"You're still alive!" Orsted's eyes narrowed, disbelief flashing as he faced Revis.

In Rivira, he'd unleashed Excalibur.

Though he didn't see it strike Revis directly, she'd fallen into the river just as the light followed.

Yet, she hadn't been obliterated.

A moment later, Orsted nodded, understanding.

"The power collapsed the floor's ceiling, letting you escape by chance."

"Lucky indeed," Revis sneered, drawing a red, oddly shaped sword from the ground. "I've been thinking of you, unknown elf."

She charged, her form a shadow rushing toward Orsted and the others.

Orsted expected Revis to target Ais, given her past confusion with Aria.

But Revis came straight for him.

Before he could react, Ais appeared in front, blocking Revis' strike.

"Orsted, leave her to me," Ais said softly.

"Alright, she's yours," Orsted replied, nodding. Ais could handle Revis, whose strength had surged after her recent rank up.

Orsted needed to protect Asfi and the others.

The Creature, with near-Level 5 strength and control over Violas, was too much for them.

Uncertain if reinforcements would arrive like in the anime, Orsted couldn't leave them vulnerable.

With Orsted's approval, Ais unleashed her power.

Her upgraded strength sent Revis flying with one blow.

"You've ranked up?" Revis gasped, shocked.

She'd devoured magic stones to grow stronger, seeking vengeance against Orsted. Yet, in just ten days, Ais had surpassed her, delivering a crushing blow.

Before, Ais had been far weaker.

Only one explanation fit: Ais had ranked up, her abilities enhanced.

"I just didn't want to lose to you," Ais said lightly. "I don't need tempest now." She flashed forward, attacking again.

"Don't underestimate me!" Revis roared, charging back.

The two clashed fiercely.

Meanwhile, as Ais sent Revis flying, the Creature blocked Orsted's path.

Walls expanded rapidly, forming a new barrier that separated Orsted's group from Ais.

"Trying to split us up?" Asfi frowned. "There's more than one enemy."

"Expected," Orsted said. "Don't worry about Ais. Keep moving forward."

He led them toward the unblocked passage.

Asfi glanced at the new wall, then followed. Orsted was right—Ais could handle anything on this floor.

They needed to worry about themselves. The enemy who'd appeared had Level 5 strength, and any allies wouldn't be much weaker.

Though unconcerned for Ais, they couldn't abandon her and pressed on.

Soon, they reached the vast cavern of the incident site, where the crimson pillar produced nutrients for monsters.

Now, flesh walls covered the ceiling, walls, and floor.

The crimson pillar, wrapped in parasitic Violas, absorbed its oozing nutrients.

A small spot on the pillar—the Jewel Fetus—caught Orsted's eye immediately.

But there was no time to focus on it.

The cavern's master emerged to greet them.

"Welcome to my domain, adventurers!" A man with a weird mask stepped forward.

As he spoke, the ground shook, and Violas erupted, lunging at the group.

"You handle the Violas. I'll take him," Orsted said, drawing Excalibur without looking back.

He flashed forward.

The Creature, Olivas Act, didn't expect Orsted's decisiveness. Caught off-guard, he couldn't command the Violas to stop Orsted in time.

By the time he reacted, Orsted was upon him.

In a panic, Olivas deployed a defense and counterattacked.

They clashed directly.

Olivas, a key figure in the 27th floor nightmare six years ago, was resurrected by the Corrupted Spirit, his strength reaching Level 5.

This was Orsted's first true fight against an equal.

It felt different—past bouts were mere sparring.

Orsted's strength, paired with Eternal Arms Mastery, overwhelmed Olivas after a few rounds, forcing him to summon Violas to disrupt Orsted.

Asfi and the others swiftly attacked, clearing the Violas to ease Orsted's pressure.

Unbeknownst to them, the Jewel Fetus on the pillar stirred, its eyes opening, fixing on Orsted in battle. It stretched its infantile limbs.

A shrill cry echoed through the cavern.

---

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