Villains Die from Talking Too Much

"Riveria, Lefiya!"

Tiona and Tione hurriedly turned and ran toward them, but the Man-eating Flower Monsters beside them seemed to sense what they were trying to do. They kept attacking the two women, blocking their way to the others.

"Awaken, Tempest!"

A low shout rang out as Ais became a black blur and charged straight into the Giant Flower's attack range.

"Draw Sword Strike!"

Sword Light flashed. A massive slash severed all the vines lashing toward her, then struck the Giant Flower's enormous body.

"Are you two all right?"

Ais stood in front of Riveria and Lefiya, watching the fallen monster as she asked.

"Ais!"

"We're fine."

Riveria shook her head calmly and looked toward the white-robed figure ahead.

"Who are you, and what are you trying to do?"

This was the first time she had seen anyone control monsters in the depths of the Dungeon. And if she was right, this person had come from even deeper within it.

"Who am I? I'm the one chosen by 'her'! And what am I trying to do? Obviously, I'm bringing the Man-eating Flowers from the deep levels to the surface to destroy Labyrinth City Orario!"

"Destroy Orario?!"

Lefiya looked at the deranged figure and couldn't help speaking up.

"That's right! This is all 'her' wish. The Man-eating Flowers and I are simply acting in accordance with it. She granted me eternity!"

The white-robed figure roared, then tore off the Ram-horned Skull Mask on his face and spread his arms like a devout believer.

"Oliver Act!"

Riveria looked at the man who had removed his mask and pronounced the name slowly, one word at a time.

"Oliverus? Could he be... the White-haired Ghost?"

Hearing the name, Lefiya stared at the white-haired man in shock. He was the leader of Evilus, and he should have died years ago during the Demon of the 27th Floor incident.

"Heh heh heh... Hahahaha!"

Oliverus looked at the stunned people below and began to laugh wildly, unaware that something seemed to be lurking in the shadows behind him.

By now, the members of the Expedition Team who had been scattered had all gathered beside Riveria. They watched Oliverus with grim expressions.

"Huh? Where's Qiming?"

Tiona looked around curiously. She had noticed that Lu Qiming was missing.

"I don't know. But with his strength, he'll be fine. Something must have held him up."

Finn lowered his gaze to his thumb. It wasn't trembling, which meant Lu Qiming wasn't in danger. Finn had a talent that made his thumb tremble whenever he or one of his companions faced mortal danger.

Just then, the Giant Flower that Ais had knocked down climbed back to its feet. The damage from her attack had completely healed. Oliverus stood on one of its leaves, lifted high above the ground, and looked down at everyone arrogantly.

"Oliverus, weren't you supposed to be dead?"

Riveria looked up at Oliverus and demanded an answer.

"I was dead, but 'she' brought me back to life!"

As he spoke, Oliverus tore off his white robe, revealing his body. A Magic Stone was embedded in his chest, visible to everyone.

"Are you some kind of human-monster hybrid?"

Finn looked at the Magic Stone in Oliverus's chest and questioned him.

"That's right! 'She' gave me a second life. I can hear her voice. She wants to see the sky. She wants to claim the sky. To let her, sleeping deep within the Dungeon, see the sky, this city of Orario is an obstacle. It must be destroyed!

"She is more fit to rule the surface than those foolish humans and gods!

"Unlike the gods, who call everything entertainment while pretending it's respect for life, and who do nothing at all, 'she' showed me mercy. I am the one she chose. I alone can fulfill her expectations. I alone can make her wish come true!

"And that wish is to destroy this city—Orario!

"She is my everything!"

The crazed figure stood above them, his words brimming with madness.

"This man's gone mad. Let's take him out!"

Watching Oliverus rant, Finn raised the spear in his hand and aimed it at him.

Whoosh!

Finn hurled the spear. The air around it became a visible white shock wave as it hurtled toward Oliverus.

"Hmph!"

Oliverus waved his hand. Vines from the Giant Flower appeared in front of him and blocked Finn's attack.

"The sideshow's over. Giant Flower, Man-eating Flowers!"

"It's over, all right!"

Suddenly, Lu Qiming's voice rang out behind Oliverus.

"Who—?!"

Oliverus felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he saw a black blade emerging from the spot where his Magic Stone was.

"Y-you... who are you? When—"

Before Oliverus could finish speaking, he turned to black ash, and a Magic Stone fell from the sky.

"(ˉ▽￣~) Tsk... Did you really think I was just pretending to be an Assassin? Don't you know that villains die from talking too much? If you didn't die, who would? Right, my other worthy villain?"

Divine Judgment spun in Lu Qiming's hand as his red-glowing eyes fixed on the shadows behind the Giant Flower.

A woman with crimson hair and a long blade in her hand stepped out of the shadows. She glanced calmly at Lu Qiming, completely unconcerned that he had just killed her companion.

"I didn't expect that coming here to eliminate you would bring me an unexpected bonus. So, Wind... are you Aria?"

In the distance, Ais's hand tightened around her sword hilt, trembling ever so slightly. She stared at the crimson-haired woman, her eyes wavering.

What did she just say?

The crimson-haired woman looked toward Ais in the distance. She drew her long blade, crouched low, and fixed her eyes on Ais.

"Interesting. You'll make a good present!"

The ground split open, leaving a crater where she had stood. The crimson-haired woman charged straight at Ais.

The instant she moved, the Giant Flower and Man-eating Flowers, which had lost their controller, began attacking wildly.

"Tch!"

Lu Qiming leaped off the Giant Flower's leaf and swung Divine Judgment, cutting apart all the incoming vines. He pushed off the air and shot toward the Giant Flower itself. His Magic Power and stamina had barely recovered, so he couldn't use Musou or any of his more costly skills.

Otherwise, he would have charged in and cut down Oliverus and every monster right then and there.

For now, he could only take care of this Giant Flower first. As for everyone else, Lu Qiming didn't think Finn and the others were helpless without him. They were all top-tier adventurers, after all.

Gale Dance.

Divine Judgment swept through the air at high speed. Endless Sword Light shredded every vine and leaf attacking him as Lu Qiming sped toward the Giant Flower's body.

Below, Finn and the others were temporarily held back by the Man-eating Flowers' overwhelming numbers, while Ais fought the crimson-haired woman.

Thanks to Douluo for the generous 3,500-point tip, and thanks to Douluo for the two monthly tickets. Thanks for becoming this book's first helmsman.