Fifth Level Cave.

The various mine tunnels that were originally blasted shut by Lin Jun during the Demon Tide have now almost all been dug through, even adding a few broader passages than before.

This is thanks to the more than fifty digging Puki working here, as well as some humans who have figured out the mining rules.

The clinking and clanking echoes throughout the mine.

Norris, carrying a pickaxe in hand and a basket filled with stones mixed with Demon Crystals on his back, emerged from the depths.

He encountered many digging Puki along the way, with some Demon Crystals scattered at their feet, but Norris did not pick up any.

One of the mining rules is not to steal the Puki's labor results. Norris had seen many people with sticky fingers; the lucky ones were stripped bare, while the unlucky ones probably became part of the fifth level.

The uproar outside about the Big Black Mushroom incident was not unknown to him, but he was not worried about it.

He had encountered the Big Black Mushroom twice, each time settling it with a Glass Bead. In his view, the likely reason the entire Golden Squad was wiped out was that they violated the rule of not attacking the Puki on the fifth level and got beaten to death.

As long as you follow the rules, the fifth level is practically paradise for Copper Level adventurers like him.

No monsters would suddenly appear to attack him. He could earn more leverage by mining Demon Crystals than on the upper levels, and all he had to do was prepare the toll for the journey — two demon corpses.

However, today was slightly different. Upon finally emerging from the cave, he was met by a noble-looking middle-aged man.

Norris instinctively wanted to cover the Demon Crystal Ore on his back but then gave up.

Judging by the man's attire, even a single button probably cost more than everything Norris owned. The ones Norris needed to guard against were fellow poor individuals like himself.

But why would such an important figure appear in the cave?

Norris did not know, but under the pressure of being stared at by the man, he had to speak first: "S-Sir, is there something you need?"

Edin examined the young man curiously. After roaming the fifth level, he only encountered this one live human.

Most adventurers had been terrified by the Big Black Mushroom incident.

"Why are you here alone?"

Norris looked at the pickaxe in his hand and then back at Edin…

Edin also realized his mistake and rephrased: "Aren't you afraid of encountering the Black Puki?"

"No, I'm not. I brought Glass Beads."

Norris shook his head while revealing a small pouch at his waist containing five differently colored glass beads.

"You've encountered Black Puki?" Edin seemed intrigued, "So it's true, the adventurer's tale that Black Puki likes glass items?"

Norris nodded.

"Interesting. Could you sell me two of that?" Edin asked. "I'll pay you one gold coin for it; of course, you'll have to wait until you get to the surface to receive the coin, as I'm not carrying any money now."

As Edin said this, he patted his empty pocket to show that he had no money.

Norris handed over two glass beads with no change in his expression.

Forget about the glass beads; if this obviously high-ranking figure were to ask for the fruits of his past two days' labor, Norris would have to comply.

As for the gold coin reward?

He was just glad he didn't have to listen to more.

After handing over the glass beads to Edin, Norris intended to leave.

He dared not get too close to Edin, so he stepped off the Mushroom Road and onto the Fungal Mat, only to be pulled back by Edin's extended hand the next moment.

Norris was a little puzzled.

Edin merely made way and said, "Stick to the path and don't step outside."

Watching Norris walk away, Edin took out a scroll from his chest.

Energizing the scroll with Magic Power, a flood of information appeared before Edin.

[Race: Mushroom-Puki]

[Race: Mushroom-Puki]

[Race: Mushroom-Puki]

[Race: Mushroom-Puki]

...

As expected.

Although it was not his first encounter after descending, witnessing the scout scroll reveal a ground teeming with Self-Destruction skilled Puki still made Edin's scalp tingle.

Just in the circle around him, there were seven or eight of them, indistinguishable by eyesight alone!

He thought without a doubt that the circumstances all around were enough to explain the Golden Squad's total obliteration.

Given this number, it wouldn't surprise him if the entire fifth level vanished one day!

However, the Big Black Mushroom still needed finding; otherwise, his mission couldn't be completed.

The problem was, with so many targets, every identified one consumed spell energy, greatly reducing the effective range of the scout scroll.

Originally, he thought he could find the Big Black Mushroom with five scrolls, but it now seemed impossible — he might have to leave empty-handed...

When Edin had such thoughts, the Big Black Mushroom appeared in sight.

It leisurely roamed the Fungal Mat outside the Mushroom Road and, upon sighting Edin, approached him.

Edin was not surprised; the intel suggested the Big Black Mushroom liked shiny things, and his outfit was certainly dazzling, so it was no wonder it was drawn to him.

Nonetheless, Edin tossed out a glass bead and observed the Big Black Mushroom's actions.

Entranced by the glass bead, the Big Black Mushroom reached for it laboriously on the Fungal Mat.

Edin hurled the second glass bead, and the Big Black Mushroom followed its trajectory.

Having done all this, Edin pulled another scroll from his chest and waited quietly.

When the Big Black Mushroom approached him for the third time, Edin activated the scroll in his hand: Wind Blade.

The Wind Blade flew out, slicing off the mushroom cap from the Big Black Mushroom.

The fallen cap scattered into a pile of white mycelium, and a seemingly ordinary Puki emerged from inside the Big Black Mushroom.

The scene was somewhat unexpected to Edin, but with no time to ponder further, the Explosive Puki surrounding him leaped forth—

Without any resistance, a chain of explosions followed, and Edin vanished without a trace, leaving only a fractured Demon Crystal in his place.

Lin Jun, orchestrating from the background, was not at all surprised by this scene.

Lin Jun had taken notice of Edin from the moment he entered the Underground City.

Not because of anything else, but because he lacked a panel.

Puppet? Illusion?

I suppose it must be something like that, as it's certainly not the real body.

Too distinctive; it's obviously aiming for the fifth layer.

Lin Jun had crafted a Big Black Mushroom using [Assimilation Absorption Level 3] + [Mimicry Level 4], intending to perform before him as if the Big Black Mushroom were some sort of rule-following demon.

Adhering to rules signifies control, and control implies no need for forced elimination.

If these messages can be passed on, then this issue can be resolved.

However, Lin Jun sensed a kindred spirit's aura from this entity, who hadn't revealed its true form throughout the process, hoping that the hastily conceived solution wouldn't expose any flaws…

-----------------

In a guest room of a hotel in Dumb Wind Town.

Edin slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the Demon Crystal, which had broken into two pieces in his hand, with a somewhat amused expression.

Attacking the Big Black Mushroom triggers explosion traps, and glass beads perfectly divert the Big Black Mushroom's attention, including its "true form."

With the information he now holds, there shouldn't be any issue in submitting his report.

Yet the simplicity of the entire sequence, from the Big Black Mushroom's appearance to his completed experiment, felt almost too seamless.

Seamless just like the way he casually approached the granary before.

Should he go for another investigation?

Hmm…

Rubbing his chin, Edin didn't ponder for long before giving up.

Losing two special Demon Crystals and several scrolls on one expedition — a few more trips of such losses would bankrupt him.

After all, doing more wouldn't result in extra compensation…

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