The group was gathered in the new core room, located at the end of a 30-meter hallway extending from the old core room. While not yet exactly spacious, it had grown a little larger than the old one, allowing everyone to meet together comfortably.

Ximena was off to the side, away from the group. The Workers were sitting like toddlers in front of Vale, who sat on the throne. Salome and Stacy were behind the waifs. And Toy was hiding behind the throne.

"I trust you all understand the plan."

"Yes, Vale."

"Yes sir-ahhuhah!" Toy screamed as Larry peeked around the throne.

"I act to your will."

"I hate this…"

The last one who spoke was Ximena, of course.

Her mental health was definitely on the decline from having to listen and sometimes watch her crush have relations with her archenemy on a daily basis, but for some reason, she hadn't blamed Vale at all. In fact, her innocent crush had not waned, but grown.

But… now she had to directly assist Vale in having relations with another woman. This wasn't something she was particularly thrilled to do.

Well, assuming it was a woman.

While Valentin Laurent of Aleyrac was straight, Lust was open to all.

Vale wasn't entirely sure what he'd do if it were a man, nor if he'd have any mental reservations. However, he didn't want to entirely lose himself in his assigned role.

He didn't want to become just Lust or the Master of Lust. He wanted to be Valentin Laurent, Fifth Advent of Lust — Valentin Laurent, Master of Lust.

So, he would try to stick to what Vale before Lust would have done, even if it meant going against the nature of lust.

That could change in the future; it all depended on how far Vale delved into lust and how much of his past self would remain as his lust grew.

Level: [2]

Enemies:

[Nascent Aberrant: 15]

[Nascent Mutant: 5]

[Nascent Monster: 1]

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

"Yes…"

[Level 2 will begin in 10 minutes, good luck!]

As soon as Vale said yes, the group all began to file out of the room, led by Salome and Stacy, with Ximena being the last to leave.

While the others didn't have access to the system, by this point, Vale had explained what it was as well as why he randomly said 'no' every time he sat on the chair. He had to explain so he didn't look like a lunatic.

For some reason, while he could perform all other system functions with his mind, those involving the chair had to be verbal…

In any case, instead of using this Level as an opportunity for growth for Stacy, Vale, and Toy. It was instead intended to recruit a new member. Meaning, Salome and Ximena need only hold back against the Nascent Monster. The twenty others were about to be utterly decimated by two of the most lethal women in history.

Salome and Ximena went and stood at the entrance, by where the black ball had formed. As for everyone else… Crow went to his nest in the ceiling to drop stalagmites if needed, and the Other nine Workers once again filled the passageway to the core as a last line of defense.

Toy, Stacy, and Vale just sat around the first corner of the maze, where they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. Then, when only the intended one remained, the rest would retreat, and Vale would be left to fight and dominate her on his own.

While he technically didn't have to do it alone, according to Salome, the chance of success in the Charm decreased if multiple people were involved. Or at least it would take longer.

Toy was weak enough that it didn't entirely matter and was charmed fairly quickly, but a Monster would be different. Their natural will would at least have some pushback.

Not to mention the other reason…

Who knew how long Ximena and Salome could carry them? Vale needed to gain real combat experience while his enemies were still relatively weak.

The 10-minute timer expired, and a high-pitched screech reverberated through the chambers.

In no time, the beautiful, eerie voice of the system spoke in his mind.

[Felinae Marauder has been slain]

[+1 Aether]

'That was fast…'

[Felinae Marauder has been slain]

[+1 Aether]

[Felinae Marauder has been slain]

[+1 Aether]

[Pantherinae Marauder has been slain]

[+2 Aether]

As the injection of Aether continued to flow, Vale felt a minor chill radiate through the entire dungeon.

'Scary…'

However, there was something on his mind… The only one with a different name so far, the Pantherinae Marauder, was probably the Mutant class. And, after it died, there was no other name announced with it, but he was awarded two Aether.

'Did I get two because of its class?'

Maybe the higher class and rank a beast was, the more Aether he'd get from slaying them. In that case…

'Bring in the money!'

More and more beasts fell as the sounds of battle grew fiercer on the other side of the wall.

While Vale couldn't see it, he could hear Salome's quills as they bit into flesh and whizzed around in the air, and he could feel Ximena's flurry growing stronger. He also listened to the occasional crash of stalagmites falling from above.

Vale counted the names as they came to mind. He counted until all fifteen Felinae Marauders had been slain, and the four remaining Pantherinae Marauders followed suit.

Finally, the fighting sounds grew almost quiet, but the chill increased.

'Ah…'

Ximena must have been freezing the Monster to contain it this whole time.

In a single instant, the cold disappeared, and a shrill shriek echoed through the chamber.

"Raaarrrrrr…"

The next moment, the same bestial voice screamed again as the sound of chunks of stone falling from the wall sounded.

"Die! Die!"

'Salome at work, huh…'

Just as planned, Ximena and Salome reeled around the corner with the Monster in tow.

It was…

'A cat?'

Well, not a cat… but a cat person?

The Monster looked like a human woman with short, straight black hair cut into a bob. The only difference she had when compared to a human would be her furry black ears, claws, her tail, and her vertical slit golden eyes…

She wore a tight-fitting leather shirt and pants, which seemed to provide very little protection.

As Vale realized who his opponent would be, he felt an ambivalent sensation…

It was a cat… cats could typically see well in the dark. This cat person was undoubtedly able to see to some degree. And that degree was probably enhanced. It was a Monster class after all.

As for its apparent fighting style.

Vale watched intently as Salome dodged its relentless attacks with ease…

'She fights just like a cat would…'

Running around and throwing swipes with her claws while bouncing off the walls.

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