Chapter 466 (2/2)

Ptolemy took two steps towards Thea’s back, but then hesitated, glanced at Randidly, then went to Ace. Within 5 seconds, Ace sat up, shaking his head, and then vomited to the side. Only then did Ptolemy hurry over to Chrysanthemum.

“Is she…?” Annie asked, the concern in her voice very real.

“Alive,” Thea managed to choke out around sobs. “But-”

At that point, Ptolemy arrived, placing his hands on Chrysanthemum’s side, hairs falling out and skin flaking away immediately. Randidly shook his head and moved to stand next to them, peering closely with Aether detection.

To Lucretia, he asked, Do you think an Aether Donation-

There is more to life than Aether, I suspect. Lucretia said. Then, after a pause, she said. When you finish here, I have news. Big news, about the Creature. No immediate danger.

Randidly had the sudden, impulsive urge to lash out at Lucretia then, for seeming to imply that Chrysanthemum would soon die, but he reigned that in, barely. Instead, he watched carefully as Ptolemy used his Skills to examine her, feeding Aether to them both, even though Lucretia seemed to think it wouldn’t help.

Ptolemy opened his eyes, his face solemn. But before he could speak, he was interrupted by a notification.

Congratulations! You have defeated 9)(*$)32092[warning, unexpected error], the Boss of this Raid Dungeon! As such, you have freed your Zone from the Tyranny of the Raid Dungeon, and Aether shall be abundant in your Zone. In addition, another rare natural occurrence shall be created within the new, expanded confines of your Zone.

As you have defeated the Boss, all of its treasure behind its throne room is yours. In addition, you may use the Key of Death to clear the Dungeon from any point. You need not be at a Cathedral to use it.

Everyone examined the notification mutely, and then Randidly said, “Before I came up, I found the treasures I think it is talking about it. We can handle that...after.”

Randidly’s gaze turned to Ptolemy, and everyone else mimicked him, gazing at their healer, wondering if a miracle was possible. But at the same time, everyone knew, based on the sad, solemn look on Ptolemy’s face, no salvation was coming.

As Ptolemy opened his mouth, Randidly remembered, scant months ago, meeting Chrysanthemum in that field, while he was traveling with Simon. She was only a normal size for a bear at that point, and she had come into their field of view shyly, perhaps long used to rather fearful reactions from people.

When he saw the bear, in a very human way, raising its emotional defenses by acting standoffish, Randidly felt a profound sadness and empathy for the creature. And instead of being afraid, he grinned and stepped forward, lowering himself into a sparring stance. She gazed at him curiously, still aloof.

He ran forward and forcibly bowled her over, using his superior Strength.

Then they had just played. Cautiously at first, then rougher and more freely, Chrysanthemum had crashed into him and swiped playfully at his head. After proving his toughness, she was more than willing to rough house with him, losing herself and just being a bear for the first time in a while.

Now, Randidly watched as Ptolemy confirmed his fears. “There…. There aren’t any wounds. It's just like… the body is giving up on itself. Like… it has lived too long.”

There was a long moment of silence.

“Let’s take her out of this place,” Randidly said warily, pulling the Key of Death out of his spatial ring. No one said anything, and the group congregated around Thea, so he activated it. The group disappeared, and a wave spread outwards, eradicating any stragglers remaining. This Dungeon was just a tool, and the monsters grown here meant nothing to the System.

When they had outlived their usefulness, they would be replaced.