"Did I actually pull something good?"
A flash of surprise and excitement appeared on Cao Ye's face.
Seeing that expression, Freya felt even more annoyed.
Oh really?
You were just talking about sacrificing my ten thousand years of lifespan, and now you're smiling happily right in front of me?
You've got quite the rebellious streak.
"What are you smiling about?"
Freya's voice, now carrying a hint of anger, echoed through the room.
Cao Ye instantly felt like someone had poured a bottle of ice-cold soda down his spine.
A chill ran from his head all the way to his feet.
"Uh… Lady Freya, I—"
"First you say you're going to sacrifice my ten thousand years of lifespan, and now you're secretly smiling in front of me?"
"It seems I've been too kind to you, Cao Ye."
"W-wait, Lady Freya, please listen to my explanation!"
"There's a reason for all of this!"
"Oh?"
"Then explain."
Freya stared at him intensely.
She wanted to hear exactly what kind of excuse he could come up with.
If it didn't satisfy her—
She would definitely teach him a lesson and remind him who had given him everything he had now.
"Well… the reason I smiled is because when I saw you, Lady Freya, it reminded me of something."
"What something?"
"Today in the Dungeon, I…"
Cao Ye then explained everything that had happened earlier.
The ambush in the Dungeon.
The Artificial Labyrinth.
The Ikelos Familia.
The Dark Faction.
And even the connection with Ishtar.
"Descendants of Daedalus… an Artificial Labyrinth?"
Even Freya looked surprised as she listened.
Especially the part about the Artificial Labyrinth.
A thousand-year construction project that had existed right under the gods' noses—
Yet none of them had noticed.
That was the truly terrifying part.
As for Ishtar's connection to the Dark Faction—
Freya had known about that long ago.
Cao Ye's explanation didn't surprise her in the slightest.
"So what exactly do you want to do?"
"Take control of the Artificial Labyrinth."
"If we succeed, the Freya Familia will gain the most secret base imaginable."
Freya narrowed her eyes.
"You certainly have bold ideas."
"But according to you, that labyrinth has existed for a thousand years."
"It has already reached the middle floors of the Dungeon."
"It's filled with members of the Dark Faction."
"And you think you can just take it over?"
"Others might not be able to…"
"But the Freya Familia definitely can."
"Especially now that we have Chun Ji."
"Chun Ji?"
Freya's eyes flickered.
She valued Chun Ji greatly.
Her ability was extremely rare.
Right now Ottar had already reached the peak of Level 7.
If Chun Ji's skill could help him break through to Level 8—
Then the Freya Familia might effectively possess Level 9 combat power.
Even during the era of the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia, only the Empress had reached Level 9.
"By the way, Lady Freya…"
"Do you still have any Grimoires?"
"I have a few. Why?"
Freya answered casually.
Cao Ye almost wanted to give her a thumbs up.
A Grimoire was an incredibly rare magic item.
Anyone who read one could obtain a magic spell.
Each book could sell for 100 million valis or more, and even then it was almost impossible to find one.
Yet Freya casually said she had a few.
Truly rich.
"If possible, give one to Chun Ji."
"You won't regret it."
"Give Chun Ji a Grimoire?"
Freya didn't object.
Considering Chun Ji's value alone, one Grimoire meant nothing.
And from Cao Ye's tone, it sounded like he was preparing some kind of surprise.
"Let's leave Chun Ji aside for now."
"Don't change the subject."
"What exactly do you plan to do about the Artificial Labyrinth and the Ikelos Familia?"
Hearing that, Cao Ye smiled inwardly.
The topic had already shifted.
"On Floor 18, there's an entrance to the Artificial Labyrinth."
"And I have the key."
"The key?"
"That's right. This."
Cao Ye took out the strange object made from an eyeball and handed it to Freya.
"A magical item… interesting."
"There's also a blood curse on it."
"Apparently all descendants of Daedalus have red eyes."
"They're forced to continue building the Artificial Labyrinth."
"This key is made from their eyes."
"A fascinating curse."
Freya commented lightly.
To a goddess, such things were merely interesting curiosities.
"So, Lady Freya… what do you think?"
"A labyrinth that reaches the middle floors of the Dungeon…"
"It's definitely worth taking."
"So you agree?"
"Yes."
"I'll have Ottar gather everyone immediately."
"We'll launch an attack on the Artificial Labyrinth."
"Great."
Freya was never one to hesitate.
Once she decided to act—
She moved immediately.
Cao Ye felt a surge of excitement.
He had been attacked in the afternoon—
And now they were launching a full assault that very night.
The feeling of revenge was incredibly satisfying.
Not to mention—
His gacha pull had also given him Enkidu's intrinsic skill.
[Perfect Form]
With the power of All the World's Evils already inside him, Cao Ye could regenerate quickly as long as he had mana.
Now, with Perfect Form, he could also absorb magical energy from the earth itself to restore his body.
With both abilities combined—
His survivability had become terrifying.
And the advanced evolution of Perfect Form—
"Wisdom of the People."
That was a divine ability capable of clashing directly with Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon.
A super-enhanced version of Knight of Owner.
After merging the skill, Cao Ye couldn't help but smile.
But at that exact moment—
Freya's voice sounded again.
"Well then."
"We've cleared up why you were smiling."
"Now explain something else for me."
"Why exactly were you saying 'sacrifice Goddess Freya's ten thousand years of lifespan' earlier?"
"…What?!"
The smile froze on Cao Ye's face.
He slowly turned his head toward Freya.
Wait a second…
Didn't I already change the subject?!
How did it come back to this again?!
Cao Ye felt like crying.
After that small episode—
As the sun set that evening, the Freya Familia began moving like a massive machine.
Under the goddess's command, every part of the Familia sprang into action.
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