Chapter 18: I am just a trapped, frail adventurer.

Golden Dungeon, Floor 2.

While the Rose Knights were still on Floor 1, barely exploring, Isabelle had already reached Floor 2.

At LV99, the entire dungeon was under her control.

Arriving, she transformed. The aloof Oracle saintess became a ragged adventurer—clothes torn, tattered.

Raising a hand, she manipulated nearby soil. It formed a boulder, pinning her right leg.

Before the knights entered, she saw their arrogance.

Arrogance—a fatal taboo.

Countless proved it with their lives. But these young knights couldn’t grasp it deeply.

So the saintess would teach them personally.

Footsteps neared. Disguised Isabelle twisted her face, clutching her leg.

“Help… anyone? Save me…”

Her cry sped the steps. Soon, Leanna’s team appeared.

Scanning surroundings, Leanna gripped her sword hilt.

“Who are you?”

“Water… water…”

Isabelle’s voice rasped, like days trapped. Aaliyah and Leanna exchanged glances. Aaliyah approached with a waterskin, fed her.

Gulp gulp—several swallows. Isabelle gasped, explained.

“I… gold miner adventurer. Met goldstone spiders. Panicked, separated from team. Don’t know if they’re okay… never found me…”

Joyna smirked quietly. “See? Told you local adventurers are weak.”

Leanna glared. Stepped forward, not trusting easily.

“ID?”

“What ID?”

“Proof of identity.”

So cautious?

Isabelle lowered eyes. Bit lip. Sobbed twice.

“All… in my bag. Lost fleeing. Gold too…”

“If… you don’t trust, just free me. I’ll go alone.”

She looked up—eyes teary, pitiful, helpless—at Leanna.

Leanna couldn’t withstand it. Turned away. But Aaliyah and Melin felt pity, urged help.

Joyna and Seli too. Joyna especially—approached the boulder.

“Stop overthinking, Captain. Monster? Monsters aren’t this smart. Move the rock—or she loses the leg.”

“…Fine.”

Four wanted to help. Leanna couldn’t stop. Joined Joyna, used magic to lift the boulder.

Cautious, but not enough.

Isabelle noted inwardly. Freed, she thanked profusely. Melin knelt, applied healing potion to her leg.

Imperial potions for the knights—near top-tier. Half bottle—sensation returned.

Not for running, but walking fine.

More thanks from Isabelle.

Feeling the rescued adventurer’s goodwill, Melin smiled widest.

“Don’t know why you’re here? I know first three floors. I can guide.”

Joyna: “Monster-heavy spots?”

“Nests? We avoid those—too dangerous. You hunting them?”

“Of course.”

“Wow! You’re amazing! Even our best adventurers avoid fighting.”

Emotional value—Isabelle gave plenty.

As expected, a simple awe—five straightened, faces proud.

So young. Emotions easily manipulated.

Then Isabelle hugged her arms. Head down, lip bitten. Sobbing regret.

“Envy you. With your strength, I wouldn’t panic from goldstone spiders. My teammates… safe…”

Slap—

Heavy pat on shoulder. Joyna grinned, weapon shaking.

“Don’t dwell. Lead to monster spots. We’ll avenge your team!”

“Yes! I believe in you!”

Nodding firmly, Isabelle wiped tears. Revived. Aaliyah, worried, took her hand.

Saved by Saintess Celis once, Aaliyah knew helplessness watching comrades die.

Glad she was brave then.

Or she’d despair more than this adventurer.

Each had thoughts. But goal unified: monster nest—for the adventurer’s revenge!

Nest some distance. En route, two-three monsters. Their weakness inflated confidence.

Monsters?

Toys.

Halfway, Isabelle “tired.” Suggested rest. Leanna agreed.

Clean spot. Circled. Cooked lunch in pot.

Isabelle helped eagerly.

Warm meat soup. All sipped. Isabelle sat cross-legged, cheeks propped, innocently cute.

“Right, why are you in the dungeon?”

“Knights. Trial here.”

Joyna answered.

She loved chatting with Isabelle. The local’s shock filled her void—from Saintess Isabelle’s damage.

In adventurer terms—she flexed.

“Oh. No wonder stronger than normal adventurers. Walked with you—no chance to act.”

“We’re stronger than—wait. Act how?”

“Attack you, of course.”

Isabelle propped cheeks, smile sweet. Joyna chilled. Ghostly fear iced limbs.

She tried rising—legs buckled. Bowl crashed, shattered.

Half-propped, pointing at the still-sweet adventurer, teeth chattering.

“You—you did what to us?!”

Head heavy. Vision blurring. Even if dumb, she knew—this adventurer was no good!