19 Shino Alstroemeria (1/2)

On the 50th floor of the Dungeon of Greed the dungeon core was pulsating. A small golden glow was located on its center and glowing with all its might. The rest of its body was covered in black stains, and only that small part remains untainted.

A sigh was heard from the ring on Kei's finger as Grandma Sophie gave her analysis.

{It's 97% corrupted…}

Kei stared with pity at the dungeon core that was on the brink of total corruption. He approached it and put his palm on top of it. The black stains tried to invade him too, but the electric current kept them at bay.

A soft pleading whisper was heard from it, ”el…p…ea..se.”

”Grandma Sophie, I can't stay in this form for much longer,” Kei said. ”Please tell me the way to help her.”

A few seconds passed before Grandma Sophie gave her a reply.

{There is a way, but can you pay the price?}

”What price do I need to pay?”

{You won't be able to use the power of ”Exceed Break” for a year and I have to go to hibernation for a few months. }

Kei knew that there were more conditions so he just waited for Grandma Sophie's explanation.

{You will also have to pay a fifth of your lifespan because a dungeon core is a special existence that is created by the laws of this world,}

Grandma Sophie sighed from within the ring, {Kei…is this dungeon core worth it?}

The dungeon core's glow was getting faint, it wouldn't be long before it was consumed completely by the darkness. Kei gently caressed it and gave his answer.

”I don't know if it's worth it,” Kei said. ”But, I want to save it.”

{I knew you'd say that. Very well, we don't have much time. The process needs half a day to complete, we should not be disturbed during that process.}

Kei turned his head to look behind him and issued his orders.

”Guard the entrance of the dungeon, make sure no one will disturb me,” Kei said. ”Do I make myself clear?”

””As you command, handsome young master.””

Tifa and Milfa obeyed his orders and headed to the teleport gate that would instantly take them to the entrance of the dungeon.

”The two of you, stand guard on the entrance of the 50th floor. If anyone dares to enter, you have my permission to go for the kill.”

{Yes, master}

{I hear and obey, my Lord.}

The Lamia and the Quetzalcoatl bowed their heads and left. The two of them had sworn allegiance to him after their battle. Kei thought that it would be a waste to kill the two of them, so he spared their life.

He was also not dumb enough to accept their allegiance at face value, and used a soul contract to bind them. If any of them disobeyed his orders, their souls would cease to exist.

Kei was left alone in the dungeon core room and waited for Grandma Sophie's instructions.

{You are almost at your limit and I doubt you will remain conscious until the end. So pick up the dungeon core, hug it, and lie down. I will do the rest.}

He obeyed without question because he was indeed nearing his limits. He hugged the dungeon core firmly in place and closed his eyes. Grandma Sophie used a special binding spell and enclosed Kei and the dungeon core into a cocoon.

Not long after, Kei lost consciousness and Grandma Sophie performed the cleansing ceremony. The dark blight that had stained the dungeon core suddenly moved in frenzy. It felt a great threat coming from the ring on Kei's finger.

{Hmmp, so it was the work of a Devil King. It seems that some had escaped the purge from a thousand years ago.}

The ring glowed and a powerful beam of light hit the center of the dungeon core. The spiritual form of Grandma Sophie materialized and established a connection.

{Child, can you hear me?}

”H..elp…ea…se”

{Do you have a name?}