Chapter 194: Fifty-First Floor, The Female Warriors of Androctones (3)

[Survive. Time remaining: 61 hours 37 minutes.]

As I moved further east, I encountered increasingly frequent minotaur squads. The growing density of their forces forced me to continuously adjust my course, and as their numbers swelled, I became even more vigilant.

Several hours later, I finally discovered the minotaurs’ settlement.

The sun had long since set, and the dim moonlight barely pierced the thick darkness that blanketed the plains. Yet, the countless torches illuminating the camp drove away much of that gloom.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

This place is far bigger than I expected.

Calling it a settlement seemed inadequate; it truly rivaled a sprawling metropolis. Tents resembling Mongolian

gers

stretched endlessly across the shadowy plains, their outlines flickering in the wavering torchlight as the wind blew.

I needed to remain focused on my goal: gathering information about Camadenu, Camadenus, and Amrita. Unfortunately, the settlement far exceeded my expectations.

I doubt I have enough time to inspect them all. Guess I will have to commit to a brief observation.

After all, delivering the proposal to the Turinas and Subrens was even more important than sating my curiosity. It had already taken me nearly eight hours to get here, and I expected it would take a similar amount of time to reach the other group of climbers.

Traveling alone had allowed me to move quickly, but even so, the timeline was tight.

Because of that, I would need to revise my plan. If I couldn’t gather meaningful information in an hour and a half, I would have to move on. Moreover, once the four species launched their joint offensive, we would undoubtedly uncover the information we needed.

Still, I felt faintly regretful. Perhaps interrogating the minotaurs I had encountered on my way here would have proved productive.

No, that wouldn’t have worked.

The area had been teeming with minotaurs at the time, making such a move far too risky.

Thud, thud, thud—

As I neared the settlement, I noted the sound of heavy hoofbeats shaking the ground growing more intense. Turning my gaze toward the entrance, I saw over a thousand minotaurs mounted on bulls, charging out in formation.

They weren’t heading toward me, of course.

So that is how they reinforce the outskirts.

Though the minotaurs were scattered, our combined forces numbered roughly two hundred thousand. The minotaurs operated in smaller groups of fifty to a hundred, which the climbers could handle with relative ease.

It appeared the settlement replenished its lost forces by deploying reinforcements in bulk before splitting up afterward. Honestly, I wondered why the minotaurs hadn’t launched a single, large-scale assault.

Still, this staggered approach seemed to be part of the trial’s design.

Ha Hee-Jeong said that more minotaurs would appear as time went on.

I waited briefly for the minotaurs to pass before resuming my approach. Inside, the camp wasn’t particularly remarkable.

A few guards patrolled the area, while other minotaurs chatted casually over food and drink. Most of the settlement seemed quiet, likely because many had retired for the night.

Cautiously, I made my way toward the center of the settlement.

***

After an hour of exploration, I had yet to uncover anything of significance. Preparing to leave, I suddenly noticed a highly guarded area.

A massive

ger

stood isolated from the rest. Unlike the generally quiet and relaxed atmosphere elsewhere, over a hundred minotaurs guarded it.

These guards were visibly different from the others I had encountered. They possessed larger physiques and exuded an intimidating and authoritative aura. Likely, they were elite warriors.

Even a random dog on the street could have recognized that something important was inside.

Hmm.

Unfortunately, a wooden door blocked the

ger’s

entrance, and it was flanked by two imposing minotaurs. While the door didn’t seem to be locked, sneaking past them undetected seemed impossible.

Even with Master of Shadows, elite warriors would likely sense any disturbance I made from that distance.

After a moment of deliberation, I realized I was overcomplicating things.

Why not use Flash Strike?

Flash Strike’s intensity could be adjusted, so as I activated the ability, everything around me slowed more dramatically than normal. Despite the heightened stillness, I carefully utilized Ghost Step to approach.

Even though I had concealed myself, minimizing my presence was of utmost importance—a technique I had refined to avoid the senses of the masters in the Drifting Sky Sea and Endless Furnace’s world.

What grotesque creatures.

I slipped between the two minotaurs guarding the entrance and slowly pushed open the wooden door. Ensuring I wouldn’t generate any sound when the ability ended, I carefully closed it behind me.

Once inside, I deactivated Flash Strike and took in my surroundings. The interior was unexpectedly cozy.

However, the comfortable furniture and decorations starkly contrasted with the sight before me. Locked within enormous iron cages, four massive bulls stared blankly.

What... are they?

The creatures looked bizarre. Unlike the minotaurs, which had human bodies with bull’s heads and tails, these beings had bull’s bodies with human faces.

They also featured some peculiar appendages. Small wings sprouted from their torsos, a secondary tail grew unnaturally from the base of their main tail, and they possessed human-like breasts beneath their necks, along with udders.

My brain instinctively came to a single conclusion.

Are these the Camadeni?

Considering the minotaurs’ reverence for the Camadeni and their remarks about wanting to birth them, these creatures seemed to fit the description.

What I found puzzling, however, was why they had been imprisoned. From what I had overheard, they seemed to be highly valued, yet here they were, each confined to a separate cage.

As I pondered this, a commotion erupted outside.

“What the hell are you saying?”

“I’m telling you, someone went inside!”

“With both of us standing guard? No way!”

Two minotaurs burst into the tent, scanning the interior.

“See? No one’s here,” one muttered, clicking her tongue.

“That’s strange. I could have sworn I felt something pass by.”

“What, are you pregnant or something? Didn’t you mate with that horse-like creature earlier?”

“Wha—? Will it be a Camadenus?”

“Dream on. How could you bear a Camadenus after mating with a horse?”

Flustered by her companion’s scolding, the minotaur cleared her throat awkwardly. “Anyway, let’s just retrieve some Amrita while we’re here. It’s about time, anyway.”

“Fine. May as well.”

The two female warriors retrieved glass bottles from the wall and unlocked one of the cages using a key on their belts.

Bowing slightly before the human-faced bull, they began murmuring prayers.

“Camadenus, in the name of Camadenu, we shall now extract Amrita. This is for the honor of Camadenu, the Mother of all Cattle.”

So, these creatures were indeed Camadeni.

Despite the minotaurs’ reverent words, the Camadeni remained unresponsive. They merely blinked their eyes slowly, exuding an air of lifelessness. Even compared to Earth’s cows, they seemed to lack basic intelligence.

With practiced gestures, the minotaurs began milking the Camadenus. Before long, the glass bottles filled with milk glowed with an almost ethereal brilliance.

Once all four Camadeni had been milked, the minotaurs carefully placed the radiant bottles on a shelf in the corner.

“Every time, I’m tempted to try it.”

“Don’t even think about it. Not until you’ve birthed a Camadenus.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve heard enough stories about the cursed fools who dared to drink Amrita.”

“I’m telling you, hurry up and leave. It feels like you’re about to do something reckless.”

“Oh, come on, I’m not that foolish.”

The minotaurs continued their bickering as they exited the tent.

Each of the Camadeni had produced a little more than a bottle of milk, resulting in a total of five bottles.

Left alone in the tent, I stood there, contemplating my next move. Based on the minotaurs’ words and actions, the Camadeni and Amrita would be important on this floor.

I could easily take the Amrita, but smuggling out a Camadenus would be a real challenge.

The cages were locked, and the minotaurs possessed the keys, making direct access impossible.

Should I use Flash Strike to break the cages?

I could use my portal skill to transport myself and the Camadeni to Ha Hee-Jeong’s location. Afterward, the portal would allow me to return and continue my mission.

The plan didn’t seem half bad.

They will realize someone infiltrated the settlement, but...

That didn’t matter. We would inevitably confront the minotaurs, and stealing from them wouldn’t suddenly make them stronger.

Resolving my thoughts, I moved swiftly. Placing the five bottles of Amrita into Mung-chi, I sent a signal to Ha Hee-Jeong.

Click, click, click, click, click.

Five clicks indicated a special situation requiring a portal to her location. Fortunately, she wasn’t asleep, as her response came almost immediately.

She is probably preparing to meet me now.

Stepping into the center of the four cages, I activated Flash Strike. Clutching my axe tightly in both hands, I enveloped it in crackling lightning before spinning.

In an instant, the iron bars twisted and collapsed, rendering the cages useless.

Time seemed to crawl as the debris hovered momentarily in mid-air.

No time to waste.

I created a portal linking my location to Ha Hee-Jeong’s.

Without wasting a moment, I entered the first cage, seized a Camadenus, and tossed it into the portal. Operating at peak efficiency, I managed to transport all four Camadeni through the portal in just under ten seconds.

After ensuring nothing of significance remained in the tent, I deactivated Flash Strike and stepped partially into the portal.

Clang, clang—

The shattered cage bars crashed heavily to the ground.

Simultaneously, the minotaurs burst into the tent, shocked and furious. Panicked cries soon echoed through the tent.

“What’s going on?!”

“Th-th-thief!”

I greeted them with a bright smile. “Hello there.”

Waving goodbye as their faces twisted with rage, I finished moving through the portal and closed it.

Sensing that something momentous had just occurred, Ha Hee-Jeong appeared at my side. “What just happened? And what are those bizarre creatures?”

Nearby climbers also cast curious glances in our direction.

Unfortunately, I now had to figure out how to explain everything—something I hadn’t accounted for.

As I pondered, Yoonie, who had been quietly coiled around my neck, whispered, “Su-Hyeok, focus on the pendant.”

“Pendant?”

“The pendant around its neck. Yoonie thinks you need to pour the milk into it.”

“What are you talking about?”

The Camadeni have pendants?

I hadn’t noticed anything like that.

Did I miss something?

Turning my gaze back to the Camadeni, I scrutinized them carefully. Yet, no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t spot even a single pendant.

***

「Invisible message: Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok’s skills have leveled up. Two-Way Portal is now lvl 4. Master of Shadows is now lvl 11.」

「Invisible message: Challenger Kwon Su-Hyeok has stolen the targets of the hidden mission ‘The Breeding of the Camadeni,’ completing the hidden mission ‘Cattle Thief.’ Agility increased by 4.」