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

The dark faction's retinue responsible for protecting Thanatos also sprang into action. Two warriors, lurking in the mist, stood in front of Ais.

(Two against one...! Can they win?)

Although she had participated in many simulated battles with Finn and his group, Ais had never experienced real combat. This made her hesitant, worried that if it escalated into a bloody and shouting brawl, she might back down.

However, the enemy's presence was far less noticeable than Finn's group; they were most likely just novice adventurers like themselves. If that was the case, Ais believed there was still a chance of victory.

However, ignoring Ais's thoughts, Thanatos made an inappropriate remark.

"I've got it! I've got a great idea!"

He snapped his fingers in a tone as if a child were thinking of a childhood game.

Beneath the hood, lips were outlined in a creepy crescent shape.

"Little sister 'Doll Princess', let me give you a gift."

"...?"

"I've wanted to try it for a long time."

A look of surprise appeared on Ais's face, while the dark faction glanced at Sanatos in alarm; in front of both of them, Sanatos raised one arm above his head.

He pointed his arm at the rocky ceiling that blocked the way, then squinted his deep purple eyes and smiled.

Please accept this.

The next moment.

The "divine power" that had been suppressed until now was liberated from the side of the gods.

「!?」

The intense, dark purple waves—the "color" of Death (Sanato)—transformed into slender beams of light that pierced the labyrinth's ceiling, making them visible to the naked eye.

Then, "that" came.

The first thing to happen was an earthquake.

Like a groan, like a growl, like anger, the land of the labyrinth resounded and trembled.

As Ais was still reeling from the "unknown" phenomena she had never encountered since entering the dungeon, the labyrinth walls roared. Deep within the white mist, from all directions of the three caverns with their entrances and exits, a sound like an avalanche resounded.

Could it be that the exit is blocked?!

A flash of intuition that pierced her brain left Ais speechless with astonishment. The same was true for the apostles of the dark faction.

Ignoring Ais and the others' astonishment, Thanatos continued to laugh.

The male god seemed to comfortably endure the earthquakes that kept assaulting him, and slowly looked up at the sky above.

"Ah—so that's how it is."

Just as Ais followed his gaze, the next moment...

Pichi!

"────"

The ceiling of the maze has cracked.

Fragments scattered like rain, a fleeting glimpse of the moment "that" was summoned by the dungeon...

Ais's eyes froze.

*

same moment.

"!--"

In the guild's underground temple, the old god groaned.

"Uranus?"

"...A god has invaded the dungeon."

As he was questioned by the men in black, deep wrinkles appeared between his brows.

"Goddess Freya..."

"...Please don't create unnecessary trouble like this, okay?"

The same applies to the white-walled tower.

"I just shook it, Lord God... Lord God?"

"Who's this idiot who unleashed their power...?"

This also applies to the main street where weapon shops are located.

"Hey, hey, hey... this can't be described as just playing with fire, you know?"

"Hormes, what's wrong?"

This also applies to mansions located far from the city center.

"Ganesha! The dark faction has appeared and is attacking the magic stone manufacturing factory in the northeast!"

"...Okay, I understand. You can proceed!"

This was also the case in a corner of the city where military police were concentrated.

All the gods in Orario sensed it and understood what it was. Because it emanated from the "upper layers" close to the surface, the gods were able to sense it and clearly feel its power.

Of course, the same applies to their side.

"Hey, Loki, what's up?"

"At this time, it's unlikely that..."

Loki stared sternly at the ground, which was still trembling slightly.

Just as she was unable to answer Grace's question...

"Commander Finn! The Dark Faction has made its move! The Industrial Zone is reportedly under attack. The Ganesha Familia requests urgent support!"

A member of the Loki Familia appeared, bringing urgent news to Finn and the others.

"Seriously! At a time like this! Finn!"

"...Yes, let's go. We can't just stand by and do nothing about the factory being attacked."

For Orario, the only city in the world that prides itself on its materia industry, the northeastern industrial zone where materia products are manufactured is like the heart of the city. If this area is destroyed, the entire labyrinthine city will suffer a major blow.

Finn licked his thumb, glanced at Loki's profile, and began to give instructions quickly.

"Grace, you assemble a faster unit to go first. I will take overall command."

"good!"

"Order all personnel to move out!"

"I see!"

Upon receiving the swift instructions, Grace and the messengers rushed out.

Just before setting off, Finn turned back to look at Riveria behind him.

"Finn...I..."

"Rivia, go find Ais."

"!"

"I have a bad feeling. You must bring her back; you must go and get her!"

After shouting to the Elven royal family, the leader of the dwarves ran off without stopping and disappeared behind the rain.

Riveria was standing there, stunned, when Loki grabbed one of her arms, snapping her back to reality.

"In the underground city."

"?"

"Ais must be in the dungeon. No, there's no other possibility. Something's definitely up."

Loki let the raindrops drip down his crimson hair that clung to his face and grabbed Riveria's shoulders.

"If my intuition is correct, Ais is in a dangerous situation right now."

"...!"

"Go, Rivera. There's no time for you to be confused—go and save that child."

Only you can do it.

Upon hearing Loki open his crimson eyes and tell her this, Rivera, who had remained silent, clenched her fists.

Seeing her nod in response, the chief god smiled.

"Sorry, Loki. I'll be right back."

Rivera, with a look of disillusionment on her face, ran out.

Running towards the city center, a towering white-walled tower stands in the darkness.

*

The thing spewed out countless fragments, which were born from the labyrinth.

Sharp claws, long fangs, countless scales, and wings with deformed membranes.

Then, his entire body turned completely black.

Seeing that upside-down posture, with a long neck raised, Ais's heart screamed.

that is……

that is……

That is...!

The hilt of the sword made a squeaking sound, and my heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.

As Ais's eyes became fixed on "that," Thanatos casually pulled out a silver-white sphere, which appeared to be a magical artifact, from his pocket.

"Well then, 'Puppet Princess' sister, you decide what to do. I'm leaving before I'm torn to pieces."

He didn't even glance at the being in the sky, turning and walking away as if it were none of his business.

Sanatos led his trembling, terrified retinue of the Dark Faction into the depths of the fog.

"Go back to heaven first—my dear child."

The figure in black and the whispered voice disappeared into the white mist, and then...

The pitch-black entity, fully revealed from the shattered rock mass, fell from the sky, roaring as it spread its wings.

"--Roarooooo ...

A cry that could shake the mist in the cave erupted.

Hearing the high-pitched roar that made her eardrums tingle, Ais forgot to cover her ears and imprinted that imposing manner into her eyes.

That was a "dragon".

It is a type of dragon that should not appear in the "upper levels" except for young dragons; it is a flying dragon with a pair of wings.

"Pterosaur".

This is a monster that inhabits the middle layer of the region. Including its long tail, its total length is roughly estimated to be nearly five meters. Even though it is obscured by smoke, its outline can still be clearly seen, making it a genuine dragon.

Its body is light red, covered with jet-black and tough scales. It is immediately recognizable as an "Irregular," a "subspecies" with hidden power far exceeding that of the ordinary species.

Black Dragon.

As Ais stared intently at the monster without moving, the wyvern hovered high above her head, scanning the area below with its crimson eyes.

The pterosaur first looked down at the entire fog that blocked its view, then opened its mouth wide, revealing countless sharp teeth.

Deep inside the mouth is a blazing, brightly lit fireball.

Ais's eyes widened to the extreme.

then……

"──────────────────────────!!"