151 Outside
A sufficient amount of time had passed since evolution.
During that period, I hunted in the lower levels while monitoring the four who had escaped the labyrinth.
The mage and summoner who fled via teleportation were left alone for now.
I intend to keep them running until the extermination squad arrives.
As for the four who fled by foot—naturally, they are heading toward the exit.
Following the four I marked while hunting in the lower levels should lead to the labyrinth's exit.
I can reach the outside by teleporting after the two who fled via teleportation.
Still, I’d prefer to confirm the proper exit as well.
Thus, I’ll keep the group of four alive until they reach the exit.
Immediately after evolution, I chatted with D, idled around, ate, then idled again.
Ah, well—ate, didn’t I.
Finally did it.
Un, I'll just say it was quite delicious.
For now, I've decided to rebuild the home in the same location.
It should still be safe to remain there.
Then, return to the lower level and level up.
Given it's just after top-tier evolution, progression is slower than before.
Previously, evolution reset level to one, so leveling up was faster than before evolution. This time, it's not particularly fast.
Experience required is lower than before evolution, but still substantial.
After hunting continuously in the lower level for several days, current level is six.
Only five levels gained.
Just five.
Trash.
Well, once I start hunting humans, it'll rise quickly. For now, endure.
Right.
The earth dragon duo, Kaguna and Geele, who were in the lower level.
They've become a trio now.
Yeah.
The earth dragons not from the lower levels were gathered in one hall.
The newly added entity was the earth dragon, Fight.
Level 11 is the lowest among the Earth Dragons.
Combat power is the lowest among all, balanced in type like Arava, but weaker by one or two tiers compared to Arava.
If Alba is a well-rounded individual, then Fight comes across as adept but lacking in depth.
In a one-on-one match, I wouldn’t lose.
One-on-one, then.
There's no way we can beat three of them!
Thus, they are left to their own devices.
I might be able to do it now, but considering the risks and effort involved, I don’t feel compelled to go to such lengths to defeat them.
I no longer face death thanks to gaining immortality, but this skill likely only prevents existence from ceasing—it does not prevent injuries from remaining.
Activity ceases when HP reaches zero.
I have endurance, so MP is added to that, but when even MP runs out, I’ll stop moving, I think.
I have both HP and MP auto-recovery, so I’ll recover and move again eventually. But someone without auto-recovery who gains immortality might become immobile and remain that way forever.
Not dying doesn’t mean invincibility.
That means there’s still a chance of losing when facing a strong opponent.
I won’t die, but I’ll be immobilized until recovery completes.
Once I recover, I’ll be crushed again.
This cycle could trap me.
If that happens, it’s over.
I’ll probably shift my primary target to humans from now on.
The lower-tier monsters are already becoming sparse—overhunted too much.
The lowest layer?
Even there, the Mother exists.
She’ll attack the moment I arrive.
Too early to descend to the lowest layer.
Level up casually in the lower tiers. Increase skill proficiency at home. Loiter.
While doing so, the four who escaped finally reached the dungeon’s exit.
Pursue via teleportation.
Oh?
Oh!
Bright!
Not the same brightness as the middle layer.
Sunlight.
Whether this world has a sun or not is unclear, but it is sunlight.
Ah, people everywhere.
Drawing intense attention.
Hello.
Hello.
Please don’t stare so much—private, unfamiliar.
The dungeon entrance has the atmosphere of a border.
A checkpoint-like facility has been established.
Are dungeon entries and exits being properly monitored?
Ah, also to prevent monsters from escaping.
No wonder so many armed soldiers are present.
Ah, found the four.
Trembling violently.
Ah, well, I suppose it's natural you'd be afraid—right after thinking you'd escaped the labyrinth, I show up.
Yeah, I can see that.
Huh?
What?
You planning to draw weapons on me?
From the assessment, you're rather weak.
Compared to the knights I wiped out last time, your stats and skills are underdeveloped.
Wait—
Could it be that those knights from before were actually fairly strong for humans?
No way.
Even if you're exaggerating, it's impossible for such weaklings to be powerful.
Even if they weren't dragon-class, there should be humans at least dragon-class strong.
Lost in thought, a soldier's spear pierced my side.
Ow.
What are you doing?
HP didn't drop much, so it's fine—
But you were the one who attacked first, so this counts as self-defense.
All of you eliminated.
The four who fled were absorbed into the experience gain for everyone present.
Level increased by five.
Human targets are efficient—always have been.
What was the point of patrolling the lower levels recently?
Since we've already defeated them, the meat shall be consumed with appreciation.
Hmm.
First time stepping into daylight after birth—perhaps a brief walk is in order.
Congratulations, no longer a hermit.