Chapter 29: The Ninth Underground Level (Please continue reading)

“No, she is my friend,” Ma En replied.

“Not used to treating the weak as objects yet?” she said with a hint of regret. “Well, you just arrived here, so that’s understandable. But since you’re unwilling to hand either yourself or her over to me…”

“Let’s put it this way: I can help you gather the other rulers as quickly as possible, but it will come at a considerable cost to me.”

Ma En didn’t name his price outright; instead, he asked, “Before that, I want to understand the specifics of the ninth underground level, and what exactly this trial entails.”

She nodded graciously, showing no intention to conceal anything.

“Of course. I’ll give you a brief overview of the situation you’re facing.

“To start from the distant past, when the Victor Sanatorium was first established—roughly a hundred years ago, though for us, that feels like over a thousand years ago.

“The sanatorium is imbued with various mysterious and incomprehensible powers, including the thirty-two rules set by Victor himself. Twenty-one of these seem powerless; nine bring violators here, and the final two come with costs unknown to anyone.

“Any prisoner brought to this place is subjected to a torment called beastification.

“Whenever prisoners suffer any injury—be it physical or psychological—a part of their body and mind is torn away. The hospital then fills the void with something far worse.

“Throughout this process, prisoners’ sanity is relentlessly eroded; their darkest traits are unearthed, and they are ‘gifted’ with powers that can harm others.

“The first beast may have been born from loneliness, but what followed was endless slaughter. Every newcomer faces a chaotic wilderness teeming with bloodthirsty monsters, and their ultimate fate is to join their ranks.

“That was the case until the advent of the Pioneer several centuries ago.

“No one remembers his name now, but the Pioneer drove the maddened beasts into the ninth level and introduced several methods: carnivorous rituals, self-mortification, and achieving a balance between controlled madness and beastification.

“Even if you remain uninjured, beastification can seize you during moments of intense sorrow or pain. Without the Pioneer’s methods, none of the current gathering places would have survived.

“He also declared that only those pure enough, entirely free of beastification, and the purest beasts themselves could pass through the first underground level to return to the real world. Yet he was no longer pure himself.

“Thus, the Pioneer ultimately chose to seek other means of departure, leaving the human enclave he had created. No one has seen him since. Perhaps he truly left, or perhaps he became one of the frenzied beasts.”

This was the origin of the means to leave—a powerful prisoner who had established order here. Clearly, the current state of affairs is far from what Victor intended.

Yet, upon reflection, their way of resisting beastification seems to be a form of madness in itself.

She continued, “Afterward, the enclave fractured into several factions, which over time evolved into the situation you see today.

“The ninth level is the domain of the mad beasts. Only beasts and the Pure Ones can reproduce here, so a few centuries ago, the Pioneer banished all the beasts to the ninth level, forcing them to kill each other off to reduce their numbers.

“The eighth level is home to the Scavengers. They were once the weakest group underground, so they were pushed closest to the ninth level, constantly vulnerable to attacks by the mad beasts. But this is a hospital—there’s little for them to scavenge.

“So they prey on the beasts themselves. Over time, they’ve become seasoned fighters, and under their chieftain, they’ve grown into a formidable force.

“The seventh level belongs to the Cannibal Cult. When the Pioneer was still alive, they created a secret ritual that could turn a human directly into a mad beast. Typically, the more damage suffered, the stronger the power gained. We can only stop the carnivorous ritual at a certain stage.

“When I first arrived here, it was in their territory, and they even devoured both my hands. So I have some history with their leader.

“The sixth level is controlled by the Frenzy Gang, a group of outright lunatics who practice the most vile and disgusting lifestyle. Newcomers caught by them almost lose all semblance of humanity—not referring to beastification.

“But about thirty years ago, for unknown reasons, the sixth level became inaccessible, and no one knows what became of the Frenzy Gang. But remember, this is the Victor Sanatorium—anything can happen.

“The fifth level houses the Ascetic Order, the most peaceful faction. They oppose all harmful actions toward others, instead combating their inner beast through self-harm. They also firmly believe the Pioneer will return someday and supposedly hold some secret knowledge.

“But if you ask me, they’re just comforting themselves with a lie.

“The fourth level is the Guard’s territory. When the Pioneer left centuries ago, a group of warriors loyal to him settled here, waiting for their leader’s return. But obviously, he never came.

“Centuries later, the Guards no longer believe in that delusion, but they have preserved their combat skills, and discipline and loyalty remain their main ways of maintaining identity.

“The second level also has its own history. After the collapse of the Pioneer’s small kingdom, his most prominent subordinates quickly took control there and only allow those who have passed the trial to enter. Their goal is simple—to be closest to the exit.

“As for the third level, that’s a special case…”

She spoke with conviction.

“A hundred years ago, the third level was controlled by subordinates of the second level, but they were unexpectedly wiped out. By chance, I became the tribe’s ruler, advocating resistance to the beast within through blood and honor. Because I rose to power unexpectedly, I’m actually the weakest among the rulers.

“The other rulers, after accounting for their flaws, are legendary third-tier ability users on the surface. I am only a second-tier.

“The trial itself carries significant risk of injury. Even a simple scratch can cost you any chance of leaving here.

“Even if you manage to reach the second underground level, a dozen or so third-tier ability users will require you to undergo a finger-cutting ritual. Regardless of whether you could win, the intense combat can itself trigger mental beastification.”

She then said, “Why not stay by my side? What’s the difference between here and the outside world? Isn’t it all just stepping on others to fight for position?”

Her gaze openly revealed her covetousness for Ma En’s strength and body.

Ma En casually asked, “If I pass the trial, what awaits me on the other side?”

The Tiger King answered, “Two third-tier ability users will be there. One will act as an envoy to witness the trial and escort you to their gathering place.”

Ma En continued, “And beyond the stairs?”

The Tiger King raised an eyebrow slightly, then smiled.

“Though the routes to the elevator and stairs are secret, the stairs are closer to their gathering place. Usually, at least five third-tier ability users guard that area. There were times when self-proclaimed strong ones tried to storm the stairs, but they underestimated how fiercely the second-level members protect their authority.

“Also, a fight on the stairs could draw in over a dozen third-tier ability users.

“Furthermore, you can’t reach the first underground level’s exit by just walking down the stairs or taking the elevator. To learn the path out, you must gain their approval.”

In other words, if the second-level members learn that someone has left and harbor ill will, taking the stairs could mean facing more than ten third-tier ability users simultaneously. Ma En hasn’t even fought any third-tier ability user yet.

He wasn’t arrogant enough to believe he could take on a dozen peers at once, especially without considering his vulnerabilities.

But if he took the elevator down…

He faintly felt he could forcibly control the two ability users on the other side, compelling them to lead him to Ward 213. Meaning… all he needed now was to find where the elevator was.