"...Aren't there too many people?"
Three days later, when I arrived at the designated meeting place, a surprisingly large crowd had gathered for what was supposed to be a simple investigation.
It was fair to say that nearly all the key executives of the Loki Familia, along with their high-level members, were present.
"Are we heading out right away?"
"Yeah. The target is Floor 27. The request from the Guild specifically asks us to investigate that floor."
"...This is going to be rough for a while."
For the record, the deepest I had ever descended was Floor 23.
If I formed a party with Aiz, I could potentially reach Floor 29, but only if luck was on my side.
In other words,
"Good thing I stocked up on potions."
There would be no such thing as "going easy" on this trip.
"Trace on... [Unfamiliar Fire]!!!"
I incinerated the monsters rushing toward us by projecting a magic sword.
They were reduced to ash instantly, leaving nothing behind but their magic stones.
Unfortunately, there were no rare drops.
"Looks like I'll need to create some other magic swords as well."
Until now, [Unfamiliar Fire] had been sufficient, but from Floor 25 onward, the environment was so saturated with water that the area had earned the nickname the Water Labyrinth City. I needed more versatile options.
"Bellf. Tired?"
"I can manage."
Eventually, we reached Floor 27.
"All right, from here on, we begin the investigation of Floor 27. Any questions?"
"None!"
The search began the moment we stepped onto the floor.
Damn it... damn it all!
Why the Loki Familia, and not the Astraea Familia!?
Isn't this exactly the kind of job a Familia responsible for public order should be handling!?
So why Loki, and not Astraea—the ones actually chasing Evilus!?
Was it because of that thing?
"Ouranos... that old man... the children of the Lower World can afford to suffer a little, you know...!"
Was a holy sword made by some human blacksmith really that important, Ouranos!?
"What's wrong? Enyo, did something happen?"
"Ah... right..."
Right... you were here too.
"You wouldn't mind being sent back to the heavens, would you?"
"I wouldn't, but..."
"Then why not make one grand move before you go? We'll deal a fatal blow to the current Familias of Orario."
The Dungeon hates gods enough to send monsters after them directly.
Originally, I had planned to break part of the floor to lure monsters out, but...
"Hmm... this could be fun."
If I was going to face the strongest Familia, I needed a catalyst on this level.
"Did you find anything!?"
While I was casually surveying the area, Finn shouted from a distance.
"No! What about over there!?"
"Nothing here either!"
So the rumors really were worthless?
Since we hadn't found anything of value, I was about to call Aiz back from where she was fighting monsters in the distance and head home when—
"Ugh... what's with this sudden light...?"
The entirety of Floor 27 was engulfed in a blinding radiance that felt as if it would sear my eyes shut.
At the same time,
"?! An earthquake?"
"Everyone, get down!!!"
[■■■■■■■■■!!!]
The Dungeon began to shake violently, and the scream of an unfamiliar woman started to echo through the caverns.
The tremors ripping through the Dungeon split the thick earth of Floor 27 apart, and through the widening chasm,
A grotesque black dragon, composed of nothing but bone, emerged.