Ximena's unique situation came with an unexpected benefit, well, one that was beneficial to Toy and Salome. Because of Permafrost, she couldn't sleep. It sucked for her, but it meant she'd been relegated to watchdog duty the entire night.

'Speaking of Permafrost… can she even feel pleasure? How did such a woman get called to the Dungeon of Lust?'

While some may call the treatment hazing, Ximena did it without complaint.

Perhaps it was her showing her willingness to do anything for Vale. Or maybe it was to show Salome she was truly loyal to Vale. Or possibly she'd agreed because she had nothing else to do.

Regardless, the time was approaching. The time to face Level 1.

Vale sat in the Throne of Lust, and the prompt appeared in his face once again.

Level: [1]

Enemies:

[Nascent Aberrant: 20]

[Would you like to challenge the Level? (Y/N)]

"Yes…"

[Level 1 will begin in 10 minutes, good luck!]

'So… ten minutes.'

Vale looked at the eight Workers who were piled in the entrance to the Core room, their job to serve as a last line of defense. And, worst case scenario, they were to throw away their lives to slow down any enemy that got by Vale and the others.

Larry was at the helm of the group, wielding its stone spear and wearing its flower crown that was slipping off its thin head. Sizzy and Marvel were right behind it with their own shoddy weapons.

Larry bellowed a fiery shriek.

"Ba-duuuuh!"

The others soon followed.

"Baduuuhhh!"

Vale had to admit he was proud of the little guy, even if he was a little slow. It was a natural leader.

'If only you were a little better at your job…'

Vale exited into the hub and then continued until he walked through the cloth streamers and into the initial alcove, joining his Legion.

"The attack will take place in 10 minutes. Be prepared..."

***

'I've never seen them all so serious before…'

That's not to say they weren't serious before, but Salome usually, even when she held a ferocious look, maintained a snarky smile. But ever since Ximena's appearance, Salome hadn't once had the glow of lust return to her eyes.

As for Toy, Salome seemed to have warned her a great deal about Ximena, because the pitiful goblin seemed absolutely terrified of the icy owl.

Admittedly, Vale felt for Toy and her unfortunate situation…

While their strength was somewhat comparable at the moment, it wouldn't be long before Vale far outclassed her. Once he did, the poor girl would have no one to relate to.

Toy was a Nascent Aberrant… the absolute bottom of the barrel; other than the Workers. And, she was surrounded by a Vice, Demonic, and Anathema-ranked beings. Beings that innately dwarfed her existence.

It was obvious who in the group would die first if a perilous situation arose…

Still, the goblin did have a little spunk… If she could bring the attitude she had during sex to the battlefield, she might have some potential.

The group of four stood at the entrance of the Dungeon of Lust, not where it met the outside but where the floor flattened out, and all looked up at the black ball that had appeared a little in front of them, between where the two initial black walls were.

Salome was the first to speak up, but kept her eyes trained on the black ball, which would release their enemies in a couple of minutes.

"Ximena…"

The owl, standing a little away from the group with the sash whirling around her, gave the demoness a quizzical look.

"Yes?"

Salome glared at the pitiful ice princess.

"I trust you will be able to contain yourself…"

Ximena still held her impassive expression, but her tone hinted at her slight agitation.

"Of course…"

'They really don't like each other…'

Salome then cocked her head toward the other two.

"Vale and Toy… when the time draws near, return to the main room. As we planned, the bitch and I will separate and neutralize as many of them as possible while letting a small group pass us. While we shouldn't take too long to wrap up the situation on our end, don't expect help. I will save you, Vale, if it comes down to it. But Toy…"

Salome walked up to the small goblin and held her hand on her plump cheek.

"While you know I adore you, you still have to earn your right here… I will not help you at all, nor allow any help."

Toy seemed a little upset, but the goblin understood what Salome meant. While Toy didn't know that Salome could currently only charm one at a time, what she did know was that her presence wasn't free for the others.

Ximena literally needed zero resources to survive. Salome could sustain herself off of Vale. And Vale was sustained by the dungeon.

Toy? Toy, like the Workers, had to consume the meat of beasts or water to force the natural Aether floating around the world into her body.

"I understand…"

"Good…"

Salome leaned forward and planted a passionate kiss on Toy's lips, which seemed to erase the goblin's nerves.

Vale cast a glance at Ximena, who seemed perturbed by the situation.

'It's time…'

Vale smiled as he began sauntering away, dragging Toy with him. Before he and Toy rounded the corner, he called out to his Champions.

"Be safe, both of you."

Salome called back.

"Back at you."

As Vale entered the alcove, the walls of the cavern began talking to him, echoing a distant conversation.

"Did you really have to call me a bitch? Do you want to be turned into an icicle?"

"Oh, please, like you'd be capable of that."

"At the very least, I could take away your play toy… So do try to have some courtesy toward me."

"Ha… do it, do anything… I dare you, little owl."

A terrible roar cascaded through the hollow expanse and graced Vale's ears.

"Grrreeeaaaaak"

The 20 enemies, whatever they were…

They had arrived.

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