in2ebook Chapter 246 Keeping Your Word and the Sprouts of Justice
Chapter 246 Keeping Your Word and the Sprouts of Justice
Chapter 246 Keeping Your Word and the Sprouts of Justice
After hiding in the cave below the arena for ten days, Roy figured those guys were getting impatient.
Aside from people like him with spatial rings, basically no one can stay in the deep realm for more than ten days. People are made of iron, and food is steel. Without food, even that dead pig Ota would die in the underground city.
Just as Roy was about to leave, the timid blue-haired girl in the group timidly grabbed Roy's arm.
Roy turned around, looking puzzled.
Cassandra wrapped her slender arms around the delicate body, her voice trembling, "Captain, I was dreaming."
Roy was taken aback at first, then his expression changed slightly. He pulled Cassandra aside to prevent the curse of "precognition" from affecting others. Even he had to simulate a sense of crisis in his mind and activate the "adventure" development ability to increase his luck in order to resist the curse.
"Adventure" development ability activated!
Roy's overall stats are boosted, including hidden attributes such as luck, curse resistance, and charm resistance.
Since being reminded by "Intuition", "Adventure" has become an active skill. Although the amplification effect is halved, it is extremely convenient and much more useful than before.
"When did this happen?" Roy's expression was not good. He was about to go out and deal with those scum when he suddenly had a "premonition".
As we all know, "precognitive dreams" are not a good thing; they represent impending desperate danger.
"Three days ago, I'm so sorry, Commander—"
Cassandra said somewhat embarrassedly that this dream was even stranger than before, and she wasn't even sure if it was a "premonition".
When Roy was about to leave the cave, she felt a chill run down her spine and had to speak up.
Hearing Cassandra's explanation, Roy's expression softened. If she had deliberately not told him, he would have to reassess Cassandra's value.
Roy asked, "What was the content of the dream?"
"I don't know, I can't see anything, it's all dark," Cassandra said, her voice choked with emotion.
Unlike before, Cassandra remembered the content of this "prophetic dream" very clearly: a deep darkness, a hazy chaos.
Similar to sleep paralysis, after waking up, it felt as if a long spear had pierced her chest, causing excruciating pain.
"Oh, right, Captain, I heard crying." Cassandra gripped Roy's clothes tightly.
Roy's brow furrowed; darkness and the sound of weeping?
Roy then patiently questioned Cassandra for nearly half an hour, but didn't get any useful information. This is also a characteristic of "precognitive dreams"—absurd and bizarre, and the content can only be understood after the event has occurred.
However, the content will include hints on how to escape danger.
Roy said softly, "Anything is fine, just tell me what you saw in your dream."
Cassandra clutched her head, racking her brains, her pained expression evoking pity. Roy, however, dared not be careless, for it concerned everyone's lives.
After a long pause, Cassandra seemed to have thought of something, and her eyes lit up. "Captain, there is a small light in the depths of darkness, which seems like it might disappear at any moment, but it is also slowly expanding and shining brightly. The revived light of justice will dispel the darkness."
"The resurrected light of justice?"
Roy lowered his head in thought, his gaze shifting to the girls and settling on Ryu. If there was anyone in the group who was related to "justice," it was only Ryu.
Cassandra's delicate shoulders trembled slightly; in the chaotic darkness, she felt as if she were about to be swallowed up.
Snapped!Snapped!
Roy clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention. "Now we'll split into two teams. Ryu and I will go out and deal with those troublemakers. The rest of you will stay in the cave; it's safe enough here."
"Eeeeeeee—"
Tiony, Tiona, and the others looked somewhat disappointed. They remembered the explosion at the Round Wall ten days ago very clearly and wanted to go out and seek revenge.
"Stop complaining. Ryu and I won't go too far. We'll catch a few guys and come back. First, we need to figure out who they are," Roy said. If it weren't for Cassandra's "precognitive dream," he would have even planned to go out alone, without even taking the elf girl with him.
"Okay," the girls could only accept.
"Lily, after Ms. Ryu and I leave, you will be the commander of the team," Roy said.
"I understand!" Lily's little face was tense.
Roy was also saying this to others.
Tiony, Tiona, Daphne, and Cassandra all knew that Roy was grooming Lily to be his second-in-command, so they couldn't possibly have any objections.
"Little Lily, I'm counting on you. If anything goes wrong, please take good care of us," Tione said with a smile, hugging Little Lily tightly.
"Lady Tione, I can't breathe." Lily patted Tione, feeling suffocated. She preferred Tiona, who shared her plight.
That pair of Da Lei is so hateful.
After spending ten days in the cave, the group's friendship developed faster than expected, and they became as close as sisters.
Roy smiled and looked at the elf girl on the other side. "Let's go, Miss Ryu."
"Um!"
Liu nodded slightly, her sky-blue eyes lingering on Cassandra for a second longer. She could tell that Roy hadn't initially intended to bring her along.
Under the expectant gazes of Tione, Tiona, Daphne, Cassandra, and Lily, Roy and Ryu walked toward the passage leading out of the cave.
Above this cave is the center of the arena, and the passage leads directly out of the arena, proving the saying that the most dangerous place is the safest.
Roy tossed a piece of skeletal sheepskin to Miss Ryu, and then donned one himself, hiding in the darkness, achieving an effect close to invisibility.
The two hid at the edge of the round wall, lurking in the shadows, and moved forward silently.
"What happened?" Ryu asked in a low voice.
"We don't know yet, but we're probably in a bit of trouble." Roy shook his head.
With their tacit understanding, there was no need for much explanation; a single sentence was enough for them to understand.
Looking at Roy's resolute and serious face, Liu pursed her lips and made up her mind that no matter what kind of monster it was, she would definitely protect it.
Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps came from around the corner ahead. Roy and Liu stopped talking, lowered their bodies, and almost perfectly hid in the darkness.
The dim light shone from the dungeon walls, and several figures flickered. Three burly men with rugged faces appeared before Roy and Liu, adhering to the principles of exploring dungeons, forming a standard three-person team.
One LV.4 and two LV.3! With this level of combat strength, as long as they don't enter the third circular wall, they can still manage to stay on the outer perimeter of the thirty-seventh floor.
The Familia of Ikeros!
Roy and Ryu immediately recognized the three people as executives of the Ikeros Familia, whom they had seen during the battle at the Monster Festival.
"Damn it, where did those brats, 'Sprout of Justice' and 'Swift Wind,' go?"
"The women of the Ishtar Familia are getting impatient!"
"Hopefully they'll pay!"
The three burly men complained as they cleared away the monsters around them, completely unaware that two people were watching them from a dark corner.
This was the result of Roy and his team's ten days of hiding, turning the tables and making the enemy even more impatient. Now, the enemy was in the open while they were in the dark.
In the struggle between people, it's not about who has better strategies, but who makes fewer mistakes.
Sometimes it's better to stay still than to move around.
Roy and Liu exchanged a glance and nodded secretly.
Just as the three of them had cleared out the monsters around them and relaxed, Roy and Ryu seized the moment and charged out like tigers with fierce momentum.
"Who are you?"
The three immediately noticed Roy and Liu, and were shocked, caught off guard.
The two figures swept past like a whirlwind, both activating the special effects of their boots, which boosted their agility and allowed them to completely overwhelm each other.
They flashed out like two phantoms, so fast that they were difficult to see with the naked eye.
Sizzle! Sizzle!
Roy aimed at the two LV.3 adventurers, and golden lightning surged from his palms, crackling as he unleashed his incantationless magic.
The surging golden lightning transformed into a ball of light. Roy pushed his palm forward, and the lightning ball slammed into the faces of the two men, instantly spreading electricity.
With his superior stats and the ability to cast spells without casting, if Roy couldn't instantly kill his opponent, he would be utterly humiliated.
"Ahhhhh"
A piercing scream rang out as the two were covered in golden lightning, feeling as if countless electric snakes were tearing at their bodies, causing them excruciating pain everywhere.
Roy's fists flew out without mercy, landing on the mouths of the two men, shattering their teeth, leaving their faces covered in blood, and their screams abruptly stopped.
"thump!"
The two lay on the ground, barely alive.
Ryu's chances of defeating that LV.4 officer were completely slim, given the absolute difference in their ranks.
In the blink of an eye, the three were captured alive.
Roy dragged the three, who were like dead dogs, into the shadows to avoid trouble from the monsters of the dungeon. "Ikeros Familia, we meet again."
"The seeds of justice are sprouting!"
"blast!"
The three were, after all, high-level adventurers with amazing physiques. After a while, they slowly woke up, and when they saw Roy and Ryu, their eyes were filled with nothing but fear.
Roy said coldly, "Tell me, what were you planning to do about that explosion ten days ago?"
The LV.4 officer gritted his teeth and said, "Sprout of Justice? What are you talking about? We don't understand! We were just exploring the dungeon normally!"
Roy sneered, "So you're telling me I didn't hear your conversation?"
Upon hearing this, all three broke out in a cold sweat, wishing they could slap themselves twice for their foul mouths!
Roy's tone was chilling. "Fine, since you won't admit to what happened ten days ago, what about before that? You've caused me a lot of trouble. Do you think I'd let you off the hook?"
The three exchanged a glance, their expressions resolute.
One of them said coldly, "Sprouts of justice? Don't be delusional. We won't tell you anything."
The level 4 adventurer was even more defiant, his eyes filled with resentment. "You brat, I'm just unlucky to have fallen for you today. Go ahead and do it, it's nothing but death!"
Trying to scare away advanced adventurers with death is unrealistic. Every level up requires achieving great feats and emerging from mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
For this group of ruthless people who risk their lives, death is a common occurrence.
A hint of curiosity flashed deep in Liu's eyes. What should Roy do in the face of this group of high-level adventurers who were determined to die rather than submit? To be honest, she didn't have any ideas.
Back on the surface, they might be able to pry open the other person's mouth by slowly grinding them down, but this is deep inside, and they won't have much time to interrogate them.
Roy's menacing demeanor vanished, replaced by a warm, gentle smile. "What are you all saying? Do you think I'm some kind of bloodthirsty person?"
The three of them sneered inwardly. Wasn't that so?
Since Roy's debut, how many people who have fallen into his hands have had a good ending?
Roy laughed, "Whoever tells me the information, I'll release them. I swear on my conviction that if I harm them after the deal is done, my abilities will never improve again, I'll never be able to level up!"
The three of them suddenly widened their eyes.
Ryu also looked at Roy in astonishment.
Adventurers swear oaths, and this is no joke. Low-level adventurers might swear them today and forget them tomorrow. But the higher the adventurer's rank, the stronger their conviction, forged in blood and fire.
Like Ota, with a lofty faith in Freya, fight for her, and grit your teeth to get through any painful trial or battle.
Such adventurers, once they make an oath, must keep it; otherwise, a knot will remain deep in their hearts, shaking their beliefs and affecting them for life.
For example, he could make Ota swear in Freya's name that he would do it even if it meant death, otherwise he would have no face to go back and see Freya.
Therefore, the three had no doubt that Roy would release them as long as they revealed the information.
Compared to these small fry, Roy is hailed by the gods as the "Son of Miracles" and has a bright future. There's no need for him to ruin his future because of them.
A subtle, strange look appeared in the eyes of the three people.
Roy's next words were like pouring gasoline on a fire: "But note, first come, first served! There's only one spot, and I'll only let one person in."
A sense of urgency crept into the hearts of the three.
Roy's voice, like the whisper of a devil, surrounded the three of them, tempting them madly.
The three, who had originally stood firmly on the same side, began to waver. Their eyes darted around, and they would steal glances at each other from time to time, filled with fear and unease.
Seeing this, Ryu already knew the outcome; Roy's move was too ruthless! Everyone knew the personalities of the members of the Dark Faction, and now they would inevitably be suspicious of each other.
Let alone the dark faction, how many people from other clans could withstand such tactics? You can't see into someone's heart; no one can guarantee that the friend who was drinking and eating with them just a second ago won't betray them.
There are too many fake brotherhoods in Orario.
They were convinced they were doomed, so they preferred death to revealing information.
But Roy vowed to spare the person who revealed the information. Given a chance to live, how many people would be willing to die? Especially the members of the dark faction who value their lives.
"I'll say it!"
Finally, one of the level 3 adventurers couldn't withstand the pressure, fearing that the other two would get there first.
The two men's eyes widened, and another LV.3 adventurer quickly chimed in, "Me too!"
"You bastards, how dare you betray your clan!"
The LV.4 burly man trembled with rage, roaring, "Sprout of Justice, kill them for me, and I'll tell you everything!"
Bang!
Roy grabbed the arrogant LV.4 burly man, slammed his head into the ground, burying it deep, and laughed, "Don't scare him. If you scare him to death, wouldn't that make me look like I broke my promise?"
Then, Roy activated his magic, grasped the golden lightning in his palm, materialized it into a sharp sword, and with a gentle swing, the sharp edge severed the head of the second LV.3 adventurer who was willing to reveal information, and blood gushed out.
The man's head rolled several times on the ground, his eyes glazed over, incredulous.
Having done all this, Roy smiled at the remaining person and said, "Speak. As long as the information you provide is accurate, I won't harm you in any way!"
Upon seeing the LV.4 being suppressed and another LV.3 being killed, the man turned deathly pale with fright.
Roy broke through the other party's psychological defenses step by step. Once the pent-up anger in his heart was released, this person was no longer a determined high-level adventurer, but just an ordinary person who longed to live.
The man, trembling with fear, recounted their entire plan. After all, he was a Level 3, a cadre-level figure, and had a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Roy's expression grew increasingly grim as he listened. At first, he thought it was some kind of force targeting them.
Good heavens, it's actually a joint hunt launched by the three great clans of Thanatos, Icelos, and Ishtar. They think so highly of him.
The thirty-sixth and thirty-eighth floors were a trap, waiting for them to crawl into it.
Liu's small fists clenched tightly, and a hint of anger flashed in her sky-blue eyes. Fortunately, Roy knew about that safe zone, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"We were just paid to do this job. This whole thing was planned by the Ishtar Familia. It really has nothing to do with me!" The man knelt down in front of Roy, weeping bitterly.
"The thirty-eighth floor is the main force of the Ishtar Familia, but what about the thirty-sixth floor?" Roy pondered, knowing that to stop them from returning to the upper floors, they must have even stronger combat power.
The man said tremblingly, "I don't know. We were only responsible for searching and setting traps. The Ishtar Familia brought a very strange monster. They said that if you come up, they will release the monster."
"hiss!"
After carefully inquiring about the monster's characteristics, Roy gasped in shock, even pulling the bull over! Was the Ishtar Familia determined to destroy them?
Ryu glanced at Roy in surprise. The monster on the 36th floor seemed to elicit a greater reaction from Roy than the main force of the Ishtar Familia on the 38th floor.
"Roar! Ro ...
Suddenly, a deafening sound rang out, spreading throughout the entire thirty-seventh floor. The high-pitched sound waves spread like a tide, containing powerful energy, and the small pebbles on the ground trembled slightly.
The roar had a powerful deterrent effect. When Roy and Ryu heard it, they both felt a strong shock to their hearts, and their ability values were reduced.
Ryu's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. "That voice belongs to—the floor master, Udeos!"
Roy grabbed the man. "What's going on?!"
The man looked flustered and hurriedly said, "You've been completely silent these past few days. We've been looking for you. One of the members of the Thanatos Familia said that you're most likely hiding in the undiscovered safe zone on the thirty-seventh floor, and asked us to guide the floor master—"
"who's that person?"
A hint of surprise flashed across Roy's face. He had actually guessed that there was an undiscovered safe zone on the thirty-seventh floor. Ordinary adventurers did not have such keen thinking.
The man whispered, "Valeta Greed."
"Kill the Emperor? Impossible, she's already dead!" Liu blurted out. Having experienced the Great Struggle, she was extremely familiar with this name. One of the main cadres of the Dark Faction, and the nemesis of Finn, known as "Hero".
But these people should have all died in the "Nightmare on the 27th Floor" incident two years ago.
The Sanatos Familia, a man-made labyrinth!
At this moment, Liu's little brain flashed with information about the two, and she suddenly realized that it was a clever escape!
The man kept his head down silently.
Roy looked in the direction the sound came from—the arena—and his face was as cold as if covered with frost.
"I've told you all the information I know. Can I leave now?" the man asked cautiously, scrutinizing Roy's expression.
Roy nodded.
The man was overjoyed and fled into the distance.
Before he could escape even ten meters away, the next moment, Liu's Elf Flowing Light Dragon Staff pierced through the man's heart from behind, the blade stained with steaming blood.
Liu drew back the Elven Flowing Light Dragon Staff, and with a gentle swing, splashed blood off the blade.
"You broke your promise—" The man collapsed to the ground, all strength gone, and could only stare at Roy not far away with a vicious look. If looks could kill, Roy would probably have been killed countless times by this man.
Roy looked up at the ceiling, and said in a helpless, compassionate tone, "I cannot hurt you in any way, but only 'myself'."
After saying that, Roy casually killed the LV.4 strong man who was buried in the ground. He had originally kept him as a backup, but now that he had the information, the man had lost his value.
"Miss Ryu!" Roy gave the decisive elf girl a thumbs up.
Thinking about it carefully, it becomes clear that Roy wouldn't let them leave, otherwise Roy and his group's information would be exposed, making the situation even worse.
There is also an elven girl who hates evil and harbors a strong hatred for the dark faction.
Ryu wasn't stupid. Roy only said from beginning to end that he wouldn't hurt the other party, and he never pointed at her, which meant that she could kill the other party at will.
With such an obvious hint, how could Ryu not understand?
"Are you alright?" Ryu looked at Roy with a hint of worry in her eyes, after all, Roy had made a vow.
"If this kind of trash can influence my beliefs, then I'm nothing special!" Roy's lips curled into a domineering smile, exuding an air of arrogance.
Even if Roy kills the other person with his own hands, it will have little impact on him. The reason is simple: he won't remember how many ants he has stepped on.