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

Among the rows of houses on the wide street, in the narrow gaps and dark depths between buildings.

Ais pierced the darkness with her sharp gaze, as if saying, "Come out."

Soon after, the source of the gaze that had been monitoring the three men emerged, brushing aside the shadowy figure.

(Cat People)

Dark armor, dark short-sleeved shirt, and dark face shield, seemingly blending into the darkness.

It was a male. A cat-like orc shorter than Bell, he covered the upper half of his face, including his eyes, with a metal mask to conceal his true appearance.

The beast's ears and tail were damp with moonlight, and its fur was a mixture of black and gray.

In his right hand, he held a silver spear that was over two meters long.

Facing this person who resembled a ferocious cat that would bite a mouse to death despite its owner's scolding, and who harbored murderous intent, Ais adopted the expression of the [Sword Princess].

“——”

The next instant, there was a "thump".

The cat-people, their hidden killing intent directed at Bell, lightly kicked the stone slabs, closing in on them in an instant.

Before the boy could react, time seemed to stand still as he saw the figure appear before him.

Just as the cat-man raised his spear, about to strike in less than a second, Ais swiftly drew the Sword of Despair, preventing him from succeeding.

"——!"

"!"

It bounced off.

The opponent could not ignore the existence of the [Sword Maiden]. With a flash of silver sword, she slashed at the spear that was in emergency defense, bursting out bright and intense sparks, and repelled the attacker from in front of the boy.

The cat-man youth was sent flying backward, much to Bell's astonishment. Ais then silently took a step forward.

Ais raised her golden eyes and stared intently at the instigator who had shut out everyone else and created this desolate situation—the "enemy" lying in ambush waiting for them.

The attacker was not intimidated. His eyes met Ais's, and then they both ran out at the same time.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey!"

An astonishing battle ensued.

Hestia, who had been standing there with her mouth agape, finally snapped out of her daze and cried out. As for Ais and the cat-man youth, they engaged in a fierce melee.

Speed ​​and evasion, preemptive strikes and counterattacks, followed by a barrage of attacks, back and forth. The two advanced adventurers clashed repeatedly without ceasing, leaving the novice adventurer standing there dumbfounded and the powerless goddess aside.

Each time their bodies intersected, the speed increased even further.

(—Could this person be…?)

The cat-man's physical abilities were on par with her own at level 6, and his spear skills were no less impressive than her swordsmanship, causing Ais to narrow her eyes.

Just then, far above, a faint breath stirred.

Directly above Ais and the cat-man youth, on the roof of a three-story house, four short figures appeared.

Even in the midst of battle, Ais could still sense their presence, thinking, "They really do have accomplices," which broadened her awareness and perspective.

In the blink of an eye, a sword, a hammer, a spear, and an axe—four weapons—along with four figures, descended from above.

"—Miss Ais!?"

When the boy cried out from the sidelines at the surprise attack from the sky, Ais displayed the skill that adventurers feared and called "War Maiden".

She used supersonic speed to drive the cat-man away from her embrace, and then, with lightning-fast reflexes, followed up with a second blow to his head with her beloved sword.

Ais, like a fully drawn bow, unleashed her full power, a sword strike called arrows, against the four approaching weapons.

『！ ！ 』

A crescent-shaped flash of light was drawn above his head, symbolizing a powerful slash.

The indestructible sword (the sword of despair) swung to the very end was so fast that it carved a silver sword shadow in the air, deflecting all the falling weapons at once.

With a single swing, the sword deflected four times its number of weapons, producing a metallic clang. The four attackers, displaying astonishment and admiration, landed on the ground along with the deflected weapons.

Ais's long golden hair was gently blown about, and the cat-man youth, who had been forced back, whispered:

"Tsk...what a monster."

Witnessing the astonishing "technology" and "tactics" that far exceeded her ability, the cat-man spoke bitterly to the blonde, golden-eyed girl.

Witnessing that series of sword techniques, even the boy who felt a chill in the distance could sense the number of battlefields the girl had traversed.

Soon, the attackers, who landed in the opposite direction of the cat people, revealed themselves in the moonlight.

Four dwarfs, wearing dark armor and face shields, dressed in the same type of equipment as the young man.

Facing the cat people and these diminutive people carrying large weapons that didn't match their height, the shock so strong it made her hands numb caused Ais to squint one eye. She swung her sword, making a "whoosh" sound.

This seemed to signal the resumption of the war, and the six adventurers set out together.

"!!"

Ais bravely fought back against the relentless attackers who attacked from both sides.

Like the cat-man youth, the four dwarfs possessed abilities and skills worthy of their first-class status. Surrounded and attacked by a total of five attackers, Ais, whose movements were restricted, abandoned dodging and met each attack head-on with the "Sword of Despair".

Black Raid Under the Moonlight

In the isolated backstreets of the city, Ais played a continuous chorus of metal, unleashing a barrier of swords and blades as she engaged in a deadly battle with the attackers.

"—I'm warning you, Fiora."

What was the purpose of this attack? Was it a night raid targeting him, a member of the largest faction in the city (the Loki Familia)?

As Ais pondered the attacking enemy who came without warning, one of the dwarves, armed with a greatsword, spoke from beneath his mask.

"From now on, you are not allowed to meddle in other people's business anymore."

The dwarf wielding the warhammer continued, a seemingly random sentence that caused Ais's eyebrows to contort with doubt.

She continued to fight the enemy, and couldn't help but answer:

"What... does this mean?!"

"Expedition or whatever, just stay in the maze and don't come out, you doll."

"It would be best if you just died while you were at it," the cat-man youth replied rudely.

Before Ais could even comprehend their words, a scream came from behind her.

"Bell, Bell!?"

While dealing with the enemy's attacks, Ais reflexively turned around and saw Bell and the screaming Hestia surrounded by another group of soldiers in black.

There are other accomplices!? Ais hesitated, about to rush to the rescue, but the spears fired immediately blocked her way.

"...!?"

"If you don't heed my warning, I won't show any mercy."

The cat-man youth, thrusting his gun, responded with a cold voice.

Just as Ais was slowed down, Bell and his group started fighting.

As if to make an example of them, four men and women in black rushed towards the boy and the goddess.

Ais was anxious about what she saw ahead. She tried to break through the adventurers who were besieging her, but they wouldn't let her succeed.

The attack speed increased again.

The five figures accelerated and attacked even more fiercely, their intensity causing Ais to widen her golden eyes.

These people, they really are...

Ais was anxious about the enemy's terrifying strength, and at the same time, she was almost certain of who they were.

A certain [Family] – which can be said to be another major faction equivalent to the largest faction in the city (Loki Familia).

They are first-class adventurers, led by a certain goddess, whose strength is comparable to Ais's, and who have experienced countless battles.

(Vana Freia and Bringar...!)

On one side is a Lv.6 warrior nicknamed "Speedy" and the best in Orario; on the other side are four Lv.5s who have perfect teamwork and, through their top-level coordinated actions, can unleash combat power exceeding that of Lv.6 and above.

Her attacks were completely suppressed by the multi-stage counterattacks of the little people. The cat-man gradually accelerated, and it became clear that his "agility (legs)" surpassed that of the upgraded Ais. He forced her to maintain the sword barrier with overwhelming combos. She couldn't bring herself to use her true ability, "magic (wind spirit dash)," in a human battle, especially since the enemy wouldn't allow her to utter even a short incantation.

Outnumbered, even someone as powerful as Ais couldn't possibly defeat five Level 1 adventurers.

If they are willing to make a move, the outcome of this battle will be decided easily.

"I repeat, this is a warning."

"Continue with excessive intervention, or you might lose your life."

The little people, wielding spears and axes, continued their battle, killing with soft blades, and swung their blades at Ais.

As the battle situation gradually turned against her, and Ais's expression was about to lose its composure, the cat-man attacker glared at her from beneath his dark mask, his gaze chilling to the bone.

"If you dare to interfere with us—interfere with that sir, I will take your life."

With a terrifying flick of his wrist, the spear sliced ​​through the air, grazed the silver breastplate, and sliced ​​off a piece of its surface.

Silver fragments splashed from the armor like water droplets, glittering in Ais's vision.

"—Miss Ais!"

at this time.

The boy's urgent cry flew toward her.

Ais, caught in a predicament, turned around sharply and saw Bell extending his right arm straight out.

He single-handedly and skillfully repelled four black soldiers, his left arm around Hestia, his deep red eyes fixed on the black-clad attackers.

The first-level adventurers also reacted to Bell's actions, and Ais took the opportunity to escape from their encirclement.

In the blink of an eye, the boy roared out the sound of a cannon.

"[Flame Lightning]!"

The six streams of fiery lightning shot out without any incantation.

The lightning-like flames shot out in rapid succession, overlapping and rushing away, engulfing the attackers.

explosion.

A fierce heat wave surged from the point of impact, and the explosive power of the lightning transformed into sparks that danced in the air, turning Bell, Hestia, and Ais's faces crimson with intense light.

As the crackling sound of "magic" burning never stopped.

The dark attackers easily swept away the sea of ​​fire that had been set ablaze in a corner of the street.

"They cast magic without even chanting..."

"We must report this to that sir. He will be very pleased."

The five attackers didn't take the novice adventurer's "magic" seriously at all, and walked out leisurely, while the dwarf males even had happy smiles on their faces.

Seeing the first-level adventurers emerge covered in sparks, Ais dared not be careless and assumed a fighting stance. However, they seemed to think it was time to stop and put down their weapons.

"That's enough, let's retreat."

At the cat-man's command, the attackers scattered in all directions.

Fearing the fire would attract outsiders, they quickly rescued the Black Soldiers that Bell had defeated and then retreated.

Ais had no intention of rashly pursuing them. Even after they disappeared from sight, Ais did not put down the Sword of Despair. She only breathed a sigh of relief when the enemy soldiers were completely gone.

She sheathed her sword and walked to the bewildered and stunned boys.

"Are you injured?"

"Ah, I'm fine. Where's Miss Ais...?"

"I'm fine too."

Bell, who was worried about Hestia, looked up.

Although it had no effect, his support shots did help Ais in a critical moment.

Ais had also seen this extraordinary "magic" with its exceptionally fast activation speed on the 10th floor. She was filled with amazement and wanted to express her gratitude... However, the white-haired boy lowered his eyes and bit his lip as if he was enduring something.

Just as Ais was wondering about his expression—