Greed

This was no isolated incident.

The magnitude of the catastrophe extended far beyond the confines of the Guild and encompassed the entirety of Orario.

Monsters, unleashed from the depths of the Dungeon, surged throughout the city, their insatiable hunger leaving devastation in their wake. No corner of Orario was spared from their wrath.

To make matters worse, the unthinkable had occurred.

Some Gods fell victim to the relentless onslaught. As their souls willed to return to the heavens, there was no commotion.

Instead, an eerie silence loomed over the skies, signaling their souls had been...absorbed.

The implications were dire, as the Gods in heaven were stripped of the essence they had left behind in the Lower World. The shock reverberated through the heavens, casting the gods into a deep, comatose slumber.

The ramifications of this unprecedented event were profound, inciting panic and fear among Adventurers and Gods alike. The very foundation of their beliefs had been shattered.

It was common knowledge that when a mortal met their demise, their soul would be cleansed, ready to embark on a new life. Though they would lose their memories and sense of self, the reassurance that a part of them would persist brought solace in times of uncertainty.

But now, with the Gods' souls being absorbed, the possibility of a similar fate awaited the mortals. The realization struck like a hammer, prompting some of the most fearful to flee Orario, seeking refuge from an unknown and ominous future.

The exodus of adventurers left Orario depleted and vulnerable.

News of this calamity would soon spread across the world, carrying with it the seeds of fear and uncertainty.

Other nations, ever covetous of the riches and power emanating from the city around the Dungeon, might seize this opportunity to act.

Rakia, known for its insatiable greed, could be the first to break tradition and launch another assault. And they would not be alone, for countless nations had long cast covetous eyes upon the jewel that was Orario.

Even in the face of an impending apocalypse, greed, self-interest, and avarice continued to taint the hearts of mankind.

--- Ren's POV ---

With each triumphant victory over yet another horde of monsters, the elite adventurers began to grasp the vital strategies required to survive such perilous encounters.

The danger of engaging in close-quarters combat became abundantly clear; a false assumption of the monster's death could swiftly lead to their own instead.

Even a level 3 Monster possessed the potential to cleave through a level 4 Adventurer, particularly in the midst of their exhaustion.

The sheer multitude of monsters was staggering, and rumors circulated that the plight extended throughout the confines of Orario.

The Freya Familia, alongside other adventurers, fought tirelessly to decimate as many monsters as possible, their unwavering dedication mirroring our own.

However, a certain piece of news held my attention captive—the absorption of Gods' souls. It seemed inconceivable, an occurrence defying all known boundaries. The very notion of a Divine Soul being consumed suggested the enemy was at least a God in their true form.

Curses escaped my lips, a nagging sense of foreboding seeping into my thoughts. Even with my strength, confronting a fully empowered God presented little chance of survival, contingent upon the nature of their divinity.

I did not panic. Even if by some extraordinary circumstance the God stood in their true form, the constraints of this world, typically impenetrable, would undoubtedly limit the extent of their powers.

It led me to ponder the existence of an artifact or relic capable of circumventing the World's expulsion mechanisms, enabling the God's presence...

With the area finally cleared of the lingering threat, Finn and I engaged in a discussion, contemplating the most prudent course of action. It was a decision that weighed heavily on my shoulders, eliciting a weary sigh. Oh, how I longed to bring Ais back to the safety of our Mansion and face this ordeal alone.

Alas, such a choice would wound her warrior's pride, and I dared not venture down that path.

"Gather around, everyone," Finn's voice carried the weight of responsibilities. "Henceforth, the first-class adventurers of the Loki Familia shall venture deep into the depths of the Dungeon and uncover the truth behind this cataclysmic event. As for the rest of you, having acquired invaluable knowledge in fighting these abominations, I implore you to lend your aid to those in need. The Freya Familia, though formidable, cannot bear the burden alone."

He bowed respectfully before the survivors, acknowledging their grief-stricken state. His request was a daunting one, issued amidst the raw wounds of loss. But the stakes were dire—should this city crumble, the entire world would follow suit, a prospect too dire to fathom.

And then, like a spark igniting the embers of their hearts, a courageous adventurer bellowed, his voice resounding through the air

"For our Familias!"

In that resolute cry, the collective spirit was rekindled. Mourning would come later, but now, with righteous fury coursing through their veins, they would avenge their fallen comrades and bring down the very source of this harrowing day.

--- Wiene's POV ---

I waited anxiously, the insidious voice growing ever more persistent, its relentless taunts scratching against the walls of my mind.

'No! I don't need your power! Get out of my head!' I silently screamed

The urge to give in to the voice was overpowering, but I held fast, unwilling to succumb to its temptations.

My claws dug into the cold stone wall, a futile attempt to anchor myself against the rising tide of fear. I yearned to unleash a primal scream, to expel the maddening presence that haunted me. But caution prevailed, as revealing my position now would surely lead to death.

The cacophony of howling monsters reverberated through the air, their relentless pursuit of the upper floors intensifying my trepidation. If I heeded the voice and ascended to the surface, I would be met with certain death at the hands of merciless adventurers.

I knew no one would come to my aid. I dared not move from my hidden sanctuary, fearing that any slight deviation would betray my lack of 'faith' and invite annihilation.

The terror welled up within me, a torrent of despair cascading through my veins.

"Someone... anyone... please," I silently pleaded, though I knew the plea would fall on deaf ears. Hope, tenuous as it was, flickered within me, desperately clinging to the slimmest possibility of salvation.

And then, as if by some unfathomable intervention, the wails of the monsters subsided. The sudden silence sent tremors through my already quivering body, filling me with an eerie sense of foreboding...

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Author's Note:

Today and Tomorrow are bad days for me as I have an exam to do and my birthday(which is tomorrow). You can expect at least one chapter in these two days, but I can't write more due to this. Wiene's complete POV in next chap