Chapter 99: The Unscathed Descent

The final 17 Awakened remained silent as they listened to Huang Kai’s taunts; no one uttered a word.

The atmosphere was tense, and everyone wore somber expressions.

As for Yenir not emerging, it was none of their concern.

Unlike Huang Kai, who wished for Yenir to suffer as he had, several Third-Stage Military members hoped Yenir could get his team out.

Though it was a long shot.

“That Ye Lin guy must have been held up,” someone observed.

“He brought along two Second-Stage fighters, but they’re just too weak. With the monsters in the final area attacking together, I doubt he’ll be coming out anytime soon,” another added.

“Team Leader Wang, shall we go over and help him?”

Noticing Yenir had chosen the Tunnel 18 exit, a Third-Stage fighter couldn’t hold back, asking Wang Yangping if they should go in to support him.

If any of his comrades were still alive, it would count as an extra bonus.

A look of hesitation crossed his face.

Wang Yangping hesitated, a bitter smile playing on his face as he spoke:

“That could work.”

“I’m just worried that by the time we get there, he might still be trapped several levels up. If his teammates are dead, we’ll have run for nothing…”

Another trip would definitely drain a lot of energy.

The final battle was just around the corner, and further loss of strength would make taking down the Third-Stagers much tougher later on.

But just seconds later, as Huang Kai was about to align with the Military, a series of footsteps abruptly echoed from the back of the cavern.

In the very next moment.

Two completely unscathed individuals—without even a trace of blood—appeared behind Yenir, casually surveying the 14th-level cavern.

Calmly, they emerged from Tunnel 18. Yenir nodded subtly at Wang Yangping, signaling that he was in position.

As the three stepped out of the pit without a scratch, everyone glanced over in amazement, as if they were hallucinating.

None of them were dead?! Not a single injury?

The look on Yenir and his team’s faces was as if they’d just returned from a leisurely spring outing.

“Y-you weren’t ambushed?!”

“How did you all get down?!”

One Third-Stage Military member, stunned, blurted out in disbelief, as if he were witnessing a ghost.

Meanwhile, the remaining Second-Stage fighters also stared in shock at the two trailing Yenir, their eyes wide with disbelief.

He knew all too well just what kind of strength Yenir’s team possessed!

There was one Third-Stage fighter who struggled to take down even a Second-Stage Peak, another who tried to pass off his weapon as Second-Stage caliber, and a Caster Type with downright pathetic skills.

With such a bizarre lineup, not only was it unlikely they’d emerge unscathed—he was sure even Yenir would be injured, barely making it out.

But now!?

Behind Yenir, Li Ke watched the utterly incredulous expressions on the Military’s Third-Stagers, feeling a surge of relief.

She was the one they had turned down.

That Third-Stager, realizing her strength was lacking, didn’t give her a second thought and told her to find someone else.

A flicker of apprehension mixed with relief ran through her. Noticing that they hadn’t managed to bring anyone out, she couldn’t help but offer Yenir a grateful look.

What a close call—had she stuck with them, she might never have even known how she died.

“Lord Ye Lin led us completely around all the enemies! We didn’t encounter a single one!”

“How come? Didn’t your Third-Stager help you dodge them?”

Standing beside Yenir, a Middle-Aged Man clutching his rifle couldn’t resist shouting loudly, feeling immensely satisfied.

They had once looked down on them, and now they were dumbfounded? He recalled how many Awakened alongside other Third-Stagers had entered the next level with pity or even scorn—as if he and Li Ke were fools for picking the worst Third-Stager.

But now?

The Middle-Aged Man, glancing at expressions of astonishment mixed with a hint of envy, nearly burst into laughter.

Aren’t your Third-Stagers supposed to be formidable?

And what about those you thought you’d chosen poorly? Oh, turns out they’re already dead…

Who truly has the insight? And who was the real idiot?

Amid the Military squad’s astonishment, Wang Yangping, utterly shocked, couldn’t help but grab onto Yenir, saying:

“Have you been in this dungeon many times before?”

He couldn’t comprehend it.

In his view, the only explanation for Yenir’s unscathed extractions was that he had been here countless times—possibly even memorizing Tunnel 18’s layout.

Still, he couldn’t shake a tinge of doubt.

Ever since the Military discovered Hell’s Gate, some had considered memorizing the layout for resource farming, yet every entry brought a completely altered terrain.

Could it be that this kid had uncovered some secret technique?

Without further explanation, Yenir shook his head, unwilling to elaborate. Mental Energy Detection was one of his trump cards—it was none of anyone else’s business.

The technique of Mental Energy Detection can only be mastered by Third-Stage Mental Awakened; it’s the vital skill that dramatically boosts their survival capabilities!

And in this lifetime, with no Third-Stage Mental Type anywhere in the world, no one could have fathomed such an ability.

Seeing Yenir’s tentative denial, Wang Yangping’s heart skipped a beat.

If Yenir actually held a fixed-route map, its worth would be enormous!

Suppressing his impulse to confront Yenir, he recalled the Military Department’s task and spoke up again:

“Everyone, our entry into the Hell’s Gate dungeon comes with a Military assignment.”

“Once the dungeon nears its end, we expect you to trade in all your Spirit Crystals to us.”

“Of course, we won’t shortchange anyone on the price.”

With so many casualties, Wang Yangping had no choice but to focus on the few surviving Third-Stagers—especially Yenir, who had managed to bring two comrades out. Once the dungeon is complete, chances are Yenir’s stash of Spirit Crystals will be the largest of all.

“Ye Lin, if you’re willing to turn over all your Spirit Crystals to the Military, we’ll be sure to treat you a bit better in the upcoming fight.”

In a sharp reversal from his earlier indifference, now seeking Yenir’s cooperation, Wang Yangping offered him a friendly smile.

Yenir nodded in assent. It was just a sale anyway—and if the Military was willing to pay a premium, handing them his Spirit Crystals was fine.

Yet he couldn’t help but be curious: why did the Military suddenly need so many low-level Spirit Crystals?

Not far away, Huang Kai—already envious of Yenir for bringing his team out alive—glared coldly at him after seeing how the Military treated him.

Being a Defense Type, he was the one most in need of Military support, since he bore the brunt of the frontline danger.

“Damn, you lucky son of a bitch!”

“When the Third-Stagers come out, I’ll see how you end up—dead!”

He planned to hold off the monsters himself, so if he pretended to show any weakness, that close-combat-loving kid would probably be wiped out by the Third-Stagers in a heartbeat!

……

They stood ready.

Deep in the 14th-level cavern, Yenir continuously adjusted his condition, channeling his focus into his three refreshed SSS-Level Sword Techniques.

The final battle would feature two novice Third-Stage fighters. Although the team’s strength was under pressure, it was still within tolerable limits.

For him, the challenge lay in securing the kill credit and…

Casting his gaze toward Huang Kai, Yenir chuckled softly, his expression remaining indifferent.

His sword technique boasted tremendous power and a sweeping range, and with his own limited control, a misfire could easily take out an ally.

Accidentally taking out a teammate would be all too understandable, wouldn’t it?