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

The eerie "magic" emanating from it brought a "curse" and a cry of despair as it fell to the ground.

"【Phabertor Daedalus】."

Bert saw the reddish ripples shooting out with his naked eye—his amber pupils widened.

"————"

His next choice was to dodge with all his might.

The warlike werewolf succumbed to its instinctive roar and abandoned everything.

He didn't even have the energy to verbally instruct his teammates to dodge; he could only grab the collar of his companion (Lakta) who was in the dodge route and crash into a side aisle.

In an instant, the crimson wave flew past rapidly, covering the area where the group members, the monster, and Bert had just stood in the passage.

The terrifying lingering echoes of resentment haunted my ears.

The next moment.

'——————————————————————!?'

The group members roared along with the monster, and began to lose control.

"Huh... What's wrong with everyone!?"

"...!?"

Swords, spears, fangs, and whips were wielded wildly, splattering blood.

Seeing the bizarre scene of attacking anyone who came near, regardless of whether they were human or monster, Lakta and Bert, lying on the ground, were terrified. The monsters, whether members of the party or monsters, would grab whoever was nearby and kill them on sight.

"Is it a 'curse'...!"

Bert immediately realized that this was not the effect of "magic".

It is likely a "curse" that drives people insane. If the curse is not lifted, they will continue to act out of control until they are exhausted. Anyone who approaches them, whether friend or foe, will be killed without mercy.

Not only is it an extremely short chant, but it also has an extremely lethal effect, making it an unconventional "must-die" for beginners.

If Bert hadn't happened to have an escape route nearby, he would have already become a victim.

"Seeing them and then hiding is a bit much, isn't it? [The Ferocious Wolf]... That's what makes the largest faction in the city (Loki's Familia) so annoying~"

As for Dix, seeing Bert and the others hide in the side passage, he cursed but his face twisted into a smile. He tapped his shoulder with the red gun in his left hand, a smirk playing on his lips as he watched the frenzied riot unfolding before him.

Weapons and claws were swung again and again, spreading blood and raging in a frenzy, whether human or monster.

"Is this a good idea, [Wolf]!? If you don't think of something soon, all your good friends are going to perish together!! Ha, haha ​​...

The mocking laughter etched wrinkles onto Bert's brow.

The goggles-wearing man who orchestrated this out-of-control frenzy rattled his throat and burst into wild laughter.

★

"Our ancestors... the master craftsmen of yesteryear (Daedalus) once attempted to create a masterpiece that rivaled the beauty of Chaos (the dungeons)."

Baka looked down at the pedestal and began to speak slowly and deliberately.

"This is it... the man-made labyrinth (Knossos)."

The water film below reflected the Loki Familia members fleeing in disarray.

"Unbroken blood relatives, referring to the 'blueprints' left behind, are determined to complete the labyrinth... This is the ambition of our ancestors and our descendants, a 'work' that has been around for thousands of years with no end in sight."

Baka watched the movements of Tiona and the others, narrowing his eyes, and placed his hand on the large red bead on the pedestal.

His left eye and the red bead shone with a resonant light, and then Tiona and the others who had escaped the poisonous maggots were blocked by the "door".

"I made some modifications to my ancestors' 'blueprints,' a unique alteration... Although I was unwilling, it was a requirement of the dark faction's contract. Without them, our long-cherished wish would never have been fulfilled."

The large red bead on the pedestal can remotely operate the "doors" throughout the entire maze.

This device can only be used by those who inherit the bloodline of the master craftsmen (Daedalus) mentioned by Baka—those whose pupils contain the letter "D".

Inside the pedestal, Tiona and the others, whose escape route had been cut off, were simultaneously attacked by the poisonous maggots.

"This is a more malevolent labyrinth than that underground labyrinth (dungeon), not just an ordinary fortress (secret base) used to protect the 'evil forces' that are devouring Orario."

"The moment you step into this place, your lives are over," Baka declared, gazing at the pedestal.

"Luring prey away from the group and then eliminating them... this is the basics of hunting. Adventurers without companions (teams) to complement their weaknesses are just nameless nobodies who can exert much power. The Loki Familia is no exception."

The traps and pursuit after the split. Everything is in perfect condition.

The deployed assassins, hordes of monsters, and remnants of the dark faction led by Valetta will drive the fragmented Loki Familia to the brink of destruction.

"Even the Loki Familia is so vulnerable without its comrades."

In the scene reflected by the pedestal, Raul and the others, including Tiony, Tiona, Grace, and Bert, who were holding the dying Finn, became victims of the maze trap one by one.

The Loki Familia, looked down upon from above by Baka, had no choice but to accept reality.

It's unbelievable, but we have to admit it.

Acknowledging the threat posed by this man-made labyrinth is enough to rival that of the "deep."

"Without the 'key,' you can never conquer the man-made labyrinth (Knossos)... It's over."

Baka stared blankly at the adventurers' desperate, distorted expressions, and made that conclusion.

"Only two more elves are left, and then there's [Fiora]..."

Finally, he turned his gaze to the two scenes on the pedestal.

One was two elves running together, and the other was a blonde, golden-eyed girl who moved as fast as the wind.

★

"Lefia, I'll lead the vanguard, don't come to the front!"

“Okay, okay!”

Upon hearing Philweis's instruction, Lefia, who was eager to rush forward, quickly nodded.

Within the labyrinth, where their current location is unknown, Lefia and Philvis have truly lost their way in their search for a way to reunite with the scattered Loki Familia or find a way to break free from their current predicament.

"...Safe, proceed."

Philvis, being a "magical swordsman," naturally positioned herself in front of Lefia, a pure rear-guard mage. She peeked out from around the corner to confirm the presence of the invincible shadow queen before leading Lefia forward.

"Lefia... I think we should just stay here and find a way out."

"what?"

"I understand you're worried about your companions who have fallen to the ground, but right now we should try to escape this maze and seek rescue outside."

Upon hearing Philweis's opinion, Lefia fell silent.

She was absolutely right; it made perfect sense. Instead of the two of them continuing to wander aimlessly through the maze, they should go out and ask Rivera and the others who were waiting for help. In other words, their direction shouldn't be towards the underground where Finn and the others fell, but upwards.

Lefia's rationality understood this, but she just couldn't make up her mind.

(I wonder if Miss Ais and the others are alright.)

She was worried about another small team that had split into two groups.

Please be safe, everyone. It would be even better if we could reunite. As Lefia was praying, Philweis, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped in her tracks, startled.

She first stretched out an arm to make Lefia stop, then pulled her directly into the dark side of the alley.

"What...what happened?"

"Quiet."

Phil Weiss only replied with those two words.

Hearing her extremely nervous tone, Lefia held her breath as a figure appeared at the crossroads ahead.

(…! That’s…)

Lefia peeked out, and a blue-purple hooded robe caught her eye.

It was the masked man they encountered in the grain storehouse on the 24th floor.

The man was wearing silver metal gloves and was completely covered up.

According to Finn and others who had fought him, this person seemed to be the monster who controlled the man-eating plant.

(The enemy is only one person...)

From their perspective, the masked monster appears to be acting alone.

Just as Lefia was peeking at where the other person was planning to go, the other person suddenly turned around and looked in their direction.

"...!"

Fortunately, Philweis pulled Raphia's arm in time, allowing them to hide safely.

I don't think I've been caught... probably.

Lefia's heart pounded throughout her body.

Phil Weiss also pursed her lips into a thin line, enduring the momentary silence.

If the enemy were to summon a monster here, the two of them would be utterly helpless. While holding their breath, Lefia and the others kept their eyes fixed on the masked monster in their direction—they shuddered at the sound coming from afar.

The person immediately ran towards the direction of the sound.

"...It seems they've left."

"That was close... But that sound just now... it sounded a bit like a 'door' opening..."

Since entering the labyrinth, they had heard the sound of solid metal doors moving up and down several times. Lefia shook her elven ears, and Philvis nodded in agreement.

The two immediately took a side path to chase after the masked man.

Of course, they were extremely careful when following, maintaining a distance that was just enough to keep them from losing track of their target.

After navigating several turns in a complex passageway and passing an upward flight of stairs, the masked man finally stood before a passageway.

It looks like an entrance/exit leading outside.

As soon as the "door" opened, two figures stood in front of it, their faces covered by hoodies and robes.

(Who are those two people...?)

As Rafia peeked around the corner, she saw one of the visitors seemingly talking to the masked man. Judging from their body lines, she saw...

The visitors were a man and a woman.

(One of them is... a god?)

Even from afar, Lefia could sense a faint divine power, which made her narrow her eyes. Just then, the masked man led two visitors away.

They used the "key" they had taken out to disappear behind another "door".

Where are they going?

"I don't know, but... it worked, Lefia, it leads outside."

Lefia and her companions glanced in the direction the visitors had gone and also discovered the entrance and exit of the maze.

The "door" seemed designed to close automatically, but it was left there wide open. Lefia peeked out and saw the underground waterway passageway she had seen before.

That should lead to the location of Riveria and the others.

"There are no monsters or enemies in sight. Let's go out, Lefia."

"...Lefia?"

Hearing the reassured tone in Phil Weiss's voice, she remained silent.

Philweis probably found it strange and turned to look, but Lefia—unfurled a magic circle.

"[Make a wish in the name of the fairy—]"

"How……!"

The spell used is Summon Burst [Spirit Ring].

Philweis was so shocked she couldn't speak. Lefia, beside her, accelerated her chanting.

"[Snowflakes fall heavily, three harsh winters have passed—my name is Alfre!]"

It summoned Riveria Leos Alfre's Frost Cannon.

Lefia emitted an emerald glow from the magic circle, her hands outstretched as she grasped the wand.