The purple mist still shifted slowly around them, as if breathing with life after the massive wave they had just faced. The thick black smoke from the giant monster’s corpse that had exploded earlier still drifted lazily, mixing with the dense mist and creating a second layer that was even thicker, damper, and more acrid. The fishy stench of dark blood stung the nose, blended with sharp ozone like after repeated lightning strikes, and the smell of scorched wet earth. Every breath felt heavy, bitter, and left a cold metallic taste on the tongue along with an irritating tickle in the throat and lungs.

Hssssssss...

The mist’s whispers grew clearer, as if thousands of invisible creatures were murmuring dark secrets from every direction. Sometimes it sounded like faint laughter, sometimes like groans of pain, and occasionally like seductive calls trying to lure souls deeper inside.

Sylvia, Stacia, and Alicia didn’t waste a single second. After reuniting, they decided to thoroughly clear the area. They spent a full six hours exterminating the shadow monsters that kept appearing without end. Time inside this dimensional rift felt strangely slowed down, as if the purple mist had its own will to hold them in place and test every intruder’s endurance and patience.

The battle continued without any pause.

Sylvia moved at the front line like a deadly shadow. Her slender rapier gleamed with a faint blue light amid the mist, slashing with terrifying speed and precision. SCHLAAAKKK! SHING! STAB! Every cut and thrust was aimed directly at the vital dark veins in the neck, chest core, and joint junctions. Her black tank top was completely soaked with sweat and splatters of thick black monster fluid, clinging perfectly to her firm athletic curves. Her cropped jacket was even more torn at the waist and shoulders, revealing her smooth white skin covered in small scratches and bruises that quickly faded thanks to their soul regeneration. Her black ponytail was messy, with several strands stuck to her sweaty face and neck.

Beside her, Stacia fought fiercely yet controlled. Her dual daggers spun like an invisible miniature storm SWISH! SWISH! SCHLICK! Her movements were agile, lethal, and carried a deadly beauty. She severed tendons, veins, and joints with the precision of a surgeon who had skinned thousands of corpses. Her gray jacket was completely stuck to her flexible slender body, her breathing ragged, but the rhythm of her slashes never faltered. Occasionally she leaped high, using stone ruins as footholds, then dove down like an eagle to stab the core of darkness from above.

Alicia provided support from medium to long range with extraordinary power. Her simple wooden staff continued to spin in her hand, unleashing a perfectly coordinated barrage of spells. Fireballs exploded in the middle of monster crowds, creating seas of purple flame that burned the darkness. Wind Blades flew like invisible scythes, slicing dozens of monsters at once into clouds of smoke. Ice Spears erupted from the ground, impaling monsters that tried to approach from blind spots. Her long silver hair was drenched in sweat, her white-silver tank top clinging tightly to her voluptuous and vital figure, her body lines becoming more visible with every movement.

Those six hours felt extremely long and exhausting. The human bodies they used for disguise truly reached their limits. Their muscles burned intensely, their lungs felt like they were on fire, their breathing was constantly ragged, and sweat poured down their entire bodies. Their clothes stuck to them like a second skin, creating constant discomfort. Yet the three of them kept advancing, clearing wave after wave of shadow monsters. Sylvia’s level rose slowly but steadily, as did Stacia’s and Alicia’s power through their strong soul link. Every monster they killed granted them pure dark essence that their bodies absorbed, strengthening the foundation of their souls.

Outside their area, the fate of the other hunters was far more tragic. The increasingly rare screams of pain and monster roars served as proof of how deadly this place was. Most hunters had already left the dimensional rift severely injured or never returned at all. Only Rank B hunters and above still remained inside, and their numbers didn’t even reach a hundred people including the three sisters. Sylvia briefly saw from afar several parties that had been completely wiped out bodies lying on the ground, equipment scattered, and shadow monsters feasting on what remained.

After six hours of nonstop slaughter, the area around them finally began to quiet down. The ancient runes on the stone ruins started glowing brighter, pulsing like a newly awakened heart. The air felt lighter, even though the purple mist remained thick.

"Let’s rest for now," Sylvia said quietly. Her voice was still cold and firm even though her body was screaming for rest. "This human body has reached its limit. We can’t be reckless."

They found a relatively safe alcove among the tall ruins that formed natural walls. Sylvia took out a simple but high-quality dark tent from her system storage space, its color blending almost perfectly with the environment. Stacia helped set up the poles and fabric with quick movements, while Alicia placed several small warning spells around the area, including a thin barrier that would alert them if any creature above Rank C approached.

The tent was small but comfortable enough for three people. The floor was lined with thick fabric and several layers of mats to block the cold and dampness. They sat inside the tent, opening their supply bags. Simple food herb-roasted dry bread, smoked salted meat, sweet dried fruit, hard cheese, and cold clean water tasted like a luxury after six hours of nonstop fighting.

They ate calmly, occasionally chatting lightly while recovering their stamina.

"The runes outside are glowing brighter," Stacia said while chewing her bread hungrily, her cheeks slightly puffed. "It seems by clearing this area, the barrier to the inner zone has started opening. I can feel the energy flow changing."

Alicia nodded, her sweat-drenched silver hair still sticking to her shoulders and back. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand before taking a sip of water. "I also felt a very strong aura vibration earlier. It looks like the gate to the next layer has opened. The energy feels darker... thicker. There might be a layered boss in there."

Sylvia sipped her water slowly, her gaze calm. "We’re not heading there immediately. Rest first. This body needs full recovery before we continue. Entering a new area while exhausted will only waste our strength."

Suddenly, the ground outside the tent shook quite strongly. BRRRRMMMM... The vibration was brief but powerful, causing the entire ruins to tremble. It was followed by a massive surge of dimensional aura, as if the whole dungeon was taking a deep breath. The purple mist outside seemed to spin faster, forming small vortices, and the ancient runes on the ruins glowed even brighter, like thousands of candles being lit at once.

"The inner area layer has opened," Sylvia said calmly, her eyes narrowing slightly. She could clearly feel the energy shift, as if a massive door had just been opened deep within the dungeon.

Stacia and Alicia exchanged glances. Although the new aura called to them with tempting power, all three chose to remain in the tent.

"We rest first," Sylvia repeated firmly. "There’s no point entering a new area while tired. We’ll go in once our stamina has fully recovered and our minds are clear."

They continued their rest with calmer hearts. Stacia talked a little about the adventure novel she had read before entering the dungeon, the story of a hunter who fell in love with a monster that transformed into a beautiful girl. Alicia smiled faintly and shared her observations about dimensional energy flows that she had studied for years, and how rifts like this could become both bridges and traps. Sylvia listened quietly, occasionally giving short, sharp, and logical comments.

In the middle of their light conversation, Sylvia decided to contact Nocturne. She closed her eyes, leaned against the tent wall, and sent a long-distance telepathic message to Zark.

Zark.

Your Majesty! Zark’s voice immediately rang clearly in her mind, full of respect and relief. Are you alright? The battle there sounded very intense from the energy reports we received.

Yes, we’re fine. How is the situation in Nocturne?

Zark reported quickly, clearly, and in an organized manner. Quite a few parties were currently watching Nocturne. Several small groups from shadow organizations had attempted to attack the borders, apparently wanting to find out if the Queen was still in the city. But most of them had been completely annihilated by Lady Sofia and the elite troops before they could cause any significant damage. The city was running normally, essence production and defenses remained stable. There were no serious threats at the moment, although political tension was starting to be felt.

Sylvia felt slightly relieved. Good. Stay vigilant. We might not return for a while until I evolve again. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Understood, Your Majesty. We will protect Nocturne with all our strength. May you and the two Princesses obtain what you desire. We await your return.

The telepathic connection ended gently.

Sylvia opened her eyes and smiled faintly, an expression that rarely appeared. "Nocturne is fine. Sofia and Zark are carrying out their duties very well. Several small attacks have already been handled."

Stacia and Alicia smiled in relief. They continued their rest with lighter hearts, occasionally listening to the increasingly strong and threatening pulse of the purple mist outside the tent. Their bodies slowly