An hour elapsed.
Those standing guard outside the teleportation array remained vigilant, adhering to the instructions Ao Yu had imparted. Even as the dungeon exhibited signs of imminent collapse, they dared not abandon their posts. They understood that with Ao Yu within the dungeon, their sole duty was to execute their Guild Leader’s commands.
“The Guild Leader is emerging!”
All eyes turned simultaneously towards the teleportation array. And indeed! Within the shimmering, unstable blue light of the array, several dark silhouettes became faintly discernible.
“Stay vigilant!”
At Black Robe’s sharp command, the fleeting joy on every face evaporated, replaced by expressions of grim readiness as they adopted offensive postures. Ao Yu and his companion weren’t the only ones who had ventured into the dungeon. While Black Robe harbored no doubts about Ao Yu’s prowess, he knew that vigilance was paramount. Neglecting it would surely earn them Ao Yu’s severe displeasure upon his return.
Within the shimmering teleportation channel, Aya Tone scurried with small, quick steps, barely managing to keep pace with Ao Yu.
“Big brother, don’t you think this is a bit too conspicuous?”
“Conspicuous, you say? This is the absolute limit of what I can manage. Any graver injuries, and the higher-ups would never credit it.”
Aya Tone merely offered a noncommittal, ‘Ugh…’
‘Truth be told, even looking like this, they probably won’t believe you.’
Having lingered in the core space for nearly an hour, Ao Yu finally perfected his elaborate disguise. How could he possibly convince anyone that the core had been “accidentally” affected if the battle hadn’t been intense? A truly fierce confrontation, he reasoned, demanded visible marks of struggle. After meticulous effort, the ‘Battle-Damaged Ao Yu’ was at last ready for presentation.
What met the eye was a sight to behold.
Tattered strips of fabric hung loosely from his frame, revealing the astonishingly sculpted muscles beneath. Each contour was defined as if carved from stone, exuding an undeniable aura of raw power. Beneath his bronzed skin, every muscle seemed a coiled spring, poised for explosive action. His gaze had sharpened, radiating an unwavering resolve and fearlessness, while the torn remnants of his clothing fluttered softly in the air, lending him an even greater air of untamed defiance and authority.
To complete the illusion, Ao Yu had meticulously applied his “scars.” These so-called injuries amounted to little more than a subtle redness and slight swelling around his neck. Indeed, he looked as if he had just emerged from a strenuous confrontation. Yet, to any observer, the setting for such a battle would undoubtedly appear to be his own home, rather than a perilous dungeon.
“Big brother,” Aya Tone remarked, rubbing her chin without a hint of politeness, “you look less like you fought a dungeon boss and more like you just had a victorious brawl with your wife.”
‘With such a straight back, her combat prowess must be formidable.’
“It’s merely for show, don’t worry,” Ao Yu chuckled. “The crucial part still falls to you, my little brother.”
Aya Tone shot him a look of utter disdain. “I knew it,” she declared. “You’re definitely trying to trick me into something.”
“Haha, why spill such obvious truths?” Ao Yu grinned mischievously, his expression one of cunning satisfaction. “Just tell me, did you shatter the core or not? You *were* paid for it, remember?”
Ao Yu wore a triumphant, wicked grin, clearly having Aya Tone exactly where he wanted her.
Aya Tone could only stare, speechless.
‘Damn it, he has a point,’ she thought. ‘I can’t even argue with that.’
With each playful jab exchanged, the two finally stepped out of the teleportation array.
Only after confirming their identities did Black Robe finally relax his posture, quickly advancing towards them.
Ao Yu, too, promptly shed his playful demeanor, casually tossing two half-crippled bodies towards Black Robe.
“Take these two to the military court,” Ao Yu commanded, his voice sharp and cold. “And remember this: do *not* let them die!”
That chilling, ruthless tone sent a shiver through everyone present. Their Guild Leader was… truly incensed!
“Understood!” Black Robe affirmed, catching the two inert figures. His gaze swept over them, lingering on his former comrades. He uttered no words, yet the undisguised killing intent blazing in his eyes spoke volumes.
It was he who had been tasked with leaking the information about the fruit to those spies. Naturally, he was intimately familiar with Captain Gao’s true identity.
‘Damn traitor,’ he fumed silently. The Guild Leader’s instruction to “not let them die” carried a clear, unspoken implication: if they couldn’t be killed outright, then they were to be tormented to the very brink of death!
“Well then, I’ll be off,” Aya Tone announced, patting the small satchel slung over her shoulder, a wave of satisfaction washing over her. ‘Heh, objective accomplished in a single night! That means two full days of fun ahead, and no need to even transform. Simply marvelous!’
“Get out of here. I’ll come find you tomorrow.”
The abrupt disappearance of an S-rank dungeon was certain to send shockwaves through Demon City. The night was still young, and Ao Yu intended to quell those burgeoning tides at their very source, this very evening. As was widely known, a formidable wave began as nothing more than a minuscule, innocuous ripple. His task, then, was to smooth away that initial disturbance. As for the precise manner of its execution… Ao Yu possessed his own unique methods.
“Don’t you dare!” Aya Tone exclaimed, instantly on high alert. She hadn’t forgotten Ao Yu’s constant obsession with his daughter. If she were discovered, what a disaster that would be!
“That’s hardly for you to decide!” Ao Yu retorted, seizing the hood of Aya Tone’s garment with one hand and casually lifting her clear off the ground.
“Away with you!”
Before Aya Tone could even utter a startled cry, her body was sent hurtling forward, entirely against her will.
“Azure Dragon Claw!”
Ao Yu’s right hand transformed into a fearsome dragon claw, which he then swept forward, unleashing a powerful claw mark. This claw-shaped energy swiftly pursued Aya Tone, slamming down forcefully in her trajectory.
With a sharp ‘crack,’ space itself shattered, instantly tearing open a spatial channel. The small, white-haired figure, like a single drop of ink, plunged with a soft ‘plink’ into the swirling, pale blue passage.
The disorienting sensation of imbalance was fleeting; soon, Aya Tone felt herself landing softly onto a plush bed. The spatial channel, having ejected her, instantly sealed itself shut in mid-air. All returned to a profound stillness.
Aya Tone lay perfectly still on the bed, her star-bright eyes gleaming in the dimness, curiously sweeping over her surroundings.
Illuminated by the gentle glow of the bedside lamp, Aya Tone recognized the room as being within the hotel they had booked. ‘Fully automated teleportation,’ she mused. ‘Not bad! Definitely want that again.’ She felt no surprise that Ao Yu knew their whereabouts; instead, her curiosity centered on which room she had landed in.
‘I share a room with Aya Jiu and Big White, and Li Jia has her own… But there’s no one else here now, so it’s clearly not my usual room. Then…’
****
As if in answer to her unspoken question, the bathroom door in the corridor slowly creaked open, and Li Jia emerged, entirely unclothed, her bare feet padding softly. Water droplets still glistened on her skin, and a faint, refreshing mist seemed to emanate from her entire being.
Since emerging from the dungeon, Li Jia’s heart had been in utter turmoil. She, who had always prided herself on her awakened spatial magic, never imagined a day would come when she would feel like a burden to those she cherished. Her mind a tangled knot of distress, she had secluded herself after returning to the hotel and carrying out Aya Tone’s instructions. For a long time, she remained lost in her own thoughts. It was only moments ago, when the oppressive scent of blood clinging to her body became unbearable, that she finally snapped back to reality, realizing she hadn’t yet washed herself clean. Thus, the scene now unfolding came to be.
‘Hm! Someone’s entered!’
Li Jia’s once hazy gaze instantly sharpened with acute awareness. ‘And not just anyone!’ she realized. ‘There’s a distinct aura of spatial fluctuation – someone used teleportation magic to enter!’ Wisely, she refrained from switching on the lights, unwilling to tip off the intruder.
A subtle surge of magic stirred within her, and a shimmering magic array quietly coalesced by her side. She extended her hand, her form momentarily dissolving into the very fabric of space. The next instant, a flowing magic robe materialized, draping itself over her delicate, unclad body. In her grip, a silver-white magic staff gleamed menacingly. ‘Dare to intrude upon *this* granny’s room?’ her thoughts seethed. ‘You’re practically begging for death! It’s perfect—this granny’s mood is foul, and you’ll make an excellent outlet for my frustration!’
Sorry to disappoint you.