Although divine power can forcibly purge the will embedded within the dungeon, it carries a high risk of causing greater harm to the adventurers.
Everyone's expressions were grim—furious, even.
This dungeon was home to many gifted adventurers—rising stars destined for greatness. Should heavy casualties occur due to a glitch in the dungeon's will, it would spell disaster for the ancient eastern country.
The world would continue spinning, with or without them.
But Mr.Fang and the others knew too well—if something happened to Luceris, then the recently flourishing "Holy Artifact Project" in Tranquenhold and the Scientific Research Institute's ambitious "God-Destroying Plan" would come to a grinding halt. Continuing them would be nearly impossible.
Such an outcome was utterly unacceptable.
Leanne spoke urgently: "Less than twenty hours remain before the dungeon ends. If we push ourselves, we might still escape with a sliver of hope."
Selene clenched her teeth. "The mission's end result points to divine punishment. But it's just a mission. Once the timer runs out, all adventurers will be forcibly ejected…"
"Luceris… she'll come back safely. I know it."
Her Highness said nothing, but worry clearly glimmered in her eyes.
Even after just one encounter with Luceris, she felt a strange emotional pull—not her own, but perhaps an echo of the "Saint" class bond.
She cared. Deeply.
'I hope she's fine'
...
Inside the dungeon.
Panic spread like wildfire, but the escape routes were already sealed.
Monsters surged in all directions—there was no way out.
No time to think. Only survival.
"Damn it, these mobs are already overwhelming, and they want us to defeat three Lord-class bosses?!"
"Something's wrong. This dungeon isn't behaving normally!"
"External forces can't interfere with large-scale reclamation dungeons. We're on our own!"
"A frontal assault is suicide. We need to break through somewhere and wait for the dungeon timer to run out."
"That's the most rational plan. I'll lead the melee team to charge through the goblins. Whether we survive… depends on luck."
"Let's focus our ranged skills to thin them out first!"
Even in the face of death, the adventurers stayed composed and chose the best course of action available.
Galen Skylar transformed again.
"I'll open the path! You two follow me!"
Celene trembled, obviously shaken.
Luceris turned her gaze toward the three imposing Lord-class bosses, her expression unreadable.
Then, a voice rang out from the far side—sharp and clear.
"Over here!"
"We found her!"
"Come quick—our big sister is here!"
They turned toward the voice and saw a group of men and women approaching, all wielding sacred relics. Several wore knighthood medals.
Everyone around looked on in surprise.
Luceris was quickly surrounded.
"Huh?"
The group of knights shouted in unison, "Sister!"
Their voices were loud and full of fervor.
Luceris blinked, stunned.
She had heard that title before—during a recent solo dungeon crawl, it was shouted at her dozens of times a day.
But she didn't recognize any of these knights.
One knight stepped forward. "The Knight Commander instructed us—if we entered this dungeon, we were to prioritize the personal safety of our eldest sister, even at the cost of our lives!"
"The situation is urgent. Allow us, the trainee knights, to escort you out!"
It finally clicked for Luceris.
Galenand Celene stared in disbelief.
The Knight Order is calling Luceris their eldest sister?
What is her true identity?
Luceris felt the weight of their stares. For a moment, she was disoriented.
Should she really be greeted this loudly by such conspicuous followers?
Still, she offered a small, grateful smile—but didn't step back.
A female knight noticed her hesitation. "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Luceris shook her head.
Quietly, she said, "If we flee, the casualties may only worsen."
"The Lord-class bosses are powerful, yes—but without equipment buffs or active skills, they're weaker than they appear."
The knight blinked. "You… want to fight them?"
Luceris nodded. "I think we should try. They're not invincible."
"Momo, don't be reckless—the level gap is too wide!" Galen warned.
But Luceris had already made up her mind.
"A cute girl never lies. Trust me—I can turn this around."
That radiant smile left everyone speechless.
Despite their confusion, Luceris took action.
She summoned a bow and fired a radiant arrow into the sky.
A dome of light bloomed above, casting a glowing field of magic.
The air shimmered with broken crystals, forming a magical realm.
Everyone was dumbfounded by the spectacle.
But the next moment, the fire within them reignited.
"Let's go too!"
The adventurers erupted in a unified cry of battle.
The monsters howled in return. Chaos erupted in the Battle Valley.
Elemental arrows rained down, spells detonated, swords clashed.
"Since our big sister has made her stand, we shall follow. Attack!"
The trainee knights lifted their sacred relics and charged into the chaos, a few staying behind to guard Luceris.
Despite the raging battle, Luceris danced through the madness like a fish in water—graceful, untouchable. Petals followed her trail.
Amid the bloodshed, an air of serene beauty emerged.
Her presence boosted morale—everywhere she went, magic surged, forming small whirlpools of power.
It was more effective than any recovery class.
Adventurers over level 40 could still hold out. But below that threshold, many were seriously wounded.
They quickly realized—breaking through the monster blockade was hopeless.
New hordes replaced every defeated one. They were endless.
Only one option remained: fight to the bitter end.
The outside world watched the battle unfold with bated breath.
Fifteen brutal minutes passed.
Injuries piled up. No rewards. Only pain.
The Lord-class bosses launched their terrifying skills periodically, causing massive damage.
Despair crept into the eyes of the adventurers.
Survive this for twenty more hours?
Impossible. They'd die three times over before then.
"It's over!"
"There's no way out!"
The battle line faltered. Their spirit began to break.
A wood-element healer at the rear worked frantically to heal the wounded and buff the frontline.
But her mana was depleted. She swayed on her feet.
Then, from afar—a Moon Wolf launched a deadly slash at her.
Too fast. She couldn't dodge.
She gasped.
But suddenly—a flash of pink.
Luceris appeared in front of her, hands forming a crystalline four-leaf shield, intercepting the blow.
The healer's eyes widened, awe replacing fear.
"You're really something… I'm getting angry now!" Luceris shouted.
She dismissed her bow and sprinted forward—leaping high into the air.
Under moonlight, she charged magic.
Hundreds of arrows formed around her.
The situation was too dire.
It was time to go all out.
Everyone looked up in wonder.
In her mind-space, the Elysia Herrscher Dimensional Armor activated.
Buzz!
Luceris erupted in light—pure, blinding.
Magic surged, illuminating the night.
It was like sunrise.
All eyes, monster and human alike, turned to the sky.
"What is that?!"
"Incredible magic power!"
"Such divine presence!"
"It's like the sky is cracking!"
Even those outside the dungeon were stunned.
Leanne gaped. "I've never seen this ability before… Did she just learn it?"
Selene whispered, "That vortex of magic—it's overwhelming…"
Robert Judge lost composure entirely, shouting at the screen.
Under that divine light, crystal shards and petals swirled down.
A cascade of pink light flowed around Luceris's radiant figure.
She opened her arms as divine sigils spun around her.
A living miracle.
Her Highness stood abruptly, eyes reflecting the light.
Luceris had transformed—she had become the Herrscher.
Her old battle uniform dissolved into a radiant, sacred gown.
Behind her, a crystalline halo glimmered—fragile, yet magnificent.
Twin winged sprites flanked her, adjusting her veil and hair, like attendants at a divine coronation.
The world stood still in awe.
"This is… a miracle!"
"Those broken crystals… they're heartbreaking and beautiful."
"I feel like I'm in the presence of a goddess!"
"This is divinity!"
Luceris, the sacred goddess, lifted her arms.
Crystals surged into a magical storm, distorting the battlefield.
A pink maelstrom coalesced into a massive crystal ballista.
A divine avatar took shape—silent, immense, serene.
As if a god had descended.