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

Seeing his family (children) continue working, the man thought to himself, "It's always the same routine." He smiled and left.

★

Finn and his team discovered a "door" at the end of the underground sewers.

This information was also passed on to Ais and her group, who had returned to headquarters after a fruitless search on Daedalus Road, and the Loki Familia decided to begin an investigation based on this information.

The night after discovering the "door" passed, and the next day...

The group members, including Loki, gathered inside the secret passage.

"Wow—, is this the 'Orichalcum' door everyone's been talking about? It's huge—"

"They've prepared such a strange and unusual gate; this must be their secret base."

Tiona, carrying the Great Double Blade (Ulga), looked at the metal door in amazement, while Loki said confidently in a low voice.

(Just like my "Sword of Despair"...)

Ais placed one hand on her beloved sword at her waist and stared intently at the door, just like the rest of the group.

"Orichalcum".

That was an indispensable material for forging Ais's weapon, the "Sword of Despair"—a special weapon of the "Durandal" attribute (superops), known as the hardest refined metal (master-grade ingot). Its strength surpasses that of the super-hard metal (hard steel) mined in the dungeons, undoubtedly making it the highest-grade metal in the world. Like the source of "True Silver (Mithril)," the method of hand-forging refined metal (ingot) is said to have been established when monsters invaded the surface in the "Ancient" era, forcing humanity to unite. That was a pre-modern era, when humanity had neither "forging" skills nor any "divine grace."

It incorporates the technology of humans and all demi-humans, representing the wisdom of the human race and showcasing the immense "possibilities" of the lower realm—an "ancient" crystallization.

This "door," cast from the hardest metal (ostrichite), is indestructible.

As Loki said, the construction of such an exaggerated "door" here implies that there is "something" behind the door.

Ais and the others finally located the enemy's main base.

"A quick comparison with a map will show that this secret passage is definitely connected to Daedalus Road. It seems Loki was right."

"But then again... it's one thing if it's the captain or Grace, but it's really annoying to have those stinky men (Bert and his group) beat me to it, or rather, it makes me feel really useless..."

Their current location is connected to the old underground sewers via a secret passage, overlapping with the city's third district, which lies between East Street and Southeast Street. Riveria realized that this place led to the Labyrinth Street, while Tione murmured resentfully beside her.

Last night, the female members investigated "Daedalus Road" but found nothing, and as Tiony said, they all felt a little ashamed; however, the male members had a different opinion.

"Don't worry about it. We were actually lured here to discover this secret passage."

"It's like they were waiting for us to find it; the entrance to the hidden staircase is open. And it still smells like a carnivorous plant (monster)."

The female members and others turned their gazes toward Finn and Grace.

Beside them, Raul and the others watched the "door" with tense expressions.

"So... this is a trap?"

Rafia's tense voice echoed through the stone passageway.

Just as the deathly silence confirmed her murmur—the door opened.

"!!"

The "door" made of the hardest metal rises up and slowly opens its mouth wide.

Ais and the others opened their eyes wide as the dark, spreading passage was revealed before them.

The magic stone lamp, emitting a blue phosphorescent glow, flickered and extended inwards like an eerie will-o'-the-wisp.

"Finn..."

"Yes, I saw it."

Finn narrowed his eyes as he answered Grace's question.

"There's a masked man... no doubt about it. It seems that the strange man opened the 'door' for us."

Before the "door" was fully open, Finn's blue eyes correctly caught a figure retreating into the darkness.

A hooded robe of blue-purple, paired with a mask with bizarre patterns.

That person was the masked man who fought Ais and the others in the food warehouse on the 24th floor and on the 53rd floor, the expedition site.

The enemy is welcoming the arrival of the Loki Familia.

"Sigh~, it was only for a second, I'm so glad you saw that. I didn't see a single shadow."

"We have 'blessings' that enhance our five senses, so don't compare us to gods who are no different from mortals. Besides, Finn and his little people have particularly outstanding visual abilities among demi-humans."

Loki frowned, rubbing his forehead, and Riveria said helplessly.

While they were talking, Finn gave instructions:

"Bert, Coss, report back to your infiltrator. But don't go too deep, and come back as soon as possible."

He ordered Bert, a first-class adventurer, and Kos, a member of the second faction, to serve as scouts.

Following his instructions to proceed with caution, the LV6 werewolf and the LV4 dogman invaded the passage without saying much.

A few minutes later, the two returned.

"There was no one or any monsters near the entrance. But after walking a little further, the path started to branch out in a complicated way, like a maze... no, like a dungeon."

Coss, who is usually taciturn, reports what he saw on behalf of Bert.

After hearing the report, the group imagined the fortress that the soldiers were holding.

While the leader of the Lilliputians was deep in thought, the other members were discussing amongst themselves.

"What should we do next...?"

"That saves us the trouble of dealing with the hardest metal 'door,' now we can get in!"

"But it seems like a trap no matter how you look at it!"

"Since they've invited us in, why not just turn the tables and defeat their little tricks along with us?"

"Indeed, it's a bit strange to be still undecided after coming all this way..."

Raul, Tiona, Angel, Tione, and the elf Alicia spoke in turn.

Rivera addressed the group members who were exchanging opinions, saying:

"In conclusion, we have no choice but to go. The enemy's goal is to summon a 'demi spirit,' and we have limited time. Once that appears on the surface, the city (Orario) will be engulfed in flames."

—Riviera is right.

Finn, lost in thought, answered in his mind.

Should we strike at the heart of the enemy now, or hesitate and wait for the "celestial spirit clone" to appear on the surface? The choice is obvious.

There's no doubt they've cornered the enemy. Even if traps await them ahead, attempting to break through later will only worsen the situation.

(But... my thumb is throbbing.)

Finn looked down at his right thumb.

It throbbed like a bad omen.

This pain is very similar to the feeling I always get when I enter the "deep" dungeon.

Raul and the others, along with Riveria, remained silent, waiting for Finn to make his final decision. He glanced at Loki beside him.

"Yeah, I do have a bad feeling about it. But I can't not go."

The Lord God told Finn that he had the same premonition as Finn.

As Finn confirmed that his intuition was correct, he began to visualize how the troops would be organized.

At this time...

"Finn, leave the little guy behind."

Bert, who had been silent until now, stared at the open "door" and spoke up.

He perked up the animal ears on his head and twitched his nose a few times.

"There's a stench that annoys me... I don't need small fry dragging me down or getting in my way."

The lower-ranking members were unhappy to hear such rude remarks.

Tiona and Tiony also began to criticize Bert's tone of voice:

"What are you doing, Bert? We're companions (families), stop talking like that!"

"If you just rush in without the support of your defenders, how much power can you and we possibly contribute? This place is basically like a dungeon, isn't it? Don't wait until you're out of weapons or items before you start yelling."

Bert clicked his tongue at their statement. Leaving aside Tiona, Tione was right. And if there was a second entrance to the dungeon, they would need manpower to find it.

As Grace sighed, seeing the stubborn young executives arguing, Finn made his decision:

"We'll split into vanguard, rearguard, and healing groups. Grace and I will lead the attack, while Riveria stays here in case of emergency. I'll ask you to gather intelligence on this secret passage while you wait for us to return with Loki and the others."

"understood."

Upon receiving instructions from the group leader, the group members acted swiftly.

Supporters carried complete sets of equipment, including spare weapons or props, from headquarters.

Lefia, one of the members selected by Finn, picked up her cylindrical backpack and prepared to go. But halfway through packing, someone called her back.

"Lefia... are you going too?"

"Miss Philweis...?"

Just like last night, Philvis was now acting with the Loki Familia.

Her crimson eyes were fixed on Lefia.

"Although I'm angry that my opinion is the same as that werewolf's, I also have a bad feeling that something is going on here..."

Phil Weiss hesitated, but her gaze remained fixed on Lefia.

Lefia was glad the girl was worried about her, but she replied firmly:

"I'm going because I want to help Miss Ais... help everyone."

"……Yeah."

Because I am a mage.

Seeing Lefia grip her wand tightly and say this, Philweis closed her eyes and placed her hands on her chest.

"Then I'll go too, I'll protect you."

Hearing Philweis's promise, which sounded like a knight's oath, Lefia's heart skipped a beat, and she blushed. But she quickly smiled and thanked her.

Surrounded by the bustling group of members, the two elves smiled at each other.

"Wow~, a yuri combination of two beautiful girls (elves), thank you for the treat~ yuri is really great."

"What's so great about it? Really..."

Loki and Grace watched Lefia and the others from afar; one smiled wickedly, while the other sighed.

"Is this a good idea? Let the elves from other factions travel with us..."

"Hmm~, anyway, I asked her for help on the 24th floor. Besides, I pressed her a little earlier, and it seems she wasn't instructed by the main god (Dionysus), but rather did it on her own. However, she herself said it was that pretentious man who gave the order."

"Oh?"

Loki answered Grace, recounting his conversation with Phil Weiss, who had offered her assistance.

"I want to protect Lefia."

She said that before the gods who forbade lying, the pure white elf made this steadfast declaration.

"She wasn't lying; that elf girl really is Lady Lefia's knight."

"...I thought I was used to it, but the elves' rigid manner really made me, a dwarf, feel uncomfortable."

Compared to Loki's chuckling, Grace squinted and pretended to scratch his upper arm.

In the direction the two were looking, two young elven girls were helping each other prepare for an attack.

"..."

Ais overheard Grace and the others' conversation, glanced at Lefia and Philwis, and smiled.

Then she straightened up and turned to face forward.

She listened to the commotion of her companions running around, silently watching the enemy's secret base with its doors wide open.

★