These Demons Do it for Free-Chapter 83

Though ablaze, the Blazing Dead was still a monster, not a natural phenomenon—a parasitic spirit, in essence.

Ruslan already knew how to handle the Blazing Dead.

He extended his claws, slashing through the inferno, ripping into the fire repeatedly.

The flames would die down, then blaze up again, in an endless cycle.

No matter how he shredded it, the flames kept returning.

It was like dancing alone in an aquarium—slice through the water, and it instantly fills back as if nothing happened. Similarly, the Blazing Dead kept coming, its overwhelming volume gradually pushing him back.

Even amidst the chaos, Ruslan maintained an aura shield, protecting himself from any burns, a testament to his formidable skill.

After a massacre-like clash, Ruslan withdrew, casting an aura barrier around himself to buy some time, and let out a sigh. His breath, still hot, reflected the inferno he had just emerged from.

"This place is hell."

"Truly… it seems endless."

Lyudmila quickly cast a recovery buff on him. Though she was an Enchanter and couldn’t heal directly, she could enhance natural recovery, enabling swift and versatile healing. Lyudmila’s buff didn’t just accelerate physical and aura recovery; it strengthened his stamina and energy as well.

They had made it this far without a single casualty, largely thanks to her dedicated support.

As Ruslan took a brief rest, Lyudmila spoke, concern in her voice.

"Do you think they’re alright?"

Lyudmila was always one of the more empathetic members of the Frontier, and Ruslan knew she was worried about Arthur and Deina.

"Viola is with them. We don’t need to worry about that side. It’s us who are in danger."

"Right. The guild leader is there, after all…."

Ruslan surveyed the other explorers they were escorting.

‘Half the mages are out of mana. The others aren’t exactly in peak condition either.’

Lyudmila’s enhancements relied on a person’s natural resilience. If someone’s base recovery was poor, the effect of her magic was limited, and if their stamina was completely drained, recovery wouldn’t work at all.

Their perfect synergy was why Ruslan, with his extraordinary physical resilience as a lion beastfolk, made such an effective pair with Lyudmila.

‘Should we leave them behind?’

Ruslan felt a ruthless thought cross his mind.

Even their current path, which seemed safe, could be consumed by flames at any moment.

From the start, saving everyone wasn’t a realistic option.

Lyudmila, bound by duty and pride as a Frontier guild member, was determined to carry them through, but Ruslan thought differently.

Ultimately, survival was what mattered most.

He didn’t feel obliged to risk his life for temporary allies.

"No, Ruslan."

As if reading his mind, Lyudmila’s firm voice stopped his thoughts.

"Lyudmila."

"Let’s try just a bit longer. If the guild leader hasn’t intervened, it might mean only our side is struggling."

"It’s been three days. We’ve barely slept. Even I have my limits."

"But it’s not over yet, is it?"

Lyudmila smiled knowingly.

True.

Ruslan still had strength left.

Even in the grueling fifth layer, Ruslan had survived on minimal rest for over a week. Given he was only on the second layer, there was no way he’d be exhausted in just three days.

"…Fine. Got it."

In the end, Ruslan gave in and accepted Lyudmila’s approach.

It was inevitable. Those who care more deeply are the ones more likely to bend.

"One week, no more. If this situation hasn’t changed by day ten, we’re pulling out."

"By then, surely we’ll have met up with the guild leader, right?"

Lyudmila spoke cheerfully, but part of her felt uneasy.

What if the guild leader was also in a position where she couldn’t help?

‘That can’t be.’

But the worry was soon smothered.

This was Viola, after all.

One of the Eight Pioneers.

Even with the most dangerous cultists in the Abyss, the Destruction Sect, on the move, the idea of Viola losing was unfathomable.

"I’m fully recovered. Let’s move."

"Right. The E-20 square is just up ahead. If there are any survivors there, we might have some reinforcements."

They might also become more burdens to carry, but Ruslan nodded silently. There was no need to douse her hope when they needed every bit of strength they could muster.

They’d know soon enough at E-20. Until then, holding onto hope might help lighten their load, even if only a little.

Even if E-20 was destroyed, or filled with more dead weight, the gate to the first layer wasn’t far from there, so he could always make an escape if needed.

Their journey became a chase against the flames.

At every fork in the labyrinth, Blazing Dead would suddenly appear, blocking their path. Each time, Ruslan would cut through or hold the rear, keeping the others safe as they pressed forward.

With grit and sheer willpower, they finally reached the E-20 square.

The future Ruslan feared had arrived.

Their hope collapsed in that moment.

At the edge of the path leading into E-20 square, they met it.

A Blazing Dead unlike any other—an infernal reaper.

It had already incinerated the previous occupants to ashes and was preparing to move on in search of new fuel.

"Goddamn it…"

"That… no way…."

Lyudmila instinctively covered her mouth.

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Though its figure was shrouded in flame, the remnants of its equipment left no doubt as to who it had once been.

"This is the worst possible outcome."

Master-ranked explorer, Grant Dexter.

If he had simply died, that would have been manageable.

But for him to have become a host for the Blazing Dead… that was a nightmare.

The Blazing Dead’s power grew depending on its host.

"If he were going to die, he should’ve done it cleanly."

This confirmed one thing.

Whoever had killed Grant Dexter and converted him into a host for the Blazing Dead likely had enough power to hold Viola in check, if not outright defeat her.

"Fall back. Trying to get past that thing would be suicide. We’ll have to take a detour."

Even though using a master explorer as a host didn’t make this Blazing Dead as powerful as a master explorer, there were limits. Normally, a Blazing Dead wouldn’t be able to take over a body of that caliber. The residual aura and mana alone should have been enough to resist the parasite.

The fact that Grant had become a host indicated some extreme interference—either his body was modified, or the Blazing Dead was somehow controlled.

‘Probably both.’

Yet, Ruslan didn’t think they would necessarily lose to it. However, it would take a willingness to die.

Would defeating it be worth it?

Who knew what other dangers lay ahead? If he were to be incapacitated, their entire team would collapse.

"We have to retreat… hold on."

Ruslan’s keen sense of smell picked up a faint scent.

He immediately heightened his senses through his aura.

Then, he detected something faintly.

"The sound of… water?"

A strong current, impossibly powerful.

The source revealed itself, approaching rapidly—much faster than Grant’s Blazing Dead could reach them.

*WHOOOOSH—!!*

A massive wave of water, enough to make them question whether they were still on the second layer.

*KWAHHHH—!!*

It hit them.

A tidal wave. A sea.

A colossal surge of water crashed into the E-20 square, engulfing the blazing inferno.

A powerful current.

The silver-gray torrent spiraled upward, forming what looked like a massive water dragon.

In the dark labyrinth, the Blazing Dead, blazing brightly like the sun, was met by the torrent’s droplets, shining like stars in the night sky.

When fire and water collided, an explosion erupted. Steam spread instantly, obscuring their vision, and the cacophony of voices became their only guide to what was happening ahead.

"Roman! Faster!"

"Get down from that surf!"

"Hold on! Something’s happening with Undine!"

It was a chaotic scene, the words barely making sense.