After hearing Cao Ye's words, the Xenos all showed expressions of disappointment.
Especially Rei.
Before coming here, she had already guessed the outcome.
After all, a case like Shara's transformation was a once-in-a-lifetime anomaly.
But even so, hearing the answer confirmed still made her sigh.
All Xenos were monsters who possessed self-awareness and intelligence.
Unlike the mindless beasts born from the dungeon, they were, in many ways, closer to humans.
But the fact that they were still monsters meant they would never be accepted by humanity.
And in the dungeon itself, ordinary monsters hunted them as well.
The name "Xenos" was extremely fitting.
To both sides, they were heretics.
Neither side would ever truly accept them.
So every Xenos dreamed of escaping this fate someday.
Now Shara had achieved that.
Even if she appeared in Orario, no one would identify her as a monster.
Most people would simply think she was a rare serpent-type demi-human.
With the first successful example, hope naturally appeared among the others.
Rei was one of them.
Even if the probability was one percent—
One thousandth—
Or even less—
She would still cling to the possibility.
Because if it worked…
It would mean a new future for all Xenos.
Unfortunately, Shara's case was essentially impossible to replicate.
Even if Cao Ye obtained another Servant spirit origin, successful possession would still depend on:
compatibility with the spirit originluck
Shara and Gorgon shared many similarities.
Both were monsters with human upper bodies and serpent tails.
Both harbored hatred toward humans.
Shara had been captured by humans and prepared for sale as merchandise.
She watched her companions suffer torture and die before her eyes.
That experience created deep hatred—
Hatred for Dix.
Hatred for humanity itself.
Meanwhile, Gorgon was originally a goddess who had fallen into becoming a monster.
She despised humanity deeply and manifested as an Avenger-class existence.
In most cases, becoming a Pseudo-Servant was already extremely difficult.
And extremely dangerous.
"Hey… it's alright, Rei."
At that moment, Lyd stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder.
They had been together since the very beginning.
The two had built the Xenos community together and gathered their companions over time.
They were practically best friends.
"I'm fine, Lyd."
Rei steadied herself.
Over the years she had grown used to disappointment… even despair.
This small setback wouldn't break her.
Throughout the entire exchange, Cao Ye remained silent.
He didn't dislike the Xenos.
But he didn't particularly like them either.
His attitude had never changed.
He wasn't a saint.
And certainly not some self-sacrificing savior.
Even if he had the power to help someone—
If it brought him no benefit—
He wouldn't do it.
Sacrificing himself for others wasn't something he was willing to do.
Crack… crack…
Suddenly, strange noises echoed through the cavern.
At some point, a massive number of monsters had gathered around them.
Most of them were werewolf-type monsters.
Nearly three meters tall, muscular bodies, some even wielding crude wooden clubs.
Each one looked vicious and savage.
"…Damn it. We're surrounded."
Lyd clenched his fists.
As the leader, he blamed himself.
He had brought everyone here.
Meeting Cao Ye had distracted him so much that he failed to notice the danger approaching.
Rei also frowned at the sight.
Clearly the situation was serious.
The other Xenos looked uneasy as well.
Because if things went wrong—
They might all die here.
Elsewhere – Inside the Guild
"A monster feast… here of all places?"
Fels's voice became tense.
Even Uranus frowned slightly.
It had taken so long to find a human adventurer willing to help the Xenos.
If he died here, it would be a huge loss.
Not to mention Cao Ye's identity.
As the rising star of the Freya Familia and Freya's favored child, his death would cause massive chaos in Orario.
"What should we do, Uranus?" Fels asked anxiously.
Even though he was only a skeleton, his worry was obvious.
"Calm down, Fels."
"There's nothing we can do right now."
"We can only hope they escape."
"What…?"
Fels stared at the crystal ball with worry.
Meanwhile, Uranus focused his gaze on Cao Ye.
For some reason, he felt that this boy from another world…
Might create a miracle.
Back in the Dungeon
The unknown dungeon area resembled a giant arena.
More and more werewolf monsters poured in through tunnels from all directions.
In the center stood the Xenos group, watching cautiously.
"Cao Ye," Lyd called out.
"Come stand with us. We can watch each other's backs."
Although he was a lizardman, Lyd possessed immense strength after years of survival.
His potential combat power rivaled Level 5 adventurers.
Unlike humans, monsters didn't receive Falna.
Instead, they grew stronger by devouring magic stones.
Just like adventurers hunted monsters for magic stones, Xenos also hunted monsters to gain strength.
In the dungeon, power was everything.
Without it, survival was impossible.
"No need."
Cao Ye seemed slightly surprised by the invitation.
But his attention quickly shifted to the surrounding wolves.
After all, his advanced gacha pulls earlier had yielded quite a lot of new toys.
Now was the perfect chance to test them.
"Don't disappoint me, monsters."
Buzz—
Golden ripples suddenly spread through the air behind him.
One after another, golden circles appeared floating around him.
SHING— SHING— SHING—
Weapons emerged from those ripples.
Swords.
Spears.
Halberds.
Countless weapons extended outward from the golden portals.
Noble Phantasm – Gate of Babylon.