Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?

Red Teeth chuckled twice. He did it on purpose just now. If he didn't mention it now, with the Gladiator's tough personality, it could be ages before he would speak to Gong Qiying.

"You also have a favor to ask of me?"

Faced with Gong Qiying's inquiry, the Gladiator sighed a few times helplessly, shook his head, and said, "Let's first hold the banquet, I'll tell you later."

"When will later be?" Gong Qiying fully embraced his inquisitive nature.

"Isn't Panson the one who said you would come to the Warrior Country?"

The Gladiator seemed to have thought of something unpleasant, and his tone suddenly carried a hint of anger.

"Wait until you see the country with your own eyes, then you'll understand. You won't need me to say anything; you'll know what I want from you."

After a pause, he added:

"You might even want to do it yourself."

Riddler out of Gotham.

Gong Qiying thought to himself.

However, his next destination really was the Warrior Country.

Not that Red was bad, it's just that...

There are just way too few people here, and the location is too remote.

——————————————

Red, the Capital.

The capital was severely damaged in a short-lived disaster, and the severely injured civilians shivering as they gathered in the square, their eyes filled with an enduring horror even as the Hunters actively provided treatment.

There are quite a few professionals in the capital, and there are the adventurer's guild and church, capable of treating the injured, though the local Sea God Church is not primarily a healing-focused church.

While it seemed the civilians suffer greatly, the place with the greatest casualties was the Royal Palace.

When people finally had time to check the Royal Palace, all that remained was a large pit.

In one night, the King, Ministers, Soldiers... those representing the upper echelon of Red had all vanished.

If you're wondering why, it's because they were all parasitized, aside from those who died in the capital, the rest are now running with the parasite army towards Savis City. Dal has already sent a Fran Guard riding the fastest giant wolf to inform those left at Savis City to prevent further casualties from the sudden influx of parasites.

Aside from the nobles in other cities, the governing class of Red has virtually evaporated overnight, to the point where Leon and the others can't find anyone within enough authority to take charge locally.

The Sea God Church couldn't locate a living bishop, only some ordinary priests remained, and local guild leaders had long been taken down by parasites.

Facing the terrified people, it was Uffie who finally stepped forward.

"Don't be afraid everyone, I'm General Uffie from the Warrior Country, you're safe now!"

The noisy crowd fell silent upon hearing "Warrior Country," everyone's eyes suddenly revealed a glimmer of hope.

Yet, upon seeing Uffie's alien body, that hope turned to fear.

The attire crafted by the Insect King was indeed awesome, but terrifying to ordinary people.

Realizing her words seemed ineffective, Uffie thought for a moment, then straightforwardly said:

"The Royal Family of Red has unfortunately perished in this disaster, but I can assure you, the Warrior Country will not ignore what happened here. You will receive aid from our country."

The people blankly looked at her, their expressions more puppet-like than an actual puppet.

Uffie gritted her teeth and added, "If necessary, making Red a subsidiary of the Warrior Country is not impossible."

The Reids suddenly erupted in cheers, laughter reaching the skies.

Finally, they can have rice from a powerful nation! The wish of their ancestors is finally coming true!

"..."

Seeing these overly pragmatic Reids, Uffie found herself at a loss for words.

"This is the first time I don't know what to say."

Back at the temporary camp set up by the Fran Guards in the square, she remarked.

From another tent came the roar of a beast, but with a dull thud, the roaring stopped, Dal shook his head and came out, showing the worried Isha inside the tent.

"Still no good?" Uffie walked over to ask.

"No good, Fanen isn't like you, he still hasn't regained his senses." Dal habitually touched his sword hilt, mainly because Uffie's current appearance was too demon-like, seeing a demon made him want to draw his sword.

"Then as planned, go once more," Uffie said with a somewhat twisted expression, "to the Sain Dungeon."

Who could imagine how twisted her feelings were when she learned that the dungeon she had designated in Savis City was also the Sain Dungeon, the same one that had mesmerized her father so much?

This Sain Dungeon is too sinister, how could it appear even over here in Red!

Uffie couldn't help but wonder if she might encounter the Sain Dungeon again when she returns to the Warrior Country?

After about a day, the survivors in the capital have all been properly arranged.

Some local visionaries, even after the disaster, still rise up, planning to organize teams to find the stationed troops on the front lines and gather forces to rescue other affected cities, since with the parasites heading towards Savis, other impacted cities might be free of Monster threats, leaving only people to save.

Before aid from other countries arrives, Red still needs its own people to mend and rescue themselves.

Seeing those Reds eager for relief efforts, Uffie thought of her fallen soldiers, her expression fluctuating multiple times before saying nothing, perhaps not knowing what to say.

Dozens of fortunate Warrior Country Soldiers who had blood collection bottles attached to them were loaded onto vehicles along with Fanen and several deeply parasitized locals from Red, with the Fran Guards' giant wolves happily taking on the role of pulling the cart. These people were being sent into Sain, to see if there was still a chance for a cure.

Leon and the other adventurers also mounted the wolves, heading to Sain as well.

Not because the emergency situation in the capital had prevented them from properly exploring Yarn, their curiosity was nearly uncontrollable, they had suddenly disappeared with no explanation—at least in the eyes of those uninformed—the situation was likely to make their companions extremely worried.

For instance, Drew and Fingerley must currently be searching for Leon and Aleya out of their minds; they needed to report their safety soon.

"Safe travels."

Dal watched this small team set off, staying with the Fran Guards.

More Fran Guards would eventually arrive via the Sain Dungeon, he wanted to support them all the way; since coming to Red, he had no intention of leaving without setting things right.

Watching Leon and his team depart eastward as the sun rose, Dal softly murmured to himself:

"At least it hasn't turned into Val City, thanks to Sain."

Just like he had said after slaying the Demon Clan Doslepo in Val City, ending past grievances: "Who knows how many more people's fates will be changed by the Sain Dungeon," now Red had avoided total destruction thanks to the dungeon.

"Truly good..."

In a certain sense.

The Sain, designed by Gong Qiying, indeed brings joy to everyone who enters.

Uffie and Fanen went to Sain Dungeon to find a way to reverse their alien transformations, Fran Guards helped people from being rescued from casualties, everything seemed to be proceeding in an orderly fashion.

After two days, the capital had fully recovered, though without a King, there was unexpectedly no chaos.

Dal, riding a giant wolf, was with a team formed by Reids, planning to head out to other cities to check their conditions and offer assistance.

Yet at that moment, someone came rushing over shouting, "Not good, there's a terrifyingly powerful killing intent coming from the west, come take a look!"

Killing intent? Could there still be an enemy?

Dal furrowed his brows and immediately climbed up the lookout tower, truly sensing a fearsome and immense killing intent rushing towards the capital, it was so terrifying, he felt he couldn't contend with it!

Who could it be! Is there another Insect King?

He grimly picked up the binoculars, then...

"Teacher Gapar!?"