With her bow fully drawn, Ritsuka took the lead toward the depths, the beautiful scenery of the cavern chamber seeming as vivid as ever.
Ripples spread across the beautiful azure water, and the spring water was crystal clear.
The spring was located at the very deepest part of the cavern chamber, where small amounts of water periodically gushed from cracks in the wall—a tiny rocky hollow.
The mysterious spring water, gleaming deep blue, slowly accumulated in a low-lying area thick with flowers and grass.
However, the surrounding scenery was entirely different. Looking around at the devastated landscape, only that place remained untouched, like a sacred domain.
"The Strong Dragon's remains..."
Ritsuka stood at the edge of a large pile of ashes, her eyes full of confusion.
The Strong Dragon had been hunted, and even the Magic Stone inside it had not been taken. Yet no monsters on the nearby floors could defeat a Strong Dragon.
Black Rhinoceroses and Aberrant Spiders—dozens or even hundreds of them would not be enough for a Strong Dragon to kill.
"Wait, this doesn't look like adventurers' work!"
Tiona shouted, and everyone's expressions grew grave.
She stepped forward and picked up half a membranous wing from the ashes left by the Strong Dragon's remains. It emitted golden motes of light and was clearly a rare drop.
"Cadmus's Membrane. This thing is super rare."
Tiona clicked her tongue.
If it had been adventurers, how could they possibly leave behind something this valuable?
"Besides, I haven't heard of any familia whose expedition overlaps with ours that could reach this floor."
Hearing that, Ritsuka urged them, "Collect the spring water quickly, then let's head back."
"I have a bad feeling about this."
The silence that descended over the four of them was broken by Ritsuka's words.
But in its