"Tell you what?." the cute voice seemed confused.
'Is this guy stupid?' Varian clutched his forehead.
"If Abyssals are going to come in five days, what's your plan?" He rubbed his temple and asked.
"What plan?" The cute voice raised its voice to almost a shriek.
Varian's eyebrows crinkled. "From your own words, you are in the middle of this core zone. The den of peak level 4. It's impossible for me to sneak in. In the core zone, every place seems to be divided among beasts."
Unlike Inner or Outer Zone, Core Zone was much smaller.This also meant no territory was left unmarked.
Then the center of Core Zone must be the most fiercely contested area.
Even if he turned his aura off, he would not be able to sneak in. The lightning sense of those peak level 4 would find him with ease.
"… can't you do something?" The voice muttered.
"I should be the one saying that. Not you." Varian began to doubt if the person on the other side was a retard.
'Staying here alone for long periods can indeed drive a human insane.' He shuddered.
"As I am right now, there isn't much I can do." The soft and childish tried to defend itself.
"Then we can both die." Varian raised his hands and shrugged.
His subtext was 'If you aren't honest, I won't cooperate with you.'
"Right… we'll both die. Bohoo!" The cute voice started wailing.
'...is this what a typical high level trapped in lost dungeon looks like?' Varian almost staggered.
His image of the other party was a Telepath that was in the dungeon when it vanished. Somehow, they were able to survive until now.
As for the childish voice?
Come on!
How many uncles don't use a cute girl profile to deceive teens? Even in the VR, there were many incidences of men dressing up as women and dating teens.
This person must also be doing the same. Varian was thus prejudiced against him since the beginning.
As for the Abyssals entering Inner Space?
Varian didn't believe it. However, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Especially the ominous feeling he had when entering the Core Zone. He couldn't strike it off as nothing.
Most importantly, he didn't believe the other party could take him out. But if the Abyssals could enter this place, then if he gets the 'devices' they used, he could also get out.
So he had to play along.
"Alright." Varian said, his voice rising but calm. "Tell me what you can do."
"I can sense everything in the Core zone… I can also talk to you." It said.
"Anything else?" He hoped for some good news.
"..."
Varian had an urge to smash the mountain, but he controlled himself.
"What is the status quo of the beasts at the center?"
"Peaceful. Their territories are pre-established. No one provokes anyone. They all continue to meditate to advance to Level 5."
"Hm…" Varian rubbed his chin.
The first one to advance to Level 5 would be the winner. If any beast started a fight, then both the winner and loser would be prey to the rest.
'They're more wise than I expected.'
"I need to stir up the situation a bit." Varian nodded to himself. That was the only way he could hope to enter the center of the dungeon safely.
'But what can make the peak Level 4 beasts restless? So much that they risk their lives for it?' He continued to think.
'Aha!' He clapped and confirmed something on his comm database.
"Have you gone crazy?" The cute voice was a bit worried.
Ignoring its remark, Varian asked, "Can you sense the materials in the Core
Zone?"
"Of course." It replied, pride overflowing in its voice.
"Then," Varian squinted his eyes and uttered letter by letter, "Ambrosia."
"Pfft! I thought you had a plan. Turns out is just this." The cute voice snickered.
Varian was unfazed.
"There is indeed an Ambrosia in the Core Zone. But it's still in the making. The best effect it can give is… push your level a little. On a second thought, I'll guide you to ambrosia and let you steal it." the voice said.
Varian shook his head and replied, "I don't want to steal it. But, you have to reveal the ambrosia to the beasts."
"Reveal… you're crazy! The Core Zone would be full of chaos!"
"Yes. Chaos! Perfect chance for me to sneak in to the center." Varian flashed a smile.
"But—"
"No." Varian cut it off. "If you want me to get to the center, do as I say."
"Yes." The cute voice sighed.
"It will take me quite some time to get the ambrosia out. It went underground." It explained.
"How long?"
"Three days."
"...is that the best you can do?"
"Unfortunately, yes. I... I am not in my best state."
Varian shrugged. "It'll be fine as long as I can get to the center before the Abyssals arrive."
'I can't miss the chance to take the tech from them and get back home.'
"Sure."
Varian bid goodbye.
He checked Ambrosia in his comm.
{Ambrosia.
Takes hundreds of years to brew. Its effects multiply with age. After maturing, it comes out of earth and gives off an alluring fragrance. The intoxicating smell spreads for miles.
Each Ambrosia emergence is followed by bloodshed.
Human powers started their grudge in Ambrosia hunting. Magic beasts are no exception.
If you are weak, then stay as far away as possible.}
"It should work out." Varian stretched his limbs and got back to feeling his transformed body.
Enhanced Body Awakener.
Boom!
Boom!
His fists flashed, and he rained a series of blows in the air.
What followed were loud bursts of air and the crackling of his joints.
Whoosh!
Varian's speed spiked in a split second and he was dozens of meters away.
Boom!
He rushed to a boulder and hit it with his body.
The boulder was broken into pieces while he only had little injuries.
As continued to test his limits, Varian also began getting accustomed to his new strength.
The cute voice didn't speak for three days and missed his deadline. It asked for more time.
Varian was tempted to just try entering the center, but decided against it.
On the fourth day, it returned with good news.
"Ambrosia is out."