Locci and the rest of the group continued their exploration, with Andre and Groundlayer couple still leading the way.

Komucha walked alongside Locci, mustering up the courage to broach a sensitive topic. "Locci, do you ever feel guilty about consuming other Nixes?"

Locci glanced at Komucha, taken aback by the question. "What kind of question is that? Aren't you a Nix too? You need sustenance as well, don't you?"

Komucha nodded hesitantly. "Yes, but my parents provide me with pellets."

"Those pellets are made from other Nixes," Locci explained matter-of-factly.

Komucha's eyes widened in realization. "So... I've been consuming other Nixes?"

Locci nodded solemnly. "Yes, that's how it works. But it's a natural part of our survival."

"I suddenly don't feel like eating anymore," Komucha admitted.

Locci chuckled. "You're an odd one, Komucha. It's perfectly fine to continue eating. It's necessary for our survival."

"Would you consume me for survival?" Komucha inquired, his tone tinged with apprehension.

"Komucha, there are certain topics that shouldn't be broached. This is one of them," Locci responded gently.

“Why not? Why can't we ask anything?" Komucha persisted.

"Some questions are best left unasked. They can create discomfort," Locci explained.

"I don't understand. If you wouldn't consume me, you'd tell me honestly, right?" Komucha pressed on.

Locci sighed, conceding to Komucha's persistence. "Fine, I wouldn't consume you."

"Not for survival?" Komucha sought clarification.

"Yes, yes," Locci replied impatiently, eager to move past the uncomfortable conversation.

It appeared that Komucha still harbored questions for Locci, but their discovery of a trap provided a welcome distraction, as Komucha had to focus on disarming it.

Despite the relief of being momentarily free from Komucha's probing, Locci couldn't shake the feeling of Serena and Riza's watchful gaze from behind, which left him feeling uneasy.

As Andre observed Komucha skillfully disarming a trap, Riza approached him with an enticing proposition. "Hey, Wanderclaw. No, Locci," she began, her tone persuasive. "Join me as my Nix. I'll ensure you're well-fed with all the food you desire. I can even purchase a powerful Nix Artifact weapon for you. I promise to be a superior master compared to that inexperienced newbie."

"Wait a moment," Serena interjected, her voice firm. "If you choose to be my Nix, I can enhance your strength with my unique talent. Being an earthling, I possess special abilities bestowed upon me by the system, and my powers are notably potent even among others of my kind."

"Quiet! I was the first to propose!" Riza exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration.

"Locci has the freedom to decide. I treat him with respect," Serena countered, her tone unwavering.

Locci felt the urge to interject and reject their offers outright, but the two women were embroiled in a heated debate, leaving him no opportunity to intervene.

Fortunately, Goran intervened, diffusing the tension with a commanding clap of his hands. "Miss Riza, forgive me for being blunt, but didn't you suggest we table these discussions until after we've left the dungeon? Let's refrain from causing unnecessary conflict and maintain professionalism."

Riza shot Locci a meaningful glance before stepping back, while Serena remained silent, her gaze fixed on Locci.

Andre approached Locci, sensing the tension. "What's going on with those two?" he inquired.

"They both want me to be their Nixes," Locci replied, frustration evident in his voice.

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"Ah, I see. Should I intervene next time? After all, I'm the one who invited you here, so it's my responsibility to manage these situations," Andre offered.

Locci nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Andre," he said, feeling a sense of relief knowing that there was still someone like Andre who didn't view him as a mere commodity. As expected, he could only place his trust in Andre in this environment.

The tension eased as they progressed until they entered the next room, where they found themselves surrounded by numerous spider-like Nixes.

These spiders boasted diamond-like carapaces, and their slender, crystalline legs stretched out gracefully. They were known as Cyrophod.

"Didn't you mention that Wanderclaw Nixes make up the majority here?" Serena inquired.

Riza snorted dismissively. "This is why newcomers are unreliable. It's a common sight in dungeons, young lady. It indicates that this is a boss room."

"Everyone, take a look. Is it typical to encounter two bosses in a boss room?" Andre prompted, drawing everyone's attention to the two massive spiders situated at the rear of the Cyrophods. One was an enlarged version of the Cyrophod, while the other was a Shartula.

"This isn't typical. We're just unlucky," Goran remarked. With a wave of his hand, he summoned a summoning circle, from which emerged a Gigarus adorned in sturdy plate armor.

"I'll draw the attention of the minions. The rest of you, decide your roles. I need a damage dealer proficient in area attacks," Goran instructed.

"We'll handle the bosses," Joe asserted confidently. "Back in our hometown, we've dealt with plenty of giant Nixes. We know how to handle them."

"If that's the case, you can take on the Shartula. I'll handle the Giant Cyrophod," Serena proposed.

"You, little girl?" Riza retorted mockingly.

"Don't underestimate me, Riza. I was recommended here because of my talent. Let me prove myself," Serena replied firmly.

"Then I'll entrust the Giant Cyrophod to you, Miss Serena," Goran interjected, speaking for Riza. "Riza, come with me. Andre, assist Mr. and Mrs. Groundlayers."

Though visibly annoyed, Riza didn't protest. With their roles assigned, everyone prepared to fulfill their duties as the Cyrophods closed in on them.

Goran's Gigarus let out a resounding cry, which agitated the Cyrophods, causing them to converge on it.

Meanwhile, Riza's Wanderclaw unleashed a barrage of Beast Blaster shots, targeting the advancing Cyrophods.

Taking advantage of the distraction created by the Gigarus and Wanderclaw, Andre, Locci, and the others swiftly made their way toward the bosses.

As they faced off against the towering arachnids, each member of the group assumed a fighting stance.

"I summon you, Slamhog!" Joe declared. A summoning circle materialized before him, giving way to a hedgehog standing upright on its hind legs. This Nix sported elongated arms adorned with spiked gauntlets.

Following suit, Jane summoned her own Nix. Named Egderos, it resembled a humanoid beetle with imposing rhinoceros-like horns.

As Joe and Jane summoned their Nixes, Locci took action without waiting for Andre's command. With a swift motion, he swung his front leg, unleashing [Frostbite Fury] upon the Shartula. The flurry left shallow wounds on the creature, noticeably impeding its movements.

"Excellent work. With the Shartula slowed down, I can easily unleash my Nix's ability," Joe exclaimed with determination. "Slamhog, execute [Earthquake Slam]!"

With a powerful leap, Slamhog pounced and slammed the Shartula to the ground, causing the earth to tremble beneath them. Following up on the attack, Egderos charged forward, its horn gleaming as it delivered a powerful ramming blow against the prone Shartula.

Not to be outdone by the others, Locci sprang into action. With a graceful leap, he executed a mid-air flip, sinking his teeth into the Shartula's leg and tearing it cleanly from its body.

After a brief moment of pain-filled cries, the Shartula leaped gracefully and landed with a spin. Suddenly, sharp beams shot out from its legs, spreading out like a net, ready to ensnare its foes.

Locci swiftly recognized the safe spot created by Shartula's missing leg and positioned himself there, allowing the advancing wall of beams to pass harmlessly by.

Just as Slamhog and Egderos were poised to escape, Shartula launched a web from its mouth, ensnaring them in its sticky trap.

With the wall of beams closing in, Joe urgently cried out, "Komucha, [Earth Wall]!"

Standing near Joe, Komucha slammed his hands against the ground, conjuring a wall of earth that materialized before Slamhog and Egderos, shielding them from the encroaching beam walls.

As the earthen wall shattered, Egderos charged forward once more, its horn gleaming with determination. The Shartula prepared to retaliate, lifting its legs to strike. However, Locci suddenly appeared on its head, delivering a powerful bite that sent electric shocks coursing through its body.

With the Shartula stunned, Egderos seized the opportunity to land a critical hit.

Capitalizing on the moment, Slamhog launched a barrage of needles, while Locci unleashed a flurry of razor-sharp claws. Komucha conjured a massive earth spike that erupted from below, impaling the Shartula. With their combined assault, they successfully defeated the formidable creature.

With the Shartula subdued but not killed, the group remembered their objective to capture the boss Nixes.

"Andre, we'll stand guard. You can take care of it," Joe offered.

Andre smiled in acknowledgment. "Gladly."

Andre turned to Locci, his expression curious. "Have you ever witnessed a Nix being captured by a Nix Master in real time? Would you like to see it?"

The idea piqued Locci's interest. While he had seen Nix capturing through screens before, the prospect of witnessing it firsthand excited him.

The process commenced with Andre summoning a camera known as the Capture Mirror, one of the three abilities possessed by Nix Masters. Its primary function was to capture Nixes.

Originally resembling a mirror, the Capture Mirror could be altered by Nix Masters to mimic the appearance of other objects as long as they could reflect the bodies of Nixes.

Andre ensured that the camera captured the entirety of Shartula's body. With precision, he captured its image, causing the Shartula to transform into light and enter the camera.