Chapter 272

In a secret chamber beneath the Lumière Cathedral,

Four figures stood in the dimly lit room, devoid of windows.

Three of them would be familiar to Max.

Sister Marianna, the 10th ranked Guardian Knight.

Esron, the 7th ranked Guardian Knight and personal guard of Archbishop Arifer.

The Armored Man, who ruthlessly slaughtered anyone who dared to ascend from the forbidden underground, guarding the exit with an iron fist.

And lastly, a pale, middle-aged man with white hair.

This man was Sigmund, the 2nd ranked Guardian Knight, a fact unknown to Max.

“That brat actually made it almost to the end?”

Sigmund spoke first.

Initially, he had thought Max was just another curious moth drawn to the flame, like all the others who had perished in the forbidden zone.

But that thought had been proven wrong, much to his surprise.

Max had relentlessly descended, breaking through each floor, and was now on the verge of reaching the end.

“He’s not just a brat, he’s a brother who received a revelation. It’s only through divine guidance that such a miraculous feat is possible,”

Marianna countered.

She was the Guardian Knight most favorably disposed towards Max.

“Heh, he’s just a brat to me. It’s more fitting.”

Sigmund chuckled.

“Don’t you know that Brother Max played a crucial role in minimizing casualties during the Necromancer incident and other critical situations?”

That was the main reason for Marianna’s favorable view of Max.

He wasn’t just all talk, he had proven himself through actions.

That he was guided by divine revelation.

“Well, I don’t know. That’s not necessarily proof of divine favor. It could be just coincidence.”

Sigmund remained wary.

It was a habit ingrained from years of experience, having seen all sorts of things during his long life, a life that was nearing its end, as he was on the verge of retirement.

*Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank. Clank.*

The Armored Man moved his hands in a series of stiff motions.

It was sign language.

Everyone present understood it.

Even Archbishop Arifer couldn’t speak, so learning sign language was a basic requirement for them.

– That’s not important right now. The immediate problem is more pressing. They might soon discover the truth.

“That’s only if they survive the final floor, right?”

– The possibility is high.

If Max had been present, he would have been surprised.

Because the Armored Man had understood Sigmund’s spoken words.

But it wasn’t because the Armored Man could hear.

He had read Sigmund’s lips.

It wasn’t a skill that just anyone could possess, but it was possible for the Armored Man, with his exceptional eyesight.

“Well, I can’t deny that.”

Sigmund nodded readily.

It was unprecedented for someone to break through from the 10th to the 19th floor of the underground.

Even Sigmund acknowledged that Max was a special individual.

Perhaps he could even survive the 20th floor.

“Even if they discover the truth, what can we do? It’s divine revelation.”

Marianna said calmly, her hands clasped together.

“Ha, humans can decide their own actions. Don’t you think?”

Sigmund smirked.

Even though they were both Guardian Knights, Marianna, filled with devout faith, and Sigmund, a cunning old fox, had different ways of thinking.

Doctrine was doctrine, but how you acted upon it was up to the individual.

That was Sigmund’s philosophy.

“If we were united, it wouldn’t be a problem. But if our opinions are divided…”

Sigmund grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“We’ll be forced to make a choice.”

“That won’t happen.”

Esron spoke for the first time.

“Because there’s only one word we need to follow.”

“Ah, right, you were his loyal servant.”

“Naturally.”

Esron’s expression was that of a fanatic.

But it was different from Marianna’s devout faith.

Esron’s unwavering belief was directed towards a human, not a god.

The others didn’t react, as if it was a known fact.

“They would want to silence him, or at least keep him in the dark forever.”

Sigmund said with a sly smile.

Everyone knew that the “they” he was referring to was different from the “him” Esron served.

The current leaders of the Church, including the Pope and the Cardinals.

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

The truth buried in the forbidden underground of the Holy City was a truth that could shake the world.

The Church would do anything to suppress it.

As they had always done.

“Harming a student would be a violation of the agreement.”

Marianna said, frowning slightly.

The reason why Max and his companions hadn’t faced any physical interference so far.

It was because of a secret agreement to not harm students of the Saint Lepheria Academy.

“An agreement is just an agreement. When an undesirable situation arises, people can easily change their minds.”

Sigmund said, as if he could see through human nature.

Marianna shook her head.

“No matter what happens, breaking an agreement is unacceptable.”

“Haha, it seems like you’ve made your choice.”

Sigmund chuckled.

“And Esron, there’s no need to ask you. I hope we don’t end up as enemies.”

“…”

“…”

Marianna and Esron remained silent.

The Armored Man moved his hands.

– I want the truth to remain buried. Forever, if necessary.

“Nothing in this world goes as planned.”

Sigmund’s pale, cloudy eyes gleamed with a strange light.

*Thud.*

The Armored Man stood up.

– It doesn’t matter. That’s my answer.

He said, and then he left without another word.

“It seems like we need to prepare ourselves.”

Sigmund clicked his tongue, a wry smile on his lips.

* * *

The 20th floor of the underground.

The end of the Holy City’s forbidden zone.

There, a gaping hole led to an unknown destination.

A place that the residents had once called the “Hellhole,” filled with hatred and resentment.

But those residents were gone now.

Devoured by the monsters that had emerged from the Hellhole.

The 20th floor was now a living hell, teeming with those monsters.

And Max and his group had just set foot in this hellish realm.

“H-Holy…”

“W-What are those monsters?”

“Damn it, more monsters? But I’ve never seen anything like those before.”

“Tsk, they’re everywhere. This is messed up.”

Even the residents, hardened veterans who had seen it all, couldn’t help but frown, their faces grim.

Because they could sense it.

That these monsters were different.

Their appearance alone was enough to tell.

Nine eyes, nine arms, nine legs.

Monstrous creatures that seemed to belong to another world.

And the aura they emanated was chilling and repulsive.

They were swarming the area, their numbers overwhelming.

Even the resident unit, an elite force that had conquered countless dangerous floors, felt their morale waver.

“Tsk, don’t lose your nerve!”

“Yeah, stay sharp!”

Duncan and Gwen shouted, trying to encourage the residents, but it was difficult.

Because they could sense the danger and unease instinctively.

‘This is bad.’

Camian also felt it strongly.

That they would suffer heavy casualties if they continued like this.

So he quickly turned to the person he trusted the most, the one who could always find a solution.

His senior, Max, of course.

“Senior, at this rate…”

“I know.”

Camian’s eyes widened at Max’s reply.

Because he was much calmer than expected.

In this situation…?

He knew Max was an extraordinary person, but had he already come up with a countermeasure?

As if to answer his question, Max continued, “They’re definitely tough opponents, just looking at them. But it’s not a problem. If it’s just one.”

“Huh?”

One?

Did he see those countless monsters as just one?

That couldn’t be possible.

It meant…

Before Camian could ask, Milia shouted, “They’re coming!”

The monsters, having spotted them, charged towards them, their nine legs moving frantically.

Their momentum was terrifying and intimidating.

The residents flinched, tightening their grips on their weapons and shields.

“A defensive formation would be best.”

Max said to Gwen without hesitation.

“Understood.”

Gwen reacted immediately.

Because he knew that Max’s judgment and strategies had saved them from countless crises.

“Everyone, defensive formation!”

*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*

At Gwen’s command, the resident unit swiftly formed a defensive formation.

Their movements were quick and precise, despite their unusually low morale.

It showed how deeply ingrained their teamwork was.

“Lady Milia, and Camian.”

“Yes, Savior.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Provide support from the flanks, make sure we don’t get surrounded.”

Max took the lead.

No, he stepped even further forward.

Had he lost his fear?

It seemed reckless.

But Milia and Camian knew.

That Max wouldn’t act recklessly without a reason.

“Understood, Savior.”

“Alright.”

So they willingly risked their lives and stood by Max’s side, one on each flank.

Max drew his sword and said, “They’re dangerous opponents, so focus on defense and don’t try to take them down recklessly.”

It was a sound judgment.

Nine arms and legs.

They didn’t even know the monsters’ attack patterns yet.

It was obvious who would be at a disadvantage in the first encounter.

His actions seemed insane, stepping forward like that.

But,

Max had a plan.

“Ugh, h-here they come!”

Someone groaned in terror.

*Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap!*

The monsters charged, their footsteps pounding against the ground.

Max, Milia, and Camian, at the front, were the first to encounter them.

*Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!*

The monsters’ nine arms, which had been hanging limply, suddenly shot out like tentacles, lashing at them.

Each arm was incredibly sharp, like a cluster of blades.

They seemed capable of piercing through human flesh and bone, even armor.

And nine of those arms were attacking them simultaneously.

‘Block the first attack.’

Max’s sword moved.

– Net Slash Form.

A net of blades filled the air.

The monsters’ arms slammed into the net.

*Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!*

He could feel their immense strength.

Monstrous creatures with incredible power.

But Max held his ground.

His strength and balance, honed by constant training, proved their worth.

“Ugh.”

“Ugh.”

Milia and Camian also managed to withstand the attack.

The fact that they had survived the monsters’ surprise tentacle attack showed how skilled they were.

Milia, a renowned knight, was one thing, but even Camian had shown remarkable growth.

Meanwhile,

‘observe.’

Max’s eyes narrowed.

Hero’s Eye.

The overpowered trait that allowed him to see through all weaknesses.

If they had no weaknesses, it was over.

But Max was certain from the beginning that it wouldn’t be the case.

These weren’t Princess Oscar or Regina.

They were just monsters.

Monsters who only knew how to kill.

There was no way such mindless killing machines wouldn’t have any weaknesses.

His vision turned red.

He saw a weakness.

He saw it clearly.

Just one.

But it was large and distinct.

Easy to exploit.

‘Once I see it, I finish it!’

Max’s sword moved.

Nine eyes.

The bottom left eye.

It was glowing red.

The monster’s arms reacted.

But their reaction was strangely delayed.

As if to prove that it was indeed a weakness.

*Thud!*

Max’s sword pierced through the eye.

At that moment,

*Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!*

The remaining eyes exploded.

A fountain of red blood splattered everywhere.

*Screech!*

The monster collapsed to the ground, its eyes destroyed, its screams chilling.

*Thump!*

It was clear.

That it was dead.

Max immediately roared, “Aim for the bottom left eye! That’s their weakness!”