The dungeon tests had concluded successfully. The members of the Astraea Familia began their trek back to the surface.
Passing through the swirling frost and mist of the tenth floor and navigating the complex crossroads of the ninth, everyone felt a wave of relief as the familiar artificial light of Babel came back into view.
"Finally, we're done," Suren said, organizing the parchment in his hands as they walked.
"The basic performance of the Flame-ward Breastplate, the Haste Greaves, and the Leaping Necklace has been verified."
"The scroll test results also met expectations. Despite a few limitations, their strategic value is undeniable."
Alise stretched her arms, the movement causing a slight friction sound against her fire-resistant armor.
"Today was a huge success! Once we're back, we need to study this data carefully and draw up a new training plan—especially regarding what Kaguya mentioned about the strain the acceleration gear puts on the legs."
Kaguya walked at the flank of the group, her steps light. The deep gray greaves hummed slightly with every motion.
"It will require targeted endurance training. However, if one can adapt to the burden, the mobility advantage in actual combat will be overwhelming."
Lyra skipped along at the front, occasionally attempting normal jumps without the aid of the necklace to compare the sensation.
"The difference is massive... once you get used to the enhanced gear, going back to normal feels a bit uncomfortable."
Just as the group stepped onto the final spiral staircase leading to the surface, a clear, energetic female voice drifted down from above.
"Oh my, oh my! If it isn't the ladies of the Astraea Familia?"
At the top of the stairs, on the spacious platform of Babel's dungeon entrance, a young female adventurer stood watching them with a beaming smile.
She looked to be about thirteen or fourteen, with healthy, sun-kissed skin and short, tidy gray hair cut into a sharp, handsome bob. She had the look of a charming tomboy.
However, the signature uniform of the Ganesha Familia could not hide the budding curves of her figure—her well-proportioned frame radiated the vibrant energy of adolescence beneath the form-fitting fabric. A slender rapier hung at her waist, its hilt engraved with an exquisite elephant motif.
She stood tall and straight, her gray hair shimmering softly under the light of the magic stones. She exuded an aura of cheerfulness and reliability that seemed far beyond her years.
Ryuu's jade-colored eyes flickered with surprise, which quickly softened into a gentle smile. "Ardi."
"Ryuu!" The girl known as Ardi trotted down the stairs, her face glowing with a sincere grin. Her short gray hair swayed with her movements. "It's been a while! Are you just getting back from an exploration?"
Her gaze swept over the members of the Astraea Familia, lingering on Suren for a split second. Her bright eyes blinked with curiosity before snapping back to Ryuu. "Looks like it was a good haul? Everyone seems to be in high spirits."
"Ardi Varma. A member of the Ganesha Familia, Level 3. Her alias is 'Poetry of Ivory,'" Ryuu introduced her to the rest of the group, her voice uncharacteristically soft.
"This was just a routine exploration and training session. What about you? Are you on entrance guard duty today?"
"Exactly!" Ardi straightened her back and struck her left chest with a clenched right fist—the formal salute of the Ganesha Familia. The gesture made her look both serious and endearingly cute.
"My sister and I are responsible for maintaining order at the entrance during this shift. She's currently handling a small dispute on the other side, and I just happened to be patrolling this area."
Her gaze drifted toward Suren again, this time with unabashed curiosity, her eyes sparkling beneath her gray bangs.
"So, you're the 'Versatile Suren' everyone's been talking about lately? Level 2 in three months, took down an Enhanced Species and an infant dragon—I've heard plenty of legends about you! You look about the same age as me, though!"
Suren took a step forward. Facing this Level 3 senior who, despite her youth, outranked him, he maintained proper respect.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ardi. I am Suren. Those rumors... might be a bit exaggerated."
"Haha! No need to be humble!" Ardi laughed heartily, standing on her tiptoes to pat Suren's shoulder. The action made her look even younger, but the force of the pat made Suren wobble slightly. Even when restrained, the strength of a Level 3 was nothing to scoff at.
"Guild records don't exaggerate. To break a record like that, you're a genuine genius!"
She turned to Alise with a warm smile, her gray hair looking particularly lively under the lamps.
"Captain Alise, congratulations on adding such a powerhouse to your Familia. With fresh blood like Suren-kun, the 'Justice' of the Astraea Familia will surely shine even brighter."
Alise greeted Ardi with a smile. "Thanks, Ardi. Suren has indeed been a huge help. But surely you didn't come over just to say hello?"
Ardi's expression turned slightly more serious. She looked around and lowered her voice. Though she tried her best to look mature, her youthful face made the gesture look somewhat adorable.
"Actually, there is something I wanted to warn you all about."
She signaled for them to move to a quieter area at the edge of the platform, where they could overlook the flow of people on the spiral stairs without being easily overheard.
"Recently, there has been an increase in abnormal incidents both in the dungeon and within the city," Ardi said, getting straight to the point. Her serious tone created an interesting contrast with her youthful appearance.
"As the city's gendarmes, the Ganesha Familia has access to more intelligence than most. In the past two weeks, we've handled seven cases of adventurer parties encountering unconventional monster combinations in the upper floors, three accidents suspected to be caused by man-made traps, and..."
She paused, her voice dropping even lower, her gray eyebrows knitting together.
"Five cases of adventurers being attacked by unknown assailants within the city during non-exploration hours. The victims were all severely injured, and several people have gone missing. It feels more like a warning than an assassination."
Ryuu's jade eyes turned cold instantly. "Those bastards from the Dark Faction?"
"We can't be one hundred percent certain, but the probability is extremely high," Ardi nodded, her expression grim.
"The attack methods are professional and leave no trace. The targets seem to be randomly selected members of small to medium-sized Familias. The Guild has increased patrols, but our manpower is limited; we can't cover every area."
She looked at the Astraea Familia, her gaze earnest. Her bright eyes held a level of concern that surpassed her age.
"The Astraea Familia has always been a thorn in the side of the Dark Faction. The concept of 'Justice' you uphold is exactly what they want to trample most. Add to that Suren-kun's recent fame... you are very likely to be the next target."
Alise gripped her sword hilt, a fearless smile spreading across her face. "Let them try!"
"I know you aren't afraid," Ardi gave a wry smile, an expression that made her look like a normal girl worried for her friends. "But the Dark Faction's methods are despicable. They won't challenge you head-on. Traps, poison, hostage threats, and manufacturing accidents while you're exploring... those are their usual tricks."
Kaguya interjected, "So, what is your suggestion?"
"Heighten your vigilance, and never go out alone," Ardi said seriously, straightening her slender but strong frame. "Do not use fixed routes for your daily patrols. When exploring, pay attention to environmental anomalies and keep a rear guard. If you spot any suspicious characters or signs, contact the Guild immediately or reach out to the Ganesha Familia directly."
She paused, a flicker of resolve in her gray eyes. "I'll speak with sister Shakti about including your frequent areas of activity in our priority patrol zones. We can't guarantee it'll be foolproof, but it's at least an extra layer of protection."
Ryuu nodded slightly. "Thank you, Ardi. We appreciate the gesture."
"Oh, it's nothing!" Ardi returned to her cheerful self, her short gray hair swaying as she shook her head. "We're allies! Ganesha Familia's duty is to maintain order, and Astraea Familia practices justice to purge evil—our goals are the same!"
She looked at Suren with a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Suren-san, although today is our first meeting, I'm looking forward to your future growth. However..."
Her tone shifted, becoming uncharacteristically stern for her youthful face. "You must be careful. The title of 'Level 2 in three months' is too loud. It's not just the Dark Faction watching you; some other Familias might want to test your strength."
Suren felt a chill in his heart and nodded solemnly. "I understand. Thank you for the warning."
"Alright, I need to get back to my patrol." Ardi stood tall and performed the fist-to-chest salute once more. Her developing curves were evident in the pose, but she seemed entirely unconcerned. "May the protection of Ganesha be with you! If you run into trouble, find us at Ganesha headquarters or look for our people on the streets!"
"May Justice guide your path," the members of the Astraea Familia responded in unison.
They watched Ardi Varma walk away with a light yet powerful stride, her gray hair bouncing in the glow of the magic stone lamps. As her slender but upright silhouette vanished into the crowd above the spiral stairs, the group fell into a brief silence.
"Ardi may be young, but she is reliable," Ryuu spoke first. "She didn't reach Level 3 at thirteen just through talent alone. Her judgment is worth taking seriously."
Kaguya crossed her arms. "Starting tomorrow, patrol teams will be at least two people. Carry the full set of new equipment. When exploring, keep someone on rear-guard duty to avoid being flanked."
Lyra uncharacteristically dropped her smile, her small face serious. "I'll take charge of gathering intelligence. Markets, taverns, the Guild hall... that's where rumors flow thickest. We might be able to catch wind of abnormal movements ahead of time."
Alise looked at Suren, offering a smile full of trust. "And now that we have the new gear and scrolls, our ability to handle emergencies is much stronger than before. Right, Suren?"
Suren nodded, his mind racing.
Ardi's warning confirmed his suspicions: the shadows of the Dark Period were drawing closer. He needed to accelerate his preparations.
"I'll finish the second batch of equipment as soon as possible," he said. "Specifically, protective accessories and more scrolls. Also... I'll look into area-of-effect detection magic items. If we can detect traps or ambushes in advance, it will be much safer."
The elder Maryuu nodded approvingly. "A sound plan, but don't overwork yourself."
"I know my limits."
The party continued upward, finally exiting the mouth of Babel and returning to the bustling streets of Orario.
As they prepared to return to the Starlight Garden, Suren suddenly felt something. He turned his head to look at a small alleyway adjacent to Babel.
It was empty.
But in that fleeting moment, he had certainly felt a gaze—cold, scrutinizing, and carrying an uncomfortably sticky sensation.
"What's wrong?" Ryuu asked, sensing his unease.
"...Someone was watching us," Suren said, retracting his gaze and shaking his head. "It felt very unpleasant."
Ryuu raised her voice slightly. "Did you see who it was?"
Suren had his suspicions—it was likely the Dark Faction—but he wasn't sure which specific sect. He could only say, "I'm not sure. Everyone, stay ready for anything."
The others nodded heavily. They moved quickly back to the Starlight Garden to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
Several days passed. Suren had successfully manufactured a new batch of magic items. Now, he intended to find a buyer.
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Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (79 Chapters – Ongoing)
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