The dim tunnel reeked of rot, thick drops of green ichor dripping from the corpse of a giant spider onto its own web.

Arachno.

Like its kin, illiterate adventurers simply lumped it under “giant spider.” But those who truly knew recognized it as a rare subspecies—able to weave toxic webs.

Its thick latticework warned off most lesser monsters.

But some creatures were strong enough, arrogant enough, to ignore such warnings.

And those were exactly what Arachno preyed upon.

Today, however, the predator had become prey.

A massive axe split its head clean down the middle, pulping it in a single strike.

Huff—huff—

The wielder, a bull-headed giant, lifted the axe again, shaking gore from its blade.

Four and a half meters tall, its corded muscles rippled under its pelt—an exceptional specimen, even among Minotaurs.

Under its ferocity, hunter became hunted.

But it wasn’t unscathed.

Its left arm, caught in webbing, had been poisoned. Even with LV5 Poison Resistance, the venom had crippled the limb.

A crippling handicap in the Dungeon.

Not that it mattered anymore.

A pure black dagger slid from the shadows, brushed once across its thick neck—its throat parted like tofu.

The Minotaur collapsed, twitching.

Night Owl stepped out of the dark, muttering to her three companions:

“Level 40, at least. A Minotaur like this could guard a treasure chest on the 8th floor. If it hadn’t been injured, I’d have wasted a lot more effort.

At this pace, I swear we’re going to stumble into something truly nasty.

Nova, how much farther?”

Nova rubbed the locator crystal. “Close. The pull’s shifting faster—we’re nearly there.”

“Ivan, cut the spider open.”

“Why me—ugh, spider guts stink!”

With a sour face, Gal drew his knife, slit the spider’s belly, and gagged at the wave of stench.

Ivan, however, dove in with shining eyes, retrieving an organ slick with foul ichor.

“Yes! Arachno indeed. Its venom sac—perfect for Toxic Cloud rituals!”

He boxed it reverently. Nova, unfazed, urged them onward.

Three more caverns, he judged, and they’d meet their quarry.

He was wrong.

Just one more cavern—where fire mosquitoes buzzed—and they found it.

They froze, disbelieving.

Before them lay a Mushroom Garden.

And within… Pujis.

Pujis. In the Deep Zone.

How?

Fragile creatures with no survival ability—here, in the most chaotic depths?

Shouldn’t the fire mosquitoes next door have feasted on them long ago?

Gal’s jaw hung slack. “If this is the place… then I think I understand how the young lady survived…”

“One’s coming.”

A single Puji toddled toward them on stubby legs.

Ivan quickly cast Scan.

“Level 1, just as expected… wait. Skills? It has—”

But someone was faster.

Night Owl blurred, vanishing.

【Shadow Step LV9】

An experienced adventurer never let appearances fool them. She struck full-force, black blade flashing.

The dagger bit down—

BOOM

“Night Owl! Care—!” Ivan’s warning came too late.

The Puji exploded.

Only a small blast, not enough to harm her, but Night Owl emerged from the smoke filthy, glaring daggers at Ivan.

“Ha… sorry. Got distracted. Too rare a find…”

“I’ve never heard of walking mushrooms exploding.” Nova pointed at others nearby. “And those don’t look ordinary either.”

Ivan cast again. “Those can fire mana bolts. Weak, yes… and curiously, none of them are hostile.”

Indeed, the Pujis didn’t flee, didn’t attack—didn’t even react to their comrade’s death.

Strange.

“Should we clear them out?” Night Owl asked, already tensing for a fight. She still had her pride to salvage.

But Nova stopped her.

“Wait. The Duke’s daughter is inside. If we cause chaos, who knows what’ll happen.

They’re not a threat. Keep formation.

Stay alert.”

That last was to Gal.

【Damage Share LV7】

【Shield Domain LV8】

【Mass Defense Boost LV8】

The half-dragon cast one protection after another.

“Alright. Let’s go in.”

Lin Jun had sensed them long before, through mushrooms growing in the tunnels.

Archmage Ivan hadn’t noticed the Garden’s hidden overseer—but Lin Jun had overheard every word.

Unfortunately…

He couldn’t understand a thing.

Of course. Different world, different tongue.

His link with Inanna was a psychic network—thoughts, not language. Naturally, no barrier.

But this—actual speech. Alien words.

Still, one thing was obvious: this group was here for Inanna.

Most likely to retrieve her.

Unless… to kill her.

She bore a Tracking Seal—almost certainly her father’s doing.

So these were probably her rescuers.

Probably.

Lin Jun sighed. Even if they weren’t—what could he do?

His forces now: 40 combat Pujis, 100 logistics.

The intruders: four adventurers, lowest level 52, highest 58.

Higher than the Earthworms. With synergized skills, no less.

Even unleashing his trump card wouldn’t matter.

Escape? Impossible. They had her location pinned.

Lin Jun glanced at Inanna, practicing spells obliviously, her pink cap bobbing.

He sent her a thought:

“Inanna.”

“Hm? What is it, Boss?”

“Your family… has come to fetch you. Probably.”

“…Probably?”

“…Or maybe to kill you.”

“…”