Chapter 139: Changes

"Viel… really has changed"

Diao Mei could not help widen her eyes as she stared at Viel's retreating back. If this was before, then Viel would have already entered the dungeon without anyone even knowing.

He… really has changed. Even with their reunion earlier, she thought of many things that could and would happen when she meets Viel again, but what happened earlier was something that she really did not expect.

"S-sorry… I don't have any money to give you"

The words that Viel said when she entered the house just proved that the golden-haired boy that was in front of her was Viel.

Tears quickly fell down from her eyes as she looked at Viel's dumbfounded face. She then rushed towards him and hugged him, tightly.

"V… viel…", a stuttered breath came from her mouth as she embraced Viel. She couldn't believe it, Viel… Viel was already almost as tall as her. He was… so small. He used to be so small, even when compared to them when they were little.

"E...eh!?", Viel however, tried to free himself from Diao Mei's embrace, "W-who are you, miss?", he said in an awkward tone.

Hearing this, Diao Mei quickly let go as she stared at Viel straight in the eyes. He must think she's so weird, suddenly hugging him like that. It would make sense that he wouldn't recognize her, she was already grown up, after all- Diao Mei thought as she fixed her hair.

"I-it's me", she said softly.

"Vi, ist alles in ordnung?"

Viel's female companion spoke, but he didn't answer her as he leaned closer towards Diao Mei.

He squinted his eyes and looked at Diao Mei from head to toe. Diao Mei could not help but look shyly to the side as a slight blush formed on her face.

And finally, after looking at her for a few seconds, Viel opened his mouth.

"...Violet?"

"..."

"Violet is a westerner!", Diao Mei could not help but slam her feet on the ground.

"Ah!"

"Y-you remember now!?"

"X-xaio Pei?"

"He's not even a girl!", Diao Mei wanted to pull her hair in frustration. But before she could even plan to do so, she heard a slight chuckle coming from Viel.

"I was kidding", Viel said, "Hello, Miss Mei"

Hearing her name being called by Viel, a heavy feeling once again crept up from inside her, climbing through her until it reached her eyes, poking it and causing her tears to once again fall.

"Viel!", she hollered as she opened her arms to hug Viel. But to her surprise, Viel suddenly kissed both her cheeks.

"!!!"

Diao Mei stood there frozen, with her arms awkwardly open as she stared at Viel, who was blinking at her like she was some kind of weird person.

W...why did Viel suddenly kiss her!?

Numerous thoughts were racing in her mind. But it was interrupted as a loud cough resounded in the room.

Viel's female companion cleared her throat, making her presence known.

"Ah!", Viel clapped his hands as he looked at his female companion.

"Sofi, das ist mein mitschüler, Diao Mei", Viel said as he gestured towards Diao Mei.

As soon as he said this, Viel's female companion stretched her hand towards Diao Mei, "Guten tag", she said.

"Ah, h-hello", Diao Mei quickly shook the woman's hand.

"Miss Mei, this is Sofia", Viel introduced, "My fiancee".

Diao Mei almost choked to death as she heard Viel's words.

After that awkward greeting, Diao Mei just asked Viel if he wanted to meet Xing Cai. And here they are, currently in front of the portal.

She could not help but sigh again as she looked at Viel, she still did not know why he suddenly kissed her on the cheeks, was it some kind of greeting?

Why not just ask?

With that thought, Diao Mei approached Viel.

But he was no longer there. And so was Sofia.

"Ah!", someone shouted from behind Diao Mei, "Someone entered the portal!"

Diao Mei's eyes were wide open as she stared at the portal.

...Did… Viel really change?

***

"This should be their lair"

Xing Cai was casually strolling inside a dark cave. She then looked back, only to see her companion, Guang Yan, sneakily crouching on the ground.

"What are you doing?", Xing Cai could not help but ask.

"T-they might hear us", Guang Yan whispered as she looked around her.

"Do these look like they can hear you?"

The two were currently surrounded by countless pairs of bloodied legs and hips, frozen solid as they stood up on their own.

Guang Yan could not help but shiver as she once again saw the legs. No matter how many dungeons they enter, it just keeps on surprising her with the different creatures they held.

She then widened her eyes. She swears she saw a toe move in the corner.

"If we destroy… their lower half, do you think those flying torsos outside will die?", Guang Yan asked.

"Most likely, their legs are hidden for a reason", Xing Cai answered as she continued to walk.

"Should we destroy them?"

"No, they will surely swarm us once they know we are here", Xing Cai shook her head, "Let's just find the queen"

Xing Cai looked down. There were meaty strings that were coming out from all the lower halves' private parts, all leading deeper into the huge cave.

After walking for more than 20 minutes, they finally reached the end of the threads.

There, a gigantic woman was leaning on the end of the cave, her eyes closed. Guang Yan figured the woman was about 20 meters tall. But that wasn't even the most prominent feature of the creature in front of them.

"Is that…", Guang Yan pointed at the woman's stomach.

Her stomach was bulging and almost translucent, and inside it, was what seemed to be a giant fetus.

Unlike the creatures outside, the gigantic woman had legs, but it was emancipated, almost as if she had never used it in her entire existence.

"W-what could it be?", whispered Guang Yan as she remained pointing at the throbbing stomach of the gigantic woman.

"Let's not find out", Xing Cai said in a cold voice as she released her qi.

She then raised her golden great sword. Wind suddenly filled the part of the cave they were in as her sword seemed to be sucking in all the air the cave had to offer.

And then, she let out a breath as she swung her sword downwards. A golden beam shot out from her sword as it went straight through the gigantic woman and completely split her in half.

[Successfully eliminated all targets!]

[Participation Rewards: Capsule of Fertility]

[Portal will be closed in 72 hours. Please exit the dungeon before the portal closes]

Both Xing Cai and Guang Yan looked up at the same time as the floating letters appeared above them.

"This is quite a fast one, isn't it?", Guang Yan sighed.

Hearing this, Xing Cai looked at the gigantic woman's stomach. She could not help but wonder what would happen if they took their time, and allowed the fetus on the Manananggal Queen to grow.

These dungeons, what could really be the purpose for them?

Xing Cai shook her head, there was no use in thinking about it now, "Let's go", she said as she took a step back.

But she stopped as soon as she heard another footstep coming from behind them. She then quickly put up her guard and told Guang Yan to get ready.

"W-what? What's happening!?", Guang Yan said as she drew her bow.

Xing Cai remembered what Viel once told him, about the appearance of a red-haired man when they first cleared a dungeon. The presence she was feeling coming from the darkness was strong, eerily strong.

Could it actually be… him?

Xing Cai tightened her guard as soon as the owner of the footsteps revealed itself.

But contrary to her expectations, the one that appeared in front of them did not have red hair, instead...

...It was gold.