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 <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> 7th floor.

The conquest team was standing on a cliff.

Whoosh!

"..."

The wind blowing at the high altitude was very chilly.

The conquest team looked down at the world below the cliff while facing this wind.

A dense jungle spread out before them.

And.

'Are those the gates to the next floor?'

Circular doors imbued with various colors of light, either spanning across the jungle or floating in the air, came into view.

Different numbers were floating in the center of each circular door.

At that moment, the dungeon guide appeared.

Congratulations on entering the 7th floor! At this rate, you might really reach the deepest part! I'm really looking forward to seeing how far you can conquer...

"Skip the idle talk and just explain the mission."

Eun-ha abruptly cut off its words.

The dungeon guide, though displeased, sighed as if now accustomed to this.

Really, I can't say anything... Alright. I'll get to the point.

The dungeon guide flew high, gathering attention.

You see those circular doors over there? We call them Gates. The Gates lead to the 8th floor. So you need to pass through the jungle and choose a Gate you like to move on to the 8th floor. How about it? Not much to it, right? The 7th floor is essentially an intermediate rest area and a world for choosing the difficulty level of the 8th floor conquest. Because...

"..."

Depending on which Gate you pass through, the world that makes up the 8th floor and the given mission will be different. It means not all Gates connect to the same 8th floor. So choose carefully.

"Does it mean we don't know what's on the 8th floor we enter through the Gate?"

Roberto, one of Italy's Tredici, raised his hand and asked.

The dungeon guide answered in a lively tone, saying it was a good question.

If you want to know about the 8th floor beyond the Gate, it's best to analyze the monsters appearing around the Gate or the environment. That should give you clues to roughly infer. However, there's a limit to the number of people who can enter each Gate.

"..."

You see the numbers appearing in the center of the Gates? That number is the limit of people who can enter. In other words...

It's impossible for all conquest teams to choose just one Gate and enter the 8th floor.

The dungeon guide continued.

That's why I'm telling you to choose carefully. How you'll divide the personnel, which Gate you'll enter. Anyway, I'll start the mission now!

* * *

To find out as accurately as possible about the 8th floor beyond the Gates.

The conquest team walked around the jungle, investigating the environment around the Gates.

And as time passed.

"The Korean conquest team will conquer Gates 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15, and 16."

After a meeting, the conquest team representatives chose the Gates to enter.

At this time, Eun-ha inwardly felt relieved.

'It was really a tough time...'

Because he had memories from before the regression.

Eun-ha knew which Gates the conquest team had entered before the regression, what missions they received on the 8th floor, and what the results were.

So he had to manipulate public opinion, change the flow, and persuade the representatives to minimize damage as much as possible until today.

In this process, his friends also worked hard to help.

As a result, Eun-ha and his friends had to exhaust themselves in various ways.

Anyway.

"<Wind Mage>. I'll leave Teams 6, 7, 8, and 9 to you."

"Sigh, I hate leading... Alright, I'll do it."

The goal was achieved.

Having achieved what he wanted, Eun-ha entrusted the divided forces to the Twelve Seats <Wind Mage> Chae Seon-woo, and decided to lead the remaining forces himself.

At that moment, Albert approached him.

"Player Noh Eun-ha. Our paths overlap for a while, how about moving together?"

"Yes, that's fine. Let's do that."

It was a proposal that didn't need consideration.

Eun-ha readily accepted.

With that, Eun-ha and Albert's conquest teams advanced through the jungle together.

The journey progressed smoothly without any anomalies or dangers.

During this.

"Shall I teach you a magic spell? I think it would suit you well..."

"No thanks. And when did we become close enough for you to speak informally to me?"

"I've felt this since I first saw you, but you're extremely beautiful. Your eyes are like jewels. Ah, I'm not belittling you by calling you a foreigner. I really mean it."

"Ah, yes... Thank you."

Two Italian men were quietly flirting with Bae Su-bin and Jin Seo-na.

Bae Su-bin immediately showed her displeasure, while Jin Seo-na just glanced at them and brushed it off indifferently.

Yet the two men persistently tried to gain their attention...

The atmosphere surrounding the four people was gradually becoming hostile.

'This could potentially lead to a conflict between Korea and Italy... More importantly, those guys are messing with Su-bin and Seo-na?'

Eun-ha, noticing the situation developing behind him, immediately took action.

He addressed Albert.

"Player Albert, I'll take care of our side, so I'll leave your side to you. If possible, I'd appreciate it if you could at least give them a warning. After all, they started the provocation first."

"I'm ashamed... Alright. I'll give them a stern talking to."

Albert complied willingly.

Eun-ha thanked him and then called out to Bae Su-bin and Jin Seo-na, who were glaring from behind.

"Su-bin, Seo-na. Don't stay there, come over here."

"..."

The two turned their heads towards Eun-ha.

They relaxed their faces as if nothing had happened.

"Hmph. Alright, I'm coming."

"Okay, I'm coming now!"

Bae Su-bin and Jin Seo-na moved their steps towards Eun-ha.

Eun-ha, having called the two to his side, continued to lead the way.

Thus, the Korean and Italian conquest teams continued to advance through the jungle.

As time passed and the paths of the two conquest teams were about to diverge.

Rumble rumble!

"..."

Moooo!

People encountered a herd of monsters reminiscent of buffaloes, bringing sandstorms as they passed through their path.

"Of all places, they had to come here..."

"It seems they'll use this as their dwelling for a while, we have no choice but to subjugate them."

As if that wasn't enough, after taking down these creatures, they would have to battle the army of the 3rd tier Lizardman Lord.

Albert and Eun-ha, who had sighed quietly, instructed the conquest team to prepare for battle.

"First, scatter the herd!"

Immediately, the Casters who had been preparing magic responded.

They bombarded the monsters trampling the vegetation.

Boom boom!

Moooo!

The creatures couldn't help but be flustered by the sudden attack.

Confusion arose in the herd that had been moving in unison.

The conquest team didn't miss this opportunity and dove into the herd.

"It's dangerous, so avoid fighting from the front as much as possible! Aim for the sides or rear!"

One wrong move and they could be gored by the creatures' horns or directly rammed, risking their lives.

The conquest team agreed with Eun-ha's instructions and calmly dealt with the excited monsters.

It was then that an anomaly occurred.

Whoosh!

"...!?"

Suddenly, flames rose in the air.

The conquest team's faces, looking up at the heat felt above their heads, were filled with shock.

Right after, the flames fell like a waterfall.

Whoosh! Swoosh...

"F-Fire! Dodge! No, block it!"

Whoosh!

The conquest team couldn't help but be bewildered by the unexpected situation.

Fortunately, the supporters who came to their senses responded, allowing them to shake off the flames.

Meanwhile, Eun-ha, prepared for any situation, spread his cloak of flames to cover On Tae-hee and Sun Mi-ye who were nearby.

"E-Eun-ha oppa..."

"It's okay. Tae-hee and Mi-ye, quickly go to the Witch's side. That'll be the safest place."

"Okay..."

"Thank you for protecting us, Clan Lord."

On Tae-hee and Sun Mi-ye quickly retreated.

Eun-ha, having sent them off, turned his head to the opposite direction.

He could feel the presence of multiple beings approaching from a close distance.

'Did they secretly approach while we were focused on the battle? What kind of creatures are they? More importantly, that magic just now...'

Unlike magic used by monsters, it had a refined aspect.

Almost like players' magic.

'Could it be internal strife? This didn't happen before the regression...'

I need to confirm with my own eyes.

Eun-ha, having come up with an uneasy hypothesis, watched the forest intently.

Soon after.

"Uwaaaaahhh!"

Beings wearing rags and holding weapons jumped out with a shout.

They were humans.

But not the conquest team.

'How did they...'

They were undoubtedly the criminals abandoned during the dungeon conquest process.

Soon, Eun-ha realized as he confirmed their red eyes.

'They've become bound to the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>.'

Although he didn't know the exact details, the dungeon guide must have enticed them.

Eun-ha, inwardly cursing the dungeon guide, transmitted to the conquest team.

"They're enemies! Don't show any mercy!"

* * *

The criminals who had become bound to the dungeon and turned into Mains launched an attack.

This didn't happen before the regression.

Eun-ha soon understood the reason.

'It's because of him!'

Amidst the chaotic battle involving monsters reminiscent of buffaloes, Lizardmen who appeared hearing the commotion, various other types of monsters, the conquest team, and the criminals.

Albert was in the midst of a fierce battle with a man who appeared to be middle-aged.

The man, glaring and swinging a hand axe, clearly showed his hostility towards Albert.

"Albert Valentiiine!"

"Kuk!"

Lorenzo Mairon, whose fate had changed unlike before the regression.

Eun-ha judged that he, leading the prisoners, was the root cause.

'I need to deal with him.'

However, the situation wasn't favorable.

To support Albert, he would have to break through the chaotic battlefield, and moreover, the criminals turned Mains were particularly targeting Eun-ha.

The reason could be somewhat guessed from the occasional English heard.

"He is Eun-ha No!"

"Don't let him go!"

"Hold him! Hold him!"

"Kill <Overlord >! We have to kill him!"

The criminals had heard rumors about Eun-ha who conquered the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, and since entering the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>, they had directly witnessed his skills.

As a result, they couldn't help but be wary of Eun-ha.

Eun-ha clicked his tongue.

"I didn't want this kind of popularity..."

There's no choice.

Eun-ha decided to deal with the criminals and leave Lorenzo to Albert and the other Tredici.

On the other hand, he coolly assessed the battle situation.

'We can't just keep fighting like this. The monsters will keep increasing, and the tide of battle will turn unfavorable for us.'

If it's not a battle that can be ended quickly, the conquest team's power consumption would be severe.

But conveniently, the Gates they had originally targeted were visible not far away.

'I don't know what will happen to these guys, but at least the monsters won't follow us through the Gates.'

Eun-ha made a decision.

"Seo-na."

"Yes, just say it. I can use telepathy anytime."

Jin Seo-na, who was back-to-back with Eun-ha, spoke reliably.

She perked up her triangular ears.

"First, tell the supporters. When I give the signal, set off flash grenades to blind the enemies."

"And then?"

"Next, tell the team members. Timed with the flash grenades going off, run to their designated Gates."

"Rather than wasting our strength, you're saying we should move to the 8th floor. Alright, good idea."

"Please ask the Italian conquest team too."

"Okay."

Right after the conversation, Jin Seo-na sent telepathy to people.

People who heard the plan decided to wait for the right moment, but...

Just then.

Screech! Screech! Whoosh!

"...Huh?"

Thud!

"...!"

A flying monster that had suddenly dive-bombed from the sky snatched Iriya.

The creature reminiscent of a bird of prey immediately ascended vertically from the ground.

"Kyaaaa!"

Iriya, caught in the creature's talons in the blink of an eye, screamed.

Her scream echoed.

Eun-ha immediately spread his wings of flame.

"Iriya!"

He flies up, tracing the creature's flight path.

Resisting gravity, Eun-ha ascended vertically and increased his speed.

But the creature was so fast that he could hardly catch up.

'Then...!'

<Beast Transformation: Liger Blaster>

He'll snipe with the blaster.

Eun-ha fixed the blaster with his right arm.

Gathering lightning...

'Hit!'

He fires.

Blue lightning streaks across the sky.

Eventually, the lightning grazed the creature's lower body as Eun-ha intended.

The startled creature reflexively loosened its grip on its talons.

"Kyaaaa!"

Iriya falls.

Eun-ha flew at maximum speed and caught her as she fell.

She, who had been squeezing her eyes shut in his arms, carefully opened her eyelids.

"...Master?"

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes... Thank you, Master."

Iriya calms down.

She smiles gently.

Eun-ha felt relieved.

But he couldn't completely let his guard down.

Screech! Screeech!

The flying monster that had lost Iriya was showing hostility.

Not only that, but other monsters also recognized Eun-ha and Iriya as targets.

Eun-ha was on edge.

"It's going to be chaotic. Hold on tight so you don't fall."

"Yes, Master."

He decides to descend to the ground as he can't fight while protecting Iriya.

But...

'They're persistent.'

The monsters' pursuit was particularly tenacious.

At this rate, he couldn't return to where the conquest team was.

'Is there no support from the ground...'

Unfortunately, the conquest team on the ground seems quite busy too.

They might have already implemented his plan and retreated through the Gates.

Finally, Eun-ha made up his mind.

'It's all or nothing.'

There was a Gate nearby.

Eun-ha hugged Iriya tightly and plunged straight into the Gate.

His vision was filled with light.