Homecoming to the Summit
The journey back proceeded without any major issues.
We got a bit lost in the maze-like Upper Zone, but thanks to Yoon Ji-su's party showing up at just the right moment as always, we made it safely to the Forest Zone.
A little more wandering, and Snow might've smashed through the walls. That would've been a disaster.
Park Min-seong, whom we met again after several months, had awakened as a hunter in the meantime.
His rank was barely F at best, but he had a sturdy, hunter-like face now.
So he finally became the hunter he always wanted to be.
Well, tagging along with Yoon Ji-su's group meant delving into places like the Desert Zone that were a bit deep for ordinary folk, so it was only natural he'd awaken in that environment.
I nodded slightly back at Park Min-seong, who bowed his head in gratitude toward me.
Now that he'd become a hunter as he wished, I hoped he'd keep pushing forward steadily.
Becoming a hunter wasn't the end of it.
The road ahead would only get tougher.
If he just wanted a normal life, he wouldn't need to get stronger, but seeing those quietly sparkling eyes fixed on me, Park Min-seong didn't seem like the type to stop at that level.
Our companionship with Yoon Ji-su's group didn't last long.
We had to hurry a bit since there were folks we needed to meet along the way.
Forest Zone, 18th floor.
We descended quietly into the peaceful forest here, unchanged from when I'd come with my little sibling last time.
Sensing my presence, they began to appear one by one.
Five in total—a clear drop from last time.
But the survivors looked markedly stronger for it.
C-rank, no less. More than enough to claim layer boss status if they wanted.
You've worked hard.
"Woof—"
Yeah. I've come to keep my promise.
Come with me.
And just like that, I took five wolves with me.
Suli seemed especially thrilled.
Unlike our initial plan to hurry due to worries about the lizardmen, we had no choice but to slow down a bit just as we left the Forest Zone and entered the Desert Zone.
The wolves, lacking any real resistance skills, were struggling, and even Rue was having a tough time.
I wanted to use magic to make it easier for Rue at least, but Snow shook her head.
"If it were just a short trip, that'd be one thing, but since she'll be living here long-term, magic isn't good for her."
Snow was right.
Knowing it was right and accepting it were two different things, though.
My heart ached seeing Rue all limp from the brutal heat and cold the moment we hit the desert.
I wanted to summon an ice block right away, but with Snow quietly shaking her head, I had to endure.
If she buckled here, she wouldn't last a day in the Lava Zone ahead or the Snow Mountain Zone where we'd ultimately settle.
I had to trust Rue and wait.
Unless it was truly dangerous, we'd hold out.
Thanks to our cautious, slowed pace, Rue adapted before long.
Slower than the wolves, who'd acquired resistance skills early, but impressively quick for her low rank.
She still seemed a bit huddled, but as her skill grew, she'd improve.
I gently stroked Rue's body as she let out a proud little cry—a rare sound from her.
Good job.
Once Rue gained her resistance skill, we picked up speed again.
The wolves looked ready to collapse, but I didn't coddle them.
Unlike the lizardmen, who'd earned companionship through repayment, these guys owed me no debt.
If they couldn't keep up with this much, I had no intention of carrying them.
"Whine!"
Yeah, my Suli? What's up? Tired? Wanna rest a bit?
Sure. Short break.
Suli had ridden in my arms all day, so she wasn't tired at all, but I pretended not to notice such trifles.
And when she hopped down and approached the collapsed wolves asking if they were okay, I ignored that too.
My daughter sure has a kind heart.
[She's our daughter, not just yours.]
I readily admitted fault at Snow's quiet correction.
After that brief rest, we gathered the somewhat recovered wolves and pressed on.
We repeated this process several times as we descended deeper into the labyrinth.
We minimized clashes with hunters.
By maxing out Stealth to eliminate contact opportunities entirely, our trip was quite pleasant.
Part of me thought a few fights might help the wolves grow, but C-rank evolutions meant they'd already battled plenty of hunters.
Just recall our first meeting.
They'd been attacking my sibling back then, after all.
"Whimper— Whiiiine—"
I shrugged at the wolves rolling over, baring their bellies in submission.
I'd been a bit angry at the time, but that was in the past.
I wouldn't torment them over it anymore.
Relax.
Even as I said that, they kept eyeing me warily, but when Suli barked "Woof woof!", they meekly rose.
Suli listens so well.
And she seems to look after them especially.
Maybe because they're both canines?
I quietly suppressed the rising jealousy and annoyance.
Showing it might startle Suli.
Yeah. We'll talk later at home.
Looks like I have a lot to discuss with these wolf pups.
Passing the Plains Zone, we reached the Lava Zone.
Traces of the last battle still lingered here.
A quiet yet somehow chaotic atmosphere.
No hunter presences nearby, so I reverted to my true form.
Monsters swarmed instantly at my massive bulk and unleashed aura.
Arde's surviving subordinates, naturally.
[Snake Lord—!]
[You're back!]
[Welcome!]
They weren't particularly close to me.
They might've glimpsed me once or twice in passing, but I didn't know them.
Arde's monsters had feared me greatly, so aside from the Red Wyvern, no real familiarity.
Yet they greeted me warmly.
Maybe because I'd avenged Arde for them?
I couldn't bring myself to push away their unprecedented friendliness.
Touching me wrong might reopen their barely healed wounds.
Fortunately, the higher-rank ones kept their distance, watching cautiously.
They'd clashed with me before, unlike the low-ranks, so their wariness made sense.
As I hesitated amid the low-rank monsters, a flock of wyverns approached from afar.
The Red Wyvern I'd seen a few times before.
It landed before me, battered body and all, and bowed its head.
[Greetings, Nix.]
Much smaller, but it looked just like the original 'Red Wyvern' from life.
A distant relative, maybe?
The Red Wyvern filled me in on events after I left.
The Lava Zone had been chaotic without its long-time ruler Arde, but no major issues.
Just the usual monster adjustment to the power vacuum—they were adapting fine now.
Other monsters under Arde were now managed by the Red Wyvern.
I wondered how an A-rank like it became top dog.
Arde's successor should've been at least SA-rank.
Its explanation cleared it up.
[All superiors to me died. The few survivors haven't recovered enough to lead others.]
I got the picture.
The last sight by Arde's side was monsters on the brink of collapse.
Some high-ranks had lingered then, but few survived to now.
The mood sobered; I held my words.
After a brief silence, the Red Wyvern asked.
[What are your plans now, Nix?]
Its face mixed worry and hope.
I didn't know the details, but my answer was set.
[Heading home.]
[...Home?]
[Yes. Home.]
It pondered my calm reply.
Before it could speak, I cut in.
[Let me say upfront: I won't take responsibility for you.]
[...Understood. A shame.]
I continued, watching its mix of disappointment and relief.
[The elder's last words to you were to live freely.]
[...Yes. The boss did say that.]
It nodded deeply, as if realizing something.
I added,
[Live freely for now, as the elder said. You've been bound too long, knowingly or not. A new ruler might emerge someday, but until then, honor the elder's will quietly.]
The Red Wyvern nodded gravely.
I gazed at it, then departed with my family.
As we left, it added quietly.
[Visit anytime, Nix. The boss and big brother are gone, but I'd like to chat now and then.]
I didn't reply to the voice echoing in my mind.
I'd thought I wouldn't return casually without Arde or the Red Wyvern, but maybe not.
If time allowed, I'd drop by occasionally.
With Suli and the family.
70th floor, Snow Mountain Zone.
Unlike our joyful return, the place offered no welcome.
Stepping through the warp gate, we were greeted by a ferocious blizzard.
Unlike the family born here, Rue—experiencing this frozen land for the first time—seemed startled by the storm's embrace.
Her bright yellow eyes wide like when she first saw the Plains or Lava Zones; a faint smile escaped me.
A snake with such expressive faces—utterly monstrous in its own way.
Yeah, yeah. Don't be scared.
I'll hold you tight so you don't blow away.
Rue calmed at my gentle stroke, letting out a soft "Shh—."
Though she had resistance now, her low rank meant Snow had prepped her from the Lava Zone entry.
Unlike the struggling wolves, Rue enjoyed the novel scenery in comfort.
Suli landed on the snow with a spirited "Woof woof!"
She had so much to show her little sister.
I understood her big-sister instincts, but I couldn't let Rue down in this blizzard.
Give up, Suli.
You're fine, but Rue isn't.
What, grit it out?
Don't say that to your sibling.
Save it for those mutts or the lizardmen over there.
"Zzz— Zwaaa—!!!"
As I petted Suli under the guise of scolding, a group of monsters approached from the distance.
A familiar, friendly cry.
Parting the blizzard without hesitation: unmistakably lizardmen.
Even tigers—or lizardmen—come when called, huh?
Wise Scale and the triplets stood out at the front.
[Nix is back!]
[Lady and young miss too!]
[Waaah—!!!]
They swarmed us undeterred by the gale—no issues, thankfully.
They'd adapted too well.
Their once dull greenish scales were now all snow-white.
Evolved into a new species entirely.
We shared the joy of reunion with the exuberant lizardmen.
"Peek— Peeek—"
The swans flew in too, insisting not to forget them.
Gliding freely in the storm—they'd adapted well.
All intact; what a relief.
Truly fortunate.
Leaving the wolves standing awkwardly aside, we reveled in the long-awaited reunion.