This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 190, Page 189: Lin Jun's Little Plan
“How could he… how could he be so bad?” Inanna’s face was filled with disbelief, anger, and pity.

"Who knows?" Lin Jun's voice carried just the right amount of helplessness and a hint of sadness. "Perhaps in their eyes, 'monsters' like Puji only deserve to live in the dark depths..."

PinkPuji finally managed to contact Lin Jun—but it was the morning after the transformation spell was lifted and the Veil of Illusion was put away.

When we met again, tears welled up in our eyes.

Lin Jun first emotionally reminisced with Inanna about the carefree and wonderful time they spent in the Mushroom Garden, then "casually" mentioned that she "couldn't make it in the Deep Zone" and "had no choice" but to move up here. Finally, she focused on describing the current Chairman Fal's "cruel persecution" of Puji:
What cruel torture and dissection of those "kind and harmless" creatures that only provide lighting for adventurers? Pfft!
What kind of brazen organization is this, sending a punitive expedition to destroy the homes of those "peaceful" and "well-behaved" Puji on the fifth floor...?

As for the heavy casualties of up to one-third of the expeditionary force?
Lin Jun stated that Puji acted in self-defense, and the blame should be placed on the new president.

All I wanted was to live a peaceful life in the dungeon. If it weren't for the new guild leader's constant harassment, humans and Puji should have become good friends.

Inanna's eyes reddened as she listened, nodding repeatedly, deeply sympathizing with her boss's plight after she left.

"Then... what should we do now?" she asked anxiously, genuinely wanting to help her boss out of his predicament.

However, she was also aware of her limitations: while the status of the duke's daughter was certainly prestigious, her influence on major decisions concerning the management policy of the entire dungeon was limited to offering suggestions at best. This limited voice was clearly insufficient to shake the guild's "slay the Puji" policy.

Lin Jun had anticipated this.

From the very beginning, he never expected to rely on Inanna to "persuade" the guild.

“Inanna,” Lin Jun changed the subject, getting to the point, “did you bring what I mentioned in the letter?”

"I brought it! Look!" Inanna immediately rummaged through her luggage and proudly presented a beautifully designed dagger inlaid with iridescent gemstones.

The dagger itself emitted a powerful and undeniable magical aura.

"Very good!" Lin Jun's voice revealed a hint of excitement that the plan was about to unfold.

Lin Jun's plan was to have Inanna produce a prop that she claimed could "control monsters," and then, in front of everyone, perform a demonstration to "bring the knight Puji under her command."

While not common, items for controlling monsters are not rare either. Many adventurers who tame magical creatures rely on such items, but their effectiveness is usually limited and can only restrain low-level monsters.

As the daughter of a duke, it shouldn't seem out of place for Inanna to produce an item that can control the level of a knight.

As for whether this prop is real or fake?
It doesn't matter anyway, the Cavaliers will cooperate fully with the performance.

Once "control" is successfully achieved, one of the two main reasons for the guild to attack Puji—"the threat of out-of-control monsters"—will disappear!
As for the other reason: fear of Puji is related to the core issue.

Since it's not true to begin with, the truth will become clear once their "expert team" goes down there.

With Inanna's connection between the guild and Puji, there's no need to worry about the guild issuing orders to Puji without restraint.

Of course, there are still details that need to be polished, and the biggest flaw is this prop.

If it were counterfeit, others might be able to fool them, but Inanna's family should know what they have!

This flaw needs to be covered up with a story, and if necessary, Aidin can be asked to cooperate.

Of course, these are all temporary measures, and Lin Jun did not intend to completely solve the problem of human suffering through this.

Ultimately, one's own safety depends on oneself.

After this plan, just delaying things for two or three months will be enough. By then, either Lin Jun will seize control of the core, or they will find an opportunity to move it elsewhere. Perhaps Qi Si's side can...

As her thoughts raced, Lin Jun asked with a hint of curiosity and confirmation, "Speaking of which, what exactly is the true effect of this gemstone dagger?"

“Control the monsters!” Inanna answered crisply.

Is it genuine...? No wonder it's from the Duke's family.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The "expert team" did not linger at the guild.

After only one day of rest and a brief meeting, they set off under Gugna's swift and decisive urging.

In addition to the members of the "expert group" itself, Fifteen followed the Sword Saint as a disciple, while Aidin joined the team as an important supplement due to his excellent reconnaissance ability.

As pure combat units, their military support was superfluous with the Sword Saint, this unexpectedly powerful figure, overseeing their departure. Before they set off, Guild Master Fal solemnly saw them off, routinely reminding them of their safety and mission.

The only thing that made him feel a little uneasy was that Miss Inanna's gaze before she left seemed to contain a hint of undeniable disgust.

Far frowned inwardly.

The two had only met for the first time yesterday, and he racked his brains but couldn't remember where he had offended the duke's daughter.

"It's weird..."

As for the method Miss Inanna mentioned, with the help of the Sword Saint, the difficulty of capturing her alive is greatly reduced, and Fal thinks it's worth a try.

After all, even if they fail, they can still kill the "King of Puji" according to the original plan at any time.

I hope everything goes well for them!

……

"It's so dark!" Upon stepping into the dungeon entrance, the first to exclaim in surprise was none other than the Sword Saint Elwin.

He squinted as he scanned the dark passageway, his tone filled with disbelief: "The Amethyst Underground City has changed so much!"

Judging from his tone, he had obviously been here before.

"what is that?"

Before Fifteen could explain the previous question to his master, the Sword Saint pointed to a light fixture in the distance that had been rented by adventurers and asked the next question.

Clearly, the Sword Saint didn't read a single word of the thick report on the situation presented by President Fal last night.

Fifteen could only sigh resignedly and begin to act as a temporary guide, answering his master's questions one by one.

"Then let's rent one too!" the Sword Saint suggested enthusiastically.

As they were talking, a passing monster at the end of the corridor silently split in two, the cut as smooth as a mirror.

"Master, this... isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Fifteen looked troubled. "Besides the core mission, there's something else we're doing this time..."

And there's also the mysterious "King of Puji"!

What's the point of having a little poop around by your side?

"That's something to consider after we find the core!" The Sword Saint waved his hand impatiently, then kicked Fifteen in the butt. "Enough talk, get on with it!"

Fifteen rubbed the spot where he had been kicked, looking helpless. He had no choice but to obediently drag the monster's remains back, in exchange for a round, chubby little lamp-shaped poop.

As he descended, the Sword Saint marveled at the dramatic changes in the Amethyst Dungeon, like a tourist visiting for the first time.

What Fifteen was more concerned about was that this time, no one jumped out to stop them.

When I occasionally see Puji, he's always busy fighting with slimes in his hierarchy, completely ignoring them—a stark contrast to his previous treatment.

Did they sense their master's strength?
Fifteen harbored suspicions, yet had no way to verify them.

They made it to the deep zone without incident, but Illumination Puji stopped at the end of the seventh level and stopped following.

Then... they witnessed the true state of the Amethyst Dungeon...

Right next to the stairs leading to the deeper areas was what used to be a lava lair inhabited by the Balrog.

Even after the Balrog died, this place remained a scorching lava cave, yet at this moment, the entire cave felt no heat whatsoever.

The once turbulent lava lake had vanished without a trace, and at the bottom of the lake, the group discovered a spatial rift about five meters wide.

Everyone was astonished; many were seeing a spatial rift for the first time, and even the Sword Saint raised his eyebrows.

Guge, who had remained silent the entire way, turned extremely pale upon seeing this scene: "This situation... is far more serious than we anticipated..."

(End of this chapter)