"Sir Mateo."

  "Hmmm?"

  Helyna and Mateo sitting side-by-side after eating the sweet delights. Claustrine leave them and entertains Wanderer who proceeds to give her a barrage of questions regarding the doughnuts they just ate.

  "You ask me what I feel about killing those people right?"

  "Yup."

  "To be honest Sir Mateo. I just realized something, that I'm begginning to see what I becoming after those murders."

  "That you starting to lose your humanity?"

  Helyna's eyes widen a bit followed by a solemn expression.

  "Yes... At first I'm killing those criminals on a pretense of justice and a mission. But as time goes by..."

  Helyna looked at her right hand.

  "I feel like I'm losing important parts of myself. I forfeited my relationships, I feel indifference on the fact that what I'm killing another human being. And... I'm feeling the thrill like I'm just hunting a mere monster."

  Helyna feels disgust to herself.

  "I tried to justified it with a reason that those people I killed are barely even human and the terrifying thing is, it worked."

  Helyna looks at Mateo and give a pained smile.

  "Thank you for bringing me out on my downward spiral. I don't know what would happen if this continue even further."

  "Let's be glad that we're not too late Helyna."

  "Hehe. But Sir Mateo, I guess you also experience the same that's why you warn me about this?"

  "Yes Helyna."

  "How it happened?"

  "It's a long story but lets say that I viewed humanity on the worst light after experiencing terrible things from a group of them."

  "Is was a painful memory?"

  Mateo gives a slow nod.

  "Sorry for making you reminding you."

  "No worries. I already moved-on and carry on, I wish you also do the same Helyna."

  "How you managed to leave that place Sir Mateo? It might help me."

  Mateo smile and points his finger to Claustrine who still focused on chatting with Monica.

  "That lady is the one that bring me back to the light. If I didn't meet her at that time, I wonder how I would end up."

  Helyna blush and gives a sweet smile.

  "Hehe it seems you two really have a sweet relationship."

  "Huh?" Mateo raise his eyebrow.

  Helyna also confused as she didn't expected such reaction from Mateo.

  "I-I thought you and Miss Claustrine are... Lovers?"

  Mateo's eyes widen then he makes a hearty chuckle.

  "We're just friends Helyna."

  "Oh..."

  "Anyways. What I'm saying is you need people that would bring you back to light and makes you move forward with a positive view of tommorow. And you still have someone important, right?"

  "Misha..." Helyna remembers her little sister. It's been a while since she last visited Misha back in Zelestre.

  "So once we escaped here. You should meet Misha and apologize to her. I assume you have a terrible relationship with her right now."

  Helyna nods slowly.

  "Then fix that gap before it's too late ok?"

  "I will... Thanks a lot Sir Mateo."

  "Just call me Mateo. Sir is too much for a mere adventurer like me."

  Helyna chuckle.

  "There's nothing mere about you and Grand Ecstasy."

  On the distance is Claustrine looking at Mateo with a sad expression on her face. Claustrine sigh and slap her cheeks hard. Making a sound that alerted Monica.

  "What's wrong Trinne?"

  "Nothing Monica. I just feeling sleepy."

  "Perhaps we should really sleep. I guess it's already close to midnight at this point despite how bright the lights are." Monica's suggestion then followed by a yawn.

  "How about these folks?" Claustrine points her thumb on Ameron behind her.

  But Claustrine find a solution. She walk towards Ameron which can only sit with their hands tied by ropes. She pull her staff from her BoS and stab it to the ground.

  The staff glows and from Ameron's area, a cage emerged which made of solid and shiny Tungsten even with a roof included. Locking the shocked criminals inside like animals.

  "That should work." Claustrine then yawns as the magic consumes her mana and stamina.

  "So that's the infamous magic that adventurers talking about. The ones that resist a Deistic Magic."

  Monica on their travel hears about Grand Ecstasy's exploits from word of mouth with other adventurers. And some of the tales talk about the mage of Grand Ecstasy having a weird magic that block the War God's blood.

  "But you need to sustain this with mana. You can't exactly sleep with that condition." Boltz speaks as he observes the cage closer.

  "I used manipulation magic to create that cage so that's permanent. Just sleep peacefully." Claustrine answers as she stary to lie down on her makeshift bed.

  Wanderer is surprised after hearing Claustrine's word. Graham walks closer to the cage and tap it with his sword.

  "This... Is... SOLID METAL! How?!"

  "Oh crap..." Claustrine whispers as she might make a mistake.

  "Araaa~ you truly became a strong mage Trinneee... Doing such magic requires a lot of mana and precision you knooow~." Monica speaks as she touch the smooth tungsten.

  Claustrine sees Mateo looking at her with a slight dissapointed expression, shaking his head slowly.

  "Tehee~." Claustrine acts sorry.

  After more rambling. Everyone falls asleep, Wanderer, Helyna and Grand Ecstasy just cover their eyes with thick blanket to block the bright lights while Ameron struggle as the same lights disturbs them.

  .

  .

  .

  The 3 Days, the group continues their aimless exploration. Only interrupted by rest, eating and sleep.

  Wanderer and Helyna are especially excited on lunch and dinner as Grand Ecstasy is always pulling some weird foods. Delicacies that came from Earth.

  After dinner...

  "Here it cooomes~. I wonder what it is this time?" Monica sweetly ask as she waits for Mateo to pull something on his BoS.

  And Mateo pulls a sealed paper bag, open it and place it to the ground for everyone to see.

  "What's is this? It's quiet simple looking compared to the previous food." Graham asked as he gazed on the bag of potato chips.

  "That's called Potero chips."

  "Chips? Are you telling me that this are thin slice of potero and... fried I assumed?" Boltz asked.

  "Exactly."

  "Hmmm... I don't know. Looks very bland to me." Graham is unimpressed.

  "Heh. How about have a taste first before commenting?"

  Wanderer and Helyna just looked at each other and back to the bag of potato chips. The four take their single slice and slightly amused and perplexed after realizing how thin it is. So thin that they might break it with little force.

  They finally put the slice on their mouth whole and chew.

  !!!

  They take another potato chip... And eat it.

  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  !!!!

  And take another, now with eagerness.

  "What the?! Is this really potero chip?!" Graham shouts as he take another slice to eat.

  The sour cream and onion taste partnered by the umami of the fried potato really riled up the appatites of Wanderer and Helyna. The four continues to eat until they finally emptied out the paper bag to its last piece.

  "You should really tell us where you get these food Mateo~. All of the food you gave to us are amazing!" Monica then reimagines the previous food Mateo gave to them, especially the sweet ones.

  "Sadly I can't really tell. But I will promise to bring you some next time."

  "Why? Didn't you just buy these stuffs somewhere?" Boltz asked as he find it peculiar that such delicious food is somehow a secret.

  "We didn't buy it actually. The thing is, she's so secretive about these snacks for a while and wants to ensure that the food taste great before she release it to the public."

  "So she's a perfectionist chef? I guess we just need to wait. But why you give us some?"

  "Because it's actually a mission from her. She wants us to garner reviews for these new food from all kinds of people. You guys are actually the first beside us to try these food."

  Claustrine just looking at Mateo with a squinty eyes. Unsure if she's gonna be amazed on Mateo's lies or be concerned that Mateo might slip up.

  "I see... Then it's our honor to try these new food." Boltz gives a gentle smile and picks anothe potato chip, only to touch air as he remembers that they cleared the paper bag of all its contents.

  "Damn... I want to eat more of those potero chips." Helyna then sigh with sadness.

  "Worry not guys."

  Mateo opens his BoS and pull more paper bags full of potato chips of varied flavors. He also get bottles of lukewarm beer.

  "There's still more to try."

  "WOOOOOO!" Graham screams in excitement after seeing the bottles of beer.

  "Trinne?" Mateo gives a bottle to Claustrine with a smug smile.

  "Geez, I'm not your freezer." Claustrine makes a soft chuckle as she get the warm bottle of beer and chill it with her basic magic. Now that the beer are ice cold, Mateo throws beer bottles towards Wanderer and Helyna which they catch effortlessly.

  "Beer... I missed you already." Graham swoon on the beer that he placed on her face to feel it coldness.

  "You drunkard." Boltz scoffs playfully then open his owm beer by removing the cork with his own bare hand.

  "Boltz~. Also open my beer pleaseee~." Monica give the bottle to Boltz who proceed to do it with ease.

  "Thankies~."

  Mateo raise his bottle for everyone to see.

  "Guys. Lets escape this unknown place safe and sound. Cheers!"

  Everyone cheers and clank their bottles. Ameron party, still caged in the Tungsten prison can only watch with envy as they watch Grand Ecstasy, Wanderer and Helyna enjoys the food and drinks. They feel their stomach rumble and the thirst as the beer and unknown snacks are so tempting.

  .

  .

  .

  Everyone is fallen asleep except Mateo and Monica who just gazing on the vast green emptiness. Far from everyone so they didn't interrupt their slumber.

  "This field looks never ending~" Monica softly speaks.

  "But there must be limit. We just need to find anything that might lead us back to the surface." Mateo answers.

  "Of course~."

  Seconds of silence...

  "You know Mateo. You guys surprise us~."

  "Why?"

  "Remember the reason why we kicked you out of the party back then?"

  Mateo slowly nods.

  "It's like 4 years ago I think."

  "Yes. It's a very long time but after that, not only you established a party of your own but also become a strong group of adventurers that you guys rivals us. You might even stronger to us now~." Monica reminiscenece with a smile.

  "Hehe that can't be. We're still far from the experience Wanderer have."

  "But we also can't brag that we fought a legendary hero and surviveeeee~." Monica chuckle.

  "I guess that's a good point." Mateo laugh softly.

  Monica look at Mateo and give a warm smile.

  "Mateoooo~. If we invite you back to the party, would you accept it?"

  Mateo is taken back by the sudden question but he recovers quickly and gives an proud smile.

  Mateo remembers all of the memories he have with his friends. Adventures of Grand Ecstasy that span years now.

  "No." Mateo answers with a honest smile.

  "Hehe. Just like I thought."

  Monica focused her gaze again on the vast grass fields.

  "Thank you for not holding grudge against us."

  Mateo also do the same.

  "I can't really hold a grudge when your reason on kicking me out is correct to begin with."

  "I see. I'm glad you understand."

  "In fact. We should be the one thanking you guys. I heared that you all repeatedly force Sir Hilgurd to start a search and rescue party back then. I believe if you didn't do that, We might not got saved by Sir Gilmore." Mateo speaks with Gratitude.

  "It's nothing~ We just did the right thing."

  Monica suddenly chuckle as she realized something.

  "It's kinda funny that we now experiencing what you guys endured back then~. Here in this Reverse Tower, on another newly discovered areaaa~."

  Mateo scoffs.

  "Yeah. But hey atleast, it's not a vast dark branching cave system this time. Just a vast green fields instead. I kinda prefer this numbing peace and quiet to be honest."

  "I know right?"

  Monica pats Mateo's shoulder and use it as leverage to stand up.

  "Lets sleep now Mateooo~." Monica yawns.

  "I follow later. Good night Monica."

  "Night night~."

  Monica is now gone. Leaving Mateo alone as he continues to watch the artificial scenery of the blue "sky" and multiple light source acting as artificial sun inside the dungeon.

  Mateo feels a bit worried as just like Monica said. Their situation is kinda a repeat of what they experienced being trapped on the mysterious dungeon created by a legendary hero.

  It might be peaceful now but Mateo knows that something is bound to happen later. And he should be prepared once that happen so Mateo decides to sleep.

  ~~~~~~°~~~~~~

  "Hmmmm...?"

  Mateo groans as he feel something placed above him. Mateo jolts up on reflex and he see the surroundings.

  "What the?!"

  Around and inside their camp are hundreds of white rabbits hopping and relaxing everywhere.

  "Everyone! Wake up!"

  With a single Mateo's scream. Wanderer and the others finally wake up on their slumber.

  "Mateo why you're so noisyyy~" Monica is not amused as she sit on the ground, only to see a bunny hop on her lap.

  "Huh?" Monica scratch her eyes and then finally see the swarm of rabbits around them.

  "Why there's suddenly rabbits around us?" Graham is dumbstruck.

  Claustrine observes the rabbits. Some jumps near her with no self-preservation or whatsoever.

  "So cuteeee~." Helyna can't resist and lifted one then pet it.

  "Hey atleast we see something new on this boring landscape right?" Boltz gently put down one of the rabbits that jump above his head.

  "True. But why these rabbits have no survival instincts?" Mateo ponders as he look eye-to-eye with the rabbit.

  He never felt any danger from them despite their absurd numbers. The fluffy animals just act like domesticated rabbit which make him confused as why something like that existing on such isolated place.

  "Get this shits out of me!" The Ameron swordsman throw one of the rabbit away.

  Inside the cage are also filled with rabbits.

  "The fuck is happening?" Herian can only look confused on the rabbits as his members give varied reactions on them.

  Suddenly. Each rabbit morph into a ball to everyone's surprise.

  "Huh? What?!"

  The ball of rabbit on Helyna's hand shakes violently and

  POP!

  It multiplies alongside the other rabbits which is now crowded the place even further.

  "They doubled in numbers?!" -Graham

  "That seems the case. But why?" Mateo's thoughts.

  "Who knows... This place is already eerie peculiar to begin with. Good thing we didn't encountered any hos-"

  CRASHH!!!

  Claustrine's words got interrupted after a loud sound of something crashing behind them. They look only to get mortified on what their eyes just saw.

  Behind them, near the Ameron's cage is a huge creature beyond reason. It has a head of a cow but, its body have a tarantula structure.

  Structure as despite being look like an insect, there's no more insect resemblance besides its appearance as it seems that the monster is still made of flesh and bone of a cow with skin and hair intact.

  "The fuck?!" Graham can't even know what reaction to show except to get genuinely confused.

  Mateo noticed that the "cow" is so focused on the cage now full of rabbits which almost drown Ameron.

  "Trinne remove the cage!"

  "Ok!"

  Claustrine dissolve the Tungsten cage she created and return it to the ground.

  "GET OUT OF THERE! NOW!" Mateo panicly screams.

  Ameron also sensing the danger, they panic and escapes the pile of rabbits.

  "FUUUUUUCK!!!" Herian screams as he looks from below. Watching as the "cow" open its mouth.

  "RUUUUN!"

  The Ameron escapes the area before the "cow" release a net-like web, trapping the pile of rabbits alongside the portion of ground. The rabbits still not showing any panic despite their predicament.

  The net then lifts up alongside the rabbits.

  "NOOOOO!"

  Herian hear the screams coming from the net. Below the pile of rabbits is the Ameron Assassin. Being squished down between the net and the weight of the rabbits who multiplied again, inreasing the size of the now crowded net. The Assassin Screams for help as he's slowy getting out of breath.

  "BROOOO!" The Ameron mage screams.

  With them being tied up and no weapons. They can only watch in horror as one of their friend suffocates while also getting near the mouth of the "cow".

  The net enters the gaping mouth of the cow and.

  CHOMP!

  The "cow" eats the ball of rabbits with an added bonus of Ameron Assassin. The other Ameron members feel fear after watching their friend to die just like that.

  Mateo sees that the "cow" is looking at them, fear runs down on his spine.

  "Shit! Monica give their weapons back!"

  "B-but!"

  "Just do it! We need more manpower for that... THING!"

  "O-Ok!" Monica can only comply as she understands the situation. She's still have distrust on Ameron but Mateo is correct. With a new monster on sight, any help would suffice.

  Monica throws the Ameron's bag to the which they quickly rush towards it. Herian pulls his sword with his still tied up hands and proceeds to cut the thick rope holding his friends' hands.

  "YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

  The Ameron archer now free loads his bow and empowered his arrow with too much mana.

  The arrow flies with a loud pang. Making a trail of mana as it travels directly into the "cow's" head in tremendous speed.

  BOOM!

  A critical hit but the monster didn't even flinch a slightest nor recieve any form of injury.

  But one thing is sure... The "cow" is now agitated.

  The "cow" rushes towards the Archer with extreme speed as the Archer panicly shots volley of arrows into it with no effect while running away.

  "FUUUUCK!" The Archer screams with mix fear and annoyance.

  "Monica!"

  "Ayee!~"

  Monica summons her bubbles and send a huge amount of them towards the dashing "cow" creating a cascade of explosions. Herian, and the Amerons also attack its legs in attempt of hindering its mobility.

  The knight and axeman chops one of its legs only for their weapons to bounce back.

  "IT'S SO TOUGH!" The axeman screams.

  "This is far more stronger than I imagined!" Monica admits as she only see a slight dent and burn marks on its body after tanking such amount of explosive bubbles.

  The Ameron mage cast a concentrated line of flame on its other leg. It didn't even burn its hair which shock the mage to the core.

  Herian jumps and rides above its abdomen which the "cow" seems doesn't bothered at all.

  With all of his mana, Herian unleash a barrage of mana-infused slashed everywhere on the abdomen. His attack doesn't even make any mark to Herian's frustration.

  Watching the monster closing to him. The Archer tries to leap backwards as he continues to rain arrows.

  !!!

  Only for him to trip and fall after the rabbits multiplied again and block his escape path unnoticed.

  The Archer can only scream while lying down as he watch the feet of the spider cow coming down to him.

  CRASH!

  The Ameron Archer alongside some rabbits got squashed to death like some mere insects. His friends screams in grief as they continues to attack to no avail.

  "DON'T JUST FUCKING STAND THERE! DO SOMETHING!!!" Herian screams as he see the others just looking at them fight the "cow" with the best of their abilities.

  "Tsk!" Claustrine is pissed off.

  "Serves you right." Helyna can only say as she watch Ameron struggle and lose two of its members.

  "Let's go." Mateo commands as he wield his sword.

  "Should I take its aggression?" Boltz asked.

  "You think you can handle that?" -Mateo.

  "I can try. It's my specialty afterall."

  "Thanks Botlz. Graham, give all your best. That's the enemy you're waiting for."

  Graham smirks.

  "Of course!"

  "Boltz, lure it away from these rabbits. These critters would surely ruin our momentum and the field once they multiplied again."

  "Ok!"

  "Is that thing an Apex?" Claustrine asked as she watch the monster fight the Ameron.

  "I can't say. But one thing is for sure. That monster is a lot stronger compared to the previous monsters on this tower."

  Boltz raise his mace and from its head eminates a bright red light. The "cow" quickly sees the blinding light which irritates him. Compared to the neverending brightness of the new discovered layer, the brighy red light is a lot potent and blinding.

  "Come here big fella... You don't like this don't you?"

  Boltz successfully take the aggression of the "cow" and he proceeds to run away, behind him is the monster running at full speed.

  "Don't attack yet! Let Boltz lead it away from the rabbits!"

  Everyone understoods and they just follow the monster until they reach a safe distance away from the multiplying rabbits which they see now creates a pile on their previous camp.

  "EVERYONE! DON'T HOLD BACK ANYMORE! THIS MONSTER MIGHT BE STRONGER THAN THE APEX OF THE FLOORS ABOVE!" Mateo command as he wield his sword.