Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

The elixir is sweet, but this one is "too" sweet; it's turned bitter...!

Glug glug! The internal organs made strange noises and began to twist eerily.

I had no choice but to curl up and press my stomach with one hand, enduring the discomfort in my intestines.

"As long as you have 'abnormal resistance (development ability)', you'll be fine... I think."

Please don't use any "should"...!

The voice that came from above me brought tears to my eyes, and I drank the rest of the solution in one go.

Fortunately, not only did I not have diarrhea, but I also didn't vomit.

"Abnormal resistance"... No, the adventurer is really amazing...

(However... my stamina has recovered.)

Since arriving at the "deep layer," this is the moment I feel most energetic. Although the intensely stimulating taste and unpleasant sensations have taken a toll on my spirit. I poured the remaining solution from the bottom of the test tube onto my body, and even my wounds healed.

That way we can continue fighting.

"let's go."

"OK."

We quickly checked our equipment and stood up.

While maintaining heightened vigilance, they didn't forget to dispose of the "magic stones" from the corpses of the monsters killed in the explosions—eliminating the possibility of "enhanced species" being born. A short blade was charred beyond repair, but they still retrieved it.

Unlike elixirs or food, equipment hardly ages.

After all, it's the weaponry of adventurers who ventured into deep areas, so it must have been forged by a renowned master blacksmith, and it can still perform to its full potential even after a long period of time.

I gripped the longsword in my right hand again, and while swinging the single-breasted armor, I used my shoulder to support Miss Ryu as she took her first step.

The labyrinth of the "White Palace" is chaotic and disorganized.

Because each passageway is so wide, it's easy to miss them; in fact, the number of recurring intersections and ascending/descending staircases is also quite large. The countless branching routes even evoke the image of a maze on the surface of the earth.

In this sense, it may sound strange, but the structure of the 37th layer might belong to the "orthodox" school.

Unlike the "Great Tree Maze" or the "Water Maze", it is a pure maze.

A white-walled labyrinth that disorients and traps thieves who invade the underground palace.

"Miss Ryu... are there any particularly dangerous monsters on the 37th floor?"

"For us now, all the monsters on this floor are a threat, but... if I had to give an example, it would be the 'Earthlings' and the 'Peruda'."

In the dimly lit passage, we kept a close watch on our surroundings while whispering to each other.

Completely different from the fierce battle just now, the labyrinth remained silent. No monster roars or presence could be sensed; it had been a long time since any monsters had been encountered.

I prayed that this period would continue, but both Ms. Ryu and I knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

"Leaving aside rare species, among the warrior-type 'terrestrials' appearing here, they possess the strongest melee combat abilities. Moreover, they are born with skeletal weapons, which is also quite troublesome. Some individuals are even equipped with javelins."

While keeping an eye on the monster's aura, I compared my "knowledge" with Ms. Ryu's "experience." I felt that to traverse the "deep layers," I had to completely eliminate the unsettling factors.

"Peruda can use poisonous attacks. The direct cause of death of those adventurers in the cave... was probably caused by Peruda's poison needles."

"...!"

"When encountering either of these monsters, it's best to run away if the situation allows."

While I was quite shocked and a little panicked, I kept Ms. Ryu's opinion in mind.

I eagerly asked Ms. Ryu to tell me stories from her adventures. Ms. Ryu shared as much as she could with me.

As I greedily and desperately crammed the information into my mind, I slowly looked around.

(The White Palace...)

I thought to myself: That's a really apt description.

Although the eerie white walls or floors lack the solemn atmosphere of a palace, their immense scale, which surpasses human wisdom, is just like a natural castle, and it is perhaps not an exaggeration to call them the "palaces" of the underground world.

The difficulty of conquering the "White Palace" is rated as Lv.4 for reaching the 37th floor by the "Guild".

From this perspective, Ms. Ryu and I meet the criteria. Furthermore, Mr. Perse said that Ms. Ryu's stats are among the highest for Lv.4. She also told me that the Astrea Familia's reachable floor is the 41st floor, so we certainly weren't overestimating ourselves.

If it weren't for this situation.

"Miss Ryu, in the team exploring the 'deep layer,' is anyone else in a two-person team like we are right now...?"

"There's no way someone like that could exist. Aside from the renowned 'Fierce Warriors (Kings),' I doubt even a first-class adventurer would venture here alone. This is that kind of territory."

"...Even the Loki Familia is the same?"

"If we reach Lv.6, that might be a different story... but in a party, we need at least three people (three-man cell)... no, four people (four-man cell). If we can be a little greedy, it would be even better if we could include a healer."

As if answering my question first, Ms. Ryu said these words.

Even the Loki Familia or the Freya Familia cannot act rashly.

Even that [Fiora] is the same.

This fact felt as if it had frozen my very insides.

"Mr. Craney, are you familiar with the entire 37th floor?"

As if to break my silence, this time Miss Ryu took the initiative to bring up the topic. I nodded in response, unfolding the "deep" map in my mind, which I had requested permission from Miss Eina to borrow.

The image of the 37th layer can be likened to a large cake in a box.

The box represents the entire floor, and the large cake represents the maze-like area, which is this "white palace".

There are five "great round walls" that allow this "white palace" to exist.

The innermost walls are called the first circular wall, the second circular wall, and so on, respectively. Moreover, the five maze areas separated by the five circular walls each have their own names.

The inner side of the first circular wall—the area leading to the next floor and the central area where the "floor master" appears—is called the "throne hall."

In order are the "Knights' Hall", "Warriors' Hall", "Soldiers' Hall" and "Beasts' Hall".

Although they are called "Knights" or "Warriors," the types of monsters that appear are not significantly different. However, the area becomes narrower and the maze structure becomes more complex as you go further in, inevitably increasing the number of surprise attacks or encounters with monsters. While it's true that monsters can move around, so this isn't always the case, some sources indicate that the further out you go, the more scattered the battles become.

The most important staircase leading to the 36th floor is located outside the fifth circular wall, which is the southernmost end of the "box"-shaped floor.

In other words, we must go to the outskirts of the "White Palace".

Based on the predicted route, we should absolutely not encounter the "Floor Master" lurking in the very center of the floor. This is the only thing to be thankful for in this harsh situation. If we had to fight the "Lone King of the Maze"... I might really break down.

"This is……"

Following Miss Ryu's instructions, I dodged several monsters that roamed around...

We walked into an open space, where the route was not recorded on the map.

A massive wall stands before your eyes.

"...'The Great Round Wall'."

Even though I've never seen the actual object in person, I recognized it at a glance.

In a maze of white turbidity, the round wall stood out as a pristine, flawless white.

It might be mistaken for a layer of transparent ice... no, it's white crystal. Perhaps it's somewhat similar to the 17th layer of "Goliath," the "Wall of Sighs," only incomparable in size.

The sheer flatness of the wall was unbelievable; it was a massive, naturally formed structure stretching to the farthest reaches of my vision. The darkness overhead made it impossible to gauge its height. I doubt you could find such a magnificent wall anywhere on Earth, in every country and city.

"...No mistake, it's the third circular wall."

Looking at that majestic figure holding his breath, I was startled when I heard the whispered words beside me.

Miss Liu, whose shoulder I was supporting, squinted as she looked up at the barrier in front of her.

"Each of the large circular walls is slightly different in color, except for the third circular wall located in the middle, which is pure white..."

Miss Ryu made this conclusion with absolute certainty.

She urged me to get closer to the round wall. For adventurers, the area near the maze wall is a dangerous place for surprise attacks, and I was terrified that monsters would emerge from the wall, but Miss Ryu calmly placed her palm on the wall.

She pressed her hand against the wall and moved a few steps to the side.

"...Although it's only a little bit, the wall is curved towards us."

"...! So that means...!"

"Yes, we are now between the third and second circular walls... which is the 'Warriors' Hall'."

The walls bend toward us—in other words, we are surrounded by walls that form a circle.

This allows us to pinpoint our location.

The "Warriors' Hall" is located in the central area of ​​the "White Palace"!

"Although our exact current location is not yet clear... being able to deduce our current area from the 37th floor would be very helpful."

Hearing Miss Liu say that, I nodded excitedly.

I met the gaze of the sky-blue eyes beside me, and after receiving their approval, I immediately began to move forward. There was no time to revel; I had to reach the next path before the monster noticed me.

It's just a defined area; we don't yet know the exact current location.

But this is a major "progress." The situation is "getting better."

It was a ray of light shining into the endless darkness of the labyrinth. I had to convince myself of that.

I believe this result brings hope and allows us to move forward.

(I want to live... I want to get back to the surface! Together...!)

I poured more strength into my hands, supporting Miss Ryu's slender body.

○

The "divergence" of wills continues.

(—How much can I help him grow before I leave him?)

Ryu secretly glanced at Bell's profile, which showed a renewed determination to survive, and fell into deep thought.

He kept it a secret from the boy and pondered what would happen after he became a "sacrifice".

(While considering self-sacrifice from the outset was a poor strategy, it's still important to be prepared to give one's life at any moment. Any hesitation could lead to mutual destruction.)

Ryu also hopes to escape with Bell.

Of course, it would be best if they could have children together.

However, the "deeper" level probably won't let them get what they want, and Ryu is well aware of that.

While the desecration of the dead improved the situation somewhat, the equipment situation remained worrying. How could the dungeon possibly let its wounded and vulnerable prey escape?

They will likely be forced to make a "choice".

A situation where a price must be paid is bound to come.

(Before that... I need to train him in survival skills.)

Ryu planned to give Bell everything she knew before that happened.

This was so that he could survive until rescuers arrived after escaping the "deep" alone.

Ryu believes that his proactive attitude towards learning is a good thing. In this environment where one is immersed in a maze and has to put what one has learned into practice even if one is unwilling, the speed of knowledge absorption will be almost infinitely fast.

(Mr. Craney has become stronger, much more resilient than before. Even now, struggling in this "deep layer"... as long as he accumulates experience and transforms the "unknown" into the "known," he will surely be able to adapt.)

Ryu had no doubt about this.

The boy has truly become stronger, to the point of being a completely different person.

He single-handedly cornered the terrifying "Zagnat." Although it was the result of a combination of factors, it is still a heroic feat that can be described as a "great achievement."

From his resolute resistance and ability to defeat despair, Ryu saw hope.

To see the light that must never be extinguished, the light that bears the name of white flame.

(...He is still pursuing his "ideal," and a future where we can live together.)

The boy's brilliance was dazzling, making Liu feel overwhelmed.

She wondered if she had ever had such a straightforward perspective before, believing in a better future and moving forward.

Ryu is probably no longer able to pursue his "ideal".

(Be happy, Kaguya... I'm on your side now.)