Watching another rapid-cast spell tearing through the enemy and blasting it apart, the elegant girl pushed her glasses up in surprise.
"Could it be… chantless magic?"
-----------------------------------------
Fron withdrew the staff he had been pointing with, and smiled, nodding at Asfi.
"The name is Rapid-Cast [Firebolt], just a little trick, nothing worth mentioning."
"..."
Asfi felt as if some inexplicable force had struck her forehead; she instinctively leaned back, and even her glasses slipped off the bridge of her nose.
Fron's words gave her a suffocating feeling.
Listen, what kind of twisted words are these?
How can you say such pretentious things with such calm modesty? I want to learn too!
Completely unaware that his casual words had plunged Asfi into an existential crisis, Fron calmly picked up the fallen magic stone from the ground and then walked over to Ais.
"How is it, are you getting used to it?"
Ais silently nodded, then tried clenching her fist.
"Very strong, but still feels unfamiliar."
After a sudden level-up, Ais, who had made no major breakthroughs in three years, naturally faced the troubles of her body and mind not aligning.
But for a top adventurer tempered by countless battles like her, the speed of adaptation would be fast.
Fron was the same now; just recalling the embarrassing scenes from when he had first become an adventurer was enough to make him cringe with shame.
But on the other hand, it also indirectly proved his tremendous growth.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, "Flame Demon" Fron Argon was nothing more than an adventurer barely at the level of a standard Lv.4.
But aside from those familiar with him, who could know his true depths?
Even at Lv.4, forget one-on-one duels, Fron, with his balanced development and overwhelming stats, could crush however many opponents came his way.
A rough calculation made it clear.
In terms of attributes: A hexagonal warrior, stats comparable to Lv.5, and possessing the additional magic [Surtur], which enhances all abilities.
In terms of experience: He wielded Rapid-Cast Magic, and in battles with his companions had honed exquisite close combat essentials; his combat style was gradually taking shape, growing stronger with accumulated time.
In terms of skills: He possessed the team battle-deciding skills, an ultra-powerful wide-area annihilation spell, a cheat-like mass healing magic, and a desperate burst skill.
In terms of equipment: Magic swords of exceptional power, numerous and unpredictable magical tools as support, plus a set of special adventurer armaments perfectly suited to himself.
Comprehensive evaluation: The exhaustive effort and time invested early on into building versatility had now borne fruit as he grew.
The only slight shortcoming was endurance.
But for Fron, that was hardly an issue: as a rearguard mage, he carried all the consumables and supplies. As long as he had enough potions, he could effectively extend his combat time.
At this point, Fron could be said to have almost no obvious weaknesses. As long as he continued to grow step by step, he would soon be able to stand at the top of this city called Orario.
Seeing that Ais had begun gradually adapting to her new-level combat strength, Fron relaxed.
"For you, it won't take long to adjust."
After comforting the girl, Fron took out a waterskin, drank a sip, and handed it to Ais.
The girl didn't shy away, taking it and drinking in small sips.
This scene happened to be witnessed by Asfi and the others. They exchanged looks, silently communicating with their eyes, each seeing curiosity reflected in the others.
"No way, could that rumor be true? The Healing Mage and Miss Ais are-" Lulune's gossiping habit had flared up again.
"Lulune!" Asfi silenced her with a stern glare.
"Uh… fine, I won't say it. Honestly, it's not even a secret."
"Don't pry into other people's private matters. Focus on the map already."
After the battle, under Asfi's orders, the group gathered to discuss the next route.
Fron and Ais took the role of silent bystanders, quietly waiting for their decision.
Lulune spread out the map and said to everyone:
"Here, here, and here, these three locations are the pantry areas on the 24th floor. Which one should we head to first?"
Asfi rubbed her chin, carefully analyzing the map for the most efficient route.
"If there's no better way, we'll just use the clumsy method. Check them one by one, we'll find it eventually."
The tiger-man Falgar Batros, serving as vice-captain, offered that suggestion.
"Do you all agree?"
The others couldn't decide either, and in the end, they all turned their eyes toward the silent Fron and Ais.
"Fron, Miss Ais. We'd like to hear your opinion as well."
Fron and Ais exchanged a glance; in the end, it was Fron who stepped forward. Lifting his head, he met Asfi's gaze, paused for a moment, and then spoke slowly.
"It doesn't really matter which place we scout first. What matters is what we do once we find the target."
He already knew exactly who their opponent was this time.
A cruel, ruthless, utterly amoral madman, the remnant of the Evilus, Olivas Act.
Judging from his character alone, the man was already dangerous enough. And now, after turning into a Creature…
The flowerbed, the site of the "Giant Violas Nursery."
If it were ordinary Violas, the threat would only be mid-to-high level. As long as one refrained from chanting magic carelessly and used close-combat techniques to subjugate them, it would be fine.
These new strains of Violas were highly sensitive to magical fluctuations and would instinctively prioritize attacking mages. Of course, if one could skillfully use concurrent chanting, that would be a different matter.
If it's like the above, scattered, uncoordinated Violas are fine, so long as one has reached Lv.3, they can be dealt with easily.
But this time the enemy is different. These monsters are completely under the control of a beast tamer.
Although their individual strength hasn't increased, if monsters, who already hold an overwhelming advantage in numbers, become organized and targeted enemies, then the threat level will increase geometrically.
With Fron, Ais, Asfi, and the others, those two points could be easily dealt with. However… the environment of the Flowerpot itself is the greatest difficulty.
[Flowerpot]. That's what the monsters call it.
Inside the Flowerpot, those green, viscous, moss-like sludge-plant liquids endlessly regenerate and multiply, amplifying the abilities of the Violas.
On top of that, the battlefield can be freely divided, making it easy for adventurers to fall into the enemy's control and face the danger of being picked off one by one.
Once that situation arises, the mission becomes difficult, and even an entire familia might be annihilated.
So much flashed through Fron's mind, but in reality it was only an instant. With a slightly solemn tone, he warned Asfi and the other adventurers in the squad:
"If I'm not mistaken, this incident is the work of those things. You must give it the highest level of caution. In fact… even that might not be enough."
--!?
At his warning, the entire Hermes Familia instantly became alert, their expressions cold and sharp.
Lulune also recalled those strange Violas on the 18th floor, her face tense.
"You mean, the possibility that it's those Violas this time… is high?"
Fron shook his head.
"Not a possibility, certainty." Lulune and Asfi exchanged glances, both drawing in a sharp breath.
"Damn it, so our luck really ran out…"
Asfi's mood was obvious.
She and her familia companions had originally planned to return to Orario after completing a cargo delivery request, and finally take a proper vacation. After such a long journey, they were bound to be exhausted.
But instead of getting the chance to enjoy a hot spring, they were being forced into such a dangerous mission. Of course her mood was terrible.
Especially since their unreliable god had even dragged them directly into it…
"Since that's the case, let's investigate one by one."
In the end, Asfi agreed to the vice-captain's decision.
"Lulune."
"Got it!"
Following the scout, the group advanced cautiously through the 24th floor in battle formation.
Along the way, they passed through several chambers that made their eyes shine with greed.
If not for Asfi's strict order not to be distracted, they would never have been able to resist grabbing those treasures.
For example… the White Tree Leaves, a very popular material harvested from the White Tree.
Whether for tools or medicine, it's a top-grade material.
Due to the monster riot on the 24th floor, the market price of White Tree Leaves in the city had skyrocketed. Every shop was desperate for them. If they could gather some, even without the commission's reward, this trip alone would bring them huge profits.
But because of Fron's warning, Asfi forced herself, though it pained her greatly, to abandon the collection. Everyone knew that where there were treasures, there would be guardians. The Great White Tree's chamber was no exception.
And beyond that, they even came across a super-rare species: the Treasure Tree.
The Treasure Tree bore fruits of various beautiful colors, Treasure Fruits, top-class luxury goods. Just one could fetch an absurdly high price among the upper-class circles of Orario.
Because of their rarity and value, adventurers nicknamed it the Money Tree.
When the party discovered this treasure, everyone's hearts began to race. Even Fron and Ais weren't exceptions. Don't forget, Ais was still carrying debt, and aside from his consigned equipment, Fron himself was nearly penniless.
But… beneath the Money Tree sat its guardian: a Green Dragon, coiled and glaring at the adventurers with predatory eyes.
Just like the "Strong Dragon · Cadmus" on the 51st floor, the Green Dragon was the strongest monster of the 24th floor. Its potential strength was outrageous for the Middle Floors, top-tier Lv.4, comparable to the floor boss Goliath.
To take the treasure, of course one had to defeat the guardian. That was only natural.
Unfortunately… this golden opportunity to earn money was once again vetoed by Asfi.
Fron, however, secretly pulled a map from his pouch and sneakily marked two X's on the chambers of the Great White Tree and the Treasure Tree. He decided to take them on the way back.
For the Hermes Familia, battling a Lv.4 Green Dragon would be a bit of a struggle, but for Fron and Ais, it was laughable.
"Let's go, Ais."
"Mm."
Her golden eyes glanced at the Treasure Tree's guardian. Feeling the blood within her surge, Ais suppressed it with an iron will.
Fron seemed to notice, casting a sidelong glance at the girl, thoughtful.
"The skill 'Avenger'… reacting instinctively to a dragon-type monster, huh…"
And it wasn't only Ais who reacted. After seeing the golden-haired human female adventurer leave, the Green Dragon trembled faintly.
It… was afraid.
From that girl, it felt a deep, instinctive fear.