The 32nd Floor. The strength of the monsters here differs fundamentally from those appearing before the 29th Floor. Creatures such as the Blood Saurus possess formidable capabilities, challenging even second-class adventurers. This range represents the final hurdle of the lower floors before entering the Deep Floors, characterized by a respawn rate far exceeding that of the middle floors.
An unnaturally powerful horde of monsters had gathered here, surpassing the 24th Floor in both quality and quantity. This resulted from the path to the Pantry being blocked for several days—longer than the blockage on the 24th Floor—forcing thousands of starving monsters to turn on one another.
This unprecedented situation triggered the simultaneous birth of numerous Enhanced Species. Had adventurers not halted the monsters on the 24th Floor, this anomaly would have likely claimed the lives of many second-class adventurers.
This prolonged siege of the Pantry stemmed from the independent actions of Revis, whose anxiety drove her to generate multiple Jewels—a scenario not even envisioned by the evil god pulling the strings from the shadows.
Consequently, the 32nd Floor transformed into a "poison cauldron" where nearly a thousand monsters engaged in constant cannibalism. This ended with the birth of approximately thirty Enhanced Species, each possessing power equivalent to Level 5. The floor became a hellscape more grueling than the Deep Floors themselves.
Such an emergency would normally require an alliance of the city's greatest Familias to resolve.
Yet, a one-man invasion was currently underway on the 32nd Floor.
A monster army superior to those found on the 50th Floor—a death legion capable of annihilating a full squad of first-class adventurers—was being crushed and scattered by a single man wielding a greatsword.
Like red paint thrown against an invisible wall, the monster hordes disintegrated into chunks of flesh and fist-sized ash amidst a spray of blood.
It was a nightmare scene. The black shadow sweeping across the battlefield alone never paused. He lunged at his next prey without mercy. With every strike, echoes and vibrations vibrated through the air, creating the illusion that the entire Labyrinth was trembling.
He obliterated monsters with simple sword strikes devoid of magic. Under the assault of this shadow, who had become a black storm, the maze walls were gouged, sending shards flying into the air. It was, in every sense of the word, a unilateral massacre.
Even the Enhanced Species of Light Quartz, Trolls, Spriggans, Elder Flowers, and Lizardman Elites fell without resistance before this overwhelming violence.
Monsters often use numbers to kill humans, but that weapon had turned into nothing more than a mist of blood. Amidst the monster remains scattered like scraps of paper, the black storm carved its path forward.
Finally, the storm reached the center—before the Enhanced Species holding the greatest power in this place. A deep crimson dinosaur stood there.
Measuring over ten meters in length, its crimson scales shone more brilliantly than the standard species, serving as a full suit of armor. Blood dripped from claws that had just finished slaughtering its own kind. Its eyes, protected by a nictitating membrane, flashed a bright red, while its reptilian slit pupils locked onto the enemy.
It was a Blood Saurus. The strongest monster of the lower floors and the victor of a struggle for survival against other Enhanced Species. Yet, this crimson dinosaur, a veteran combatant, stood paralyzed before the black entity.
Its instincts screamed that the enemy was not an opponent it could handle. Without a word, the black shadow sheathed his greatsword on his back and drew the crimson blade at his waist.
A moment of stillness passed. In the next instant, the ground buckled as if struck by a meteorite. The shockwave from his earth-shaking dash propelled him forward, striking the dinosaur's head with surgical precision.
The massive body recoiled. Just as it seemed the beast would fall, a deep gash appeared on its neck. Blood erupted from the wound, and the monster let out a shriek of agony, clutching its throat.
"... Still breathing, then?"
The shadow felt the impact but had failed to deliver the finishing blow. He muttered the words with a slight click of his tongue. Simultaneously, he drew the greatsword from his back, assuming a dual-wielding stance with both the greatsword and the single-handed blade. Taking this as a signal, the dinosaur lunged with the last of its strength.
The shadow twisted his body to dodge the snapping fangs, delivering a horizontal cleave followed by a crushing vertical strike. A moment later, the monster's body split into four pieces, severed both vertically and horizontally, and collapsed to the ground. This marked the end of the strongest and last monster of the anomaly.
Ah, it seems the Jewels have already been recovered.
I stormed the Pantry after crushing the monsters, but finding nothing but underdeveloped Man-Eating Flowers means they have already withdrawn. I thought I might meet little Revis here, but.....
I will return via the 24th Floor, then.
●○●○●
Following the meeting between Lord Dionysus and Goddess Loki, it was decided that Lefiya would head to the 24th Floor to support Ais, who had gone ahead. (As for Al, who headed to the 32nd Floor, he was left to his own devices; he was the type who didn't seem likely to die even if he were killed). Lefiya set out accompanied by Bete Loga and Filvis Challia of the Dionysus Familia.
"Are you really forming a party with 'The Banshee'?"
On the 18th Floor, specifically in the town of Rivira where Lefiya was searching for traces of Ais, Boras—the town leader and a second-class adventurer—furrowed his brow. Lefiya tilted her head, not understanding the weight of the question. Boras scratched his head, wondering if she truly didn't know.
" 'The Banshee'... Is that Lady Filvis's second alias?"
"Ah, no... that's just a name adventurers gave her. It's another title for that Elf."
"Did something happen to Lady Filvis.....?"
Lefiya asked, feeling a sense of foreboding. Boras looked toward where Filvis stood with a grim expression, then spoke in a heavy tone.
"Those who joined a party with that girl—whether they were from her Familia or others, it didn't matter..... they all died. She was always the sole survivor."
Lefiya and her companions already felt that Filvis was isolated, but these words left Lefiya speechless. Bete, who was checking his gear nearby, did not join the conversation, but his brows narrowed as he fell into deep thought.
Seeing her reaction, Boras explained that such tragedies were not rare in this city before continuing.
" 'Thousand Elf,' have you heard of the '27th Floor Nightmare' that happened six years ago?"
"I-I have only heard stories..... that many adventurers lost their lives there."
"Yes, that's right. At that time, the remnants of the 'Dark Sect' set a trap for the high-tier Familia squads on that floor and slaughtered them all."
Boras spoke bitterly, as if reliving those days, causing Lefiya to catch her breath.
In Orario, the "Dark Sect" (Evilus) is a name that can never be forgotten. By the time Lefiya and Al arrived in the city, the Sect had already been dismantled, but its scars remained etched deep in the city's roots.
It began fifteen years ago, when the Zeus and Hera Familias—who had sat upon the city's throne for a millennium—were defeated by the final and worst of the Three Great Quests, the One-Eyed Black Dragon.
With the defeat and fall of these two Familias, Orario lost its primary deterrent. Neither the Loki Familia, which still lacked experience at the time, nor the Freya Familia, which had lost its previous followers to Hera, could step in as a new deterrent. Security in the city deteriorated, leading to the rise of hidden evil forces.
Those forces were the Dark Sect, a group led by malevolent gods.
They sought destruction and chaos, occasionally attempting to destroy the city itself. They carried out random terrorist acts that claimed many lives and threatened the entire world.
The "27th Floor Nightmare" is known as one of the most heinous incidents caused by the Dark Sect. They spread misinformation to gather powerful adventurers, then executed a suicidal "Monster Parade" that included even the floor boss, Amphisbaena.
Victims fell from both sides, and the entire floor turned into a sea of blood. The death toll was estimated at over a hundred. From that point on, the Dark Sect began to collapse as the great Familias—Loki, Freya, and Ganesha—seized the opportunity to launch counterattacks, sending many evil gods back to the heavens.
Lefiya had heard of that "Nightmare," but she never imagined Filvis had been a part of it.
Yet, at the same time, everything began to make sense. The questions and the strangeness surrounding Filvis's isolation; it was surely because everyone had been killed, leaving her alone.
She survived by herself. She felt despair at being the lone survivor, and for that reason, she rejected other adventurers. She was trying to remain alone to avoid forming bonds.
As Lefiya reached this conclusion, she shook her head to dispel the thoughts. How could she think such a thing? It was rude to pity her based on mere speculation, especially since she barely knew her.
Lefiya pulled herself together and continued listening to Boras.
"Filvis Challia is one of the few survivors of that incident. It seems she barely escaped and returned to the city..... but her face looked like that of the dead."
Boras fell silent and looked toward Filvis, who stood in the distant square. An aura of loneliness surrounded her, making it difficult for anyone to approach.
"I've seen adventurers who lost their comrades, and others who lost parts of their bodies..... but I have never seen anyone carry an expression as hideous as hers."
Boras remembered her dragging her exhausted, blood-stained body, her eyes vacant as if searching for dead comrades who would never return. She seemed shrouded in a halo of cursed sorrow.
"Any adventurer knows that falling into the abyss is possible at any moment, but since that day, it's as if she were cursed. Any team she joins ends up dead sooner or later. ..... Because bad luck is unwelcome, the rumor spread quickly: 'If you party with that girl, you'll die'."
Therefore, everyone avoided her. No one approached her anymore, and so she became isolated. Perhaps some pitied her, but their fear was greater.
They feared being dragged into death with her. Even the members of the Dionysus Familia who had rose to become leaders began to feel uneasy around her.
"The only exception was Lord 'Sword Saint,' who was Level 4 at the time."
Whether it was out of pity or mere curiosity, Al was the only man in this city—to Boras's knowledge—who brought Filvis into his team. Lefiya and Bete's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of their relative's name, and Boras continued.
"I don't know what he was thinking, but for a period of time, your strongest adventurer was forming a party with 'The Banshee'."
"What?"
That continued for several months until the "Sword Saint" reached Level 5 following the incident caused by the Rudra Familia, a remnant of the Dark Sect. Even now, although they don't form a party, communication between them continues. Lefiya cried out unintentionally upon hearing this.
Confirming Boras's account, Bete muttered without changing his expression:
"Now I remember. I heard something like this before."
"Well, Lord Al is clearly still alive."
"Tch, obviously. In the end, those who died were just weaklings. That's all there is to it."
"B-Bete-san, don't say that... But, why did Al intentionally form a party with Lady Filvis?"
"Who knows? I don't know that much. But since you're the sensible type, unlike that guy or the 'Raging Wolf,' then... be careful."
Boras concluded his talk, and Lefiya joined Filvis, who was waiting in the square. However, the more she learned about Filvis's past, the more confused she became on how to approach her.
Lefiya was flustered, yet she opened her mouth to say something. Bete cut her off, stepping forward with a mocking smirk on his lips.
"I don't know the details, but in short, those you partied with were just weak trash, and that's why you got that ridiculous nickname? How pathetic, isn't it?"
Bete's words didn't faze Filvis in the slightest. Lefiya grew flustered on her behalf, but Bete continued regardless. Lefiya realized his intent.
It was a provocation. Bete was intentionally saying things that stung Filvis's pride and picked at her wounds. Lefiya thought desperately that the situation would turn ugly and she had to do something, but anxiety took hold of her.
She looked at Bete cautiously, but he smiled confidently, indifferent to Lefiya's concern. Lefiya understood Bete's intent; he wanted to say:
"Why are you still working as an adventurer, then? Wouldn't it have been better if you had perished with those weaklings?"
Those were harsh and completely inconsiderate words. Lefiya's face paled. In contrast, Filvis showed no emotion.
"Bete-san!"
Lefiya shouted his name, trying to stop him. He could not be allowed to continue these insults and mercilessly reopen the wounds of Filvis's past.
But Filvis, instead of becoming angry, smiled a calm and slight smile.
"You, too, say the same thing Cranel said."
"During our first meeting, he said something similar and a fight broke out between us."
Lefiya's eyes widened, and even Bete showed a silent surprise. To Lefiya, Al Cranel was a neutral man, whether in good aspects or bad.
He hates others interfering in his affairs, and in return, he interferes in no one's—except for the "Saint of the Battlefield," also known as the "Sword Monster's Sister," Amid.
The Al that Lefiya knows is that slightly gruff older brother, yet he cares for her, Ais, and the rest of the youngsters.
She couldn't imagine Al saying something like this to Filvis's face, just like Bete. She couldn't imagine him directing words full of malice at anyone.
But Filvis says Al told her something similar. Lefiya looked at Bete in confusion, and Bete seemed just as surprised as her.
Filvis saw their reaction and smiled bitterly.
Then, she muttered a few words.
As if talking to herself.
As if remembering something precious.
With affection and nostalgia.
And with a slight tinge of sadness.
About her past with the only boy who once accepted her.
Her voice was faint and husled.
Yet, in the noisy town of Rivira, it echoed with a strange clarity.
It was a voice with a transparency that made Bete and Lefiya listen involuntarily.
And for that reason.
Bete heard those words clearly.
Then, his face contorted.
Filvis spoke of her past self.
About her weak self when she lost her comrades.
As if describing an Al they did not know.
She told Bete quite clearly.
Filvis told Bete with total honesty:
"────── , ──────"
A look of shock appeared on Bete's face for a moment, then his lips twisted into a smile.
It was a smile of self-derision. After hearing Filvis's words, Bete opened his mouth to reply with a slight hesitation.
"..... Yeah, I think so too."
The response Bete uttered was incredibly honest, given his personality.
For that reason, it was the perfect answer.
Bete, as he spoke those words, realized the truth.
That the woman standing before him was "weak," exactly like who he used to be in the past.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
Note:
Filvis's final words will be revealed in approximately 200 chapters.
Al takes on many secret missions from Ouranos in exchange for massive rewards, as he can resolve situations requiring full Familias like Loki or Ganesha alone and return the same day.
__________________________________________
[Bell Cranel]
Level: 1
Close Combat Proficiency - Dagger: 2
Close Combat Proficiency - Brawling: 1
Spirit Power: 7
Special Resistance: 1
Total Magic Power: 1
Magic Recovery: 1
In Times of Adversity: Spirit Power +1 ~
[Al Cranel]
Level: 7
Close Combat Proficiency - Sword: 10
Close Combat Proficiency - Spear: 14 (Greater talent than sword, but sealed)
Close Combat Proficiency - Brawling: 9
Spirit Power: Immeasurable
Special Resistance: 8
Total Magic Power: 10
Magic Recovery: 89
In Times of Adversity: All Skills +1
Against Spirits: All Skills +1
[Ais Wallenstein]
Level: 5 → 6
Close Combat Proficiency - Sword: 7
Close Combat Proficiency - Wind: +1
Close Combat Proficiency - Brawling: 5
Spirit Power: 4
Special Resistance: 5
Total Magic Power: 7
Magic Recovery: 6 → 7
Against Monsters: All Skills +2 (Excluding Spirit Power)
Against Dragons: All Skills +3 (Excluding Spirit Power)
[Revis]
Close Combat Proficiency - Sword: 7
Close Combat Proficiency - Monster: +1
Close Combat Proficiency - Brawling: 6
Spirit Power: 6
Special Resistance: 5
Total Magic Power: 5
Magic Recovery: 5
[■■■]
Level: ─
Close Combat Proficiency - Sword: 5
Close Combat Proficiency - Monster: +1
Close Combat Proficiency - Brawling: 4
Spirit Power: 4
Special Resistance: 4
Total Magic Power: 6
Magic Recovery: 5
Upon Activating Third Magic: All Skills Double (Excluding Spirit Power)
Against ■■: All Skills +5
Based on these statistics, Ais in her "Avenger" state would be equal to Al in sword skill.
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