Crack!
Golden lightning surged from Roy's palm, forming a long sword. With a light swing, he sliced away the moss clinging to the wall, revealing bare stone beneath.
The stone surface seemed to come alive, writhing in a nauseating manner.
More importantly—it was regenerating.
Why was this area so quiet, with no monsters spawning? The answer was simple: the walls had been damaged.
If the walls of the Dungeon were destroyed, it would prioritize repairing them rather than spawning monsters. When adventuring parties needed rest, they would exploit this rule to prevent monsters from appearing nearby.
But now, someone had deliberately damaged the walls and then concealed it with moss, carefully creating the current situation.
The controlled adventurers of the subjugation party surrounded Roy and the others completely. Abandon them—or save them? The choice stood before them.
To be honest, Roy didn't particularly care. If he were alone, he would have turned and left.
This was different from when he wiped out the remnants of the Rudra Familia. That had been loose ends he left behind—people who endangered civilians. They had to be eliminated.
But adventurers were a profession that tied their lives around their waists. The moment they entered the Dungeon, they were already prepared to die. If they perished, they could blame no one.
He had to admit—Freya, that madwoman, had orchestrated this beautifully. Roy also wanted to see what choice the elf girl would make. Of course, in this situation, no matter what she chose, it would be the correct answer.
The adventurers' cold blades drew closer. The mages in the rear began chanting. Ryuu didn't have much time left. Her small face was taut with tension.
Choose the first option! Choose the first!!
It was as if a voice roared in her mind. Her expression twisted with struggle and pain, yet the remnants of justice within her tugged at her like a small hand.
"Alise… what should I do?"
The image of her red-haired best friend flashed through her mind. What would she choose?
At that moment, from the corner of her eye, she noticed Roy's calm gaze—like a clear stream flowing through her heart. Her chaotic thoughts settled.
If she chose the first option, Roy would look down on her.
Ryuu took a deep breath, as if making a monumental decision. She looked at Roy solemnly, her thin lips moving soundlessly:
"I want to save everyone!"
Since the day her Familia had been annihilated, the gloom that always clouded her expression finally dispersed. A new radiance bloomed on her face.
After more than two months together, this was the most beautiful the elf girl had ever looked in Roy's eyes.
A faint smile appeared on Roy's face. "I'll go kill that enhanced species. You protect Daphne and Cassandra. Don't be too soft—break these adventurers' legs if you have to. And damage the walls—don't let monsters spawn!"
With that, Roy activated the special effect of his Gale Boots. Violent wind wrapped around his legs as he dashed forward like an arrow.
"Wait—" Ryuu tried to stop him, but it was too late. Since it was her choice, she should have been the one to face the unknown-strength enhanced species.
Several sharp slashes came at her.
Ryuu quickly retreated, evading the attacks.
Fine—handling these controlled adventurers wasn't going to be easy either.
—
Roy charged swiftly into the 25th floor.
What greeted his eyes was a massive waterfall. Torrents of water cascaded down with tremendous force, spanning over four hundred meters in width. Reflected light turned the falling waters a blue-emerald hue—so breathtaking it made one forget this was the perilous Dungeon.
It was known as the "Great Falls," a colossal waterfall spanning the 25th, 26th, and 27th floors—collectively called the "Water Capital of Labyrinth."
Roy didn't stop to admire the scenery. He rushed toward the source of the sound.
The monster spawn rate on the lower floors was far more terrifying than in the middle floors. Dense swarms of blue crabs appeared—no fewer than a hundred. Their enormous claws swung with ferocity, their presence comparable to that of a Minotaur.
"Out of my way!"
Roy advanced rapidly. Golden lightning surged from both hands, forming blades as he unleashed over a dozen slashes in an instant. Cold arcs of light tore through the blue crabs.
Large numbers of the creatures turned to ash, magic stones scattering across the ground.
From the 25th floor onward, the Guild recommended Lv. 3 as the standard for exploration. However, that assessment was based on the special terrain of this floor.
In truth, it wasn't until the 30th floor that monsters truly required Lv. 3 adventurers to handle.
So while Roy's Lv. 3 status carried some risk here, it wasn't significant.
That was precisely why he dared to charge in.
Boom!
With a loud explosion, the nearby river burst open. A massive fish-like monster leapt out, its maw filled with sharp teeth snapping toward Roy.
Roy spun aside, flashing to the monster's flank. His weapon shifted form into a spear and pierced into the belly of the "Ambush Fish."
The creature instantly turned to ash.
Relying on his superior stats for this floor, Roy charged forward relentlessly, smashing through monsters until he reached a cliffside within the water. The sound was coming from there.
"Get out here!"
Roy rounded the cliff and saw a creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish.
A mermaid—unique to this floor. They lured adventurers into traps with their voices before slaughtering them. Their blood could heal wounds, making them top-tier monster materials.
"La la la la la~"
The mermaid sat on a rock, her delicate face pitiful and beautiful, tears in her eyes. Though she appeared to be crying, the sound she produced was like singing.
Roy's spear shifted into a massive axe, and he swung it down mercilessly at the beautiful mermaid.
Clang!
As the blade descended, the mermaid's gentle face twisted into something savage. Her teeth sharpened as she opened her mouth wide and bit down on the incoming axe.
Compared to ordinary monsters, this enhanced species possessed greater intelligence. Sparks flew from her teeth as her lips curled in a mocking grin.
Roy froze briefly. What terrifying bite force—he couldn't even pull the axe back.
But touching his weapon was not a good idea.
Roy released his grip. The entire axe transformed into golden lightning, crackling violently as electric serpents crawled across the mermaid's body.
"Ahhh—!"
The intense shock sent waves of agony through her. The mermaid let out a shrill cry, hatred flashing in her eyes. But survival instinct took over—she dove into the water, her tail thrashing as she fled swiftly.
Roy immediately cast another spell. A sphere of lightning formed in his palm and he hurled it into the water.
Fishing with electricity.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Electric currents surged beneath the water, blasting numerous monsters to the surface—but the mermaid was nowhere to be seen.
Roy's face darkened. She actually escaped?
In a corner, another mermaid cautiously peeked out from underground, secretly observing Roy.
Roy shot her a cold glance. Having slain so many monsters, he reacted instinctively. Golden lightning flared in his palm, ready to strike.
The beautiful mermaid burst into tears, flustered and panicked.
"Wait! I'm not your enemy—!"
____________________
If you think this story is fun and interesting and you want to read the next chapter earlier than the daily release, you can visit: patreon.com/dzeref887