Transmigrating as an Extra, But the Heroine Has Regressed?!-Chapter 330: The Beauty and the Beast Mother!

On the deeper levels of the dungeon, the surrounding area changed.

The stone walls were no longer dry and cracked like before.

Moisture clung to everything, walls, floor, even the air itself. Water dripped steadily from above, echoing through the narrow passages like a slow, relentless heartbeat.

Drip... drip... drip...

Kael walked carefully and his boots sank slightly into the damp ground.

Every step felt heavier than the last. His muscles were sore, his body still recovering from the brutal battles of the previous day, but he pushed forward regardless.

"This place..." Kael muttered to himself. "Though I read the novel that there is a solo dungeon, I never read the details about this place."

His eyes narrowed as he studied the surroundings.

"It’s strange," he continued quietly. "There are too many dark places."

Shadows gathered unnaturally between broken pillars and collapsed stone structures.

Even with his heightened senses, Kael felt as if something—or someone—was watching him.

Then—

A low growl echoed from ahead.

Kael instantly raised his sword.

Demons emerged from the darkness, crawling out from behind rocks and shattered walls.

These ones were slightly stronger than those from the upper levels—longer claws, thicker skin, eyes glowing with a deeper crimson hue.

"Again..." Kael exhaled.

He moved.

The first demon lunged. Kael ducked under its claws and thrust his blade upward, piercing its chest.

Black blood spilled across the damp floor, hissing faintly as the body dissolved into mist.

Two more came at once.

Kael twisted, slashing one across the neck while kicking the other back into a stone pillar.

The fight was fast, brutal, and efficient. He didn’t waste movements. His body remembered pain, adapted to it.

Minutes later, the area fell silent once more.

Kael wiped his blade clean and stepped forward—

Then stopped.

Something felt wrong.

He sensed movement ahead, but it wasn’t the chaotic hunger of demons.

Slowly, cautiously, Kael approached a pile of broken stones near the wall.

That was when he saw her.

A figure lay partially hidden beneath fallen rocks and large leaves, clearly placed there deliberately.

Only part of her form was visible—pale skin marked with faint beast-like patterns, a slender arm trembling weakly.

She was naked except for the leaves and stones that barely covered her body.

Kael froze.

"...A beast?" he whispered.

As he moved closer, her ears twitched—long, animal-like ears, pressed flat against her head in fear.

A tail, thin and trembling, curled weakly behind her.

She was a beast woman.

Kael’s grip tightened around his sword.

(Beasts and demons are enemies), his mind reminded him.

(That’s what heroes do. They kill beasts.)

He raised his blade.

"I thought killing beasts was a hero’s duty," Kael said quietly. "But I only kill when there is danger."

Her eyes snapped open.

They were wide, golden, filled with terror.

"P-Please..." she whispered, her voice shaking. "Don’t kill me."

Kael hesitated.

He glanced at her forehead.

There it was.

A faint, dark symbol.

Dread Rank.

His heart skipped.

"A dread rank beast?" he muttered.

Yet something didn’t match.

Her mana was unstable—violent, chaotic, surging and collapsing repeatedly. Sweat coated her skin, her breathing shallow and uneven.

"...You’re in the middle of a breakthrough," Kael realized.

She wasn’t weak by nature.

She was vulnerable.

"I can’t move," she said weakly, tears slipping down her cheeks. "If you attack now... I will die."

Kael stared at her.

(Killing her would be easy.)

But something in her eyes stopped him.

"...Why are you hiding here?" Kael asked instead.

"I was chased," she replied, struggling to sit up but failing. "Demons sensed my breakthrough. They hunt us when we are weakest."

Her voice broke.

"I don’t want to die." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Silence stretched between them.

Kael slowly lowered his sword.

"...I won’t kill you," he said at last.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You... you won’t?"

"No," Kael replied. "But if you attack me later, I won’t hesitate."

She nodded frantically.

"I said. I won’t."

Kael turned away briefly, removing his cloak and tossing it toward her.

"Cover yourself," he said. "Finish your breakthrough."

She caught it shakily, wrapping it around her body.

"...Thank you," she whispered.

Time passed.

Kael stood guard, slaying any demon that dared approach while she focused on stabilizing her mana. His sword moved relentlessly, his body aching but unyielding.

Finally—

A pulse of dark mana erupted.

She gasped, then collapsed forward, breathing heavily.

"...It’s done," she said softly.

She slowly stood, now more stable, though still far from full strength.

"You spared me," she said, bowing her head. "Since you released me... I will help you with dungeon clearing."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"You don’t even know me."

She smiled faintly.

"I know enough."

Then she hesitated.

"But first... I must ask permission from my mother."

Kael blinked.

"...Your mother?"

"She lives deeper," the beast girl said. "On another level."

Kael exhaled slowly.

"Fine," he said.

"Lead the way."

(if i had killed this beast, i wouldn’t even know another beast was there in the next level. Things would be different)

They descended together.

The next level was vast, filled with towering stone formations and deep pools of dark water. The air was denser with mana.

As they walked, Kael asked, "Why are beasts inside this dungeon?"

She glanced back.

"This dungeon overlaps with our territory," she explained. "We were pulled inside when it awakened."

"And the demons?"

"They are invaders," she replied. "Like you."

Kael frowned but said nothing.

At the center of the level—

A presence descended upon them.

"The air is distorted."

A massive figure stepped forward from the shadows.

A beast woman taller than Kael, her body radiating overwhelming pressure. Black markings covered her skin, her eyes sharp and predatory.

Dread Rank.

And fully matured.

Her mother.

"Human," the mother growled. "You dare step here?"

She raised her claws, mana surging violently.

"I will kill you."

The beast girl rushed forward.

"Mother—stop!"

The mother froze.

"He spared me," the girl cried. "He didn’t kill me during my breakthrough."

The mother’s gaze shifted to her daughter.

"...Is that true?"

"Yes."

Silence fell.

Slowly, the mother lowered her claws.

"...Then leave," she said to Kael. "If you harm her, I will hunt you across worlds."

Kael met her gaze calmly.

"I have no intention of doing so."

The mother nodded once.

"Go."

"Wait... since I spared her... I am here to request something from you."

The beast mother halted mid-step.

Her massive frame remained turned halfway toward the shadows, claws still faintly glowing with restrained mana.

Slowly, she turned back, golden eyes locking onto Kael with a sharp, warning glare.

"What is that?" the beast mother replied coldly.

Before Kael could speak again, her expression hardened.

"I gave you a chance to run," she said.

"So go away."

The beast girl flinched, glancing nervously between her mother and Kael.

Kael did not step back.

Instead, he straightened his posture, meeting the beast mother’s gaze without fear.

"If I had killed your daughter," Kael said evenly, "she would have died instantly."

The beast girl’s breath caught.

"But I didn’t," Kael continued. "feel lucky that I spared her—not because of fate, but because it was the right choice."

He placed one hand over his chest.

"I mean no harm. I came here to clear the dungeon and eliminate the demons."

The beast mother’s eyes narrowed.

Silence stretched.

Inside her mind, thoughts churned.

(If what he says is true... then I must reconsider.)

She had lived long enough to recognize lies.

(This human did not reek of deception.

Only exhaustion.

Only resolve.

Only the weight of countless battles already fought.)

Her gaze drifted briefly to her daughter.

The girl stood there quietly, clutching Kael’s cloak around her shoulders, eyes filled with complicated emotions—fear, gratitude, curiosity.

The beast mother exhaled slowly.

"What is it that you want?" she finally asked.

Kael did not hesitate.

"I need your daughter with me."

The beast mother’s aura flared violently.

"What?" she roared, stepping forward. "You dare—"

"I need her help," Kael interrupted firmly. "Not as a prisoner. Not as bait. As an ally."

The beast girl’s eyes widened.

Her ears twitched.

Her tail flicked nervously behind her.

The beast mother’s anger surged, mana crackling around her claws.

"You would take my child into hell itself," she growled. "Do you think I would allow that?"

Kael remained calm.

"This dungeon will not let her stay safe," he said. "Demons hunt those who grow strong. If she remains here, they will come again—stronger next time."

The beast mother froze.

Kael continued, his voice steady.

"With me, she will fight. She will grow. And I will protect her as I protect myself."

The beast mother’s fists clenched.

The beast girl stepped forward suddenly.

"Mother..." she said softly.

The beast mother turned.

"I want to go."

The beast mother stared at her daughter in disbelief.

"You—"

"I’m tired of hiding," the girl said.

"I was weak during my breakthrough. If he hadn’t spared me, I would be dead."

She looked at Kael, cheeks flushing faintly.

"He fights the demons head-on. He doesn’t run."