The raid did not slow down after the cavern entrance.
If anything…
It accelerated.
The deeper they pushed into the World Tree, the more aggressive the creatures became. But for the Vixens, the battles barely slowed their advance.
Floors 21 through 24 were still cavern systems, though the terrain changed constantly. Massive tunnels twisted through the interior of the tree's roots like arteries carrying sap through stone.
Amber rivers of glowing sap illuminated the passages, casting strange shadows across the walls.
And shadows were exactly what Jax had brought with him.
The first ambush came on Floor 22.
The cavern floor exploded as dozens of Thorn Vipers burst from the stone. Their vine-like bodies blended perfectly with the bark-covered walls, their thorned fangs dripping with venomous sap.
Pixelle gasped.
"Ambush!"
But Grendel was already moving.
The ogre inhaled deeply.
Then released a thunderous roar.
WAR ROAR.
The sound shook the cavern walls.
Every viper turned toward him instantly.
Dozens of thorned serpents lunged simultaneously.
Grendel simply grinned.
His massive shadow club swept sideways.
The impact shattered the first wave of vipers instantly, their bodies exploding into splintered vines.
Behind him, Fang darted forward like a streak of black lightning.
The serpent beast tore through the surviving vipers, crushing them in its coils before snapping their bodies in half.
Above them, Gryph launched into the air, wings beating once before diving like a missile.
Its talons ripped through three sap elementals before they could even ignite.
The cavern became a slaughterhouse.
The Vixens barely had to move.
On Floor 24, the enemies came in waves.
Bark Sentinels marched forward in disciplined formations, wooden armor regenerating each time it was damaged.
"Regeneration types," Llandra noted calmly.
She drew Starpiercer.
The bowstring hummed.
Three arrows flashed through the cavern.
Each struck a glowing knot in the sentinel armor.
The wooden warriors collapsed instantly.
Weak points destroyed.
Llandra lowered the bow again as if nothing had happened.
Pixelle stared.
"You just… knew where to shoot."
Llandra smiled slightly.
"Of course."
By Floor 25, the enemies began escalating.
The cavern widened into a massive root chamber.
From the glowing sap pools emerged Sap Behemoths, hulking creatures formed entirely from molten resin and bark armor.
One of them roared and slammed its fists into the ground.
The floor exploded with sticky fire.
Jax stepped forward.
Finally.
Something worth moving for.
Infernal Requiem appeared in his hands.
He walked straight into the battlefield.
Then he began moving.
To Pixelle…
It looked like dancing.
Jax slid between explosions, air-walking across the cavern as if gravity didn't apply to him. The pistols barked repeatedly, each shot striking a precise weak point.
Ten.
Twenty.
Thirty.
The behemoths collapsed one after another.
In less than ten seconds.
Jax holstered Requiem again.
"Alright," he said casually.
"Back to walking."
Pixelle stared in disbelief.
Floor 26 was where they stopped.
Not because they were in danger.
But because Jax decided it was time.
He glanced at his system clock.
Six hours.
"Lunch break."
The Vixens looked relieved.
Even if the fights were easy, the constant movement and readiness wore on the body.
They secured the chamber quickly.
Shadow knights took defensive positions.
Grendel stood guard near the tunnel entrance.
Loki leaned against the cavern wall like a silent mountain.
Once the area was safe, Jax reached into his storage.
A tent appeared.
Pixelle expected a simple adventurer's shelter.
Instead…
The tent unfolded into a dimensional structure.
Inside was an enormous kitchen.
Refrigeration units.
Stone counters.
A full oven.
Shelves packed with spices and ingredients.
Pixelle blinked.
"I thought you'd bring… canned food or something."
Nyxian snorted.
"Do you think Jax would eat food from a can?"
She folded her arms proudly.
"That man could make a gourmet meal out of leftovers and roadkill."
Jax didn't even respond.
He was already cooking.
The break lasted exactly one hour.
The group ate pasta and chicken. He wanted carbs and protein.
And it filled them completely.
And when they resumed moving…
The pace increased again.
Floors 27 through 32 became increasingly dangerous.
Mana Leeches floated in massive swarms.
Root Colossi burst from the cavern walls.
Even the shadow army had to start working harder.
But the Vixens moved like a perfectly coordinated strike team.
Bunny smashed through enemy lines with Titanfall.
Nyxian's whip cracked like lightning, tearing apart anything that slipped past the shadows.
Zee reinforced the formation with barriers whenever the fighting grew chaotic.
And Jax…
Jax occasionally got bored.
Peacemaker swung forth dancing and cutting through swaths of enemy soldiers.
On Floor 31, a swarm of Sap Revenants poured from a cavern tunnel.
Grendel was already holding the line when Jax sighed.
"Alright, fine."
He stepped forward.
Air Walk activated.
Jax launched himself into the middle of the swarm.
Peacemaker appeared in his hands.
The massive double-bladed weapon spun once.
Then the slaughter began.
The sword moved like a hurricane.
Every swing erased multiple enemies.
Sap creatures split apart.
Wooden bodies exploded.
Enemies didn't even have time to scream.
Pixelle blinked.
"Did he just… solo that entire group?"
Nyxian shrugged.
"He gets bored sometimes."
By the time they reached Floor 33, Jax had begun capturing new shadow creatures.
A Cavern Troll Champion became another brute in the shadow ranks.
A Root Hydra added a terrifying multi-headed beast to the army.
Each new shadow made their advance faster.
The Vixens' experience bars climbed rapidly.
Level after level flashed across their systems.
Even Pixelle gained fifteen levels.
She studied the notifications carefully.
"Oh!"
She snapped her fingers.
"My experience levels up through life events and combat… but my skills level up through iPoints!"
She nodded proudly.
"Got it."
Nyxian patted her head.
"Good girl."
By the time they reached Floor 39, the cavern suddenly changed.
Instead of monsters…
They found a chamber.
A peaceful one.
Stone benches lined the walls.
Fresh water flowed from a natural spring.
A wooden sign stood beside a side door.
Zee read it aloud.
"Exit point. Adventurers may abandon the raid here and return safely to the outside world."
Pixelle blinked.
"There's even a bath."
Jax checked his system clock.
Twelve hours.
He nodded.
"We're resting."
The group agreed instantly.
Two tents appeared this time.
The kitchen tent returned.
And a second one unfolded nearby.
Pixelle peeked inside.
Her jaw dropped.
A massive bedroom filled the interior space.
A huge bed.
A couch.
A bathroom.
A shower.
And in the center…
A magical hot spring.
The Vixens didn't hesitate.
Within minutes they were soaking in the warm water while Jax cooked dinner.
Wine appeared.
Mead flowed freely.
The food Jax prepared was beyond anything Pixelle had ever tasted.
She nearly passed out from happiness after the first bite.
"This is… this is…"
She clutched her chest.
"I think I'm dying."
Nyxian laughed.
"That's just Jax's cooking."
Later that night, they retreated to the bedroom tent.
With shadows guarding the chamber outside…
They knew they were safe.
Pixelle shifted into her five-foot human form.
And the night passed exactly the way the Vixens preferred.
Jax got very little rest, while the Vixens were put blissfully unconscious with one by one focus.
Morning came peacefully.
Jax awoke early.
Zee had woken him. She earned additional iPoints for the group.
Together they slipped quietly into the kitchen tent.
Breakfast began cooking.
Somewhere during the preparation…
Zee may have received a private thank-you from Jax for waking him up.
Her reward was very welcomed. iPoints earned for the group.
Eventually the rest of the Vixens emerged.
Still relaxed.
Still energized.
Breakfast was devoured quickly.
Jax stretched and looked toward the stairway leading to the next floor.
They had no idea how long this raid truly was.
Fifty floors?
Seventy-five?
A hundred?
Maybe even more.
But one thing was certain.
They were ready.
Jax smiled slightly.
"Alright."
He turned toward the stairway.
"Let's see what Floor 40 looks like."
And the Vixens descended deeper into the World Tree.