"...Eh?"

A dumbfounded expression dawned on Charymos’s slimy face, and he tilted his head as though asking Veladreth...

[...What the hell did you just say?]

But of course, he would dare not say that out loud because after all, he, Veladreth, ranked third in authority after the Ruler and Caelvorn in all of the Tower.

"Surely you jest, Lord Veladreth. A Progenitor? Such as yourself, you mean?"

The Kraken Spawn chose his words carefully and let out a nervous chuckle.

"Is it perhaps because the color of her hair resembles yours? Surely not. There are dozens of Vampires on your Floor with hair like that."

"Please do not be mistaken, she has merely awakened to her racial trait. It is not something so grand."

[Although...]

Charymos stole a glance at Veylith who wore a blank expression as usual.

[...She awakened it much earlier than I thought, and not only that, it has clearly progressed to an unfathomable degree.]

Charymos mused and turned back to the crystal ball gently cradled by the Roach.

"You know not of what you speak of, amphibian. That is why our Ruler gave you dominion over this cesspool, it is befitting I tell you!"

"Or are you perhaps attempting to fool me by feigning ignorance?! Shall I personally descend there?!"

Veladreth’s entire face was riddled with bulging veins as he screamed into the crystal ball on his end, fighting the urge to crush it to dust with his bare hands.

"..."

[Fuck you.]

Charymos grit his teeth and swallowed the gastric juices that had risen from his stomach and were defiling his taste buds.

"Lord Veladreth. It would seem I have offended you. But please, I am not so incompetent as to attempt fooling you, nor would I be unaware of the ins and outs of my own creations."

Charymos was beyond enraged despite his best attempts to conceal it, this was evident in his blood-shot eyes and the quivering of his voice.

"Now then. It would seem that the three of us have much to discuss at great length, shall we go into my quarters?"

Charymos extended his arm in invitation, gesturing to one of the passageways that were opposite the entrance.

"Sigh... very well. I seem to have shown you an unsightly side of me, Charymos. Blot this out from your memory and I shall repay you kindly."

Veladreth calmed himself, sat down the crystal ball on his table, and he allowed his cushioned throne to claim his weight.

"Yes, let us do just that. Thank you for your hospitality."

Skadi agreed as well and turned to the two Elementals behind him.

"Efreet, Beira. Ensure that no one else enters this place unless they are inhabitants of the Ninth or Tenth Floors, understood?"

He gave the order, and the two Elementals shed the elements that cloaked their identities.

For Efreet, the flames completely disappeared, revealing a creature with skin as bright molten lava and large, spiraling horns protruding from his head. He was donned by a reddish-brown full plate armor that Adventurer’s would sell their souls to own.

As for Beira, her ice turned into snow and simply crumbled, revealing a being with light blue skin, eyes that had no iris or pupil and long hair as white as a blizzard. Some of the snow that had fallen from her rose and formed a staff made entirely of ice that would not melt even if thrown into a volcano.

"I hope you do not mind, Charymos?"

Skadi turned and followed the Kraken Spawn.

"No, not at all."

Charymos glanced at the two Elementals and led the way.

[You brought two Named Ones to my domain, Skadi? Under normal circumstances, this would have been considered a declaration of war!]

Charymos grit his teeth so much that it was as audible as bones breaking.

[And you...]

He stole yet another glance at the handsome man reflected on the crystal ball.

[How dare you speak to me that way in front of my subordinates? What of my dignity, you Lamprey?!]

[I swear... I swear it on all that I am!]

[You two will die for the embarrassment that you have subjected me to today!]

Charymos’s heart abounded with rage but he contained it and stopped as he passed by Veylith.

"Here. Look after him, and try not to suck his blood, will you?"

The bubble of gelatinous ooze fell in front of Veylith and became undone, and she quickly picked the unconscious Kaelen up from the ground.

"Yes. As you wish, Master."

She bowed her head.

[Is she almost as strong as this useless pest now?]

His eyes lingered, and a slight smirk that was almost like that of a proud father’s, graced his lips.

[My... what an interesting batch this generation has been.]

He looked forward and they were swallowed by the darkness of the tunnels.

//

"..."

Veylith looked down at Kaelen who seemed so peaceful in her arms despite his grave injury. But his heartbeat was steady and so was his breathing, so it wouldn’t be long before his wound would completely heal.

"So light."

She remarked, and she couldn’t help but wonder why she had thought he was heavy, especially with how slim he is, just as they all are.

Veylith had grown accustomed to seeing that strong and reliable Kaelen, but this wasn’t too bad either, this vulnerable side of him.

"Welcome back... Captain."

She smiled, and as usual, it was a horror to behold.

"V-veylith, you remember the Master’s words, right?"

Stuttered Specimen 2555, her expression convincing him that she definitely bore homicidal thoughts toward Kaelen.

"How is he? I-I hope he’s okay?"

Specimen 2902 fidgeted as she and the rest of Kaelen’s decadon gathered around Veylith to sneak glances at their Captain.

"Move back. You’re breathing all the air, what will Kaelen be left with?"

Veylith’s warning was laced with bloodlust and they all staggered back.

[Seriously?]

Specimen 2555 pinched his brows and suggested that they head to the infirmary, given how many of the other Homunculi and Mermen were injured from the encounter with the Vampire.

"..."

The Captains of the other Decadons watched coldly as Kaelen’s Decadon made their way to the infirmary.

They couldn’t help but feel envy and rage. Why was it that all the members of Kaelen’s Decadon had lived when theirs had suffered so many losses?

Of the fifty Homunculi who had entered the First Floor to hunt, only twenty-seven of them had returned.