The instant that subtle pulse swept past, the crystals inside anyone infected with the Apocalypse Virus would activate, completely consuming their host's body. Crystallization would spread throughout them until they shattered and vanished as dust.
During the earlier examinations, anyone displaying symptoms of crystallization had essentially been deemed beyond saving. Even the highest-grade Panacea could barely suppress it, merely prolonging their lives. Producing something that could alleviate the symptoms required not only rare talent like Dionysus's, but also sufficient samples and time.
The fact that Finn and the others had only begun displaying crystallization symptoms at such close range was already proof of the extraordinary souls and physiques they had gained through repeated leveling.
And the pulse had not stopped spreading. Before Roland could attack, the purple crystal shattered on its own, becoming a dazzling pillar of light that passed through layer after layer of the Dungeon as though it had no substance, seemingly intent on piercing the heavens.
Then an even more terrifying pulse spread from the pillar of light.
What emerged from within it was a murky, monotonous song.
"Aaa-aa-"
The melody contained frequencies humans could not comprehend. Beyond its sheer shrillness, it carried a sense of agitation and unease. Even Roland felt somewhat unsettled, while someone already as hotheaded as Bete grew even more frenzied as he clutched the infected area.
"Aaargh!"
Even among the High-level Adventurers, screams rose one after another. Compared to injuries sustained in battle, the pain of flesh turning into crystals that remained fused to their bodies and continued eating away at them surpassed many forms of torture.
"Drink your Panaceas! We need to preserve as much of our fighting strength as possible!"
"Calm down! The virus isn't spreading that quickly!"
Finn, Riveria, and the others had no time to spare for their