The scorching heat made Gannu let out a wailing scream.
The flames licked up from his beard, searing his eyes and robbing him of sight first.
Writhing in agony, he frantically slapped at the fire consuming him—only to spread it to the companions at his side.
In just a second, the fire leapt from one to the next.
"UAAAAAAAHHH—!"
Four agonized screams echoed through the empty chamber, reverberating down the passageways.
The four burning men flailed wildly, scattering the surrounding monsters before collapsing and rolling across the ground, desperate to smother the flames.
One of them instinctively ran toward a glowing mineral spring in the corner, but slammed straight into a rock pillar before he could reach it.
At first, the monsters shrank back from the fire. But as the four burning figures went still, the creatures moved in.
Who wouldn't understand? It's like a self-serve barbecue!
While Gannu was roasted by the flames, the razor-sharp mandibles of the Killer Ants tore into his flesh. His clouded eyes lifted toward Charles, hand feebly reaching out.
"Hmph~ … hmhm! Tss—hahahahahaha~!"
Seeing this, Charles snorted and then broke into open laughter, clutching his face.
"Thank me, brother! Once you get to Heaven, you'll have all the divine wine you can drink!"
Avoiding the monsters feasting on roasted meat, Charles picked up the massive axe Gannu had dropped, then rummaged through the shattered remains of an iron keg to scoop up a mouthful of leftover liquor.
Step by step, he advanced toward the Killer Ants devouring the corpses. The monsters could feel his killing intent.
"Brawl time…"
Charles swallowed a mouthful of liquor, the Falna on his back flaring hot.
The great axe blurred in his hands, the phantom of Gragas shimmering behind him. A whirling shockwave burst from the blade, hurling seven or eight of the ants away with crushing force.
This was the power of [Drunken Rampage]—
turning an ordinary strike into an attack with the destructive reach of magic!
He took another swig, the axe in his hands blooming with violet light once more.
Planting his left foot hard into the ground, he tightened his waist, bringing the axe down from overhead in a mighty cleave.
CRACK—!
Four or five Killer Ants charging back in had their heads obliterated in an instant, bursting into clouds of black ash that slowly drifted away.
Calmly drinking the last mouthful of liquor, Charles unleashed a final heavy blow, wiping out every monster left in the chamber.
Only then…
…did he squat down and begin collecting his spoils.
His pack had been burned to cinders, but the magic stones from the entire party were intact.
He stripped off his tattered shirt, wrapping the loot inside, and scavenged more gear from the corpses.
Gannu's dwarven armor was thick—heavy plate over padded cloth. Ironically, when it was soaked with liquor, he hadn't been able to shed it in time, and burned to death inside.
Charles tossed the scalding armor into the milky liquid trickling down from the glowing minerals to cool it, then strapped it on. He took a swordsman's blade for his waist and slung two rangers' curved bows across his back.
Just as he hefted his axe again and slung the shirt-wrapped bundle over his shoulder to leave the Dungeon…
Clap… clap… clap…
Crisp applause echoed through the quiet corridor.
"Well done," came a rough, arrogant male voice from behind.
Charles froze, a chill crawling up his spine.
Who?
An adventurer? A Guild guard? A member of some justice-driven Familia? Or—
In his previous life, Charles had lived in a cutthroat world and wasn't a good man by any means. To survive, there was little he wouldn't do—and he didn't lose sleep over it.
As long as it kept him alive and comfortable, there were no taboos.
But at this point in time, getting caught roasting human flesh by another adventurer wasn't exactly ideal—it'd make things very troublesome.
What excuse should I make? Put on a grieving face and complain they came too late, that my comrades were already dead? How to spin it so I avoid suspicion?
Or maybe…
Force my way through?!
Charles narrowed his eyes, his grip on the axe whitening his knuckles. He glanced at the broken iron shards on the floor, wondering if any still held a swallow of liquor.
Or perhaps…
Bet on his skill refresh and get two new abilities—just to silence the witness!
From the darkness of the passage, a figure drew near.
The chamber's glowstones illuminated the man's profile—short red hair, tanned skin. As he moved, the large hoop on his earring swayed, and the prayer beads on his chest clicked softly.
His one-shoulder draped garb gave him an untamed, arrogant air, while his pink lips and blue eyeshadow carried a wicked charm.
"God…"
The instant Charles saw him, he recognized his identity.
It was the same as when he'd met Soma—an aura of divinity, lofty and untouchable.
A god. In the Dungeon.
That was the first thought. The second came just as quickly—a dark god.
Only a deity with access to an artificial labyrinth passage could roam the Dungeon so freely!
This was an out-of-the-way storage chamber, close to the edge of the floor—right where an artificial labyrinth entrance would be.
And then…
Why is a god looking for me? Does he have Familia with him? Can I fight him?
Sweat beaded on Charles's forehead as he stared straight ahead.
"Don't make such a boring face," the god said, spreading his arms with a sly smile. "That smile you had earlier was much better—can't you keep it up?"
Charles straightened, letting the nicked axe rest against the floor in a relaxed pose.
"Strange god, what business do you have with me?"
"Heh heh heh~" The god chuckled, rubbing his chin.
"I saw everything you just did. Your Familia doesn't seem all that fond of you. How about it—want to join mine? Live a life far freer than this?"
"Join… your Familia?"
Charles tilted his head, wearing an expression that screamed who even are you:
"Recruit me? You think you're worthy?"
"Oh-ho. My apologies." The god gave a faint smile.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Rudra—some say I'm fairly well-known in Orario."
Rudra…
A deity from Indian mythology, the God of Storm and Destruction, yet also a healer of ailments—a god with dual aspects.
More importantly, in the Danmachi tales, it was Rudra's Familia who tricked Astraea's Familia into the 30th Floor, detonated explosives to summon the Juggernaut, and wiped them out entirely.
Charles's mind raced.
For them to reach the 30th Floor as a team two years from now, his Familia must have multiple Level 3s, possibly Level 4s. Even among the Dark Faction, they were a force near the top.
Can't win!
Which meant…
Charles lifted his chin proudly.
"Sorry. My god treats me like family. My Familia is my home! I will never betray my beloved kin—my brothers-in-arms!"
Rudra's expression froze.
Do you hear yourself?
Even if that's partly true, you think I can't tell?
There are four of your so-called "brothers" lying dead right there!
Maybe try respecting a god's ability to tell truth from lies?
Rudra focused his divine perception…
Hm…
…Hm?
…Huh?!
He inhaled sharply.
"Y-you… you're actually telling the truth?! How is that possible?"
He looked Charles over from head to toe, then repeated, more incredulous than ever:
"You're actually telling the truth?!"