Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Contingency Plan

Iris exited the Garden of Splendour with a box of desserts in her hands. Though she wanted to stay and listen to Amplicia, she had to pick up her pace and head to the Legacy Ground, the faster, the better. The Sinking would happen soon; she had to keep up with Gulia and Lilith's arrangement.

Because Amplicia's had already agreed to protect her family, Iris finally placed down the heaviest weight on her heart. She quickly made her way across the street, passing many exotic stores and districts. They attracted her eyes like a sea of flowers attracting a lonely butterfly, but she resisted the temptation by reminding herself of her mission.

Iris discarded her initial choice of meeting Penlarin and Warnuli, as she had acquired enough information. Though they should have the first-hand experience of the Legacy Ground, they wouldn't know more than Amplicia, and Iris couldn't know if they were still in the Legacy Ground or not.

Arriving at the First Hall, Iris casually called for a receptionist, who swiftly moved to her side and took her arm, leaning onto her, smiling. Iris tensed but remained overall composed. Though it was a strange custom, the other Monster Girls thought it natural, so Iris pretended along.

"Miss, may I know how to get to the lowest Layer?" Iris said. "I'm not too late to participate in the Puppeteer Legacy Ground, right?"

The receptionist, a Vine Girl, perked up and observed Iris's face. She traced her tendril-covered hands across Iris's body, feeling the bouncy yet firm texture. Before Iris lost control of her voice, the receptionist separated and went to the large table, where countless documents and maps were scattered around.

Using the vines growing out of her body, she promptly searched through stashes of documents. Not long after, one of her tendrils curled toward her with the correct paper. She took it and kissed the vine before returning to Iris.

"I'm surprised you are alone, Miss Slime," the receptionist said. "Most would attempt the Legacy Ground with their friends, and they are usually at Transformation Phase."

"I've studied the Legacy Ground and understood all the risk." Iris smiled. "Is there any policy that forbids my entrance?"

"There is no such thing, Miss Slime. I'm just worried about your safety. A beauty like you mustn't come to harm." The Vine Girl nuzzled Iris, teasing her sensitive membrane. "If you need crystals, you can work as a receptionist. We'll have so much fun."

Iris averted her gaze. Around her, other receptionists flirted with other Monster Girls as they assisted their clients. The hazy atmosphere of the First Hall gradually pulled the relaxing Monster Girls into the undercurrent, which permeated the air with passions. Coupled with the scented candles, it was like Iris had stepped into a luxurious brothel.

When Iris first arrived at the First Hall, she too was almost overwhelmed by these licentious receptionists. If not for Dulcie coincidentally meeting her, she might end up in one of the upstairs rooms, lying on a large bed, panting, helpless against the carnal desires that she never knew she had.

"Unfortunately, I can't accept that offer," Iris said. "I'll make sure to visit you a lot, but sadly, right now isn’t the time."

"I'll wait for the day you work with me, Miss Slime." The Vine Girl sighed and gave the document to Iris. "With your special appearance, you'll be the most popular receptionist in no time. Wealth and benefits will follow, too."

"I can only hope. Thank you for your help, Sister."

As Iris was about to leave, the Vine Girl grasped her hand and tucked her. Iris shivered and slowly turned back, looking confused.

"Miss Slime, do you know that you haven't paid me?" the Vine Girl said. "The price will be one kiss on my cheek, please."

After a short pause, Iris smiled. She abruptly leant forwards and seized the Vine Girl's arm, pulling her in. Their body crashed onto each other as Iris pushed her lips on the soft, leaf-covered cheek. Her moisture stuck to the fleshy skin, shivering it, tainting it with steaks of blushes. The Vine Girl lost her strength and collapsed, but Iris embraced her, supporting her by her waist.

A muffled moan diffused into the air, rousing everyone in the First Hall. They turned to the Vine Girl, who panicked and shifted her gaze, covering her mouth in shame. She looked up to Iris, who winked and licked her lips. The Vine Girl slowly separated from Iris while biting her lips, suppressing her desire. Her reddened expression compelled Iris to giggle.

Compared to the punishment from Lenmia, this teasing was nothing. Iris merely felt a light brush on her skin, just a tingle. She casually waved at the Vine Girl and strolled to the path leading to the lowest Layer, leaving the sensitive receptionist to fend against her passion alone.

After exiting the First Hall, Iris studied the map and went along the streets. Though the Main City Layer was far from the lowest Layer, it wouldn't take too long for someone who didn't stop along the way. Coupled with the map in her hand, Iris didn't spend too much time locating the descending tunnel.

Many Monster Girls were going up and down the tunnel as the Legacy Ground was the hottest place for everyone. Iris easily blended into the crowds and approached the tunnel, but a peculiar sight caught her eyes. At the most conspicuous spot, a lone Spider Girl, Reta, sat on a boulder, scouting the mass of Monster Girls with her dark crimson eyes.

After knowing about Iris's secret, Reta quickly came up with an excuse to leave the house and raced to the tunnel. It had been about an hour, but her determination still fueled her to keep looking, until she saw a Smile Girl staring at her, waving.

Iris rushed to Reta and pulled her down. The two then entered a soft shade of a large tree beside the boulder, where they leant on it and rested.

"I almost thought you’ve already gone down," Reta said. "If you came any later, I would have given up and gone back to sleep."

"It's my bad luck, then." Iris laughed. "Didn't you say you'll keep it a secret?"

"I didn't tell anyone. They think that I'm visiting a library. You know I love reading, but I love you more."

"Now I have to bribe you with a special gift?" Iris took out the box of dessert and handed it to Reta. "I got it from the Garden of Splendour, one of the best bars inside the Main City."

"I've heard of it," Reta said while unpacking the box. "Sister Lenmia told us about it, but she said only the Transformation Phase Monster Girls would have enough wealth to spend there. It is a luxurious bar, even for the rich."

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"That's why I got one for you. Not only does it taste superb, but it'll also help with your Corruption Power." Iris smiled. "Its intense flavour is for those at the Transformation Phase, so don't eat it too fast."

After peeking at the dessert, Reta quickly repacked the content and turned to Iris. Her tired face brightened as she lightly kissed Iris.

"You know I would come?" Reta said. "Am I that predictable?"

"I'm just lucky. Even if you didn't come, I wouldn't allow the dessert to go to waste. There is no reason not to take it with me."

"Maybe I should go with you, Sister. I'm curious about your approach."

"Sadly, you'll have to fulfil your half of the promise. I've already bribed you, so please return. If you stay out for too long, they'll get worried."

"I would have cloned myself if I could." Reta took the dessert box and stood up, sighing. "Very well, you win this time. I'll pretend I never saw you. This will be a little exchange between us."

"Thank you, Reta."

"All for the family."

As Reta went back to the Main City, Iris got up and watched over her until the cunning Spider Girl merged into the busy streets, heading back to the house. Due to reasons unknown to Iris, she took a long gaze at the direction of the house as if it would be the last time she would see that house.

"All for the family," Iris muttered. She shook her head to dispel her negative thoughts, but the looming omen still weighed on her heart, which pulsated as she descended along the tunnel.

The lowest Layer was where the Puppeteer Legacy Ground was located. It was also an intense battlefield between the Monster Girls and the Subterranean Creatures. Though the two Lords suppressed and gradually drove them away, there was no end to their number.

It would only take a few sparks before the delicate balance shattered into countless pieces.

...

A figure shrouded in shadow watched through countless projections, scanning every Monster Girl around and inside the Puppeteer Legacy Ground. Tapinta, the Overseer of the Legacy Ground, sat in the sunken, rotting throne, clicking its finger against the metallic yet ancient-looking armrest.

According to its command, the thin wires along the room radiated soft blue light, flashing electricity, activating various machinery lost in time. The sounds of gear turning and system rebooting echoed, yet hiding inside it was the air of stagnant, which circulated the Legacy Ground since its first defeat aeons ago.

Since the first moment of its existence, Tapinta had been watching the outside world in the darkness, afraid of attracting the wrath of the divine, envious of the life of the mortal. Its task was to find the right candidate to continue the legacy of its era, the right candidate to avenge against the Deities.

Tapinta’s mechanical eyes flickered as it stared at the two remarkable Monster Girls, the two Lords of the Labyrinth. They were strong, but their potential was too weak, too weak to be of any use. Aside from the two, three more potential candidates emerged: a Plant-Type Monster Girl, an Elemental Monster Girl, and a Mythical-Bloodline Monster Girl. They were at the Transformation Phase, but their potential exceeded the two Lords.

"Gulia of the Other World, I've fulfiled your request," Tapinta mumbled. "Where is my compensation?"

Aside from the five main screens, the other smaller projections hovered behind them, surrounding the Overseer, displaying all the Monster Girls who were experiencing the trials of the Legacy Ground. Some were dying, some triumphing, but Tapinta remained uninterested in them. Their potential was too weak.

Occasionally, some Monster Girls would exceed their limit. Small attention would be paid to them, and better rewards would be given to further entice them.

Though it had been more than a week, the result was disappointing, until Tapinta found a peculiar Monster Girl descending towards the Legacy Ground. The Slime Girl was only at the Metamorphosis Phase, but the energy inside her was overwhelming, her potential hidden within veils of concealment akin to the power of the divine.

Tapinta rose from its throne. Its body towered over the room, standing with its four arching metallic legs. Its upper humanoid body leant towards the screen, its four arms grabbing the four corners of the translucent projection. As it blinked, the shadowy gleam sparked in its mechanical eyes, yet no information surfaced, no matter how hard it scrutinised.

"You must be our salvation," Tapinta said. "Please save us, our last hope."

Its screeching laughter erupted inside the room, sending a faint vibration throughout the Legacy Ground. Following it, the sounds of countless gears rapidly turned, preparing for the scheme set since aeons ago.

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