The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

The insects and flowers writhed their way before the female-shaped monster, spitting out magic stones one after another from their mouths.

The female-shaped monster extended the tentacles of its Death Monarch Flower, greedily devouring each magic stone offered by the new species of monsters, while the insects and flowers that presented the stones turned to ashes on the spot.

"Is she... going to eat all the monsters?"

Tiona's eyes widened.

Only now did everyone realize.

The reason the ground beneath their feet was gray was because it was covered with countless ashes and remains of monsters.

"This is bad!"

"A reinforced species!"

Finn's face twisted in alarm.

Even Bete let out a strained groan.

Reinforced species monsters could grow stronger by consuming magic stones. Judging by the ashes beneath their feet, she had likely devoured thousands upon thousands of stones, strengthening herself to an unimaginable degree!

"Attack!"

Without hesitation, Finn raised his twin spears.

If they didn't strike first, they might be the ones to die next!

But it was already too late.

Right before their eyes, the transformation began.

"—Ah."

The female-shaped monster raised her upper body, emitting fragmented sounds from her grotesque head.

Half of the surrounding monsters had already been consumed by her, and her upper body began to writhe and tremble.

"—Aah."

The grotesque upper body squirmed, the flesh suddenly swelling.

In their stunned state, the group faintly saw the monster's upper body split apart, and from where it had been, like a cicada emerging from its shell, a female form with beautiful curves emerged.

"—AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!?!"

She let out a scream of ecstasy.

The woman who had broken free from the swollen shell of flesh straightened her upper body and gazed at the sky.

Radiant, beautiful hair cascaded down her back.

From her profile, as she looked up at the cavern ceiling, they could see a face as beautiful as any goddess's.

Green hair, green skin, a green body.

Only her eyes, devoid of pupils or life, were pure gold.

The change wasn't limited to her upper body—even her monstrous lower half transformed, sprouting enormous flowers and countless tentacles.

The grotesque lower half of the monster bore the heavenly beauty of the female upper half, letting out a cry at the center of the 59th floor.

"...How is this possible?"

The sight was so overwhelming that everyone was left speechless.

Only Ais stared at the monster in utter shock.

Her blood boiled to its limit, accompanied by intense ringing in her ears. Her lips trembled as she muttered repeatedly.

"A fallen spirit...!"

Every drop of blood in her body resonated with this feeling.

This unique sensation—there was no mistaking it. It could only be that!

"What?"

"Something this filthy—"

"Is a child of the gods?"

The Amazon sisters' eyes widened in disbelief.

Even Eiji had heard rumors of spirits.

"The great spirits who aided heroes in ancient times..."

"But how?"

Even Finn and Riveria were thrown into confusion.

Spirits.

Some called them avatars of the gods, possessing power closest to divinity.

Legend tells that in ancient times, certain deities descended to the mortal realm to purge monsters, serving as guides and weapons for humanity—functions similar to the Falna.

Bearing the will of the gods, they assisted heroes, fought alongside mankind, and drove back the monsters that ravaged the ancient lands.

Even children's picture books today recount these tales.

The noble spirits were akin to divine incarnations.

Though gods now walk the earth in abundance, the aid of spirits has waned—so why has this one become such a fallen monstrosity?

Danger!

Danger!

Every cell in her body screamed to flee from this creature!

To modern adventurers, the thing was that perilous, that grotesque, that utterly repulsive!

"Are those new monsters... nourishment to evolve female-type monsters into this form?" Finn narrowed his eyes.

With formidable willpower, he suppressed his shock and pieced together the clues in his mind.

Whether worm-type or man-eating flower-type, they all prioritized targeting magic—perhaps because magic was the very nourishment this monstrosity craved!

They hunted monsters across the floors, seized their magic stones, and offered them to this monstrous mother.

Until she grew into what stood before them now.

At least ten meters tall, seven meters wide—not counting the tentacles.

"—Aria! Aria!"

As if sensing the same resonance, the fallen spirit suddenly turned her head and cried out joyfully at Ais.

"Aria! I missed you! I missed you so much!"

Now, the corrupted spirit ignored all others, fixing only Ais with her fervent gaze.

"Come... join me... Let me... devour you!"

Her eerie voice wove Common Tongue into words that chilled the blood.

The next instant—

The worms and man-eating flowers that had yet to offer their magic stones turned as one, guided by her will, all targeting a single person.

Ais.

She had become prey.

"Hey, at this scale, retreat might be our best—"

BOOM!

Before Tsubaki could finish, a deafening chime-like roar erupted behind them.

Tsubaki stiffened, turning just in time to see a massive green mass of flesh crash down from above, blocking the floor's exit.

"All units, prepare for battle!"

Even with their escape cut off, Finn showed no hesitation.

Facing the horde of monsters charging from a hundred meters away, he was the first to react and issue commands.

Just like always.

As if this were merely another floor boss raid.

"GROOOOAAARRR—!!"

Nearly a hundred monsters writhed and roared as they surged toward the adventurers.

"Tch, same old, same old!"

Bete brandished his silver Tempest Twin Swords and charged ahead.

"I'll take the front too!"

Gareth raised his shield in one hand, gripped his axe in the other, and advanced without faltering.

"..."

Ais shook her head hard, dispelling her turmoil, and joined the battle line.

"How dare you—"

"Try to eat Ais?!"

Tiona and Tione moved as one, leaping forward in perfect sync.

"Lefiya, prepare your magic! Supporters, use magic swords for backup!"

Finn continued issuing orders without pause.

At the same time, his eyes never left the enemy, assessing their strength through the performance of the cadres in the field.

Meanwhile.

Eiji also sprang into action at the onset of battle.

He transformed the blade in his right hand into a cruciform sword and hurled it forward with tremendous force.

His supernatural ability activated instantly, turning the cruciform sword into a projectile surpassing the speed of sound.

In less than half a second—before the others had even advanced very far—this supersonic projectile had already crossed a hundred meters to reach the fallen spirit.

Its target was squarely aimed at her upper torso—right at the chest!