Iris and the Monster Girls had already returned to the inner world. They stood in groups as they chatted and relaxed, preparing for the next departure. Now was the time to make the last push. The Puppeteer Legacy Ground was crumbling, and the mysterious Overseer was determined to stop everyone from leaving.

Unlike everyone else, Iris remained silent, leaning on a tall pine tree. Beside her was Flamira, who closed her eyes, breathing in, out, in, out. The sounds of the breathing gave Iris a sense of serenity. It reminded her that she was once a human, a fragile, adorable human.

It hadn't been long since Iris became a Slime Girl, but she felt like she belonged in this body more than in her previous one. The rawness of her emotions, though indecent, compelled her. They let her have a taste of freedom she so much yearned for.

Yet all this freedom, all this happiness, they are just an illusion.

"Why is it so hard to turn this illusion into reality?" Iris muttered. "The first step is already so tiring. I don't know if I can keep going."

"Iris, how could you say that?" Flamira opened her eyes and stared at Iris. "We are of one soul, one identity. If you, the main body, don't have absolute confidence in yourself, how can you tell us, your clones, that we will succeed, that those whom we love will live a life of peace, unbound by the higher power?"

I can't fail now. If I fall, they will fall with me. There will be no redemption for me.

There is only one path, and that path is forwards, unwaveringly forwards.

Iris reached out and grasped Flamira's hands, looking at her fiery orange eyes. The two stared at each other, speaking nothing but understanding everything. After all, they were one and the same. They needed not promise or vow, for both knew either of them would do it even if the other wouldn’t.

"Flamira, I'll give you this method of communication." Iris sent a wisp of holy energy into Flamira. "Endure it. I'll help you get used to it."

Flamira shivered as the holy energy invaded her body. The warm purification power surged inside her chest, spreading outwards, searing her flesh. She tensed her arms and closed her eyes, focusing on assimilating the information inside.

As Flamira was experiencing the power of Faith, Iris carefully suppressed the purification process, giving Flamira a chance to get used to the sensation.

An ordinary Monster Girl couldn't manipulate Faith unless it came from the Evil Gods, who lacked the power of purification. However, Iris was no ordinary Monster Girl. Inside her body and soul was a trace of the Lord, the sole Goddess of her intergalactic world.

With the knowledge gifted by the Lord, she slowly manipulated the trace of holy energy inside Flamira, gifting her a hint of Faith, connecting them spiritually.

After the process was completed, Flamira let out a long sigh and wiped her sweats. If not for Iris holding her by the waist, she would have already collapsed on the ground.

"Iris, I didn't know Faith is this painful to use," Flamira said. "You've kept many things from others, even your clones. I wonder, will there be someone whom you can share everything with?"

"Even I don't have the answer for that question." Iris glanced at the Shadow Heart Core inside her, then at Flamira. "Let's not waste time fantasizing about the future. Have you understood the method?"

"I've remembered everything." Flamira placed her hands on her chest and lowered her head. "Should I call you Goddess, just like Pallorn? You're starting to resemble a real one now."

"If it is necessary for our dream, I'll become a Goddess, even if it means I'll have to forsake this body."

"I doubt our sisters would be willing to return to their Pure Race selves, and even if they were willing, you wouldn't let them."

The process of purification from Corrupted Races to Pure Races was an irreversible one, one which replaced the mind with a blank slate. It was as close as death as it could get.

"Then I'll be the Goddess of Corruption, the Goddess of Monster Girls, just for them." Iris giggled. "Just for them."

"Sister Iris, are you ready?" Artium said. She and Serinda waved at Iris and Flamira. "We've prepared everything. We can call a meeting as soon as you want."

Iris turned to Flamira and nodded. The two joined up with Serinda and Artium, as well as Kurion and Noviscar.

Once the core Monster Girls came together, the rest of the Monster Girls also gathered around them. Unlike the previous times, the atmosphere was calm like a brewing storm amidst the dark clouds. Everyone tried to hide their feverish expressions, but the anticipation of the future made them emotional.

They had braved through multiple inner worlds and defeated many Floor Guardians. They had received many chances to gain precious treasures and exotic materials, but nothing could compare to this moment, the moment where they finally saw a glimpse of hope, hope that they could see the outside world again.

"Sister Iris, what is your opinion?" Serinda turned to Iris, blinking. "What should we do now?"

Every eye shifted its focus to Iris. Though Kurion and Noviscar were stronger and better leaders than Iris, everyone appreciated Iris more. It was Iris who started this plan, and it was also her who saved the captive Monster Girls.

Iris took a deep breath and smiled.

"We'll go home. It's time for us to go home." Her hands trembled. "We have saved all we could. The only thing left is to leave this place. Serinda, I would like you to divine for us the best way to leave the Legacy Ground, right here, right now."

"As you wish, Sister Iris," Serinda said. "Is there anyone who objects to this idea?"

Everyone shook their head. Hunting the Floor Guardians was a wondrous experience, but it was also dangerous. If given a choice, they would choose to return to the Labyrinth of Love.

"Very well." Serinda gestured at Artium, who raised her hands and activated her Virtual Space Ring.

The destiny formation glowed and merged with the material inside the Virtual Space Ring, forming a milky white ray of light.

Inside the light, the Monster Girls debated for a while until they reached a consensus that they would go through the traditional exit door.

Because of the uncertainty, Kurion and Noviscar stood at the front and opened the gate. They looked around the Safe Zone and stepped inside. Their Corruption Power swirled around their bodies, but they detected nothing out of the ordinary.

The sounds of waterfalls echoed forth, giving the world a sense of hope and tranquillity. There were fish in the lake below, swimming, dancing, performing a little show for the tired travellers.

It was the Safe Zone, where the Monster Girls could rest, where the Monster Girls could leave the Legacy Ground.

After verifying that there was no danger, the rest of the Monster Girls hastily entered the Safe Zone and immersed themselves in the long-lost sense of security. Some jumped into the lake and played with the fish, while others flew up to the ceiling to bask in the soft radiance of the glowing crystals.

Eventually, Kurion and Noviscar came to stand in front of the exit gate. They placed their hands on it, held their breath, and pushed it open. Blinding lights shone forth from the gap of the gate and engulfed every Monster Girl. When they reopened their eyes, the exit gate had turned into a portal, which revealed the chaotic yet familiar outside world.

At once, Kurion and Noviscar passed through the portal. They exited the Legacy Ground without any problem, as with all other Monster Girls.

The light of destiny gradually faded, and silence took over the meeting.

"Sister Iris, I did everything like before." Serinda frowned. "Nothing had changed. My destiny formation worked as intended, but the result is . . . unexpected."

Not just Serinda, but Iris also couldn't believe it. The Overseer could not have conveniently forgotten about an obvious escape route, but the test of destiny would not lie. It had never failed before, not once.

Then, what is the meaning of this? Is the Safe Zone an illusion, or is there something obscuring the destiny spell?

As Iris couldn't think of anything, she turned to Kurion, who was also deep in her thoughts.

Kurion also came from a mysterious origin. She might know something.

"I think we should just risk it," Kurion said. "Even if the Overseer did something to obscure the destiny spell formation, we have no idea how to circumvent such a mysterious method, and if we idle around, we will be giving him more time to prepare."

"But what if the Overseer misled us into his only trap?" Artium said. "Wouldn’t it be better if we try to go in a random direction? We will eventually leave the Legacy Ground that way."

"That option is indeed viable, but the Legacy Ground is collapsing, and the Overseer is watching us." Kurion swept her gaze past all Monster Girls. "Can we guarantee that we will make it out alive before the Legacy Ground collapses?"

Artium shook her head and turned to Iris. Iris nodded.

"Is there anyone who doesn't want to gamble?" Iris raised her finger. "If any of us didn't want to risk it, we won't attempt it. If we left them behind, it would be the same as sentencing them to death."

Still, no Monster Girls raised their hands. Even if it was only a possibility, it was enough for them to risk their all. They had already gained enough from the Legacy Ground, and it was time to leave.

"Then it is decided," Iris said. "However, may I request one thing?"

"Speak your mind, Iris," Kurion said. "Even if you want to stay in the middle or have me protect you, I won't mind. You deserve such a privilege."

Iris smiled and shook her head.

"How can I be that selfish?" Iris pointed at Flamira. "I want Flamira to stay at the front with you, and I'll remain the last Monster Girl to leave this place."

Serinda wanted to speak up, but Artium stopped her.

Kurion stared at Iris's eyes. They were determined, not the eyes of those who would change their mind after a persuasion.

"If you wish so." Kurion smiled. "Then, let us leave this place. I'm getting tired of all the struggling."

Kurion, Noviscar, and Flamira led the Monster Girls towards the gate into the Safe Zone. They looked at each other, nodded, and placed their hands on the gate.

Before Flamira could exert herself, Kurion and Noviscar pushed open the gate for her. They glanced at her fluttered expression and chuckled, their voice charming, teasing.

Flamira sighed and looked forwards. The Safe Zone was as peaceful as ever. The waterfalls connected the caves on the hills with the lake below. The platform for the tired travellers connected the Monster Girls to the Legacy Ground's exit.

Aside from the view presented in the vision, there was a tall, mechanical figure standing in the middle of the Safe Zone. Its humanoid appearance towered over all Monster Girls. Its four legs and four arms exuded an oppressive air that greyed out the atmosphere, absorbing the colours out of the world.

Sensing the terrifying aura, Iris rushed through the Monster Girls and came to a stop in front of Flamira, staring at the mechanical figure.

Though she had never seen him before, she knew who that was.

"Overseer," Iris said. “I’ve finally met you.”

The Overseer didn't say anything. He raised his hand and lowered it. An all-encompassing pressure engulfed the Safe Zone and forced the Monster Girls to their knees. They could not resist even for a moment.

Kurion and Noviscar, the two strongest Monster Girls within the group, lasted merely an instant. They collapsed to the ground along with the rest of the Monster Girls, looking at the Overseer, their eyes turning dark from despair.

Iris, who had tasted the power at the realm of the Condensation Phase, shivered as her membrane threatened to burst open. She had already prepared herself, but the truth was crueller than imagination.

This isn't the power of the Condensation Phase anymore!