Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?

When the survivors rushed out of the nearly fallen refuge through the escape tunnel, they saw the break of dawn.

The exit of the escape tunnel connected to the coastal shore, where the salty, moist sea breeze blew, and the dawn light gradually dissipated the night, revealing the sun's form on the distant horizon of the sea, imparting a sense of hope.

People, gazing at this scene, momentarily forgot that the city was being ravaged by parasites; the vitality of the sunrise was mesmerizing.

However, the sound of an explosion from behind jolted the recently escaped survivors awake.

Upon turning back, they saw it was Fanen who had collapsed the escape tunnel they came through!

It was then that people noticed the surrounding bodies of the parasitized, marked by rough slashing and cutting, undoubtedly left by the Saw Meat Blade.

"Cough cough cough... keep following me."

Fanen hunched over, coughing heavily, sounding much like the terminally ill Gilbert; it was so severe it seemed his throat would tear.

Yet he soon recovered, continuing to lead with Isha, while the others jogged closely behind him, fearful of being left behind.

People did not know where this young man would lead them, but survival was already a rare miracle.

Moreover, the survivors began speculating about the relationship between Fanen and Isha, noticing their familiar and natural actions together.

Isha covered her mouth, remembering Fanen's instructions, to wait until they reached an unknown destination before asking questions.

Nevertheless, she couldn't help but observe the current state of Fanen, especially detecting his injuries, despite appearing smooth and carefree in battle; the parasitized barely touched him, yet now post-battle, he seemed weary. What exactly was happening?

Her gaze shifted to his wrist, which should have had a very deep cut used to attract the parasitized with his blood. But now, that wound had completely healed, with no scar left behind.

She didn't see him use any potion or tool to heal...

Isha suddenly widened her eyes.

Such healing ability is truly beyond humanity; during the battle, many Hidden Blood Parasites invaded his body. The horror of quantity could have easily controlled him.

Can't think further, or my mind will wander to the ends of the universe.

She shook her head, abandoning further thoughts.

The people encountered few parasitized along the way, perhaps due to a mutation attracting them elsewhere, and those that approached were slain by Fanen.

To prevent parasites from attacking the survivors, Fanen constantly maintained a wound on his body to draw them in.

After a perilous journey, he led the people to a hidden building surrounded by numerous decaying flora and fauna, its stench rivaling that of the original refuge, with not a single parasitized in sight nearby.

This building also featured a basement, and once all entrances and exits were barricaded, everyone entered the safer basement.

Inside, it was empty save for several boxes of miscellaneous supplies gathered temporarily.

No, there was still something here.

"A door?"

Upon entering the Dungeon, people immediately noticed the structure standing in the room's center, resembling a Teleportation Gate.

Since when did Red have a Dungeon?

This wasn't the Teleportation Gate beneath the Sea God Church, but a new one, and there weren't any Monsters around!

When Fanen teleported back from the Sain Dungeon, he emerged from here, avoiding a fierce battle.

The Sea God Church was now completely blocked by parasites.

"Sir, thank you for saving us from the Monsters. We truly are...."

Before they finished expressing gratitude, Fanen removed his mask, revealing a pale, bloodless face, taking deep breaths, thankfully no longer coughing.

"What did you say just now, sorry, I didn't quite hear," he asked apologetically, noticing the old woman Bell frozen as if she had locked eyes with Medusa.

Not just Bell, everyone still able to see his face froze in shock.

"Fanen!?"

At that moment, the surging emotion among people could metaphorically summon a Molten Furnace Knight.

...

"Are you saying you became stronger after entering this Dungeon?"

Soon after escaping the catastrophe, people had a moment of respite, gathering to hear Fanen recount the events of yesterday.

The death of the strong middle-aged men was an unavoidable scar in people's hearts, and the emergence of intelligent mutations weighed like a mountain over them.

Yet the unknown Dungeon's appearance and Fanen's enhanced strength gave survivors rare hope, like the first star in the dark night.

"Yes, I received Blood Therapy in that Dungeon, continuously hunting Monsters, and a kind, beautiful lady helped me achieve power sublimation." Fanen forgot the term "level up," opting for "sublimation" instead.

As for the puppet, calling her directly seemed presumptuous, "lady" fit better.

"It's simply...like something from a story." Isha captured the collective feeling in a single sentence.

"So, if we enter the Dungeon, we too can become as strong as you?" The man, who had previously braved parasites wielding a broken plank, asked excitedly, resembling a "Giant Gate" Bara-like monkey.

"Indeed, that is why I brought you here," Fanen stood, though Isha tugged his pants urging him to sit and rest, he continued, "Everyone must not aim to be like me, but surpass me. We must become stronger than any Monster and then..."

He clenched his fist,

"Take back this city!"

The confidence and determination in his words and eyes left Isha momentarily in a daze. Is this really her brother, or had his body been possessed by some Outer Heaven Evil God?

This version of her brother was simply amazing! No need to worry about his wife's issues in the future!

The passionate ones were visibly excited, their eyes fervently fixated on the Teleportation Gate. However, there were always those unwilling to take any risks, even reluctant to move forward; among the survivors, a few elders fit this description, too old to handle upheavals.

But even before they had the chance to voice any potentially morale-damaging opinions, Fanen preemptively sensed their thoughts and said:

"Even if you don't want to become stronger, everyone must enter the Dungeon, at least once."

"What! Why?" A stubborn-looking old man asked, knowing a bit of herbal medicine, thus being assigned the role of a doctor, and he had never ventured outside: "I'm so old already..."

Fanen glanced at him, and the old man instantly stiffened, as if even his breathing had momentarily stopped.

What did I just see? That guy's eyes didn't look human at all! It was like being stared at by a wild beast!

Given the outstanding prowess Fanen had shown before, even if he forcibly demanded everyone to go in, it wouldn't matter. However, he wasn't that overbearing, so he revealed the secret within.

"When entering the Dungeon, it seems an odd old man performs Blood Therapy on you, at least that's what happened to me. I'm unsure if the same will occur when you enter."

"I don't know what kind of blood was infused into my body, but afterward, I truly became stronger, gaining the most basic ability for self-defense. So, I hope everyone enters at least once, even if just for one Blood Therapy, it's a win-win."

"But the most important point is, after becoming a Hunter, my blood seems to become a grand feast for the parasites. You all saw it, the parasites all came for me."

Fanen rolled up his sleeve, showing a wrist wound healing visibly to the naked eye.

"I saw, you were infested by so many parasites!" the old man exclaimed, "What on earth is going on, how are you still alive?"

"This should also be the effect of the Blood Therapy."

He shook his head. "I don't know much, but the parasites quickly settled down once inside my body, like they were dead, motionless. I just need to apply pressure to kill them."

No wonder he wasn't afraid of parasites burrowing into his body, so that's how it is!

Was his previous weakness and coughing due to an overwhelming number of parasites entering his body? Even with full power to eliminate them, it still took a toll?

If it's just coughing, it's a lot better than being controlled by parasites.

The stubborn-looking old man also backed down. By now, everyone knew the outcome of being parasitized; if this 'Blood Therapy' really could effectively mimic being parasitized, he'd risk his old bones to try it!

Seeing people's reactions, Fanen was satisfied; this was exactly the effect he wanted.

To build a Hunter team capable of reclaiming the city!

He said enthusiastically:

"Remember that mutated parasitic species I eliminated? I stayed in there for just a day and managed to kill such a formidable foe. Give us a week, and we will surely drive out all the parasites, leaving not a single one behind!"

Although he didn't encounter that enormous mutant akin to a Meat Mountain like before, eliminating the mutant this time still left him burning with adrenaline.

In their understanding, the mutant was the strongest enemy encountered so far, the likes of which they hadn't seen stronger, and therefore couldn't imagine.

These words had the best effect; people's passion was further kindled, finally transforming into burgeoning ambition. Even the old lady Bell volunteered to enter the Dungeon.

Isha's eyes sparkled brightly, gazing at Fanen, amazed her brother could become so formidable one day.

"Very good!"

Fanen smiled.

"So, before entering the Dungeon, there are a few key things you need to pay attention to..."

Soon after, Sain welcomed the second wave of survivors entering.

"Let's go, once we return, we shall clear the city spotlessly clean."

The slogan was quite spirited, like out of a heroic manga.

However, at the same moment, Gong Qiying, although he received the news of newcomers entering the Dungeon, didn't overly focus on these people.

Because right now, he was fixated on one being parasitized who had been drawn into Sain Dungeon.

The fellow had a body like a Meat Mountain and continued devouring nearby parasitized individuals, making himself grow larger.

His height skyrocketed from four or five meters to over twenty meters, interwoven and tangled flesh making it look like a Demon God pillar cast in blood and meat, with an aura out of the ordinary.

This was the mutant Fanen initially encountered, but now it had grown even stronger.

The reason Gong Qiying focused on this creature is because—

"Be careful, this guy is very strong! I'll support you!"

The City Lord Youlesa of Bonds Dungeon said nervously; she merely came to check on Sain's work and unexpectedly encountered such a daunting mutant.

To this, Gong Qiying had to put on a serious demeanor. He couldn't appear nonchalant in front of an entity that made another City Lord apprehensive.

"Let me try first, if it doesn't work, I'll ask for your support then."

Youlesa remained uneasy, saying, "Don't push yourself; I can seek help from Red Teeth."

"Don't worry, I certainly won't push this monster too hard."

"Hmm?"