This sudden change startled everyone.

Orsted, locked in combat with Olivas, glanced over instantly.

The Jewel Fetus, once parasitic on the Crimson Pillar, had fused with the body of the Violas coiled around it.

The Viola's body merged into the pillar, swelling to fill the entire cavern.

Dozens of tentacles, as thick as the pillars, sprouted from it. The oppressive aura it exuded rivaled Level 6 adventurers.

As another roar echoed, the tentacles lashed out like cloaks. The swollen flesh exploded under their force, and the cavern began to collapse.

"Get out now!" Asfi shouted, ignoring the smaller Violas around them.

She tossed explosives, blasting a path, and led Lulune and the others toward the exit.

Orsted's eyes twitched, but he followed swiftly.

This hadn't happened in the Anime.

Why now?

Puzzled, Orsted trailed Asfi's group, escaping the monster incident site.

Ais needed no concern.

Though naive, she wouldn't sit idle in danger. Despite her fixation on Revis, she valued her life.

Sure enough, soon after Orsted's group fled, Ais blasted Revis out of the site, shifting their battle outside.

As Ais exited, the massive site collapsed, revealing the Viola's body, now parasitized by the Jewel Fetus and fused with the Crimson Pillar.

"What happened there!" Though the 24th floor wasn't a safe zone and had seen recent monster activity, adventurers were still present.

Orsted's group's commotion drew their attention first.

Many rushed toward them.

"This oppressive aura—Level 6!" Asfi's eyes trembled, eyeing the Corrupted Viola.

"Hahaha, the goddess graces us with her presence—what an honor," Olivas' wild voice boomed from atop the Corrupted Viola.

Orsted rubbed his brow, glancing at Ais, still fighting Revis and ignoring the chaos here, and sighed.

Fine, if she's not handling it, I will.

He eyed the Corrupted Viola.

After a moment's thought, Orsted pulled several magic items from the Hestia Ring.

"Asfi, take these. One set per person. Return them later," he said, tossing necklaces and rings to her.

Asfi, vigilantly watching the Corrupted Viola, hadn't expected Orsted's call.

She caught the items, about to ask their purpose, when she felt their magical fluctuations.

"These are all magic items!" she exclaimed, stunned. "Powerful ones!"

Recalling Orsted's instructions, she quickly distributed them to her team.

Asfi equipped hers and activated it with magic.

The item's effect hit her instantly, her eyes gleaming. She looked at Orsted with burning admiration.

"Why the stare?" Orsted asked, unnerved, as he prepared to act.

"Teacher, will you take a student?" Asfi asked, her gaze intense.

Orsted's lips twitched. "No way!"

Calling him teacher already?

No time for students.

Though rejected, Asfi wasn't discouraged.

She watched Orsted's retreating figure with fangirl-like awe, her usual serious demeanor gone.

"Captain, stop daydreaming and help!" Lulune's voice snapped her back.

Olivas had commanded the Violas to attack, and Lulune's team was defending and countering.

Asfi shook herself and joined the fight.

Meanwhile, Orsted reached the Corrupted Viola, engaging it.

Its tentacles, massive and thick, smashed deep craters into the ground, sending gravel flying.

A direct hit would be devastating.

Orsted had no intention of clashing head-on. He opted for guerrilla tactics, weaving and striking.

But despite its size, the Corrupted Viola's attacks were swift, nearly shadowing Orsted.

Olivas, not idle, coordinated with it, striking from the side.

Orsted dodged a tentacle, only for Olivas' attack to follow. He raised Excalibur to block, but the hasty defense buckled, and he was blasted back.

Before landing, another tentacle grazed him, leaving wounds. Avalon's power quickly healed them.

Since his last fight with Revis, this was Orsted's first time sustaining such injuries in true combat.

Yet, he felt no panic—only a rare fire igniting within, a surge of passion.

Smiling faintly, Orsted pushed himself to his peak.

Using instant, he charged with relentless momentum.

"Fight to your heart's content!"

---

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