Kael stood with his hands behind his back, resembling a sage in the wilderness.
If not for the large pack on his back and the five or six long swords hanging from his body, he would have truly resembled an immortal sword master.
As for Aiz... How terrifying she was on their journey with her two abilities [Ariel] and [Avenger] fully activated!
According to the Guild's requirements, the Large Tree Labyrinth area of Floors 19 to 24 demanded Adventurers with nearly maxed Level 2 attributes, and only when working as a full team could they venture deep inside.
Yet Aiz alone accomplished what would normally require an entire team.
"Your method of growth is wrong... hmm, no, it lacks efficiency." Kael tossed his backpack to her.
"?" Aiz gave him a skeptical look.
Kael ignored it, examining the map, "Follow me. I'll demonstrate for you."
This map, drawn by experienced Adventurers, recorded various dangerous areas on the 19th floor.
He pointed to a location marked with a crimson honeycomb pattern, "Let's go here! The Bloody Hive..."
"That place is dangerous." Aiz objected.
Over the past year, Riveria had tutored her on Dungeon knowledge. Among the threats was the notorious newbie killer — Killer Ants.
And what Level 2 Adventurers must face in their first stage, known as the monster nest — Bloody Hive and its precious Deadly Hornets, naturally ranked at the top.
The former was already an old friend to everyone. And the latter was, of course, a must-visit monster for any dimensional traveler!
"First watch me, then try it yourself. Follow my lead." Kael instructed seriously.
The two passed through three tree hollows, descended two levels, then walked along a secluded tunnel hugging the wall. They encountered monsters along the way, but he avoided them all using Reverse Veil.
Until... The two looked up and saw 'that' thing.
It was a massive 'beehive' buried in a tree hollow high on the wall, resembling a black pine cone with a diameter of seven meters. Its skin was ugly, somewhat like a devil fruit.
As long as this trap monster was present, the Deadly Hornets that resembled red hornets would hide in the moderately sized tree hollows nearby. Once Adventurers passed by, they would flip open the tree bark and swarm out.
This monster should only appear on the 22nd Floor area, yet it appeared at the edge of the 19th Floor maze, so surviving Adventurers recorded it, waiting for the Guild to issue extermination quests.
From Aiz, Kael learned that the Bloody Hive's so-called "Infinite Hatching" ability didn't actually exist.
The Deadly Hornets simply gathered around the hive and nested there habitually, resulting in vast numbers. With the Dungeon connected directly to the hive, the monsters' hatching speed differed greatly from other locations.
With other monsters flooding in from surrounding passages, it created a scene far beyond a monster feast — a monster carnival. The horde of over a hundred monsters exceeded what any Level 2 team could handle, and as time passed, the situation would only worsen.
Under the Reverse Veil, Kael carefully observed the Deadly Hornets.
Their bodies were covered in gleaming shell-like armor with edges so sharp they sent chills down one's spine. Each hornet was roughly the size of an adult human, with their most distinctive feature being the long spear-like "poison needle" protruding from the tip of their bodies.
"Bees! Such huge bees!" Aiz's eyes widened, "So many!"
It was her first time seeing insects of this size.
Kael murmured, "I wonder if these bees produce honey? Could it have special magical properties?"
"..."
Would a normal person think about this? Aiz complained internally.
This must be how strong people think… better take note.
Then…
"We've arrived. Now, please watch me carefully." Kael took a deep breath, drew a long sword, and left the protection of the Reverse Veil. Exposing himself within range of the hive, he raised his hand and shouted, "Mundo thinks you're a big sissy!"
Aiz frowned as she watched, anticipating his method of becoming stronger.
And then...
Splat—
A large glob of white mucus spewed from the hive's orifice. Kael had no time to dodge and was immediately pinned to the ground, immobilized.
Aiz stared in disbelief, three black lines rapidly sliding down her forehead: "..."
Following that, countless high-frequency wing beats sounded as a black swarm of bees poured out of the 'giant fruit.'
Aiz stopped herself from rushing to rescue him.
Deadly Hornets were also known as "Upper-level Killers" — even Level 2 Adventurers would struggle against them, let alone this dense swarm of at least 50.
She had little time to hesitate. Though they hadn't spent much time together, she had learned quite a bit from Kael. His knowledge might not be orthodox, its authenticity questionable, but she felt obligated to bring him back alive.
"Tempest…"
Blue winds swirled around Aiz, her eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Kael was right about one thing: if you fear challenging the strong, if you're afraid to face despair, you can never become the strongest.
She lowered her center of gravity, pulled back her leg, and stomped hard.
"Didn't I tell you... to... keep your eyes open and watch me?!"
Thud.
Her dash halted, and Aiz fell to the ground.
Though Kael's body was sealed by the mucus, his eyes blazed with determination: "Magic and skills are all part of an Adventurer's 'aptitude.' But how many people truly understand themselves? Understand their skills?!
This is your first lesson, Sword Princess! Don't underestimate any possibility from the lower realms! Even the smallest characters have power hidden within them capable of shaking heaven and earth!"
The bee swarm descended.
Aiz lay on the ground, looking up. Through the gaps in the Reverse Veil, she clearly witnessed Kael's actions. Even trapped, he continued to taunt the giant beehive.
"My life has no rehearsal, every moment is a live broadcast! Come on! Rotate, Miracles Ring!"
Mysterious spiritual energy rippled through the air. Countless mystical symbols swirled and transformed, eventually forming into even more enigmatic text.
When the text took shape, Kael felt an irrepressible sound rising in his throat. He didn't fight against this power.
"Aaaaaaaargh, you... come here!!"
The phantom of a crimson-bodied beast-man wielding a giant axe materialized around Kael. It pounded its chest like a wild beast, unleashing a roar that shook heaven and earth.
"ROAR——!!!"
Red sound waves radiated outward from Kael's center.
In response, all the Deadly Hornets — as if their eighteen generations of ancestors had been insulted — frantically stabbed their stingers toward Kael.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
After countless metal scraping sounds came the squelch of flesh being penetrated. The Deadly Hornets at the back uncontrollably drove their stingers into those attacking in front, while those that followed were likewise impaled by the ones behind them.
All the Deadly Hornets from the hive, resembling candied fruits on a skewer, were strung onto Kael. Half turned to black ash, while the remaining half formed a twitching, struggling 'mound.'
Next, the Bloody Hive spat more mucus at Kael, binding these monsters together into an even larger mass.
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