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

All their efforts were transformed into boundless "magic" that surged forth.

Having already summoned magic, "Bombardment" was already in standby mode. The city's strongest mage's "magic" reached its critical point while Finn and the others bought time.

The carnivorous plants (monsters) finally noticed the abundant magical energy gushing out like water overflowing from a cup, but it was too late.

"I won't lose either!!"

The passion they showed transformed into a raging fire to rescue their companions, generating unprecedented firepower.

It was the "annihilation bombardment" that was stolen from the master and fired through the wall.

The elves, who had brought the reinforcements (Finn and others) here, unleashed a massive support attack after gathering their strength.

"【Advanced Sword of Victory】!!"

The towering pillar of fire leaped over the partition wall and burst forth from the floor.

'Roar! Ro ...

Flames erupted from the ground of the Great Prison. The jagged pillars of fire caused a powerful heatwave to sweep through the entire area within the magic circle's effective range, affecting all the intricate, spiderweb-like passageways. At first, the piercing screams of "colorful monsters" rang out, followed by the terrified cries of the remnants of the dark faction. Those "heretics" not targeted by the flames also fled in agony, shrieking and terrified of being caught in the crossfire.

"Tsk—!?"

As the flames shot towards her, Revis shielded her face with her arms while moving away from her original position with superhuman speed.

Finn did not miss the opening where the Dark Faction was in serious disarray, and gave the order:

"All personnel evacuate! As quickly as possible!"

Following the pre-discussed procedures, the rescue team members launched their operation in perfect unison. Riveria and Grace also moved swiftly, rushing one after another into the passage where Lefia was waiting—the "escape route."

"Commander... I..."

"..."

At the entrance to the passage, Alicia, the last to retreat, looked up at Finn with a dazed expression. Having been carried here by Navi and the others, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor.

She clung to a dying singing bird, its shoulder pierced by the cursed sword, covered in blood like Alicia.

Finn understood everything when he saw that Alicia wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to say it.

Not only did he understand, he also told the group members:

"Take this monster away too!"

"!"

Navi and the others, who were initially wavering and unsure of what to do, all obeyed this instruction.

The team members supported the "alien" with wings instead of arms and carried it away as if it were a human. After entering the escape route, members of the "elf force" also came to help, including Alicia.

"Finn Dimna...!"

Fels witnessed a "heretic" being carried away.

At this moment, the dwarf gave Fels a clear look and raised his chin.

Seeing his action, the magician in black paused for a few seconds, then chose to believe him and shouted:

"Reed, join the Loki Familia!"

"knew!"

The monsters all obeyed the magician's decision.

The group raced through the labyrinth where the remnants of the Flame Pillar still raged wildly. Taking advantage of the screams of the remaining members of the Dark Faction, they escaped the main passage at top speed.

"Don't even think about escaping..."

As the great passage, now transformed into a crimson world, stretched into the distance, the figures of the adventurers and the "heretics" disappeared behind the raging inferno. Revis pierced through them with a cold gaze, and was about to give chase…

"Stop chasing."

"!"

The masked man who appeared behind her told her to stop.

The newcomer wore a purple hooded robe covering his head and metal gloves on both hands. This was the same strange man Finn and the others had seen before—the one called Mask (Yeon).

"You're telling me not to chase them? What's the point of letting them go now?"

"..."

"And another thing, can't you even handle one simple task? Why is that guy still alive?"

Rives showed her full of disgust and annoyance.

She bared her fangs like an untamed beast, spreading murderous intent.

"If you're nothing but a nuisance... how about I kill you right now?"

Seeing that Revis maintained her ruthless will even when facing her fellow monsters, the masked man, while letting the sparks flutter in his hooded robe, replied:

"This is Ernie's instruction."

"!!"

Rives's green eyes widened.

In the language of the gods, it means "city destroyer" and is considered the mastermind behind all events.

Time has temporarily left a blank.

Rives stared at the masked man for a while, then clicked her tongue, turned around, and left.

"Tell Enyo: If the plan goes wrong... I will kill you."

Revis turned her back to the still chaotic main passageway and left the scene.

The masked man glanced at the woman's retreating figure as she disappeared into the darkness, then gave one last look at the passage where the Loki Familia and the "Heretic" had left, before vanishing as if melting into the darkness himself.

"They didn't catch up...?"

Finn, who was in charge of bringing up the rear, muttered to himself as he looked back.

Despite intermittent pursuits by remnants of the dark faction and monsters, the greatest enemy (Ravis) has not yet appeared. Finn, who is extremely wary of monsters, is surprised, but at the same time, he doesn't miss the opportunity to escape the man-made labyrinth with his crew. They open "doors" in the passageways, destroy the labyrinth walls, and make their way to the 12th floor of the dungeon.

"The pursuers...it seems they're not coming back. Have we finally shaken them off?"

"yes……"

Finn and the others then moved a distance from the area connected to the passageway, finally letting out a sigh of relief after running far enough. They stopped in a misty cavern.

However, many members of the group have not yet let their guard down.

Because they were worried about their fellow creatures (the Songbirds) being moved away, the heretical monsters who had come here with the group had not yet left.

"All personnel, disarm."

"Finn..."

As the humans and the "monsters" stood on opposite sides, Finn raised a hand and addressed the members who were staring at each other.

Grace whispered solemnly; the dwarfs approached the elven royal family.

"Rivia, do you have any secret medicine with you?"

"have……"

"Use it."

"...Are you alright?"

"It doesn't matter."

Finn and Riveria had this conversation. While Lefia and the others were puzzled by what they heard, which probably only Grace could understand, Riveria looked into Finn's bright, clear blue eyes and nodded.

Then she went to the songbird that had been placed on the ground, knelt down, and took out a secret medicine from her bosom—a curse-resistant artifact concocted by the saintess (Amid). Finn had asked her to prepare this beforehand for the surprise attack on the man-made labyrinth.

Riveria used the secret medicine on the Singer Bird, which had been pierced by the cursed sword and was afflicted by the "incurable curse".

The group members immediately erupted in an uproar.

The "heretics" were also stunned.

While leaving Alicia, who was standing next to the singing bird, stunned, Riveria then used healing magic to treat her.

Her actions were tantamount to showing that their leader (Finn) would not fight against the "heretics" at this moment.

"Finn Dimna, you..."

The leader of the "heretics," Fels, stammered as Finn stepped in front of him.

"Heretical monsters, I want to make a 'negotiation' with you."

Then, he took the initiative to bring it up.

He still held the spear, his clear, transparent eyes surveying the "monsters."

Both the Loki Familia and the "heretics" were shocked. Lefia's eyes widened, Rakta gasped, and Alicia turned around as if she had been electrocuted.

Only Riveria and Grace remained silent, observing Finn's actions.

"Negotiation? It's one thing for others, but for you, a [Hero], to actually...? I have to say, I find it hard to believe..."

Even Fels was taken aback by this unexpected request, but he did not lower his guard.

The black-clad magician knew just how strong Finn's ambition and will were. He made no secret of his suspicions, wondering if Finn was saying this to frame "the Heretic."

"It's simple, I've decided to use you."

"use……?"

"Use you to conquer the man-made maze."

Upon hearing this, everyone present held their breath in tension.

"Now that we have obtained the 'key,' we will soon take the initiative to conquer the artificial labyrinth. We will also involve the 'guilds' who are praying for the peace and well-being of Orario."

"..."

"When we launch our attack, I would like to ask you to join the battle. However, this must, of course, be done in secret."

We don't have enough manpower to conquer the Demon Cave, which we still can't fully understand.

Since that's the case, Finn decided to borrow even the power of the "monster"; these words left Fels silent for a long time.

"...[Hero], I can't fathom your true intentions. Let me be frank, we originally thought you were the only one who would never accept negotiations. I'm sorry, but I still doubt what you're saying—"

"It has unfortunately been confirmed that the 'Armed Monsters' will not attack humans. At least that's my assessment. And I've also confirmed that the Dark Faction is clearly a common enemy of both of us."

Finn almost interrupted Fells as he asserted this.

"And most importantly... some of my [familia] are no longer able to turn their swords against you."

Alicia and the other elves swayed slightly. Finn glanced at them.

The existence of "monsters with reason" cannot be annihilated. Even if they are wiped out here, those who witnessed the "heretics" will surely let the entire [Familia] know the news.

Since that's the case, Finn decided to play it by ear and make the most of the "heretics'" power.

This was a choice Finn would never have made not long ago.

"Assuming we reach an agreement... when your relationship with us is exposed, do you know you'll be ruined? Your ambition to revive your race might be thwarted?"

The truth will eventually come out, and destruction will come sooner or later—just as Bell Craney experienced—Fels points out.

In response to these remarks, Finn said:

"So, after I lose everything, I'll try to regain my status as a 'hero.' This time, it won't be man-made... Let me think, I can become the first person in history to seek friendship between humans and monsters (monsters)... or something like that."

He spoke without blushing or getting out of breath.

And then he shrugged, saying it with a shameless expression that was both infuriating and hilarious.

Fels froze.

Lefia and the others stared wide-eyed.

The "heretics" stared blankly.

Grace chuckled so hard her shoulders shook, while Riveria clutched her forehead as if suffering from a headache, but then couldn't help but break into a smile.

If you had to describe Finn's expression right now, you could only say he's "gone all out," with no trace of gloom on his face.

Finn immediately resumed his stern expression and continued:

"The collapse of the labyrinth city is imminent... I must set aside my personal feelings and my negative perception of the monsters."