An Extra’s POV

"You will all be splitting up now."

The sudden announcement caused an uproar among the Otherworlders, but Ralyks explained the reasons behind his decision.

"The Centipedes have burrowed several tunnel-like openings throughout this Floor, and as a result of this, the path ahead separates into multiple corridors."

'That's a lie.' Rey smiled internally as he silently watched Ater.

Rey knew he was lying due to their Bond, but from a normal standpoint he could see how the story could sound convincing.

In the first place, Ralyks had no motive to lie to any of the Otherworlders, so they were predisposed to believing everything he said.

Also, since he was stronger, smarter, and more experienced than all of them, they had to take him at his word.

Plus, he mixed in certain truths with lies.

It was already obvious that they all ate up the lies he fed them, and that allowed him to proceed without much need to explain himself.

"Considering their numbers, and how they'll drastically reduce if they're isolated per corridor, it's safer to take them out one corridor at a time." He continued, crafting a scenario out of lies.

"But, if we all attack one corridor at a time, the process will be slower. The goal of today is to conquer three Floors, so we have to hurry."

And so, the plan was to split the entire group into three.

"There are a total of five corridors. I'll take two of them, and I'll leave the remaining three to you. Don't worry, I'll summon guardians to protect you, just in case."

Everyone shivered the moment he said that. They already knew what he meant by 'guardians.'

He was talking about his Undead Summons.

No one could complain, though. In the end, his method was the fastest way to clear the Floor. The sooner they cleared the Floor, the faster they could advance even deeper and complete their mission.

Sure, they would lose some EXP to Ralyks, but it was already part of the deal he made with the Royal Council.

It was all fair.

then… for

consisted of

been more perfectly matched, considering

knew them to be

team had Belle, Alicia,

single group, but there were no complaints from anyone. It was just strange, considering the fact that they were from totally different

for the final team, it consisted of

awkward silence, and Rey's unassuming expression, showed this team to be the most balanced of

"Now then… Come Forth."

just like last time, Ralyks—or rather, Ater—summoned ten

told the other two to take on the remaining

to pick up Monster Cores and mine whatever they could—just like the previous

advanced and prepared for their time apart from everyone

down their bodies as a result of the Undead that served as their escorts, they didn't feel any sense of dread

simply kept moving

********

[Moments Later]

why I

as they walked down the eerily

many tunnels that led in and out of the corridor, and while the three boys were initially

Skill active, and the other two were passively looking out for

to their Undead guardian—a Skeleton who

even if we screw up… it's totally normal, right? Sir Ralyks will surely

easygoing comment made the other two boys laugh, but also ease

became invested in

that no one really

miss your

asked

playful smile on, but instead he

liked her since we were kids, and we

clenched fists and the way he narrowed his eyes in

be all laughs and jokes to forget about it, but sometimes… I want to go back. I want