The S-Rank Dungeon’s End

A squelch.

Blood bloomed like flowers, the witch’s purity utterly out of place in this hell, making him even more enchanting.

Aya Tone’s gaze was indifferent. He casually crushed the last person blocking his way, as easily as one might crush an ant.

“Using ordinary people as the outermost guards? How cold.”

From start to finish, they were all just regular soldiers, mostly C-rank. Were they addicted to disguising themselves as a military base?

The feeling of life slipping through his fingers gradually numbed him.

They must know what was happening outside by now.

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Aya Tone’s otherwise placid face.

Even if all those soldiers outside had turned into pools of blood, would they still not come to their rescue?

How arrogant.

Considering H country’s national conditions, it wasn’t really that hard to accept.

His coat hem swept through the air, stirring up a mist of blood. The black figure moved slowly and mysteriously, and in the blink of an eye, he slipped past their tightly guarded outer shell.

****

Inside the “shell.”

Several figures of varying postures fixed their gazes on the door. Their expressions differed, yet they all bore the same look of contempt.

Their every move exuded that ridiculous ease, the composure of the so-called strong.

Behind them stood a futuristic light screen, projecting the final chapter of the battle outside.

The man sitting cross-legged in the center roared in anger.

“Aish! I knew Z country wouldn’t let this slide, but just how much do they look down on us? Sending a single person to storm the S-rank dungeon of our great H country? Do they not take us S-ranks seriously at all?”

He didn’t care much about these trash, but being wiped out so easily—that was a slap to his face.

Though the others said nothing, they silently agreed with the man.

There were eight S-ranks here. For one person to break in alone—that was somewhat of an insult.

“What kind of gibberish are you chattering about?”

!!!

The man who had just spoken whirled around. The curved blade in his hand flew out without hesitation, instinctively thrown behind him.

The remaining S-ranks followed suit.

In that instant, all pretense of calm vanished. They unleashed their strongest skills wildly, determined to kill Aya Tone.

For a moment, the clash of blades, the flash of magic, and swirling dust filled the air.

“Is he dead?”

But when the light faded, they were shocked to find that behind them, there was no one.

“No!”

The leader’s face changed. He turned into a streak of light, charging straight toward the depths—the location of the teleportation array.

That person had been playing them!!

****

A ray of morning sunlight fell on the streets of H country. A nearby shop owner was already preparing for the day.

“Mm… stupid…”

A mouthful of fried noodles went down.

No matter the country, breakfast shop owners always open for business before the sun rises.

Having traveled all night, Aya Tone propped up his drooping eyelids and began to replay the events.

“Boss, your fried noodles aren’t cooked enough. Add some chili next time.”

Cough, cough. He’d gotten distracted.

Back to business.

H country’s S-ranks were full of hot air. Not all, but half of them. That much was clear from how many people they needed to guard a single S-rank dungeon.

A country that only deceives itself can never truly become strong.

He hadn’t killed them last night because, more than killing them, destroying the S-rank dungeon they guarded right before their eyes was a greater mockery.

By now, those S-rank elites were probably in therapy.

Their long-held pride trampled into the dirt—they must be crying like babies.

But…

With such a big commotion, if he wanted to steal (scratch that)… acquire local specialties from H country’s national treasury, the guards would certainly be numerous.

His sneaky plan was about to fall through…

Speaking of which, back at the military base, how did they spot me?

Ah~?

Ah… ah?

Ah!!!!

Suddenly!

Aya Tone shot to his feet, fingers clenched tight, sending his chair clattering to the floor without realizing it.

He seemed to remember something extremely important…

He had apparently… left Xiao Zhuzi’s phone… back there.

Aya Tone’s face instantly turned deathly pale. If Xiao Zhuzi’s phone fell into the wrong hands, the trouble would be enormous.

Without time to overthink, he called out, “Boss, I’ve paid,” and sprinted into a deserted alley.

Once inside the alley, Aya Tone took a deep breath, concentrated his mind, and began casting space magic.

The air around him started to warp, and ripples spread through the space.

But just as the magic was about to succeed, a sudden mysterious force interfered.

Aya Tone frowned and cursed, “Could that S-rank dungeon have collapsed any faster?”

Because of the dungeon’s collapse, the space in that area was in a state that appeared stable but was actually turbulent underneath.

Failure wasn’t unacceptable.

“Damn it. My own fault—I have to grit my teeth and bear it…”

Sweat beaded on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and poured in more magical power.

Finally, a faintly glowing phone slowly emerged from the distorted space.

Aya Tone grabbed it, the weight lifting from his heart.

But just then, a dark figure appeared at the end of the alley, slowly approaching him. The posture suggested ill intent…

“Who’s there!” Aya Tone’s gaze sharpened, glaring fiercely at the shadow.

“It’s me.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Aya Tone’s tense nerves immediately relaxed. But when he saw Miao Qingzhu’s eyes fixed on the phone—the one that belonged to her—the sky fell.

It’s okay. When in doubt, play dumb first. “Xiao Zhuzi? What are you doing here? What a coincidence.”

“Yeah, what a coincidence.” Miao Qingzhu curled her lips in acknowledgment, but her gaze never left the phone, laden with meaning.

“Uh… do you recognize this phone? I just found it.” Aya Tone scratched his head awkwardly. Playing dumb might be shameful, but it works.

Miao Qingzhu: “Mm. I lent it to a friend. I don’t know where that friend has gone.”

She gave Aya Tone a meaningful glance.

Aya Tone’s heart skipped a beat, but he forced calm. “Is that so? That friend of yours is really careless, losing the phone. How about I give it to you, and you return it to your friend?” As he spoke, he started to hand it over.

But Miao Qingzhu didn’t take it. Instead, she took a step forward. “No need to rush. It’s still early. Walk with me in this alley for a bit.” Her tone was gentle, but Aya Tone felt a chill down his spine.

They walked slowly through the alley, the atmosphere oddly tense. Suddenly, Miao Qingzhu stopped and turned to look at Aya Tone. “Actually, that friend of mine is you, isn’t it?”

Aya Tone was startled.

Just as he was about to deny it, Miao Qingzhu continued, “I put a tracker on the phone. I knew the moment you took it.”

Oh! So that’s how it was.

Aya Tone suddenly understood.

Like hell he did.

So, had his every move along the way been under her control?

Then…