Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"It's just that the helper we were relying on has disappeared, and it took a lot of effort and time to find a cadre who knows the way."

"Say less, Lulu. ...Well, it's just luck and chance that you, staying in this important facility, possess the 'notebook'."

Asphie shrugged slightly, watching the dog-man thief rapidly flipping through the "journal." Behind her, the other members were already destroying the pedestal mechanism used to demolish the floor.

Standing frozen in place, unable to stop them, Baka reluctantly spoke, asking his last remaining "biggest question" as if seeking help.

"The 'key'...? Including the monster group, the Loki Familia mobilized five forces. Even if you obtained the one held by the goddess Ishtar, there should only be five 'keys'..."

As if trying to deny the reality before him, he asked the other person this question.

The one stolen from the Ikelos Familia; the one taken by the Loki Familia during the "Heretics" incident; and finally, the one once held by the goddess Ishtar. Even adding all of these together, the Self-Defense Forces have only lost five "keys." He pointed out that since Finn and his combat units are still active, Asphie, without a "key," could not possibly move freely within the man-made labyrinth.

Asifi pushed up her silver-rimmed glasses with her fingers.

Then, briefly tell the blood-soaked descendant of Daedalus:

I made one.

"————"

The sound echoed in the hall.

Baka's time paused, and at first he couldn't understand what the sentence meant.

"Ten days before the operation officially began, we were not idle. I asked the [Hero] to let me see the 'Key' in person and thoroughly investigate the 'Gate' of the hardest metal, <Orichalcum>, that resonated with it... Based on this information, a new Key was created."

She took out a sphere made of pure silver (mithril). Inside was a red sphere, with a spiderweb-like network of red lines replacing the "D" mark.

"Blood Licorice Petals", "Red Snow Crystal""The compound eye of the deformed spider, then the tear of the dead snake... the eyeballs of your people can be recreated using these dungeon materials."

Through information obtained from Ikelos by the chief god Hermes, Asphie learns that the material for the "key" used the "eyeballs" of the Daedalus clan, thus recreating a magical artifact with the same properties as the "Daedalus Orb".

Of course, the "omnipotent one" is not omnipotent.

It is impossible to create something from nothing when you know nothing about it.

However, if one could directly obtain the "key" seized by the Loki Familia and examine it carefully, that would be a different story.

The Daedalus clan's "Blood Curse"—an "eyeball" marked with the letter "D"—emits a subtle, special "magical power," which causes "doors" to open and close in response. Asphie noticed this and, after numerous trials and errors, analyzed the wavelength of the "magical power" of the "eyeball," successfully "imitating" it by combining various materials from the dungeon.

She poured all her wisdom, technology, and "mystery" into creating a brilliant replica of the "key" to the man-made maze.

"Although this preparation period is only enough to make one... it's sufficient."

Known as the "creator of rare magical items," she lives up to her name.

This time, Baka was speechless.

"I didn't think I was a competitive person... but seeing the extraordinary 'magical items' seems to have made me a little more passionate. I feel that as a fellow magical item maker, I 'can't lose'."

Asphie glanced sideways at the "Eye Crystal" that Luluni was holding.

This super "magical item" that allows for high-level communication even across floors within the dungeon—the invention of this treasure by Fels greatly stimulated the pride of the "Omnipotent One".

"I've got the 'journal'! I have the entire route figured out!"

Luluni, as if demonstrating the power of this "magical tool," brought her mouth close to the "eye crystal" and shouted loudly.

With the "Daedalus Handbook" in his other hand, the thief searched for all the large spaces suitable for placing important facilities and spread the information out in one go.

"The enemy's stronghold is on—the ninth floor!"

Illustration 54915

"The fairy's clone is on the tenth floor! There are several spaces there that are enough for the floor master to wreak havoc! [Hero], give us instructions!"

Upon hearing Lulu's voice coming from the "Eye Crystal" in his hand, Finn clenched his fist tightly.

"Capture the enemy stronghold first! 'Fairy Clone' on hold for now! — Let's go, to the ninth floor!!"

""yes!!""

Tiony and the others responded to Finn's command in unison.

They cut down the monster walls as they went, like wild beasts cornering their prey, and headed straight for their destination.

"List out your current floor and all the landmarks you can see from your current location! We'll pinpoint your location and guide you there!"

"They're finally here!"

Grace's troops also received intelligence through the "Eye Crystal".

The long-awaited "opportunity" since sharing the battle plan with Finn has arrived, and he cheers loudly as he transmits the surrounding geographical information reported by the other members to Luluni.

"Miss Philweis!"

"Okay! Aura, pass the order to the team members <Enor and the others>!"

"I know!"

The elf girls also took advantage of this "opportunity"—the "rapid rise in morale."

Although Aura roared back at Philvis's shouts, she still gave the order for the Dionysus Familia to let out a thunderous roar.

Tell me the number and location of all the entrances and exits on the ninth floor!

"Okay, okay! There are three entrances/exits, located in the north, southeast, and southwest!"

Bert yelled at the crystal and received a panicked response.

The orc troops, who had already entered the ninth level, further quickened their pace.

"Occupy all the entrances and exits to the ninth level of the dungeon! We absolutely cannot allow the god Thanatos to escape! Pass this order on to the follow-up personnel! Next, divide the personnel into three groups: mine, Bert's, and Raul's!"

"receive!"

Deputy Annaquite quickly issued instructions, setting the course for the troops.

After driving away the enemies and turning the staircase into a safe zone—to block escape routes to the upper and lower levels—they deployed members of the Dionysus Familia. The Loki Familia, while driving away the monsters, also occupied the three entrances and exits.

The troops moved with lightning speed, setting up an inescapable trap on the ninth floor of the enemy stronghold.

It is exactly the same as the "battle plan" depicted in the mind of the "hero".

"That's checkmate. We've cornered the enemy on the edge of the chessboard."

"What if there's another move that could turn the tide of the battle?"

"Unless this labyrinth suddenly transforms into a giant... or those 'fairies' start causing chaos, it's impossible."

As the army drove away the enemy soldiers who were desperately roaring as they attacked, Loki, who was casually joking with Dionysus, narrowed his eyes.

"—I was tricked."

At last.

Sanatos, who was observing the adventurers' movements in the "Hall of the Lost," closed his eyes as if admitting defeat and sighed to the heavens.

Illustration 54959

"Did you hear that? That's the sound of destruction that will drive you to the brink of despair."

Countless footsteps echoed through the labyrinth.

Like the sound of military boots clattering, the noise relentlessly vibrated in Baka's bewildered ears.

As Lulune busily relayed information using multiple "Eye Crystals," Asifi coldly told her opponent that the outcome was already decided.

Baka didn't move.

Faced with the rapid and decisive development of the operation, he was now at a loss for how to respond.

As if counting down to the end, red drops of water dripped from the neck he was pressing down on, forming a pool of blood on the paved ground.

then……

"...!"

A group of Loki Familia members appeared in a passageway connecting to the main hall.

This includes healers such as Tiona, Tione, and Amid from the [Deanquet Familia]. They are the main fighting force led by Finn.

Perhaps to fully control the ninth floor, the personnel were dispersed; there were only about ten people, fewer than during the initial assault, but their fighting strength, led by Tiona and others, was still more than sufficient. It was simply a number that Baka alone could not handle.

They had probably already received the "intelligence" using the "Eye Crystal" on their way here. Finn and the others didn't seem surprised and simply confronted the immobilized Baka.

"It's over, Baka Perdix. No, the remnants of the dark faction. The hatred for our comrades who perished in the dungeons... must be avenged."

Upon hearing Asphie raise her short sword and say this, Baka released his grip on her neck.

His hands hung limply at his sides.

The eyes hidden beneath the white bangs were tinged with an undeniable air of resignation.

"...Is this my 'end'...?"

Ignoring the bleeding from his wound, he reached for his waist and pulled out a short sword hidden on his person—a weapon imbued with a "curse".

Seeing the dark blade, even more terrifying and ominous than the weapons of the remnants of the party, Amid narrowed her eyes.

The other adventurers also assumed defensive stances.

Faced with them, Baka raised the cursed artifact in his hand...

"!?"

He plunged the cursed sword into his own body.

"Huh!?"

"Attack...attack yourself!?"

"What...do you want to commit suicide!?"

That's not all.

He drew more "cursed" short swords from his waist and stabbed himself with them again and again.

Not only the other members, but also Tiona, Tione, and Asfi were greatly surprised.

Even Commander Finn and healer Amid stared in astonishment.

Abdomen, shoulders, legs, arms. Although vital organs were avoided, it was clear to everyone that he was on the verge of death. Perhaps due to the multiple "curses" he had suffered, the large amount of blood gushing from his mouth was far more than just a figment of his imagination—a purplish-black color.

"As you said... we have lost. The dark faction will be defeated here."

Baka became covered in blood and spoke in a tone devoid of emotion, even as death approached.

When his terrifying and bizarre appearance greatly shocked both the Loki Familia and the Hermes Familia, the dying man opened his left eye, which was marked with the letter "D".

"But—the man-made labyrinth will live on forever."

The next moment.

He took out a green jewel from the bag hanging on his belt.

"What... 'Precious Pearl Fetus'!?"

Asphi cried out in alarm.

The dog-woman Luluni, the dwarf Mary, and the tiger-woman Falgar were all startled.

Just like in the 24th level of the food warehouse where their companions had perished.As you can see, that thing can be called the "seed" of "filthy fairy spirit". It can parasitize monsters and become a powerful "female body", and even continue to grow and evolve into a "fairy spirit clone".

The "jewel" that Baka took out was larger than what Aesphie and the others remembered, and the entire jewel showed a structure like thick blood vessels.

The fetus inside opened its bloodshot eyes and stared at the adventurers.

"The 'Six Seeds' have been liberated. This one is an independent entity. Coincidentally, it is the very jewel that you, the Hermes Familia, offered as a sacrifice of flesh and blood on the 24th floor."

As Baka vomited blood, he stared intently at the Hermes Familia as if recounting his destiny.

The term "24th floor" triggered a reaction from Lulu and the others, and as their anger began to build—he roared with even more intense emotion:

"Our grand ambition will never fade, our unwavering resolve will never cease. To ensure the completion of the primordial chaos that our progenitor dreamed of, we will take as many as we can with us in death!"

This was the last "shout" of the human race named Baka in his life.

A man who had lived his life in a daze, wandering on the line between "consciousness" and "lack of consciousness," finally had his "self" established for the first time and let out a truly clear "crying cry upon falling to the ground."

This directly transformed into the resolve to sacrifice oneself for the "curse" of a race.

—Could it be that he…?

Asphie realized the man's purpose only then, but it was too late.

Baka pressed the "jewel" he was holding high into his chest in one breath.