“Hey, how long do we have to walk?” Leonovined after walking through the cave for 10 minutes.
“Soon, sir.” Igor Kozlov answered with a suspicious smile.
Elise felt that the air was getting colder with each step on the sloping stone path. Large torches were attached one the cave’s wall but barely provided warmth. She also felt the torturous silence like when she was in the purple forest at that time. Or maybe it was because he was in the cave?
Igor stopped at a turn heading to the right, then faced the adventurers again. “After you turn, you will find the legendary monster. So, have fun. Those who pass are the first eight people to cross the line behind the monster.”
“So, we just need to get past the monster, not defeat it?” Olga raised her hand.
“That’s right. It’s one of the most terrifying monsters, after all. Beating it was nearly impossible.” Igor’s words made several adventurers shudder. “So, let’s start now. You will be standing behind a line. I will give the signal, and you will alle forward…. Ah, keep in mind that we will not guarantee your lives this time.”
“What!?” Leonov protested again. “I didn’t sign up for anything like this.”
“I already said.” An adventurer with arge muscr build chimed in. “This is no different from adventure. There is a risk of dying.”<sub>.</sub>
Leonov snorted, unable to argue.
“I don’t need to remind you that your lives are safe, right?” Raymund asked his two servants. “So, fight to the fullest.”
There’s no warning screen regarding the risk of the servants’ lives in front of Raymund. That means Elise and Yua’s lives are still safe, at least for now.
“If anyone objected, please get out of here.” Igor widened his smile. “No one will stop you. I’ll wait a while longer.”
“They only yed with human life after we were in a closed cave. They didn’t want that to happen in the open because they might be watched there.” Olgamented while crossing her arms across her chest.
One male adventurer retreated, followed by two girls. However, the others stayed where they were, although some looked frightened.
“They’re not just afraid of death.” Renee hissed. “They were terrified of the titan mandrake. We know very little about the creature, and most manuscripts state that the monster is extremely deadly.”<sub></sub>
Igor looked at the adventurers again. “No one else wants to go? Then follow me.”
The party followed Igor through the turn. Some of the adventurers gasped at the sight of the monster in the distance, but some were enthusiastic.
Only Elise was confused. The monster had no purple leaves on its body. Also, that creature’s body was indeed the shape of a baby like Elise had seen before, but it was too neat and delicate. The body of the titan mandrake should be filled with irregr fibrous textures.
And what was most different was that the monster’s back had super long thin legs simr to those of a spider. There are ten of them.
“So, the titan mandrake has legs like that?” Renee narrowed her eyes. “That is the least used depiction in the manuscripts.”
“I have an idea that the two of you won’t have to struggle against that monster.” Raymund started talking to his two servants again.
The kunoichi looked up and blinked her eyes. She and Elise then listened to their master’s instructions.<sub></sub>
“Alright, I’ll start this stage.” Igor raised a hand. “Please stand behind the white line!”
“Sir.” Elise lowered her head and hissed. “May I invite Renee and Olga to this n?”
Raymund was silent for a moment. “Okay.”
“Huh?” Yua shed a mischievous smile. “Did you like them too, sir?”
“Well, those are Elise’s friends,” Raymund replied casually. “There’s no other reason.”
Actually, Raymund was quite fond of the two women. The proof is that he sent themunication device to Renee. And if it was possible in the past, he would also give that thing to Olga.
Luckily, his servants met the waffle seller in this tournament. What a coincidence.
Elise tapped Renee and Olga on the shoulder, then led them away from the crowd.
“It’s actually a good idea.” Olga chimed in after hearing the female warrior’s exnation. “This dog is definitely no ordinary dog. And from my observations, the materials that make up the monster titan mandrake are simr to the monsters in the previous stage. Maybe this will work.”
“Well, I know you’ll feel that this means you’re not fighting for yourself, Renee.” Yua joined in. “However, I agree with this n because this stage involves human lives. Wouldn’t that be good if the monsters could be defeated faster? The risk of people dying is less.”
Renee sighed. “I don’t really like this n, but your words are true, Yua…. But I’m worried about Elise’s dog.” The blonde-haired woman stared at the female warrior. “Are you sure to do this, Elise?”
Mona, who was already the size of a chihuahua again, barked while wagging her tail as if she signaled that she would be fine.
“She acts like she understands what we’re talking about.” Olga raised an eyebrow.
Yua replied, “She’s a brilliant dog.”
Elise crouched down and rubbed her pet’s back. “I’m also afraid that something will happen to Mona. But, as Yua said, defeating the monster as soon as possible is the best way. Many lives might be saved.”
“You can only cross that line after the count of three.” Igor began to signal. The adventurers were already preparing to run. Some of them were even pushing each other.
Meanwhile, Elise and her friends were still the furthest from the back. They looked at Mona, who was starting to erge her body.
The dog’s muscles and bones continued to expand until she was the size of a cow as before.
However, it wasn’t finished yet.
Mona growled. Her muscles tensed until her veins could be seen running through the hair. Her body erged again.
Noticing the dog’s voice, an adventurer looked back and winced in horror. Mona’s body continues to grow but slower than before.
“One, two, three! Go!” As soon as Igor gave the second signal, the adventurers ran with all their might.
Meanwhile, Mona is still erging her body. Her growl was getting louder and deeper.