Still standing at the passage’s exit, I prepared over two thousand drops and sent them out in a wide net into the sky the moment I took my first step outside.


    A second later, a sea of fire spread high above my head, reducing the insects there to fine ash, which began to fall to the ground like gray dust.


    Without waiting or wasting time, I pinpointed the locations of all the monsters within a ten-kilometer radius and launched my attack. Thousands fell within minutes, while the rest scattered among the towering cliffs that covered almost the entire level.


    Most of the monsters here were sixth-class, though I encountered a few seventh-class ones. I didn’t engage them in close combat, where they might have had the upper hand in raw strength. Instead, I burned them from a distance.


    While the insects above were still recovering from my devastating strike, slowly filling the massive black gap in the sky, I gathered the cores from the slain monsters.


    My plan had worked well, I noted, as I examined the seventh-class monster’s core—large as my head, its deep violet color so dark it was nearly black across its many facets.


    Using the technique of successive steps, I dashed forward at full speed, preparing the next thousands of drops, which swirled around me like golden sparks.


    After covering several dozen kilometers, I struck the heavens once again, wiping out millions more insects before they could spot me and direct the monsters my way.


    In this manner, I plunged the twenty-first level of the dungeon into darkness over the course of several months, completely eradicating every last monster.


    At the passage to the next level, I replenished my spent mana using just a single seventh-class core.


    An incredible efficiency rate.


    The twenty-second level of the dungeon was almost entirely black, with only occasional patches of yellow liquid moss visible on the rock surfaces. But there was something here that surprised me.


    In places, thin cracks in the stone exuded a faint, yellow mist—the liquid mana of monsters.


    Yes, the very mana I absorbed to grow stronger.


    It was so diluted here that to gather an amount equivalent to a first-class core, I’d have to collect it from a single crack for days.


    But the monsters here fed precisely from such places.


    I didn’t change my hunting strategy—after destroying the insects in the sky, I began my slaughter of the sixth- and seventh-class monsters.


    The twenty-third level differed from the previous one in having a greater amount of mana seeping to the surface and an almost complete absence of sixth-class monsters.


    After clearing the level and while restoring my mana, I noticed something—my peripheral nervous system was beginning to change.


    Just like my skeleton before, and prior to that, my circulatory system, it too had begun absorbing mana, replacing nerve tissue with it.


    This was a pleasant discovery, as for the past months, I had only been able to replenish what I had spent.


    —Well then, take this!


    I poured out several thousand sixth-class cores.


    The mana from them began seeping into my body not just through my palms, as before, but through my entire skin.


    I watched as changes began occurring simultaneously in all my sensory, motor, and mixed nerves.


    The sensory nerves, composed of afferent fibers, were the first to change, sending pain surging through my entire body as if I were burning alive.


    Immediately after, the motor efferent fibers began their transformation, causing every muscle in my body to seize in spasms. The synchronization with my brain was lost, leaving my nervous system flooded with unformed, fragmented commands.


    But the worst part came with the changes in the mixed nerves, which contained both types of fibers.


    My heart began pounding erratically, without any rhythm, while my lungs constricted so tightly that I couldn’t draw a single breath.


    Just as I was on the verge of losing consciousness, as many nerves and their peripheral branches completed their transformation, my heartbeat began to stabilize, and I gasped greedily for air.


    —Damn it! I almost kicked the bucket here!—


    I was both terrified and exhilarated.


    Though if someone offered me the chance to go through that transformation again, I wouldn’t dare.


    Suddenly, I felt it—an imminent breakthrough to the mid-tier of the Battle Ancestor rank.


    I sat down again and closed my eyes.


    Waves of power surged from deep within me, bursting outward, shattering everything around in the pitch-black darkness.


    When the rumbling finally subsided, leaving only a distant echo, a broad white beam shot upward, a thick bolt of lightning, instantly vaporizing the black stone of the sky, leaving behind a now-familiar violet stain.


    The twenty-fourth level held only seventh-class monsters.


    Now that I had reached the mid-tier of the Battle Ancestor rank, I didn’t even need to strain my senses—I knew it the moment I set foot on the level.


    My new nerves worked flawlessly.


    It felt as if my reaction to any external stimulus was instantaneous, meaning my reaction time had become zero.


    This caused some discomfort and pain in my muscles, which weren’t yet adapted to such rapid responsiveness. But I was sure I could correct that before my next breakthrough to a higher tier.


    The mana seeping from the ground here was so abundant that I was literally breathing it in, after which my circulatory system immediately absorbed it.


    Over time, this even created a mild sense of intoxication.


    I was methodically exterminating monsters and collecting cores when I suddenly felt someone step out from the passage to the twenty-fifth level.


    An aura similar to a human’s—but not quite.


    Most likely a beastkin.


    This didn’t alarm me much, though my visitor was certainly not weaker than me, having come from below.


    And now, they were calmly walking in my direction.


    —So you’re the one destroying the dungeon levels…


    I focused my gaze. A hundred meters away stood a beastkin. Young, slender, tall, with long white hair. Two high, white ears perched atop their head. And behind them, a mass of white, fluffy tails.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    — Nine-Tailed! — I put away the dagger I was using to extract cores from the corpses and armed myself with a spear. — Did you come here for a chat, or do you need something?


    — Ooo, you even know who I am?


    — I’ve heard about your tribe, and I wouldn’t say it was anything positive.


    I recalled the stories Mia had told me about them. Strong with their techniques of seduction and illusion. The Nine-Tailed began slowly approaching me.


    — Nonsense, most of the rumors about us are heavily exaggerated, — he smiled amicably. — I definitely didn’t come here as an enemy. I was just curious to see who was strong enough to descend this far into the dungeon. My name is Lui.


    — Aney. Sorry, Lui, but I don’t have time for idle chatter. I need to get things done before the insects recover and summon a wave of monsters.


    I didn’t feel any hostility from him, so I stowed the spear and pulled out my dagger again, returning to collecting cores.


    — Don’t worry about me. I won’t get in your way. I just want to exchange a few words with someone. Have you been in the dungeon long?


    — I’d guess definitely less time than you since I never felt you ahead of me while descending from level to level.


    — Hahaha, yes, you’re right. I’ve been here for many years, studying the lives and behaviors of high-class monsters.


    He watched as I skillfully sliced open chest cavities and extracted cores.


    — I think it’s better to see a dead monster than to study a living one. Alright, it’s time for me to go.


    I pulled the core from the last monster and surrounded myself with thousands of droplets of blood before vanishing from his sight using my Sequential Steps technique. I also noticed the curiosity in his eyes when he saw my blood.


    Lui caught up with me when I had already cleared a new zone and was gathering cores again.


    — You’re fast. I haven’t seen a Battle Ancestor that quick before.


    — Have you seen many?


    The Nine-Tailed paused for a moment as if recalling.


    — Dozens. Maybe a hundred…


    I continued working in silence. Lui watched for a while before asking:


    — You’re quite skilled with fire. Are you actually a fire mage too?


    — It just happens somehow.


    I had no intention of revealing my cards to him.


    — This is the first time I’ve seen a warrior who also wields magic. What circle? Fifth? Sixth?


    — I don’t even know myself.


    — Fair enough, everyone has their secrets. Don’t you want to ask me anything?


    I paused for a moment. Honestly, I did have a few questions, but I still didn’t fully trust him.


    — Not really. I’m used to figuring things out on my own as I go.


    The Nine-Tailed laughed loudly.


    — I understand. My tribe’s reputation precedes us. But I’m not offended—I get it. Ah, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen humans. You don’t mind if I stick around and chat with you for a while, do you?


    I simply shrugged and continued collecting cores.


    — I can’t forbid you. It’s not like this dungeon belongs to me, so as long as you’re not hostile…


    I finished with the monsters in this zone and, after preparing more blood droplets, moved forward again.


    — Why do you exterminate the insects?


    — They command all the monsters on the level to attack me at once.


    — Really? That’s the first time I’ve heard of such a thing. And I’ve been here for over ten years.


    Damn. Ten years down here, and I’d probably want to chat with someone too.


    For the next few weeks, that’s how things went—I hunted while the Nine-Tailed followed me, asking questions or talking about various things. But mostly, it was idle chatter.


    Then came the day when the level was fully cleared.


    I sat down to rest and consider whether it was time to return. I figured my teacher wouldn’t mind too much if I came back one rank lower than promised. Besides, I had nearly two million sixth- and seventh-class cores stored away—more than enough for a breakthrough.


    I glanced toward the passage leading back to the twenty-third level.


    — Not going any further? — The Nine-Tailed was right there as always.


    — No, I think I’ve achieved my goal.


    — Pity. I thought we’d go deeper together. I’d guide you and then continue on my way—I still have business on the twenty-eighth level.


    Well, I wasn’t the least bit disappointed—this fox had already gotten on my nerves.


    — Sometimes, monsters of the eighth class appear on the twenty-fifth level. They’re too strong for you, so you probably made the right choice.


    — Eighth? They exist in this dungeon?


    — Of course. There are both eighth and ninth. But I’ve never heard of anything beyond the ninth.


    Now that piqued my interest.


    — Listen, — I asked him, — how do you even travel so deep alone? You don’t seem like a God of War who could handle such powerful monsters.


    Lui laughed.


    — Of course, I’m far from a God of War. But have you forgotten my abilities? They don’t even see me.


    I had nothing to say to that. So, the Nine-Tailed could deceive not just people but monsters as well?


    — You want to hunt an eighth-class monster, don’t you?


    I remained silent. Lui studied me carefully.


    — Let’s team up, — he continued. — I’ll conceal our presence, and you’ll take down the eighth-class monsters. If you strike unexpectedly, you’ll have a very high chance of success. We’ll split the spoils this way: we each get half the cores, but I take the carcasses.


    — That doesn’t sound very fair…


    — Well, without me, you wouldn’t get anything at all. I can wear an eighth-class monster down to death myself, but it takes a long time. You, on the other hand, likely wouldn’t be able to handle one alone.


    The Nine-Tailed was right. I hesitated for a while but eventually agreed.


    — Deal. Half the cores each, and the carcasses are yours.


    Damn extortionist!


    We shook hands and headed toward the passage to the twenty-fifth level.


    — Listen, Aney, we’ll be hunting my way—quietly. No burning insects or any other reckless actions. My power is enough to hide us from anyone. But if you start smashing everything around, I won’t be able to do anything. Agreed?


    I nodded.


    — Alright, I’ll do everything as you say.


    We stepped onto the level. Just as Lui had said, none of the monsters paid us any attention, not even the insects above.


    — Can you sense the eighth-class monsters?


    — Yes, — I replied, — there are forty-two on this level. But if an eighth-class monster wants to remain unnoticed, I won’t find it.


    — Don’t worry about that. High-class monsters don’t hide themselves. Lead the way to the closest one.


    I led him straight ahead. On the way, Lui carefully avoided all the mana seepages from the monsters in the ground, while I walked without paying them any mind.


    — Doesn’t that hurt you? — He pointed at the golden mist swirling around my legs.


    — No, I’ve gotten used to it.


    What an idiot I was. That was a slip. But it was too late to make something up. Since the nine-tailed was much slower than me, it took us several hours to reach the monster.


    — It’s a Threader, — Lui said.


    He began listing the monster’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities, things I already knew from my monster encyclopedia. I listened carefully and nodded, not wanting to raise even more suspicion.


    A Threader. A long, worm-like monster, thirty meters in length, with a multitude of rope-like tentacles that grabbed its prey and pulled it toward a massive maw filled with fangs. Even though a Threader had no eyes, its tentacles could instantly sense the slightest vibration from hundreds of meters away. Even a feather falling onto stone. A serious opponent.


    — Can you keep us hidden three hundred meters away from it?


    — Yes, three hundred is fine. Even two hundred and fifty, if needed.


    — No need, three hundred is good enough.


    I drew my spear and focused an impossibly dense aura at its tip. At the level of a Battle Ancestor, it looked like a tiny black-and-white sun had ignited at the spearhead. Lui hissed in alarm beside me.


    Ignoring him, I created several aura disks and positioned them evenly along the path toward the monster, about a meter above the ground. Then I picked up a small stone and tossed it toward the Threader’s maw.


    We attacked at the same time—I targeted the monster’s side, while he targeted the stone.


    The Threader couldn’t hear me at all since I was stepping on the aura disks above the ground, so my aura strike caught it completely off guard. And though it tried to stop my aura from spreading through its body, it was already too late.


    I split it cleanly in half, right where its core was. Remembering its incredible regeneration, I ripped out the core before it could stitch itself back together. The Threader died.


    A minute later, Lui approached.


    — Damn! Just who the hell are you? Where did you learn that technique? I nearly pissed myself! But you really messed up the corpse—it’s lost nearly a quarter of its value now.


    I handed him the core.


    — Let’s go. There are three more eighth-class monsters nearby, probably also Threaders. We’ll work the same way. And sorry about the corpses, but given their regeneration, I only have one shot. If I fail, I’ll be the one dying instead.


    For a moment, the nine-tailed’s face showed irritation, but then he smiled, accepting it. He took the core and stored it along with the monster’s corpse.


    — Alright, you’re right. Taking down an eighth-class monster at your level is already a tough challenge. No offense.


    — Yeah.


    We moved on.


    — Listen, what kind of technique was that? I still get chills remembering it!


    — Doesn’t matter. A technique is a technique. My teacher passed it on to me. I can’t talk about it.


    — Sounds like you have one hell of a teacher!


    — Actually, he once told me not to show it. Or at least not to leave witnesses.


    The nine-tailed jumped to the side and drew a dagger.


    — Relax. That rule applied before I became a Battle Ancestor. Now, I don’t have to worry about witnesses.


    — Damn you!


    — Let’s go already. The monster is still in place, and I don’t want to chase after it.


    The next three monsters really were Threaders. We used the same approach, so within a few hours, Lui had two more cores and four more corpses, while I only had two rainbow-colored eighth-class cores. Still, it was an incredible haul for me.


    — So? — Lui asked. — Do we keep hunting, or have you had enough?


    — If you don’t mind, I’d like to continue. There are still thirty-eight eighth-class monsters on this level. I don’t mind killing them all, if you have the time.


    I could see that he was hesitating for some reason, but I couldn’t figure out why.


    — Alright. Can you tell what kind of monsters they are?


    — No, but they’re definitely not Threaders.


    — Fine, lead the way to the closest one.


    We set off again.


    Our hunt lasted for about two weeks. When it was over, we sat on a large flat rock, each lost in our own thoughts.


    — Well, — Lui stood up. — It was nice working with you. See you around!


    And the nine-tailed simply vanished into thin air.


    — You bastard! — I shouted.


    That damn creature hadn’t led me to the exit and had lifted his concealment from me.


    Before I could do anything, every monster on the level saw me, and, guided by the insects above, they all charged at me. It was too late to burn them. Over a million beasts…


    — Fucking bastard! — I repeated, drawing my spear.