Half an hour later, the main force gathered at the tunnel leading to the 59th Floor.
Walking at the front of the expedition party, Finn suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing everyone behind him to halt instinctively.
"Finn...?"
"Finn, what's wrong?"
Riveria and Gareth asked in unison.
"Sothing's not right." Finn bit his thumb, his expression worried, "According to the Guild's records, the 59th Floor should be a cold current layer, with temperatures similar to Floor 58, but..."
"But you can't feel any cold air at the entrance, right?" Gareth tightened his grip on his giant axe.
Finn's words had made him uneasy.
Whenever danger lurked, this pallum's thumb would throb uncontrollably — without fail!
And now was no exception.
Even Riveria's expression had turned grave.
But Adam spoke up, "We have to push forward no matter what, don't we? Otherwise, why would we be on this expedition?"
The Loki Familia expedition's purpose was clear: to explore unknown territories and clear new floors. There was no turning back.
He himself knew the strange person Ouranos ntioned would likely ambush them on the next floor.
Like the saying went: knowing there's a tiger on the mountain, yet heading there anyway.
"Yes, we must go." Finn licked his lips.
Adam had spoken true.
As Captain, bearing his deity's orders and the title of Braver, how could he retreat now? It would betray everything he stood for.
Besides, if this was no longer a cold current layer, they were about to enter territory even the Gods hadn't reached.
Unknown territory! If anything, that made them more eager to press on.
"Everyone — prepare your equipnt. We depart in three minutes."
The order given, everyone complied.
Three minutes later, they entered the tunnel.
The tunnel stretched on endlessly, its length rivaling that of the 50th Floor, creating an impression of having departed the Dungeon entirely.
As they ventured deeper, everyone's expressions grew solemn. The temperature steadily rose — a stark contrast to the cold climate of the 58th Floor they'd left behind.
At last, they erged from the tunnel. A flash of white light revealed a tropical rainforest sprawling before them.
The familiar sight left everyone bewildered.
"Is this... a dense forest?!"
"It looks like the Large Tree Labyrinth from the 24th Floor?"
"More like exactly the sa."
Everyone stood astonished.
Even if this floor wasn't a cold current layer, logic dictated it shouldn't have replicated the forest landscape of the 24th Floor.
Yet the evidence lay before them. With no explanation at hand, they could only chalk it up to the Dungeon's mysterious nature.
"Finn."
"Ah, I know." As Captain, Finn acknowledged with a nod, then raised his right hand to command, "Everyone — advance!"
The party pressed forward, their expressions grave.
Sothing felt off about this floor's scenery, as if it had been hastily altered. The supposedly dense forest was marred by one or two conspicuous bare patches.
It seed as though soone had rushed the work, leaving "textures unloaded" and exposing the raw ground underneath.
The group maintained heightened alertness, spreading out their formation while scanning for potential threats.
Adam purposefully positioned himself at the rear to protect their flank.
Yet after an hour of traversing the forest, they encountered neither monsters nor danger — a peculiar developnt that surprised everyone.
This couldn't be another safe zone like the 18th Floor; Adam was certain. Sothing extraordinary must be occurring here.
◈ Perception ◈
Instinctively, he activated this skill at maximum power, extending his awareness across the entire floor.
In his perception, this floor wasn't particularly large. However, there was an extrely unusual presence. It was located at the center of the floor, emanating a terrifying aura, with countless insect-type monsters prostrating around it.
He watched in horror as it used tentacles to grab an insect monster and devour it — including its magic stone!
"What is this?!" Adam's brows furrowed deeply.
In the tense atmosphere, even the slightest movent would draw attention, especially from soone as perceptive as him.
Finn spoke up, "What's wrong, Adam?"
"Special situation... I've discovered a strange monster at the center of the floor." As he spoke, Adam moved from the rear to lead them forward.
Everyone pressed their lips together and followed.
Half an hour later, they encountered the strange monster he had ntioned.
"What is that?"
"What's going on with that thing?"
"...What is it?"
"It's a Titan Alm." As the familia's representative of knowledge, Riveria nad the monster, "This creature must have ford by fusing with magic stones — it's an enhanced species. This is bad. It's consud so many magic stones... We're in for a difficult battle."
Just as everyone readied themselves, the monster — which had been continuously devouring magic stones — suddenly stopped and let out a deafening roar.
"AAAAAH—! AAAAAH——!! AAAAAH———!!!"
The sound crashed over them like a tidal wave, growing sharper and more piercing, boring into their minds.
But that wasn't all!
Before their eyes, cracks appeared on the upper body of what had been a bloated flower-like creature. It burst open instantly, revealing a female figure inside.
"AAAAAH—! AAAAAH——!!!! AAAAAH———!!!"
Without the shell to muffle it, the woman's voice grew even more powerful.
Even covering their ears provided no relief. Everyone present nearly collapsed from weakness, the sound comparable to a lethal ultrasonic wave.
At this mont, Adam stepped forward.
◈ EMM ⫸ Absolute Defense Magic ◈
A transparent barrier spread from beneath his feet, enveloping all expedition mbers and blocking out the piercing sonic waves.
Everyone's expressions relaxed. Seeing these people unaffected, the monster at the floor's center finally ceased its otherworldly cry.
The sound barrier automatically dissipated.
"You are—?!" Ais's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the monster.
"Aria, my beloved Aria." The monster whispered.
It fixed its gaze on Ais, speaking her na like a long-lost mory.
"You're a... Spirit?!" Ais exclaid, her voice hoarse.
Everyone stood frozen in shock.
✧✧✧
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!
For just $1.50 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
spatreon/collection/770985
I'm launching six new novels on Patreon, at a very relaxed pace for those who enjoy following exclusive works. Although it cos with a steep price of $10, as I ntioned, these novels are in an evaluation period and are exclusive - you won't find better translations. And with this price you get access to all my books, not just these ones. ALL OF THEM. EVERYTHING. I would say there are even nude photos, but I'm happily married.
But just a taste for those interested:
1 — 'Global Nuclear Annihilation: Starting with the Creation of Umbrella Corporation'. A great fanfic for those who love weapons and all that 'casual mass destruction' gear and 'hey, I get that reference!' stuff. It's worth it!
2 — 'The Bizarre Adventure Starting from One Punch Man'. Mix an aweso and overpowered JoJo Stand with the world of One Punch Man! Honestly, I really enjoy translating this and take so creative liberties with jokes here and there...
3 — 'Danmachi: My Skills Reset Weekly'. Imagine being thrown into the Danmachi world during the Dark Age. And being constantly bombarded with countless skills from different ani and ga worlds. And there are the Goddesses... you know what I'm talking about!
4 — 'One Piece: Swinging the Sword Makes Stronger'. Like One Piece? Like the Marine's perspective? Like swords and enemies being cut to pieces in the na of questionably valid but benevolent justice? Then this book is for you!
5 — 'Multiverse Ga: The Exploit Sealer Starting from Demon Slayer'. When you know all the cheat codes but still have to pretend you're struggling. Task failed successfully! The guy knows, I know, you know all the secrets of ani worlds. Now all that's left is to bend its rules and co out on top in a universe where all humanity is forced to play in these worlds!
6 — 'Ani Crossover, Hope in Another World!'. For those who enjoyed my last translation, here's more romance, more potential girls, and he truly goes out to explore other ani worlds. You asked for it, I brought another one!
Reviews
All reviews (0)