Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

“…………”

Instead of my frozen, motionless neck, I simply turned my eyes to look around.

There was no sign of a monster nearby, nor any sign or sound.

In the dimly lit space with extremely low visibility, I strained my eyes to peer out.

This was a terrifyingly large chamber. From my central position, it was at least four hundred meters from the deepest part of the wall. Apart from the Great Wall of Sighs on the 17th level or the pantry, I had never seen a chamber this vast. The phosphorescence on the walls was like candlelight, fragile and fleeting.

Right beside us lay the carcass of a large snake.

The blood-soaked, long body overflowing from it is the ominous sign of death (Lambton) – the "Great Serpent Well".

That is, the culprit who swallowed us whole on the 27th floor, dug the dry well (large hole), and brought us here.

"……,……!……ah……"

I stared wide-eyed at the snake's corpse.

My mouth opens and closes on its own, detached from my consciousness.

However, when the tongue is tied, the sounds produced do not have a speech form.

It was as if breathing had failed, leaving only a dry, sighing sound.

—That's a lie, how could that be? That's impossible.

The "Great Serpent Well" originally appeared on the 37th floor.

Why did it return to its own "nest" after swallowing our "Great Serpent Well"?

How did they manage to dig through as many as ten layers of rock from the 27th layer?

As if a dying body were yielding to its homing instinct—returning to this "deep layer"!?

too weird!

Outrageous!

This is unprecedented!

This "harsh" situation—I've never even heard of it before!

(Oh no, oh no... oh no, oh no, oh no...!?)

The only thing that flooded my mind was this chilling and fearful word.

I was sweating profusely, and my body was burning up to an abnormally high temperature.

Deep regions.

The deadline is determined by the guild as the "true deadline".

This is an adventure stage that is too early for me to describe; it is the "most dangerous area of ​​the dungeon" where no one is allowed to explore alone in isolation.

Most importantly, given our current state...!

"Miss Ryu...!"

I looked down at the limp, powerless body of the elf in my arms.

Having been swallowed by the "Great Serpent Well" and burned by its toxic acid, her body was left unrecognizable. Her long cloak and combat suit were burned in many places, revealing her fair, bare skin, and her delicate limbs were also covered in burns. Her right leg, which was encased in a long boot, was bent at an unnatural angle and was broken.

I suffered severe acid burns all over my skin, leaving me covered in bruises.

My right eyelid has melted and stuck together, and I can't open it.

In the blurry vision that I could only see once more, I protectively—or perhaps dependently—tightened my grip on Miss Ryu.

I let my trembling, uncontrollable fingers sink into her slender shoulders.

"Miss Ryu, Miss Ryu... Miss Ryu...!"

Like a toddler seeking solace from its older sister, I softly called her name over and over again.

My thinking stopped. My mind went completely blank.

Faced with the worst "abnormal situation"—the harsh reality of being thrown into the 37th floor—I could only let the darkness control me.

Loneliness, isolation, a lone army, and peril. My heart is filled with unease. So cold, so lonely, so heartbroken, so painful. My emotions are a tangled mess.

Quietly, and to a fatal degree, I developed panic symptoms.

All I could do was plead with the spirit I had pulled into the water, "Wake up!"

And then, at this moment...

Crackle crackle --

Pebbles spilled down.

"────"

The shards of hair that landed on my hair made me stop moving.

I looked up as if drawn by something.

Stone fragments continued to fall from the depths of darkness. Nothing could be seen in the part of the ceiling blocked by darkness, making any judgment impossible by sight.

However, hearing is different.

I did hear that sound.

That's right, it sounded like "something" suddenly rushing towards this floor.

It sounded like something rushing at high speed from inside a dug-out well (large hole)—

The moment I thought of this possibility, I turned pale.

A huge figure came back to mind.

The "shell" of the anti-magic spell.

The "claws" that destroy everything.

Then, there were bright red eyes that glowed like fresh blood.

(Could it be that...)

Is the "monster" we fought on the 27th floor chasing after us through the caves carved out along the "Great Serpent Well"?

You want to end our lives?!

As I was gripped by a chilling fear, a certainty arose somewhere within me.

It is certain that these were the last words left by a man named Jāluó, and the beast tamer's obsessive command led the "monster" to our side.

My heart pounded as I recalled the "collar" and "redstone" attached to the monster's massive body.

"Ugh... Ughh ...

In a blank mind, fuel called anxiety was injected.

Run! Run!

-- Escape from that "monster"!

With this thought in my mind, my thoughts and body, which had been at a standstill, began to move again.

I channeled all my strength into my body and helped Miss Ryu to her feet. Instantly, a burning pain assaulted me. My body moved abruptly and unexpectedly, causing my previously numb nerves to return to the hell of pain.

The wound reopened, and blood dripped onto the ground. The charred, rotting flesh emitted groans.

The worst part was that his left arm was throbbing with excruciating pain.

Starting with my left arm, wrapped in the giant's scarf (Goliath scarf)—the arm that had long defended against the "monster's claws"—my entire body was overheated. I felt nauseous, tears welled in my eyes, and my legs trembled. I was on the verge of giving in.

Even so, I gritted my teeth and forced my boots to move forward.

Let's move forward.

Step by step, each step requires shaking off fatigue and pain, allowing the body to move forward.

Still able to move.

It can still run.

Yes, you can!

As I was being showered with the stone fragments falling from above, I mustered my last bit of strength to begin fleeing from where I was.

I supported Miss Ryu's unconscious body with my shoulder and ran across the large cavern without regard for anything else.

But just as we were about to reach the entrance to the passage leading out of the great cave—thump!

Something suddenly jumped out of the big hole.

"!!"

The thing, radiating blue-purple light, plummeted from the towering height above and crashed heavily to the ground.

Then came a shock and a deafening roar.

I turned my head and saw a strange silhouette with a missing right arm swaying in front of me.

It has feet with reverse joints, a long tail, and a skinny body covered in armored shells that radiate a blue-purple glow.

Its massive body, reminiscent of a "dinosaur fossil clad in armor," is approximately three meters tall. The tip of its slender, single arm possesses destructive "claws" that resemble fangs.

In the depths of the darkness, strangely brightened were two crimson eyes.

Can't go wrong.

That's the destroyer (monster).

"────"

One turn.

As if sensing our presence, the monster turned its neck.

Their bright, crimson eyes met mine.

"--Roarooooo ...

「!?」

The moment the enemy's roar came flying in, I turned and ran with all my might.

I rushed into the passageway and left the large cave.

Immediately following was a series of rapid footsteps.

"Ugh...!?"

I wandered aimlessly through the complex passages that presented a maze-like structure.

Once it catches up with me from behind, I'm doomed. Even if I walk down a dead end, I'm finished. Encountering other monsters will also kill me. In my worst predicament, I have no choice but to pray for divine intervention.

I changed direction several times and entered side roads, trying to escape the enemy's pursuit.

But the "monster's" footsteps wouldn't leave.

On the contrary... it's getting closer and closer!

"Haa! Haa! Huff...?!"

My lungs are burning. I'm sweating buckets. My throat feels like it's going to burn.

I'm currently carrying a critically injured woman (Miss Ryu), and my pace is so slow it makes me want to cry. I can't lift my legs at all, and my whole body is groaning in pain. Even so, I'm still running around with all my might.

Even though my normal thinking ability had long since vanished, several self-questioning voices seemed to emerge and disappear like bubbles deep in my mind.

I once cornered that opponent. Now that it's coming, shouldn't I fight back and eliminate any worries about its future?

What good will it do to run away now?

That sabotage will definitely chase us to the ends of the earth. Isn't running away the worst option?

Is this just a delay in making a judgment?

But, no.

Not now.

We must escape now!

I bet that if I were to fight that destroyer right now, either Miss Ryu or I would die.