A reincarnated man harbors a twisted ambition: he longs for a grand, cinematic death before the eyes of the world, seeking to leave behind a grief-stricken memory that never heals. Yet, a singular obstacle thwarts his desire—his own overwhelming, god-like power. He possesses the devastating strength of Alfia in a male form, but without the debilitating illness that once crippled her. Coupled with the "Liaris Freese" skill, which drives his growth to ever-escalating heights, he has become an invincible monster. No matter how much he yearns for his end, death remains perpetually out of reach.
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Is it wrong for a reincarnated soul to crave a death that leaves an indelible scar on the hearts of loved ones?
- Thread starter Raven797
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Chapter 1 : Don’t DanMachi Characters Possess an Incredible Capacity for Suffering?
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Hooves capped the feet that trampled the earth, and the hide and hair covering their bodies appeared entirely inhuman. Dual horns sprouted from hairless heads, and the fangs protruding from their maws were no less sharp. Their numbers easily exceeded a hundred, their crimson eyes scanning the area with terrifying gazes.
Deep within the forty-ninth floor of the Dungeon, this wasteland swarmed with a herd of hybrid creatures—a fusion of bulls and rams possessing distorted humanoid forms. The monsters raised thick arms, hoisting heavy weapons high above their heads. At the sight of this, the order was immediately given to the front-line defenders to brace their shields before panic could take hold.
"──!!"
Immediately after, the earth shook violently, accompanied by a deafening roar. Dust clouds billowed as the monsters' blows collided with the heavy shields of the vanguard, veiling the entire area until visibility vanished.
However, the obscurity did not last long. As the view began to clear, the mage defending the rear lines──Lefiya Viridis──finished her incantation, manifesting a massive fireball that floated in the air.
"──Fusillade Fallarica!!"
The sphere expanded in an instant before exploding, transforming into countless fire arrows that incinerated the monsters with staggering heat.
Their fates varied: some turned to ash before they could let out a single cry, while others barely survived with charred bodies. Regardless, the lives of every monster in that vicinity ended beneath the raging fire fueled by her immense magical power.
Yet, despite her title as the "Thousand Elf," her barrage was not enough to fully exterminate the nightmarish herd.
Proof lay in the hundreds of monsters still standing, which began their advance once more.
"Support!! Tiona, Tione, hurry to the left wing!!"
Following the instructions of the Pallum captain, the Amazon twins dashed forward, cleaving through the monsters one after another with their weapons. Nevertheless, the tide still favored the enemy. While the first-class adventurers exerted every effort to maintain the battle lines, the relentless march of the monsters did not stop.
Those beasts, with massive bodies that seemed forged from metal, swung black iron clubs as long as a man was tall, tearing through the air and driving the defenders into a corner. Every strike from their weapons, powered by brute strength, shattered the ground and sent violent tremors through the earth.
Amidst the chaos, one presence stood out most prominently. A gargantuan body nearly bursting with power, it far surpassed the rest of the herd in size and possessed a hardiness that words could not fully describe.
Coarse, steel-colored hair covered its frame, and its reddened eyes gleamed with a voracious lust for combat, expressing an insatiable desire for destruction that sent a rhythmic trembling through the legs of the front-line fighters.
Indeed, it was the monster known as a "Fomor," and it was now preparing to deliver a crushing blow.
As soon as the massive club, charged with extraordinary force, slammed into the tower shield carried by one of the defenders, the warrior could not withstand the impact and was sent flying. This created a breach in the front defensive wall.
The monsters seized this opening and surged toward the rear lines they were supposed to protect, intent on delivering a lethal strike. But before they could arrive, a lone young man stood in their path with lightning speed.
At the sight of that white shadow appearing skillfully with his cloak fluttering behind him, the monsters roared in delight, as if they were anticipating more slaughter.
Despite being the focus of all those monsters, he stood his ground without a shred of fear.
He wore no heavy armor, only light combat attire, and possessed no protection save for metal gauntlets. But that did not matter.
The Fomor's demonic appearance and alloy-like body were not mere show; a single strike from this monster was capable of killing first-class adventurers from the elite Loki Familia, the strongest Familia in Orario.
Under normal circumstances, this monster was a terrifying foe that even Level 5 adventurers could not take lightly. However, its luck had run out this time. The man standing before it was now the strongest man in the city and the fastest man in the world—the supreme adventurer whose majestic titles were famous even beyond the city walls.
"───── Thunderbolt."
He was the strongest weapon of the Loki Familia, the family that rivaled the Freya Familia led by the Goddess of Beauty──the "Sword Saint" Al Cranel.
Simply and with a single word, he released his magic known as "Thunderbolt"—an offensive spell that launched electrical discharges with a fiery glow from his hand or weapon.
The bolt struck with lightning speed, hitting the monster's head with pinpoint accuracy. The beast froze, screaming from the electric shock, followed by a series of bolts that pierced the monsters one after another.
Had it been ordinary offensive magic, it would have been unremarkable. However, the reason Riveria Ljos Alf, the greatest mage in Orario, described this magic as "beyond the standards" was twofold: first, it was a fast-cast magic that required no long incantation.
Magic usually possesses a common weakness: "casting time." Whether it is offensive, healing, defensive, or even curses, an incantation is necessary for activation. The stronger the magic, the longer the chant—some spells even take full minutes.
Naturally, techniques like "Concurrent Chanting" or "Super Short Chanting" exist to cover this weakness, but the chant itself never disappears. Al's magic, however, was a rare exception that broke this rule entirely; it activated with a single word, allowing him to fire it in rapid succession.
The second reason was its sheer destructive power.
As stated, the power of magic is directly proportional to the length of the chant. For this reason, the magic released by Riveria or other high-ranking mages requires an incredibly long incantation.
But Al's Thunderbolt defied this logic as well.
Being lightning, it was fast and impossible to avoid, and furthermore, it caused paralysis even if the opponent survived the strike. Its power equaled the barrage magic resulting from a long chant by a first-class adventurer, capable of eliminating deep-floor monsters in a single hit.
In some cases, a direct hit from it could knock a first-class adventurer unconscious, even if they possessed high endurance and anti-magic equipment.
With speed no less than his magic, he drew multiple silver arcs in the air resembling flashes of thunder. In the blink of an eye, the bodies of the Fomors exploded, their remains scattering amidst waterfalls of blood. Everyone stood stunned before the scene.
It was overwhelming dominance. The massive bodies of the monsters flew through the air as if made of paper. It wasn't just one or two, but dozens and hundreds were slaughtered without the slightest resistance. It was a massacre in every sense of the word.
With complete coldness and devoid of emotion, his silver sword carved its way to create dozens of corpses in moments. It was an art of death, more beautiful and cruel than anything else—a dance of death that annihilated all the fierce beasts amidst the roar of thunder.
Al did not fight alone. After he wiped out the monsters attacking the vanguard, the "Sword Princess" and six other first-class adventurers joined him, raining a barrage of strikes upon the enemies.
They rushed forward with all their might so as not to be outdone by Al. The mages also began releasing their spells as soon as their chants concluded, fireballs launching simultaneously.
Wind blades, ice spears, rock masses, liquid poisons, and lines of fire resembling flamethrowers assaulted the monsters.
"──Soon, the fire will be released. Rage, O crimson flames. O merciless heat. You are the incarnation of hell. Sweep everything away, and put an end to this great conflict."
"Burn everything, O Sword of Surtr──My name is Alf!"
"Rea Laevateinn!!"
Eight first-class adventurers representing the leaders of the Loki Familia, along with a cadre of high-level adventurers, stood ready. Al, Ais Wallenstein, Bete Loga, and other front-line fighters had bought the necessary time for Riveria to finish her incantation.
After their mission ended, the battle's conclusion was declared with the launch of the greatest offensive magic by the city's finest mage: the second-tier fire annihilation magic, "Rea Laevateinn." Glowing green magic circles formed, and the spell's range covered the entire battlefield.
Massive crimson spears made of intense heat swept across the ground. The fiery projectiles exploded on impact, hurling monsters left and right. The explosions swallowed the beasts, who had no means of surviving this hell.
The Loki Familia was in the midst of an "Expedition," a mission imposed by the Guild on high-ranking Families.
They had reached the fiftieth floor of the Dungeon's depths, an area trodden only by a few powerful Families like the Freya and Ganesha Familias. Now, they were advancing toward unknown floors that no adventurer in the modern era had reached.
At that moment, they planned to establish a base camp and take a long rest. This rest was essential for the expedition members to recover their strength for the next phase.
"Alright, let's start setting up the camp."
Based on the words of Raul, who was responsible for leading the second-string members, the members began moving actively: pitching tents, securing food, and installing lighting using magic stones.
They appeared very accustomed to these outdoor activities; their work was organized and swift. The tents, stoves, and cooking utensils were already being prepared.
Some members took on guard duty, even though this floor is considered a rare "Safe Zone" in the Dungeon where monsters do not appear, making the danger almost non-existent.
After that major battle, a mood of calculated relaxation prevailed among the members, without reaching the point of negligence.
The first-class adventurer leaders were no exception.
"There were quite a lot of them today, weren't there?"
"Yeah, it was a bit exhausting."
The two girls carrying luggage that outweighed the loads of the other members several times over were the Amazon sisters, Tione and Tiona, who had fought a fierce battle moments ago.
Originally, leaders are not required to perform the manual labor done by lower-ranked members, but Tiona took the initiative to help, and Tione followed suit.
By the way, they wore clothes resembling dancer outfits that revealed their tanned skin, the characteristic attire of the Amazon race. Though it was an attention-grabbing outfit, they always fought in it.
Tiona possessed a small physical build compared to the size of her massive weapon, but she was far stronger than average adventurers.
She was lifting wooden crates filled with supplies and moving them, while Tione was no less strong or enduring than her sister, carrying the luggage with a calm face despite her violent combat.
"What? You still have all this energy!!"
"Shut up."
"Please, don't overexert yourselves; you were fighting on the front lines."
Tiona continued working with a smile, while her older sister smiled faintly despite her grumbling. At that moment, Lefiya, the orange-haired elf girl, appeared and spoke in a worried tone.
"It's fine, it's fine!! Tione and I aren't hurt. Rather, you're the one who should be tired, Lefiya, after all that magic you used."
"No, I... I'm not at all..."
Signs of fatigue were clear on Lefiya as well. Although she was providing magical support, keeping up with the warriors on the front lines amidst that grueling battle was no easy feat. Nevertheless, she did not show her exhaustion and spoke kindly to her seniors, demonstrating the strength of her resolve.
Tiona directed a mischievous smile toward her. In reality, in terms of "Level," Lefiya was still far from the level of Tiona and the others, but her magical power—which the Familia's god called "Stupid Magic" due to its sheer scale—made her a massive destructive force against large numbers, and she sometimes surpassed Tiona in achievement.
Lefiya is considered Level 3 within the Loki Familia, but in terms of wide-range magic, she ranks second only to her mentor Riveria, though she does not fully realize her own true value.
Hearing their conversation, Bete approached. The Amazon sisters scowled upon seeing him, but he didn't care and spoke to them. It wasn't because their relationship was bad, but rather a mismatch in temperaments.
Bete's blunt personality always grated on their nerves. Similarly, Bete did not find the sisters' company enjoyable, so he did not wish to speak with them long and addressed only Lefiya.
"Hey, where are Ais and Al?"
Lefiya seemed confused for a moment; she had indeed noticed their disappearance. Tione answered from her side:
"The two of them are in that tent, getting a lecture from the Captain."
Inside the largest tent, inscribed with the Familia emblem—the "Gesticulating Clown"—were the top leaders along with a young man and woman.
In the tent was a large bed, and beside it a small table piled with files. This tent served as the command headquarters for this expedition.
Finn Deimne, the captain of the Loki Familia, was a handsome man with golden hair and blue eyes suggesting intelligence. He had an appearance suggesting he was a boy despite being a Level 6 adventurer.
"Alright, Ais. Why didn't you stick to the orders to maintain the defensive lines?"
At the Captain's words, the girl with flowing golden hair and divine beauty lowered her eyes. She was Ais Wallenstein, nicknamed the "Sword Princess," and one of the leaders of the Loki Familia.
She remained silent and did not answer, which made Finn sigh helplessly.
"Ais, you are undoubtedly strong. But for that very reason, your actions as a leader affect those below you, whether positively or negatively. You must realize this."
"..."
"Are you feeling uncomfortable? With your current position?"
"... No, I'm sorry."
Despite her strength fitting her title, she was still a girl in the process of growing up and had not yet matured psychologically.
"No need to apologize. Just be careful to pay attention next time."
Finn smiled kindly, and Ais nodded her head slightly. She was thinking to herself: Why am I so weak?
Although her sword skills had made her one of the most prominent powers in the city, she felt unable to scale the wall standing before her.
She felt confused, as if she had returned to those days when her head held nothing but the slaughter of monsters in the labyrinth. She thought that pursuing strength might open new horizons for her, but now she wondered what she truly needed.
"And you too, Al, don't pretend this doesn't concern you. I know you're the strongest among us, but you rush in too much. This behavior of yours prevents others from developing, and more importantly, it will lead you to ruin."
The other person was a youth with hair white as snow and eyes red as blood, possessing a masculine beauty resembling Greek statues—this was Al Cranel. He was the same age as Ais, and together they represented a constant headache for Riveria due to their reckless actions.
"... I will restrain myself."
Al said with a sullen face, and Finn smiled bitterly, thinking, He doesn't really understand. The truth was that Al's power surpassed the other members in this expedition by leaps and bounds, and in terms of pure combat skill, he was undoubtedly the strongest.
But Al was still in the development stage, and his talent had begun to bloom fully, yet he tended toward excessive risk in his pursuit of power. For this reason, he received reprimands repeatedly without noticeable improvement.
(Well, I must find a solution to this matter somehow).
"Don't be too hard on them, Finn. They must have rushed into the Fomor herd out of a desire to protect us front-line fighters. Even if they almost caused the formation to collapse."
"And to be fair, my slowness in chanting was my fault as well."
Those who provided this support were Gareth Landrock, the powerful Level 6 dwarf, and the High Elf Riveria. Faced with the mediation of his two friends, Finn smiled again and said while looking at Ais and Al:
"I'll overlook it this time, but pay attention in the future."
"... Understood."
"... Acknowledged."
Ais answered shyly, while Al answered curtly as usual. Finn shook his head as he saw this contrast between them.
"Strength is a good thing, for you and for the Familia."
Finn murmured after they left.
"But they are far too impulsive. And Al specifically, he crosses the limits."
What was crossing the minds of Finn and Riveria was the image of that boy who always returned from the Dungeon with his white hair stained with blood and his body covered in wounds. That boy who never retreated a single step even when Loki threatened to seal his abilities, reaching Level 7──the highest rank for adventurers──in just three and a half years.
"Since he reached Level 7 six months ago, he's started feeling confused again."
Six months ago, during the return from an expedition, an extraordinary floor boss (Balor) appeared suddenly. Al sacrificed himself and stayed alone to fight the monster and secure the escape of the injured members. After a fierce battle, he succeeded in slaying it and his level rose.
──Yes, Al Cranel feels anxious, and he fears stagnation. That boy who became a first-class adventurer within one year of receiving the "Blessing" is still unsatisfied despite reaching the peak of power at Level 7, and looks toward what lies beyond.
Finn understands Al's feelings, but he sees his current situation as dangerous.
"He underestimates his life too much. That wasn't the first time he fought alone to protect us."
"Yes, I know he cares for everyone. But at this rate, he will walk alone to a place where even Ais cannot catch up to him in his pursuit of power."
"... What is he truly aiming for?"
One reason for Al's unnatural growth speed was his skill [憧憬追想 - Longing Remembrance]. It is a rare skill that makes the owner grow at a speed proportional to the intensity of their feelings. Loki had never seen its like before, and only the Goddess and the big three in the Familia knew of its existence.
When Al first came to Orario, he said he had no parents.
Unlike Ais, he had a younger brother, but despite that, he did not enjoy the warmth of a family. Perhaps for this reason, there is still a slight barrier between him and the rest of the Familia members.
Finn does not understand why he seeks with all this persistence to become stronger, but he sees that he is advancing toward his goal steadily.
"We'll find out one day."
"I hope so. Regardless of his skill, he possesses superlative talent. It's as if I'm seeing 'Silence' before me again."
Yes, he resembles her greatly. He resembles "Alfia," nicknamed "Silence," who was considered an exceptional case even within the Hera Familia, the strongest in history. It was said she was the being most loved by talent since the age of the Gods.
"Perhaps there is a blood relation between them; the name and appearance are similar. ... And because of his overwhelming talent, no one can stop him."
"Sigh, what can we do?"
Although they were in a "Safe Zone," caution was mandatory. Nonetheless, the members of the Loki Familia allowed themselves some fun to relieve the fatigue of combat.
In the middle of the camp, a massive pot was placed, emitting a delicious aroma, and the members gathered around it exchanging talk.
What was in the pot was a stew made of dungeon forest fruits, meats, and produce, prepared by Al. Despite being the strike force of the Familia, he had learned cooking from the strongest dwarf in Orario and became responsible for preparing appetizers for the Goddess Loki. The stew was perfect for warming tired bodies.
"Excuse me, are you sure you don't want to eat?"
"Yes, it's fine..."
"You're pretending to be strong while your stomach is making audible noises!!"
Ais answered Lefiya's question curtly, but her stomach's betrayal by letting out the sound of hunger made Tiona and the others laugh, causing Ais's face to turn red with embarrassment.
It was not surprising; Ais believed that eating too much negatively affected combat, so she settled for ready-made food rations and did not consume real meals.
In such a case, it was impossible to resist the smell of a delicious stew like this. Ais felt embarrassed and shrank in her place, so Tiona laughed and said:
"Eat, we don't want you to faint in a time of need."
"Oh..."
Since Al was the one who prepared the food—and he was like an older brother to Ais—she found no escape from eating. As soon as she tasted the first spoonful, her eyes widened in shock.
She began eating silently and quickly, emptying her bowl one after another. When she finished rapidly, she asked for more, and Aki filled her bowl again.
(... It's warm).
She didn't know if she meant the food or her companions, but that is what she felt. However, she wondered within herself: Do I have the right to be here? Is my place among these people correct?
Do I deserve this warmth and kindness? Doubt nagged at her and anxiety gnawed at her—a feeling that she was in a place where she did not belong.
(I...)
Can someone like me enter this circle? Can I stay with everyone? She asked herself, but before she could utter a word, Tiona leaned on her with her usual bright smile, as if her presence there was the simplest of natural rights.
●○●○●
I, Al Cranel, am a person transferred to this world (reincarnated). I was born as a child in a quiet rural land. Shortly after I learned to crawl, my younger brother was born, and when I heard his name, I was stunned.
This world is the world of DanMachi!
My little brother is Bell Cranel, and our grandfather who raised us is that large, eccentric man who replaced our parents who disappeared. I confirmed it then; this is the fantasy world where adventurers hunt monsters in the labyrinth.
Since then, I pretended to be a normal child and hid the memories of my previous life.
According to my fading memories, DanMachi is the story of the hero Bell Cranel who saves the heroines in the city of Orario and grows to become a hero with his companions. This work is full of characters who possess sad and painful pasts that make one want to see how they will overcome that black cloud (suffering).
When I realized I had reincarnated in this world, the first thing I thought was: Ah, I want to become a wound in the hearts of these people and die a majestic death.
In my previous life, I was someone who loved dramatic and tragic stories (Kumorase). Since I had died once, my fear of death had diminished, and I longed to satisfy this desire. As soon as my body matured and I became capable of fighting, I headed to Orario.
Of course, I had to join the Loki Familia where the main characters were. I thought joining would be difficult, but my high stats plus my "cute" appearance when I was twelve years old caught the attention of the Goddess Loki, who loves beauty, so I entered the Familia easily.
Since then, I pretended to be that mysterious, silent young man who cares for his companions and hides a dark past. I made friends with Ais, Bete, and the others, and I was planning to sacrifice myself to protect them... but.
This body is too strong. At Level 1, I could defeat an evolved baby dragon, and I killed floor bosses alone; I was never able to die. In the beginning, I was satisfied with some simple drama, but I began to feel unsatisfied, and now I want to leave with a big bang.
Even when I face a very strong opponent who nearly kills me, my body reacts automatically and I get a sudden surge of power in the moments of death, just like manga heroes, and I win in the end.
This repeated until I reached Level 7. Now, there is almost no opponent who can defeat me.
There is no reason to fight Ottar...
Ah, what do I do now?
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Al Cranel's Magic Level (Level 7) and his very short chant is equivalent to Riveria's power (when she was Level 5), so he is very strong. Al's age is 16.
Al Cranel "Magic" [Thunderbolt]
Fast-cast magic.
Lightning element.
"Skills" [Longing Remembrance]
Early growth.
Effect lasts until the goal (Drama/Suffering) is achieved.
Efficiency increases proportionally with the intensity of emotions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[40 chapters ]
Deep within the forty-ninth floor of the Dungeon, this wasteland swarmed with a herd of hybrid creatures—a fusion of bulls and rams possessing distorted humanoid forms. The monsters raised thick arms, hoisting heavy weapons high above their heads. At the sight of this, the order was immediately given to the front-line defenders to brace their shields before panic could take hold.
"──!!"
Immediately after, the earth shook violently, accompanied by a deafening roar. Dust clouds billowed as the monsters' blows collided with the heavy shields of the vanguard, veiling the entire area until visibility vanished.
However, the obscurity did not last long. As the view began to clear, the mage defending the rear lines──Lefiya Viridis──finished her incantation, manifesting a massive fireball that floated in the air.
"──Fusillade Fallarica!!"
The sphere expanded in an instant before exploding, transforming into countless fire arrows that incinerated the monsters with staggering heat.
Their fates varied: some turned to ash before they could let out a single cry, while others barely survived with charred bodies. Regardless, the lives of every monster in that vicinity ended beneath the raging fire fueled by her immense magical power.
Yet, despite her title as the "Thousand Elf," her barrage was not enough to fully exterminate the nightmarish herd.
Proof lay in the hundreds of monsters still standing, which began their advance once more.
"Support!! Tiona, Tione, hurry to the left wing!!"
Following the instructions of the Pallum captain, the Amazon twins dashed forward, cleaving through the monsters one after another with their weapons. Nevertheless, the tide still favored the enemy. While the first-class adventurers exerted every effort to maintain the battle lines, the relentless march of the monsters did not stop.
Those beasts, with massive bodies that seemed forged from metal, swung black iron clubs as long as a man was tall, tearing through the air and driving the defenders into a corner. Every strike from their weapons, powered by brute strength, shattered the ground and sent violent tremors through the earth.
Amidst the chaos, one presence stood out most prominently. A gargantuan body nearly bursting with power, it far surpassed the rest of the herd in size and possessed a hardiness that words could not fully describe.
Coarse, steel-colored hair covered its frame, and its reddened eyes gleamed with a voracious lust for combat, expressing an insatiable desire for destruction that sent a rhythmic trembling through the legs of the front-line fighters.
Indeed, it was the monster known as a "Fomor," and it was now preparing to deliver a crushing blow.
As soon as the massive club, charged with extraordinary force, slammed into the tower shield carried by one of the defenders, the warrior could not withstand the impact and was sent flying. This created a breach in the front defensive wall.
The monsters seized this opening and surged toward the rear lines they were supposed to protect, intent on delivering a lethal strike. But before they could arrive, a lone young man stood in their path with lightning speed.
At the sight of that white shadow appearing skillfully with his cloak fluttering behind him, the monsters roared in delight, as if they were anticipating more slaughter.
Despite being the focus of all those monsters, he stood his ground without a shred of fear.
He wore no heavy armor, only light combat attire, and possessed no protection save for metal gauntlets. But that did not matter.
The Fomor's demonic appearance and alloy-like body were not mere show; a single strike from this monster was capable of killing first-class adventurers from the elite Loki Familia, the strongest Familia in Orario.
Under normal circumstances, this monster was a terrifying foe that even Level 5 adventurers could not take lightly. However, its luck had run out this time. The man standing before it was now the strongest man in the city and the fastest man in the world—the supreme adventurer whose majestic titles were famous even beyond the city walls.
"───── Thunderbolt."
He was the strongest weapon of the Loki Familia, the family that rivaled the Freya Familia led by the Goddess of Beauty──the "Sword Saint" Al Cranel.
Simply and with a single word, he released his magic known as "Thunderbolt"—an offensive spell that launched electrical discharges with a fiery glow from his hand or weapon.
The bolt struck with lightning speed, hitting the monster's head with pinpoint accuracy. The beast froze, screaming from the electric shock, followed by a series of bolts that pierced the monsters one after another.
Had it been ordinary offensive magic, it would have been unremarkable. However, the reason Riveria Ljos Alf, the greatest mage in Orario, described this magic as "beyond the standards" was twofold: first, it was a fast-cast magic that required no long incantation.
Magic usually possesses a common weakness: "casting time." Whether it is offensive, healing, defensive, or even curses, an incantation is necessary for activation. The stronger the magic, the longer the chant—some spells even take full minutes.
Naturally, techniques like "Concurrent Chanting" or "Super Short Chanting" exist to cover this weakness, but the chant itself never disappears. Al's magic, however, was a rare exception that broke this rule entirely; it activated with a single word, allowing him to fire it in rapid succession.
The second reason was its sheer destructive power.
As stated, the power of magic is directly proportional to the length of the chant. For this reason, the magic released by Riveria or other high-ranking mages requires an incredibly long incantation.
But Al's Thunderbolt defied this logic as well.
Being lightning, it was fast and impossible to avoid, and furthermore, it caused paralysis even if the opponent survived the strike. Its power equaled the barrage magic resulting from a long chant by a first-class adventurer, capable of eliminating deep-floor monsters in a single hit.
In some cases, a direct hit from it could knock a first-class adventurer unconscious, even if they possessed high endurance and anti-magic equipment.
With speed no less than his magic, he drew multiple silver arcs in the air resembling flashes of thunder. In the blink of an eye, the bodies of the Fomors exploded, their remains scattering amidst waterfalls of blood. Everyone stood stunned before the scene.
It was overwhelming dominance. The massive bodies of the monsters flew through the air as if made of paper. It wasn't just one or two, but dozens and hundreds were slaughtered without the slightest resistance. It was a massacre in every sense of the word.
With complete coldness and devoid of emotion, his silver sword carved its way to create dozens of corpses in moments. It was an art of death, more beautiful and cruel than anything else—a dance of death that annihilated all the fierce beasts amidst the roar of thunder.
Al did not fight alone. After he wiped out the monsters attacking the vanguard, the "Sword Princess" and six other first-class adventurers joined him, raining a barrage of strikes upon the enemies.
They rushed forward with all their might so as not to be outdone by Al. The mages also began releasing their spells as soon as their chants concluded, fireballs launching simultaneously.
Wind blades, ice spears, rock masses, liquid poisons, and lines of fire resembling flamethrowers assaulted the monsters.
"──Soon, the fire will be released. Rage, O crimson flames. O merciless heat. You are the incarnation of hell. Sweep everything away, and put an end to this great conflict."
"Burn everything, O Sword of Surtr──My name is Alf!"
"Rea Laevateinn!!"
Eight first-class adventurers representing the leaders of the Loki Familia, along with a cadre of high-level adventurers, stood ready. Al, Ais Wallenstein, Bete Loga, and other front-line fighters had bought the necessary time for Riveria to finish her incantation.
After their mission ended, the battle's conclusion was declared with the launch of the greatest offensive magic by the city's finest mage: the second-tier fire annihilation magic, "Rea Laevateinn." Glowing green magic circles formed, and the spell's range covered the entire battlefield.
Massive crimson spears made of intense heat swept across the ground. The fiery projectiles exploded on impact, hurling monsters left and right. The explosions swallowed the beasts, who had no means of surviving this hell.
The Loki Familia was in the midst of an "Expedition," a mission imposed by the Guild on high-ranking Families.
They had reached the fiftieth floor of the Dungeon's depths, an area trodden only by a few powerful Families like the Freya and Ganesha Familias. Now, they were advancing toward unknown floors that no adventurer in the modern era had reached.
At that moment, they planned to establish a base camp and take a long rest. This rest was essential for the expedition members to recover their strength for the next phase.
"Alright, let's start setting up the camp."
Based on the words of Raul, who was responsible for leading the second-string members, the members began moving actively: pitching tents, securing food, and installing lighting using magic stones.
They appeared very accustomed to these outdoor activities; their work was organized and swift. The tents, stoves, and cooking utensils were already being prepared.
Some members took on guard duty, even though this floor is considered a rare "Safe Zone" in the Dungeon where monsters do not appear, making the danger almost non-existent.
After that major battle, a mood of calculated relaxation prevailed among the members, without reaching the point of negligence.
The first-class adventurer leaders were no exception.
"There were quite a lot of them today, weren't there?"
"Yeah, it was a bit exhausting."
The two girls carrying luggage that outweighed the loads of the other members several times over were the Amazon sisters, Tione and Tiona, who had fought a fierce battle moments ago.
Originally, leaders are not required to perform the manual labor done by lower-ranked members, but Tiona took the initiative to help, and Tione followed suit.
By the way, they wore clothes resembling dancer outfits that revealed their tanned skin, the characteristic attire of the Amazon race. Though it was an attention-grabbing outfit, they always fought in it.
Tiona possessed a small physical build compared to the size of her massive weapon, but she was far stronger than average adventurers.
She was lifting wooden crates filled with supplies and moving them, while Tione was no less strong or enduring than her sister, carrying the luggage with a calm face despite her violent combat.
"What? You still have all this energy!!"
"Shut up."
"Please, don't overexert yourselves; you were fighting on the front lines."
Tiona continued working with a smile, while her older sister smiled faintly despite her grumbling. At that moment, Lefiya, the orange-haired elf girl, appeared and spoke in a worried tone.
"It's fine, it's fine!! Tione and I aren't hurt. Rather, you're the one who should be tired, Lefiya, after all that magic you used."
"No, I... I'm not at all..."
Signs of fatigue were clear on Lefiya as well. Although she was providing magical support, keeping up with the warriors on the front lines amidst that grueling battle was no easy feat. Nevertheless, she did not show her exhaustion and spoke kindly to her seniors, demonstrating the strength of her resolve.
Tiona directed a mischievous smile toward her. In reality, in terms of "Level," Lefiya was still far from the level of Tiona and the others, but her magical power—which the Familia's god called "Stupid Magic" due to its sheer scale—made her a massive destructive force against large numbers, and she sometimes surpassed Tiona in achievement.
Lefiya is considered Level 3 within the Loki Familia, but in terms of wide-range magic, she ranks second only to her mentor Riveria, though she does not fully realize her own true value.
Hearing their conversation, Bete approached. The Amazon sisters scowled upon seeing him, but he didn't care and spoke to them. It wasn't because their relationship was bad, but rather a mismatch in temperaments.
Bete's blunt personality always grated on their nerves. Similarly, Bete did not find the sisters' company enjoyable, so he did not wish to speak with them long and addressed only Lefiya.
"Hey, where are Ais and Al?"
Lefiya seemed confused for a moment; she had indeed noticed their disappearance. Tione answered from her side:
"The two of them are in that tent, getting a lecture from the Captain."
Inside the largest tent, inscribed with the Familia emblem—the "Gesticulating Clown"—were the top leaders along with a young man and woman.
In the tent was a large bed, and beside it a small table piled with files. This tent served as the command headquarters for this expedition.
Finn Deimne, the captain of the Loki Familia, was a handsome man with golden hair and blue eyes suggesting intelligence. He had an appearance suggesting he was a boy despite being a Level 6 adventurer.
"Alright, Ais. Why didn't you stick to the orders to maintain the defensive lines?"
At the Captain's words, the girl with flowing golden hair and divine beauty lowered her eyes. She was Ais Wallenstein, nicknamed the "Sword Princess," and one of the leaders of the Loki Familia.
She remained silent and did not answer, which made Finn sigh helplessly.
"Ais, you are undoubtedly strong. But for that very reason, your actions as a leader affect those below you, whether positively or negatively. You must realize this."
"..."
"Are you feeling uncomfortable? With your current position?"
"... No, I'm sorry."
Despite her strength fitting her title, she was still a girl in the process of growing up and had not yet matured psychologically.
"No need to apologize. Just be careful to pay attention next time."
Finn smiled kindly, and Ais nodded her head slightly. She was thinking to herself: Why am I so weak?
Although her sword skills had made her one of the most prominent powers in the city, she felt unable to scale the wall standing before her.
She felt confused, as if she had returned to those days when her head held nothing but the slaughter of monsters in the labyrinth. She thought that pursuing strength might open new horizons for her, but now she wondered what she truly needed.
"And you too, Al, don't pretend this doesn't concern you. I know you're the strongest among us, but you rush in too much. This behavior of yours prevents others from developing, and more importantly, it will lead you to ruin."
The other person was a youth with hair white as snow and eyes red as blood, possessing a masculine beauty resembling Greek statues—this was Al Cranel. He was the same age as Ais, and together they represented a constant headache for Riveria due to their reckless actions.
"... I will restrain myself."
Al said with a sullen face, and Finn smiled bitterly, thinking, He doesn't really understand. The truth was that Al's power surpassed the other members in this expedition by leaps and bounds, and in terms of pure combat skill, he was undoubtedly the strongest.
But Al was still in the development stage, and his talent had begun to bloom fully, yet he tended toward excessive risk in his pursuit of power. For this reason, he received reprimands repeatedly without noticeable improvement.
(Well, I must find a solution to this matter somehow).
"Don't be too hard on them, Finn. They must have rushed into the Fomor herd out of a desire to protect us front-line fighters. Even if they almost caused the formation to collapse."
"And to be fair, my slowness in chanting was my fault as well."
Those who provided this support were Gareth Landrock, the powerful Level 6 dwarf, and the High Elf Riveria. Faced with the mediation of his two friends, Finn smiled again and said while looking at Ais and Al:
"I'll overlook it this time, but pay attention in the future."
"... Understood."
"... Acknowledged."
Ais answered shyly, while Al answered curtly as usual. Finn shook his head as he saw this contrast between them.
"Strength is a good thing, for you and for the Familia."
Finn murmured after they left.
"But they are far too impulsive. And Al specifically, he crosses the limits."
What was crossing the minds of Finn and Riveria was the image of that boy who always returned from the Dungeon with his white hair stained with blood and his body covered in wounds. That boy who never retreated a single step even when Loki threatened to seal his abilities, reaching Level 7──the highest rank for adventurers──in just three and a half years.
"Since he reached Level 7 six months ago, he's started feeling confused again."
Six months ago, during the return from an expedition, an extraordinary floor boss (Balor) appeared suddenly. Al sacrificed himself and stayed alone to fight the monster and secure the escape of the injured members. After a fierce battle, he succeeded in slaying it and his level rose.
──Yes, Al Cranel feels anxious, and he fears stagnation. That boy who became a first-class adventurer within one year of receiving the "Blessing" is still unsatisfied despite reaching the peak of power at Level 7, and looks toward what lies beyond.
Finn understands Al's feelings, but he sees his current situation as dangerous.
"He underestimates his life too much. That wasn't the first time he fought alone to protect us."
"Yes, I know he cares for everyone. But at this rate, he will walk alone to a place where even Ais cannot catch up to him in his pursuit of power."
"... What is he truly aiming for?"
One reason for Al's unnatural growth speed was his skill [憧憬追想 - Longing Remembrance]. It is a rare skill that makes the owner grow at a speed proportional to the intensity of their feelings. Loki had never seen its like before, and only the Goddess and the big three in the Familia knew of its existence.
When Al first came to Orario, he said he had no parents.
Unlike Ais, he had a younger brother, but despite that, he did not enjoy the warmth of a family. Perhaps for this reason, there is still a slight barrier between him and the rest of the Familia members.
Finn does not understand why he seeks with all this persistence to become stronger, but he sees that he is advancing toward his goal steadily.
"We'll find out one day."
"I hope so. Regardless of his skill, he possesses superlative talent. It's as if I'm seeing 'Silence' before me again."
Yes, he resembles her greatly. He resembles "Alfia," nicknamed "Silence," who was considered an exceptional case even within the Hera Familia, the strongest in history. It was said she was the being most loved by talent since the age of the Gods.
"Perhaps there is a blood relation between them; the name and appearance are similar. ... And because of his overwhelming talent, no one can stop him."
"Sigh, what can we do?"
Although they were in a "Safe Zone," caution was mandatory. Nonetheless, the members of the Loki Familia allowed themselves some fun to relieve the fatigue of combat.
In the middle of the camp, a massive pot was placed, emitting a delicious aroma, and the members gathered around it exchanging talk.
What was in the pot was a stew made of dungeon forest fruits, meats, and produce, prepared by Al. Despite being the strike force of the Familia, he had learned cooking from the strongest dwarf in Orario and became responsible for preparing appetizers for the Goddess Loki. The stew was perfect for warming tired bodies.
"Excuse me, are you sure you don't want to eat?"
"Yes, it's fine..."
"You're pretending to be strong while your stomach is making audible noises!!"
Ais answered Lefiya's question curtly, but her stomach's betrayal by letting out the sound of hunger made Tiona and the others laugh, causing Ais's face to turn red with embarrassment.
It was not surprising; Ais believed that eating too much negatively affected combat, so she settled for ready-made food rations and did not consume real meals.
In such a case, it was impossible to resist the smell of a delicious stew like this. Ais felt embarrassed and shrank in her place, so Tiona laughed and said:
"Eat, we don't want you to faint in a time of need."
"Oh..."
Since Al was the one who prepared the food—and he was like an older brother to Ais—she found no escape from eating. As soon as she tasted the first spoonful, her eyes widened in shock.
She began eating silently and quickly, emptying her bowl one after another. When she finished rapidly, she asked for more, and Aki filled her bowl again.
(... It's warm).
She didn't know if she meant the food or her companions, but that is what she felt. However, she wondered within herself: Do I have the right to be here? Is my place among these people correct?
Do I deserve this warmth and kindness? Doubt nagged at her and anxiety gnawed at her—a feeling that she was in a place where she did not belong.
(I...)
Can someone like me enter this circle? Can I stay with everyone? She asked herself, but before she could utter a word, Tiona leaned on her with her usual bright smile, as if her presence there was the simplest of natural rights.
●○●○●
I, Al Cranel, am a person transferred to this world (reincarnated). I was born as a child in a quiet rural land. Shortly after I learned to crawl, my younger brother was born, and when I heard his name, I was stunned.
This world is the world of DanMachi!
My little brother is Bell Cranel, and our grandfather who raised us is that large, eccentric man who replaced our parents who disappeared. I confirmed it then; this is the fantasy world where adventurers hunt monsters in the labyrinth.
Since then, I pretended to be a normal child and hid the memories of my previous life.
According to my fading memories, DanMachi is the story of the hero Bell Cranel who saves the heroines in the city of Orario and grows to become a hero with his companions. This work is full of characters who possess sad and painful pasts that make one want to see how they will overcome that black cloud (suffering).
When I realized I had reincarnated in this world, the first thing I thought was: Ah, I want to become a wound in the hearts of these people and die a majestic death.
In my previous life, I was someone who loved dramatic and tragic stories (Kumorase). Since I had died once, my fear of death had diminished, and I longed to satisfy this desire. As soon as my body matured and I became capable of fighting, I headed to Orario.
Of course, I had to join the Loki Familia where the main characters were. I thought joining would be difficult, but my high stats plus my "cute" appearance when I was twelve years old caught the attention of the Goddess Loki, who loves beauty, so I entered the Familia easily.
Since then, I pretended to be that mysterious, silent young man who cares for his companions and hides a dark past. I made friends with Ais, Bete, and the others, and I was planning to sacrifice myself to protect them... but.
This body is too strong. At Level 1, I could defeat an evolved baby dragon, and I killed floor bosses alone; I was never able to die. In the beginning, I was satisfied with some simple drama, but I began to feel unsatisfied, and now I want to leave with a big bang.
Even when I face a very strong opponent who nearly kills me, my body reacts automatically and I get a sudden surge of power in the moments of death, just like manga heroes, and I win in the end.
This repeated until I reached Level 7. Now, there is almost no opponent who can defeat me.
There is no reason to fight Ottar...
Ah, what do I do now?
────────────────────────────────────────────────
Al Cranel's Magic Level (Level 7) and his very short chant is equivalent to Riveria's power (when she was Level 5), so he is very strong. Al's age is 16.
Al Cranel "Magic" [Thunderbolt]
Fast-cast magic.
Lightning element.
"Skills" [Longing Remembrance]
Early growth.
Effect lasts until the goal (Drama/Suffering) is achieved.
Efficiency increases proportionally with the intensity of emotions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[40 chapters ]
Chapter 2 : Yes, Dying at the Hands of a Worm Would Be an Utterly Wretched Scene, So I’ll Pass
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Raven797
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<Ais's Perspective>
I wonder when my mind first began to associate him with the image of my father.
My first encounter with Al Cranel occurred when Loki brought him in to join the Familia. She was even more jubilant than usual that day.
He had hair as white as snow and a body that, despite his young age at the time, was already lean and muscular. His movements were disciplined, devoid of any wasted effort.
However, what truly captured my attention were his eyes, which shone with a deep crimson brilliance, like blood. When our gazes met, I recognized a familiar determination in his eyes. I knew instinctively that he was exactly like me.
Indeed, as soon as he received Loki's blessing, he began diving into the depths of the Dungeon. With the same ferocity I had displayed years ago—perhaps even more intensely—he threw himself into combat day and night.
At first, those around us held differing opinions regarding his behavior. Over time, however, those voices faded; eventually, no one dared to say a word except for Riveria.
I felt a strong sense of kinship toward him as someone who pursued strength. Yet, because I was at Level 4 at the time, I did not communicate with him directly despite our similar ages. Instead, I simply watched from a distance as he returned every day, his body covered in wounds, only to be lectured by Riveria.
I began to pay closer attention to him three weeks after he joined—specifically when he reached Level 2. It was a staggering pace of advancement, far surpassing my own record of reaching that level in a year. This prompted me to question Loki about what had happened.
She told me that an "Enhanced" baby dragon had appeared in the upper floors. To secure the escape of his companions and protect the wounded who were unable to move, Al fought the dragon alone and emerged victorious.
That team consisted of members who had joined the Loki Familia less than three years prior. Riveria had forced them to accompany Al because of his excessive tendency to work alone. Despite being novices, they were members of the Loki Familia, and some had already reached Level 2.
Was it possible for someone who had received a Blessing only three weeks ago to defeat an enhanced monster that seasoned adventurers had fled from? It seemed impossible; even I could never have done such a thing.
Yet, he achieved it. Thanks to this recognized "Great Feat," he was able to level up. However, leveling up requires at least one ability score to reach Rank D in addition to the feat.
While attributes rise easily at the start, reaching Rank D in three weeks is beyond the limits of mere talent. Usually, the highest one can achieve is Rank G or F, but he had actually reached it by the time his battle with the dragon concluded.
Tiona began to grow closer to Al after that, while I continued to observe him from afar.
I felt a mixture of astonishment and a strange sense of conviction. From the moment I first saw his eyes, I sensed the powerful emotions dwelling within him; I realized those feelings were his primary engine. If it were a mere desire for combat, he would have ended up as a simple "battle maniac," but he did not stop there.
He continued to harvest monsters until he reached the middle floors entirely on his own. This was inconceivable to me at the time, and it became clear to everyone that this boy was an anomaly.
A month later, he returned one day in a more wretched state than ever before, losing consciousness the moment he arrived. After receiving treatment from Riveria, he updated his status.
── Level 3.
This was when my real interaction with Al began. I felt a sharp pang of jealousy; it was unthinkable that he could become a second-class adventurer just like me in a mere two months.
While everyone, including Elfy and Tiona, heaped praise upon him, I could not be honest with him. I stuck to brief, formal responses whenever we spoke.
I felt as though it were unfair. Al had climbed in the blink of an eye the very steps that had taken me years to scale since my childhood. Later, through Loki's arrangement, we began going on Dungeon missions together. I continued to treat him coldly, while internally I trembled with fear at his suicidal fighting style and his terrifying growth rate.
Everything changed during the incident that led to my advancement to Level 5 and Al's to Level 4: the attack of the "Black Goliath" on the town of Rivira.
That monster appeared suddenly despite being in a dormant period, completely destroying Rivira. The Black Goliath was stronger than usual, and I was unable to face it at Level 4.
The adventurers in Rivira were Level 3 at most. Everyone felt despair before the monster's power, which was equivalent to Level 5, believing it was the end. But Al stood alone against the Goliath while everyone else fled.
When I watched him fight, I realized the truth. He does not fight recklessly because he devalues his life; quite the opposite.
Al fights to save the lives of others. He seeks power for the sake of everyone else but himself.
Despite his extraordinary talent, Level 3 statistics should never allow someone to defeat a Floor Boss with Level 5 strength. This is common knowledge. Nevertheless, the sight of him advancing without a shred of fear made his image overlap with that of my father in my mind.
That figure breathed life back into the residents of Rivira whose hearts were nearly broken by despair. They stood up and took up their weapons once more. In that moment, I felt a strange pride.
I had found the first person I wanted to protect, after spending my entire life being protected by my father. After a fierce battle, the Goliath fell, and both Al and I leveled up.
Years have passed since then. I remained at Level 5, while Al reached Level 7—the very pinnacle of the adventurer hierarchy.
I became the only one unable to surpass Level 5. I felt frustration, sadness, and fear, but more than that, I was filled with an overwhelming desire to stand beside him.
He does not look at me; he looks forward, toward a distant goal. If this continues, he will go to a place I can never reach. I fear that Al will leave me alone again. I want to see what he sees. I want to know the world he observes. I want to reach where he is.
So, please... please, Al, do not leave me behind.
●○●○●
Ais and her companions headed toward "Cadmus Spring" on the fifty-first floor at the request of the Dian Cecht Familia to collect spring water. There, they stumbled upon the corpse of "Cadmus" and the culprit that killed it: giant worms that stored corrosive fluid.
That corrosive liquid was powerful beyond imagination, melting weapons made of the Loki Familia's rare metals. No one could fight except for Ais and Al, who possessed weapons with "Unbreakable" properties. Only they were capable at that moment of deciding the battle without casualties.
The fight continued in a repetitive cycle of slashing before the fluid could dissolve them. They barely managed to regroup with Finn's unit and exterminate the new worms at the main camp, but then a much greater entity appeared before them. It was a creature with a feminine form that far exceeded the worms in size, storing massive quantities of corrosive liquid. Finn began to analyze the situation calmly.
The piercing power of her massive body was likely immense, but more dangerous was the solvent she spat. To be showered in that liquid meant an immediate exit from the battle.
Her size rivaled that of Floor Bosses, standing approximately six to seven meters tall. There was a vast difference between her size and that of the previous worms.
Her strange body, far larger than the massive individuals they had just fought, was colored a vivid, poisonous yellowish-green. She appeared to be a "Queen Worm," emitting an aura that struck terror into the heart.
Her hideousness, resembling an overgrown maggot, remained, but while the previous worms looked like human larvae, this one took the shape of a human woman.
She possessed a prominent chest with large breasts, a sculpted waist, and rounded, bulging hips, while the lower part of her fleshy body transformed into something resembling a skirt.
To any intelligent being, her appearance triggered an instinctive disgust bordering on horror. Yet, if one were to look past that ugliness, they would find an organic beauty resembling a mermaid, emitting a strange sanctity that contrasted with her repulsive appearance. It was a sensation different from any monster they had encountered before.
"Divinity"──that was the most appropriate description for her presence.
While Finn and his companions shuddered at this unprecedented sensation, the Queen Worm slowly opened her four flattened limbs, appearing like a saintly mother about to embrace her beloved or accept everyone into her fold.
In that moment, colored particles resembling flower pollen erupted from her arms, drifting with the wind like shimmering motes of light toward Finn and the others.
──Suddenly, a violent explosion of light occurred, completely obscuring their vision. Everyone suffered temporary blindness from the flash. With a quick decision, Ais summoned "Ariel" to protect her comrades. A moment later, the light exploded, causing a shockwave that rattled the air and cratered the ground.
"Ggh──!!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaa──?!"
Finn and his companions were sent flying by the blast wave and intense heat, but they immediately regained their balance to assess the situation.
The explosion left a giant crater several meters wide; the shockwave uprooted trees and dug deep into the earth.
Those light particles scattered casually like butterfly dust were actually "magic projectiles" that detonated everything. Their power was sufficient to cause fatal injuries even to first-class adventurers if they took a direct hit.
In the center of the event, the Queen stood in a form that no longer resembled a worm. Four wings sprouted from her arms, and two long horns extended toward the sky from the top of her head. Everyone instinctively realized that this transformation was the Queen's true form.
After shedding her worm-like shell, the Queen began to wear a confident smile as she altered her shape.
Although locating the "Mana Stone" was difficult due to her massive body rivaling that of Floor Bosses, Riveria's magic could crush her. However, exterminating her recklessly would lead to a tsunami of corrosive fluid that would drown everyone and cause devastating losses. Finn realized this before anyone else and ordered a withdrawal.
"Abandon the camp immediately. Retreat with minimum supplies. Inform Riveria and the rest."
"Wait, Finn! What about that thing?!"
"If we leave it like this, a disaster could happen!"
Bete and Tiona objected to Finn's order, and their objection was valid; leaving a monster that the Loki Familia could not resolve quickly might lead to unimaginable destruction.
Nevertheless, continuing the fight would certainly result in casualties, but something even more dangerous might occur. For this reason, Finn chose to make a harsh decision.
"To eliminate this monster with the least amount of losses, there is no other solution. I am not satisfied with this decision myself... and I apologize for saying such cliché words in a situation like this."
Given the size of the monster that rivaled Floor Bosses, it was difficult to avoid the corrosive fluid that would overflow from it. Only Ais could manage this, thanks to her magic which prevented the fluid from touching her, and Al, who could burn the corrosive liquid with his fire magic—not to mention he was the fastest man in the city, surpassing even the "Chariot of the Goddess" (Ottar) in agility.
The rest of the companions present would be in certain danger if the corrosive fluid splashed. Therefore, no one else but these two could settle the battle.
Thus, Finn and the others had no choice but to entrust the task to them and retreat.
"Ais, Al. Eliminate that monster."
The two nodded silently and drew their weapons.
(...... She's hard!!)
This was Ais's impression as soon as her sword struck the female's body. She felt as though she were hitting a block of steel, yet she felt no impact from her blow.
Indeed, a liquid resembling murky sap leaked from the wound and covered it; within moments, the body returned to its original state as if nothing had happened.
Ais could not hide her astonishment, her eyes widening in shock. In that moment, the female launched her counterattack.
She extended her thick arm and swung it like a whip to attack. Ais raised her sword quickly to parry the strike, but the force of the blow pushed her back and sent her flying.
However, she landed skillfully and regained her stance, then raised her sword with all her might and cleaved the air with a horizontal strike. Yet, the result was no different; the wounds healed instantly.
Ais realized that simple attrition would not work. She began to gather "Ariel" around her sword with greater intensity, preparing to launch her "Grand Technique" reserved for Floor Bosses. But she stood stunned before the battle unfolding before her eyes—a battle on an entirely different level.
It was a fight at divine speed. The supernatural velocity made even Ais struggle to see the movements clearly from a distance, causing violent shockwaves that shattered trees and the ground around them. With the addition of those attacks resembling raging thunderbolts, approaching the arena became impossible.
Al's primary weapon was the special sword, 【Mistilteinn】. This blade was forged from the hardest refined metals that exceeded the durability of "Adamantite," and rare materials from the Floor Boss "Balor" were fused into it. The property of this sword was "Unbreakable."
This sword, possessing power equal to Ais's 【Desperate】, could not bend or break regardless of the circumstances. In the hands of Al, who possessed abilities and techniques surpassing Ais, the sword tore through the female's steel-like flesh with absolute ease.
(He has become stronger again...)
Because they were fighting alone together, Ais felt this more than ever. Unlike her, who suffered from stagnant growth, Al had never stopped evolving.
I shouldn't stay like this; I must exert more effort──Ais thought bitterly, feeling helpless just standing as a spectator before this legendary combat.
The female possessed agility and mobility inconsistent with her massive body. She swung her four tactile arms in all directions to cover 360-degree attacks. Even if someone tried to circle behind her, she moved her feet—which resembled "sea anemone" legs—to change direction quickly. She did not suffer from the poor maneuverability that usually characterized Floor Bosses like Goliath.
But before Al, she was nothing more than a scarecrow. He easily sliced the arm that attacked him from behind, then delivered a violent, cutting blow to her body.
Despite her heavy appearance, she possessed high speed and magic resistance. It seemed her defense against physical attacks was immense. However, for Al, an opponent of this level presented no real problem.
After cornering her with his violent assault, the female suddenly stopped and began spitting massive amounts of liquid from her mouth. It was a purple, viscous substance resembling "Slime," and it spread rapidly on the ground. As soon as it touched the trees, the forest began to erode and rot in the blink of an eye.
Ais sensed the danger and used her only magic, 【Ariel】, to surround herself with fierce winds like a storm, driving the purple liquid away from her.
Though she was not an "Elf" experienced in magic, the wind protection granted by the 【Ariel】 skill allowed her to balance the power in the clash of her sword with the female's tactile arms.
Yet for Ais, using her strongest magic and her unbreakable sword only made her "equal" to the monster. She felt a lump in her throat at her inability to fight using pure physical capabilities like Al. While Ais was lost in her thoughts, the situation shifted again.
Al dashed forward with unimaginable speed, bypassing the female's left side and delivering an upward sword strike (Kisaragi). The female tried to use her remaining right arm as a shield, but she was too slow. Al severed her multiple anemone-like feet in a single instant.
No matter how strong and flexible her body was, losing her lower half meant losing the ability to move. It appeared the battle was decided, but the female did not surrender. Instead, she threw her massive body to collide with Al in a suicidal attack.
Although the momentum of that gargantuan mass was terrifying, such a desperate attack would never hit Al. He dodged the blow easily, then climbed the female's body with speed that blurred the eyes.
With every leap, he tore her body apart completely, until he severed the remains of her arms at the roots. In that moment, the female stopped moving entirely, and a massive, unprecedented amount of corrosive fluid erupted from her. However, Al cleared the area with a "barrier of cutting strikes" that did not even require magic.
The power gap was decisive. The "Blessing" that brings an adventurer closer to the status of a god as they level up makes the difference between one level and the next like the difference between separate species. That two-level gap stood like a towering wall before Ais.
"── Damn it."
It was not a feeling of malice, but of sorrow. If this continued, the gap would widen further, and she would never be able to fight alongside Al. "Little Ais" screamed inside her, rejecting this reality.
I don't want to stay behind you. I want to stay beside you always. I want us to fight together back-to-back as we used to. As Ais wrestled with her feelings, the sound of a "Bell" that shook the soul echoed through the area, and black light particles appeared out of nowhere.
Those particles were Al's acquired skill, 【Alcides - Way of the Supreme Hero】. It is a skill that grants the right to "Charge" active deeds such as magic, and Al's magic, enhanced by this skill, was directed toward the female who had lost all means of attack.
── "【Thunderbolt】"
The bolt, its power multiplied by the charge, launched as a pillar of light that surpassed the strength of Riveria's 【Rea Laevateinn】, completely incinerating the female's body.
Intense heat obscured the vision, and everything turned red. A sea of flames spread at the center of the explosion, and fire began to consume the gray forest from every side. Under the crimson glow of the flames, Ais could only stare at the scene.
(Ah... I couldn't do anything).
A shadow emerged from the midst of the burning sea without a single scratch. He was the figure of a hero in every sense of the word. Ais bit her lip as she saw Al, who could have defeated the female easily even if she had not been there.
●○●○●
The Loki Familia procession marched through the inorganic corridors made of various rocks in the middle floors of the Dungeon, which resembled a natural labyrinth, heading toward the upper floors──toward the surface.
As they ascended to the shallow floors, the monsters began to weaken, accelerating their progress. The phosphorescent lights of the Dungeon began to grow brighter.
They were close to exiting this underground maze. They were now on the seventeenth floor, which is close to the surface compared to the depths they had occupied.
During the return journey, Ais and her companions engaged in a few minor battles—no more than three or four times—and the strength of the enemies posed no obstacle to a Level 2 adventurer.
Due to the appearance of the metal-melting worms and the female monster rivaling a Floor Boss—two new types of "Irregulars" that even the Loki Familia had struggled with—they decided to abandon the exploration of unknown floors and return to the surface.
(... What did that monster really represent?)
Ais was reflecting on the previous battle while exchanging talk with Tione and Lefiya. The giant worms had changed their skin color to attack, and their style was simple, relying on spitting acid from openings in the front of their bodies.
The strength of that acid was enough to dissolve any unprotected part of the body in an instant. As for the female, she had been a terrifying opponent with the size of a Floor Boss and abilities fitting that scale.
In particular, she felt something "impure" emanating from the female, though she did not realize what it was. The only certainty was that both had been extremely bothersome opponents.
"Wooooooooooooooo──!!"
While Ais was lost in her thoughts, the scent of monsters and bloody rust wafted through the air along with a roar that shook the corridors. Minotaurs appeared—humanoid creatures with bull heads that surpassed the other monsters in height and bulk.
Copper-colored skin, and a bull's head with two horns. Although they carried no weapons, their bulging muscles suggested immense combat power.
The most distinctive feature was the head; instead of a human face, there was a bull's head distorted by violence, with sharp fangs protruding like a predator's, and steam-like breath exhaling from its nose.
Upon seeing Ais and the others, the herds of Minotaurs lowered their bodies in preparation to attack, striking the ground with their feet. In an instant, they rushed toward them with explosive speed.
The Minotaurs attacked with blood-red eyes, but Tiona leaped toward them jubilantly.
She swung her greatsword (which she had received as a substitute for her weapon "Urga," which had melted) in a horizontal motion, sending the first Minotaur in the lead flying. The soaring monster collided with the rest and then smashed into the wall, becoming an immobile part of it.
Tiona continued to swing her sword with power, cutting down every monster that tried to approach. In the blink of an eye, the Minotaurs were scattered in pieces, their corpses falling to the ground.
Before Tiona's assault, the strongest monsters of the middle floors appeared completely helpless. This was natural; for the Loki Familia that explores the depths, the monsters of the middle floors represent no significant threat.
Ais and Bete joined the battle, and thanks to the power of the vanguard fighters, the monsters were crushed one after another. Normally, the leaders leave these battles to the lower-ranked members to gain experience, but they were in a hurry to bring information about the new monsters to the surface.
However, the numbers this time were abnormal.
Due to the leaders' activity, more than half of them turned to ash in moments. It seemed the rest of the Minotaurs (about dozens) were terrified by the power gap, so they turned tail and fled from Ais and the others.
"Whaaaat?!"
"What?! You're running?! You're monsters, for heaven's sake!!"
A Minotaur retreating... an utterly unfamiliar sight. Monsters usually act on instinct, and while intelligent monsters exist, a situation like this was a first.
Tiona and Bete were stunned for a moment, but they regained their balance and began the pursuit. The monsters of the upper floors meant nothing to them, and nothing would block their path to the surface.
However, there are other adventurers in the Dungeon besides them. For those people, a herd of rampaging and panicked Minotaurs represents a realized nightmare. Adventurers might be attacked because these monsters escaped.
For this reason, Tiona and Bete began chasing the fleeing Minotaurs at maximum speed. Tiona pursued them with her greatsword, followed by Bete, who was shouting curses.
The Minotaurs ascended the stairs leading to the sixteenth floor, and the panic-stricken herd disappeared in moments.
Tione clicked her tongue in annoyance and followed Tiona and Bete; Ais followed as well.
●○●○●
Damn it, dying at the hands of a worm would be a hideous scene, so I'll pass. No matter how desperate I am, I at least want to choose who kills me. Additionally, that female monster was destined to be defeated by Ais alone in the original story, so she never would have won against me while I was fighting seriously.
Anyway, what's with Ais? She's seemed gloomy since the battle ended.
It doesn't matter. More importantly, my brother Bell Cranel is about to have his "Encounter of Destiny." I began running after the Minotaurs that fled from us, "controlling my speed" to keep Ais in the lead.
To be honest, I still have plenty of mana and could wipe out the entire herd with a series of "Thunderbolts" without needing to run, but if I do that, the events of the original story won't begin.
Ah, there's Bell.
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!"
And he's running now—not from the Minotaur, but from Ais. He's so fast. If he had run from the Minotaur with this speed from the beginning, it would have been better.
Anyway, here the original story finally begins. Although some details have started to fade from my memory, I haven't forgotten the perfect moments to initiate "Drama and Suffering."
Ah, I'm looking forward to it.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
《Skill》
【Alcides - Way of the Supreme Hero】
Grants the right to execute a "Charge" for active deeds (such as magic or special strikes).
Corrects and enhances all Abilities upon activation.
The amount of enhancement is directly proportional to the charging time.
During the charge, the sound of a "Bell" echoes, raising the combat spirit of allies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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I wonder when my mind first began to associate him with the image of my father.
My first encounter with Al Cranel occurred when Loki brought him in to join the Familia. She was even more jubilant than usual that day.
He had hair as white as snow and a body that, despite his young age at the time, was already lean and muscular. His movements were disciplined, devoid of any wasted effort.
However, what truly captured my attention were his eyes, which shone with a deep crimson brilliance, like blood. When our gazes met, I recognized a familiar determination in his eyes. I knew instinctively that he was exactly like me.
Indeed, as soon as he received Loki's blessing, he began diving into the depths of the Dungeon. With the same ferocity I had displayed years ago—perhaps even more intensely—he threw himself into combat day and night.
At first, those around us held differing opinions regarding his behavior. Over time, however, those voices faded; eventually, no one dared to say a word except for Riveria.
I felt a strong sense of kinship toward him as someone who pursued strength. Yet, because I was at Level 4 at the time, I did not communicate with him directly despite our similar ages. Instead, I simply watched from a distance as he returned every day, his body covered in wounds, only to be lectured by Riveria.
I began to pay closer attention to him three weeks after he joined—specifically when he reached Level 2. It was a staggering pace of advancement, far surpassing my own record of reaching that level in a year. This prompted me to question Loki about what had happened.
She told me that an "Enhanced" baby dragon had appeared in the upper floors. To secure the escape of his companions and protect the wounded who were unable to move, Al fought the dragon alone and emerged victorious.
That team consisted of members who had joined the Loki Familia less than three years prior. Riveria had forced them to accompany Al because of his excessive tendency to work alone. Despite being novices, they were members of the Loki Familia, and some had already reached Level 2.
Was it possible for someone who had received a Blessing only three weeks ago to defeat an enhanced monster that seasoned adventurers had fled from? It seemed impossible; even I could never have done such a thing.
Yet, he achieved it. Thanks to this recognized "Great Feat," he was able to level up. However, leveling up requires at least one ability score to reach Rank D in addition to the feat.
While attributes rise easily at the start, reaching Rank D in three weeks is beyond the limits of mere talent. Usually, the highest one can achieve is Rank G or F, but he had actually reached it by the time his battle with the dragon concluded.
Tiona began to grow closer to Al after that, while I continued to observe him from afar.
I felt a mixture of astonishment and a strange sense of conviction. From the moment I first saw his eyes, I sensed the powerful emotions dwelling within him; I realized those feelings were his primary engine. If it were a mere desire for combat, he would have ended up as a simple "battle maniac," but he did not stop there.
He continued to harvest monsters until he reached the middle floors entirely on his own. This was inconceivable to me at the time, and it became clear to everyone that this boy was an anomaly.
A month later, he returned one day in a more wretched state than ever before, losing consciousness the moment he arrived. After receiving treatment from Riveria, he updated his status.
── Level 3.
This was when my real interaction with Al began. I felt a sharp pang of jealousy; it was unthinkable that he could become a second-class adventurer just like me in a mere two months.
While everyone, including Elfy and Tiona, heaped praise upon him, I could not be honest with him. I stuck to brief, formal responses whenever we spoke.
I felt as though it were unfair. Al had climbed in the blink of an eye the very steps that had taken me years to scale since my childhood. Later, through Loki's arrangement, we began going on Dungeon missions together. I continued to treat him coldly, while internally I trembled with fear at his suicidal fighting style and his terrifying growth rate.
Everything changed during the incident that led to my advancement to Level 5 and Al's to Level 4: the attack of the "Black Goliath" on the town of Rivira.
That monster appeared suddenly despite being in a dormant period, completely destroying Rivira. The Black Goliath was stronger than usual, and I was unable to face it at Level 4.
The adventurers in Rivira were Level 3 at most. Everyone felt despair before the monster's power, which was equivalent to Level 5, believing it was the end. But Al stood alone against the Goliath while everyone else fled.
When I watched him fight, I realized the truth. He does not fight recklessly because he devalues his life; quite the opposite.
Al fights to save the lives of others. He seeks power for the sake of everyone else but himself.
Despite his extraordinary talent, Level 3 statistics should never allow someone to defeat a Floor Boss with Level 5 strength. This is common knowledge. Nevertheless, the sight of him advancing without a shred of fear made his image overlap with that of my father in my mind.
That figure breathed life back into the residents of Rivira whose hearts were nearly broken by despair. They stood up and took up their weapons once more. In that moment, I felt a strange pride.
I had found the first person I wanted to protect, after spending my entire life being protected by my father. After a fierce battle, the Goliath fell, and both Al and I leveled up.
Years have passed since then. I remained at Level 5, while Al reached Level 7—the very pinnacle of the adventurer hierarchy.
I became the only one unable to surpass Level 5. I felt frustration, sadness, and fear, but more than that, I was filled with an overwhelming desire to stand beside him.
He does not look at me; he looks forward, toward a distant goal. If this continues, he will go to a place I can never reach. I fear that Al will leave me alone again. I want to see what he sees. I want to know the world he observes. I want to reach where he is.
So, please... please, Al, do not leave me behind.
●○●○●
Ais and her companions headed toward "Cadmus Spring" on the fifty-first floor at the request of the Dian Cecht Familia to collect spring water. There, they stumbled upon the corpse of "Cadmus" and the culprit that killed it: giant worms that stored corrosive fluid.
That corrosive liquid was powerful beyond imagination, melting weapons made of the Loki Familia's rare metals. No one could fight except for Ais and Al, who possessed weapons with "Unbreakable" properties. Only they were capable at that moment of deciding the battle without casualties.
The fight continued in a repetitive cycle of slashing before the fluid could dissolve them. They barely managed to regroup with Finn's unit and exterminate the new worms at the main camp, but then a much greater entity appeared before them. It was a creature with a feminine form that far exceeded the worms in size, storing massive quantities of corrosive liquid. Finn began to analyze the situation calmly.
The piercing power of her massive body was likely immense, but more dangerous was the solvent she spat. To be showered in that liquid meant an immediate exit from the battle.
Her size rivaled that of Floor Bosses, standing approximately six to seven meters tall. There was a vast difference between her size and that of the previous worms.
Her strange body, far larger than the massive individuals they had just fought, was colored a vivid, poisonous yellowish-green. She appeared to be a "Queen Worm," emitting an aura that struck terror into the heart.
Her hideousness, resembling an overgrown maggot, remained, but while the previous worms looked like human larvae, this one took the shape of a human woman.
She possessed a prominent chest with large breasts, a sculpted waist, and rounded, bulging hips, while the lower part of her fleshy body transformed into something resembling a skirt.
To any intelligent being, her appearance triggered an instinctive disgust bordering on horror. Yet, if one were to look past that ugliness, they would find an organic beauty resembling a mermaid, emitting a strange sanctity that contrasted with her repulsive appearance. It was a sensation different from any monster they had encountered before.
"Divinity"──that was the most appropriate description for her presence.
While Finn and his companions shuddered at this unprecedented sensation, the Queen Worm slowly opened her four flattened limbs, appearing like a saintly mother about to embrace her beloved or accept everyone into her fold.
In that moment, colored particles resembling flower pollen erupted from her arms, drifting with the wind like shimmering motes of light toward Finn and the others.
──Suddenly, a violent explosion of light occurred, completely obscuring their vision. Everyone suffered temporary blindness from the flash. With a quick decision, Ais summoned "Ariel" to protect her comrades. A moment later, the light exploded, causing a shockwave that rattled the air and cratered the ground.
"Ggh──!!"
"Kyaaaaaaaaa──?!"
Finn and his companions were sent flying by the blast wave and intense heat, but they immediately regained their balance to assess the situation.
The explosion left a giant crater several meters wide; the shockwave uprooted trees and dug deep into the earth.
Those light particles scattered casually like butterfly dust were actually "magic projectiles" that detonated everything. Their power was sufficient to cause fatal injuries even to first-class adventurers if they took a direct hit.
In the center of the event, the Queen stood in a form that no longer resembled a worm. Four wings sprouted from her arms, and two long horns extended toward the sky from the top of her head. Everyone instinctively realized that this transformation was the Queen's true form.
After shedding her worm-like shell, the Queen began to wear a confident smile as she altered her shape.
Although locating the "Mana Stone" was difficult due to her massive body rivaling that of Floor Bosses, Riveria's magic could crush her. However, exterminating her recklessly would lead to a tsunami of corrosive fluid that would drown everyone and cause devastating losses. Finn realized this before anyone else and ordered a withdrawal.
"Abandon the camp immediately. Retreat with minimum supplies. Inform Riveria and the rest."
"Wait, Finn! What about that thing?!"
"If we leave it like this, a disaster could happen!"
Bete and Tiona objected to Finn's order, and their objection was valid; leaving a monster that the Loki Familia could not resolve quickly might lead to unimaginable destruction.
Nevertheless, continuing the fight would certainly result in casualties, but something even more dangerous might occur. For this reason, Finn chose to make a harsh decision.
"To eliminate this monster with the least amount of losses, there is no other solution. I am not satisfied with this decision myself... and I apologize for saying such cliché words in a situation like this."
Given the size of the monster that rivaled Floor Bosses, it was difficult to avoid the corrosive fluid that would overflow from it. Only Ais could manage this, thanks to her magic which prevented the fluid from touching her, and Al, who could burn the corrosive liquid with his fire magic—not to mention he was the fastest man in the city, surpassing even the "Chariot of the Goddess" (Ottar) in agility.
The rest of the companions present would be in certain danger if the corrosive fluid splashed. Therefore, no one else but these two could settle the battle.
Thus, Finn and the others had no choice but to entrust the task to them and retreat.
"Ais, Al. Eliminate that monster."
The two nodded silently and drew their weapons.
(...... She's hard!!)
This was Ais's impression as soon as her sword struck the female's body. She felt as though she were hitting a block of steel, yet she felt no impact from her blow.
Indeed, a liquid resembling murky sap leaked from the wound and covered it; within moments, the body returned to its original state as if nothing had happened.
Ais could not hide her astonishment, her eyes widening in shock. In that moment, the female launched her counterattack.
She extended her thick arm and swung it like a whip to attack. Ais raised her sword quickly to parry the strike, but the force of the blow pushed her back and sent her flying.
However, she landed skillfully and regained her stance, then raised her sword with all her might and cleaved the air with a horizontal strike. Yet, the result was no different; the wounds healed instantly.
Ais realized that simple attrition would not work. She began to gather "Ariel" around her sword with greater intensity, preparing to launch her "Grand Technique" reserved for Floor Bosses. But she stood stunned before the battle unfolding before her eyes—a battle on an entirely different level.
It was a fight at divine speed. The supernatural velocity made even Ais struggle to see the movements clearly from a distance, causing violent shockwaves that shattered trees and the ground around them. With the addition of those attacks resembling raging thunderbolts, approaching the arena became impossible.
Al's primary weapon was the special sword, 【Mistilteinn】. This blade was forged from the hardest refined metals that exceeded the durability of "Adamantite," and rare materials from the Floor Boss "Balor" were fused into it. The property of this sword was "Unbreakable."
This sword, possessing power equal to Ais's 【Desperate】, could not bend or break regardless of the circumstances. In the hands of Al, who possessed abilities and techniques surpassing Ais, the sword tore through the female's steel-like flesh with absolute ease.
(He has become stronger again...)
Because they were fighting alone together, Ais felt this more than ever. Unlike her, who suffered from stagnant growth, Al had never stopped evolving.
I shouldn't stay like this; I must exert more effort──Ais thought bitterly, feeling helpless just standing as a spectator before this legendary combat.
The female possessed agility and mobility inconsistent with her massive body. She swung her four tactile arms in all directions to cover 360-degree attacks. Even if someone tried to circle behind her, she moved her feet—which resembled "sea anemone" legs—to change direction quickly. She did not suffer from the poor maneuverability that usually characterized Floor Bosses like Goliath.
But before Al, she was nothing more than a scarecrow. He easily sliced the arm that attacked him from behind, then delivered a violent, cutting blow to her body.
Despite her heavy appearance, she possessed high speed and magic resistance. It seemed her defense against physical attacks was immense. However, for Al, an opponent of this level presented no real problem.
After cornering her with his violent assault, the female suddenly stopped and began spitting massive amounts of liquid from her mouth. It was a purple, viscous substance resembling "Slime," and it spread rapidly on the ground. As soon as it touched the trees, the forest began to erode and rot in the blink of an eye.
Ais sensed the danger and used her only magic, 【Ariel】, to surround herself with fierce winds like a storm, driving the purple liquid away from her.
Though she was not an "Elf" experienced in magic, the wind protection granted by the 【Ariel】 skill allowed her to balance the power in the clash of her sword with the female's tactile arms.
Yet for Ais, using her strongest magic and her unbreakable sword only made her "equal" to the monster. She felt a lump in her throat at her inability to fight using pure physical capabilities like Al. While Ais was lost in her thoughts, the situation shifted again.
Al dashed forward with unimaginable speed, bypassing the female's left side and delivering an upward sword strike (Kisaragi). The female tried to use her remaining right arm as a shield, but she was too slow. Al severed her multiple anemone-like feet in a single instant.
No matter how strong and flexible her body was, losing her lower half meant losing the ability to move. It appeared the battle was decided, but the female did not surrender. Instead, she threw her massive body to collide with Al in a suicidal attack.
Although the momentum of that gargantuan mass was terrifying, such a desperate attack would never hit Al. He dodged the blow easily, then climbed the female's body with speed that blurred the eyes.
With every leap, he tore her body apart completely, until he severed the remains of her arms at the roots. In that moment, the female stopped moving entirely, and a massive, unprecedented amount of corrosive fluid erupted from her. However, Al cleared the area with a "barrier of cutting strikes" that did not even require magic.
The power gap was decisive. The "Blessing" that brings an adventurer closer to the status of a god as they level up makes the difference between one level and the next like the difference between separate species. That two-level gap stood like a towering wall before Ais.
"── Damn it."
It was not a feeling of malice, but of sorrow. If this continued, the gap would widen further, and she would never be able to fight alongside Al. "Little Ais" screamed inside her, rejecting this reality.
I don't want to stay behind you. I want to stay beside you always. I want us to fight together back-to-back as we used to. As Ais wrestled with her feelings, the sound of a "Bell" that shook the soul echoed through the area, and black light particles appeared out of nowhere.
Those particles were Al's acquired skill, 【Alcides - Way of the Supreme Hero】. It is a skill that grants the right to "Charge" active deeds such as magic, and Al's magic, enhanced by this skill, was directed toward the female who had lost all means of attack.
── "【Thunderbolt】"
The bolt, its power multiplied by the charge, launched as a pillar of light that surpassed the strength of Riveria's 【Rea Laevateinn】, completely incinerating the female's body.
Intense heat obscured the vision, and everything turned red. A sea of flames spread at the center of the explosion, and fire began to consume the gray forest from every side. Under the crimson glow of the flames, Ais could only stare at the scene.
(Ah... I couldn't do anything).
A shadow emerged from the midst of the burning sea without a single scratch. He was the figure of a hero in every sense of the word. Ais bit her lip as she saw Al, who could have defeated the female easily even if she had not been there.
●○●○●
The Loki Familia procession marched through the inorganic corridors made of various rocks in the middle floors of the Dungeon, which resembled a natural labyrinth, heading toward the upper floors──toward the surface.
As they ascended to the shallow floors, the monsters began to weaken, accelerating their progress. The phosphorescent lights of the Dungeon began to grow brighter.
They were close to exiting this underground maze. They were now on the seventeenth floor, which is close to the surface compared to the depths they had occupied.
During the return journey, Ais and her companions engaged in a few minor battles—no more than three or four times—and the strength of the enemies posed no obstacle to a Level 2 adventurer.
Due to the appearance of the metal-melting worms and the female monster rivaling a Floor Boss—two new types of "Irregulars" that even the Loki Familia had struggled with—they decided to abandon the exploration of unknown floors and return to the surface.
(... What did that monster really represent?)
Ais was reflecting on the previous battle while exchanging talk with Tione and Lefiya. The giant worms had changed their skin color to attack, and their style was simple, relying on spitting acid from openings in the front of their bodies.
The strength of that acid was enough to dissolve any unprotected part of the body in an instant. As for the female, she had been a terrifying opponent with the size of a Floor Boss and abilities fitting that scale.
In particular, she felt something "impure" emanating from the female, though she did not realize what it was. The only certainty was that both had been extremely bothersome opponents.
"Wooooooooooooooo──!!"
While Ais was lost in her thoughts, the scent of monsters and bloody rust wafted through the air along with a roar that shook the corridors. Minotaurs appeared—humanoid creatures with bull heads that surpassed the other monsters in height and bulk.
Copper-colored skin, and a bull's head with two horns. Although they carried no weapons, their bulging muscles suggested immense combat power.
The most distinctive feature was the head; instead of a human face, there was a bull's head distorted by violence, with sharp fangs protruding like a predator's, and steam-like breath exhaling from its nose.
Upon seeing Ais and the others, the herds of Minotaurs lowered their bodies in preparation to attack, striking the ground with their feet. In an instant, they rushed toward them with explosive speed.
The Minotaurs attacked with blood-red eyes, but Tiona leaped toward them jubilantly.
She swung her greatsword (which she had received as a substitute for her weapon "Urga," which had melted) in a horizontal motion, sending the first Minotaur in the lead flying. The soaring monster collided with the rest and then smashed into the wall, becoming an immobile part of it.
Tiona continued to swing her sword with power, cutting down every monster that tried to approach. In the blink of an eye, the Minotaurs were scattered in pieces, their corpses falling to the ground.
Before Tiona's assault, the strongest monsters of the middle floors appeared completely helpless. This was natural; for the Loki Familia that explores the depths, the monsters of the middle floors represent no significant threat.
Ais and Bete joined the battle, and thanks to the power of the vanguard fighters, the monsters were crushed one after another. Normally, the leaders leave these battles to the lower-ranked members to gain experience, but they were in a hurry to bring information about the new monsters to the surface.
However, the numbers this time were abnormal.
Due to the leaders' activity, more than half of them turned to ash in moments. It seemed the rest of the Minotaurs (about dozens) were terrified by the power gap, so they turned tail and fled from Ais and the others.
"Whaaaat?!"
"What?! You're running?! You're monsters, for heaven's sake!!"
A Minotaur retreating... an utterly unfamiliar sight. Monsters usually act on instinct, and while intelligent monsters exist, a situation like this was a first.
Tiona and Bete were stunned for a moment, but they regained their balance and began the pursuit. The monsters of the upper floors meant nothing to them, and nothing would block their path to the surface.
However, there are other adventurers in the Dungeon besides them. For those people, a herd of rampaging and panicked Minotaurs represents a realized nightmare. Adventurers might be attacked because these monsters escaped.
For this reason, Tiona and Bete began chasing the fleeing Minotaurs at maximum speed. Tiona pursued them with her greatsword, followed by Bete, who was shouting curses.
The Minotaurs ascended the stairs leading to the sixteenth floor, and the panic-stricken herd disappeared in moments.
Tione clicked her tongue in annoyance and followed Tiona and Bete; Ais followed as well.
●○●○●
Damn it, dying at the hands of a worm would be a hideous scene, so I'll pass. No matter how desperate I am, I at least want to choose who kills me. Additionally, that female monster was destined to be defeated by Ais alone in the original story, so she never would have won against me while I was fighting seriously.
Anyway, what's with Ais? She's seemed gloomy since the battle ended.
It doesn't matter. More importantly, my brother Bell Cranel is about to have his "Encounter of Destiny." I began running after the Minotaurs that fled from us, "controlling my speed" to keep Ais in the lead.
To be honest, I still have plenty of mana and could wipe out the entire herd with a series of "Thunderbolts" without needing to run, but if I do that, the events of the original story won't begin.
Ah, there's Bell.
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!"
And he's running now—not from the Minotaur, but from Ais. He's so fast. If he had run from the Minotaur with this speed from the beginning, it would have been better.
Anyway, here the original story finally begins. Although some details have started to fade from my memory, I haven't forgotten the perfect moments to initiate "Drama and Suffering."
Ah, I'm looking forward to it.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
《Skill》
【Alcides - Way of the Supreme Hero】
Grants the right to execute a "Charge" for active deeds (such as magic or special strikes).
Corrects and enhances all Abilities upon activation.
The amount of enhancement is directly proportional to the charging time.
During the charge, the sound of a "Bell" echoes, raising the combat spirit of allies.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 3 : I Learned the Reason I Crave Strength, So Surpass Me and Move Forward
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Raven797
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The "Center of the World"—this is how the capital of heroes, the Labyrinth City Orario, is often described.
This city acts as a plug covering the "Great Chasm" carved into the earth since time immemorial. It was not designed to withstand external sieges; rather, it was built to prevent the monsters that might overflow from the Dungeon—should the prayers of the founding god, Ouranos, ever falter—from escaping into the outside world. Consequently, massive, incredibly durable white walls surround it, reinforced by rare metals extracted from the Dungeon itself.
The city's outer wall features four entrances facing the cardinal directions, and most of the space within these walls is dedicated to adventurers.
These districts teem with various shops and facilities, ranging from specialized tool and weapon shops for adventurers to restaurants and inns. Generally, adventurers residing in the city are not permitted to leave Orario, so they spend their lives within its borders, centering their activities around their Familia headquarters. Because of this, Orario provides every necessity for living and entertainment: food, drink, medical facilities, gambling dens, and other amenities that serve its inhabitants.
In the heart of Orario rises the Tower of Babel—the white skyscraper constructed by the great divine architects to serve as a "lid" for the Great Chasm leading to the Dungeon, the land of monsters. Orario spreads around this tower, bustling daily with the movement of adventurers who dive into the depths of the labyrinth. At dusk, the city grows crowded with adventurers returning from the maze and gods who have come to celebrate the safety of their children. On the surface, lights illuminate the city even at night, where humans mingle with various demi-humans, such as beastpeople and elves. This was daily life in the Labyrinth City, a microcosm of the entire world.
"Twilight Manor."
This towering structure consists of several interconnected spires, located away from the main street in the northern part of the city. It serves as the headquarters for the Loki Familia, one of the most prominent factions in Orario, known for power that rivals the Freya Familia. The jester's flag flutters at the center of the reddish-copper building, which was masterfully designed to reflect the Familia's prestige, standing as an architectural masterpiece in its own right.
The room of Loki, the Familia's goddess, is located on the upper floor of this luxurious palace. Despite the expensive furniture, the room suggests chaos due to the piles of belongings stacked inside. Papers are scattered on the desk next to a costly quill; books and heaps of paper litter the floor. Even the bed is covered with white crystals reflecting rainbow colors, old hats, and various other items. Most notably, bottles of assorted liquors are spread everywhere, and the room even features a small refrigerated storage unit dedicated to alcohol, keeping it ready at any time.
Inside this room, Al was with his mistress, Loki.
"Come on, come on, don't be shy. Take off your shirt. It's time to update your status."
The first thing Loki does when her children return from expeditions is thank them, then begin updating their Status. These attributes reflect their daily efforts and the battles they have fought, transforming into "Excelia" that leads to gradual ability increases. Long expeditions into the Dungeon, where thousands of monsters are slain and both body and soul are pushed to the absolute limit, provide the perfect opportunity to gather experience. Adventurers often rank up immediately upon their return.
Updating the Status is a process that requires effort, so it is optional for those who wish, except for Al. Loki has mandated that he always update after every mission. The reason is that she can gauge the level of risk he has exposed himself to through the growth rate of his attributes. She also fears that his body will not endure the massive development he achieves if he is not updated daily, which could lead to his death.
To Loki, Al is a dear son and a trusted member of her family; she worries for him from the depths of her heart, even if she does not show it openly. Initially, she tried to restrain him by threatening to seal his powers, but she realized the truth of his words when he said he would dive into the Dungeon even while sealed. She decided that focusing on caring for him after battles was better than trying to restrict him fruitlessly. She has not stopped him from entering the Dungeon alone since he reached Level 3.
Whether her decision was right or wrong, Al has now become one of only two people in Orario to reach Level 7. Despite reaching that peak, Al still carries that burning determination in his eyes.
"I'm not shy, actually."
Al said this while removing his shirt, revealing scars of various sizes on his body. Normally, healing potions and magic would erase these marks, but their presence meant Al continued fighting without pause and without waiting for treatment—a painful sight for Loki. Yet, beneath those scars lay a muscular physique; tight muscles devoid of any excess, balanced with extreme precision. Al might appear slender when wearing clothes, but in reality, his body possesses clear hardness and bulk.
Loki wished Al would take better care of himself, but she realized this would only happen if he were convinced of it himself. As a goddess and a mother figure to him, she had to hide her sadness and act cheerfully, making him forget about fighting for at least a moment inside their home.
"Alright, let's begin."
Loki said as she took out a needle and pricked her finger, as she always did. She placed her finger at the base of Al's neck and began to move it skillfully, drawing symbols with her divine blood on his back. As soon as the circle of blood was complete, strange letters and symbols resembling hieroglyphics appeared on his back—the Divine Blessing known as the Status.
Loki's eyes widened as she saw the updated results.
Al Cranel - Level 7
In the Status system, the five basic abilities range from 0 to 999, classified from I to S. Rank I means (0–99), H means (100–199), and so on. In addition to this are advanced skills like "Hunting" or "Abnormal Resistance" that can be acquired upon leveling up, along with magic and skills unique to each individual.
Normally, adventurers reach Rank C or D just before leveling up; very few reach Rank B. Rank A is a territory reached only by those who have undergone grueling training and fierce battles. Reaching Rank S is nearly impossible; even Finn, the Familia captain who has honed his abilities at Level 6 for seven years, only possesses Rank S in the "Dexterity" attribute.
But Al breaks all these rules. Most of his attributes were already at the end of Rank S, and after the current update, "Agility" and "Dexterity" surpassed the maximum (999) to reach Rank SS. These numbers are unprecedented and considered an anomaly. It is as if Al has no limit to his growth, or that he is not bound by the laws of the gods' world, surpassing all familiar standards.
Only half a year has passed since his last advancement to Level 7, and this growth rate is unbelievable, let alone his terrifying skills. He possesses five skills, most of which Loki had never seen before meeting him. In addition to his quick-cast "Thunderbolt," he possesses the enchantment magic "Re-Phoenix," which is considered the best in the Lower World, and his final magic, "Leaf Yggdrasil." Even Riveria described his magic as being beyond logic. It is an arsenal of abilities entirely dedicated to combat.
"I'm finished. Here you go."
Loki wrote the results on a sheet of paper, excluding the "Yearning of Remembrance" skill from the disclosure. This skill is very rare, and because it is linked to a specific goal (Yearning) that might push him toward further recklessness, she has not shared it with anyone except Finn and the leaders.
"My level didn't increase."
"What are you saying?! Your attributes increased by more than 100 points in total! Your previous increases were the ones that were abnormal."
Considering that top adventurers at Levels 5 and 6 do not see their attributes increase by more than 20 points, Al's increase is massive and insane, serving as proof of the level of recklessness he practices and the sincerity of that "Yearning" of his.
"I'm talking about the level. It's been half a year already."
"Don't be a fool. Do you think leveling up is that simple?"
Leveling up is not easy. Even in Orario, where experience is gathered with the highest efficiency, many spend their lives at Level 1 and die without a single advancement. Therefore, someone who levels up even once is considered as strong as dozens of soldiers outside Orario and is respected as a high-level adventurer. Even Ais Wallenstein, who held the world record, or that "Heroine" from the Hera Familia, took at least a year to level up.
Gifted members of the Loki Familia need years to advance. It requires sufficient attributes and the achievement of a "Great Feat" (a heroic act). Al reached Level 7 half a year ago after defeating the Floor Boss "Balor" alone while in a state of extreme exhaustion; back then, all his attributes were at Rank SSS. Unfortunately, for an adventurer at Level 7, threats considered a "Great Feat" have become very rare, causing his attributes to rise without his level advancing. To achieve a new feat, he must either attack the Freya Familia alone or dive into the deepest unknown layers of the Dungeon.
"Tell me, why do you want to become this strong? In all of Orario, there is no one stronger than you except for that 'Monster' (Ottar) from the Freya Familia."
Even if Al fought with Ottar, no one could guarantee the outcome; they are practically the two strongest in the city. Yet, Al still looks upward, toward Levels 8 and 9, which were only reached by the leaders of the Zeus and Hera Familias in the past.
"Actually, I'm not interested in being strong."
And this is the strangest part; he isn't interested in being strong? Impossible. No one commits those follies without a desire for power. The only remaining reason is the "Goal" associated with his skill.
(I know he won't answer even if I ask.) "Alright, fine. Ais will come after you, so get out quickly. I won't let you ruin my private time with her... Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"Troublemaker Number 2" left the room with a frowning face, leaving Loki waiting for "Troublemaker Number 1."
"My god. They say the most difficult children are the most loved, but this kid has crossed the line."
●○●○●
In truth, I don't really want to become strong, but... don't you think the feeling of despair would be stronger if a "strong" person died? For this reason alone, I don't care about being the strongest, but I became strong against my will because I missed some previous opportunities...
"Al..."
There was a beautiful blonde girl wearing very revealing clothes—if she were in modern Japan, she would be accused of indecency. It was Ais. Why do the women of this world wear such revealing clothes? Don't they get cold?
"What is it?"
"No... nothing. Oh... how were your results?"
"Nothing significant. My attributes increased by about a hundred points, and the advanced skills didn't change. Why do you ask?"
"A hundred?! — No, nothing. I'll go update my attributes as well."
What's wrong with her? Why does she seem so discouraged lately? I love seeing despair in the eyes of others, but I don't feel pleasure if I don't know the reason. To make the despair deeper, I must give her some hope first (psychopathic thinking).
"What's the matter? You've been acting strange for a while."
"Why... why can you become so strong, Al?"
This is a question usually directed at the protagonists of stories. The answer is talent; this body possesses immense capabilities. Don't worry, Ais, you're supposed to level up soon according to the original story. But I can't say that, of course.
"I don't know. Maybe because there's something I want to do at any cost."
"At any cost?"
"Yes. I can't tell you what it is, but it's definitely the reason I became an adventurer."
And the reason is for me to die before your eyes—a majestic death that fills your hearts with despair!!
●○●○●
Ais Wallenstein - Level 5
Despite spending two weeks in the Dungeon and going on an "Expedition" where she killed many powerful monsters in the deep floors, her experience only increased by 16 points. Al is at Level 7 and his points increased hundreds of times more, while she is at Level 5 and only saw a slight increase.
Ais looked at her nearly unchanged attributes and tried to suppress her turbulent emotions. At this rate, even if she undertook thousands of expeditions and killed millions of monsters, her points would only increase slightly. She would never catch up to Al; instead, the gap between them would widen further.
When abilities approach Rank S (900 points and above), growth becomes very slow, but Ais's case seems as if she has reached a dead end. She has reached the limits of her current abilities, and there is no more room for development at her current level.
Three years have passed since she reached Level 5. An invisible wall called the "Growth Limit" stands before her. She cannot develop any further. She began to think about abandoning her current level and advancing to Level 6—transforming into a stronger vessel. Surpassing the wall by achieving a "Great Feat." She must become stronger... much stronger.
Ais hid her facial expressions like a doll, harboring a strong will in the depths of her heart to obtain more power and reach that distant peak.
"Yes. I can't tell you what it is, but it's definitely the reason I became an adventurer."
"Is there something you want to do when you become strong?"
That was obvious. I want strength so I can fight alongside Al, and so I can help him this time. He was the hero who inspired my yearning three years ago. I want to fight by his side back-to-back as we did then. But that desire strikes against the wall of absolute talent that everyone faces.
Ais thanked Loki with brief words and left the room. She descended the spiral staircase while the sounds of laughter and lights spilled from the windows, walking alone in the dark corridors toward her room. Her room was bleak: a bed, a desk, and curtains, without any notable decorations compared to Loki's room. The moonlight dyed the room in a deep dark blue.
She threw herself onto the bed, and as she sank into the white sheets, her eyes fell on her sword leaning against the window. The sword reflected the moonlight, emitting a cold and lonely shine. She closed her eyes silently and surrendered to the deep darkness.
She dreamed of her father... she dreamed of the moment he left her and went away.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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This city acts as a plug covering the "Great Chasm" carved into the earth since time immemorial. It was not designed to withstand external sieges; rather, it was built to prevent the monsters that might overflow from the Dungeon—should the prayers of the founding god, Ouranos, ever falter—from escaping into the outside world. Consequently, massive, incredibly durable white walls surround it, reinforced by rare metals extracted from the Dungeon itself.
The city's outer wall features four entrances facing the cardinal directions, and most of the space within these walls is dedicated to adventurers.
These districts teem with various shops and facilities, ranging from specialized tool and weapon shops for adventurers to restaurants and inns. Generally, adventurers residing in the city are not permitted to leave Orario, so they spend their lives within its borders, centering their activities around their Familia headquarters. Because of this, Orario provides every necessity for living and entertainment: food, drink, medical facilities, gambling dens, and other amenities that serve its inhabitants.
In the heart of Orario rises the Tower of Babel—the white skyscraper constructed by the great divine architects to serve as a "lid" for the Great Chasm leading to the Dungeon, the land of monsters. Orario spreads around this tower, bustling daily with the movement of adventurers who dive into the depths of the labyrinth. At dusk, the city grows crowded with adventurers returning from the maze and gods who have come to celebrate the safety of their children. On the surface, lights illuminate the city even at night, where humans mingle with various demi-humans, such as beastpeople and elves. This was daily life in the Labyrinth City, a microcosm of the entire world.
"Twilight Manor."
This towering structure consists of several interconnected spires, located away from the main street in the northern part of the city. It serves as the headquarters for the Loki Familia, one of the most prominent factions in Orario, known for power that rivals the Freya Familia. The jester's flag flutters at the center of the reddish-copper building, which was masterfully designed to reflect the Familia's prestige, standing as an architectural masterpiece in its own right.
The room of Loki, the Familia's goddess, is located on the upper floor of this luxurious palace. Despite the expensive furniture, the room suggests chaos due to the piles of belongings stacked inside. Papers are scattered on the desk next to a costly quill; books and heaps of paper litter the floor. Even the bed is covered with white crystals reflecting rainbow colors, old hats, and various other items. Most notably, bottles of assorted liquors are spread everywhere, and the room even features a small refrigerated storage unit dedicated to alcohol, keeping it ready at any time.
Inside this room, Al was with his mistress, Loki.
"Come on, come on, don't be shy. Take off your shirt. It's time to update your status."
The first thing Loki does when her children return from expeditions is thank them, then begin updating their Status. These attributes reflect their daily efforts and the battles they have fought, transforming into "Excelia" that leads to gradual ability increases. Long expeditions into the Dungeon, where thousands of monsters are slain and both body and soul are pushed to the absolute limit, provide the perfect opportunity to gather experience. Adventurers often rank up immediately upon their return.
Updating the Status is a process that requires effort, so it is optional for those who wish, except for Al. Loki has mandated that he always update after every mission. The reason is that she can gauge the level of risk he has exposed himself to through the growth rate of his attributes. She also fears that his body will not endure the massive development he achieves if he is not updated daily, which could lead to his death.
To Loki, Al is a dear son and a trusted member of her family; she worries for him from the depths of her heart, even if she does not show it openly. Initially, she tried to restrain him by threatening to seal his powers, but she realized the truth of his words when he said he would dive into the Dungeon even while sealed. She decided that focusing on caring for him after battles was better than trying to restrict him fruitlessly. She has not stopped him from entering the Dungeon alone since he reached Level 3.
Whether her decision was right or wrong, Al has now become one of only two people in Orario to reach Level 7. Despite reaching that peak, Al still carries that burning determination in his eyes.
"I'm not shy, actually."
Al said this while removing his shirt, revealing scars of various sizes on his body. Normally, healing potions and magic would erase these marks, but their presence meant Al continued fighting without pause and without waiting for treatment—a painful sight for Loki. Yet, beneath those scars lay a muscular physique; tight muscles devoid of any excess, balanced with extreme precision. Al might appear slender when wearing clothes, but in reality, his body possesses clear hardness and bulk.
Loki wished Al would take better care of himself, but she realized this would only happen if he were convinced of it himself. As a goddess and a mother figure to him, she had to hide her sadness and act cheerfully, making him forget about fighting for at least a moment inside their home.
"Alright, let's begin."
Loki said as she took out a needle and pricked her finger, as she always did. She placed her finger at the base of Al's neck and began to move it skillfully, drawing symbols with her divine blood on his back. As soon as the circle of blood was complete, strange letters and symbols resembling hieroglyphics appeared on his back—the Divine Blessing known as the Status.
Loki's eyes widened as she saw the updated results.
Al Cranel - Level 7
- Strength: S971 → S993
- Endurance: A883 → A884
- Dexterity: S996 → SS1044
- Agility: SS1038 → SS1060
- Magic: S976 → S989
- Luck: D
- Abnormal Resistance: E
- Escape: E
- Spirit Healing: G
- Swordsman: I
- Mystery: F
- 【Thunderbolt】
- Quick-cast magic.
- Lightning element.
- 【Re-Phoenix】
- Enchantment magic.
- Fire element.
- Damage restoration and burning away curses.
- 【Leaf Yggdrasil — World Tree Strike】
- Wide-range offensive magic.
- Lightning and Fire elements.
- Double damage against Dragons and Black Monsters.
- In certain cases, the designated target changes to ■.
- 【Yearning of Remembrance】
- Accelerated growth (Early Development).
- The effect lasts until the goal is achieved.
- Effectiveness increases in direct proportion to the intensity of feelings.
- 【Talent of Calamity】
- Accelerated mastery of all skills.
- Extracts latent potential (Status) to the maximum (Limit Break).
- Temporary activation of "Swordsman" during combat.
- Temporary activation of "Magic Power" during combat.
- 【Spirit Protection】
- Special correction when facing Spirits.
- Acquisition of special offensive and defensive power against Spirits.
- Resistance to elemental attacks and curses.
- 【Alcides — Path of the Supreme Hero】
- The right to execute a "Charge" for active deeds.
- Enhancement of all abilities upon activation.
- Enhancement is proportional to charging time.
- During charging, the sound of a bell echoes, raising the morale of allies.
- 【Combat Instinct】
- Automatic parrying of attacks.
- High resistance to fatigue.
- Rapid recovery of physical and mental strength.
- Significant enhancement of all abilities when in a crisis.
In the Status system, the five basic abilities range from 0 to 999, classified from I to S. Rank I means (0–99), H means (100–199), and so on. In addition to this are advanced skills like "Hunting" or "Abnormal Resistance" that can be acquired upon leveling up, along with magic and skills unique to each individual.
Normally, adventurers reach Rank C or D just before leveling up; very few reach Rank B. Rank A is a territory reached only by those who have undergone grueling training and fierce battles. Reaching Rank S is nearly impossible; even Finn, the Familia captain who has honed his abilities at Level 6 for seven years, only possesses Rank S in the "Dexterity" attribute.
But Al breaks all these rules. Most of his attributes were already at the end of Rank S, and after the current update, "Agility" and "Dexterity" surpassed the maximum (999) to reach Rank SS. These numbers are unprecedented and considered an anomaly. It is as if Al has no limit to his growth, or that he is not bound by the laws of the gods' world, surpassing all familiar standards.
Only half a year has passed since his last advancement to Level 7, and this growth rate is unbelievable, let alone his terrifying skills. He possesses five skills, most of which Loki had never seen before meeting him. In addition to his quick-cast "Thunderbolt," he possesses the enchantment magic "Re-Phoenix," which is considered the best in the Lower World, and his final magic, "Leaf Yggdrasil." Even Riveria described his magic as being beyond logic. It is an arsenal of abilities entirely dedicated to combat.
"I'm finished. Here you go."
Loki wrote the results on a sheet of paper, excluding the "Yearning of Remembrance" skill from the disclosure. This skill is very rare, and because it is linked to a specific goal (Yearning) that might push him toward further recklessness, she has not shared it with anyone except Finn and the leaders.
"My level didn't increase."
"What are you saying?! Your attributes increased by more than 100 points in total! Your previous increases were the ones that were abnormal."
Considering that top adventurers at Levels 5 and 6 do not see their attributes increase by more than 20 points, Al's increase is massive and insane, serving as proof of the level of recklessness he practices and the sincerity of that "Yearning" of his.
"I'm talking about the level. It's been half a year already."
"Don't be a fool. Do you think leveling up is that simple?"
Leveling up is not easy. Even in Orario, where experience is gathered with the highest efficiency, many spend their lives at Level 1 and die without a single advancement. Therefore, someone who levels up even once is considered as strong as dozens of soldiers outside Orario and is respected as a high-level adventurer. Even Ais Wallenstein, who held the world record, or that "Heroine" from the Hera Familia, took at least a year to level up.
Gifted members of the Loki Familia need years to advance. It requires sufficient attributes and the achievement of a "Great Feat" (a heroic act). Al reached Level 7 half a year ago after defeating the Floor Boss "Balor" alone while in a state of extreme exhaustion; back then, all his attributes were at Rank SSS. Unfortunately, for an adventurer at Level 7, threats considered a "Great Feat" have become very rare, causing his attributes to rise without his level advancing. To achieve a new feat, he must either attack the Freya Familia alone or dive into the deepest unknown layers of the Dungeon.
"Tell me, why do you want to become this strong? In all of Orario, there is no one stronger than you except for that 'Monster' (Ottar) from the Freya Familia."
Even if Al fought with Ottar, no one could guarantee the outcome; they are practically the two strongest in the city. Yet, Al still looks upward, toward Levels 8 and 9, which were only reached by the leaders of the Zeus and Hera Familias in the past.
"Actually, I'm not interested in being strong."
And this is the strangest part; he isn't interested in being strong? Impossible. No one commits those follies without a desire for power. The only remaining reason is the "Goal" associated with his skill.
(I know he won't answer even if I ask.) "Alright, fine. Ais will come after you, so get out quickly. I won't let you ruin my private time with her... Hey, I'm talking to you!"
"Troublemaker Number 2" left the room with a frowning face, leaving Loki waiting for "Troublemaker Number 1."
"My god. They say the most difficult children are the most loved, but this kid has crossed the line."
●○●○●
In truth, I don't really want to become strong, but... don't you think the feeling of despair would be stronger if a "strong" person died? For this reason alone, I don't care about being the strongest, but I became strong against my will because I missed some previous opportunities...
"Al..."
There was a beautiful blonde girl wearing very revealing clothes—if she were in modern Japan, she would be accused of indecency. It was Ais. Why do the women of this world wear such revealing clothes? Don't they get cold?
"What is it?"
"No... nothing. Oh... how were your results?"
"Nothing significant. My attributes increased by about a hundred points, and the advanced skills didn't change. Why do you ask?"
"A hundred?! — No, nothing. I'll go update my attributes as well."
What's wrong with her? Why does she seem so discouraged lately? I love seeing despair in the eyes of others, but I don't feel pleasure if I don't know the reason. To make the despair deeper, I must give her some hope first (psychopathic thinking).
"What's the matter? You've been acting strange for a while."
"Why... why can you become so strong, Al?"
This is a question usually directed at the protagonists of stories. The answer is talent; this body possesses immense capabilities. Don't worry, Ais, you're supposed to level up soon according to the original story. But I can't say that, of course.
"I don't know. Maybe because there's something I want to do at any cost."
"At any cost?"
"Yes. I can't tell you what it is, but it's definitely the reason I became an adventurer."
And the reason is for me to die before your eyes—a majestic death that fills your hearts with despair!!
●○●○●
Ais Wallenstein - Level 5
- Strength: D549 → 555
- Endurance: D540 → 547
- Dexterity: A823 → 825
- Agility: A821 → 822
- Magic: A899
- Hunter: G
- Abnormal Resistance: G
- Swordsman: I
- 【Ariel — The Wind】
- Enchantment magic.
- Wind element.
Despite spending two weeks in the Dungeon and going on an "Expedition" where she killed many powerful monsters in the deep floors, her experience only increased by 16 points. Al is at Level 7 and his points increased hundreds of times more, while she is at Level 5 and only saw a slight increase.
Ais looked at her nearly unchanged attributes and tried to suppress her turbulent emotions. At this rate, even if she undertook thousands of expeditions and killed millions of monsters, her points would only increase slightly. She would never catch up to Al; instead, the gap between them would widen further.
When abilities approach Rank S (900 points and above), growth becomes very slow, but Ais's case seems as if she has reached a dead end. She has reached the limits of her current abilities, and there is no more room for development at her current level.
Three years have passed since she reached Level 5. An invisible wall called the "Growth Limit" stands before her. She cannot develop any further. She began to think about abandoning her current level and advancing to Level 6—transforming into a stronger vessel. Surpassing the wall by achieving a "Great Feat." She must become stronger... much stronger.
Ais hid her facial expressions like a doll, harboring a strong will in the depths of her heart to obtain more power and reach that distant peak.
"Yes. I can't tell you what it is, but it's definitely the reason I became an adventurer."
"Is there something you want to do when you become strong?"
That was obvious. I want strength so I can fight alongside Al, and so I can help him this time. He was the hero who inspired my yearning three years ago. I want to fight by his side back-to-back as we did then. But that desire strikes against the wall of absolute talent that everyone faces.
Ais thanked Loki with brief words and left the room. She descended the spiral staircase while the sounds of laughter and lights spilled from the windows, walking alone in the dark corridors toward her room. Her room was bleak: a bed, a desk, and curtains, without any notable decorations compared to Loki's room. The moonlight dyed the room in a deep dark blue.
She threw herself onto the bed, and as she sank into the white sheets, her eyes fell on her sword leaning against the window. The sword reflected the moonlight, emitting a cold and lonely shine. She closed her eyes silently and surrendered to the deep darkness.
She dreamed of her father... she dreamed of the moment he left her and went away.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 4 : The Hostess of Fertility
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The room atop the Tower of Babel—the white skyscraper erected at the heart of Orario to plug the Great Chasm—sat at a height that brushed the very clouds. Despite its staggering altitude, the space remained open, offering a sense of liberation as if one stood in the vast wilderness. Within this chamber resided a single goddess, radiating the majesty of an absolute being.
She was beauty itself—a manifestation of every concept of grace found upon the earth.
She stood as a living crystal of the highest aesthetic, commanding every earthly creature by her mere, enchanting presence. Hers was a violent beauty that stained all "values" with its own hue—a splendor no words in this world could truly capture.
This goddess was Freya, the sovereign of the Freya Familia, which stood as the rival pole to the Loki Familia.
"Truly, no matter how many times I look at it, his soul is captivating."
The smile gracing the goddess's face was not the derisive smirk she usually reserved for the denizens of the Lower World. It was a smile so sweet it could shatter human hearts, bright as a flower in full bloom. She looked like a maiden in love or a friend sharing a moment of deep affection.
Had any mortal known this smile was directed at a single individual, the other gods might have died of pure jealousy. The one who garnered this concentrated gaze of beauty was Al Cranel, a member of the Loki Familia—Freya's primary commercial and martial rival.
Freya murmured to herself, watching him with delight. She recalled the sensation she felt the moment he first arrived in Orario: his soul was truly exquisite. This had been her impression since their first encounter. It was the reason she could not stop herself from constantly testing him, yet he surpassed every trial and challenge she threw his way.
Materially and spiritually, Al was the only human whose foundation Freya could not shake.
"If his brother's radiance is a pure, stainless white, then his is a polished, abyssal black. They are truly fascinating brothers. I wonder why he chose someone like Loki? ── You would have been happy if he were in our own Familia, wouldn't you, Ottar?"
If one had to describe the man following the Goddess of Beauty like a submissive servant in a single word, it would be "Monolith." He possessed a body that looked like forged metal, and his eyes held a raging strength shrouded in still silence.
Above all, the aura this man emitted was more than ordinary humans could endure. Though he suppressed his power as a subordinate to the goddess, he harbored a majesty that would make even Level 5 adventurers lose their footing and drop their weapons in his overwhelming presence.
"With all due respect, I prefer the 'Sword Saint' to remain in the Loki Familia rather than be among us."
The man answered in a calm voice, showing no sign of being affected by the divine aura around him. Perhaps this composure stemmed from the knowledge that he was one of the strongest warriors in the world, reigning at the peak of Level 7—or perhaps it was proof of his absolute loyalty to the goddess before him.
Upon hearing the response from the man she called "Ottar," a playful smile played on Freya's lips.
"Oh? And why is that? I suspect you admire him too, don't you?"
"I do. But I prefer him as an opponent, not a comrade."
That majesty, oozing with a quiet fighting spirit, truly befitted the strongest of adventurers; Ottar could easily annihilate even the city's most famous first-tier adventurers.
Freya did not hesitate to tease Ottar with her smile, while he maintained his stony expression, continuing in a dry tone. These were his honest feelings. That young man, who had risen like a "Talent of Calamity" the moment he arrived in Orario—carrying the embers of the flames of the strongest god and most terrifying goddess of the past—possessed a vessel truly worthy of being the "Strongest." Ottar had decided to stand as the "Wall" before this rising hero.
Freya's smile deepened at his words.
"Heh, an answer that sounds just like you. Allen would likely be furious if he heard you."
"But it's true... Rather than him, who is nearly complete now, I deeply desire that as-yet-unfinished vessel: his younger brother."
Freya's grin widened as she spoke. Seeing this, Ottar bowed his head in silence; the words of this goddess were absolute law to him. Freya smiled with satisfaction at Ottar's submission.
●○●○●
Which person did the second-tier members of the Loki Familia fear above all others? Was it the violent Bete Loga, who never hesitated to call them trash? Or Tione Hiryute, who flared up like a raging fire if anyone interfered with her relationship with the Captain? No, it was neither of them.
The one the second-tier members feared most was the Loki Familia's ultimate striking force: the "Sword Saint," Al Cranel.
Most second-tier members were older than Al and had joined the Familia long before him; they could be considered veterans. Yet, none dared to address him by his name alone in the face of a combat style and growth rate that transcended known dimensions.
His eyes held a cold gaze, and he possessed a masculine beauty that charmed even goddesses. He had many admirers both inside and outside the faction, and his popularity rivaled that of Captain Finn. But for the second-tier members, seeing him felt like watching a true hero from another world, causing them to shrink back in awe.
When Raoul, the leader of the second-tier, learned that Bete Loga had insulted Al Cranel's younger brother—the person Bete himself feared second-most—Raoul wished he could simply faint from the horror of the situation.
The "Hostess of Fertility"—a pub where everyone was welcome, whether born and raised in this city or a complete stranger.
Though the prices were a bit steep, it was famous for its exceptional food. At this moment, the pub was completely packed, mostly with adventurers. They were all digging into massive plates piled high with meat and vegetables, gulping ale from large mugs.
Amidst the pub's roar, everyone's attention focused on a single point ── where a massive platter was set down with a heavy thud, carrying an enormous heap of fried vegetables.
Alongside that dish, thick slices of bacon and other plates followed in quick succession: herb-grilled meat dripping with fat and giant chunks of steak sitting in the middle of the table like small mountains. They were all rich, incredibly appetizing dishes.
"Oooooooooh!! Gareth!! Challenge me to a drinking contest!!"
"Hmph, fine. I'll defeat you and write the word 'Mino' (Bull) on your forehead!!"
"By the way, the winner gets the right to... mess with Riveria's chest however they want!!"
"── Whhaaaaaaaaat!?"
"I... I'll join too."
"Me as well!"
"And me!"
"Heh... count me in."
"Eh... Captain!"
"Ri... Riveria-sama...?"
"Sigh... let them talk nonsense."
These massive platters were being hauled to the group occupying the center of the pub. Today, the "Hostess of Fertility" had transformed into a celebration hall for the Loki Familia, marking their return from the expedition. The waitresses moved with brisk, frantic energy, complaining about the workload and the lack of time.
In the midst of this chaos, the young man who should have been the hero of the successful return sat alone at a side table meant for one. He ate his meal in his usual silence, not participating in the noise.
"Shouldn't you join the others?"
"Hm? Oh, Ryuu. It's fine. That loud atmosphere doesn't really suit me."
I knew that this young man, who murmured with a hint of loneliness, possessed a courage no one else had and an incomparable determination.
Four years ago, when I was just starting to get used to my job as a waitress at the pub, Syr brought him along during one of her forced attempts to reel in customers. Back then, I caught a glimpse in his eyes of my former self—when I sought revenge and slaughtered members of the Evils. I was terrified of this boy who was only twelve years old, despite being much younger than I.
Due to Syr's usual persistence, he began frequenting the pub regularly. I saw him gradually exhausting himself, just as I had been before Syr saved me, and I could no longer bear to watch. To make him a little stronger so he wouldn't meet his end, I used the excuse that "Syr likes him," revealed that I was a Level 4, and offered to train him.
I expected him to refuse, being a member of the great Loki Familia, but he agreed with startling simplicity. During our training, I was terrified again—this time by his sheer talent.
What he failed to do one hour, he mastered the next. His daily attribute growth wasn't just "growth"; it was a total evolution. His appearance and talent reminded me of "Silence" Alfia—the one I faced on the 17th day of the 18th floor during the Great Feud, where I broke before her overwhelming power.
Over time, I realized he wasn't someone who was arrogant about his talent, but a burgeoning hero striving hard to protect those around him. My fear of him vanished.
While I wanted to make him stronger, a part of me wished he would never have to fight at all. But the stronger he became, the more he threw himself into situations of extreme danger and certain death.
Now he speaks to me comfortably, though I think he was embarrassed at first by my mannerisms. He has become so strong that I would trust him with my back in the Labyrinth. He reached Level 4, just like me, in less than a year... it might be presumptuous, but I've come to think of him as a younger brother, and I hope he doesn't end up like I did.
We began practicing "Parallel Casting" inside the Dungeon because we couldn't do it on the streets of Orario. Half a year later, Jura—a remnant of the Evils who discovered I was "Gale Wind"—set a trap. I was accused of murder in the town of Rivira, and a warrant was issued for my arrest.
Despite being hunted by adventurers, he continued to believe in me. Together, we hunted the remnants of the Evils, but we were attacked by that cursed "Juggernaut," summoned by the Rudra Familia to recreate the nightmare of five years ago.
I thought we couldn't win as two Level 4s against an opponent that the entire Astraea Familia couldn't face together. I tried to make him escape, but he refused. Despite his fatal wounds, he never lost his will to fight; he looked like "Alise" to me, not himself, thanks to his fire magic.
It was a bitter fight, and we gave it everything we had. He protected me, defeated the Juggernaut while on the brink of death, and leveled up to Level 5. Our training ended there. Now, years later, he has reached Level 7, just like "Silence" Alfia, and he still works as hard as ever.
Ah, truly──
"You are a person worthy of respect."
"Huh?"
── The words slipped out of my mouth unintentionally. How embarrassing. Look at him, with that expression that says: "What is this Elf suddenly talking about?" Am I a fool?
"No... it's nothing. Oh, right, I just remembered. Al, do you have a younger brother...?"
── Crash!
"Bell-san!?"
A white-haired boy suddenly stood up with immense force and rushed out. Syr called to him, but he didn't listen and burst through the door. Yes, I had intended to ask if that boy was his brother.
But what happened? His state seemed strange to me. While I was thinking about it...
"── That boy who just left is my brother."
Al murmured that without me asking. Then, he gave me the money for his brother's meal, stopped the "Sword Princess" who intended to chase after him, and headed toward the large table.
"So they really are brothers. ── But I wonder what happened?"
I asked Anya, who was at the table where the "Iron-Biting Wolf" (Bete) was hanging from the ceiling by ropes. She said the boy rushed out as if he could no longer stand Bete's words, but the real reason remained unclear.
●○●○●
I run, I run, I run. Driven by intense emotions akin to anger, I run through the dark Dungeon, lit only by the faint glow of phosphorus.
To me, Bell Cranel, my brother Al Cranel was a true, flawless hero. Since I first became aware of my surroundings, my brother had protected me from bullies, from monsters, and from every kind of terror.
He wasn't just strong; he was compassionate and intelligent. The village elders always praised him, and I felt proud of that.
I thought we would live together forever—me, my brother, and my grandfather. But that dream shattered four years ago when my brother suddenly left the village. Grandfather said my brother went to Orario, the city of adventurers. I agreed immediately; no one deserved the title of adventurer more than my brother. I felt lonely, but I decided to support him in becoming a first-class adventurer.
Four years after he left, Grandfather departed this world. That was the spark that made me follow my brother to Orario.
At first, I thought about living by my own strength, but I quickly realized the impossibility of that; I learned how ignorant and helpless I was. Yet, I met a Goddess and managed to become an adventurer like my brother. The life of an adventurer was hard but worth it. I met a kind Goddess and Eina-san, and most importantly, I owe my life to the "Sword Princess" Ais Wallenstein. First love had found its way into my heart.
But ──
"Trash doesn't belong with Ais Wallenstein."
Yes, that is exactly right. Trash cannot stand beside the "Sword Princess." Only a hero like my brother is fit to stand by her. I heard that my brother had achieved brilliant success as an adventurer in just four years, known by the title "Sword Saint," serving as a pillar in the very Familia the "Sword Princess" belongs to.
"I want to become strong. Like my brother—no, even stronger than him!!"
This yearning for my brother Al Cranel and for my first love Ais Wallenstein is the reason I crave strength.
●○●○●
Damn it, I messed up. I got too busy talking to Ryuu and missed that scene.
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: Ryuu is the one who took over Al's combat training, and the Rudra Familia incident has been resolved; Al did not fail to protect Ryuu but instead defeated the Juggernaut).
《Equipment》
【Mistilteinn】 A special first-class weapon. A one-handed sword with the "Unbreakable" attribute. Its glowing emerald blade was forged from the hardest metals and rare drops from the Floor Boss "Balor."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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She was beauty itself—a manifestation of every concept of grace found upon the earth.
She stood as a living crystal of the highest aesthetic, commanding every earthly creature by her mere, enchanting presence. Hers was a violent beauty that stained all "values" with its own hue—a splendor no words in this world could truly capture.
This goddess was Freya, the sovereign of the Freya Familia, which stood as the rival pole to the Loki Familia.
"Truly, no matter how many times I look at it, his soul is captivating."
The smile gracing the goddess's face was not the derisive smirk she usually reserved for the denizens of the Lower World. It was a smile so sweet it could shatter human hearts, bright as a flower in full bloom. She looked like a maiden in love or a friend sharing a moment of deep affection.
Had any mortal known this smile was directed at a single individual, the other gods might have died of pure jealousy. The one who garnered this concentrated gaze of beauty was Al Cranel, a member of the Loki Familia—Freya's primary commercial and martial rival.
Freya murmured to herself, watching him with delight. She recalled the sensation she felt the moment he first arrived in Orario: his soul was truly exquisite. This had been her impression since their first encounter. It was the reason she could not stop herself from constantly testing him, yet he surpassed every trial and challenge she threw his way.
Materially and spiritually, Al was the only human whose foundation Freya could not shake.
"If his brother's radiance is a pure, stainless white, then his is a polished, abyssal black. They are truly fascinating brothers. I wonder why he chose someone like Loki? ── You would have been happy if he were in our own Familia, wouldn't you, Ottar?"
If one had to describe the man following the Goddess of Beauty like a submissive servant in a single word, it would be "Monolith." He possessed a body that looked like forged metal, and his eyes held a raging strength shrouded in still silence.
Above all, the aura this man emitted was more than ordinary humans could endure. Though he suppressed his power as a subordinate to the goddess, he harbored a majesty that would make even Level 5 adventurers lose their footing and drop their weapons in his overwhelming presence.
"With all due respect, I prefer the 'Sword Saint' to remain in the Loki Familia rather than be among us."
The man answered in a calm voice, showing no sign of being affected by the divine aura around him. Perhaps this composure stemmed from the knowledge that he was one of the strongest warriors in the world, reigning at the peak of Level 7—or perhaps it was proof of his absolute loyalty to the goddess before him.
Upon hearing the response from the man she called "Ottar," a playful smile played on Freya's lips.
"Oh? And why is that? I suspect you admire him too, don't you?"
"I do. But I prefer him as an opponent, not a comrade."
That majesty, oozing with a quiet fighting spirit, truly befitted the strongest of adventurers; Ottar could easily annihilate even the city's most famous first-tier adventurers.
Freya did not hesitate to tease Ottar with her smile, while he maintained his stony expression, continuing in a dry tone. These were his honest feelings. That young man, who had risen like a "Talent of Calamity" the moment he arrived in Orario—carrying the embers of the flames of the strongest god and most terrifying goddess of the past—possessed a vessel truly worthy of being the "Strongest." Ottar had decided to stand as the "Wall" before this rising hero.
Freya's smile deepened at his words.
"Heh, an answer that sounds just like you. Allen would likely be furious if he heard you."
"But it's true... Rather than him, who is nearly complete now, I deeply desire that as-yet-unfinished vessel: his younger brother."
Freya's grin widened as she spoke. Seeing this, Ottar bowed his head in silence; the words of this goddess were absolute law to him. Freya smiled with satisfaction at Ottar's submission.
●○●○●
Which person did the second-tier members of the Loki Familia fear above all others? Was it the violent Bete Loga, who never hesitated to call them trash? Or Tione Hiryute, who flared up like a raging fire if anyone interfered with her relationship with the Captain? No, it was neither of them.
The one the second-tier members feared most was the Loki Familia's ultimate striking force: the "Sword Saint," Al Cranel.
Most second-tier members were older than Al and had joined the Familia long before him; they could be considered veterans. Yet, none dared to address him by his name alone in the face of a combat style and growth rate that transcended known dimensions.
His eyes held a cold gaze, and he possessed a masculine beauty that charmed even goddesses. He had many admirers both inside and outside the faction, and his popularity rivaled that of Captain Finn. But for the second-tier members, seeing him felt like watching a true hero from another world, causing them to shrink back in awe.
When Raoul, the leader of the second-tier, learned that Bete Loga had insulted Al Cranel's younger brother—the person Bete himself feared second-most—Raoul wished he could simply faint from the horror of the situation.
The "Hostess of Fertility"—a pub where everyone was welcome, whether born and raised in this city or a complete stranger.
Though the prices were a bit steep, it was famous for its exceptional food. At this moment, the pub was completely packed, mostly with adventurers. They were all digging into massive plates piled high with meat and vegetables, gulping ale from large mugs.
Amidst the pub's roar, everyone's attention focused on a single point ── where a massive platter was set down with a heavy thud, carrying an enormous heap of fried vegetables.
Alongside that dish, thick slices of bacon and other plates followed in quick succession: herb-grilled meat dripping with fat and giant chunks of steak sitting in the middle of the table like small mountains. They were all rich, incredibly appetizing dishes.
"Oooooooooh!! Gareth!! Challenge me to a drinking contest!!"
"Hmph, fine. I'll defeat you and write the word 'Mino' (Bull) on your forehead!!"
"By the way, the winner gets the right to... mess with Riveria's chest however they want!!"
"── Whhaaaaaaaaat!?"
"I... I'll join too."
"Me as well!"
"And me!"
"Heh... count me in."
"Eh... Captain!"
"Ri... Riveria-sama...?"
"Sigh... let them talk nonsense."
These massive platters were being hauled to the group occupying the center of the pub. Today, the "Hostess of Fertility" had transformed into a celebration hall for the Loki Familia, marking their return from the expedition. The waitresses moved with brisk, frantic energy, complaining about the workload and the lack of time.
In the midst of this chaos, the young man who should have been the hero of the successful return sat alone at a side table meant for one. He ate his meal in his usual silence, not participating in the noise.
"Shouldn't you join the others?"
"Hm? Oh, Ryuu. It's fine. That loud atmosphere doesn't really suit me."
I knew that this young man, who murmured with a hint of loneliness, possessed a courage no one else had and an incomparable determination.
Four years ago, when I was just starting to get used to my job as a waitress at the pub, Syr brought him along during one of her forced attempts to reel in customers. Back then, I caught a glimpse in his eyes of my former self—when I sought revenge and slaughtered members of the Evils. I was terrified of this boy who was only twelve years old, despite being much younger than I.
Due to Syr's usual persistence, he began frequenting the pub regularly. I saw him gradually exhausting himself, just as I had been before Syr saved me, and I could no longer bear to watch. To make him a little stronger so he wouldn't meet his end, I used the excuse that "Syr likes him," revealed that I was a Level 4, and offered to train him.
I expected him to refuse, being a member of the great Loki Familia, but he agreed with startling simplicity. During our training, I was terrified again—this time by his sheer talent.
What he failed to do one hour, he mastered the next. His daily attribute growth wasn't just "growth"; it was a total evolution. His appearance and talent reminded me of "Silence" Alfia—the one I faced on the 17th day of the 18th floor during the Great Feud, where I broke before her overwhelming power.
Over time, I realized he wasn't someone who was arrogant about his talent, but a burgeoning hero striving hard to protect those around him. My fear of him vanished.
While I wanted to make him stronger, a part of me wished he would never have to fight at all. But the stronger he became, the more he threw himself into situations of extreme danger and certain death.
Now he speaks to me comfortably, though I think he was embarrassed at first by my mannerisms. He has become so strong that I would trust him with my back in the Labyrinth. He reached Level 4, just like me, in less than a year... it might be presumptuous, but I've come to think of him as a younger brother, and I hope he doesn't end up like I did.
We began practicing "Parallel Casting" inside the Dungeon because we couldn't do it on the streets of Orario. Half a year later, Jura—a remnant of the Evils who discovered I was "Gale Wind"—set a trap. I was accused of murder in the town of Rivira, and a warrant was issued for my arrest.
Despite being hunted by adventurers, he continued to believe in me. Together, we hunted the remnants of the Evils, but we were attacked by that cursed "Juggernaut," summoned by the Rudra Familia to recreate the nightmare of five years ago.
I thought we couldn't win as two Level 4s against an opponent that the entire Astraea Familia couldn't face together. I tried to make him escape, but he refused. Despite his fatal wounds, he never lost his will to fight; he looked like "Alise" to me, not himself, thanks to his fire magic.
It was a bitter fight, and we gave it everything we had. He protected me, defeated the Juggernaut while on the brink of death, and leveled up to Level 5. Our training ended there. Now, years later, he has reached Level 7, just like "Silence" Alfia, and he still works as hard as ever.
Ah, truly──
"You are a person worthy of respect."
"Huh?"
── The words slipped out of my mouth unintentionally. How embarrassing. Look at him, with that expression that says: "What is this Elf suddenly talking about?" Am I a fool?
"No... it's nothing. Oh, right, I just remembered. Al, do you have a younger brother...?"
── Crash!
"Bell-san!?"
A white-haired boy suddenly stood up with immense force and rushed out. Syr called to him, but he didn't listen and burst through the door. Yes, I had intended to ask if that boy was his brother.
But what happened? His state seemed strange to me. While I was thinking about it...
"── That boy who just left is my brother."
Al murmured that without me asking. Then, he gave me the money for his brother's meal, stopped the "Sword Princess" who intended to chase after him, and headed toward the large table.
"So they really are brothers. ── But I wonder what happened?"
I asked Anya, who was at the table where the "Iron-Biting Wolf" (Bete) was hanging from the ceiling by ropes. She said the boy rushed out as if he could no longer stand Bete's words, but the real reason remained unclear.
●○●○●
I run, I run, I run. Driven by intense emotions akin to anger, I run through the dark Dungeon, lit only by the faint glow of phosphorus.
To me, Bell Cranel, my brother Al Cranel was a true, flawless hero. Since I first became aware of my surroundings, my brother had protected me from bullies, from monsters, and from every kind of terror.
He wasn't just strong; he was compassionate and intelligent. The village elders always praised him, and I felt proud of that.
I thought we would live together forever—me, my brother, and my grandfather. But that dream shattered four years ago when my brother suddenly left the village. Grandfather said my brother went to Orario, the city of adventurers. I agreed immediately; no one deserved the title of adventurer more than my brother. I felt lonely, but I decided to support him in becoming a first-class adventurer.
Four years after he left, Grandfather departed this world. That was the spark that made me follow my brother to Orario.
At first, I thought about living by my own strength, but I quickly realized the impossibility of that; I learned how ignorant and helpless I was. Yet, I met a Goddess and managed to become an adventurer like my brother. The life of an adventurer was hard but worth it. I met a kind Goddess and Eina-san, and most importantly, I owe my life to the "Sword Princess" Ais Wallenstein. First love had found its way into my heart.
But ──
"Trash doesn't belong with Ais Wallenstein."
Yes, that is exactly right. Trash cannot stand beside the "Sword Princess." Only a hero like my brother is fit to stand by her. I heard that my brother had achieved brilliant success as an adventurer in just four years, known by the title "Sword Saint," serving as a pillar in the very Familia the "Sword Princess" belongs to.
"I want to become strong. Like my brother—no, even stronger than him!!"
This yearning for my brother Al Cranel and for my first love Ais Wallenstein is the reason I crave strength.
●○●○●
Damn it, I messed up. I got too busy talking to Ryuu and missed that scene.
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: Ryuu is the one who took over Al's combat training, and the Rudra Familia incident has been resolved; Al did not fail to protect Ryuu but instead defeated the Juggernaut).
《Equipment》
【Mistilteinn】 A special first-class weapon. A one-handed sword with the "Unbreakable" attribute. Its glowing emerald blade was forged from the hardest metals and rare drops from the Floor Boss "Balor."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 5 : Bete: Suicide Squad Leader and Official Monitor of the Al-Ais Relationship
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To me, Bete Loga, that guy Al Cranel looked like a mirror reflecting my own past.
Four years ago, when Loki brought him in looking like a complete wreck, his eyes reminded me of myself—back when I was a raging mess because I couldn't protect what I cherished most and ended up the sole survivor.
He pursued strength with a ferocity that matched mine, perhaps even surpassed it. He paid no mind to the advice of "the old man" or Loki, diving into Dungeon floors far beyond his level and fighting with a style that showed zero regard for his own safety. He glared at everything with a gaze hiding a hunger like a starving beast, training until he pushed past his physical limits. It felt as though he was burning through his very lifespan day by day.
He never once returned from the Dungeon without injuries; every time, he came back gasping his final breaths. I don't know how many times he teetered between life and death, nor how much blood he coughed up or bled out. Yet, he never stopped.
Even when a group of failure Level 2 adventurers, nursing a grudge against the Loki Familia, cornered him, Al didn't give in. He fought them tooth and nail until the very end, managing to subdue those scumbags even while he was covered in wounds.
When I mocked his wretched appearance, he answered:
"The winner always resides within the essence of the defeated, and I will prove that to the world."
Faced with that aura, I couldn't utter a word. And he did it; he proved himself and achieved a Great Feat just as he promised.
Despite being a Level 1, he protected his Familia members from an "Enhanced Species" that even high-level adventurers couldn't defeat. He claimed victory while standing on the brink of death.
Scumbags claim that Al's leveling speed—the fastest in Orario's history—is due solely to his innate talent, but that is just nonsense spread by those who didn't witness that battle. After receiving the report from his teammates who had fled, I—a Level 4 at the time—headed out with the Amazon sisters, Finn, and Gareth to rescue him. I didn't think he'd still be alive, but the scene I saw there will never leave my memory.
I saw Al there, facing an Enhanced Species "Infant Dragon" alone to protect his comrades. That fight didn't resemble the noble stories of heroes; it was an ugly struggle, drenched in mud. He didn't overcome the level gap by a miracle; he used the weapons left behind by those who abandoned him, scratching away at the scales of a dragon twice his size over and over until he delivered the finishing blow. It was a surprise thrust where he used lightning magic as a trap, fully aware he would electrocute himself in the process.
It was a pathetic way to fight against an opponent that outclassed him in every way, but he didn't surrender. He poured everything his soul had to offer into defeating someone stronger, proving to everyone that he was indeed "the winner born from defeat."
The relationship between Al and Ais began to solidify when they reached Level 4 and Level 5, respectively, and his title changed from "Sword Ghoul" to "Sword Saint."
Watching the recklessly innocent Ais and the Al who saves her while committing his own follies felt painfully brilliant to me. It was like a film reel of my old memories with my childhood friend before the "King of the Plains" annihilated our village. The only difference is that Al, unlike me, managed to protect Ais even while coughing up blood.
As for me, I just kept losing everything—my sister, my childhood friend, my lover... I lost everyone who stood by me.
Half a year ago, during a break on the return path of an expedition, "Balor"—a Floor Boss sub-species—appeared as an irregular. Al fought the battle alone to clear a path for us to escape, and he ended up killing it. Yes, to Al, even I am someone who needs protection.
"Don't mess with me! Don't you dare mock me, you bastard!! I'm not so weak that someone like you needs to protect me!! The person you should be protecting isn't me or Finn—it's her! It's Ais!!"
Leave the others behind. No matter how strong you are, if you aren't there at the critical moment, you won't save anyone. So, never leave Ais's side.
You... you aren't trash, but you aren't a hero who can save everyone either. You're just a kid who gained power. So, for that very reason.
"You must become the hero for Ais alone... do it at any cost."
●○●○●
The sorrow isn't enough.
When was the last time I made someone drown in a sea of grief? Half a year ago? At this rate, I'll starve. Damn it, isn't there a suitable "Elf" somewhere?
The next event is... ah, the "Philia" festival, where monsters escape and "Viola" (Man-eating flowers) appear, right? I don't remember the details perfectly, but Bell is going to fight that escaped "Silverback," so I have to make sure I don't kill it. Oh, wait, I'll be in the Dungeon that day anyway—I have business with the "Xenos."
"Hey, you. Is that tomato-headed brat really your brother?"
"Tomato-head... you mean Bell? Yes, he is. What about it?"
It's Bete. He seemed drunk yesterday. Apparently, he mocked Bell quite a bit just like in the original story, but he doesn't use that harsh tone with me. This Bete.
You can be harsher with me, you know. The death of a "tsundere" who is unable to be honest with his feelings, leaving everyone drowning in sorrow, is quite delicious.
"Tch, nothing."
He walked away with his hands in his pockets. I wonder what he wanted.
●○●○●
"Stop right there, kid. You, yeah, the one with the white hair."
On the sixth floor of the Dungeon, Bete—who had dived into the labyrinth to sober up—ran into the boy he had mocked the day before: Bell Cranel. The boy looked ragged, but he didn't have any obvious wounds. Since he had dived alone into the sixth floor, where monsters difficult for beginners like "War Shadows" appear, he was doing fairly well.
(This kid... his movements are completely different from when he was running from the Minotaur. You can't achieve this kind of growth in a few days, no matter how you look at it.)
That momentary flash of dagger proficiency required specific basic abilities. Bete himself had the natural instinct to do that from the start, but the boy before him lacked that innate weapon talent. For an ordinary person to do what geniuses do, the only way is to raise their basic abilities—something that cannot be reached in just a few days.
Seeing those movements sparked a sense of déjà vu. The boy's image overlapped with that of the "Sword Ghoul" before he became the "Sword Saint"—the one who grew stronger at an accelerated pace every day despite being covered in wounds.
"You're the tomato-head who ran from Ais back then. What are you doing here, you piece of trash who doesn't even deserve the title of adventurer after cowardly fleeing from a Minotaur? This floor isn't a place for a rookie to wander alone."
Bete had seen plenty of trash die like dogs on floors that didn't suit them, simply because their blood boiled over someone's mockery. Was this kid just another hopeless piece of trash, or was he something else?
"You heard what I said at the pub, didn't you? Do you want me to repeat it? No matter how recklessly someone at your level tries, you'll never reach the level of the 'Sword Princess' Ais Wallenstein."
"I know that! I know that what I've built is completely different from what Ais-san and the others have built. My effort, my experience, my resolve... I lack everything. But even so, I can't just stand still!!"
"I want... I want to become strong! I can't forgive myself if I stay weak like this... I can't forgive the version of me that just waited for something to happen without doing anything!!"
He shouted right in my face. And again, his image overlapped with "that person" from four years ago. Normally, it's impossible for a mere rookie to raise his voice like that to a first-class, high-level adventurer like Bete Loga.
"That was quite a speech, but I've seen plenty of trash who are all talk. You're definitely one of them."
Bete delivered a kick to the boy's stomach. Although he held back his strength, it was still a kick from a Level 5. Since the boy couldn't even react and took it directly, his insides must have flared with agony. He was now suffering from a pain that prevented him from even standing.
Originally, Bete hadn't intended to interfere. No matter if this boy was "that person's" brother, he wasn't a member of his Familia, and he didn't care where the kid died like a dog.
But he had shouted—with the same eyes "that person" had back then. And even now, though he was writhing in pain on the floor, the light in his eyes hadn't gone out yet.
"Ugh... ah..."
He actually stood up. He endured pain that a rookie at the start of Level 1 shouldn't be able to bear, and he pointed his dagger at Bete with trembling hands.
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!"
"Heh... fine. I'll acknowledge you as that guy's brother."
The boy swung his dagger with all his might as if he'd forgotten his opponent was human, but their shadows didn't cross. This time, Bete's kick was gentler to avoid causing injury, but it was a kick with Level 5 precision that caught his jaw, sending the boy down like a doll with its strings cut.
"If you really want to get strong, then get back up. I'll turn you into a real adventurer... Bell Cranel."
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: In this work, Bete Loga has become Bell's private instructor instead of Ais. Their combat styles are similar, and Bete is a better teacher than Ais. Also, Bete in this work does not harbor romantic feelings for Ais. And if Al dies, Bete will drown in a massive sea of sorrow).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Four years ago, when Loki brought him in looking like a complete wreck, his eyes reminded me of myself—back when I was a raging mess because I couldn't protect what I cherished most and ended up the sole survivor.
He pursued strength with a ferocity that matched mine, perhaps even surpassed it. He paid no mind to the advice of "the old man" or Loki, diving into Dungeon floors far beyond his level and fighting with a style that showed zero regard for his own safety. He glared at everything with a gaze hiding a hunger like a starving beast, training until he pushed past his physical limits. It felt as though he was burning through his very lifespan day by day.
He never once returned from the Dungeon without injuries; every time, he came back gasping his final breaths. I don't know how many times he teetered between life and death, nor how much blood he coughed up or bled out. Yet, he never stopped.
Even when a group of failure Level 2 adventurers, nursing a grudge against the Loki Familia, cornered him, Al didn't give in. He fought them tooth and nail until the very end, managing to subdue those scumbags even while he was covered in wounds.
When I mocked his wretched appearance, he answered:
"The winner always resides within the essence of the defeated, and I will prove that to the world."
Faced with that aura, I couldn't utter a word. And he did it; he proved himself and achieved a Great Feat just as he promised.
Despite being a Level 1, he protected his Familia members from an "Enhanced Species" that even high-level adventurers couldn't defeat. He claimed victory while standing on the brink of death.
Scumbags claim that Al's leveling speed—the fastest in Orario's history—is due solely to his innate talent, but that is just nonsense spread by those who didn't witness that battle. After receiving the report from his teammates who had fled, I—a Level 4 at the time—headed out with the Amazon sisters, Finn, and Gareth to rescue him. I didn't think he'd still be alive, but the scene I saw there will never leave my memory.
I saw Al there, facing an Enhanced Species "Infant Dragon" alone to protect his comrades. That fight didn't resemble the noble stories of heroes; it was an ugly struggle, drenched in mud. He didn't overcome the level gap by a miracle; he used the weapons left behind by those who abandoned him, scratching away at the scales of a dragon twice his size over and over until he delivered the finishing blow. It was a surprise thrust where he used lightning magic as a trap, fully aware he would electrocute himself in the process.
It was a pathetic way to fight against an opponent that outclassed him in every way, but he didn't surrender. He poured everything his soul had to offer into defeating someone stronger, proving to everyone that he was indeed "the winner born from defeat."
The relationship between Al and Ais began to solidify when they reached Level 4 and Level 5, respectively, and his title changed from "Sword Ghoul" to "Sword Saint."
Watching the recklessly innocent Ais and the Al who saves her while committing his own follies felt painfully brilliant to me. It was like a film reel of my old memories with my childhood friend before the "King of the Plains" annihilated our village. The only difference is that Al, unlike me, managed to protect Ais even while coughing up blood.
As for me, I just kept losing everything—my sister, my childhood friend, my lover... I lost everyone who stood by me.
Half a year ago, during a break on the return path of an expedition, "Balor"—a Floor Boss sub-species—appeared as an irregular. Al fought the battle alone to clear a path for us to escape, and he ended up killing it. Yes, to Al, even I am someone who needs protection.
"Don't mess with me! Don't you dare mock me, you bastard!! I'm not so weak that someone like you needs to protect me!! The person you should be protecting isn't me or Finn—it's her! It's Ais!!"
Leave the others behind. No matter how strong you are, if you aren't there at the critical moment, you won't save anyone. So, never leave Ais's side.
You... you aren't trash, but you aren't a hero who can save everyone either. You're just a kid who gained power. So, for that very reason.
"You must become the hero for Ais alone... do it at any cost."
●○●○●
The sorrow isn't enough.
When was the last time I made someone drown in a sea of grief? Half a year ago? At this rate, I'll starve. Damn it, isn't there a suitable "Elf" somewhere?
The next event is... ah, the "Philia" festival, where monsters escape and "Viola" (Man-eating flowers) appear, right? I don't remember the details perfectly, but Bell is going to fight that escaped "Silverback," so I have to make sure I don't kill it. Oh, wait, I'll be in the Dungeon that day anyway—I have business with the "Xenos."
"Hey, you. Is that tomato-headed brat really your brother?"
"Tomato-head... you mean Bell? Yes, he is. What about it?"
It's Bete. He seemed drunk yesterday. Apparently, he mocked Bell quite a bit just like in the original story, but he doesn't use that harsh tone with me. This Bete.
You can be harsher with me, you know. The death of a "tsundere" who is unable to be honest with his feelings, leaving everyone drowning in sorrow, is quite delicious.
"Tch, nothing."
He walked away with his hands in his pockets. I wonder what he wanted.
●○●○●
"Stop right there, kid. You, yeah, the one with the white hair."
On the sixth floor of the Dungeon, Bete—who had dived into the labyrinth to sober up—ran into the boy he had mocked the day before: Bell Cranel. The boy looked ragged, but he didn't have any obvious wounds. Since he had dived alone into the sixth floor, where monsters difficult for beginners like "War Shadows" appear, he was doing fairly well.
(This kid... his movements are completely different from when he was running from the Minotaur. You can't achieve this kind of growth in a few days, no matter how you look at it.)
That momentary flash of dagger proficiency required specific basic abilities. Bete himself had the natural instinct to do that from the start, but the boy before him lacked that innate weapon talent. For an ordinary person to do what geniuses do, the only way is to raise their basic abilities—something that cannot be reached in just a few days.
Seeing those movements sparked a sense of déjà vu. The boy's image overlapped with that of the "Sword Ghoul" before he became the "Sword Saint"—the one who grew stronger at an accelerated pace every day despite being covered in wounds.
"You're the tomato-head who ran from Ais back then. What are you doing here, you piece of trash who doesn't even deserve the title of adventurer after cowardly fleeing from a Minotaur? This floor isn't a place for a rookie to wander alone."
Bete had seen plenty of trash die like dogs on floors that didn't suit them, simply because their blood boiled over someone's mockery. Was this kid just another hopeless piece of trash, or was he something else?
"You heard what I said at the pub, didn't you? Do you want me to repeat it? No matter how recklessly someone at your level tries, you'll never reach the level of the 'Sword Princess' Ais Wallenstein."
"I know that! I know that what I've built is completely different from what Ais-san and the others have built. My effort, my experience, my resolve... I lack everything. But even so, I can't just stand still!!"
"I want... I want to become strong! I can't forgive myself if I stay weak like this... I can't forgive the version of me that just waited for something to happen without doing anything!!"
He shouted right in my face. And again, his image overlapped with "that person" from four years ago. Normally, it's impossible for a mere rookie to raise his voice like that to a first-class, high-level adventurer like Bete Loga.
"That was quite a speech, but I've seen plenty of trash who are all talk. You're definitely one of them."
Bete delivered a kick to the boy's stomach. Although he held back his strength, it was still a kick from a Level 5. Since the boy couldn't even react and took it directly, his insides must have flared with agony. He was now suffering from a pain that prevented him from even standing.
Originally, Bete hadn't intended to interfere. No matter if this boy was "that person's" brother, he wasn't a member of his Familia, and he didn't care where the kid died like a dog.
But he had shouted—with the same eyes "that person" had back then. And even now, though he was writhing in pain on the floor, the light in his eyes hadn't gone out yet.
"Ugh... ah..."
He actually stood up. He endured pain that a rookie at the start of Level 1 shouldn't be able to bear, and he pointed his dagger at Bete with trembling hands.
"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!"
"Heh... fine. I'll acknowledge you as that guy's brother."
The boy swung his dagger with all his might as if he'd forgotten his opponent was human, but their shadows didn't cross. This time, Bete's kick was gentler to avoid causing injury, but it was a kick with Level 5 precision that caught his jaw, sending the boy down like a doll with its strings cut.
"If you really want to get strong, then get back up. I'll turn you into a real adventurer... Bell Cranel."
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: In this work, Bete Loga has become Bell's private instructor instead of Ais. Their combat styles are similar, and Bete is a better teacher than Ais. Also, Bete in this work does not harbor romantic feelings for Ais. And if Al dies, Bete will drown in a massive sea of sorrow).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Chapter 6 : Monsterphilia and the Banquet of Beasts
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The Hephaestus Familia stands as the premier faction specializing in blacksmithing, boasting numerous master smiths who carry prestigious titles. Under the leadership of the Goddess of Smithing, Hephaestus, this Familia—alongside the Goibniu Familia—reigns over the most elite workshops in Orario. Indeed, the vast majority of equipment used by first-tier adventurers originates from one of these two houses.
Tsubaki Collbrande, the captain of the Familia and a formidable Level 5 warrior, was on the verge of completing a masterpiece she had begun nearly six months ago.
Utilizing a Spirit Furnace capable of melting even the most refined and resilient metals, Tsubaki immersed herself in a frantic, almost maddened state of work. Even as the searing heat scorched her skin, she did not falter. Goddess Hephaestus had tried to dissuade her many times, yet Tsubaki's desire to reach heights rivaling the skill of the gods pushed her forward. She used the base material entrusted to her, reinforcing it with rare metals and precious drops from deep-floor monsters to forge a sword beyond compare.
The core material forming the heart of this blade was a scale from the rebellious One-Eyed Black Dragon.
That dragon remains one of the Three Great Calamities that emerged from the Great Chasm in ancient times. It is part of the Three Great Quests that have inflicted agony upon the world for millennia—the very catastrophe that dealt a crushing defeat to the Zeus and Hera Familias, the strongest factions of the old era.
Refining a sword from scales that store such Raging Power would pique the curiosity of any natural-born smith.
The ultimate question remained: what heights would this sword reach when wielded by its owner—the client who brought those scales lost in ancient battles? That client was Al Cranel, the strongest swordsman of the current age. Now, the time for an answer had come.
"It is finally complete."
The sword finally stood finished. Its blade was pitch black, as if swallowing the light itself, while the hilt featured engravings of pure Mithril—a metal superior to all others in conducting magical energy. It was a grand sword that combined the properties of a weapon with those of a magic staff, a piece without equal in the Lower World.
If the dagger Goddess Hephaestus was currently forging with her own divine blood represented the "pinnacle of unconventional methods," then this sword was the "pinnacle of the orthodox style." It was a unique artifact polished by pure human skill without the intervention of divine power or miracles, pushed to the absolute limits of mastery.
As Tsubaki contemplated her greatest masterpiece, into which she had poured her very soul, a spontaneous smile crossed her face. She could not suppress the excitement tightening her heart as she imagined that young man swinging this sword against monsters.
The dark majesty radiating from this black-bladed sword made one imagine that any ordinary user might drop dead just by holding it. Its maker was certain that no weapon in Orario surpassed its power.
"The name... yes, let it be Balmung."
She drew inspiration from the sword carried by a legendary hero said to be the greatest dragon slayer of the pre-divine era, hoping the owner of this blade could slay the One-Eyed Black Dragon.
"Well, I shall show it to the Goddess first."
Confident that her sword surpassed the dagger the Goddess was currently making for her friend, Tsubaki Collbrande began to drag her exhausted, burn-covered body across the floor.
── Naturally, before she could receive any appraisal of her sword, she was rushed to the Dian Cecht Familia headquarters for medical treatment.
●○●○●
Monsterphilia is the largest annual festival in Orario, organized by the Ganesha Familia. During the event, monsters tamed by the Familia members are put on display, making it the only opportunity for common citizens to see creatures they otherwise never encounter.
Consequently, the city streets were choked with people today. As sweet music echoed through the air, stalls appeared everywhere selling rare foods available only on this day, alongside various games for children.
The crimes typical of such massive gatherings were almost non-existent, thanks to the heavy security provided by the Ganesha Familia's elite, consisting of second-tier adventurers and above. Amidst this boisterous celebratory atmosphere, a lone girl with a somber expression walked down the main street.
Despite her breathtaking beauty, which drew the eyes of passersby who knew her as the "Sword Princess," she did not notice. She kept walking with her head bowed.
"I lost track of Loki..."
Ais Wallenstein was absentmindedly eating red bean cream-flavored fried potato puffs—Jagamaru-kun—instead of trying the rare delicacies available.
Normally, Ais didn't care for such events, but she had been chosen as Loki's guard for her meeting with Goddess Freya. While they were walking together, the crowd separated them, and she had lost her.
Wandering alone didn't bother her, but finding Loki in this chaos was nearly impossible.
(What do I do now?)
She found no trace of anyone resembling Loki nearby. Even if she succeeded in catching up, she felt there was little point in wandering with her now. Since she was on a guard mission, she couldn't return home of her own volition.
More importantly, she didn't know how to search for a specific person in this sea of humanity. Thus, Ais decided to keep walking through the city without a specific destination.
(Where could Al be right now?)
This morning, Ais had gathered her courage and entered Al's room to invite him to walk the festival together, but he wasn't there. Feeling a sense of emptiness, she had agreed to accompany Loki instead.
Al was rarely at the Familia headquarters; he was usually in the Dungeon or visiting Familias he knew. She sighed as she bought an extra bag of potato puffs, wondering if he was with Tiona or one of the girls from the other Familias. A slight tightness gripped her chest.
"I wanted to walk with Al..."
Only 15 minutes remained until the monsters escaped and the Man-eating Flowers began their rampage.
●○●○●
In the lower floors of the Dungeon, in an undiscovered region, sat a protected artificial cave that looked like a natural part of the environment—a location impossible to find for anyone following the usual paths. There, monsters from various floors—upper, middle, and lower—gathered, a phenomenon that never occurs naturally.
These monsters differed from ordinary ones in two ways: some wore armor like adventurers, and more importantly, their eyes overflowed with an intelligence and wisdom unfitting for wild beasts.
They are the Xenos—monsters who gained consciousness because they were born in the dark depths of the Dungeon, yet carried a yearning for the Surface in their hearts. They behave like humans, in organized groups, and their gathering place now was a vast chamber they called "The Hidden Village."
They circled a large fire, sharing meaty fruits, aged drinks, and crystal candies in a loud, boisterous manner. If an adventurer saw them, they would describe the scene as a banquet of beasts. Amidst those strange creatures sat a single human.
"I apologize, Lido. I brought nothing but ale, yet you've welcomed me with such warmth."
"Hahaha! Our friend Al has come! No need to say a word. Everyone started preparing to welcome you as soon as they knew you were coming. Even Gross was very excited!"
The one speaking to Al was Lido, a Lizardman with red scales. He was the strongest among the Xenos, possessing power rivaling a first-tier adventurer, and served as their de facto leader. Al shrugged with a faint smile at Lido's words.
"But are you sure about being here, Al? Fels said the Surface is holding the 'Monsterphilia' festival right now?"
"That person... he keeps nothing to himself. ── Don't worry about it. Those kinds of events don't interest me. Besides, it's a festival to watch monsters tamed by the Ganesha Familia, and that doesn't concern me."
Al's relationship with the Xenos began about a year ago when he saved a group speaking the human tongue who were being hunted by Udaeus monsters in the White Palace on the 37th floor.
Since then, Al had made it a habit to visit them regularly. Despite his cold nature, he treated them with fairness and respect. As they were persecuted by both humans and their own kind of ordinary monsters, everyone quickly grew to love him.
Al gave them a somewhat embarrassed smile, then presented the bottles of liquor he had brought.
Immediately, cheers of joy erupted from Lido and the rest of the monsters as they crowded around the drinks with great delight.
"Master Al, come over here!" "Play with us!" "Look at this chess set you brought before!" "Kih kih!" "Yum, delicious!" "Sweet taste!" "Watch my sword skills, I've improved a bit!" "Eat more!" "It's unfair that Lido gets to use the Black Udaeus Sword!"
These beings do not just possess a yearning for the Surface; they are loyal to their instincts in a positive way and are far purer than humans. They express their gratitude to their first human friend, who saved them, with absolute sincerity.
"Let's leave those things for later. I came today regarding the mission Uranus entrusted to me."
── These companions are so pure, and that helps me. They are kinder and more innocent than many humans. Drowning them in sorrow will be easier than drowning the most sensitive Elf. I will help you with all my power to integrate with humans and reach the Surface as long as I live. So, when I die, remember to drown in great grief for me.
But where will my final place be, I wonder? I nearly died before the Black Goliath to cloud Ais's mind with fear, and I protected Tiona from Udaeus to achieve the same. I can trigger feelings of sorrow in them without dying. But that no longer satisfies me. I want to create the perfect scene in the perfect environment and die a magnificent death that leaves an eternal scar on everyone's hearts. Losing a battle on purpose would ruin my enjoyment; I want to fight with all my strength, protect everyone with all my strength, and then die afterward ── and for this desired goal, I reached Level 7, which makes even Floor Bosses trivial opponents.
No, that's just an excuse. I became this strong only so I could die in this world. My desire has been one and the same from the beginning. It hasn't changed since the moment I entered the Labyrinth. I don't wish to be a hero, nor do I seek it.
── I just want to drown everyone in a sea of sorrow when I leave.
While I was lost in my thoughts, I found myself back on the surface.
"Whoa, Al-kun, are you lost in thought?"
Shut up, Hermes. Do you want me to pluck out your hair, strip you naked, and leave you tied up in Daedalus Street?
"── What do you want?"
"Haha, nothing much... it's about your brother, Bell-kun."
"Between you and him, which of you is the 'Last Hero' that Zeus, Erebus, and Alfia spoke of?"
Ah, this nonsense again. As expected, it's annoying. Honestly, I don't care about "saving the world" at all.
The One-Eyed Black Dragon? The destruction of the Lower World? The final floor of the Dungeon? Don't tire me with talk of what happens after I die. It's enough for me to drown everyone in sorrow and die in peace. Besides, I think the "Last Hero" doesn't carry the meaning you imagine.
"Who knows. I have no interest in such trivia... if that's all you have, excuse me."
I really don't care. I don't care about my brother, nor what the world becomes. I'll leave those things to Bell, the original hero of the story.
All that occupies my mind is clouding the hearts of Ais and the others with sorrow. And I have no time to waste with you, for I loathe gods who smile constantly like you do—your capacity to drown in sorrow is far too low.
"How cold of you. I was the one who delivered the 'Scale' sent by Zeus to you, wasn't I? ── By the way, it seems Goddess Freya has her eye on him. Are you satisfied with that? If you wish, I can intervene to restrain her."
That doesn't interest me either. That flirtatious goddess was doing things that benefited Bell in the beginning anyway. Besides, you don't have the power to do anything about Freya.
She too is unfit to taste the flavor of sorrow, so she is boring. I would rather she use her charm magic to erase my memories from the minds of Ais and the others, as she did to Bell in the original story, just so I can restore them the moment before my death and drown them in indescribable grief.
In any case, that goddess is of no concern to me.
"No need for that. He is my brother. He won't be charmed by someone like Freya."
"── !!"
"If you understand, then stay out of my business."
"── So, you are determined not to become a 'Hero Made by the Gods' no matter what."
"Don't misunderstand. I've had no desire to be a hero from the start."
But, if it will make you all drown in sorrow, then I don't mind facing the Black Dragon.
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: The Xenos are more innocent and loyal than humans, so their suffering will be much more intense if their hero who protected them dies. Al puts a great deal of effort into winning everyone's affection, solely to increase the scale of the tragedy and sorrow he will leave behind upon his death).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get early access to 80 advanced chapters on Patreon!
[80 chapters ]
For iOS users thinking about subbing: use the web version instead. Apple Store taxes your subscriptions 30%! Using web is cheaper!
Tsubaki Collbrande, the captain of the Familia and a formidable Level 5 warrior, was on the verge of completing a masterpiece she had begun nearly six months ago.
Utilizing a Spirit Furnace capable of melting even the most refined and resilient metals, Tsubaki immersed herself in a frantic, almost maddened state of work. Even as the searing heat scorched her skin, she did not falter. Goddess Hephaestus had tried to dissuade her many times, yet Tsubaki's desire to reach heights rivaling the skill of the gods pushed her forward. She used the base material entrusted to her, reinforcing it with rare metals and precious drops from deep-floor monsters to forge a sword beyond compare.
The core material forming the heart of this blade was a scale from the rebellious One-Eyed Black Dragon.
That dragon remains one of the Three Great Calamities that emerged from the Great Chasm in ancient times. It is part of the Three Great Quests that have inflicted agony upon the world for millennia—the very catastrophe that dealt a crushing defeat to the Zeus and Hera Familias, the strongest factions of the old era.
Refining a sword from scales that store such Raging Power would pique the curiosity of any natural-born smith.
The ultimate question remained: what heights would this sword reach when wielded by its owner—the client who brought those scales lost in ancient battles? That client was Al Cranel, the strongest swordsman of the current age. Now, the time for an answer had come.
"It is finally complete."
The sword finally stood finished. Its blade was pitch black, as if swallowing the light itself, while the hilt featured engravings of pure Mithril—a metal superior to all others in conducting magical energy. It was a grand sword that combined the properties of a weapon with those of a magic staff, a piece without equal in the Lower World.
If the dagger Goddess Hephaestus was currently forging with her own divine blood represented the "pinnacle of unconventional methods," then this sword was the "pinnacle of the orthodox style." It was a unique artifact polished by pure human skill without the intervention of divine power or miracles, pushed to the absolute limits of mastery.
As Tsubaki contemplated her greatest masterpiece, into which she had poured her very soul, a spontaneous smile crossed her face. She could not suppress the excitement tightening her heart as she imagined that young man swinging this sword against monsters.
The dark majesty radiating from this black-bladed sword made one imagine that any ordinary user might drop dead just by holding it. Its maker was certain that no weapon in Orario surpassed its power.
"The name... yes, let it be Balmung."
She drew inspiration from the sword carried by a legendary hero said to be the greatest dragon slayer of the pre-divine era, hoping the owner of this blade could slay the One-Eyed Black Dragon.
"Well, I shall show it to the Goddess first."
Confident that her sword surpassed the dagger the Goddess was currently making for her friend, Tsubaki Collbrande began to drag her exhausted, burn-covered body across the floor.
── Naturally, before she could receive any appraisal of her sword, she was rushed to the Dian Cecht Familia headquarters for medical treatment.
●○●○●
Monsterphilia is the largest annual festival in Orario, organized by the Ganesha Familia. During the event, monsters tamed by the Familia members are put on display, making it the only opportunity for common citizens to see creatures they otherwise never encounter.
Consequently, the city streets were choked with people today. As sweet music echoed through the air, stalls appeared everywhere selling rare foods available only on this day, alongside various games for children.
The crimes typical of such massive gatherings were almost non-existent, thanks to the heavy security provided by the Ganesha Familia's elite, consisting of second-tier adventurers and above. Amidst this boisterous celebratory atmosphere, a lone girl with a somber expression walked down the main street.
Despite her breathtaking beauty, which drew the eyes of passersby who knew her as the "Sword Princess," she did not notice. She kept walking with her head bowed.
"I lost track of Loki..."
Ais Wallenstein was absentmindedly eating red bean cream-flavored fried potato puffs—Jagamaru-kun—instead of trying the rare delicacies available.
Normally, Ais didn't care for such events, but she had been chosen as Loki's guard for her meeting with Goddess Freya. While they were walking together, the crowd separated them, and she had lost her.
Wandering alone didn't bother her, but finding Loki in this chaos was nearly impossible.
(What do I do now?)
She found no trace of anyone resembling Loki nearby. Even if she succeeded in catching up, she felt there was little point in wandering with her now. Since she was on a guard mission, she couldn't return home of her own volition.
More importantly, she didn't know how to search for a specific person in this sea of humanity. Thus, Ais decided to keep walking through the city without a specific destination.
(Where could Al be right now?)
This morning, Ais had gathered her courage and entered Al's room to invite him to walk the festival together, but he wasn't there. Feeling a sense of emptiness, she had agreed to accompany Loki instead.
Al was rarely at the Familia headquarters; he was usually in the Dungeon or visiting Familias he knew. She sighed as she bought an extra bag of potato puffs, wondering if he was with Tiona or one of the girls from the other Familias. A slight tightness gripped her chest.
"I wanted to walk with Al..."
Only 15 minutes remained until the monsters escaped and the Man-eating Flowers began their rampage.
●○●○●
In the lower floors of the Dungeon, in an undiscovered region, sat a protected artificial cave that looked like a natural part of the environment—a location impossible to find for anyone following the usual paths. There, monsters from various floors—upper, middle, and lower—gathered, a phenomenon that never occurs naturally.
These monsters differed from ordinary ones in two ways: some wore armor like adventurers, and more importantly, their eyes overflowed with an intelligence and wisdom unfitting for wild beasts.
They are the Xenos—monsters who gained consciousness because they were born in the dark depths of the Dungeon, yet carried a yearning for the Surface in their hearts. They behave like humans, in organized groups, and their gathering place now was a vast chamber they called "The Hidden Village."
They circled a large fire, sharing meaty fruits, aged drinks, and crystal candies in a loud, boisterous manner. If an adventurer saw them, they would describe the scene as a banquet of beasts. Amidst those strange creatures sat a single human.
"I apologize, Lido. I brought nothing but ale, yet you've welcomed me with such warmth."
"Hahaha! Our friend Al has come! No need to say a word. Everyone started preparing to welcome you as soon as they knew you were coming. Even Gross was very excited!"
The one speaking to Al was Lido, a Lizardman with red scales. He was the strongest among the Xenos, possessing power rivaling a first-tier adventurer, and served as their de facto leader. Al shrugged with a faint smile at Lido's words.
"But are you sure about being here, Al? Fels said the Surface is holding the 'Monsterphilia' festival right now?"
"That person... he keeps nothing to himself. ── Don't worry about it. Those kinds of events don't interest me. Besides, it's a festival to watch monsters tamed by the Ganesha Familia, and that doesn't concern me."
Al's relationship with the Xenos began about a year ago when he saved a group speaking the human tongue who were being hunted by Udaeus monsters in the White Palace on the 37th floor.
Since then, Al had made it a habit to visit them regularly. Despite his cold nature, he treated them with fairness and respect. As they were persecuted by both humans and their own kind of ordinary monsters, everyone quickly grew to love him.
Al gave them a somewhat embarrassed smile, then presented the bottles of liquor he had brought.
Immediately, cheers of joy erupted from Lido and the rest of the monsters as they crowded around the drinks with great delight.
"Master Al, come over here!" "Play with us!" "Look at this chess set you brought before!" "Kih kih!" "Yum, delicious!" "Sweet taste!" "Watch my sword skills, I've improved a bit!" "Eat more!" "It's unfair that Lido gets to use the Black Udaeus Sword!"
These beings do not just possess a yearning for the Surface; they are loyal to their instincts in a positive way and are far purer than humans. They express their gratitude to their first human friend, who saved them, with absolute sincerity.
"Let's leave those things for later. I came today regarding the mission Uranus entrusted to me."
── These companions are so pure, and that helps me. They are kinder and more innocent than many humans. Drowning them in sorrow will be easier than drowning the most sensitive Elf. I will help you with all my power to integrate with humans and reach the Surface as long as I live. So, when I die, remember to drown in great grief for me.
But where will my final place be, I wonder? I nearly died before the Black Goliath to cloud Ais's mind with fear, and I protected Tiona from Udaeus to achieve the same. I can trigger feelings of sorrow in them without dying. But that no longer satisfies me. I want to create the perfect scene in the perfect environment and die a magnificent death that leaves an eternal scar on everyone's hearts. Losing a battle on purpose would ruin my enjoyment; I want to fight with all my strength, protect everyone with all my strength, and then die afterward ── and for this desired goal, I reached Level 7, which makes even Floor Bosses trivial opponents.
No, that's just an excuse. I became this strong only so I could die in this world. My desire has been one and the same from the beginning. It hasn't changed since the moment I entered the Labyrinth. I don't wish to be a hero, nor do I seek it.
── I just want to drown everyone in a sea of sorrow when I leave.
While I was lost in my thoughts, I found myself back on the surface.
"Whoa, Al-kun, are you lost in thought?"
Shut up, Hermes. Do you want me to pluck out your hair, strip you naked, and leave you tied up in Daedalus Street?
"── What do you want?"
"Haha, nothing much... it's about your brother, Bell-kun."
"Between you and him, which of you is the 'Last Hero' that Zeus, Erebus, and Alfia spoke of?"
Ah, this nonsense again. As expected, it's annoying. Honestly, I don't care about "saving the world" at all.
The One-Eyed Black Dragon? The destruction of the Lower World? The final floor of the Dungeon? Don't tire me with talk of what happens after I die. It's enough for me to drown everyone in sorrow and die in peace. Besides, I think the "Last Hero" doesn't carry the meaning you imagine.
"Who knows. I have no interest in such trivia... if that's all you have, excuse me."
I really don't care. I don't care about my brother, nor what the world becomes. I'll leave those things to Bell, the original hero of the story.
All that occupies my mind is clouding the hearts of Ais and the others with sorrow. And I have no time to waste with you, for I loathe gods who smile constantly like you do—your capacity to drown in sorrow is far too low.
"How cold of you. I was the one who delivered the 'Scale' sent by Zeus to you, wasn't I? ── By the way, it seems Goddess Freya has her eye on him. Are you satisfied with that? If you wish, I can intervene to restrain her."
That doesn't interest me either. That flirtatious goddess was doing things that benefited Bell in the beginning anyway. Besides, you don't have the power to do anything about Freya.
She too is unfit to taste the flavor of sorrow, so she is boring. I would rather she use her charm magic to erase my memories from the minds of Ais and the others, as she did to Bell in the original story, just so I can restore them the moment before my death and drown them in indescribable grief.
In any case, that goddess is of no concern to me.
"No need for that. He is my brother. He won't be charmed by someone like Freya."
"── !!"
"If you understand, then stay out of my business."
"── So, you are determined not to become a 'Hero Made by the Gods' no matter what."
"Don't misunderstand. I've had no desire to be a hero from the start."
But, if it will make you all drown in sorrow, then I don't mind facing the Black Dragon.
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Note: The Xenos are more innocent and loyal than humans, so their suffering will be much more intense if their hero who protected them dies. Al puts a great deal of effort into winning everyone's affection, solely to increase the scale of the tragedy and sorrow he will leave behind upon his death).
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Hjunior101
Making the rounds.
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I'd find it funny if he went out in a way that brought great cheer. Looks down and feels sadness for himself. But let's see and keep going, because I haven't really seen a story like this.
Chapter 7 : The Saint... Sorrow’s Arch-Nemesis
New
Raven797
Getting out there.
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- Jan 29, 2026
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- Likes received
- 103
"Did you say... the price is eight hundred and fifty million Valis?!"
"That's right. And I don't mind if you pay in installments."
Impossible. The price was staggering. It cost more than Riveria's staff; with that kind of money, I could buy three houses in the city's most elite districts. Even though I provided most of the raw materials myself, this price was undoubtedly exorbitant.
"It took six months to refine this blade. Do you realize how many burns covered my body during the process? Honestly, I think the price is a bargain considering the result."
You aren't exactly the type to care about burns, woman. But, truth be told, the sword was magnificent. It was, without a doubt, the most powerful weapon I had ever seen—a masterpiece that could likely fell a monster like Udaeus in a single strike. Well, I had massive savings and wouldn't be unable to pay. The amount wasn't something I could haggle over, so there was no way out.
"Fine... fine, I'll pay the full amount. Now, what is the name of this sword?"
"The Special Grade Weapon: Balmung. I will never forge another piece of this quality with these hands again—not before, and not after."
Inside Twilight Manor, the Loki Familia headquarters, the Familia leaders gathered in the hall shortly after breakfast. While Al ate a late breakfast, two individuals were deep in thought, wondering how to manage their finances.
"The replacement sword I broke at the festival... it cost forty million Valis. I'll have to shut myself in the Dungeon for a week to gather the funds..."
"As for me, my new sword cost eight hundred and fifty million. I have the money, of course, but this sum will devour half my savings. Perhaps I should go on a solo expedition to the Deep Floors, just like Ottar does."
These were Ais Wallenstein and Al Cranel: the greatest swordsmen in the Loki Familia and its biggest troublemakers as well. Ais had to compensate for the cost of the sword she borrowed from the Goibniu Familia, which she broke due to over-exertion while fighting the Man-eating Flowers during Monsterphilia.
Al, meanwhile, sought to fill the massive hole in his savings after paying for the grand sword he had commissioned Tsubaki to forge.
"Eight hundred and fifty million?! Wow, that's so expensive! But it's a wonderful sword, and it looks incredibly strong!! I'll go to the Dungeon with you both; I need to manage some money for my weapon, 'Urga,' too!!"
"Oh, if my presence won't bother you, I'd like to join as well."
Tiona spoke of the matter casually, yet her debts exceeded Al's remaining savings and dwarfed the price of Ais's replacement sword. She still hadn't paid for her new weapon made from a block of Adamantite and kept deferring the payment. The scale of her debt put her on the verge of the Goibniu Familia's blacklist, so she found it best to sequester herself in the Deep Floors immediately.
Ironically, Lefiya, who held the lowest level among those present, was the most financially comfortable after the savings-obsessed Al.
"Fine, I'm counting on you then."
"The next expedition is still a while away, so let's ask Tione, Finn, and the others to join us too!"
"I don't mind. I'm heading out now to stock up on magic potions from the Dian Cecht Familia. Does anyone need anything? I'll cover the cost for now."
"I want plenty of high-grade healing potions."
"I need five high-grade healing potions and one mind-restoration potion."
"Oh, I don't need anything, thank you."
Everyone relayed their requests to Al, who rose from his seat and headed toward the manor's exit.
"We'll wait for you at the Dungeon entrance!!"
The three of them prepared themselves, and after breakfast, Finn and the others joined them as they left the headquarters.
"What floor are we reaching today?"
"Hmm, Floor 30, perhaps?"
"Then we'll spend the night in the town of Rivira."
The distance first-tier adventurers like Ais could cover and return from in a single day reached approximately the 20th floor. Reaching the 30th floor required an overnight stay in the Dungeon. Naturally, hunting monsters on floors that allowed for a same-day return was easier, but it didn't provide enough money to settle their massive debts.
Furthermore, first-tier adventurers were prohibited from hunting in shallow floors because it stripped lower-level adventurers of their livelihoods. Therefore, they had to dive into the depths of the Lower Floors, even if they hadn't reached the Deep Floors yet.
●○●○●
The Dian Cecht Familia comprised a group of the most skilled healers, led by the "Saint of the Battlefield." They were the largest faction in the medical field, selling high-quality potions indispensable for first-tier adventurers diving into the depths, and the Loki Familia was one of their regular clients.
As the best healer in the city, she was expected to be busier than any first-tier adventurer, especially while leading her Familia, but...
"Welcome."
A beautiful girl with silver hair greeted Al as he entered the sales department.
She was Amid Teasanare, known as the best healer in Orario. She usually spent her time in the inner laboratory focused on making medicines and rarely appeared at the reception desk, but today she stood behind the counter.
"Give me twenty high-grade healing potions and five mind-restoration potions."
"Understood. Are you going to the Dungeon again?"
"Yes, I have some financial obligations."
Upon hearing his reply, the cold, iron-mask-like expression vanished from Amid's face. Al, who had been throwing himself into mortal danger since joining the Familia, had been brought repeatedly—clinging to life—to the Dian Cecht Familia to receive treatment at her hands. The last time was six months ago, upon his return from the expedition where he reached Level 7.
"Will you continue your recklessness? I hope you realize how we feel, treating you every time you're on the brink of death. I don't know how many times I've treated you when you were nothing more than a corpse before they started calling you a hero."
Normally, Amid didn't voice such grievances to customers, but Al, who was carried to her twice a week at times, had become closer to the members of the Dian Cecht Familia than was typical even for the Loki Familia. Consequently, Amid's advice to him had become more blunt and daring.
Al paid the price while offering a bitter smile to Amid, who sighed deeply. Her words were entirely true. Despite being one of the strongest warriors in the city, his fighting style was fraught with risk, as if he were walking a tightrope over an abyss.
Treating Al, who arrived periodically riddled with fatal wounds, was utterly exhausting. Yet, Al never stopped diving into the Dungeon. Amid didn't care to know his motivation; she only wished he would calm down and act within the bounds of logic.
But Al never listened, leading Amid to a state of despair regarding him lately. Six months ago, when Al returned covered in wounds as usual, his condition was truly wretched. Despite initial magical first aid, his body was a mass of bruises, countless fractures, and ruptured internal organs. To any ordinary observer, there was no hope for his survival, and no one understood how he was still alive with such injuries.
Even Amid was stunned; these were injuries that, under normal circumstances, led to instant death. Rather than simple surprise, Amid felt bewildered by the indifference of the young man who acted as if nothing had happened. In the end, Al survived thanks to Amid's divine healing skill and a vitality that surpassed even Dungeon monsters.
Amid couldn't leave Al alone; he was three years younger than her and kept placing himself in harm's way. She might lack the power to stop him, but she wanted to lighten his burden even a little. For this reason, she had begun appearing in the sales department more often than before.
"I remember hitting you once and throwing you into a vat of healing potions."
"Ah... yes. I suppose something like that did happen..."
Amid was one of the few people Al couldn't argue with. Because of their similar hair color, a rumor had circulated among the gods for a while: "The duo of the Little Sword Ghoul and the Saint Big Sister has appeared!" They truly looked like siblings linked by blood, and the Familia members watched them with hidden smiles—something Amid didn't realize.
To passersby and customers, their dialogue seemed like that of loving siblings, and the adventurers and staff in the shop watched them with cheerful faces. Incidentally, it was said that when Ais heard this rumor, she was overcome with jealousy and stayed in a bad mood for a while. However, since she herself owed Amid for saving her life many times, she eventually accepted it.
"Ah, is there anything you'd like me to bring from the Dungeon? I'll be reaching the Deep Lower Floors."
"You changed the subject. Fine. Could you bring back a few leaves from a 'White Tree'?"
"Roger that."
After a friendly conversation, Al finished his business. "We look forward to your next visit, but if you come back critically injured, I will beat you senseless," Amid said with an expressionless face, though her eyes were entirely serious, according to her fellow healers.
── Al, Ais, the Hiryute sisters, Lefiya, Finn, and Riveria; this group was a massive destructive force capable of annihilating an entire Familia in a single night. they carved their way downward, crushing monsters from the Upper and Middle Floors in moments.
They now reached the 18th floor, the "Town of Rivira." This is one of the few Safe Zones in the Dungeon where monsters do not spawn. Due to its location relatively close to the Upper Floors, outlaws had claimed it as their headquarters. Called the "Labyrinth Paradise" for its beautiful scenery and safe nature, it housed taverns, inns, and trading posts.
At the town's entrance, sturdy men who looked like adventurers lined up to perform guard duties. Inside the town, people ran in every direction with unusual clamor. Many adventurers disappeared into the town's alleys seeking supplies or lodging before returning to the surface or diving further down.
Ais and her companions continued walking against the human tide. As a gathering place for criminals, it was a town that rarely knew peace, but its current state was strange even by its own standards. Confusion reigned, and a sense of hostility filled the air.
"It seems something has happened in the town, hasn't it?"
"Huh? Oh, did you just arrive? They say a murder took place at Willie's Inn, and that's put everyone on high alert."
Confusion appeared on Finn's face upon hearing the adventurer's words. It was true that this town was a den for rough adventurers and their endless disputes, but murder was an entirely different matter. In the subterranean town of Rivira, where there was no escape, crimes were supposed to be spontaneous, not calculated.
If it were spontaneous, identifying the culprit would be easy. The fact that no one had been caught suggested it wasn't a fleeting crime committed without thought of the consequences.
"Captain, what shall we do?"
"Since we're staying the night, we can't ignore it. Let's head there."
When they pushed through the crowd and reached the inn, the place was a pool of blood. A blackish liquid and fleshy bits covered the floor, and a metallic, rust-like scent filled the air. The scene resembled hell. In the corner of the room stood the innkeeper, a demi-human, and beside him, a large man with a patch over one eye.
"Hey, Bors. Sorry to interrupt."
"Tch... it's 'Braver,' then. You first-tier adventurers don't know the meaning of knocking."
The large man let out an annoyed sigh. He was Bors Elder, the leader of Rivira and a Level 3 adventurer. Beside him, the innkeeper turned pale with terror.
"Take it easy. We're going to use the town's facilities too, and we want to resolve these matters quickly. Consider it mutual cooperation."
Finn said this with a calm smile, though his eyes did not share the expression. As he said, they wanted to avoid trouble while they were here; any disturbance in Rivira would inevitably affect them. Finn's handling of the situation was impressive; he didn't bat an eye at the gruesome sight, acting as if it were routine. In contrast, the innkeeper trembled with pallor—a natural reaction for someone unaccustomed to such horrifying scenes.
"Hah! You talk as if you own the place. You and the Freya Familia think strength gives you the right to... huh?! It's the 'Sword Princess' and Master 'Sword Saint'!! If it concerns you two, then fine. Investigate as you please!!"
"What?! Why is the Captain barred while Ais and the others are allowed... oh, you mean the 'Black Goliath incident'."
Suddenly, Bors' tone shifted from shouting and rebellion to flattery and submission. Finn could only smile bitterly at the rapid transformation. Tione, who adored Finn more than anyone, almost protested Bors' rudeness but quickly understood the reason.
The "Black Goliath incident" referred to the event three years ago when the Floor Boss "Goliath" unexpectedly spawned during a rest period and attacked the town of Rivira. That monster was different; its body was black, and its power rivaled Level 5. Meanwhile, the strongest adventurer in Rivira at the time was only Level 3. Everyone was on the verge of annihilation until Ais and Al intervened—they were Levels 4 and 3 at the time—leading the battle and successfully killing it.
Thanks to that feat, Ais rose to Level 4 and Al to Level 3. Since then, many mid-level adventurers looked up to them as heroes, and Bors was no exception.
After receiving permission from Bors and the innkeeper, Ais and her companions began their inspection. Finn and Lefiya busied themselves examining the room, while Riveria started searching for remnants of magical energy. Ais scanned the room until her gaze stopped at the corpse.
The body was headless... no, the head had been completely crushed. It had lost its features to such an extent that it looked as if a monster had trampled it underfoot.
"Hmm?"
"Ah, I asked him to bring 'Unlock Medicine' to reveal the corpse's data."
Finn turned toward a man running toward them. He carried a red solution containing crystals—a medicine used to reveal the "Falna" granted by gods to their followers. If used correctly, it could undo the divine seal and read the Stats. The Blessing is inscribed in the language of the gods (Sacred Hieroglyphs); normally, only a god can read it, but Riveria, being of royal blood, was able to read what surfaced on the corpse's back.
"The name is Hashana Dorlia. And the Familia he belongs to is... what?! The Ganesha Familia?!"
"H-Hey, did you just say Hashana?! You aren't joking, are you?! 'Iron Fist' is..."
"A Level 4 adventurer, isn't he?!"
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"That's right. And I don't mind if you pay in installments."
Impossible. The price was staggering. It cost more than Riveria's staff; with that kind of money, I could buy three houses in the city's most elite districts. Even though I provided most of the raw materials myself, this price was undoubtedly exorbitant.
"It took six months to refine this blade. Do you realize how many burns covered my body during the process? Honestly, I think the price is a bargain considering the result."
You aren't exactly the type to care about burns, woman. But, truth be told, the sword was magnificent. It was, without a doubt, the most powerful weapon I had ever seen—a masterpiece that could likely fell a monster like Udaeus in a single strike. Well, I had massive savings and wouldn't be unable to pay. The amount wasn't something I could haggle over, so there was no way out.
"Fine... fine, I'll pay the full amount. Now, what is the name of this sword?"
"The Special Grade Weapon: Balmung. I will never forge another piece of this quality with these hands again—not before, and not after."
Inside Twilight Manor, the Loki Familia headquarters, the Familia leaders gathered in the hall shortly after breakfast. While Al ate a late breakfast, two individuals were deep in thought, wondering how to manage their finances.
"The replacement sword I broke at the festival... it cost forty million Valis. I'll have to shut myself in the Dungeon for a week to gather the funds..."
"As for me, my new sword cost eight hundred and fifty million. I have the money, of course, but this sum will devour half my savings. Perhaps I should go on a solo expedition to the Deep Floors, just like Ottar does."
These were Ais Wallenstein and Al Cranel: the greatest swordsmen in the Loki Familia and its biggest troublemakers as well. Ais had to compensate for the cost of the sword she borrowed from the Goibniu Familia, which she broke due to over-exertion while fighting the Man-eating Flowers during Monsterphilia.
Al, meanwhile, sought to fill the massive hole in his savings after paying for the grand sword he had commissioned Tsubaki to forge.
"Eight hundred and fifty million?! Wow, that's so expensive! But it's a wonderful sword, and it looks incredibly strong!! I'll go to the Dungeon with you both; I need to manage some money for my weapon, 'Urga,' too!!"
"Oh, if my presence won't bother you, I'd like to join as well."
Tiona spoke of the matter casually, yet her debts exceeded Al's remaining savings and dwarfed the price of Ais's replacement sword. She still hadn't paid for her new weapon made from a block of Adamantite and kept deferring the payment. The scale of her debt put her on the verge of the Goibniu Familia's blacklist, so she found it best to sequester herself in the Deep Floors immediately.
Ironically, Lefiya, who held the lowest level among those present, was the most financially comfortable after the savings-obsessed Al.
"Fine, I'm counting on you then."
"The next expedition is still a while away, so let's ask Tione, Finn, and the others to join us too!"
"I don't mind. I'm heading out now to stock up on magic potions from the Dian Cecht Familia. Does anyone need anything? I'll cover the cost for now."
"I want plenty of high-grade healing potions."
"I need five high-grade healing potions and one mind-restoration potion."
"Oh, I don't need anything, thank you."
Everyone relayed their requests to Al, who rose from his seat and headed toward the manor's exit.
"We'll wait for you at the Dungeon entrance!!"
The three of them prepared themselves, and after breakfast, Finn and the others joined them as they left the headquarters.
"What floor are we reaching today?"
"Hmm, Floor 30, perhaps?"
"Then we'll spend the night in the town of Rivira."
The distance first-tier adventurers like Ais could cover and return from in a single day reached approximately the 20th floor. Reaching the 30th floor required an overnight stay in the Dungeon. Naturally, hunting monsters on floors that allowed for a same-day return was easier, but it didn't provide enough money to settle their massive debts.
Furthermore, first-tier adventurers were prohibited from hunting in shallow floors because it stripped lower-level adventurers of their livelihoods. Therefore, they had to dive into the depths of the Lower Floors, even if they hadn't reached the Deep Floors yet.
●○●○●
The Dian Cecht Familia comprised a group of the most skilled healers, led by the "Saint of the Battlefield." They were the largest faction in the medical field, selling high-quality potions indispensable for first-tier adventurers diving into the depths, and the Loki Familia was one of their regular clients.
As the best healer in the city, she was expected to be busier than any first-tier adventurer, especially while leading her Familia, but...
"Welcome."
A beautiful girl with silver hair greeted Al as he entered the sales department.
She was Amid Teasanare, known as the best healer in Orario. She usually spent her time in the inner laboratory focused on making medicines and rarely appeared at the reception desk, but today she stood behind the counter.
"Give me twenty high-grade healing potions and five mind-restoration potions."
"Understood. Are you going to the Dungeon again?"
"Yes, I have some financial obligations."
Upon hearing his reply, the cold, iron-mask-like expression vanished from Amid's face. Al, who had been throwing himself into mortal danger since joining the Familia, had been brought repeatedly—clinging to life—to the Dian Cecht Familia to receive treatment at her hands. The last time was six months ago, upon his return from the expedition where he reached Level 7.
"Will you continue your recklessness? I hope you realize how we feel, treating you every time you're on the brink of death. I don't know how many times I've treated you when you were nothing more than a corpse before they started calling you a hero."
Normally, Amid didn't voice such grievances to customers, but Al, who was carried to her twice a week at times, had become closer to the members of the Dian Cecht Familia than was typical even for the Loki Familia. Consequently, Amid's advice to him had become more blunt and daring.
Al paid the price while offering a bitter smile to Amid, who sighed deeply. Her words were entirely true. Despite being one of the strongest warriors in the city, his fighting style was fraught with risk, as if he were walking a tightrope over an abyss.
Treating Al, who arrived periodically riddled with fatal wounds, was utterly exhausting. Yet, Al never stopped diving into the Dungeon. Amid didn't care to know his motivation; she only wished he would calm down and act within the bounds of logic.
But Al never listened, leading Amid to a state of despair regarding him lately. Six months ago, when Al returned covered in wounds as usual, his condition was truly wretched. Despite initial magical first aid, his body was a mass of bruises, countless fractures, and ruptured internal organs. To any ordinary observer, there was no hope for his survival, and no one understood how he was still alive with such injuries.
Even Amid was stunned; these were injuries that, under normal circumstances, led to instant death. Rather than simple surprise, Amid felt bewildered by the indifference of the young man who acted as if nothing had happened. In the end, Al survived thanks to Amid's divine healing skill and a vitality that surpassed even Dungeon monsters.
Amid couldn't leave Al alone; he was three years younger than her and kept placing himself in harm's way. She might lack the power to stop him, but she wanted to lighten his burden even a little. For this reason, she had begun appearing in the sales department more often than before.
"I remember hitting you once and throwing you into a vat of healing potions."
"Ah... yes. I suppose something like that did happen..."
Amid was one of the few people Al couldn't argue with. Because of their similar hair color, a rumor had circulated among the gods for a while: "The duo of the Little Sword Ghoul and the Saint Big Sister has appeared!" They truly looked like siblings linked by blood, and the Familia members watched them with hidden smiles—something Amid didn't realize.
To passersby and customers, their dialogue seemed like that of loving siblings, and the adventurers and staff in the shop watched them with cheerful faces. Incidentally, it was said that when Ais heard this rumor, she was overcome with jealousy and stayed in a bad mood for a while. However, since she herself owed Amid for saving her life many times, she eventually accepted it.
"Ah, is there anything you'd like me to bring from the Dungeon? I'll be reaching the Deep Lower Floors."
"You changed the subject. Fine. Could you bring back a few leaves from a 'White Tree'?"
"Roger that."
After a friendly conversation, Al finished his business. "We look forward to your next visit, but if you come back critically injured, I will beat you senseless," Amid said with an expressionless face, though her eyes were entirely serious, according to her fellow healers.
── Al, Ais, the Hiryute sisters, Lefiya, Finn, and Riveria; this group was a massive destructive force capable of annihilating an entire Familia in a single night. they carved their way downward, crushing monsters from the Upper and Middle Floors in moments.
They now reached the 18th floor, the "Town of Rivira." This is one of the few Safe Zones in the Dungeon where monsters do not spawn. Due to its location relatively close to the Upper Floors, outlaws had claimed it as their headquarters. Called the "Labyrinth Paradise" for its beautiful scenery and safe nature, it housed taverns, inns, and trading posts.
At the town's entrance, sturdy men who looked like adventurers lined up to perform guard duties. Inside the town, people ran in every direction with unusual clamor. Many adventurers disappeared into the town's alleys seeking supplies or lodging before returning to the surface or diving further down.
Ais and her companions continued walking against the human tide. As a gathering place for criminals, it was a town that rarely knew peace, but its current state was strange even by its own standards. Confusion reigned, and a sense of hostility filled the air.
"It seems something has happened in the town, hasn't it?"
"Huh? Oh, did you just arrive? They say a murder took place at Willie's Inn, and that's put everyone on high alert."
Confusion appeared on Finn's face upon hearing the adventurer's words. It was true that this town was a den for rough adventurers and their endless disputes, but murder was an entirely different matter. In the subterranean town of Rivira, where there was no escape, crimes were supposed to be spontaneous, not calculated.
If it were spontaneous, identifying the culprit would be easy. The fact that no one had been caught suggested it wasn't a fleeting crime committed without thought of the consequences.
"Captain, what shall we do?"
"Since we're staying the night, we can't ignore it. Let's head there."
When they pushed through the crowd and reached the inn, the place was a pool of blood. A blackish liquid and fleshy bits covered the floor, and a metallic, rust-like scent filled the air. The scene resembled hell. In the corner of the room stood the innkeeper, a demi-human, and beside him, a large man with a patch over one eye.
"Hey, Bors. Sorry to interrupt."
"Tch... it's 'Braver,' then. You first-tier adventurers don't know the meaning of knocking."
The large man let out an annoyed sigh. He was Bors Elder, the leader of Rivira and a Level 3 adventurer. Beside him, the innkeeper turned pale with terror.
"Take it easy. We're going to use the town's facilities too, and we want to resolve these matters quickly. Consider it mutual cooperation."
Finn said this with a calm smile, though his eyes did not share the expression. As he said, they wanted to avoid trouble while they were here; any disturbance in Rivira would inevitably affect them. Finn's handling of the situation was impressive; he didn't bat an eye at the gruesome sight, acting as if it were routine. In contrast, the innkeeper trembled with pallor—a natural reaction for someone unaccustomed to such horrifying scenes.
"Hah! You talk as if you own the place. You and the Freya Familia think strength gives you the right to... huh?! It's the 'Sword Princess' and Master 'Sword Saint'!! If it concerns you two, then fine. Investigate as you please!!"
"What?! Why is the Captain barred while Ais and the others are allowed... oh, you mean the 'Black Goliath incident'."
Suddenly, Bors' tone shifted from shouting and rebellion to flattery and submission. Finn could only smile bitterly at the rapid transformation. Tione, who adored Finn more than anyone, almost protested Bors' rudeness but quickly understood the reason.
The "Black Goliath incident" referred to the event three years ago when the Floor Boss "Goliath" unexpectedly spawned during a rest period and attacked the town of Rivira. That monster was different; its body was black, and its power rivaled Level 5. Meanwhile, the strongest adventurer in Rivira at the time was only Level 3. Everyone was on the verge of annihilation until Ais and Al intervened—they were Levels 4 and 3 at the time—leading the battle and successfully killing it.
Thanks to that feat, Ais rose to Level 4 and Al to Level 3. Since then, many mid-level adventurers looked up to them as heroes, and Bors was no exception.
After receiving permission from Bors and the innkeeper, Ais and her companions began their inspection. Finn and Lefiya busied themselves examining the room, while Riveria started searching for remnants of magical energy. Ais scanned the room until her gaze stopped at the corpse.
The body was headless... no, the head had been completely crushed. It had lost its features to such an extent that it looked as if a monster had trampled it underfoot.
"Hmm?"
"Ah, I asked him to bring 'Unlock Medicine' to reveal the corpse's data."
Finn turned toward a man running toward them. He carried a red solution containing crystals—a medicine used to reveal the "Falna" granted by gods to their followers. If used correctly, it could undo the divine seal and read the Stats. The Blessing is inscribed in the language of the gods (Sacred Hieroglyphs); normally, only a god can read it, but Riveria, being of royal blood, was able to read what surfaced on the corpse's back.
"The name is Hashana Dorlia. And the Familia he belongs to is... what?! The Ganesha Familia?!"
"H-Hey, did you just say Hashana?! You aren't joking, are you?! 'Iron Fist' is..."
"A Level 4 adventurer, isn't he?!"
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Chapter 8 : The Rivira Murder Case ①
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Lefiya Viridis watched the battle, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief at the staggering disparity in strength. She had heard many times that the power of the Loki Familia's greatest heroes surpassed even that of her mentor, Riveria Ljos Alf.
However, seeing it with her own eyes was a different matter entirely. The red-haired woman—who had defeated Lefiya and even Ais, a first-tier adventurer—was now being systematically crushed with terrifying ease.
The woman's arms had just been severed.
●○●○●
After identifying the victim as Hashana Dorlia, a Level 4 adventurer from the Ganesha Familia—one of Orario's largest factions, boasting over ten first-tier adventurers—Finn gathered Ais and the others in a far corner of the room. He reached out toward Hashana's remains.
"The cause of death was a crushed skull... no, it seems the neck was snapped first."
"You mean they killed him by breaking his neck, then crushed his head afterward?"
"That is the most likely scenario."
Hashana lay on his back, his head so badly mangled that his features had vanished. It was a gruesome sight. Riveria furrowed her brows as she looked down at the body; there was nothing left to suggest this man had been a living, breathing soul moments ago.
Finn nodded, confirming Riveria's suspicion. There were no blade wounds, nor signs of a violent struggle in the surrounding area or on the covered body. This meant the killer had mutilated the corpse only after taking his life.
To kill a Level 4 adventurer without giving him a chance to resist, and then to desecrate the body so savagely, indicated extraordinary strength and a twisted psyche. If the motive were simple malice, it would be one thing—but the possibility of a psychopath with first-tier strength roaming the city sent a chill through the group.
"Was there a specific goal... or was it..."
Finn's voice trailed off as he turned his gaze from the body to a backpack in the corner, which looked as though it had been violently ripped open. He quickly inspected the remaining items: clothes, potions, and some rations. The bag had been searched with frantic, chaotic haste.
"Perhaps that cloaked woman approached Hashana with the intent of obtaining a specific item from his gear."
"Hah, that's obvious enough. That damn Hashana probably got lured in by a pretty face and then got himself killed."
Bors offered his opinion, but Finn was considering a different angle.
(Was her goal money or tools? ── No, money doesn't seem to be the objective here.)
It was a crime of profit, not of hatred. Yet, logically, the risk did not match the reward, especially since the victim was a second-tier adventurer from the great Ganesha Familia. It was hard to believe anyone would commit such savagery for mere common greed. Finn cut his train of thought short, wondering about the true cause.
There was no use overthinking it now; other priorities took precedence. Finn stood up and pulled a blood-stained parchment from Hashana's bag. Despite the gore, the document bore the familiar format of a quest request.
"Is it an adventurer's mission sheet?"
Lefiya peered over Ais's shoulder. The Guild's ink was faded and smeared with blood, making it impossible to read in full. However, a few legible words stood out, and Lefiya read them aloud.
"Top secret... exploration... on the 30th Floor──?"
"Does this mean Hashana went to the 30th Floor to retrieve 'something' that the killer was targeting?"
Silence fell over the room. Finn stopped looking at the paper and stood up, his expression sharpening at Tione's murmur. He looked at Bors.
"Do you remember anything about the equipment Hashana was wearing?"
"Hmm? Hang on. Even though he's famous, he didn't come to town often. But I'm sure of one thing: he never wore full plate armor like that. Never."
This was a mission to find something a first-tier level fighter would target—someone willing to kill adventurers to get it. The required secrecy must have been absolute. This meant Hashana was hiding his identity and his affiliation with the Ganesha Familia for the sake of the quest.
Even the custom-made full plate armor used for this mission bore no Ganesha Familia emblem.
Given that Ganesha Familia members had taken no action despite the commotion in Rivira, it was certain that Hashana had accepted the mission alone and in private. In other words, the killer had caught wind of this hidden quest and approached Hashana with murderous intent to seize the prize.
Finn clasped his hands together before the body in a final gesture of respect, then moved toward the exit.
"Bors, lock down the town immediately. I don't want a single adventurer leaving Rivira."
"A secret mission for someone of Hashana's standing... whatever the killer was looking for must be immensely valuable. They've committed murder, and if they haven't secured what they want yet, they won't leave empty-handed."
"The killer is still here, in this town."
Finn's analysis was brilliant, near-perfect. However, in his intense focus on Hashana's body and the killer, he failed to notice Al, whose face wore a slight smile—as if he were thinking, "Finally, it begins."
●○●○●
Crystal Square, the heart of Rivira. It was the widest area in the town, boasting a clear vantage point. Twin pillars of white and blue crystal stood in the center of the square. Hashana's belongings—his torn bag and blood-stained armor—had been moved here.
"Everyone gathered quickly."
"I threatened anyone who didn't comply with being blacklisted as a dangerous person. That means being kicked out of every shop they enter. Anyone who wants to keep using this strategic location will obey, however reluctantly."
"Besides, staying alone right now is terrifying."
"Yeah, you've got that right."
Bors nodded at Finn's murmur. The adventurers gathered before them looked anxious and fearful to varying degrees, keeping their distance from one another as if on guard.
Finn had informed them of the murder of a Ganesha Familia second-tier adventurer. No adventurer, no matter how brave, lacked fear of a killer with first-tier strength who was willing to antagonize a power like Ganesha. Consequently, none of the gathered adventurers dared to stray from their Familia comrades.
"Checking Status is the fastest way, but that would be a breach of information privacy rules."
If the Loki Familia took such a forced step against other Familias, they would spark resentment and create unnecessary enemies, despite being the city's leaders.
Per Finn's instructions, the adventurers were divided into men and women to search for the cloaked woman suspected of being the killer. The crowd of five hundred was thinned to two hundred women, who were gathered in one place surrounded by the men.
"We will begin with routine procedures, such as physical searches and baggage inspections."
"Heh, if that's the case..."
Bors let a wicked smile twist his coarse face, then raised his head and barked at the female adventurers:
"Alright, ladies! We're going to inspect every inch of your bodies, so strip off your clothes!"
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Cries of disgust and condemnation erupted from the women, while the men cheered in response.
The women's resentment was natural, but this reaction was expected. Finn intended to monitor them closely; if even one showed signs of panic, he could act instantly.
"You're talking nonsense. We will handle the inspection."
Riveria stepped forward, looking with utter disdain at the cheering men. She brought Ais and the others to take over the search. Ais, Lefiya, Tiona, and Tione lined up to deal with the female adventurers.
"Alright, line up here..."
Lefiya's voice cut off as she tried to direct the women. A bizarre sight greeted her. Only a handful of women stood before Ais and Lefiya; the rest ignored them entirely, pushing and shoving to form a massive queue elsewhere. At the end of that long line stood two Loki Familia adventurers: Finn and Al.
The Hero, Finn Deimne, and the Sword Saint, Al Cranel. They were the two most popular adventurers among the women of Orario. Those who preferred a youthful appearance swarmed Finn, while the Amazons rushed like a flood toward Al, preferring powerful men. Lefiya and the others stood dazed by this overwhelming momentum.
"You... you harlots!!"
"Wait, Tione!!"
"Let me go!! The Captain is being targeted by these lunatics!! I don't care what happens to Al, but the Captain!!"
Tione exploded in rage, seeing the women flocking toward Finn. Tiona struggled to hold back her sister, who loved Finn more than anyone—adored him, rather—while shouting, "Look in the mirror before you speak!"
"They don't understand anything, these interlopers!!"
Tione couldn't bear the sight of Finn being surrounded by women who didn't appreciate the Captain's true charm, and she lashed out in a frenzy. Tione finally broke free from her sister's grip, and her rampage sent the square into total chaos. Finn, meanwhile, continued dealing with the female adventurers, seemingly unfazed by the noise.
The women standing before Finn waited for his words with tense expressions. Finn scanned their faces, organizing the details of each person in his mind.
During this, while Ais was looking around, unsure if she should save Al—who had been swallowed by a tide of Amazons before he could say a word—her eyes caught someone strange amidst the clamor.
It was a Chienanthrope girl whose face was so pale she looked ill. Her fear-filled expression piqued Ais's curiosity. When Ais locked eyes with her, the girl shivered as if she had been struck.
── This girl knows something.
Lefiya sensed Ais's intuition and followed as she carved a path through the crowd. The girl panicked at Ais's sudden appearance and used the chaos to flee the square at high speed.
"── Let's follow her."
"R-Right!"
Ais and Lefiya slipped through the gaps people opened for them.
Shortly after they left Crystal Square to pursue the dog-girl, the ground shook. Giant plant monsters, Violas, scaled the high city walls built to protect Rivira and began shrieking everywhere. Hordes of monsters surged from the outskirts, targeting the square where the adventurers were gathered.
Deep within their massive petals were mouths filled with countless teeth, emitting a sickening, musky scent. Their snake-like, yellow-green bodies possessed incredible durability; a single strike from a first-tier adventurer might not even leave a mark.
Seeing these ferocious monsters swarming in such numbers made even the first-tier adventurers break into a cold sweat. In the center of the square, an exceptionally large Viola appeared, opening its massive jaws as the other monsters lunged at the adventurers.
However──.
Before those massive jaws could snap shut, the monsters there had already been carved apart. In the next instant, lightning arced across Crystal Square, incinerating everything in its path in the blink of an eye.
"Tiona, Tione. Protect everyone!"
"── Thunderbolt."
Tiona and Tione lunged forward at Finn's command, wielding their weapons to sever the heads and tentacles of the Violas. From the magic circles Al had deployed, bolts of lightning poured down like rain, burning and killing the plants instantly.
While their attacks were effective, the other adventurers were being crushed by the monster hordes. The residents of Rivira were no match for these crowds, which possessed power equivalent to a high Level 2 or Level 3, even without accounting for their physical resistance. Tiona swung her grand blade and Tione her daggers, hacking the monsters to pieces one by one.
Yet, individual strength couldn't overcome sheer numbers. The adventurers realized they were facing an invincible foe and began to flee in disarray, but the Violas showed no mercy, lunging at their retreating backs.
(This is bad. Fear is spreading and the formation is collapsing.) "Al, use your skill!!"
"Hold them for seven minutes, Finn."
Skill: Hero's Path. It was a skill that granted the right to charge active actions like magic. During the charge, the sound of a bell echoed, stripping fear from the hearts of those who heard it and raising their combat morale.
"Don't panic!! Form groups of five and hold them back!! Just buy time; we will handle the annihilation once the opening is made!!"
Finn shouted instructions to the adventurers, whose fear had slightly lessened. Thanks to the effect of his Commanding Shout skill, the adventurers regained their composure and gripped their swords once more.
While the "Hero" inspired them and the "Braver" led, the leadership ability—which showed its true value when the two greatest powers of the Loki Familia combined—transformed that fleeing mob into an army of warriors ready to face death.
Those who survived the Violas' attacks immediately reorganized their ranks, beginning to exterminate the monsters one by one with precise coordination.
Despite the situation improving, the tingling in Finn's thumb did not go away. He felt uneasy about this massive horde appearing so suddenly in a city that was a fortress built by generations of adventurers, without him or his comrades sensing their approach.
The Violas were surging toward the square with deliberate intent. Facing this premeditated assault, Finn looked with his blue eyes toward the bottom of the cliff where the water lay. He saw exactly what he feared.
Below the towering cliff, from the heart of the deep, dark lake, massive numbers of Violas were emerging from the water and scaling the slopes one after another.
There must have been over a hundred of them. The monster hordes began forming a siege around the square. Finn and his companions held their breath as they witnessed this sight, which burned itself into their memories.
Hiding in groups within the lake, followed by a coordinated mass siege; such actions were impossible without monster intelligence. Here, Finn's suspicions were confirmed.
Strategic action from the plant monsters. And the unknown killer of Hashana. Finn spoke the answer he had deduced.
"── A Tamer, then."
●○●○●
While the Violas were being exterminated under Finn's leadership, Ais was facing the red-haired woman, believed to be Hashana's killer and the Tamer controlling these monsters.
"Hoh, what a pleasant wind."
Ais's only gifted magic, the wind magic Ariel, granted her a terrifying increase in physical strength, blade sharpness, defense, and speed. Yet even successive attacks with this magic proved useless against the red-haired woman's monstrous stats. The best Ais could do was parry powerful blows that rivaled those of Floor Bosses.
(She's strong...)
Her raw power surpassed Ais's, even when supported by magic. But Ais would not back down.
"Aria── Where did you get that name!!"
Only Finn, Riveria, and Gareth knew that this name belonged to Ais's mother. Ais lunged at the woman with rare resolve the moment she heard her use that name upon seeing the wind magic, but the woman only mocked her.
Why do you know my mother's name? And why did you kill Hashana? I will not show you mercy, no matter the answer. Tiona and the others had managed to destroy the massive female-shaped entity that appeared from the jewel-parasites in the Violas' corpses.
Only this woman remained. Regardless of whether she sensed Ais's resolve, the red-haired woman smiled defiantly, as if defeating Ais were a trivial task.
And indeed, it was.
Ais narrowed her eyes and gathered more wind, lunging at the woman with lightning speed, unleashing a series of silver strikes the eye could not follow. Over ten clashes between silver lightning occurred in the blink of an eye, the screech of their blades echoing from the force of the impact.
Ais launched a storm of attacks, compressing the surrounding air and sweeping everything away—attacks that were normally impossible to parry. An ordinary adventurer couldn't even react to them. Yet, the red-haired woman took them with total indifference.
The woman used her immense strength, wielding a great sword that was likely a drop item from the Deep Floors, to shatter the violent wind attacks with pure force. The great sword, which resembled a Nodachi in its hilt and blade, traced faint lines of repeated light in the darkness, meeting Ais's favorite sword with perfect equality.
Even after using Ariel—which is not usually used against humans—with full power and no restraint, the woman devoured Ais's winds with pure combat skill and launched painful counterattacks.
Ais swung her wind-wrapped sword with everything she had, trying to parry the devastating strikes of her opponent time and again. But with every clash, the impact of those attacks bypassed the wind armor and shook Ais's body, leaving deep aches within her.
As the duel continued, anxiety began to seep into Ais's heart as she gritted her teeth. This woman was unnatural; she possessed a horror that rivaled humanoid Floor Bosses.
"── I thought your face looked like a doll's, but..."
The ground exploded under the weight of the woman's feet. Due to the violent frenzy that cost her her balance, Ais was exposed to a fatal opening. The woman capitalized, aiming a killing blow. The great sword descended ruthlessly, bypassing the defenses of Desperate and the wind currents to strike Ais's body with force.
Though she twisted her body to avoid a direct hit, blood sprayed from Ais's arm. The red-haired woman did not waste the opportunity, following up with a relentless horizontal swing of her great sword. The blow whistled through the air.
Though she took the hit with her sword, she couldn't suppress the shock. Ais's body was thrown with massive force toward the rubble behind her.
"Ugh!"
The rubble shattered as Ais's back slammed into it. With the air knocked out of her lungs, her body stopped responding as if her nerves had been severed. Her consciousness began to waver, and her vision blurred.
Nevertheless, she tried to rise, but the pain coursing through her body made her knees tremble. She couldn't stand.
"Finally, this is the end."
The red-haired woman tossed aside her long sword, which had cracked and crumbled, unable to withstand her own savage strength. She then lunged toward the kneeling Ais, gathering all her power in her right arm.
She threw a right hook with everything she had to finish Ais.
──── I can't respond. I'm going to die.
"── K..."
In the final moment, no matter how much you scream for help, no one truly comes to save you. Unlike the hero stories her mother used to read to her, reality and the world showed no mercy to Ais Wallenstein.
If it were otherwise, her mother and father would not have vanished from her life. That was why Ais took up the sword and fought.
But, at the same time, Ais knew for a certainty──
"What?!"
A violent metallic clang echoed through the area, parrying the woman's iron fist that had been set to shatter stone. A pitch-black blade, marked by a mysterious and perfect functional beauty, stopped the enemy's lethal fist at the very last second.
"── Al!!"
── She knew there was a man who, no matter how wounded he was, no matter the size of the monster he faced, would grit his teeth and rise from the mire of defeat spitting blood, to seize victory in the end.
Standing there was Al Cranel ── Ais Wallenstein's Hero.
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However, seeing it with her own eyes was a different matter entirely. The red-haired woman—who had defeated Lefiya and even Ais, a first-tier adventurer—was now being systematically crushed with terrifying ease.
The woman's arms had just been severed.
●○●○●
After identifying the victim as Hashana Dorlia, a Level 4 adventurer from the Ganesha Familia—one of Orario's largest factions, boasting over ten first-tier adventurers—Finn gathered Ais and the others in a far corner of the room. He reached out toward Hashana's remains.
"The cause of death was a crushed skull... no, it seems the neck was snapped first."
"You mean they killed him by breaking his neck, then crushed his head afterward?"
"That is the most likely scenario."
Hashana lay on his back, his head so badly mangled that his features had vanished. It was a gruesome sight. Riveria furrowed her brows as she looked down at the body; there was nothing left to suggest this man had been a living, breathing soul moments ago.
Finn nodded, confirming Riveria's suspicion. There were no blade wounds, nor signs of a violent struggle in the surrounding area or on the covered body. This meant the killer had mutilated the corpse only after taking his life.
To kill a Level 4 adventurer without giving him a chance to resist, and then to desecrate the body so savagely, indicated extraordinary strength and a twisted psyche. If the motive were simple malice, it would be one thing—but the possibility of a psychopath with first-tier strength roaming the city sent a chill through the group.
"Was there a specific goal... or was it..."
Finn's voice trailed off as he turned his gaze from the body to a backpack in the corner, which looked as though it had been violently ripped open. He quickly inspected the remaining items: clothes, potions, and some rations. The bag had been searched with frantic, chaotic haste.
"Perhaps that cloaked woman approached Hashana with the intent of obtaining a specific item from his gear."
"Hah, that's obvious enough. That damn Hashana probably got lured in by a pretty face and then got himself killed."
Bors offered his opinion, but Finn was considering a different angle.
(Was her goal money or tools? ── No, money doesn't seem to be the objective here.)
It was a crime of profit, not of hatred. Yet, logically, the risk did not match the reward, especially since the victim was a second-tier adventurer from the great Ganesha Familia. It was hard to believe anyone would commit such savagery for mere common greed. Finn cut his train of thought short, wondering about the true cause.
There was no use overthinking it now; other priorities took precedence. Finn stood up and pulled a blood-stained parchment from Hashana's bag. Despite the gore, the document bore the familiar format of a quest request.
"Is it an adventurer's mission sheet?"
Lefiya peered over Ais's shoulder. The Guild's ink was faded and smeared with blood, making it impossible to read in full. However, a few legible words stood out, and Lefiya read them aloud.
"Top secret... exploration... on the 30th Floor──?"
"Does this mean Hashana went to the 30th Floor to retrieve 'something' that the killer was targeting?"
Silence fell over the room. Finn stopped looking at the paper and stood up, his expression sharpening at Tione's murmur. He looked at Bors.
"Do you remember anything about the equipment Hashana was wearing?"
"Hmm? Hang on. Even though he's famous, he didn't come to town often. But I'm sure of one thing: he never wore full plate armor like that. Never."
This was a mission to find something a first-tier level fighter would target—someone willing to kill adventurers to get it. The required secrecy must have been absolute. This meant Hashana was hiding his identity and his affiliation with the Ganesha Familia for the sake of the quest.
Even the custom-made full plate armor used for this mission bore no Ganesha Familia emblem.
Given that Ganesha Familia members had taken no action despite the commotion in Rivira, it was certain that Hashana had accepted the mission alone and in private. In other words, the killer had caught wind of this hidden quest and approached Hashana with murderous intent to seize the prize.
Finn clasped his hands together before the body in a final gesture of respect, then moved toward the exit.
"Bors, lock down the town immediately. I don't want a single adventurer leaving Rivira."
"A secret mission for someone of Hashana's standing... whatever the killer was looking for must be immensely valuable. They've committed murder, and if they haven't secured what they want yet, they won't leave empty-handed."
"The killer is still here, in this town."
Finn's analysis was brilliant, near-perfect. However, in his intense focus on Hashana's body and the killer, he failed to notice Al, whose face wore a slight smile—as if he were thinking, "Finally, it begins."
●○●○●
Crystal Square, the heart of Rivira. It was the widest area in the town, boasting a clear vantage point. Twin pillars of white and blue crystal stood in the center of the square. Hashana's belongings—his torn bag and blood-stained armor—had been moved here.
"Everyone gathered quickly."
"I threatened anyone who didn't comply with being blacklisted as a dangerous person. That means being kicked out of every shop they enter. Anyone who wants to keep using this strategic location will obey, however reluctantly."
"Besides, staying alone right now is terrifying."
"Yeah, you've got that right."
Bors nodded at Finn's murmur. The adventurers gathered before them looked anxious and fearful to varying degrees, keeping their distance from one another as if on guard.
Finn had informed them of the murder of a Ganesha Familia second-tier adventurer. No adventurer, no matter how brave, lacked fear of a killer with first-tier strength who was willing to antagonize a power like Ganesha. Consequently, none of the gathered adventurers dared to stray from their Familia comrades.
"Checking Status is the fastest way, but that would be a breach of information privacy rules."
If the Loki Familia took such a forced step against other Familias, they would spark resentment and create unnecessary enemies, despite being the city's leaders.
Per Finn's instructions, the adventurers were divided into men and women to search for the cloaked woman suspected of being the killer. The crowd of five hundred was thinned to two hundred women, who were gathered in one place surrounded by the men.
"We will begin with routine procedures, such as physical searches and baggage inspections."
"Heh, if that's the case..."
Bors let a wicked smile twist his coarse face, then raised his head and barked at the female adventurers:
"Alright, ladies! We're going to inspect every inch of your bodies, so strip off your clothes!"
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Cries of disgust and condemnation erupted from the women, while the men cheered in response.
The women's resentment was natural, but this reaction was expected. Finn intended to monitor them closely; if even one showed signs of panic, he could act instantly.
"You're talking nonsense. We will handle the inspection."
Riveria stepped forward, looking with utter disdain at the cheering men. She brought Ais and the others to take over the search. Ais, Lefiya, Tiona, and Tione lined up to deal with the female adventurers.
"Alright, line up here..."
Lefiya's voice cut off as she tried to direct the women. A bizarre sight greeted her. Only a handful of women stood before Ais and Lefiya; the rest ignored them entirely, pushing and shoving to form a massive queue elsewhere. At the end of that long line stood two Loki Familia adventurers: Finn and Al.
The Hero, Finn Deimne, and the Sword Saint, Al Cranel. They were the two most popular adventurers among the women of Orario. Those who preferred a youthful appearance swarmed Finn, while the Amazons rushed like a flood toward Al, preferring powerful men. Lefiya and the others stood dazed by this overwhelming momentum.
"You... you harlots!!"
"Wait, Tione!!"
"Let me go!! The Captain is being targeted by these lunatics!! I don't care what happens to Al, but the Captain!!"
Tione exploded in rage, seeing the women flocking toward Finn. Tiona struggled to hold back her sister, who loved Finn more than anyone—adored him, rather—while shouting, "Look in the mirror before you speak!"
"They don't understand anything, these interlopers!!"
Tione couldn't bear the sight of Finn being surrounded by women who didn't appreciate the Captain's true charm, and she lashed out in a frenzy. Tione finally broke free from her sister's grip, and her rampage sent the square into total chaos. Finn, meanwhile, continued dealing with the female adventurers, seemingly unfazed by the noise.
The women standing before Finn waited for his words with tense expressions. Finn scanned their faces, organizing the details of each person in his mind.
During this, while Ais was looking around, unsure if she should save Al—who had been swallowed by a tide of Amazons before he could say a word—her eyes caught someone strange amidst the clamor.
It was a Chienanthrope girl whose face was so pale she looked ill. Her fear-filled expression piqued Ais's curiosity. When Ais locked eyes with her, the girl shivered as if she had been struck.
── This girl knows something.
Lefiya sensed Ais's intuition and followed as she carved a path through the crowd. The girl panicked at Ais's sudden appearance and used the chaos to flee the square at high speed.
"── Let's follow her."
"R-Right!"
Ais and Lefiya slipped through the gaps people opened for them.
Shortly after they left Crystal Square to pursue the dog-girl, the ground shook. Giant plant monsters, Violas, scaled the high city walls built to protect Rivira and began shrieking everywhere. Hordes of monsters surged from the outskirts, targeting the square where the adventurers were gathered.
Deep within their massive petals were mouths filled with countless teeth, emitting a sickening, musky scent. Their snake-like, yellow-green bodies possessed incredible durability; a single strike from a first-tier adventurer might not even leave a mark.
Seeing these ferocious monsters swarming in such numbers made even the first-tier adventurers break into a cold sweat. In the center of the square, an exceptionally large Viola appeared, opening its massive jaws as the other monsters lunged at the adventurers.
However──.
Before those massive jaws could snap shut, the monsters there had already been carved apart. In the next instant, lightning arced across Crystal Square, incinerating everything in its path in the blink of an eye.
"Tiona, Tione. Protect everyone!"
"── Thunderbolt."
Tiona and Tione lunged forward at Finn's command, wielding their weapons to sever the heads and tentacles of the Violas. From the magic circles Al had deployed, bolts of lightning poured down like rain, burning and killing the plants instantly.
While their attacks were effective, the other adventurers were being crushed by the monster hordes. The residents of Rivira were no match for these crowds, which possessed power equivalent to a high Level 2 or Level 3, even without accounting for their physical resistance. Tiona swung her grand blade and Tione her daggers, hacking the monsters to pieces one by one.
Yet, individual strength couldn't overcome sheer numbers. The adventurers realized they were facing an invincible foe and began to flee in disarray, but the Violas showed no mercy, lunging at their retreating backs.
(This is bad. Fear is spreading and the formation is collapsing.) "Al, use your skill!!"
"Hold them for seven minutes, Finn."
Skill: Hero's Path. It was a skill that granted the right to charge active actions like magic. During the charge, the sound of a bell echoed, stripping fear from the hearts of those who heard it and raising their combat morale.
"Don't panic!! Form groups of five and hold them back!! Just buy time; we will handle the annihilation once the opening is made!!"
Finn shouted instructions to the adventurers, whose fear had slightly lessened. Thanks to the effect of his Commanding Shout skill, the adventurers regained their composure and gripped their swords once more.
While the "Hero" inspired them and the "Braver" led, the leadership ability—which showed its true value when the two greatest powers of the Loki Familia combined—transformed that fleeing mob into an army of warriors ready to face death.
Those who survived the Violas' attacks immediately reorganized their ranks, beginning to exterminate the monsters one by one with precise coordination.
Despite the situation improving, the tingling in Finn's thumb did not go away. He felt uneasy about this massive horde appearing so suddenly in a city that was a fortress built by generations of adventurers, without him or his comrades sensing their approach.
The Violas were surging toward the square with deliberate intent. Facing this premeditated assault, Finn looked with his blue eyes toward the bottom of the cliff where the water lay. He saw exactly what he feared.
Below the towering cliff, from the heart of the deep, dark lake, massive numbers of Violas were emerging from the water and scaling the slopes one after another.
There must have been over a hundred of them. The monster hordes began forming a siege around the square. Finn and his companions held their breath as they witnessed this sight, which burned itself into their memories.
Hiding in groups within the lake, followed by a coordinated mass siege; such actions were impossible without monster intelligence. Here, Finn's suspicions were confirmed.
Strategic action from the plant monsters. And the unknown killer of Hashana. Finn spoke the answer he had deduced.
"── A Tamer, then."
●○●○●
While the Violas were being exterminated under Finn's leadership, Ais was facing the red-haired woman, believed to be Hashana's killer and the Tamer controlling these monsters.
"Hoh, what a pleasant wind."
Ais's only gifted magic, the wind magic Ariel, granted her a terrifying increase in physical strength, blade sharpness, defense, and speed. Yet even successive attacks with this magic proved useless against the red-haired woman's monstrous stats. The best Ais could do was parry powerful blows that rivaled those of Floor Bosses.
(She's strong...)
Her raw power surpassed Ais's, even when supported by magic. But Ais would not back down.
"Aria── Where did you get that name!!"
Only Finn, Riveria, and Gareth knew that this name belonged to Ais's mother. Ais lunged at the woman with rare resolve the moment she heard her use that name upon seeing the wind magic, but the woman only mocked her.
Why do you know my mother's name? And why did you kill Hashana? I will not show you mercy, no matter the answer. Tiona and the others had managed to destroy the massive female-shaped entity that appeared from the jewel-parasites in the Violas' corpses.
Only this woman remained. Regardless of whether she sensed Ais's resolve, the red-haired woman smiled defiantly, as if defeating Ais were a trivial task.
And indeed, it was.
Ais narrowed her eyes and gathered more wind, lunging at the woman with lightning speed, unleashing a series of silver strikes the eye could not follow. Over ten clashes between silver lightning occurred in the blink of an eye, the screech of their blades echoing from the force of the impact.
Ais launched a storm of attacks, compressing the surrounding air and sweeping everything away—attacks that were normally impossible to parry. An ordinary adventurer couldn't even react to them. Yet, the red-haired woman took them with total indifference.
The woman used her immense strength, wielding a great sword that was likely a drop item from the Deep Floors, to shatter the violent wind attacks with pure force. The great sword, which resembled a Nodachi in its hilt and blade, traced faint lines of repeated light in the darkness, meeting Ais's favorite sword with perfect equality.
Even after using Ariel—which is not usually used against humans—with full power and no restraint, the woman devoured Ais's winds with pure combat skill and launched painful counterattacks.
Ais swung her wind-wrapped sword with everything she had, trying to parry the devastating strikes of her opponent time and again. But with every clash, the impact of those attacks bypassed the wind armor and shook Ais's body, leaving deep aches within her.
As the duel continued, anxiety began to seep into Ais's heart as she gritted her teeth. This woman was unnatural; she possessed a horror that rivaled humanoid Floor Bosses.
"── I thought your face looked like a doll's, but..."
The ground exploded under the weight of the woman's feet. Due to the violent frenzy that cost her her balance, Ais was exposed to a fatal opening. The woman capitalized, aiming a killing blow. The great sword descended ruthlessly, bypassing the defenses of Desperate and the wind currents to strike Ais's body with force.
Though she twisted her body to avoid a direct hit, blood sprayed from Ais's arm. The red-haired woman did not waste the opportunity, following up with a relentless horizontal swing of her great sword. The blow whistled through the air.
Though she took the hit with her sword, she couldn't suppress the shock. Ais's body was thrown with massive force toward the rubble behind her.
"Ugh!"
The rubble shattered as Ais's back slammed into it. With the air knocked out of her lungs, her body stopped responding as if her nerves had been severed. Her consciousness began to waver, and her vision blurred.
Nevertheless, she tried to rise, but the pain coursing through her body made her knees tremble. She couldn't stand.
"Finally, this is the end."
The red-haired woman tossed aside her long sword, which had cracked and crumbled, unable to withstand her own savage strength. She then lunged toward the kneeling Ais, gathering all her power in her right arm.
She threw a right hook with everything she had to finish Ais.
──── I can't respond. I'm going to die.
"── K..."
In the final moment, no matter how much you scream for help, no one truly comes to save you. Unlike the hero stories her mother used to read to her, reality and the world showed no mercy to Ais Wallenstein.
If it were otherwise, her mother and father would not have vanished from her life. That was why Ais took up the sword and fought.
But, at the same time, Ais knew for a certainty──
"What?!"
A violent metallic clang echoed through the area, parrying the woman's iron fist that had been set to shatter stone. A pitch-black blade, marked by a mysterious and perfect functional beauty, stopped the enemy's lethal fist at the very last second.
"── Al!!"
── She knew there was a man who, no matter how wounded he was, no matter the size of the monster he faced, would grit his teeth and rise from the mire of defeat spitting blood, to seize victory in the end.
Standing there was Al Cranel ── Ais Wallenstein's Hero.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Specter Hellscythe
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2021
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great chapter. Al's a maniac. Watch him let Revis get away, since she's one of like 3 people in Orario who MIGHT be able to kill him.
Chapter 9 : The Rivira Murder Case ②
New
Raven797
Getting out there.
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'Revis, finally we meet.'
The woman standing before me was the red-haired creature, Revis. She was one of the few individuals who possessed the potential to kill me in my current state.
To be clear, I had no desire for suicide. Rather, I wanted to exert every ounce of my effort, protect my companions completely, and then—only then—embrace death. My life had become so saturated with events that my body could no longer find the "catharsis" it craved unless I reached that ultimate threshold.
To achieve this, I required a formidable enemy. Revis, who harbored an explicit hostility and targeted Ais, was the perfect opponent to die before, while I shielded her.
Of course, at her current level, Revis was far too weak. From the moment our swords clashed, I realized I could defeat her a hundred times out of a hundred. In fact, the current gap in our power would allow me to slice her into ribbons even with my eyes closed.
It couldn't be helped; the fault lay with me for being overzealous in gathering experience points. However, Revis held a massive advantage: she wasn't human. She was a creature possessing the power of an "Enhanced Species."
Her unique strength lay in her growth rate. Unlike adventurers, creatures could evolve at a pace beyond comparison by consuming magic stones. At the start of this story, her power rivaled a Level 5 Ais, but she would soon become strong enough to defeat Finn during the Knossos arc.
In other words, she still had vast room for growth. If things went well, she might eventually rise to a level that matched my own.
The prospect was intoxicating; I couldn't let such a prize slip through my fingers. If I made her hate me now, I could eventually die in peace, and she would find satisfaction in killing me. It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
To make this happen, I had to establish myself as a clear obstacle and make her loathe me with everything she had. Only then would she keep me in her sights and grow stronger. To reach that point, I first had to make her acknowledge my power.
── Alright, let's begin. This is where the real fight starts!!
'Revis, let's play football!! And you'll be the ball!!'
●○●○●
As Ais looked at Al's back while he faced the red-haired woman who had just crushed her, she felt an absolute certainty of victory. While the woman was strong—possessing Level 6 power since she had defeated Ais at the peak of Level 5—she did not reach the level of the hero standing before her: the true hero who had reached Level 7 at the age of fifteen.
That boy, who at twelve years old had shattered every speed record in his desperate pursuit of strength, bore the title "Sword Ghoul," granted by the gods. Although he no longer displayed that fierce bloodlust on the surface, Ais, being cut from the same cloth, recognized that Al Cranel remained a "Sword Ghoul" at heart, not a "Sword Saint."
Al had never been an invincible hero. He had been crushed by small dragons, the Black Goliath, the "Chariot of the Goddess," and the "King" Ottar, among other formidable foes. He had tasted the bitterness of defeat every time. Yet, he always rose without breaking and ultimately triumphed—his score with Ottar perhaps being the only one left unsettled.
He had turned his many defeats into the fuel needed to reach the summit, and Ais knew his strength better than anyone. Having watched his failure-ridden past more closely than anyone else, she understood that Al's obsession with power was not something that would let him fall behind this red-haired woman.
However, her sense of reassurance turned to shock in the next instant. The red-haired woman lunged with divine speed, striking Al with a distorted greatsword. Two things fueled Ais's astonishment: first, the woman's speed, which was several degrees faster than before.
(She wasn't serious when she fought me──!! No, more importantly, is that sword a "Natural Weapon"?)
The woman had seemingly plucked the weapon from the ground before charging. Ais's wonder was justified; "Natural Weapons" were typically produced by the Dungeon for monsters like Minotaurs or Lizardmen. It was impossible for a supposedly human being to have the Dungeon forge a new weapon for them, let alone wield whatever lay scattered on the floor.
── Nevertheless, it was the red-haired woman who truly trembled with shock.
"── Tch!!"
The woman's eyes widened when she saw that her blow—one capable of felling a dragon—had been easily parried simply by Al shifting the angle of his blade. Even for Ais, it was a divine display of skill that defied belief.
Al wielded his new black greatsword, while the woman swung that suspicious "Natural Weapon" she had just uprooted. They exchanged dozens of blows, a mirror of the previous duel, but as the fight progressed, the woman's features sharpened with tension, and she began to retreat step by step.
Both belonged to the same combat style: utilizing massive weapons and free-form movements unconstrained by any mold. However, the difference became clear because they were of the same type. Strength, endurance, agility, experience, and above all, skill—they were all on different levels.
With every movement, the woman's available space narrowed and died. Although Al's sword did not move faster than his opponent's, he began to graze her gradually, his strikes eventually landing clearly on her body.
Unlike the woman, who put her life into every strike with high pressure, Al's movements were terrifyingly calm and cold—the movements of a "Sword Ghoul" who slowly and surely drained the life from his prey. Al deflected her attacks, closing into her personal space one step at a time. In contrast, despite her focus on offense, the woman hesitated to press forward, wary of the counterattacks Al launched between intervals.
Since her stats surpassed Ais's while under the effects of "Ariel," she was likely at Level 6. It was strange, then, that the fight was so one-sided despite Al being Level 7. In fact, a Level 5 Ais had been able to fight her to some extent thanks to her magic.
One reason for this overwhelming superiority was Al's skill: Heavenly Calamity Talent. Its effect allowed him to acquire the development abilities "Swordsman" and "Mage" during combat, but the skill's true value lay elsewhere.
It accelerated the mastery of all skills and techniques. It extracted latent abilities (Stats) to their absolute limit. Mastery of all skills naturally included swordsmanship and combat styles, which grew at a staggering rate equal to his basic abilities.
Because of his unnatural growth rate and repeated recklessness, his ability ranks at every level up usually reached "SSS"—something technically impossible within the system. Those accumulated abilities became a solid foundation for his strength, even if they didn't appear as numbers.
This skill enabled him to use those accumulated powers without any waste, preventing him from becoming a dull beast who relied solely on physical traits. No matter how high your stats are, swinging raw power alone makes you a mere monster; the true horror lies in using that power with refined skill.
The woman faced someone who possessed physical abilities superior to hers and, simultaneously, a skill that surpassed her own. It was the definition of despair. The proof was the look of dread etched onto her face as she received Al's strikes, which were launched with a speed that was deliberate rather than erratic.
There was another reason the woman found herself unable to attack.
(There is no bloodlust, no disturbance in his magic power... everything is so calm his movements are completely unreadable──!!)
Al's movements possessed a stillness that made the woman think he might vanish if she looked away for a second. As for the reason behind this rhythmic silence—there wasn't one.
It wasn't a skill or a development ability; it was simply the crystallization of raw talent. Just as an efficient machine produces no engine noise, Al's movements and magic were devoid of any disturbance because he had stripped away every ounce of kinetic waste.
He was the embodiment of the talent once recognized by the woman known as "Silence," Alfia, as the only genius to surpass her—and recognized by the Great God Zeus as the talent that might become the strongest in history. This was Al Cranel, the "Level 7."
His power resided in a realm that even Ais, one of the city's pillars of strength, could not reach.
Al slipped inside the woman's defenses. She tried to stop him by swinging her greatsword, but Al dodged the blow and drove a palm strike into her chest. The impact, carrying a powerful spiral, was so great that her body flew into the air, flipping her upside down. While Revis flailed her limbs in the inverted space, a ruthless kick struck her head, sending her body crashing into the stone wall, leaving a red trail behind.
"Unfortunately, it seems you aren't enough to kill me at your current level."
The red-haired woman was riddled with wounds that were far from superficial, breathing with difficulty, while Al looked as if he hadn't changed since the fight began. Al spoke as if the matter were settled, which only fueled the woman's rage.
"── Tch!! Don't mock me!!"
The woman's body trembled. Was it anger or dread? In the next instant, she kicked off the ground and lunged at Al with that newfound intensity. Fueled by rage, her movements pushed past her limits, becoming sharper despite her injuries. She decided to end it, taking a low center of gravity to deliver her greatest strike—a devastating downward swing capable of felling a Floor Boss in one hit.
However, that strike cut nothing but air──.
"That... was a bad move, without a doubt."
And upon the arms of the furious woman──the blade representing the pinnacle of human skill inverted.
It looked like an inevitable checkmate to everyone watching; a swordsman who loses their arms is nothing but a scarecrow. But that woman—Leivys—was neither human nor a simple swordsman.
"Giant flower──wreak havoc!!"
Leivys screamed as she sprouted new arms and fled from Al. In that moment, the ground split beneath her feet, and a massive flower the size of a Floor Boss—a bloated version of a Viola—erupted from the earth. The flower possessed fangs in every petal and lunged forward like a nest of snakes attacking prey.
"Wait!! I... will certainly... kill you even if it costs me my entire existence!!"
Leivys left behind a scream filled with a rage and turmoil that could crush the psyche of anyone who heard it, then vanished into the rising dust of battle.
"Hero's Path ── 10-second charge release: Thunderbolt."
Al crushed the giant flower that was rampaging through the area—whether to buy time or as a distraction—with a magical strike, releasing the charge he had held in reserve since his companions' morale had been restored. A bright smile, unlike any seen before, spread across his face.
"── Ah, I'm truly looking forward to that."
That smile... Ais Wallenstein was the only one watching it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[80 chapters ]
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The woman standing before me was the red-haired creature, Revis. She was one of the few individuals who possessed the potential to kill me in my current state.
To be clear, I had no desire for suicide. Rather, I wanted to exert every ounce of my effort, protect my companions completely, and then—only then—embrace death. My life had become so saturated with events that my body could no longer find the "catharsis" it craved unless I reached that ultimate threshold.
To achieve this, I required a formidable enemy. Revis, who harbored an explicit hostility and targeted Ais, was the perfect opponent to die before, while I shielded her.
Of course, at her current level, Revis was far too weak. From the moment our swords clashed, I realized I could defeat her a hundred times out of a hundred. In fact, the current gap in our power would allow me to slice her into ribbons even with my eyes closed.
It couldn't be helped; the fault lay with me for being overzealous in gathering experience points. However, Revis held a massive advantage: she wasn't human. She was a creature possessing the power of an "Enhanced Species."
Her unique strength lay in her growth rate. Unlike adventurers, creatures could evolve at a pace beyond comparison by consuming magic stones. At the start of this story, her power rivaled a Level 5 Ais, but she would soon become strong enough to defeat Finn during the Knossos arc.
In other words, she still had vast room for growth. If things went well, she might eventually rise to a level that matched my own.
The prospect was intoxicating; I couldn't let such a prize slip through my fingers. If I made her hate me now, I could eventually die in peace, and she would find satisfaction in killing me. It would be a mutually beneficial arrangement.
To make this happen, I had to establish myself as a clear obstacle and make her loathe me with everything she had. Only then would she keep me in her sights and grow stronger. To reach that point, I first had to make her acknowledge my power.
── Alright, let's begin. This is where the real fight starts!!
'Revis, let's play football!! And you'll be the ball!!'
●○●○●
As Ais looked at Al's back while he faced the red-haired woman who had just crushed her, she felt an absolute certainty of victory. While the woman was strong—possessing Level 6 power since she had defeated Ais at the peak of Level 5—she did not reach the level of the hero standing before her: the true hero who had reached Level 7 at the age of fifteen.
That boy, who at twelve years old had shattered every speed record in his desperate pursuit of strength, bore the title "Sword Ghoul," granted by the gods. Although he no longer displayed that fierce bloodlust on the surface, Ais, being cut from the same cloth, recognized that Al Cranel remained a "Sword Ghoul" at heart, not a "Sword Saint."
Al had never been an invincible hero. He had been crushed by small dragons, the Black Goliath, the "Chariot of the Goddess," and the "King" Ottar, among other formidable foes. He had tasted the bitterness of defeat every time. Yet, he always rose without breaking and ultimately triumphed—his score with Ottar perhaps being the only one left unsettled.
He had turned his many defeats into the fuel needed to reach the summit, and Ais knew his strength better than anyone. Having watched his failure-ridden past more closely than anyone else, she understood that Al's obsession with power was not something that would let him fall behind this red-haired woman.
However, her sense of reassurance turned to shock in the next instant. The red-haired woman lunged with divine speed, striking Al with a distorted greatsword. Two things fueled Ais's astonishment: first, the woman's speed, which was several degrees faster than before.
(She wasn't serious when she fought me──!! No, more importantly, is that sword a "Natural Weapon"?)
The woman had seemingly plucked the weapon from the ground before charging. Ais's wonder was justified; "Natural Weapons" were typically produced by the Dungeon for monsters like Minotaurs or Lizardmen. It was impossible for a supposedly human being to have the Dungeon forge a new weapon for them, let alone wield whatever lay scattered on the floor.
── Nevertheless, it was the red-haired woman who truly trembled with shock.
"── Tch!!"
The woman's eyes widened when she saw that her blow—one capable of felling a dragon—had been easily parried simply by Al shifting the angle of his blade. Even for Ais, it was a divine display of skill that defied belief.
Al wielded his new black greatsword, while the woman swung that suspicious "Natural Weapon" she had just uprooted. They exchanged dozens of blows, a mirror of the previous duel, but as the fight progressed, the woman's features sharpened with tension, and she began to retreat step by step.
Both belonged to the same combat style: utilizing massive weapons and free-form movements unconstrained by any mold. However, the difference became clear because they were of the same type. Strength, endurance, agility, experience, and above all, skill—they were all on different levels.
With every movement, the woman's available space narrowed and died. Although Al's sword did not move faster than his opponent's, he began to graze her gradually, his strikes eventually landing clearly on her body.
Unlike the woman, who put her life into every strike with high pressure, Al's movements were terrifyingly calm and cold—the movements of a "Sword Ghoul" who slowly and surely drained the life from his prey. Al deflected her attacks, closing into her personal space one step at a time. In contrast, despite her focus on offense, the woman hesitated to press forward, wary of the counterattacks Al launched between intervals.
Since her stats surpassed Ais's while under the effects of "Ariel," she was likely at Level 6. It was strange, then, that the fight was so one-sided despite Al being Level 7. In fact, a Level 5 Ais had been able to fight her to some extent thanks to her magic.
One reason for this overwhelming superiority was Al's skill: Heavenly Calamity Talent. Its effect allowed him to acquire the development abilities "Swordsman" and "Mage" during combat, but the skill's true value lay elsewhere.
It accelerated the mastery of all skills and techniques. It extracted latent abilities (Stats) to their absolute limit. Mastery of all skills naturally included swordsmanship and combat styles, which grew at a staggering rate equal to his basic abilities.
Because of his unnatural growth rate and repeated recklessness, his ability ranks at every level up usually reached "SSS"—something technically impossible within the system. Those accumulated abilities became a solid foundation for his strength, even if they didn't appear as numbers.
This skill enabled him to use those accumulated powers without any waste, preventing him from becoming a dull beast who relied solely on physical traits. No matter how high your stats are, swinging raw power alone makes you a mere monster; the true horror lies in using that power with refined skill.
The woman faced someone who possessed physical abilities superior to hers and, simultaneously, a skill that surpassed her own. It was the definition of despair. The proof was the look of dread etched onto her face as she received Al's strikes, which were launched with a speed that was deliberate rather than erratic.
There was another reason the woman found herself unable to attack.
(There is no bloodlust, no disturbance in his magic power... everything is so calm his movements are completely unreadable──!!)
Al's movements possessed a stillness that made the woman think he might vanish if she looked away for a second. As for the reason behind this rhythmic silence—there wasn't one.
It wasn't a skill or a development ability; it was simply the crystallization of raw talent. Just as an efficient machine produces no engine noise, Al's movements and magic were devoid of any disturbance because he had stripped away every ounce of kinetic waste.
He was the embodiment of the talent once recognized by the woman known as "Silence," Alfia, as the only genius to surpass her—and recognized by the Great God Zeus as the talent that might become the strongest in history. This was Al Cranel, the "Level 7."
His power resided in a realm that even Ais, one of the city's pillars of strength, could not reach.
Al slipped inside the woman's defenses. She tried to stop him by swinging her greatsword, but Al dodged the blow and drove a palm strike into her chest. The impact, carrying a powerful spiral, was so great that her body flew into the air, flipping her upside down. While Revis flailed her limbs in the inverted space, a ruthless kick struck her head, sending her body crashing into the stone wall, leaving a red trail behind.
"Unfortunately, it seems you aren't enough to kill me at your current level."
The red-haired woman was riddled with wounds that were far from superficial, breathing with difficulty, while Al looked as if he hadn't changed since the fight began. Al spoke as if the matter were settled, which only fueled the woman's rage.
"── Tch!! Don't mock me!!"
The woman's body trembled. Was it anger or dread? In the next instant, she kicked off the ground and lunged at Al with that newfound intensity. Fueled by rage, her movements pushed past her limits, becoming sharper despite her injuries. She decided to end it, taking a low center of gravity to deliver her greatest strike—a devastating downward swing capable of felling a Floor Boss in one hit.
However, that strike cut nothing but air──.
"That... was a bad move, without a doubt."
And upon the arms of the furious woman──the blade representing the pinnacle of human skill inverted.
It looked like an inevitable checkmate to everyone watching; a swordsman who loses their arms is nothing but a scarecrow. But that woman—Leivys—was neither human nor a simple swordsman.
"Giant flower──wreak havoc!!"
Leivys screamed as she sprouted new arms and fled from Al. In that moment, the ground split beneath her feet, and a massive flower the size of a Floor Boss—a bloated version of a Viola—erupted from the earth. The flower possessed fangs in every petal and lunged forward like a nest of snakes attacking prey.
"Wait!! I... will certainly... kill you even if it costs me my entire existence!!"
Leivys left behind a scream filled with a rage and turmoil that could crush the psyche of anyone who heard it, then vanished into the rising dust of battle.
"Hero's Path ── 10-second charge release: Thunderbolt."
Al crushed the giant flower that was rampaging through the area—whether to buy time or as a distraction—with a magical strike, releasing the charge he had held in reserve since his companions' morale had been restored. A bright smile, unlike any seen before, spread across his face.
"── Ah, I'm truly looking forward to that."
That smile... Ais Wallenstein was the only one watching it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get early access to 80+ advanced chapters on Patreon! [80 chapters ]For iOS users thinking about subbing: use the web version instead. Apple Store taxes your subscriptions 30%! Using web is cheaper!
Specter Hellscythe
Your first time is always over so quickly, isn't it?
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2021
- Messages
- 4
- Likes received
- 7
This guy's gonna marry Ais, have a big family, save the world, and then die at old age in his sleep. The whole world will cry for the worlds greatest hero, leaving a scar that will never heal. Top story. Keep it up!