Chapter 62: Attacked On All Sides!
As if to trap them within the 24th floor, the walls behind Ais and her companions sealed themselves shut after they entered.
"Don't think we're trapped. We can just blast a hole in the wall on our way back." Asfi quickly reassured the group, preventing panic from spreading.
As they ventured deeper, the ceiling and walls transformed into a grotesque tapestry of green flesh.
The stench grew stronger with each step.
Finally, Ais sliced through a section of the wall with her sword.
Within the opening, they could faintly discern the original wall of the 24th floor.
"I thought of something terrifying? If these walls are made of monsters, doesn't that mean we're walking through its stomach...?" Lulune mused aloud.
"Hey!"
"Don't say that!"
"Shut up!"
Lulune's words sent chills down the spines of members of Hermes Familia, prompting them to shut her up.
Only Ais remained focused, her gaze fixed on the source of light above.
Dim phosphorescence emanated from withered flowers that adorned the ceiling.
After several minutes, they reached a fork in the path.
The map they had prepared was useless in this ever-changing maze.
Lulune took the lead, drawing a new map as they progressed.
The only silver lining was the lack of monsters within the green walls, rendering their purchased traps useless.
However, this also meant they avoided being overwhelmed by hordes of monsters.
"Are those... monster remains?"
They soon discovered unnatural piles of dust scattered throughout a wide passage.
Asfi prodded the dust with her dagger, finding various monster drops but no magic stones.
"Why would monsters die here?" Lulune asked nervously.
"Perhaps a few broke through the entrance and were killed by something..."
The atmosphere in the team suddenly became tense.
Everyone drew their weapons, wary of their surroundings.
Only Ais looked upwards.
"Above!"
Drops of liquid dripped from the ceiling, followed by a swarm of carnivorous plants falling from above.
"ROOOOOOOOOAR!!!"
…
"Revis, we have intruders!"
A man warned the red-haired woman within a vast cavern illuminated by red light.
"Monster?"
"No, they're adventurers."
Around the two people, a group of people in robes suddenly panicked.
The presence of intruders made them quite uneasy.
"It seems to be a medium-sized party... and they're all skilled adventurers."
A layer of white water membrane covered the upper part of the wall, reflecting the images of Ais and members of Hermes Familia fighting.
Revis, initially disinterested, immediately stood up upon seeing Ais. "It's Aria."
"What? You're saying that the Sword Princess is Aria?"
"I'll go deal with her. Lure the others away from her."
Without waiting for a response, Revis left the cavern.
…
Blades flashed as the monsters relentlessly attacked, trying to breach the front line and reach the mages at the back.
Screams echoed through the passage as the adventurers struggled against the sudden onslaught.
"Lulune, where are these monsters' magic stones located?!" Asfi, the leader of the Hermes Familia, quickly adapted to the situation.
She severed a monster's tentacle with her dagger and calmly inquired about their weakness.
"Eh! I think they're in their mouths!" Lulune replied while dodging an attack.
After hearing this, Asfi threw back her cloak, retrieved a small red vial from her waist, and hurled it forward with all her might into a plant-like monster's mouth.
Boom—
The vial exploded upon contact, obliterating both the monster and its magic stone, leaving behind only ashes.
Ais, utilizing her superior agility, weaved through the battlefield, eliminating any monsters that threatened the mages.
The other members of Hermes Familia also adjusted to the monsters' attack patterns.
Now that they are aware of the location of the magic stones, they switched from defense to offense, unleashing a devastating counterattack.
"I've heard rumors, so is this the new species of monster?" Asfi examined a colorful magic stone after eliminating all the threats.
"Sword Princess, you seemed familiar with these monsters during the battle. Could you share some information?"
Ais explained that the monsters were highly resistant to blunt weapons but vulnerable to sharp weapons like swords.
They also actively sought out sources of magic and frantically attacked them.
Additionally, under certain circumstances, they could devour other monsters and evolve.
"You're saying these monsters engage in cannibalism? As far as I know, there are only two reasons for monsters to actively attack their own kind." Asfi noted, raising a finger.
"First, they might accidentally injure each other and become enraged, leading to a fight."
"Second, they might develop a taste for magic stones. Some monsters can strengthen themselves by consuming the magic stones of other monsters, similar to how we adventurers update our statuses. These are called 'Enhanced/Strengthened Species'."
Ais nodded in agreement, "The magic stones of the corpses we saw earlier were probably devoured by these monsters."
"Indeed. I also noticed during the battle that their strength varied greatly. Usually, monsters of the same species don't differ by more than one level... Do these creatures instinctively know that magic stones can benefit them? This is a significant discovery."
Asfi's analysis reminded Ais of the red-haired woman they encountered alongside the carnivorous plants.
There was a high chance of encountering her during this mission, Ais thought, clenching her fists with determination.
The party continued their advance and soon reached another fork in the path.
"Asfi, which way should we..."
Lulune spoke, but her question was cut short by monstrous roars echoing from both passages.
"We're being attacked from both sides?"
"No, there are more behind us!"
As if guided by an unseen hand, monsters surrounded the party from all three directions, cutting off their retreat.
Asfi furrowed her brows, assessing the situation.
"Sword Princess, can you handle the monsters coming from one direction?"
"Understood."
Following Asfi's instructions, the party split into three groups to confront the enemies from each path.
Just as Ais struck down the first monster, a massive pillar descended from the ceiling.
Reacting swiftly, she rolled to the side.
The pillar landed between her and the rest of the party, effectively isolating her.
She quickly dispatched the remaining monsters, intending to destroy the pillar and rejoin Asfi and her group.
However, an unmistakable killing intent emanated from the end of the left passage.
Thump, thump, thump—
The sound of boots striking the ground echoed through the silent passage.
Ais immediately assumed a battle stance, her eyes locked on the approaching figure.
Moments later, a familiar red-haired woman emerged from the darkness, and a sinister smile playing on her lips.
"I didn't expect you to come to me willingly, Aria. This is perfect."
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