[This system is the embodiment of the fantasy power of the primal world.]
[You can obtain one ability from others by responding to their wishes, and gain Wish Points based on the completion and satisfaction levels.]
[Wish Points can be used for gacha draws, as well as for copying and plundering abilities from specified targets.]
[After fulfilling one wish, the system will be officially activated.]
His gaze swept over the last sentence, and Rhode's mood was somewhat complex.
The activation condition was probably a trial specifically set to judge the holder's will.
In Orario, not everyone was an adventurer. Fulfilling the simple wishes of ordinary people was not difficult and posed no danger.
With the idea of playing it safe, after activating the system a dozen days ago, Rhode had intended to do just that, even carefully selecting a shop.
As a result, he unluckily ran into [Faceless] Witte, who forcibly abducted everyone from that shop.
More than half of the captives were tortured to death by that psychopath on the way!
If he hadn't accidentally encountered Valletta, who was acting on a whim, he probably would have met the same fate.
The first time he saw a sea of dismembered bodies, Rhode almost vomited… and was loudly ridiculed by Witte for it.
As for the remaining people, most of them were brainwashed and either forced or willingly chose to join the Dark Faction, and their end would probably be to be used as cannon fodder.
Rhode had no grand idea of becoming a necessary evil to lay the foundation of a hero, nor did he share any common language with those psychopaths. Rather, the first thing he wanted to do upon gaining power was to kill that Witte!
He narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calmed the aggression in his heart.
"Judging by their commotion just now, the Great Conflict is probably not far off. I must get out of here as soon as possible and find a way to activate the system…"
After all, this was a dungeon. Who would come here to deliver a wish?!
There was no more time to be picky.
Rhode's gaze swept over the cell door.
That was the only way out, leading directly to the Dark Faction's headquarters hall.
As someone who wasn't even an adventurer, the possibility of him fighting his way out was zero.
He frowned slightly and looked up at a small barred window above him.
It was a structure similar to a sewer entrance on the surface, about the size of a pencil case, serving as ventilation.
Clearly, unless he could dislocate his collarbone, there was no way he could escape through there.
"What should I do…?"
After an unknown amount of time, Rod mechanically sharpened the small stone knife, constantly overturning various plans in his mind, when he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from a distance.
"!!!"
Someone's coming already?
He was startled, instinctively hiding the stone in his hand, but quickly realized.
"No! The footsteps aren't from the corridor, but… above!"
Rod looked up in surprise.
Damn it, in this remote place where no one had been for over ten days, an outsider was actually passing by?!
He instantly became agitated, forcing his weak body to stand up, and after a stumble, carefully stood on a wooden box, trying not to make a sound.
If the guards hadn't all gone to the hall for a meeting, he probably wouldn't have dared to be so bold.
Rod tiptoed and peered out through the barred window.
He didn't immediately make a sound, intending to first confirm who the person was.
The first thing he heard was a young girl's sarcastic, venomous remarks.
"Oh, we've actually come to such a desolate, remote, and dirty alley. If that fastidious Elf Royalty were here, she'd probably have already covered her nose and slipped away."
"Heh heh, it's truly hard on you, Princess, to condescend to patrol here with me~"
A small foot happened to block the barred window.
The two talking girls had stopped right in front of the Dungeon where Rod was.
Rod clenched his fists, forcibly suppressing his rapid breathing.
"Don't rush, don't rush, wait a little longer, confirm their identity!"
"So, what's this Dark Faction clue you mentioned? Don't tell me it's your intuition, you're not a hero of your race, nor are you our troublesome Captain."
"Hmm… although it has nothing to do with Finn, it does have something to do with that Nine Demon Princess."
"How did that Elf Royalty get involved again?"
"She asked me to find someone, and she seems very worried…"
This conversation, it's them!
Hearing this, Rod, who had already locked onto the identities of the arrivals, could no longer wait.
He took out the sharp stone shard he was gripping, tried to straighten his arm to pass it through the barred window, and pressed it hard against the other person's heel.
However, after a long time, the other person showed no reaction.
Just as Rod thought his strength was too small, a pair of sharp eyes, as if they could see through people's hearts, suddenly appeared at the barred window.
"!!!"
"I thought it was an illusion… I didn't expect there to actually be someone~"
The girl speaking while lying on the ground also had pink hair, but it was closer to a peach color than Valletta's.
A mature and steady aura emanated from the Pallum's youthful face, and she let out a sigh of confusion and surprise.
After recognizing the other party, Rod breathed a complete sigh of relief, quickly lowered his voice, and explained the situation with the simplest words.
"I know you, the righteous Astrea Familia!"
"This is a base of the Dark Faction. There are dozens of people captured here, and they seem to be brewing some kind of plan."
"The organization has at least thirty members, and at least three executives, including an existence of Lv5. They might have just left, but it's not ruled out that some have stayed behind."
"You'd best immediately request reinforcements, either the Loki Familia or the Freya Familia will do!"
At this time, even the Freya Familia, whose members were somewhat twisted in spirit, would lend a hand in dealing with the Dark Faction.
Laila narrowed her eyes, instinctively suspecting this was a trap.
"Is that so? You seem to know a bit too much…"
Too much of a coincidence.
After all, how could such a coincidence happen, as if everything was pre-arranged?
And she hadn't saved innocent civilians who had been captured before, but none of them, despite being in danger, had managed to gather so much information and remain so calm and vigilant.
Logically, their first reaction upon recognizing them should have been to get excited and shout…
However, when she saw Rod's face with the help of the sunlight, her heart involuntarily felt as if it had been squeezed hard.
Sourness, nostalgia, trust, anger, all sorts of complex emotions inexplicably surged into her mind at once.
Rod knew Laila's suspicious and cautious nature and was extremely anxious internally. Just as he was about to speak anxiously to explain, Laila suddenly raised her hand.
"I understand. Wait here, we'll be right back to save you!"
Kaguya Gojou, who was beside her, frowned slightly upon hearing this, glancing suspiciously at Laila, whose expression had subtly changed.
What's going on?
Laila, who maintained a skeptical attitude in all situations, would actually trust someone so easily?
Kaguya's lips curved into a mischievous smile as she secretly guessed.
Could it be that this fellow fell in love at first sight with the man below?
Oh dear, oh dear, she usually pretends to be shrewd, but at crucial moments, she acts emotionally. It's up to me to find and fix the gaps.
However, whether what this man in the Dungeon said was true or false, they indeed had to report this information to everyone.
After Laila stood up, she shed her previous lazy demeanor and quickly prepared to leave with a solemn and serious expression.
"Run, we can't delay any longer!"
Tsk, the last time I saw Laila this nervous was when Ryuu ventured into the Dungeon alone…
Becoming even more curious about Laila's unusual reaction, Kaguya's eyes darted around, and she suddenly bent down, peering through the barred window at the man in the Dungeon.
Hmph hmph, I don't believe he's really that handsome… Even if there's something special, the rational me couldn't possibly…
However, the moment her eyes met Rod's deep, night-sky-like gaze, an indescribable feeling surged in her heart.
Something seemed about to emerge, but it was always blocked by a barrier!
The breeze stirred Rod's messy hair, the air between them seemed to solidify, time stopped at this moment, and Kaguya's heart pounded wildly.
Rod blinked in confusion.
Sister, why aren't you calling for help quickly? What are you staring at?
Also, why are you blushing?!
Laila turned around and saw Kaguya gazing deeply at the other party, and for some reason, she instantly became furious.
"Kaguya, what are you waiting for? Run!"
She elbowed Kaguya hard, anxiously pulling her sleeve, and Kaguya snapped back to reality, also feeling a sense of urgency, and nodded seriously.
"You're… you're right…!"
However, just then, a clapping sound suddenly echoed at the Dungeon entrance.
"I originally wanted to know what that woman told you, but I didn't expect such an unexpected discovery~"
Rod's expression changed slightly, and he abruptly turned his head.
At the cell door, Vit, who had appeared at some unknown time, revealed a gentle yet mocking smile.
He slightly opened his bowed right eye, and the mad, red iris glittered.
"I have to admit you are indeed special; people always help you wherever you go. I almost let you escape again, but this time you won't be so lucky~"
The man made exaggerated gestures, drew the short sword from his waist, his eyes filled with sadism, and instantly charged at Rod!
A chilling killing intent seemed to engulf him entirely.
A suffocating sensation washed over him.
Laila's anxious shouts echoed from outside the barred window.
"Hey, stay away from the wall!"