Chapter 16 - What exactly was that monster?
Even if the walls are damaged, the Dungeon will repair the damaged parts and restore its original structure after a period of time.
Why is there light underground? Why are monsters born? Why does the labyrinth's structure return to its original state?
From ancient times to the present, none of the mysteries surrounding the Dungeon have been answered.
The gods, who should be omniscient, seem to feign ignorance or are genuinely unaware of the truth after descending to the lower world, refusing to reveal even a trace of it to the people.
"A Dungeon is just a Dungeon," the gods would always say with a smile, and then brush it off.
Lain's eyes were filled with fervor as he looked toward the dark and deep passage leading to the 6th Floor. He was determined to break through the Dungeon and uncover its hidden secrets.
BANG!
As if sensing Lain's determination, the Dungeon responded. More than a dozen War Shadows burst out of the walls, their eyes flashing with crimson light, and surrounded him.
"Bring it on!"
Lain was filled with pride. He planned to conquer the Dungeon and turn these monsters into his exp as the first step.
They rushed toward each other, and a fierce battle ensued.
At this moment, Lain was unaware that chaos had erupted on the surface and that his unintentional action had caused consequences far more serious than he had imagined.
The entire Dungeon trembled violently, as if a massive earthquake had struck Orario.
This was the first time in thousands of years that such an anomaly had occurred.
The gods, adventurers, and residents were startled, looking around with confusion on their faces.
The prayer room in the Guild's basement.
"Ouranos, what's going on?" Fels asked the great god on the high platform urgently.
It was common knowledge that unusual events frequently occurred in the Dungeon, but this particular anomaly was far more serious than gods unleashing their Arcanum in the Dungeon or the appearance of Juggernaut.
It should be noted that thanks to the prayers of Ouranos, the Dungeon had been unable to affect the surface for a thousand years.
This time, the anomaly extended directly to the surface!
"I have no idea."
The old man sitting on the prayer altar answered.
He was one of the few great deities in Tenkai.
The great god Ouranos!
A thousand years ago, he was the first god to descend to the lower world, bringing divine blessings to mortals. He continuously used divine prayers to suppress the Dungeon and prevent monsters from escaping to the surface.
"It is angry, like a ferocious beast that has been provoked." Ouranos sensed the situation underground.
Fels was speechless with shock. He had heard of people provoking monsters and adventurers, but who the hell was crazy enough to dare to provoke the Dungeon itself? In other words, what could possibly enrage the Dungeon like this? Could it be a being beyond the reach of gods?
"Is there anything I can do?"
"No need. Its anger has subsided."
Fels and Ouranos exchanged questions and answers.
The Dungeon's anger came quickly and went quickly, mainly because the person who provoked it had stopped.
Lain returned to the ground floor via the spiral staircase.
The sky was already dark outside. Since the sun and moon were invisible inside the Dungeon, the passage of time was only a vague concept while exploring.
Lain, who had just emerged, saw a blonde elf girl wearing a cloak, leaning against a pillar, hiding in the shadows, trying her best to avoid being seen.
The Dungeon is vast and boundless; the elven girl couldn't possibly go in to look for Lain blindly. What if he had already left? Wouldn't she have wasted her time?
When the elven girl saw Lain emerge, she was shocked. "What are you thinking? Are you crazy? Entering the Dungeon without any armor!"
Ryuu looked at him as if he were a freak.
Lain's clothes were badly torn, and by the marks, one could imagine the damage the monsters had inflicted on him. Although the wounds had scabbed over, they were still stained with blood.
The monsters in the Dungeon have an advantage in numbers. Even if your level meet the requirements for defeating them, it's inevitable that you'll encounter some bumps and scrapes. Normal people would wear protective gear; if they get injured, the consequences could be disastrous.
Despite not wearing any armor herself, the elven girl's clothes were made of special fabric that was incredibly resilient, impervious to ordinary swords and blades. Coupled with her high Agility and Concurrent chanting, she didn't want heavy armor to slow her down.
Faced with Ryuu's question, Lain scratched his head and said, "I just released all the passion I've accumulated over the past fifteen years in the Dungeon."
After saying that, a look of fatigue flashed across Lain's face as he walked toward the stairs and took the elevator.
Looking at Lain's back, Ryuu felt like her head was about to split open. What is wrong with this guy?
Babel had special bathhouses where adventurers who had worked up a sweat in the Dungeon could enjoy a bath and cleanse their bodies for a dozen or so Valis.
Where there is demand, there will be supply.
Inside Babel, there was also a dedicated commercial district with everything from equipment and clothing to food, as well as a small exchange shop for Magic Stones.
Lain went to the shop floor inside the tower first and bought a set of clothes that fit him, spending nearly a thousand Valis. He didn't feel bad about it; the rent for shops inside Babel was more expensive than in other places, so the prices of things should be higher as well.
This was equivalent to spending money at a tourist attraction.
Inside the shower, the hot water washed away the blood and sweat from Lain's body.
The gentle flow of water brushed over the scabbed wounds, and a slight stinging sensation could still be felt.
Lain closed his eyes, his mind flashing back to the battles in the Dungeon.
A moment later, Lain, dressed in new clothes and looking refreshed, walked out of Babel and said to Ryuu, "Give me a place to stay."
...
After a day of brewing, the news from the Guild quickly spread throughout the city. Everyone knew that the Astrea Familia had been wiped out, shocking the entire populace.
Those who had been helped by Ryuu, Alise, and the others had tears in their eyes, feeling intense sorrow and resentment at the injustice of the world, lamenting that good people don't live long while evil ones live for years.
The entire city of Orario was plunged into an atmosphere of sadness.
In contrast, the adventurers were more interested in the bounty quest that Ryuu had posted, which offered 80 million Valis!
Adventurers at Level 5 were all excited.
Many people had already begun searching for traces of the Rudra Familia. Each head was worth hundreds of thousands of Valis, which was much more profitable than dungeon diving.
If they could get the head of the Rudra Familia's leader, they would earn at least several million, or even tens of millions of Valis!
A remote, old church in the slums of Orario.
This was one of the strongholds of the Rudra Familia. At this moment, dozens of people were gathered in the church, with several tables of food and wine set up. They were toasting and drinking in a lively atmosphere.
"Haha, those bitches of the Astrea Familia are finally dead. No one's chasing after us anymore, shouting about carrying out some bullshit justice." A burly man with a face full of scars took a big gulp of strong liquor.
"Cheers!!"
The people around him joined in and burst into laughter.
Of course, the people happiest about the destruction of the Astrea Familia were this group.
Amidst the laughter, someone raised a question: "But what exactly was that monster?"
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