"Considering the Minotaur we defeated last time, there should still be six remaining Spirit clones!"
Eiji calculated in his mind.
"Though we still don't know just how strong those Spirit clones are..."
After the Jewel Seed embryos parasitize a host, their strength varies depending on the individual they inhabit.
For example, the Jewel Seed embryo in the 18th Floor had only parasitized a dozen or so man-eating flowers, so its strength was around Level 5—easily obliterated by Eiji.
Meanwhile, the one in the 59th Floor that had parasitized the Demi Spirit had devoured a massive amount of magic stones, making it strong enough to overpower even the Loki Familia—a solid upper-tier Level 7. The Minotaur that appeared in the artificial dungeon afterward was no less formidable!
"This place has been abandoned for a long time!"
Alicia's voice trembled as she spoke.
"Could it be that it didn't absorb enough nutrients and never found a host?"
Everyone, including Finn, could only remain silent, their hearts heavy.
Judging by how long this place had been abandoned, the Jewel Seed embryo must have been moved at least several months ago. The possibility that it hadn't found a host in all that time was something they all hoped for, but the odds were slim.
The Minotaur from before was proof enough that these Spirit clones had grown to a considerable level.
"...Let's keep moving."
Finn's voice came through the Eye Crystal.
"We'll figure out a plan once we return. If the enemy hasn't made a move yet, it means there must still be a weakness we can exploit."
If they were truly invincible, Evilus would have already surfaced and razed Orario to the ground.
Hearing those words, the image of Finn biting his thumb in deep thought surfaced in everyone's minds, helping them regain some composure.
"Let's go."
Eiji glanced at Ais's expression before leading the group out of the room.
The unexpected discovery weighed heavily on them all. Knowing that the Spirit was targeting her, Ais's face remained tense.
They continued navigating the corridors, descending deeper through the staircases.
Once they reached this part of the dungeon, even Rakta couldn't accurately determine their depth or position, only roughly estimating they were around the 15th or 16th floor. Still, that alone was enough to shock them.
Here, the Eye Crystal's signal became intermittent, and Finn's commands could no longer reach them clearly.
"Feels like there are way fewer enemies around?"
Walking through the empty passageway, Eiji voiced his suspicion.
"True."
Ais nodded in agreement.
After leaving that room, the number of enemies they encountered had sharply decreased. Now, they could barely see any signs of life—not even monsters.
"Did they just give up on defending?"
"Impossible. If anything, I think they're consolidating their forces!"
The catgirl Anki, the second unit's commander who took charge in Finn's absence, refuted her companion's wishful thinking.
"How many keys do we have?"
"Only four!"
Eiji muttered to himself.
Four was far too few.
According to Finn's calculations, securing at least six keys in this blitz operation would be the ideal outcome.
But after several clashes, the enemy fully grasped their objective, and high-ranking members rarely appeared before them anymore. As a result, they only managed to obtain two keys in several hours.
"Hold on!"
During their advance, Anki suddenly called out.
The group halted, looking at her curiously.
"There's a sound..."
The black cat ears on her head twitched incessantly.
"Someone's in that direction!"
After listening intently for a moment, Anki pointed in a certain direction, then turned her gaze to Eiji.
Should we go?
Her eyes conveyed this question.
The others also focused their attention on him, awaiting his next instruction.
Eiji fell into deep thought.
From their previous encounters, it was clear the enemy was consolidating their forces, likely planning to eliminate them in one concentrated strike.
Logically speaking, it would be best not to head there, as they would undoubtedly fall into a trap.
"Let's go!"
Yet Eiji gave a resolute answer.
No matter what, they still didn't have enough keys. If this operation failed, their revenge would inevitably be delayed further. Any more postponement, and the enemy might complete more preparations—such as strengthening the corrupted spirit's avatar—and then it would be too late!
"Understood!"
The group responded with determination.
Following Anki's direction, they swiftly dashed toward a certain path.
Several minutes later.
A long corridor appeared before them, with no branching paths on either side.
At the end of the corridor was a dimly lit room, with only a solitary magic stone lamp hanging from the ceiling.
On the floor of that room lay four red gemstones arranged neatly.
"Four keys?!"
"Could this trap be any more obvious?!"
Narvi exclaimed, while Anki muttered a curse under her breath.
"What should we do?"
Ais looked extremely grave.
No intuition was needed—even basic adventurer wisdom would tell them that a terrifying trap undoubtedly awaited them in that room.
"We have to go in."
Eiji's answer remained firm.
"But before that, Ais..."
Eiji moved closer.
Too close.
A faint blush flashed across Ais's face.
"Understood?"
"Huh? Ah, yes, I understand!"
Ais was momentarily stunned before snapping back to attention, but then visible worry appeared on her face.
"But won't that put you in great danger?"
"Don't worry. I'm not the type to throw my life away."
Eiji smiled and ruffled her golden hair.
"Alicia, Anki, all of you stick close to Ais. I'll go in alone!"
"What?"
"That's—"
The group was shocked.
But Eiji was adamant, and they had no choice but to follow Ais and leave the corridor.
"Phew... Alright, this side is up to me!"
Eiji took a few deep breaths, then steeled his gaze.
Suddenly, timing it perfectly, he shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow!
Amid the rushing wind, he dashed through the corridor, covering over two hundred meters in mere seconds before bursting into the dim room.
The moment he entered, Eiji didn't slow down. He charged straight to the center of the room, stretching out his arms to scoop up all four keys from the ground.
The moment he charged in, the massive door behind him suddenly roared and began descending rapidly.
Eiji, who had dashed in at full speed, had no time to turn back!
Crack!
A terrible sound abruptly rang out, sending a chill through his heart.
The floor beneath his feet suddenly split apart, revealing a pitch-black abyss below.
A pitfall!
The entire room itself was one enormous trap!