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

"That's why Daedalus's descendants have allied with the dark factions or other organizations..."

Therefore, the descendants of the progenitor (Daedalus) would associate with the underground organizations in the city, hoping to obtain assistance from people who had acquired building materials such as the hardest metal (ostrich ore) or had great wealth through illegal transactions or theft.

The terms of the exchange were: they would provide the artificial labyrinth (Knossos) as a second entrance and exit to the dungeon, as well as a hiding place unseen by the guild.

Over the years, the underground organization, initially skeptical, likely recognized the convenience of the man-made labyrinth (Knossos), which had been expanded and deepened, and began to support its expansion. It's conceivable that a few "evil forces" were involved in this, helping them conceal the labyrinth's existence from the guild's knowledge.

Hermes ran his fingers along the brim of his hat and fully understood the whole thing.

It's nothing more than the fact that the man-made labyrinth (Knossos) has become a breeding ground for the dark side of urban life—"evil forces"—that has been lurking in cities since ancient times.

"It seems the descendants will stop at nothing to complete the labyrinth. Some are determined to obtain the 'mystery,' while others kidnap women to ensure their offspring can inherit the 'work'..."

Ikelos said that Dix was also conceived by a woman who was taken to the labyrinth.

It is also said that there are many half-brothers or incestuous relationships in the family.

"Although it was said to be the dying wish of their ancestor (Daedalus), the reason why their descendants have spent their lives creating absurd and nonsensical 'works' is because..."

"That's just how it is, based on bloodline."

Ikeros shrugged and answered Hermes.

"According to Dix, it seems to be a blood curse?"

The handsome man looked down at the maze-like street unfolding beneath the brick tower and smiled gently.

"In other words, the Daedalus family was led by the nose by a 'notebook' and ended up making this thing."

A pair of red eyes were faintly visible through the colored lenses of the goggles.

Dix, holding a spear of the same color, said this, concluding the story.

"...In other words, hunting 'heretics' is also a means of fundraising."

No one can be sure when Dix and the other hunters learned of the existence of the "heretics".

All we know is that Dix needed a huge sum of money to complete the artificial labyrinth (Knossos), and eventually took control of the [Familia] who joined in order to obtain "divine favor," and began to get involved in the city's smuggling business.

Dix scoffed at Fells's speculation.

"Yes, that was the case at first."

Just as Bell was beginning to have doubts about his tone, a loud bang was heard.

"Stop talking nonsense!!"

Upon closer inspection, it was clear that Guros had raised his claws and swung them, breaking the cage beside him.

The gargoyle has piercing eyes and spreads its gray stone wings that grow from its back.

"No matter your reasons, you have abused your own people and killed Raniere and the others! — I will make you pay!!"

In the blink of an eye, the gargoyle lunged at Dix.

The man in goggles grabbed the collar of his subordinate and threw him forward. "Huh?" A whisper turned into a shrill scream the moment he became prey for the stone claws.

The splattered blood seemed to be a signal, and the battle began.

"Kid, I'll go with Guros in the front! Dol, you guys protect the wounded!"

"What—gaa!?"

With a shout, the lizardman felled the nearest orc. Some of the "heretics," protecting their rescued brethren, also took up arms to fight the attacking hunters.

"You damned bastard!"

"Whoosh... [Flame and Lightning]!!"

Bell was momentarily stunned by the rapidly spreading flames of war, but then someone attacked him, forcing him to fight back.

To protect the injured half-human, half-bird creature, Bell fights alongside Red Hat, who wields a giant axe, and Fels, using "Quick Attack Magic" to keep the hunters at bay.

"Hey...isn't this a bit too strong? What a miscalculation."

On the other hand, the Ikeros Familia were also alarmed.

Apart from Dix, all the other men joined the battle, but as he said, the hunters were at a disadvantage. They had planned to target the weaker monsters, but the enraged "heretics" used their superhuman strength to overcome them, thwarting their plans.

Reed and Goros, in particular, were fighting with bloodlust, while Dix, who was watching the fight from the sidelines, had a twisted smile on his face.

"Looks like I don't have time to be stingy... I'll use it anyway."

After saying that, Dix slung the gun in his left hand over his shoulder and extended his right index finger straight out.

"————"

The reason the former sage (Fels) was able to react to that with a tremor was because of it.

It was purely based on the "experience" of living longer than everyone else present.

—Too late.

At the edge of their field of vision, the big man (Gran) and the others dodged urgently, the absolute zero chill threatening their skeletal bodies.

Behind the battlefield, the black-clad magician flicked his robe.

"—Bell Craney, hide behind me!!"

Hearing Fels's outburst, Bell opened his eyes wide and instinctively did as he was told.

Bell hugged Rhett and Faye tightly, then lunged behind the black-clad figure with outstretched arms.

The next moment.

"Get lost in an endless nightmare (fantasy)."

The man in goggles let out a sneer from his throat.

"【Phabertor Daedalus】."

A crimson wave shot from his fingertips.

“——————”

A crimson beam of light shot straight onto the battlefield.

A wave of light emitted an ominous glow that devoured the darkness. The red wave, traveling at the speed of light, neither caused an explosion nor electrocuted anyone; it simply swallowed everyone within its range without leaving a trace, then flew away as if nothing had happened. The only thing left behind was a terrifying sound that seemed to curse and relentlessly gnaw at your ears.

As Bell and the others, hiding behind Fels, hurriedly covered their ears and looked up to see what was happening,

『—Roar! ?』

All the monsters lost their reason and went berserk.

"How--!?"

"Reed, Guros!?"

"Everyone!? Why...!?"

Bell, red soft hat, half-human, half-bird.

They stared wide-eyed as they watched the "heretics" destroy everything in their path.

The bloodshot-eyed lizardman and the gargoyle, roaring madly, spat out large drops of saliva and lashed out wildly with their twin swords and claws. They were like "beasts."

What all the monsters have in common is that their eyes, like Dix's, are dyed the same red.

The loud crash of the overturned cage, the shattered stone floor, and the deafening frenzy.

The attacks, which targeted anyone they saw, quickly spread to their own people, and tragedies of infighting broke out everywhere on the battlefield.

"W-What happened...!?"

Needless to say, the armed "heretics" were a sight to behold, but the sight of even the monsters, severely injured from abuse, going berserk and out of control terrified Bell. The monsters, their wounds splattered with copious amounts of blood, continued to attack everything around them, their screams and roars blending seamlessly together.

The "beastly" feast unfolding before him made Bell's skin crawl.

"It's a curse...!!"

Beside the terrified and stunned Bell and his companions, Fels managed to squeeze out a bitter voice.

"Curse".

It is a spell that, like "magic," is cast with incantation as the trigger, but it differs from ordinary magic, such as spells that can spew fire, lightning, or ice, or enchantments that can enhance abilities. A "curse" can exert an effect that is exactly what is called a "curse."

Confusion, immobilization, or additional pain, etc.

These effects do not cause direct damage, but they can have a fatal negative impact (disadvantage) in combat.

The most troublesome aspect is the limited defensive and healing spells. Both defense and healing require specialized items, and even those with "abnormal resistance" cannot escape.

Of course, the monster was completely unprepared.

Just like with "magic," Reed and the other "heretics" were helpless against human-specific moves that monsters couldn't use, and were directly hit by them.

"Ah, in most cases, this trick would solve everything—but..."

Dix was initially watching the chaotic monsters with amusement, but his gaze fell on Bell and the others, along with Fels, standing motionless at the edge of the battlefield in the distance ahead.

"Someone actually escaped the trap—is that robe of yours a magical artifact, magician!?"

"...Correct answer. It can ward off curses or anti-status magic."

When Dix asked him a question loudly, Fels answered in a voice that the other person couldn't hear.

Protecting Bell and the others from the "curse" was the power of the black-clad figures. The magician, now calling himself "The Fool," added quietly, "However, it's hard to say whether the 'curse' will work on this skeleton (body)," glancing back at the smiling man in goggles.

"The reason their hunting activities remained undetected and they were able to easily escape the clutches of the Hermes Familia lies in that 'curse'...!"

All the points in Fels's mind were connected by the line of "curse".

In other words, regardless of the type of witness, once afflicted by this "curse," they will lose control and end up in the monster's stomach without even lifting a finger. Even if they are lucky enough to survive, their minds will be clouded, and their memories of the entire event will likely be hazy.

The real reason they quickly fled from Asphie's Hermes Familia was that Dix was wary of the "Omnipotent Ones'" magical artifacts—items like Fels' black robe that could defend against or heal "curses." They didn't want to fail to eliminate the enemy and instead have their information stolen.

Bell understood.

Dix's "curse" is most effective when first seen.

【Fobertor Daedalus】.

A "curse" that bewitches and drives people mad.

Even though it's a very short chant, it boasts a wide range and high power as its finishing move.

The person who cannot resist is thrown into a frenzy, catching them off guard.

Faced with the true essence of a curse that drives people to madness and exhaustion, Bell couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

Dix was able to remain calm because of this tactic.

This is the ultimate trump card he holds, having captured all the "heretics".

"To play this card, you can't afford to miss..."

In the battleground of the hall, some hunters, unable to dodge the unannounced "curse" or lacking rare anti-curse magical items, also let out beast-like roars. They wildly swung their broken swords at fellow humans or monsters, displaying their madness.

Ignoring the drastically changed humans and monsters, Dix said:

"Fine, whatever—let the monster eat me."

Immediately afterwards, several monsters were blasted away and flew in front of Bell and the others.

「!?」

They were the "heretics" who were originally fighting. They were beaten by other individuals and crashed in front of Bell and the others.

As soon as the mentally deranged monsters stood up, they attacked Bell and the others beside them.

"Ahhh... Ahh ...

"Oh no!?"

The curse's evil hand finally reached Bell and the others.

They dodged the relentless but merciless swings of sharp teeth and claws, their hammer blows on the stone pavement producing shattering and cracking sounds. Irrational gazes pierced through Bell, Fels, Ritter, and Fei'er. Seeing the ferocious faces of their comrades, the red-hatted figure and the half-human, half-bird were terrified.

Add to that the hunter thugs, who, despite being severely injured, continued to attack in a frenzy, and a chaotic battle quickly erupted, centered around Bell and his companions.

"————Hoo!?"

「!?」

Realizing that the "heretics" were originally one of their own, retaliating became even more difficult. Forced to defend or dodge, Bell momentarily wavered, revealing an opening that allowed the griffin to seize him. Just as the griffin's sharp beak was about to bite Bell, the large (giant) griffin's club sent Bell and his companions flying.

"Lord Bell!?"