Chapter 174: No Monster to Greet
After the arrival of an actual healer — an S-Ranked one no less — it did not require much time to tend to the remaining wounded. Most of the adventurers had already regained enough strength to stand on their feet and prepare themselves to move again, but none of them were foolish enough to rush headlong into another battle after enduring such a terrifying encounter, so they chose to rest where they were, taking the necessary time to recover their depleted mana while also tending to their physical exhaustion by drinking water or eating simple provisions such as bread and fruits.
'The battle surely had been a tough one for them, it seems. I mean, not everyone expected to face a swarm of supposed S-Ranked monsters out of nowhere, even if the leaders did warn us beforehand. We should be glad that these were just evolved ones, not the actual S-Ranked ones, unlike their boss. Or else we all would have been doomed.'
Walking through the scattered groups of resting adventurers, Kael clicked his tongue in annoyance, not intending to dwell on the worst possibilities at the moment, especially when he knew his own luck had a tendency to turn such thoughts into reality more often than he would have liked.
There was an elegant dagger-like weapon resting in his right hand, its surface glinting faintly, while his left hand remained tucked inside his pocket in a casual manner.
He had thrown away his glasses earlier, which had become completely unusable after being crushed by an overwhelming force, whether it had been his wife or the monster remained uncertain.
'It was expensive, though!'
Shaking his head in dissatisfaction, he moved past a man lazily biting into an apple. His eyes were searching ahead until they settled on a familiar figure some distance away, where a woman with short chestnut hair sat with her attention fully occupied on cleansing her giant bow.
He had not paid much attention to the weapon before aside from its sheer size, but now that he observed it more carefully, he could tell that the bow was built to fire thick and long arrows with considerable force, much like the one that had once struck him. Its black and green color pattern also carried a resemblance with the arrow, although it was hardly enough to draw any solid conclusion, considering that most archers who did not possess a tangible element relied on purchasing their arrows rather than creating them on their own.
'Creation is hard, after all.'
So, he found no solid reason to suspect her as that particular archer.
Halting in front of her, he extended the hand holding the dagger forward while allowing a faint smile to form on his lips, "Here... take it back. I owe you one. The way those bastards ganged up on me, I did not know what I would have done without your help. Really, I mean it."
Asphy paused in the middle of cleansing her bow before raising her head to look at him. Then she reached out to take the weapon back, giving a small nod as she said, "No need for such stupid things. I did what I felt was right back then, that is all. Though, that reminds me..."
She tilted her head slightly, her expression turning more inquisitive, "...why did you not bring a suitable weapon with you? And how are you planning to fight through the rest of the quest without one? Perhaps I gave you mine earlier since I had no use for it at the time, but as things stand now, I doubt anyone will be willing to lend you another."
She was not wrong to question it, though.
There were a few reasons behind his choice.
If he truly wanted to grow stronger, he needed to place himself in situations where his life was at risk more often than before. It seemed to be working, though, in a way that was difficult to notice until he looked back on it. Or perhaps he had simply grown accustomed to it somewhat.
'Well, what can I do? My wife's just so good at teaching things... setting aside those terrifying methods of hers, of course.'
Kael scratched the back of his neck as he said, "It's simple, really. I figured it would be far more efficient to rely on my own hands instead of something external."
Asphy shot him an odd look before she let out a quiet sigh, "You truly are a strange one... though calling you foolish might still be more accurate."
'She really said that without hesitation, huh?'
He felt the sting of it, but he did not allow it to show, maintaining the same composed demeanor as before, "Strange, perhaps. But foolish... I will have to disagree with that."
...
Sometime later, after they had taken enough rest and managed to eat a proper meal, the leaders gradually found themselves gathering near the entrance of the corridor once again.
A considerable amount of time had passed since the teleportation circle had been fully restored. Despite that, there had been no sign of monsters emerging from below.
Valric was the first to break the silence, his voice thoughtful as he said, "Should we presume this strangeness is occurring only because... the boss was dead?"
Valentina gave a small nod, though her head tilted slightly as if weighing the idea even as she agreed, "That would make sense. It had led them here personally, after all. So, in its absence, the minions must have lost their way without any proper guidance, or perhaps they are unwilling to leave their territory without leadership. So, for now... I think it is safe to assume that there will not be any kind of wave break-out anytime soon. Which means, the first floor can be considered cleared."
Seraphina's eyes lingered on the intricate design of the circle, tracing its patterns in silence before she let out a quiet sigh that carried no emotion, "You can say that. But we must inform the guild as a precaution of sorts, so they may keep a close watch on the dungeon. There is no certainty in how it may behave next."
Valentina's expression fell ever so slightly.
Valric, however, seemed to understand her intention well enough without needing it to be spoken aloud, "I will send someone immediately, then."
"Please do."
With that, Valric turned and left the hall to find someone among the resting adventurers who could carry the message.
Turning her head slightly, Seraphina shifted her gaze toward the woman who had been observing them in silence the entire time, her presence quiet but unmistakable.
After a while, she spoke in a neutral tone, "Ms. Aerisyl... I have a favor to ask of you."
The outcome of the previous battle had already made one thing painfully clear, that continuing this quest without a capable healer would be nothing short of courting death, and since there was still no sign of the Saintess's arrival even after all this time, she had no other choice but to rely on this particular healer standing before her.
Aerisyl looked at her with a hint of curiosity before her expression softened into something more friendly, "Is it about me joining in your quest? If so, no worries then... I am more than happy to help."
For a moment, Seraphina found herself surprised by how easily the matter had been resolved.
It seemed that either Valentina or Valric had already spoken to their healer beforehand, leaving little room for refusal.
She let out a quiet breath, "You have my gratitude."
Aerisyl simply nodded in response, her demeanor calm and untroubled.
By then, the time allotted for rest had come to an end as well.
Without wasting another moment, Seraphina turned and began walking back toward the group of adventurers, her steps soft and elegant as always, though her expression darkened ever so slightly.
Judging from the fact that no monsters were emerging from the lower floors anymore, it became evident that the first wave had occurred solely because of the boss's influence. By that logic, they should have encountered only the monsters belonging to the first and thirtieth floors within this area. But that had not been the case at all. She was certain that they had faced creatures from other floors as well.
Such an occurrence, on its own, would not have been something worth worrying about, but that was precisely where the actual problem lay.
The minions had stopped advancing because their boss was dead, but the other monsters had no such reason to halt their movements. So what exactly had caused them to withdraw so suddenly?
Could it be that they had already found a new ruler to follow?
There was only one way to find out, though.
As she came to a halt, Seraphina allowed her gaze to pass over the faces of the adventurers standing before her, studying them in silence. Even though their visible wounds had already been healed, the memory of that terrifying encounter still remained etched deep within them in a way that could not be so easily erased.
Even so, none of them showed it openly, or perhaps they were simply hiding it well enough to avoid drawing attention.
"Look... the Captain's back!"
"Time's up already? I thought we had a bit more time."
"Oh god, I still haven't finished my meal yet! Am I going to get scolded for that?"
"Just pass the water here quickly!"
Their scattered voices rose one after another, breaking the quiet tension that had settled over the area.
Eventually, Seraphina spoke, her voice cutting through the noise with its usual cold authority, "Attention, everyone! Prepare your belongings. We will proceed with the expedition shortly after. But before that, those of you who are considering withdrawing from the quest may do so as you wish. No one will stop you."
She paused briefly, though her expression remained unreadable as ever, "I believe the first battle was enough to show what kind of danger awaits us deeper within. So, if you think you are incapable of facing it, or if you doubt your capabilities even slightly, do not feel ashamed to withdraw. There is nothing wrong with that choice. Remember, your lives hold far more importance than this quest. Therefore, whatever you choose... choose wisely. Do not force yourself into a decision that may lead to regret later."
She fell silent for a moment and studied the stunned expressions of the listeners.
Eventually, she asked in a cold tone, "Any of you wish to leave?"
The adventurers exchanged glances with one another, as though searching for answers in each other's eyes, some remaining quiet while others leaned closer and began to murmur among themselves.
"She's actually giving us a way out of this?"
"Yeah. And it doesn't sound like such a bad idea... not after what we've been through. What do you say? Are you going for it?!"
"No can do."
"Why not? It's a rare chance. Aren't your daughter waiting for you to return? You kept talking about going back to her no matter what happens. If something goes wrong here... you know what that would mean. She would be left alone in this world, and you know the kind of pain that brings. Are you really willing to risk that?"
"Of course not. But as much as I want to go back to her and throw everything behind, I simply can't do that. I am supposed to be some kind of hero in her eyes, wherever she learned that word from... and because of that, I have a role that I must fulfill as her father. Besides, if this quest somehow fails, you know as much as I do... the fall of Velhart is guaranteed. If that happens in the future, there would be no point in running away now, would there? So I have to make sure this quest succeeds."
"Haha... I understand what you are saying, man. I only wish I had something like that to hold onto... something that would make this choice easier, but sadly I don't."
"So, you're leaving?"
"Not a chance."
Without interfering, Seraphina had been listening to the adventurers' murmured conversation in silence.
But despite the opportunity she had given them, none of them seemed willing to take it. If anything, they appeared to be convincing themselves to remain.
It reached a point where Seraphina could not help but think, 'Am I at fault here for saying those discouraging words?'
Before long, the adventurers gathered their belongings and rose to their feet, their gazes settling upon her once more, some filled with somber acceptance while others carried a quiet resolve.
"We are ready, Captain."
"Yeah, let's go."
"Don't worry about us. We know... as long as you all are with us... we will be fine."
"We may not be of much use to you, but we know you still need us more than anything. With us here, dealing with a horde would become easier."
"And next time... if you come up with a plan, please tell us beforehand, Captain. It would help... you understand what I mean."
Seraphina stared at them for a few moments before letting out a quiet sigh of relief.
'These fools...'
...
Standing amidst the stir of voices, Kael gazed at his wife with a complicated expression that he could neither hide nor fully understand.
Even though he had somehow managed to stop her from discovering his identity, despite the method being far from appropriate, he still doubted that her suspicions would fade so easily. If anything, it only meant she would keep a closer watch on him, or perhaps she already was.
There was also the matter of Arwyn, since there remained a strong possibility that Seraphina might ask her about his whereabouts. If that happened, everything he had done so far would collapse at once.
Luckily, Kael had already prepared for that contingency, having convinced Arwyn that in Seraphina's absence he would head to the Capital to visit someone instead of remaining as an unnecessary burden. So, the bracelet she had given him now rested there, beyond the range she could perceive.
'It's good to know that she also has limits.'
That alone gave him enough assurance, since even if she wished to track him, there would be no way to do so. All that remained was to avoid drawing further suspicion, and that would be enough... maybe?
Walking alongside the others, he slipped both hands into his pockets as his thoughts drifted ahead.
'Now that trouble is over... let's see what the second floor has in store for us.'
---
In a white hall that appeared noticeably shorter than the one on the first floor, there stood a massive circle at the center, its surface filled with countless intricate sigils which seemed to be intertwined with one another... as though they had been carved with meticulous precision.
A moment later, every carved line began to glow with an incandescent light that spread across the circle in a steady rhythm until the entire circle was illuminated in bright light.
Before long, figures began to materialize from within that light, their forms taking shape one after another until they stood fully present, gathering instinctively into a defensive formation that reflected clear readiness for battle.
Everyone kept their guard up as they looked around carefully, but despite their vigilance, they found nothing at all.
"It appears there is no monster to greet us here, so you may withdraw your weapons."
Walking out of the circle, Seraphina spoke with quiet authority, her silver armor gleaming faintly under the dungeon light, her long cloak swiftly swaying behind her.
"Have they grown afraid of me or what?"
Stepping beside her, Valentina chuckled quietly as she adjusted her hat with one hand. Her once worn mage outfit, which had been filled with dirt and moisture, was now looking clean and fresh as though she had just put it on after washing it. Its torn parts had also been neatly replaced by white bandages.
"Well, can't really blame them? They're in the presence of the Mistress of Waves, after all."
She laughed softly as she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, but that attitude did not last long, because by then Valric had already struck her head with a soft fist.
"Ouch!"
He spoke calmly, "Don't get too ahead of yourself. Everyone is fully aware that... it is only natural for monsters not to inhabit this hall even if the ecosystem is in full turmoil."
Rubbing the place where the hit had landed, Valentina sneered, "Yes, yes... I am aware."
Aerisyl approached them soon after and spoke in a worried tone, "But doesn't that make things far more concerning, though? Actually, I have heard there was a party who found themselves in a similar situation not long ago and faced far worse consequences after they failed to remain cautious enough, so we should not simply ignore it as it is."
Valric gave a small shrug, "I can't disagree with that."
"Kyaa!"
Just then, a sharp cry from a grown woman echoed through the hall, causing everyone to raise their guards once again. The sound carried a kind of fear that made it seem as though she had just witnessed something she should never have seen.
Every leader was almost ready to move at once, aside from Mistwalker, of course. Although since the voice had come from within their own group, it became difficult to act without knowing the situation.
Valric was the first to reach them, asking hurriedly with clear concern, "What happened? Was it a surprise attack?"
Looking over her shoulder, Seraphina identified the woman almost instantly, who stood there covering her eyes with one hand, her trembling posture making it impossible to overlook her condition.
"What's the matter?"
"Are you alright?"
"Do you need some water?"
"Did you perhaps see a monster?"
The terrified woman fell to her knees at once as the others instinctively moved aside, giving her enough space to catch her breath or speak.
She coughed a few times as though she was about to vomit, but nothing came out of her after a few tries.
Eventually, she shook her head in quiet denial and blurted out, "N-no! It's not... a monster. W-worse than that."
Raising her hand with visible effort, she pointed toward the ceiling above, both of her hands and eyes trembling as she forced the words out, "L-look... over there!"
Everyone followed the direction of her trembling hand and lifted their gaze toward the ceiling. The moment they saw what was there, a heavy silence fell upon them as shock spread across every face.
"W-what the—?"
"By the gods..."
There, suspended in the middle of the ceiling as though held in place by something unseen, were four figures, or at least they appeared to be human judging by what remained of their clothing or forms. At first glance, it was easy to mistake them for statues made out of crystal ice, or perhaps they had been turned into such things by something unknown.
Three of them were missing the entirety of their lower bodies, as though everything from their stomach down to their legs had been torn away by some overwhelming force, leaving their organs exposed in a way that was impossible to ignore.
Flesh and muscle seemed to have been pulled and stretched before being ripped away, coils of intestine hung downward in stiff arcs, while fragments of bone jutted out irregularly from within the ruin of their torsos. Their blood appeared frozen in the midst of flowing, suspended unnaturally in place, otherwise the floor beneath would have long been drenched in it.
The last figure, however, remained completely intact, as though left untouched, and even in their solidified state, what remained of their outfits could still be identified without much difficulty.
Watching the grotesque sight before her, Seraphina found herself taken aback; even she had not been prepared to face something so horrific without any warning.
'How awful!'
---
(Chapter Ended)