The entrance is blocked, but...we should be able to break through it without a problem.

More importantly, what is this Monster? Is it really a King Ant?

Setting aside the fact that the Detector sensed a Critical Level Threat, they're supposed to be vicious, aggressive creatures with low intelligence.

But this one's calm and at ease, not to mention that it just spoke...

"Alright, what are you? Your Aura, it seems way too weak. And what did you mean when you said you've been looking for me?" I inquired warily.

"Very well, I suppose there is no harm in answering your questions, it will make no difference in the end.

To begin with, this body you see before you, I am simply using it as a conduit to communicate in this world.

I am known as the Demon Lord or Monster King by those under my command, my name is Vaszel Vos Kealfaos.

Oh, and regarding this body's Aura, allow me to demonstrate," He responded, holding up his right hand, a ring on the middle finger.

His Aura spiked sharply as he took the ring off, my eyes widening slightly. That intensity, no doubt about it, it's a Calamity Level Threat, a King Ant.

That explains why the Detector sensed a Critical Level Monster, that ring suppresses Aura...I was right, this really was a trap.

"You're the Demon Lord? You-...," Began Aria with a grimace.

"Do not interrupt me, I wasn't done speaking, human. I'm sure everything I have to say will be valuable information to you, so keep quiet and listen when I speak.

Knowing all this will not make any difference in the end, my victory is all but assured. That said, however, it would be rather boring if you humans were completely in the dark, so allow me to enlighten you."

"How generous," I responded dryly, before he ignored me and continued...

"To begin with, I am sure you are already aware that I possess the ability to invade your world through the Dungeons, thanks to my Personalis Arma. My weapon is incredibly complex and difficult to use, and even after all this time, I still do not fully comprehend its capabilities.

It has several rules that must be followed, but as the boundary between our worlds grows weaker, I can tweak some of those rules with relative frequency. However, it was not enough, you humans have put up a better fight than expected," He remarked with a sigh.

"I get it, so this two and a half month break, you were using that time to figure out how to change things up," I surmised with a frown.

"Yes, that's right. I spent most of that time trying to gain a deeper understanding of my Personalis Arma, Dimension Breaker. And I discovered that I can consistently place a much stronger threat in the final floor of the Dungeons if I assign weaker Monsters across the lower floors, as you've experienced for yourselves in this Dungeon.

And I also discovered that I can temporarily awaken and communicate with the souls of the Monsters killed in the Dungeons conquered by you humans. That is how I found out about you, human...Kaivel Intrix, is it?

And you, human woman, I see you wield a Personalis Arma as well...Ariella Velle," He remarked, before adding as he glanced between the two of us, "Yes, based on your reactions, it seems I got the pronunciations correct."

"So, you've got Appraisal too, huh?" Aria responded, a tense look on her face.

"Yes, I do. Your abilities are intriguing, Ariella Velle, but not enough to truly capture my interest...you, on the other hand, Kaivel Intrix, are a different story. This...Sinner System, how fascinating."

<His Appraisal must be of a much higher level than yours is, otherwise I'd be able to block him from seeing your abilities>

Well, this is the final boss we're dealing with, so that doesn't particularly surprise me.

"Let's get back to my original question...what exactly do you want with me, Demon Lord Vaszel Vos Kealfaos? And how did you even know where to find me?"

"Simple, when I deploy Dungeons, my Dimension Breaker displays a general map of your world, allowing me to select which of the various compatible, Mana-concentrated locations to have the Dungeons rise up in.

If it were random, several Dungeons are likely to end up at the bottom of the ocean or inside a volcano or such. The map is not particularly detailed, but after all this time, I believe I have a general idea of which parts of the world you humans reside in. I believe there are...eight main settlements."

Yeah, that'd be the eight Sanctuaries.

And this explains why no Dungeons have appeared in areas well away from the Sanctuaries in several decades.

For instance, there are a lot of Mana Currents in Antarctica, but it's been more than fifty years since any Dungeons showed up there.

He must have narrowed down my location to Australia by questioning the souls of the Monsters I've killed, all of which would've been in Dungeons that appeared in Sanctuary Theta's jurisdiction.

"You keep avoiding his first question...what do you want with him? What are you after?" Remarked Aria grimly.

"Hm...I shall keep that to myself, for now. After all...you will find out soon enough. I will say this much...the balance will soon shift, this decades-long stalemate will be brought to an end soon.

And one more thing...once I free this King Ant of my control-...ah, perhaps I should explain this as well. I discovered the ability to link my senses to and possess those I assign to the top floors of the Dungeon.

Back to what I was saying, I will release this Ant King shortly, and I would advise you to defeat him and hurry back to your settlement.

It should not be too difficult...considering that both you humans wield Personalis Arma, something that should not be possible for your kind, you are clearly formidable.

Your Auras are nothing too remarkable at first glance, but based on Appraisal, it is clear that the two of you possess a lot more power than it would seem. Now, then...good luck."

The King Ant's body then slumped for a moment, before suddenly tensing up with a start, the Monster letting out a threatening chitter before flying up.

"Shit...I don't like this, let's go all out and kill that thing as fast as possible!" I exclaimed, before chanting, "<Enrage>, <Descent>!"

"Yeah, I'm right there with you, [Blaze Ignition: Flare], [Descent]!" Chanted Aria, as the King Ant swooped down towards us with immense speed...

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