Step… step…
Two figures walked out of the Dungeon entrance one after another.
Bathed in sunlight, Cao Ye took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
This experience had truly hit him like a wake-up call.
No matter which world it was—
If you wanted to live freely, you needed capital.
In his previous world, that capital was money and power.
In this world—
It was strength.
Only strength could serve as the foundation for everything.
Ding—
A pleasant notification sound rang in his ears.
Cao Ye checked the system.
The mission was completed.
[Special Mission: Malice of the Dungeon!]
Completion Condition: Escape the Dungeon alive
Reward: 500 Diamonds + Limited-Time Gacha Pool
Cao Ye opened the gacha interface and smiled.
Although he nearly died this time, his luck had been good.
Not only was he saved—
He also met Orario's greatest blacksmith.
Name: Cao Ye
Current Pools: Fate / Jujutsu Kaisen (7-day limited)
Diamonds: 530
The new gacha pool surprised him.
He had originally guessed worlds like Naruto, Bleach, or One Piece.
But he never expected a Jujutsu Kaisen pool.
Still, it didn't matter.
Since it was limited-time, he decided to prioritize it instead of the Fate pool.
"Mr. Cao Ye?"
A familiar voice called out.
He turned around.
A half-elf Guild advisor, wearing a Guild uniform and holding documents, stood nearby.
"Miss Eina."
"Mr. Cao Ye… what happened to you?"
His body was covered in wounds.
His clothes were soaked in blood.
Even one of his fingers was missing.
It was obvious he had encountered something terrible in the Dungeon.
"Well… I ran into a little accident."
Cao Ye spoke casually.
In reality, his injuries were severe.
But with Black Mud regeneration, he would eventually recover completely—even the missing finger.
However, from Eina's perspective—
It looked like he had barely survived.
"Mr. Cao Ye, did you go taking risks again?"
"I told you before, adventurers should never take unnecessary risks!"
"Why won't you listen?"
"It wasn't reckless," Cao Ye replied helplessly.
"My luck was just bad."
"I ran into a Monster Feast."
"Monster Feast?!"
As a Guild worker and advisor, Eina knew exactly what that meant.
For someone who had joined a Familia less than half a month ago to encounter one—
It went beyond bad luck.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cao Ye. I thought…"
"It's fine. You're just worried about me."
"But I should head back now. My injuries are a bit serious."
"Wait—do you need help getting back?"
"What kind of joke is that?" Cao Ye laughed.
"I'm a grown man. I don't need a girl to support me."
"I'll just take the elevator."
"Alright… but please be careful."
"Got it."
Cao Ye waved and walked toward the Guild elevator.
Behind him, bloody footprints remained on the floor.
Seeing them, Eina covered her mouth.
He had lost so much blood and suffered so many injuries—
Yet he still chatted and joked with her like nothing was wrong.
And she had just scolded him.
She suddenly felt very guilty.
"Mr. Cao Ye…"
Watching his departing back, the half-elf felt a tug in her heart.
"Next time… I'll apologize."
Inside the elevator, Cao Ye finally relaxed.
Even with Black Mud constantly repairing him, full recovery would still take time.
Looking at his blood-soaked clothes, he sighed.
Without Black Mud regenerating his body and even recreating blood—
He probably would have died from blood loss.
Soon the elevator reached the top.
He returned to his room.
The moment he entered, he stripped off his clothes and threw them away.
Then he stepped into the bathroom.
The smell of blood was unbearable.
Splash—
After heating water with a magic stone heater, warm water flowed down.
"Ah—!"
When the water touched his wounds, intense pain spread across his body.
Normally, letting wounds soak in water could cause infection.
Cao Ye knew that.
But he did it anyway.
He wanted to remember today forever.
As for infection?
With his current regeneration, even lost limbs could grow back.
Outside Cao Ye's room, a figure stepped out of the shadows.
Knock knock.
The person knocked on Freya's door.
"Ottar?" Freya's voice sounded from inside.
"Yes, Lady Freya."
"Come in."
Freya sat upon her jade throne, looking out over Orario through a large window.
"You did well on this task."
"Yes."
Ottar answered briefly.
For him, Freya's will was the meaning of his existence.
No matter the order—even if it cost his life—he would obey.
Freya smiled faintly.
"After experiencing something like this, that brat won't stay lazy anymore."
"With such potential, letting it go to waste would be too much of a pity."
Cao Ye could never imagine—
The monster mobilization on the 17th floor had actually been orchestrated by Freya herself.