This dungeon has mushrooms growing on it.

Chapter 308, Section 307: The Plan is Complete

In order to maintain stability and avoid public panic about mats and mushrooms, Farr initially planned to obscure the truth about Lambert's parasitism and downplay its impact.

However, the situation clearly developed beyond his expectations.

The fact that Lambert was parasitized by strange mycelium had already attracted the curiosity and attention of many adventurers.

After he "accidentally" established an invisible connection with two ordinary Puji and was able to give them simple commands, the adventurers' gossip and desire for exploration were completely ignited.

Although they were just two basic Puji that were common on the streets of Mushroom Town and had no fighting ability, these were "Control Puji"!

And without the aid of any contract scrolls or magical items!
Soon, some of the onlookers excitedly asked: Could we also capture those special Puji in the dungeon that have combat abilities?
Lambert considered that he had already been assigned the task of continuing to investigate the parasites on his body.

So by the time Mirabelle received Fal's order to try to get Lambert out of the public eye, he had already re-entered the dungeon, encouraged and surrounded by a group of excited adventurers.

When they emerged from the underground city, the Puji that had been following Lambert had grown from the initial two "blank" ones to more than ten Puji of different kinds and functions!

In the dungeon, different types of Puji will spawn in different creep areas.

After some experimentation, the adventurers discovered a pattern: by offering the corpse of a monster in the corresponding creep area, there was a certain probability that they could gain control of a Puji that was about to mature and shed its skin.

Of course, not every sacrifice will be successful, and there is a considerable degree of randomness involved, but for adventurers, it is simply a matter of hunting down a few more monsters.

These tamed Puji can understand Lambert's simple commands and even fight alongside him, a sight that makes the surrounding adventurers envious.

You can have battle pets without needing contract items!

Even if you die unexpectedly, you can be easily replenished!
As for the lack of individual Puji's combat power, quantity can make up for it!
This time, everyone couldn't sit still.

Many people began to try every means to find out the specific source of the parasitic hyphae on Lambert's body and all the side effects.

Due to his agreement with the guild, Lambert did not reveal the whole truth, only vaguely claiming that he encountered a teleportation trap on the eighth floor and woke up like this.

However, people's enthusiasm is unstoppable.

Soon, well-informed sources discovered that Lambert was originally brought out of the dungeon by Vera's squad.

Before Vera and the others could even receive any instructions, surrounded and questioned by the crowd, they eventually revealed the details of how Lambert was discovered.

Thus, the rumor quickly evolved into: Lambert, who had gotten incredibly lucky, was chosen by Puji when he was on the verge of death. After merging with Puji, he not only survived but also unexpectedly gained the ability to control Puji. The only price he paid was that he became somewhat foolish in appearance and needed a constant supply of magic.

At this point, Far's plan to block the news completely failed.

Contrary to Far's initial concerns, people were not afraid of the fungal carpets; on the contrary, they were extremely interested in them, and many were even eager to try them out.

Of course, this was not what Farr wanted to see either, but he was powerless to stop the situation from escalating.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Lambert can only control a dozen or so Puji at the moment. If he commands them properly, they can unleash combat power no less than that of a Silver-rank!
High-level experts might scoff at this, but for the vast number of silver and bronze-level adventurers, it is extremely tempting.

As for the side effect of becoming ugly, it's not something to be overlooked when faced with a real increase in strength. After all, in the adventurer profession, very few people rely on their looks to make a living.

Some people who are already ugly can even attribute their ugliness to their pursuit of "puji power".

The reason why no second "Puji manipulator" has appeared so far is simply that everyone wants to continue to observe and see if there are any unseen potential hidden dangers in Lambert.

……

Lin Jun took in everyone's reactions.

Everything is going according to plan!
"Outsider" members like Lambert are granted the lowest level of privileges within the fungal network. Aside from commanding the few Poogies assigned to him, they have virtually no other functions.

Lin Jun had no intention of communicating with these guys who hadn't officially joined the company yet; she would just let them develop on their own.

The setbacks humanity is facing on the front lines present both a crisis and a tremendous opportunity for Lin Jun.

Given the previous unpleasant encounters with the Empire, it's entirely possible to imagine how the Demon Race would treat the creep and Puji within their territory once they truly defeat humanity. At that time, I might still be able to survive in the dungeon, or even slowly expand deep underground.

But forget about continuing to enjoy the sunlight on the surface.

Humans are different. In order to fight against the Empire, humans need mushrooms, and not only mushrooms, but they may even need puffs in the future!
Therefore, humanity will inevitably have to make compromises and concessions in certain areas!

At that time, our own fungal carpets might even have the opportunity to be spread to the front lines!
"Hehehehe... Hahahaha!"

Norris instinctively shrank back as a strange laugh suddenly echoed in his mind, but having gradually gotten used to it, he wisely refrained from asking any further questions.

Lin Jun also didn't forget to deal with some side effects of the plan, such as a demon spy who had seen Dylan's true face and might have some unpleasant associations...

……

At the edge of the crowd, Rita watched Lambert, who was surrounded by a bunch of chattering people and swaggering through the streets. Her gaze lingered for a long time, especially on the winding white mycelium on his face.

This appearance... seems increasingly familiar, perhaps only differing from Dylan's in color?

Doesn't this mean that Dylan is actually human?

How is this going?

Perhaps the mycelium on this human body is part of a duke's secret plan?

Rita wasn't quite sure, but this information should obviously be reported.

She quietly retreated, squeezing through the crowd, intending to reunite with her partner first. However, after taking only a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

Not far ahead, Dylan was chatting and laughing with the shop assistant named Bianca as they bought items.

After only a moment's thought, Rita turned and slipped into a narrow alleyway beside her, deciding to take a detour.

Dylan may not be the problem, but it's always better to be cautious.

As we quickly moved among these newly built stone houses, the noise of the crowd was soon left behind.

Puff——

A very faint sound came from behind.

Rita's expression remained unchanged, and her pace was perfectly steady; however, the hand hidden in her sleeve had transformed into a claw.

Rita heard a whooshing sound behind her, and using the sound to pinpoint its location, she suddenly turned around and swung her claws.

With a soft "hiss," a severed, bladed tentacle appeared out of thin air!
"It's actually invisibility..."

Rita felt a chill run down her spine and immediately pushed off with her feet, leaping back lightly in an attempt to create distance and break free from contact.

However, the moment she landed, a piercing pain shot through her back!
Her chest was pierced, and blood outlined the shape of a tentacle.

"Uh……"

Immediately afterwards, several more attacks followed, slicing open various parts of her body, including her throat.

Rita collapsed helplessly into the blood, her appearance gradually melting away, reverting to her original gray, gelatinous shape as a shapeshifter.

Only then did the Puji that had been invisible reveal their round, plump forms.

Before her consciousness sank completely into eternal darkness, she vaguely heard an evil voice: "Don't spill poison in your next life."

(End of this chapter)