Chapter 236: Dungeon Expedition

Chapter 236: Chapter 236: Dungeon Expedition

The moment Ares, Selene, and Leon entered the dungeon, the enormous stone entrance disappeared behind them, leaving the three standing within a vast underground environment illuminated by faint magical crystals embedded throughout the walls.

The first floor stretched farther than any ordinary dungeon Ares had encountered before.

Rocky terrain extended into the distance, with enormous stone pillars rising toward the ceiling and several paths branching into different directions. Strange plants grew between the rocks, while the distant sounds of monsters occasionally echoed through the vast underground space.

Several adventurers could be seen exploring the area in the distance, moving carefully through the first floor while keeping their weapons ready.

Leon looked around for a moment before his expression became slightly unimpressed.

"The monsters here are remarkably weak."

Selene glanced around as well.

"I agree. There is hardly anything worth fighting."

She then turned toward Ares and lowered her head slightly.

"If you would permit me, Master, I could burn this entire floor and remove every creature within it."

Ares looked at her.

"What? Why would you do that? There are adventurers here, so stop with that nonsense."

Selene immediately straightened.

"Yes, Master."

Leon quietly covered a faint smile.

Ares sighed before looking farther into the dungeon.

"Anyway, let’s just look around for now. Perhaps we can find a few high-level monsters deeper inside."

"Very well, Master," Leon replied.

"Yes," Selene said.

Ares looked across the enormous first floor.

"Every floor of this dungeon is probably enormous. For ordinary adventurers, reaching the next floor could take several days, especially when they have to deal with the monsters roaming throughout the area."

He then looked toward the distant ceiling.

"Follow me."

Before either of them could respond, Ares rose from the ground and flew directly into the air.

Whoosh!

Selene and Leon immediately followed.

The three moved through the dungeon at incredible speed, passing over enormous sections of the first floor without stopping. From above, they could see groups of adventurers scattered throughout the vast underground landscape, some fighting monsters while others carefully searched the surrounding area for valuable materials.

None of them noticed the three figures passing high above them.

Ares continued forward until the environment beneath them began to change.

The rocky terrain gradually disappeared, replaced by enormous underground forests filled with strange trees and faintly glowing vegetation.

They had reached the second floor.

Ares slowed down slightly.

"The environment changes completely from floor to floor."

Leon looked down at the forest below.

"Indeed. It appears that the dungeon possesses its own ecosystem, with each layer maintaining an environment suitable for different species of monsters."

Ares nodded.

"Let’s see what this floor has to offer."

They descended.

Almost immediately, several powerful monsters emerged from the forest.

Leon stepped forward.

"If you wish, Master, I shall collect the cores from the stronger creatures."

Ares nodded.

"Do it."

"As you command."

Leon calmly raised one hand.

He snapped his fingers.

Snap.

Several small droplets of blood appeared before him, floating motionlessly in the air.

The droplets suddenly stretched into thin crimson threads.

Leon gently moved his fingers.

The blood threads shot into the forest.

Whoosh!

They disappeared between the trees before splitting into numerous strands and traveling toward the monsters hidden throughout the area.

A few moments later, the threads returned.

Each one carried a different monster core.

Leon gathered them into his hand before approaching Ares.

"These should suffice, Master."

Ares took the cores and placed them into his subspace.

"Good."

Without wasting any more time, Ares once again rose into the air.

The two followed him.

They passed through the second floor at a speed that no ordinary adventurer could hope to match, eventually reaching another staircase leading deeper underground.

The third floor was completely different.

This time, the surroundings resembled a vast volcanic cavern.

Dark stone covered the ground, while enormous cracks spread across the walls and emitted a faint red glow from the heat beneath them. The air was considerably warmer, and powerful monsters could be sensed roaming throughout the area.

Ares stopped in midair.

"There are stronger monsters here."

Leon looked toward the distance.

"Indeed. I can sense several creatures considerably more powerful than those on the previous floors."

A massive roar suddenly echoed through the cavern.

ROOOAAAR!

A gigantic monster emerged from between the rocks.

Its body was covered in thick black scales, and enormous horns protruded from its head. Its aura was powerful enough that ordinary adventurers would have considered it an extremely dangerous opponent.

Ares examined it briefly.

"That one should be around AA-rank."

Leon stepped forward.

"Allow me."

He raised his hand.

Before the monster could even react, an enormous crimson spear formed from blood appeared above it.

SHHHK!

The spear descended.

BOOM!

The monster was instantly pierced through and collapsed without another sound.

Leon calmly walked toward the corpse and retrieved the core.

He returned to Ares and held it out respectfully.

"An AA-rank monster, Master. Its core appears to be in excellent condition."

Ares accepted it.

"Thanks."

Leon gave a slight bow.

"It is my pleasure."

They continued deeper.

The following floors contained completely different environments, each with its own monsters and terrain. Some were covered in enormous forests, while others resembled frozen caverns or vast underground plains.

The three never slowed down for long.

Whenever they encountered a high-ranking monster, Leon dealt with it almost immediately, while Ares collected the cores and stored them inside his subspace.

Eventually, they reached another enormous floor.

This one was dominated by a vast stone cavern.

Ares immediately sensed numerous powerful presences.

"Ogres."

Several enormous ogres emerged from the darkness.

Their massive bodies were covered in thick muscles, while crude armor protected parts of their bodies. Some carried enormous clubs, while others wielded axes and greatswords.

Ares looked at them.

"There are quite a few high-ranking ones here."

Leon smiled faintly.

"Then allow me to collect them for you."

Blood droplets appeared around Leon once again.

Snap.

The moment he snapped his fingers, the droplets transformed into countless crimson threads.

They shot through the cavern.

Whoosh!

One after another, the ogres fell.

Their bodies remained behind as the blood threads returned carrying their monster cores.

Leon collected them calmly.

"There are several high-ranking ogre cores here, Master."

Ares placed them inside his subspace.

"Is there anything stronger?"

Leon turned his head.

"Yes."

A tremendous roar suddenly shook the cavern.

ROOOAAAR!

The ground trembled.

From the darkness emerged an enormous ogre that towered over the others.

Unlike the ordinary ogres, this creature possessed two heads, each with a pair of sharp tusks and blood-red eyes. Its enormous body was covered in thick scars, while both hands carried massive weapons.

Ares looked at it.

"A Double-Headed Ogre."

Leon examined the creature.

"Judging from its aura, it is considerably stronger than the other ogres."

Ares nodded.

"Take care of it."

"As you command."

Leon disappeared.

Whoosh!

Before the Double-Headed Ogre could even raise its weapons, Leon appeared directly in front of it.

A thin crimson line passed through the monster.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the enormous creature collapsed.

BOOM!

Leon calmly walked toward the corpse and retrieved its core.

He returned to Ares and offered it with both hands.

"The core of the Double-Headed Ogre, Master."

Ares accepted it and placed it inside his subspace.

"Let’s leave."

"Of course."

Selene nodded.

"As you wish."

The three then began making their way back toward the entrance.

They passed through the floors without stopping, eventually reaching the dungeon’s surface.

The moment they emerged, several adventurers turned toward them.

Whispers immediately began spreading through the crowd.

"Hey, look."

"Isn’t that them?"

"The three humans from earlier."

"They’re the ones who attacked the Tiger King’s son."

"I heard they were the ones who defeated him."

"Why are they coming out already?"

"They couldn’t possibly have gone very deep."

The three ignored the whispers and continued toward the capital.

Ares did not bother looking back.

Selene walked beside him with an indifferent expression, while Leon maintained his usual composed demeanor.

Before long, the enormous capital of the Dwarven Kingdom came into view.

They soon arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild.

Unlike the smaller guild they had visited previously, the capital’s guild was an enormous stone building that stood several times larger than the one in the previous town. Several floors rose above the main entrance, and large banners displaying the Adventurers’ Guild emblem hung between the stone pillars.

The moment they entered, Ares noticed the difference.

The guild was filled with adventurers.

Dwarves, beastfolk, elves, lizardfolk, humans, and several other races occupied the tables and waiting areas throughout the enormous hall.

Yet despite the number of humans present, they seemed strangely separated from the other races.

Most remained in small groups, keeping to themselves and avoiding unnecessary attention.

Ares noticed it but said nothing.

The three walked toward the reception counter.