What Are You Going to Do? (Continued)

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression immediately changed.

They turned their heads, glanced at the scarred battlefield, and then looked at themselves.

They were all either wearing glasses or holding props...

If Maria is truly being controlled by the enemy, what should we do?

Did you fight with the other side?

Are you out of your mind?!

Could all of them combined withstand even a few moves from the other side?

But no matter how many thoughts they had, their gazes ultimately fell on Heratia was standing to the side.

Heratia lived up to expectations and made her decision in silence.

She first consulted the people who had previously studied the map.

"Have you figured out the retreat route?"

"... Um."

The group nodded slightly, then unfolded a map they had drawn themselves.

"According to our research, we are currently at the lowest level. We need to descend at least twelve levels to reach a test area. Based on our initial observations from the outside, it should be possible to exit from there."

"... Um."

Although Heratia was anxious to find Maria, she also knew that as a leader, her first priority was to consider her teammates.

"In that case, let's set off."

Heratia took a deep breath and made up her mind.

After exchanging glances, the group didn't say anything more.

They all knew that at this moment, none of them had a choice.

After all, the current situation is indeed beyond the capabilities of any single individual to resolve.

Hesitantly, they followed the bloody footprints to the location where Maria had just found Malitus.

The unusual plant-like crystals here have also aroused the curiosity of many people.

But everyone restrained themselves and didn't impulsively take samples.

Upon reaching this point, the bloodstains on Maria's feet gradually disappeared, but they still couldn't find Maria; before them lay only the dark passage.

"She must have continued walking inside."

The group looked at Heratia, their gazes thoughtful.

They didn't know that Maria and Heratia encountered those monsters here, so they didn't have many concerns, and naturally they didn't understand why Heratia had stopped here.

Heratia, however, was frowning.

"Malitus".

Heratia turned her head and looked at the man with the seaweed-like hair.

What do you see here?

"Here?"

Stunned by Heratia's question, Malitus was completely bewildered.

He rubbed his temples, looked around carefully, and then asked a question with a puzzled expression.

"I've never been here before..."

"..."

Heratia frowned, but remained silent.

The crowd's gaze swept back and forth between the two for a while before finally settling on Malitus.

Clearly, Heratia's words carried more weight in everyone's hearts.

But this gaze only made Malitus more puzzled.

He pondered for a while before turning his head away with a complicated expression.

"I... I really don't know."

"Um?"

"I really don't remember being here... I just remember leaving the group and starting to look for valuable research objects, and then... I came back to where I was just now."

"Malitus said."

The crowd, seeing that he didn't seem to be faking it, began to look puzzled.

They turned to look at Heratia.

This bizarre scene only added to Heratia's confusion.

But she merely suppressed her doubts for the time being and looked around.

"This is the only way."

"Um."

Everyone nodded. As they descended, they surveyed the surrounding terrain and realized that this was the only path they could take.

Since that's the case, there's nothing more for everyone to worry about.

After a brief personnel change, the group continued their journey.

As they continued along the road, they noticed that there were more and more rocks around them, and the echoes of their footsteps grew louder and louder.

Towards the end, there was even a faint sound of wind blowing.

"No... it's not my imagination, there really is wind!"

Soon, some astute individuals noticed the problem.

This wasn't their imagination; there really was wind here!

Only...

"Ten thousand meters underground, or even deeper... There's wind? I'm reminded of the adventure novels I used to read."

Someone spoke up, making a joke.

Unfortunately, it seemed that most people in the audience hadn't read the book, so no one could join the conversation.

Led by Heratia, the group gritted their teeth and continued forward in this obviously strange direction.

Before long, the group arrived at their destination.

It was... a huge underwater cavity!

Contrary to everyone's expectations, the reef that the ruins leaned against was solid, but in reality, the entire reef was a huge hollow!

There was nothing inside, except...

A giant, deep blue tree!

For the Aegir, trees are already a very rare plant.

In fact, for the vast majority of people, this was the first time they had seen these plants outside of books.

It was so huge, it was hundreds of meters long from bottom to top!

Every inch of its body radiated a ghostly blue light, and its extremities floated slowly like ribbons.

It is a living creature!

Pure and mysterious.

An unknown, dark blue creature moved slowly around them, its movements sending chills down everyone's spine.

Along with the shock, another piece of news made them tremble even more.

This thing... is very likely a relic from Precursor Civilization!

It may have spanned countless years!

Everyone held their breath, their faces flushed red.

Only Malitus frowned, his face showing confusion.

Strange murmurs echoed in his ears, causing him to instinctively cover his head.

"It seems... to be saying something to me?"

"Um?"

Everyone was taken aback, then turned their heads and looked at Malitus with surprise.

After a long pause, everyone was collectively surprised.

"Are you hallucinating because you haven't rested well? After all, although we can breathe here, the oxygen level is still much lower than normal."

Some have suggested that Malitus might be experiencing hallucinations due to the low oxygen levels in the area.

Even Malitus himself was somewhat confused.

Is... that's how it is?

"It must be... your face looks a little pale."

They all nodded to each other, realizing they couldn't stay there any longer.

Heratia, however, after looking at Malitus for a while, turned away without saying a word and continued to observe the giant tree before her.

But what they didn't notice was...

As they gazed intently at this miraculous creation, a giant, azure spider slowly crawled up above them.

It silently produced its web.

But while everyone was focused on the giant tree, it silently landed on their heads.

Then...

"Hiss--!"

The spider fell from the sky, and by the time someone reacted, it had already grabbed a person!

"Waaaaah--!"

Upon ascending into the sky once more, everyone's expression changed.

Just as the spider was about to lead its opponent to retreat, a flying stab suddenly appeared out of nowhere!

"Bang!"

While everyone was stunned by the enemy's arrival, the flying attack shattered them into pieces!

As the blue blood dripped down, everyone's breath caught in their throats.

You shouldn't have come.

A cold voice came from behind.

Everyone turned to look in surprise.

Can...

They could see nothing but that giant tree.

"Who is speaking?"

Everyone was puzzled.

The other party knew they couldn't see them, so they also showed up on their own initiative.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, the giant tree began to sway its branches and slowly twist.

As they got closer, they realized that even a small twig was enough for seven or eight people to walk side by side.

And it was along this road that a slender figure slowly emerged.

Looking at Heratia.

"You shouldn't have come here."