The intense heat made Gannu howl in agony. The flames started at his beard, searing his eyes and taking his vision. In his pain, he thrashed wildly at the flames consuming his body, inadvertently affecting his nearby companions.
The fire spread in an instant.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH—"
Four piercing screams echoed through the empty chamber and down the corridors. Like human torches, the four men flailed their arms, breaking through the Monster's encirclement as they fell and rolled, desperate to extinguish the flames.
One of them instinctively ran toward the spring of luminous stones but crashed into a rock pillar, falling short of salvation.
The Monsters, initially startled by the fire, began advancing as the four burning figures gradually went still.
Hey everyone, check it out — it's a self-service barbecue!
As Gannu endured the burning flames while being torn apart by the Killer Ants' mandibles, he lifted his clouded eyes toward Kael, reaching out with a grasping motion.
"Hmm~, hehe! Tch, hahahahaha~" Seeing this scene, Kael burst into laughter, covering his face, "Thank me, brother! In the heavenly realm, you'll have endless Soma!"
Skirting the Monsters as they feasted on the roasted meat, he retrieved Gannu's discarded great axe and found a handful of liquor in the broken iron barrel's remains. He tilted his head back, taking it into his mouth.
He stalked toward the Killer Ants devouring the corpses, and the Monsters sensed his killing intent.
"Time for a brawl..." Kael swallowed the liquor slowly, his back burning with the Falna.
The great axe traced an afterimage as he swung it, Gragas's phantom materializing once more. A shockwave spiraled along the blade, its tremendous power sending seven or eight approaching Killer Ants flying.
This is the power of [Drunken Rage]! Transforming an ordinary strike into area damage rivaling magic!
Kael swallowed another small mouthful of liquor, and the great axe in his hand blazed again with purple light. He raised his left leg and stomped forward, his waist muscles tensing as he brought the great axe down from above in a mountain-cleaving strike.
Crack—
The four or five Killer Ants that charged forward had their heads explode, bursting into black ashes that drifted away on the air.
Kael calmly drank the last mouthful of liquor, channeling its power into a final strike that eliminated all remaining Monsters in the chamber.
With the battle finished, he crouched down to collect his spoils. Though the flames had burned the backpack, the team's magic stones remained intact within.
Kael stripped off his tattered shirt and used it to wrap up the battle's bounty, then gathered useful equipment from the corpses.
Gannu's gear proved especially valuable — a complete set of heavy armor with cloth underneath. The layered protection had proven fatal when the liquor-soaked warrior couldn't remove it quickly enough, leaving him to burn alive.
After cooling the scorching armor in the luminous stone's flowing liquid, Kael donned it himself. He secured the swordsman's weapons at his waist and slung the ranger's twin curved bows across his back.
Just as he hefted the axe and grabbed his makeshift bundle, ready to leave the dungeon...
Clap... Clap... Clap...
Crisp applause pierced the silent corridor.
"Well done indeed!"
A rough, arrogant male voice called from behind, sending a chill up Kael's spine.
Who could it be? An Adventurer? A guard? Someone from a righteous Familia? Or...
In his previous life, morality hadn't constrained him — he'd do anything to survive, even seduce his sister-in-law, without a shred of guilt.
His philosophy was simple: if it ensured survival and comfort, it was acceptable. No limits!
But having Adventurers discover this carnage now would be more than unpleasant — it would be dangerous.
'What excuse can I use? Should I weep and claim they came too late to save my companions? How do I phrase this to avoid suspicion?'
Or... Fight my way out?!
Kael's eyes narrowed, his fingers whitening on the axe handle. His gaze darted to the broken iron pieces on the ground, searching for any remaining liquor.
Or perhaps... Take a chance on refreshing abilities, gain two new Skills, and silence any witnesses!
In the dark passage, a figure emerged. The luminous stones cast light upon the newcomer's silhouette.
He had tousled red hair and brown skin. Large hoop earrings swayed as he moved, prayer beads clinking against his chest.
His outfit, draped diagonally across one shoulder, gave him a wild appearance, while his pink lips and blue eyeshadow lent him a seductive charm.
"God..." Kael knew instantly what he was.
The presence was unmistakable — noble and inviolable, just like Soma!
Why would a God be in the dungeon? The answer came quickly — an Evil God!
Only Evil Gods who controlled the man-made labyrinth could move so freely through the Dungeon! This was a remote Pantry area, right at the edge of the maze floors, near the labyrinth's entrance!
But why seek me out? Did he bring his Familia? Could I survive a fight?
Cold sweat beaded on Kael's forehead as he stared ahead.
"Don't look so dull — your earlier smile was quite charming. Why not show it again?" The God spread his arms with a seductive smile.
Kael squared his shoulders and let the notched great axe drop naturally to the ground, affecting a relaxed demeanor, "Unknown God, what brings you here?"
"Hmm hmm hmm~" The God grinned and hummed, stroking his chin, "I saw everything you just did. Your Familia doesn't seem particularly friendly to you — how about joining mine? You could enjoy a much freer life."
"Join your Familia?" Kael tilted his head, wearing a 'who are you?' expression, "Recruit me? Are you worthy?"
"Oh dear. My apologies." The God showed an apologetic expression and spoke mildly, "Let me introduce myself. I am Rudra! I dare say I have quite a reputation in Orario."
Rudra... The God of wind and storms from Hindu mythology, who also possessed the benevolent aspect of Shiva — a deity with a dual personality.
More importantly, in the underground's history, it was Rudra's Familia who had tricked the Astraea Familia to the 30th floor, detonated bombs to summon the "Destroyer" Juggernaut, and annihilated them.
Information flashed rapidly through Kael's mind.
To reach the 30th Floor with a team two years later, their Familia must have multiple Level 3s, perhaps even Level 4s. Within the Evilus themselves, they were one of the top powers.
Can't win in a fight!
So the only option is...
Kael proudly lifted his head. "Sorry, but my God treats me like a parent, and my Familia is my family! I will absolutely never betray my beloved relatives and brothers-in-arms!"
Rudra's expression was dumbfounded...
Listen to yourself — does that even make sense? Regardless of how true or false those words are, you think I can't tell?
The four brothers-in-arms lying on the ground right now are a clear slap in the face!
Couldn't you show a little respect for a God's lie-detecting ability?
Rudra carefully sensed...
Hmm... Huh? Hmm! Hiss—
Huh? Something's not right... how strange. Let me check again...
Hisssss—
After a moment, Rudra drew in a sharp breath.
"You... you — you were actually telling the truth?! How is that possible?" He looked Kael up and down intently, repeating, "You were actually telling the truth?!"