After months of exploration, Hulim Heyerar had nearly mapped out the entire Ancient Mogalia Underground Metropolis.
Besides the initial passage leading to the surface, she had since discovered several other corridors leading to various locations.
Hulim speculated these passages had been dug by people from a much earlier era, and their destinations were incredibly diverse: some led to other dungeons, some to dead ends, and a rare few to the surface—though those surface exits emerged in areas swarming with monsters or Golems.
This was likely due to the immense changes in terrain and ecology over the millennia.
In fact, judging by the number of people who had reached the Tower of Time, there must have been more passages to this place—most of which had disappeared for various reasons......
The location Hulim chose to test her recovered strength was a Ruined Dungeon accessible via one of these passages.
She had explored this dungeon before; it was home to many powerful creatures and even some active high-rank Combat Golems—though she had yet to encounter any Rank A beings.
For Hulim now, even if she couldn’t defeat them, escaping would be no problem.
......
Back to the present.
The four Cavern Dragon Wolves in front of her were among the powerful creatures living underground—and the test opponents she had selected.
Admittedly, taking on four Rank B monsters right out of the gate seemed arrogant.
But in reality, Hulim had only spotted one Cavern Dragon Wolf at first......
Who knew it would call for backup!
“This is a bit troublesome......”
Hulim remained calm on the surface, but her mind was on high alert.
Her strength had just recovered to Rank B, not yet at her previous peak, and she had no experience fighting four Rank B opponents at once.
What’s more, these creatures were highly coordinated.
However,
she was no longer the same as before.
Hulim glanced at the silver wand in her hand.
The old her had never possessed the Seven Luminaries or Helkem......
“Owooo——!!!"
One of the Cavern Dragon Wolves let out a howl.
It was a signal for a full-scale attack.
All four Cavern Dragon Wolves lunged at Hulim simultaneously.
One manipulated Earth Magic to launch a large-scale earth attack, another leaped high into the air to strike from above, a third darted left and right, trying to disrupt Hulim’s vision while closing in quickly.
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As for the fourth—the injured one—an earthy yellow glow began to gather in its throat once more.
Four completely different attack patterns, launched at the same time.
Most people would never be able to defend against them all.
But with the Seven Luminaries, Hulim’s concentration far exceeded her previous limits.
In the blink of an eye, she analyzed all the attacks and took corresponding countermeasures.
Whoosh!
She darted into the air.
The large-scale stone spike attack could no longer reach her.
At the same time, two streams of light appeared around her.
“Dual—Anode Ray!!”
Boom! Boom!
Two white beams shot out.
One hit the Cavern Dragon Wolf attacking from the ground, and the other collided head-on with the incoming breath attack.
“Owo——!”
The Cavern Dragon Wolf on the ground let out a scream.
But Hulim paid it no mind.
Clang!
She drew Helkem from her back, spun it in the air, gripped it tightly in her left hand, and descended from the sky, stabbing straight at another Cavern Dragon Wolf.
This was the one that had leaped into the air.
It had no way to maneuver mid-air, so as long as she avoided its landing spot, its threat would be minimized.
And now, it had just landed, still disoriented—making it hard to dodge an attack from its blind spot.
“Owo——!”
Another scream echoed.
In just one exchange, two more of the four Cavern Dragon Wolves were injured......
Hulim quickly sheathed Helkem, then grabbed the Seven Luminaries with both hands, launching a follow-up attack without a moment’s hesitation.
“Dual—Earth Surge......”
About half an hour later,
the battle came to an end.
In truth, Hulim had already gained the upper hand early on, but these Cavern Dragon Wolves had incredibly tough vitality—finishing them off took considerable effort.
“We won! Hulim won!”
Little Semiris cheered, flying around excitedly in the air.
She was starting to feel more and more like a mascot......
Hulim smiled helplessly.
“Little Semiris, let’s head back!”
“Ah, okay! Hulim, what’s for dinner? Little Semiris wants grilled meat~!”
“Aren’t you a fairy? Is it okay for a fairy to eat grilled meat every day......”
“What’s wrong with grilled meat? It’s delicious~!”
“Never mind, forget I asked. I’ll make it for you when we get back......”
“Yay! Grilled meat! Grilled meat~......”
The voices of the girl and the fairy faded into the depths of the dungeon.
......
In the Underground Metropolis.
“Hulim, Hulim! Look what Little Semiris found?”
Little Semiris flew over, holding a beautiful white bird with colorful feathers.
Hulim, who was making Bobom Jam with freshly gathered Bobom Powder, looked up.
“Hm? Isn’t this a Day Kite? Where did you get it, Little Semiris?”
“Hehe! Little Semiris found it while picking berries for Hulim! Isn’t it pretty~?”
“Well done. Give it to me.”
“Okay~!”
Little Semiris handed over the Day Kite without hesitation. Perhaps due to its gentle nature, the bird didn’t struggle when it landed in Hulim’s hands.
Then, Hulim picked up a small knife from the side......
“Hehe~, it’s so pretty and obedient. Little Semiris wants to keep it as a pet—let’s call it Snowball, how ab——”
Snap!
“out......”
In the next moment,
“Ah——!!!"
Little Semiris let out a scream.
“Why did you kill it!!!?”
“Huh?”
Hulim froze.
“......I thought this was the dinner you brought back?”
“......Wah——!”
Little Semiris burst into tears.
“Snowball! Little Semiris’s Snowball! Little Semiris hates Hulim! Little Semiris will never talk to Hulim again!!!”
“......”
Some time later......
Crackle! Pop!
The aroma of grilled meat wafted from beside the campfire.
“It should be ready.”
Hulim placed the roasted meat aside to cool, spread it with the freshly made Bobom Jam, and sprinkled some spices on top.
“Ready to eat......”
She turned to look at Little Semiris, who was sitting with her arms crossed, facing away from her, still sulking.
“......”
She tore off a roasted wing, skewered it with a wooden stick, and walked over to Little Semiris.
“......Little Semiris.”
“Hmph! Little Semiris doesn’t want to talk to Hulim!”
Little Semiris turned her head away angrily.
“Sorry...... I was wrong earlier. I apologize. This is my way of saying sorry.”
“......”
Little Semiris peeked at Hulim out of the corner of her eye.
She wanted to refuse, but the aroma of the roasted wing was too tempting.
In the end, she looked extremely conflicted—pouting with anger while drooling with desire.
