged directly towards the front. No matter what, they couldn't be surrounded by monsters, otherwise, something bad would definitely happen!
Moreover.
"These guys are Hellhounds, right?!"
Tiona spoke noisily.
These were monsters that would originally appear after the 13th Floor, the first monsters adventurers stepping into the Middle Floors would encounter. They could spew fire magic from their mouths and were quite dangerous because once they formed a numerical advantage...
"Should be."
Behind them.
The crimson flames, accompanied by the occasionally falling fireballs, completely illuminated the surrounding vast scene that looked like the interior of a castle.
Isagi and the girls fought while retreating.
Relying on Lefiya and Ryuu-senpai's output, as well as his own [Left Bow], they constantly whittled down the number of pursuing monsters.
It was just that, why would monsters originally belonging to the Middle Floors appear here?
It looked like they had wiped out the Goblin Nobles and soldiers originally taking refuge here. In other words, the monsters from below had fought their way up?!
The [Pale King] is still on an expedition, and now his home base has been breached by someone!
Unknown how much time passed.
Gradually, the pursuing monsters were all killed.
Isagi didn't know where he and the girls were right now either. The space occupied by this [Central Tower] was incredibly vast.
It was like the interior of an incomparably huge castle.
Not only were there wide corridors connecting everything, but there were also one after another incomparably huge and luxurious rooms, appearing to be places where Goblin Nobles originally lived.
Stairs leading downwards layer upon layer constructed it into an incomparably complex 'Nest'.
Isagi even guessed.
Did this so-called [Central Tower] connect the 9th to the 11th Floors, forming an incomparably huge internal space?
All the way to the [King's Room] leading to the 12th Floor.
Without direction or purpose for the time being, Isagi could only wander around with the girls.
At the same time, he mapped the area, preparing to figure out the situation here.
And just at this moment.
When Isagi led the girls down a long staircase again, a garden unfolded before their eyes just like that. Trees were planted on the green grass, and there was even a small pond surrounded by stones.
Suddenly.
His heart throbbed inexplicably.
[Invaded by "Mad Oni" Hatamoto Sasaburo!]
[Invaded by "Mad Oni" Hatamoto Sasaburo!!]
[Invaded by "Mad Oni" Hatamoto Sasaburo!!!]
Following that, Isagi saw a deep crimson humanoid figure inexplicably appear in the originally empty grass not far away.
"..."
Simultaneously.
An invisible barrier abruptly expanded with Isagi as the center. The girls were pushed out before they could even react. By the time they came to their senses...
They realized that the garden just now had been thoroughly enclosed within the barrier that looked like a pitch-black box.
Furthermore, it completely isolated them from the boy...
____
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