Dungeon nightmare

English is not my first language so you might find some mistakes in the translation of the chapter.

This chapter has been translated by various means in order to obtain the best result, so you may find some simple or normal wordings.

If you find any grammatical error or misspelled word, please feel free to correct it or write a recommendation to improve the story. Your support would be appreciated.

Enjoy the chapter.

xxxxx

"..." - Dialogues.

'...' - Thoughts.

<...> - Spells - I don't know how to put italic letters in Webnovel >:v

xxxxx

After some time on the 18th floor we arrived at Rivira in search of Ais. Loki had told us that Ais had a mission on the 24th floor and the message she gave Loki was not to worry about her.

Ais was precise in the letter where she was headed. Loki was worried about Ais going to the monster outbreak or meeting up with another group of adventurers, so we need to get information first on what was going on.

When we arrived at Rivira we tried to look for traces of Ais, Bete's sense of smell was useless because the trail had already disappeared and the only thing left was to ask the adventurers who were around.

At a weapon store we were told that she was wearing a cape with a very strange ensemble and another guy, who was in charge of the luggage being sheltered, commented that if someone like her roamed the city her appearance would stand out.

Now we are going to visit one of the busiest sites where information flies back and forth.

"We'll go" Lefiya commented as Filvis trailed behind her.

Bete grunted in response and I just nodded. We stood outside the bar in case we caught a glimpse of anyone who might be of importance or stand out by looking at us.

How to say it... something is bothering me and in a big way.

My hands suddenly tremble, but it's not out of fear, it's something much more. This feeling reminds me of that time on an expedition where some of my companions died in front of me.

Of course, the feeling came after seeing my companions die and I took care not to forget it to prevent someone I care about from dying without me being able to do something about it.

I have trained everything I see useful for an unexpected situation and some of what I trained worked for me. I can't say at this point, but I have a bad feeling that this won't be a simple mission.

*Angry noises*

Quickly, I turned around facing the bar, listening to the angry shouts of the adventurers. Bete moved before me and went towards the bar, leaving me alone looking at her back.

I let out a sigh and shook my head, probably an annoyed adventurer for reasons only they know.

*Crack!*

...

Yes, Bete has it under control.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, stretching my body with my arms extended upwards and let out a moan of satisfaction. I need my body in perfect condition in case of a battle.

It doesn't matter if the enemy is someone weak, nothing states that someone much stronger will appear on the battlefield and the situation will completely turn around.

I sigh again. I don't even remember exactly when the moment was when I became more accessible with missions that have a high difficulty. Sure, I'm not the one guiding them, but it gets very dangerous sometimes.

It sounds silly, however, the traumas I had in the past have helped me with anything that has happened to me. The first time I killed a Goblin I should have gone through something like nausea or similar, however, instead I got angry and kept fighting.

I've seen people die, I've killed people and I've witnessed the horrors in the dungeon, but I'm still human and I have emotions, so I'm not quite invincible like I think I am.

"Hey, let's go"

I look Bete and apparently he is more upset than before "What happened?" I glance sideways at Filvis and Lefiya leaving the bar.

"Some adventurers taking their hatred out on us for losing to the dungeon" Bete snorted irritably "Damn weaklings calling themselves adventurers"

"Could you explain in more detail...please?"

"Their comrades died and some lost limbs" Bete looked at me "They wanted to take it out on us, so I gave them their dose of reality"

I nodded.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can't complain about what happens to you in the dungeon, you can only do so if someone else engages in the cruel outcome. The dungeon is the hell where we go deeper and deeper.

Losing a comrade is one of the most common things in the dungeon. The Loki Familia has not had any losses for quite some time now thanks to our efforts and coordination in expeditions.

How it irritates me to see people who give up on that kind of thing. From experience of having come out of a similar situation I resent weakness, but I know very well that at some point I could break.

The memories I lost remind me that there is someone out there who could break me if my memories are horrible, if not... who knows.

"Move over" Bete called out to me "Let's go with the guy with the patch"

"Bors?"

"Yes that one" Bete kicked a stone in the road "Hurry up, you're the last one"

Damn wolf.

xxxxx

"Sure. She asked me to put away a suit of armor. It was unusual how many times she mentioned to put it away carefully"

"Armor?" Lefiya asked in surprise at Ais's request.

Bors went to rummage through some boxes and bags, he pulled out a green arm protector with scratch marks on it "Yes, this" Lefiya took it and inspected it.

Lefiya noticed that it was nice, however, the armor was for a lower class adventurer. She wondered why Ais had something like that. What Lefiya didn't expect was that Riku would snatch it out of her hand and inspect it.

Riku checked the protector, she put it on and move her arm, noting that it fit well and with her daggers it was a good defense accessory for her if she had bought it in the past.

The white-haired girl looked at Bors, but he shrugged not knowing why Ais had that.

"Is there anything else that can perhaps tell us where Miss Ais was headed?" Lefiya asked Bors.

"Nnn, the direction she went..." Bors rubbed his chin in thought then ran his hand through his hair "If I hear my favorite sound of a valis bag maybe I'll remember something"

"..." Lefiya stared blankly.

"Aaa! It's on the tip of my tongue..."

"..."

"Hurry up and tell us, shit"

"Ah, I apologize. Please forgive me"

With the request, threat, from Bete Bors quickly began to talk about what he knew of the situation.

"The people with whom the [Sword Princess] were buying various items such as traps and camouflage. Inside the clothes they are hiding red quartz like crystals"

"The cellar" Riku stated.

"Be done with you, let's go" Bete left the site with Riku behind him and Lefiya stayed with Bors as she processed what happened and Bors snapped his teeth in irritation.

"That bastard gets all cocky. I thought that Werewolf would be better after hearing the girl talk about him. Hey, I'll give you 1000 if you hit him"

"There's no way I can..." Lefiya I reply with a blank stare.

"Whatever..." Bors looked at a certain black-haired Elf "You guys are teaming up with Banshee?"

"Huh?" Lefiya was confused "Miss Filvis' middle name is Banshee?"

"No, we just started calling her that. That Elf has a different middle name. Everyone who has teamed up with that Elf... They're all dead"

"?!"

"Whether it's someone in her Familia or someone else. She is the only one who always survives"

Bete and Riku gave a sidelong glance at the place where Lefiya was talking to Bors. They looked at each other and said nothing, they didn't care about Filvis.

"Why that?" Lefiya asked causing Bors to sigh and explain why.

That is how Lefiya heard the story of a poor cursed Elf.

The nightmare of the 27th floor, an event caused several years ago where many adventurers died that day. Evilus annihilated everything in its path on the 27th floor, creating a pitched battle between three sides.

Even the floor manager participated in the incident. The adventurers who arrived late only saw a sea of blood where only the remains of people were being eaten by more monsters arriving.

Filvis survived that day and returned to the city looking like the walking dead. Since that day it is said that the Elf was cursed, as the adventurers who teamed up with her died from various causes.

She was always the only survivor.

Lonely adventurer, the Banshee team kills.

Lefiya walked across one of Rivira's bridges with a sad look on her face. She couldn't believe what she heard, she was afraid of being alone and Filvis experienced it in the worst possible way. That was what Lefiya thought.

She could not consider the death of her comrades and the inability to bear it should it happen. Just imagining that crushed Lefiya's soul.

Now she understood why Filvis is so aggressive and distant from people. Lefiya did not want that to continue.

Bete walked past Lefiya "I don't know the details, but..." Bete crushed the pole above Filvis with his hand "It is said that you discard your comrades and manage to survive alone"

"Serves you right" Bete said with a grim smile "Why are you still an adventurer? It would have been better if you had just died"

"Mr. Bete!"

"..."

"It is exactly as you say" Filvis smiled with disappointment "That day, without dying next to my Familia and comrades. I'm still living in shame in an unpleasant way. You've heard the rumors, right? What are you going to do, disband the group? Maybe I'll just kill them"

Bete narrowed his eyes in displeasure and pressed his hand on the pole, destroying it. He turned away without looking back.

"The people I hate the most are those who interpret rumors like that, people like you"

Filvis watched Bete leave. She looked at a certain place and there stood a white-haired girl "What's the matter, will you tell me the same thing as that werewolf?"

Riku continued to look at her with indifference "What happens to you I don't care" she looked with disdain "I live for me and for my family. Death is an old friend who constantly visits me, don't think you're important just because people die around you"

Riku also went after Bete.

"Lefiya Viridis" Lefiya looked at Filvis "Even if it's just a rumor, don't associate with me. Stay away from me. I am tainted..."

'This is not good. This is bad. I need to tell her now. I need to stop her for her own good, I need words. I don't know. I can't find them, I have no words.'

"I don't want to stain my brothers"

'I need words!'

*Tap!*

Lefiya grabbed Filvis' hand without letting go.

She would save her.

xxxxx

Riku in the distance watched the Elves yelling at each other various things about pride and nonsense that she didn't understand why it was too annoying to comprehend.

She had heard many things about Orario and adventurers like that are common, just hearing about it is common, encountering them is another situation. She was known as the [Rabbit Queen] because of her speed and appearance, but that didn't say anything bad.

It depended on what each adventurer went through on them trips to the dungeon.

"Hey Bete"

"What do you want?"

"I think Lefiya got a girlfriend" Riku jabbed her elbow at Bete to make him turn to look "They're blushing"

"Hah" Bete snorted "That Elf is half lesbian. You wouldn't expect her to take advantage of situations like that"

"Are you jealous~?"

"Bullshit!" Bete looked at Riku bitterly.

"If I remember correctly you can't get a woman to hang out with" the hair on Bete's body bristled "You can't be expected to dislike such things if you don't succeed"

"Shut up!" Bete grabbed Riku under his arm crushing her head "We said no shit like that! It's an irritating subject!"

"H-Heh"

Bete gnashed his teeth and Riku took the opportunity to escape and show her tongue to the werewolf to make him even more irritated.

"Hey stupid Elves, hurry the hell up!" Bete shouted irritated with everything around him and stomped off heavily with Riku behind him and even behind him the Elves who were now friends.

xxxxx

Elsewhere, a group of adventurers had entered the same hell without even knowing it.

The group led by Asfi was separated from the [Sword Princess] having to make their way through the fleshy tunnels filled with man-eating plants. Asfi had to decide.

She gave orders taking the lives of her comrades on her shoulders, leading them down the corridor of hell where one mistake could kill them all. In an instant she was about to be attacked, but someone else took the attack for her.

Asfi simply asked why and the answer made her remember. She was the heart of the Hermes Familia, if she died they would all fall, her life is the most important.

With annoyance she didn't believe that.

She wanted everyone to live to the end, taking everyone's life equally. Asfi had the lives of 15 people in her charge.

Asfi would endure it to the end

"Everybody stops!"

"Asfi...!" Lulune gasped heavily.

"Let's prepare while we can. Nelly, Dodon, give everyone potions. Use one to regain strength and save three for later"

The supports moved the luggage. Nelly, a short-haired human rear guard, and Dodon, a man who uses two horns as a weapon and wears a hood, took out the potions and handed them over.

The supports gave the potions and the others prepared their equipment for the coming battle. Looking around, the adventurers noticed that there was a distinct lack of monsters.

"So we arrived at our destination" Lulune commented adjusting her gloves.

"... The cellar" the group prepared by getting into formation "Let's go"

The tunnel became smaller and smaller as they advanced further and further. Passing through the narrow path, a large room showed itself and in the middle of it a crystal pillar showed itself with very large carnivorous flowers to the usual ones surrounding the crystal.

[Image]

"A parasitic plant..." Falgar, a Tiger Man, commented in amazement "That's a monster?"

"Is it absorbing the nutrients excreted by the pillar?" Elilly, a dwarf with a shield, sweats a little.

"Probably" Keaks, a human who used stones for combat, commented "That will be what changed the labyrinth, how troublesome"

Asfi surveyed the room. Violas, the man-eating plants, she heard the name, were growing out of the walls, so she assumed this was the nest. Although in certain places there were cages with some plants rolled up in themselves.

"Hey, that over there!" Lulune shouted pointing to a certain spot "That's the jewel they took on the 18th floor!"

In the distance, a radical group of people watched Asfi's group arrive and proceeded with the plan.

"Comrades! Draw your swords for our desire! Bring death to those ignorant intruders!"

"Death!"

"Death!"

"Death!"

"Death!"

All the hooded men shouted with maniacal euphoria for a target unknown to the Hermes Familia.

"They look like they're ready to go!"

"We counterattack. We need information on what is happening here" Asfi looked at her group "The front line should advance while they pay attention to the Violas. Stay behind the center guard after decreasing the space between them and us"

"Capture the opponent if possible. The rearguard should not use any magic or magic swords until I give the signal. Prepare the potions"

"Asfi, can you give me command of the central guard?" Thane, an Elf similar in appearance and character to Hermes, asked "Keaks said it, you are our heart. I couldn't face Lord Hermes if anything happened to you. We know nothing about them. A commander should see everything, right?"

"I understand I'll take care of it" Asfi nodded and Thane smiled "By the way, can you drop that outfit and voice? I feel like I'm getting tired just listening to you"

"Haha, I can't hear you"

Asfi adjusted her glasses.

"Go get them!"

"Kill them!"

Each leader shouted it respective order and the battle began. The ferocity shown between each was different in the will with which it was employed.

The hooded men ran in large numbers far outnumbering the Hermes Familia group, however, they did not hesitate and wielded their weapons ready to claim victory.

Falgar and Elilly formed the barrier, the Dwarf with two shields in each hand and the Tiger Man with a great sword and shield. Behind them, Keaks, Thane and Tabitha, a Chienthrope with a whip, jumped over the barrier.

They used long range attacks and fell in the middle of the enemies that were shot down. One fan was frozen by how fast it happened.

"I'm sorry, but we have no intention of letting them go" Thane commented casually.

"But why would you...!"

Thane dodged the attack that was heading for his head "Our God once made a certain God of War angry" Thane countered with a blow to the chin "He got a technique like this! Zee!"

*Pam!*

"Guhhh!"

"That was just an imitation, but it was a good hit, wasn't it?" Thane adjusted his hat gracefully "Lulune, use your status thief"

"You're too short for an Elf" Lulune laughed ominously "So... let's ask your body what Familia you are from"

"I offer this to you, God, according to our prayer"

"What?" Thane mumbled in confusion and opened his eyes pushing his companion away "Lulune, get away!"

"TAKE THIS LIFE TO THE IRIS!"

*BOOM!*

The member of Evilus exploded causing Thane to fall with much of his body damaged by the blast. Lulune quickly ran to Thane hoping he was alive.

"An explosion!" Tabitha looked at the place where Lulune and Thane were standing.

"Hey! Are you all crazy!" Keaks yelled "By strapping something like that to their bodies!" Keaks saw the bombs strapped to their bodies "Th-These guys!"

"Kaenseki!"

"They're doing suicide attacks!"

The craziness in the hooded eyes, as well as their erratic breathing, showed that they all shared the same goal.

"Bring blessing upon my foolish self!"

*BOOM!*

The Hermes Familia barely escaped the explosions with their clothes singed, but their bodies intact. They looked skeptically at the event as the fanatics ran towards them.

"Forgive me my sins, Sophia!"

"Queen, collect my debt with this!"

"Oh, Julius!"

"You're all crazy!"

"Are you idiots?!"

Keaks and Tabitha quickly walked away with fear running through their bodies. The situation changed from a battle to a game of catch where if you got caught you died by some insane people.

"Comrades! Do not fear death!" the leader of the suicides, the one with robes that stood out the most, shouted with elation "Show your devotion to your God and get the wish beyond death!"

"These are the best potions I have! Heal Thane!" Asfi handed the potions to Nelly and she quickly ran to Lulune who had Thane injured "Dodon, take Meryl and use healing magic on the limbs that ran out of potions!"

Meryl, a purple haired Pallum with robes and a staff, climbed on Dodon's back and the support moved toward the group that directly confronted the suicide bombers.

Asfi contemplated the battlefield. She could hear names being shouted, at first she suspected they were Gods, but they were names of people who showed their devotion with their deaths. She did not understand what they were fighting with.

'What are we fighting against?!' Asfi gritted her teeth with sweat pouring down her forehead.

*Crack!* *Crack!*

Asfi's eyes widened as the Violas popped out of the ground, joining the battle "Falgar!"

The Tiger Man spun and quickly swung his shield causing a Viola's attack to bounce off "That was close...!"

"More are coming!" Golmeth, a human with equipment that resembled a shell, exclaimed cutting off one of the Violas "What?!"

Before everyone's eyes, the Violas began to indiscriminately attack everything that moved on the battlefield. One of the fanatics was bitten in the middle of his body, but at the last instant he activated the fuse of the Kaenseki at the very moment when the Viola went towards them.

Pot and Pock, two Pallums with a hammer and a mallet respectively, were covered by Elilly while Lulune and Keaks dodged with speed.

The suicides did not stop in all the chaos and ran towards Tabitha, but a dagger that was thrown pierced the fanatic's head. Suicia, an Elf with a mask covering her nose and mouth, helped Tabitha away from the mess.

Behind the group, Nelly was healing Thane from an explosion, while Dodon was near her sharing potions and Meryl on top of him casting healing on the group.

Nelly turned her head and her pupils narrowed as a Viola slid across the ground towards her, however, Jose destroyed its magic stone, a Chienthrope with a scar over his right eye, who threw his dagger.

Jose turned around and gave a thumbs up to Nelly causing her to thank him with a nod and Jose to continue defending his teammates.

'That man in white...' Asfi thought running towards him 'The movements he was making from the corner of my vision and the appearance of the Violas. He is most likely a tamer!'

She didn't understand how a tamer could control such an absurd number of giant monsters, but it would all make sense if Asfi considered that it was all his doing.

'A commander in a different colored robe and the man in white who I think is a tamer.'

Asfi quickly reached into her bag and pulled out several vials and threw them at the suicides. The suicides saw the jars fall in their midst and when they hit the ground....

*BOOM!* *BOOM!*

*BOOM!* *BOOM!*

Multiple explosions occurred and these were augmented by the Kaenseki of the suicide bombers. The liquid reacted with the air and exploded when it came out of the bottle.

"Falgar take command! Gather everyone and withstand their attacks!" 'I will eliminate the leader and end this!' Asfi ran towards the enemy.

"Asfi! Please let me support you!"

Asfi looks back sidelong "I'm counting on you, Keaks!"

"Yes!"

The suicide bombers saw Asfi approaching them, but before they could act several rocks hit them in the head, knocking them down in a few moments because of the force with which they were thrown.

"It's a throwing weapon. There is a limit..."

"Ack!"

"Guh!"

"This is the dungeon" Keaks sneered "There's no way I'm running out of stones to throw, you idiots"

Asfi took advantage of the openings in the enemy formation and ran and thus cut the throat of the suicide commander. She did not stop and continued running towards the man in white with a bone mask with two horns.

"You should have let the Violas eat you... Kill her"

"?!"

The tendrils came out of the ground causing Asfi to dodge with a leap. She continued to dodge the tendrils, as they were very quick to attack.

"You move well, adventurer" the man in white smiled "Or should I say, [Perseus]. Still, die"

A Viola head popped out of the ground with the intention of swallowing Asfi.

Asfi squinted and spoke.

"Talaria"

Two pairs of wings came out of Asfi's sandals, one on each sandal, and she soared into the sky, dodging the Viola's attack with movement in the air. She was flying before the sight of all present.

"What?!" the man in white looked up in surprise.

"Is she flying in the air?!" a suicidal man looked up in fear. Others just like him took steps back.

Talaria was a magical item created by Asfi, Each sandal had a pair of wings that allowed the wearer to fly, the speed is proportional to the wearer's speed. She has kept that item and the ability of this one a secret.

"You made me wear this, I'll have to attack you perfectly now"

Multiple bottles with explosive liquid were thrown at the Violas.

"Shit!" Keaks seeing that threw himself to the ground covering his head in fear for what was coming.

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

The man in white produced a barrier of tendrils at the massive explosion that was released. Behind him, Asfi swooped down, swinging her dagger at the abdomen of the man in white, who spun around, upset by Asfi.

"Too slow!" Asfi attempted to slash at the man, but her dagger was stopped as it was caught by the blade "What?!" 'It won't move!'

"Take this!"

"Gah!"

Asfi was thrown backwards to the ground, causing a crater from the force behind the attack. She quickly jumped up trying to create distance, but when she looked ahead she did not see the man.

"You forgot something" as a whisper, the voice came from behind Asfi.

Asfi's eyes widened in disbelief and as she looked down her own knife was piercing her abdomen, the detail was that the man was aiming at a vital body point and the pain shook Asfi completely.

"I know well how strong adventurers are. Normally, you would easily worry about this..." the man twirled the knife that was still in Asfi.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

"That should keep you from recovering anytime soon" the man sneered "Although, you won't die just because of that, I'll personally take care of you, [Perseus]"

"Don't touch Asfi!" Keaks came out of the dust cloud with an expression full of anger and threw several stones at the masked man "With your dirty hands!"

*Poof*

"!" the stones were destroyed as they collided enclosing distracting dust.

"Asfi, please use this!"

Asfi looked up and her eyes widened slightly as she noticed the highly modified potion she gave Keaks when he took an attack for her, protecting her before entering the cellar.

"Violas"

*Swing*

Keaks was pierced in the chest by one of the tendrils before the panicked gaze of his companions, one of them had fallen. The tendril took Keaks' limp body and threw him into a pile of stones.

"K...s" Asfi trailed off "Ke...aks" she couldn't let him die "Ke...Keaks!"

Asfi remembered the moment Keaks took the Violas' attack when they were just entering the cellar corridor. She couldn't believe at the time that he did that for her.

However, the words Keaks said to her affected her. Asfi knew Keaks was interested in her, trying to go out on many occasions with her and teasing her when he could, but the reason he took the attack for her that time was because Asfi is the most valuable to all of them.

If Keaks was seriously injured, they would worry about him, but they would not give up, however, if it was Asfi that received the attack and was defeated, their will would waver, as Asfi is a pillar in the Hermes Familia. If the pillars fall the whole structure will.

Asfi did not want Keaks to die for her.

She had Keaks' life on her shoulders. All lives were worth the same, if anyone should die it would be her and not him.

Keaks' hand that held the potion was closed holding the potion with only one goal in mind.

"K-Keaks!" Asfi crawled with all her might and her voice managed to get there before her.

'I can... Hear you...' Keaks strained his body and stood up '... There's no way I wouldn't hear your voice. I'm here... just for you after all.'

Asfi could not believe her eyes.

'I don't mind being an adventurer. I just... wanted to be close to you'.

"Kea...ks...use it...!" Asfi begged "Forget about me... Quick! Save yourself!"

"Don't say that. This will only save one of us..." Keaks fell to the ground as his eyes lost focus, however, they opened wider as blood poured from them.

'I can't lose my conscience! It's an honor for a man to die for the woman he loves! Even if my body burns, I'll do it! I won't stop! I'll save you!'

Asfi was screaming as loudly as she could, but Keaks was not listening to her. He could only watch her as his strength increasingly drained from her body, but Keaks did not give up and continued despite the pain he was feeling.

'I wasn't able to tell her how I feel, though... I at least need to give this to her!'

"Die"

'GET IT!'

*Splat*

Keaks' head was crushed by the man in white as the potion fell to the ground near where Asfi was crawling.

"KEEEAAAAAAKS!"

Lulune turned her head with a skeptical look, because of what she had just heard.

"Keaks...?" the voice of Lulune trembled as behind her a fanatic lowered his knife to assassinate her, but she was saved by Falgar who cut down the enemy.

"You idiot! Don't get distracted!"

"B-But Keaks! Asfi is...!"

"We will be killed too!" Falgar shouted causing Lulune to tremble with fear.

Falgar looked ahead and swallowed hard at what he was seeing. Dozens of suicides waiting for the right moment to explode and the Violas behind them with their jaws open to eat anything they could.

'What should I do? What can I do?!'

With a slow step, the man in white approached Asfi who was lying on the ground with her abdomen bleeding deeply.

"Now it's your turn, Don't worry, I'll kill you quickly"

"Ack!" "Gah!" the Hermes Familia was pushed back by more explosions, causing them to have to be on the defensive.

"Damn, damn!" Jose clashed swords with the enemy, cursing his own weakness for not going to support his comrades.

"Asfi is going to get killed!" Tabitha exclaimed dodging an attack and supporting Jose watching his back from them "More is coming!"

"She'll be here!"

"Ehh!" Elilly looked at Lulune with confusion as she pulled her shields together, creating a barrier that protected her from the Violas.

"She should get here!" Lulune shouted hopefully "I've been throwing them all the way over here! Crystal chests! Soon! The [Sword Princess] will be here soon!"

"The [Sword Princess] won't come" The man in white scoffed remembering the plan to let Revis take care of her.

*Crash!*

The wings of Asfi's Talaria were destroyed by the tamer's tread "Companions, reinforcements, Gods. None of them will save them"

Asfi watched as the tamer's foot was placed above her head. Her eyes were teary, filled with anger, sadness, and fear.

"After you lose everything you depend on, unscrew yourself and realize what a fool you were for dealing with the Gods...and then die"

*BOOOOOM!*

"What's wrong?!"

A large explosion shook the warehouse completely. The Violas were destroyed in an instant and a wall fell showing a tunnel where several individuals were showing off.

"Huh? Who are you?!" [Vanargand] roared.

xxxxx

The group led by Bete watched the battle unfold.

"Are there several groups gathered?" Lefiya looked around 'Miss Ais isn't here. I wouldn't think anyone would leave pieces of crystals besides Miss Ais and us...'

"I'll buy you some time" Bete declared and Lefiya looked at him "In the meantime, get rid of those flowers. Rabbit, let's go"

Riku stood next to Bete at the same time as several Violas attacked the newly arrived group piling up in the tunnel. The Hermes Familia saw how in an instant two adventurers were with them.

"They're... Allies?" Tabitha said in surprise.

"Hey!" Lulune yelled seeing that a suicide bomber was already behind Bete. "Be careful, he's going to-!"

*Crak!* "Agh!"

With speed, a kick was delivered to the head of the suicide bomber sending it flying into a group of Violas and instantly it exploded. The Hermes Familia was amazed at how the enemy was sent flying so far by a kick.

"You're too slow"

"No way!"

"And to think I'd kick it away before it exploded" Falgar muttered in amazement and opened his eyes noticing more suicides "They're approaching from the left!"

"By m-!"

The suicidal could not continue before his head separated from his body and he fell to the ground. The Hermes Familia stood with their mouths agape at a white blur cutting the suicide.

Suicia was being overwhelmed along with Jose, but instantly the enemies were dismembered and fell to the ground. They waited for the explosion by taking cover, however, it did not happen and when they looked they noticed that the Kaenseki was not in the bodies.

Riku ran back and forth slashing with her double daggers at the suicides, she could smell the characteristic scent of the Flame Rock crimson stones, so she knew instantly that there were explosives.

She cut off the arms, heads, and legs of the suicide bombers, avoiding the entire torso where the bombs were. With skill, Riku also grabbed the bombs and threw them back at the approaching Violas.

Suicia looked at Riku, but she didn't look at her and continued to clear the enemy. Riku hated Evilus so Evilus she saw, Evilus she killed.

<It falls like rain and consumes with fire the savages!>

'How much magical power!' Meryl trembled at the intense magical power behind the chant "T-Everyone run away!" 'She's a monster!'

The Hermes Familia took cover in panic.

Behind Lefiya the magic circles glowed brightly and the magic was released as the necessary words were spoken.

<Fusillade Fallarica!>

*BOOOOOOOMB!

The explosion was so overwhelming that it wiped out the enemy completely, the survivors regrouped like rats fleeing from a hunter.

"Lefiya!"

"Miss Lulune?!" Lefiya exclaimed in surprise "Why are you here?"

Before Lulune could respond, she was grabbed by the collar of her shirt by Bete.

"Hey, where's Ais?! Answer me!"

"T-The [Sword Princess] was with us, but she was separated..."

"Huh? Did they separate her?"

"But besides that help us!" Lulune exclaimed "Save Asfi! I bet that guy knows what's going on with the warehouse and also about the man-eating flowers! I bet it's all his fault! We'll explain so please... Save Asfi!"

"..." Bete looked at the enemy.

"Mr. Bete!" Lefiya said with concern.

"Tch, it's a hassle, but I'll do it. We still need to find Ais, though, I don't like that guy's eyes"

"Bete" Riku arrived next to the group with her bloody daggers "Be careful"

"Ah, what the hell you say?"

"That guy is giving me bad vibes" Riku narrowed her eyes looking at the tamer "Something tells me it's not as simple as it looks"

"You leave it to me" Bete declared with battle intent "Take care of the weaklings" Bete leapt towards the enemy with Riku behind him nodding and checking on the condition of the Hermes Familia.

"Mr. Bete!" Lefiya shouted as she noticed the intense battle going on and tried to go towards him, but she was stopped by Filvis.

"Don't go Viridis! To help him is...!" Filvis glared.

The shock waves created by the blows and counterattacks were so strong that gusts of wind could be felt and the ground cracked as it failed to resist the strength of the two warriors in combat.

"They move too fast to aim properly"

"So First Class adventurers are that strong..." Filvis sweat coldly as she remembered provoking two of them and both of them were not afraid of the consequences of doing so. She knew she was safe back then.

Lefiya watched the battle filled with pure ferocity. Speed and strength were demonstrated, Bete was one of the fastest in the Loki Familia with Ais behind him, however, what surprised Lefiya was that the enemy was on par with Bete.

The abnormal resistance of the enemy compensated enough for Bete to have trouble. Lefiya remembered the tamer Revis.

Bete kicked the enemy's torso as he noticed three Violas coming towards him, however, the tendrils were ragged enough to hit him. They didn't hurt him much, but they were annoying.

"Miss Filvis, please protect me! <Loose ray of light, bow made from the sacred tree>"

The Violas instantly went towards Lefiya upon sensing the magic, completely ignoring Bete.

"Forget the girl, Violas, kill the werewolf first!" the tamer roared in annoyance as he noticed his advantage being lost.

The Violas quickly turned around and walked back toward Bete. Filvis ran towards them with Lefiya behind.

<You are an expert with the bow> Lefiya continued her chant, while Filvis raised her staff towards the Violas.

<Sweep, sacred staff that crushes evil - Dio Thyrsos!>

"That idiot!" Bete roared in annoyance when he saw what Filvis did.

The magical attack hit a Viola, but amidst the smoke created by the shock of magic the tamer casually passed through the spell, ignoring it completely.

"Too weak!"

"Kuh!"

Filvis was sent flying with a kick and her short sword was destroyed as she tried to defend herself. She fell to the ground, looking up as the tamer lowered his arm.

"Die"

*THUD!*

"You!"

"Of course!" Riku defended the tamer's attack with her own fist "Too weak!"

"Tch!" The tamer gritted his teeth, but before he could do anything he had to dodge an invisible attack, however, he wasn't fast enough to dodge Bete's kick "Agh!"

Asfi fell to the ground losing strength because she could barely heal herself enough. The item she used to become invisible fell to the ground sliding off her head.

The tamer quickly pulled himself together in the face of the imminent attack of two beasts.

"RAHHH!"

"Let's go!"

A kick to the head by Bete, a blow to the abdomen by Riku. The tamer tried to defend himself, but his punches hit the air and he was kicked in the chin with another blow to his waist.

Bete and Riku's coordination did not give the tamer time to counterattack.

"Ora!"

Bete kicked without stopping while Riku punched as the tamer dodged Bete's attacks causing him to receive Riku's attacks. The tamer went on the defensive, but his arms were creaking from the blows.

The regeneration he possessed was barely enough with the flurry of blows. Looking down, the tamer's eyes widened as his arms were pushed upward by an upward kick from Riku leaving him completely defenseless.

"ORAAAAAAA!"

"Don't think so much of yourself!" the tamer hit Bete and instantly had to defend himself from Riku "You too!"

Riku received a forehand, but contrary to what was expected, she countered with her own, causing the tamer to spit blood and be sent backwards.

Riku jumped towards him and kicked him in the face, however, the tamer defended himself with his arm defensively.

Bete joined the attack again putting the tamer on alert. Behind it all, Lefiya had finished her chant and watched the fight looking for an opening which was nowhere to be seen.

"Violas!"

Violas emerged from the ground, however, instead of supporting the tamer, they went for Lefiya and someone jumped towards her protecting her from the impending attack.

<Lugio!>

*Zooooom!*

A sound blow eliminated them completely with Riku looking at Lefiya with clear intent.

<Arcs Ray!>

"Looks like you haven't learned your lesson!" the tamer raised his arm, but the spell was deflected "What?!"

Lefiya's short song had a clear main feature which was automatic tracking. She does not fail to hit the target.

The spell hit Bete's Frosvit causing it to absorb the magic "Well done" a feral grin grew on Bete's face and he lowered his leg "Die"

"AHHHHHH!"

*BOOOOM!*

Bete's magic-driven kick sent the tamer flying, leaving him pinned to the wall with his body destroyed as the mask shattered and fell to pieces.

"Move it!" Riku shouted towards the Hermes Familia "Go get your partner!"

Tabitha went for Keaks' corpse while Lulune, Jose and Suicia went for Asfi with Nelly, the others also joined her. Falgar, Elilly, Golmeth, Pot and Pock stopping the advance of the suicides.

"Did we make it?" Filvis asked.

"I kicked him with the intention of killing him"

"He's still alive" Riku said to Bete "There was magic constantly flowing through his body as if it was part of him, but at the same time not. I think he's regenerating"

There was no way a subject could survive the combined attack of the adventurers and one that was being powered by magic.

"He's a monster..." Asfi commented being helped by Nelly.

The tamer walked through the dust cloud calmly "Even though you were close, there's no way my body that is loved by 'She' would break from something like that"

The tamer's wounds healed with magic instantly, as Riku had commented.

When the man showed himself without his mask, everyone's eyes widened in disbelief because the one they saw was long gone.

"[Vendetta]" Asfi whispered in terror "Olivas Act?!"

"[Vendetta]?" Lefiya looked at the man and instantly remembered the incident Bors had told her about on the 18th floor and how Evilus was involved with several leaders "What is a dead person doing here?!"

"No, I died" Olivas laughed "Although I have returned from the depths of death"

'Those legs are not human!' Lefiya's eyes widened as she noticed the scales on Olivas' feet.

"I was given a second chance at life!" Olivas shouted with elation as a magic stone was displayed on his chest "By none other than 'She'!"

"What are you?!"

"Human and monster" Olivas raised his arms with a smile of obsession "I am a supreme being with the powers of both"

Bete gritted her teeth and instantly looked at a certain place when she felt a very powerful killing intent. Right there was Riku, but Bete sensed that she was not well when he noticed her eyes.

As Bete thought, Riku was wide-eyed looking at Olivas. Sweat was pouring down Riku's forehead as she didn't look away.

For some reason, Riku was sensing that she had seen Olivas before, but she couldn't remember him. Her body trembled at the mere sight of him, yet another part of her was screaming for Olivas to be mercilessly murdered and tortured to death.

She did not understand what was happening to her, it was as if her mind was struggling with the intention of running away or fighting, but there was no origin for such a thing. Her body could not find the answer and her mind was chaotic, however, just as she was going astray, she did not want to get lost in the middle of the battle.

Riku tightened her grip on her daggers and controlled her killing intent. This was no time to bring up past traumas that had no explanation. First you had to survive and then fight with your own mind.

She wished to knew why she felt she had seen Olivas before. Riku had a headache, several people laughing while she just looked up from the floor unable to say anything, her body begged for mercy, but she was just ignored.

Riku shook her head and prepared for combat.

"Violas and I... We come from the same origin as 'She'! The monsters obey me as an agent of 'She'! We made the Viscum parasitize the cellar and mass-produce Violas!"

"It's a halfway point to produce monsters from lower floors inside upper floors, so they can be transported to the surface!"

Asfi opened her eyes understanding the objective. A monster left light to others was not uncommon, but one that was not born from the dungeon was something to watch out for and more so if they have a different magic stone.

"Why are you doing this?!" Asfi couldn't understand.

"To destroy Orario"

"Do you have any idea what you're doing?! Orario is a cover! It's the only fortress that keeps the monsters from advancing to the surface! If it's destroyed..."

The 100-year peace will end and a war of monsters and humans will begin again.

"Sure, I'm going to destroy the city through my own will! I'll grant her wish!" Olivas placed his hands to his ears as if searching for a sound "Don't you hear 'her' voice?"

"'She' is saying she wants to see heaven! She craves it! That annoying city must be destroyed and 'She' will rule the surface instead of all the silly humans and useless Gods!"

"Me! Only I who was chosen by 'She' can fulfill her wish! 'She' is everything to me!"

"Enough talk" Bete spat irritably "All you need to do is die. That useless chatter is unpleasant to my ears, your healing is wearing off... you can't move well anymore, can you?"

"I'm surprised you noticed, the divine protection that keeps me alive is too much for me. Just like you said I can't move well anymore. Just me"

"!"

"Do it, Viscum"

*WROOOOOM*

The room shook at the same time as the plant surrounding the cellar pillar woke up showing an overwhelming size, even surpassing the dungeon floor bosses.

"Spread out!"

Everyone moved, the battle was still far from over.