They say plans never keep up with reality.
And sometimes, when the unexpected strikes, it isn't always a bad thing.
Tonight…
"My luck's not bad at all."
"Yeah, I was almost sure we wouldn't run into a Bloodhive this time."
"Didn't expect such a pleasant surprise."
The place: the final floor of the Dungeon's Middle Levels, the 24th Floor.
To be precise, a tree-lined path about a hundred meters before the staircase leading down to the 25th Floor.
Just ahead was the Loki Familia's intended campsite.
According to Finn's itinerary, they were supposed to rest inside the massive Great Labyrinth Tree, a popular makeshift base for adventurers moving into the Lower Floors.
But now, that was impossible.
Because nesting inside the hollow was the very thing Aether had been itching to farm, the Bloodhive.
After passing through the 22nd and 23rd Floors without incident, he had nearly given up hope.
I guess you could call this half good, half bad news.
As the expedition stopped a hundred meters short of the hollow, Aether, already back at Finn's side due to the regrouping, calmly analyzed:
"The good news: my wish wasn't wasted after all."
"The bad news: the Bloodhive just had to spawn right inside the Great Labyrinth Tree…"
Finn frowned.
"It's true. The hollow's spacious enough for camping, but not really for combat. Fighting inside… could restrict our movements."
He looked at Aether.
"You still intend to stick with your earlier plan?"
To the famed Braver, the idea of two Level 2 adventurers handling a Bloodhive was sheer madness. Even a Level 3 with strong stats would struggle. And with terrain disadvantage on top of that…
"Let me and Lumine try first."
Aether didn't answer Finn's question directly.
Because Finn didn't know, his so-called bad news had nothing to do with terrain.
The real issue is… since it spawned in the hollow we're camping in tonight… tsk, I can't farm it nonstop. What a waste.
Of course, he had no intention of saying that aloud.
"…If you and Lumine are that confident, then I suppose I'll look forward to it."
Finn's tone was casual. He then glanced at his old comrade.
"Gareth. I'm leaving the main force to you for now. I'll take a few and support the Twin Stars, just in case."
"No problem."
The dwarf planted his double-headed axe into the ground.
"I'll hold the fort here… though I admit, I'd like to watch the show."
No sooner had he spoken,
"Lumine and Onii-san are gonna challenge a great feat?"
Tiona bounded over with her huge double-blade slung across her back. "I wanna see! I wanna see!"
"I'll come too."
Ais, clearly curious, followed.
Nearby…
"I'll join as well."
Riveria's lips curved in a rare smile.
"Lumine's been teasing us about this mystery magic of hers. I'd like to see it with my own eyes."
"I-I'll also…"
"Stop. Stop."
Finn raised a hand helplessly.
"If all of you come, poor Gareth will be under too much pressure. In an emergency, he wouldn't be able to handle things alone."
"…Then."
The Level 6 veteran, despite his childlike Pallum appearance, cast his gaze over the group.
"Riveria, Ais, Tiona, Lefiya… and Bete. You'll come with me to support the Twin Stars. Everyone else stays put."
"Eh?"
Tione pouted.
"But I wanted to stay with Captain…"
She trailed off,
"Tione, these supplies are vital to us."
Finn, seasoned in handling such situations, smiled warmly.
"Could I entrust their protection to you?"
At once, the fiery Amazon's expression shifted to pure delight.
"Leave it to me, Captain! I won't let you down!"
Off to the side, Tiona could only facepalm as her sister began muttering dreamily, "The Captain trusts me… heehee~."
Meanwhile…
"…Why do I have to go?"
Bete, the irritable werewolf, clicked his tongue.
Finn explained patiently:
"Bete, the hollow is where we'll camp tonight. There are bound to be swarms of Killer Wasps. And we can't use wide-area magic, if fire spreads inside, it'll be disastrous. So, if the Twin Stars fail, you and Ais will have to take care of the Bloodhive."
For a man in his forties hiding behind a boyish face, Finn was a master manipulator. He knew exactly how to press weaknesses.
"…Tch."
Though Bete still scowled, he shoved his hands into his pockets and stalked over anyway.
"Oi. Just don't cause us trouble. Be better if I just kicked that slime-spitting pinecone to pieces myself…"
Which, meant: "You and your sister better be careful. The Bloodhive spits sticky mucus, if you can't handle it, I'll finish it."
Heh. Still trying so hard to act unlikeable.
And right on cue,
"Bete, you're so annoying! Don't boss Onii-san around."
Tiona snapped.
"You're the annoying one, you dumb Amazon."
"What'd you say?"
…And there they went again.
Everyone was used to it by now; even Riveria and Finn didn't bother intervening.
Finn turned back to Aether.
"Let's head out. The sooner we deal with that Bloodhive, the sooner the others can set up camp."
"Yeah."
Aether nodded, then glanced at Lumine beside Tiona.
"The hollow's not far. And there are plenty of strays around. Don't worry about conserving mana, go ahead and use that magic."
"Mm."
Lumine stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
The golden-haired twins raised a hand each, Lumine her left, Aether his right. Their palms aligned, and a glowing three-dimensional star map unfolded in midair.
"What is… this?"
Riveria, the city's greatest mage, scrutinized the construct. But even her sharp eyes could glean nothing of its nature.
And then,
[Stars converge upon this place!!!]
As they chanted softly in unison, one star within the map flared to life.
In that instant,
BOOM!
Bathed in violet light, a golden-haired girl appeared. She wore a strange dark-violet outfit, a sigil-bearing crystal at her back, and an eyepatch over her left eye.
The first words from her lips:
["Your fate is but a thread, now held in my hand!"]
The Loki Familia gaped in stunned silence.
"…Uh, what's that mean?"
Tiona, ever the innocent, tilted her head.
But the others barely heard her.
Because,
"This is… a high-tier summoning magic?"
"And not just rare, unheard of!"
Riveria's words voiced what they all felt: shock, and awe.
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