Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1797: Floor 35, Formicaria

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Knowing that Maria had noticed their core, The Painter spoke.

"Painting is all I ever had... My life was never good... and when I died... I died painting... After death, I melted into the stars and painted them with my eyes... Without realizing it, I began painting this endless canvas, my perfect world, a world they denied me before."

"...I see."

"I thought it was fine until the tower arrived... and my painting started being eaten... It was so frustrating. I couldn’t do anything... So thank you... for helping my painting continue."

"No problem. Take care!"

Maria reappeared inside the painting. Barely a few seconds had passed, startling her family as The Painter beyond the canvas sealed the small hole she had created.

"Maria! What happened? You were gone for like ten seconds and came back..." Lucifer said.

"W-What did you see?" Alma asked.

"Yeah?" Nyx added.

"Haha, you all look funny as paintings," Maria giggled. "I spoke with the person painting this world. They’re very shy, but they’re not bad."

"HUH?!"

Everyone was stunned that Maria had actually conversed with the literal creator of this world. The revelation was so astonishing that she had to explain, more or less, what had transpired.

While she did, they enjoyed coffee, pastries, doughnuts, and more inside a cozy painted coffee shop.

Despite their painted appearance, the treats tasted every bit as delicious as the real thing.

After the meal, Maria and her family decided to stay at a nearby inn for the rest of the night.

Sleeping there felt incredible. When night fell, a breathtaking painting unfurled across the sky—beautiful stars, planets, and moons scattered everywhere.

The sight was mesmerizing and deepened Maria’s admiration for The Painter even further.

When morning came, Maria and her family set out toward the region where the portal to the floor below awaited.

They left the city and entered a vast desert dotted with withered trees and melting clocks.

Everything felt surreal and strangely wonderful.

Painting Monsters and Paint Spirits appeared along the way. They weren’t particularly difficult to defeat, but they granted little EXP.

Upon reaching the portal, Maria and her family cast one last glance at the Canvas World, Pigmentum, before stepping forward to Floor 35.

"I’ll be back, Painter."

Maria sent a telepathic message beyond the canvas. She knew The Painter received it because words appeared written across the sky.

"Take care, Maria."

Maria smiled softly. This was perhaps the first true Outer God friend she had ever made.

Ginnungagap had never been friendly—more of a guardian than anything.

And she and The Painter shared something profound: both had once lived previous lives as humans.

Once they crossed into the next world, their bodies twisted and adjusted slightly as they returned to three-dimensional existence.

"Ugh, my back hurts..." Alma sighed.

"Haaa... It’s strange how I can breathe again," Celes sighed.

"Hmm... Huh? We’re inside a cave?" Nyx wondered.

"Ah yes, this world is much simpler than the previous ones," Ferleen said.

"Not saying it’s better," Melianna added.

"Hm? Let’s see..."

Maria explored the caves until they reached a gigantic cavern with a soaring ceiling lit by bright crystals.

A vast mushroom forest sprawled before them, and a camp bustled with Players and countless Humanoid Ants.

Some ants were large and burly, black or red. Others were smaller, blue, and winged.

In the distance, hundreds more moved in and out of tunnels they had dug, heading toward their home colonies.

"This is Formicaria, an underground world of tunnels and caves," Ferleen explained. "The only intelligent beings here are the Ant Tribes. There are many tribes scattered everywhere, each with their own Queens and territories."

"Are there any dangers or invaders threatening them?" Maria asked.

"Not that I recall," Melianna replied. "The ants fight fiercely against invaders, and there are so many of them... We once had an ant as a party member. He was an amazing martial artist!"

"I see..." Maria nodded. "Well, where’s the portal to the next floor? I don’t see any quests either... In fact, they’ve stopped appearing altogether."

"Same here..." Partner said. "Is the Tower denying us quests?"

"Maybe to slow our growth or something... I hadn’t thought about it," Emeraldine said.

"Hm, well, does it matter? It makes advancing easier!" Lucifer nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, I suggest we hurry. Our world is next," Ferleen agreed.

"Oh my, already?" Maria asked, surprised. "That’s wonderful. Then let’s hurry."

Maria and her family traveled through many tunnels, witnessing several wonders. The ant societies were primitive yet not entirely barbaric.

At least among Players, the ants were polite enough to give directions when asked.

Eventually, they reached an "Alliance City" where several tribes had united and lived together.

Large markets thrived, and a sturdy castle of mud and stone stood proudly. Armored ants wielding weapons patrolled with tight security.

"Makes sense why upper-floor factions can’t invade them easily... And maybe the Vampires have no interest in ant blood."

They entered a large temple constructed from stone and mud, where the portal to the previous floor was located.

Without much interest in lingering, Maria and her family pressed forward to Floor 34.

The scenery changed instantly. They found themselves in the heart of a dense, lush jungle filled with the loud chorus of singing birds.

Massive trees stretched across what seemed an endless expanse. The ground was damp, sometimes muddy, and creatures and beasts roamed everywhere.

Leaving the tower behind, Maria and her family stepped forward.

"Oho! The air here is so fresh!" Maria exclaimed, looking around eagerly. "It’s a truly lush jungle. Does it ever end?"

"Yes, but it is indeed very large," Ferleen nodded.

"Over half the continent is covered in jungle!" Melianna added. "It’s where our tribe lives...!"

"Yes, haha, welcome to Verdanthral, known by many as the ’Colossal Jungle World’! And our home," Ferleen said warmly.

"A pretty big and beautiful place, if I do say so myself," Maria replied, her smile widening as she took it all in. "Shall we get going? Where is everything happening?"

"It’s mostly on this continent," Ferleen answered. "The Crimson Order has already taken over most of the Northern Sector of the jungles. They’re... doing horrible things there."

"We’re in the south," Melianna said, sniffing the air. "Hmm, it smells like blood... Are they close already?"

"Maybe they’re sending scouts again," Ferleen sighed. "Let’s be careful— Ah."

SLAAASH!

Maria swung her Sword Soul Heart into the jungle, cleaving thousands of trees apart in a single stroke.

As the trunks flew in every direction, a group of Vampires appeared in the distance, shielded from the sunlight by an artifact.

"What the...! Who are you?!"

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