Although it wasn't impossible for him to attract a fifth-rank being now...
It was highly suspicious for a fifth-rank mage who was terminally ill and on the verge of death to show up.
Unless the mage believed the Well of Eternal Imprisonment held something that could save his life.
What in the current dungeon could possess such value?
No need to guess; it was the Forbidden Fire.
Extending his thoughts from that premise...
The danger clearly stemmed from the death power radiating from the book in the man's hand.
Why didn't he just throw it away?
Was he unwilling to part with it?
Obviously not. As a fifth-rank mage, a pinnacle of human existence, how could he be so muddled when facing a life-or-death crisis?
It meant he had no way to rid himself of it.
That book—let's call it the Book of Death for now—was likely bound to Zahra in some way, making it impossible to discard.
Driven to desperation, Zahra must have heard of the Forbidden Fire in the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.
So he planned to use the power of the Forbidden Fire to free himself from that Book of Death.
Or...
To burn the book to ashes.
Dalun Li mused. Even if he wasn't certain his guess was entirely correct, it probably wasn't far off.
So, what should he do?
Stop him!
That book was too bizarre. The death power it emitted alone was enough to slowly kill a fifth-rank mage.
It was too eerie and too dangerous.
Dalun Li would never allow such a dangerous, uncontrollable object to enter his dungeon along with the mage.
Besides, he wasn't sure if his theory was right.
The last time the followers of the Dark Starry Sky entered the dungeon, they almost turned him into an elite monster.
Dalun Li wouldn't fall into the same pit twice.
This was why he had Tongmu monitor the surroundings of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment at all times.
This was why he had created Zeno and Feiwan.
It was so that when such special circumstances arose again, he could promptly stop the danger outside the dungeon.
To prevent such uncontrollable hazards from entering his domain.
Prudence.
One had to remain prudent in this world. As a dungeon, he was an anomaly.
One wrong step meant eternal damnation.
Developing too slowly also meant eternal damnation.
Taking calculated risks while remaining cautious was what he had to do.
“Zeno, Feiwan.”
As his ability activated, Zeno and Feiwan were swiftly transferred before Dalun Li. They knelt on one knee, hands over their hearts.
“My Lord.”
Dalun Li had Tongmu project the situation regarding the Book of Death and Zahra before them.
“The target is dangerous. Deal with him. Do not let him enter the dungeon.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Dalun Li handed the newly crafted Lava Restraint to Feiwan.
“This is the reward I promised you last time. Your loyalty is what I trust most.”
“Praise be to your mercy, My Lord!”
Feiwan took the Lava Restraint. Sensing the massive surge of mana within, she remained calm.
After all, when entering a state of battle or seriousness, the small amount of sanity within her would surge, allowing her to coolly manipulate destructive flames in combat.
Dalun Li then took out the Collapsed Atmosphere and handed it to Zeno.
“The aura from that Book of Death is very unsettling. Use the Collapsed Atmosphere to move the battle to a safe area.”
“If the situation becomes critical, transfer directly into a subordinate floor of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment, and I will step in myself.”
Zeno's sanity was 100% intact, so there was no need to worry about her losing focus. Moreover, her survival and control abilities were top-tier. Giving her control of the Collapsed Atmosphere would allow for its best use.
And in case of emergencies, they could transfer to a subordinate floor.
That way, even if they encountered a situation like the evil god Dark Starry Sky again...
Dalun Li could strip the Collapsed Atmosphere along with the entire subordinate floor from the Well of Eternal Imprisonment and cast it into the chaotic space.
No matter how powerful that Book of Death was, it would become a problem for the chaotic space.
If the opponent could somehow withstand the power of the entire chaotic space and come back to devour him...
Well, what else could be said? If the opponent was cheating to that extent, he'd just have to accept his fate.
“Yes, My Lord.”
Zeno took the Collapsed Atmosphere and bowed her head respectfully.
“Tongmu.”
Dalun Li turned to Tongmu.
“Squeak!”
Tongmu rolled its large eye toward Dalun Li.
“Provide them with vision and auxiliary support at all times. Do not be careless.”
“Squeak!”
Tongmu was delighted to be able to fight as a guardian. This was an honor personally bestowed by its master.
Dalun Li looked at Tongmu.
Was Tongmu's intelligence increasing? It seemed to have reached the level of a border collie now—truly smart.
If it got any smarter, he could make it work a few more jobs.
The thought flashed by, and Zeno and Feiwan rose slowly. Relying on the Collapsed Atmosphere, they transferred out of the Well of Eternal Imprisonment.
Without needing a command from Dalun Li, Tongmu quickly projected the scene of Eternal Imprisonment Town before him.
It provided a live broadcast, tracking the battlefield for Dalun Li.
In Tongmu's projection of Eternal Imprisonment Town, the perspective was a top-down view from high in the sky, encompassing the entire town.
In the image, Zeno and Feiwan appeared simultaneously high above.
Outside, it was currently night.
Two figures beneath the starry sky looked down at the flickering lights of Eternal Imprisonment Town.
“I will go and set the ambush first.”
Feiwan's eyes shimmered with a glazed luster in the night sky as she spoke softly.
“Mm.”
Zeno raised the Collapsed Atmosphere and transferred Feiwan ahead.
The adventurers and extraordinary beings bustling about in Eternal Imprisonment Town did not notice Zeno's movements high above.
Following Tongmu's marking, Zeno locked onto Zahra on the streets of the town.
Although Zahra, as a fifth-rank mage, could not sense Tongmu's gaze...
It was not difficult for him to sense Zeno's direct gaze coming from the sky without any physical obstruction.
He quickly looked up, his eyes flashing with mana as they pierced the darkness, locking onto Zeno in the night sky.
Zeno!
The Calamity Elf of the Grey family—who in the Northern Territory did not know her name by now?
But the moment Zahra discovered Zeno, it was already too late.
Collapsed Atmosphere, transfer.
As the treasure grade magical artifact activated, an inconspicuous silver light flashed in the night sky.
Like a meteor streaking across the heavens, it was hardly noticeable.
But within Eternal Imprisonment Town, Zahra vanished along with Zeno.
Rate on N.U.
