The Jewel Fetus, also known as the Jewel Egg.
The name immediately suggested a connection to a jewel and a fetus.
Ryuu cautiously peeled back a crack in the spherical package and peered inside.
Through the light, she indeed saw a strangely shaped, emerald-green creature sleeping soundly.
She took only a single look before immediately replacing the wrapping cloth.
Because, according to Eugene, this item was likely capable of causing mental pollution.
In the original plot, Ais, out of curiosity, opened the package.
The fetus inside stared at her, causing her mind to violently shake, making her lose control.
Although it was unclear if this was a resonance with the Spirit's blood.
It was better to be cautious.
Lulune was only a supporting character; a little scene of her faking the package was enough, and she wouldn't have any further hidden tricks.
So, all Ryuu needed to do was confirm the item's identity.
"You, you're the murderer!"
"You said others were chasing it, but it's really you!"
Lulune, having her item stolen and unable to complete her commission, angrily glared at Ryuu while clutching her sprained arm.
"I said, holding onto it will cost you your life."
Ryuu dropped the cold line and turned to leave.
The enemy Level 6 should be lurking nearby. It was best for her to quickly return to her companion and hand the package over to him.
Completely ignoring Lulune's stare, Ryuu took a step, leaning forward, about to dash away like a gust of wind.
But just then.
"Hey, hey, hey!!!"
A jarring, arrogant shout rang out.
Following it was an undeniable, intense aura!
!!
Ryuu's brow furrowed. The unexpected situation she feared most had occurred.
Her whereabouts had been discovered by the Level 5 in town.
Especially this wolfman, Bete Loga, with his violent temper!
"I heard everything, stinky Elf!"
Bete swaggered forward with a sneer, his hands casually tucked into his pockets: "Stealing someone else's property is against the rules in the Dungeon."
"Since I, the great one, saw it, I can't just stand by and do nothing!"
"...This is none of your business."
Ryuu's eyes were icy, fixed on Bete.
She was on high alert, ready to take to the air and fly away the moment her opponent showed any sign of a sudden move!
Yes, due to her wind-attribute magic, Ryuu could briefly fly.
This was a major advantage she had over others.
Even a Level 5 couldn't stop her once she was airborne.
But the difficult part was that the "Ferocious Wolf" Bete Loga, standing before her, was famous for his leg strength.
His speed was definitely superior to Ryuu's.
He could even achieve short bursts of floating by pushing off the ground.
Once he tangled with her, it would be difficult to escape.
"What's wrong? You have the guts to steal, but not the guts to protect it?"
Bete instantly saw through Ryuu's nervousness. A beast's instinct often played an excellent role in combat.
Just like now, he had already locked onto multiple angles where Ryuu might attempt to evade.
Both parties were waiting for an opportunity.
It all came down to who couldn't hold back and moved first!
"You're a member of the Loki Familia, aren't you!" Lulune recognized Bete and gave him a pleading look: "Please protect me! This Elf just came up and—"
"Shut up!" Bete roared, startling Lulune into stumbling and sitting down.
"So noisy! Get lost if you don't want to die!"
Although Bete's expression was vicious, Lulune immediately understood his intention.
Whether it was out of good intentions or simply to be rid of her, the main thing was to escape!
She jumped up and scurried away like a squirrel fleeing a fire.
And so, only the two adversaries remained at the scene.
The gray-haired Werewolf and the proud Elf.
It was as if their very cores were absolute opposites; a simple gaze was enough to breed mutual disgust.
"Do you do this often? You don't look flustered at all," Bete sneered mockingly: "You claim to be a noble Elf, but you're just a thick-skinned robber."
Ryuu's heart remained calm. She held her wooden sword forward, her voice still cold: "None of your business."
"I don't care."
The hostility radiating from Bete's body intensified, and the beast's aura began to vibrate the surrounding air!
"I don't like you, so I'll beat you up!!"
With that, his body suddenly sank! Cracks spread out from the stone steps beneath his feet!
Here he comes!
Ryuu's eyes narrowed!
"Ee-ha!!"
With a strange laugh, Bete's figure became a blur, a gray lightning bolt, lunging at her with a speed far exceeding Ryuu's imagination!
Ryuu immediately leaped into the air. Almost the instant she dodged, Bete's flying kick smashed a huge crater into the ground beneath where she had been!
Clatter.
Ryuu grabbed onto a hollow in the giant tree trunk beside the stone steps with one hand.
She had already put the jewel into her satchel. Now, she just needed to concentrate on the fight.
Wooden sword in hand, she kept watch on the area below.
But at that moment, a violent whooshing sound came from above her head!
No way!
Ryuu, without looking back, swung the wooden sword, turning her body around in mid-air like a swallow.
Bang!
The moment her attack struck, an incredibly powerful stomp had already arrived right in front of her!
The wooden sword collided with the combat boot, and the one with the absolute advantage was naturally the Level 5 Bete!
"Ugh!"
Ryuu was blasted directly downward by the impact. Fortunately, she drew the short knife from her waist and slid along the tree trunk for a distance, dissipating most of the impact.
Yet, even so, after just one strike, the web of her hand gripping the sword was already split open.
Speed, power, agility—she was inferior in all aspects!
Ryuu might be the strongest of the Level 4s.
But she was facing a top-tier Level 5!
The Ferocious Wolf, Bete Loga, had attributes:
[Strength B766, Endurance C647, Dexterity B729,Agility S965]
Not a single attribute was below C-rank.
His Agility, which symbolized movement speed, even reached S-rank!
In terms of speed, he was even faster than "Gale" Ryuu!
"The little thief is quite nimble..." Bete examined Ryuu with interest, as if appraising prey.
"I originally wanted to stomp you underfoot, but I didn't expect you to have some fight in you."
He spoke lightly, but he had no intention of stopping the attack.
Bete had been waiting impatiently for the murderer to show themselves.
Since he encountered someone with a bit of strength, it was a good time to kill some time!
Perhaps, causing a commotion here would even lure the murderer out!
Action followed thought!
Bete's figure blurred into a phantom once more. The explosive force of his push-off sent a cloud of dust flying behind him.
Ripples of air-breaking followed his body. The scene of his frontal assault was breathtaking!
However, while Bete's fighting spirit was intense, Ryuu had no intention of continuing to fight him.
Don't think about escaping!
But Bete had already anticipated all of Ryuu's movements!
This time, there was absolutely no way he would let her evade again!
The distance between the two closed in an instant!
...
And Ryuu seemed unable to even react!
...Was this truly the case?
"Run when you need to run."
Eugene's instruction echoed in her ears.
Just as the overwhelming pressure came infinitely close, the hand Ryuu had hidden behind her back emerged.
In it was a oddly shaped object, its pin removed.
When in doubt, serve a flashbang!!
Bang!!
A brilliant flash, accompanied by a piercing ringing sound, exploded right in front of Bete!
Cautiously, he abruptly spun his body, forcing himself to brake.
Simultaneously, a large cloud of acrid smoke drifted into his nostrils. With just one breath, Bete experienced the most agonizing and gut-wrenching sensation of his life!
"Aow aow aow aow—"
The Werewolf's shriek echoed everywhere.
Bete's face was twisted, his features all squeezed together.
His snot and tears flowed simultaneously; he looked utterly miserable. His overly acute senses had backfired horribly!
"You motherf—!!!!"
"I'm going to kill you—!!!!"
The mournful cry resonated for a long time.
It instantly drew everyone's attention.
"Huh? That voice, is that Mr. Bete?"
"What's that guy doing now!"
Lefiya and the Amazon sisters, who were still conducting the inspection, simultaneously changed their expressions.
Although they genuinely didn't want to deal with that foul-mouthed Werewolf.
However, the fact that he was shrieking so miserably indicated that his opponent was a force capable of heavily damaging a Level 5 powerhouse!
Could it be the murderer?
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