Chapter 63: The Mastermind Behind The 'Nightmare on the 27th Floor'!
Boom!
"The sound came from inside!"
After hours of relentless pursuit, Shiro and his companions finally reached the 24th floor.
As they approached a wall of green flesh, a sudden explosion erupted from within.
"[Sweep, holy staff of crushing evil]"
A flash of lightning, followed by a sizzling sound, marked Filvis's swift response.
She blasted a hole through the wall with her magic.
Smoke rose from the charred opening in the plant-like barrier.
Entering the passage, they found scattered debris and monster ashes, clear evidence of someone having passed through here recently.
Following the trail, Shiro quickly spotted some figures in the distance.
Three enormous flower buds clung to a quartz pillar, and a three-way battle raged nearby.
Two groups of humans clashed, their swords and knives flashing in the dim light.
Lulune's group was outnumbered, but their coordinated teamwork allowed them to hold their own against the black-clad attackers.
Meanwhile, the carnivorous plants indiscriminately attacked any humans who dared to come close.
Asfi was in a dire situation, her neck gripped by a man in white, her abdomen pierced by a blade, and blood staining her clothes.
"Bete!"
"Don't order me around!"
Bete snarled, instantly assessing the situation and charging forward.
He treated anyone in his path as an enemy, delivering swift kicks and punches that left them unconscious before they could react.
"[Proud warrior, snipers of the forest. Take up your bows before the advancing plunderers. Answer the call of your brethren and ready your arrows. Tinge them with flame, the lamplight of the forest. Release them, the fire arrows of the fairies. Falling like rain, burn away the savages]"
While Bete engaged the attackers, Shiro used Nukiashi to flank the man in white.
The man, distracted by Bete's sudden arrival, was caught off guard as Shiro's blade flashed before his eyes.
With a clean slice, the hand gripping Asfi's neck was severed at the wrist.
Seizing the opportunity, Asfi kicked the man in the chest and created some distance.
"[Fusillade Fallarica!]" Lefiya's chant reached its climax, and a golden magic circle unfolded beneath her feet.
"E-Everyone, run!"
The mages of the adventurer team shrieked, trembling at the immense magical power emanating from Lefiya.
Heeding the warning, the team of Hermes Familia abandoned the fight and rushed towards Lefiya, with their shields raised.
A torrent of flames rained down, Lefiya's Level 3 magic exhibiting power that rivaled a Level 6 magic.
The attackers scattered as the inferno engulfed them, and the vast flames, covering over half the chamber, annihilated the enormous carnivorous plants.
Taking advantage of the force of explosion, the man in white leaped backward.
As Shiro prepared to pursue, a male voice suddenly emanated from beneath the man's mask.
"Violas!"
Alarm bells rang in Shiro's mind, and he retreated instead of giving chase.
At the same time, several new carnivorous plants sprouted from the flower buds clinging to the ceiling, plummeting towards Shiro's position.
"[Sweep, holy staff of crushing evil]"
Filvis swiftly eliminated the plant monsters with her magic, the lightning bolts piercing through them and continuing towards the man in white.
However, a sneer curled upon the man's lips as he caught the lightning with his remaining hand, effortlessly dispelling the magic.
Before he could utter a word of mockery, Shiro vanished from his sight once more.
Panic seized the man in white, and he scrambled to pick up a fallen dagger, assuming a defensive stance.
The next moment, a familiar slash descended upon him.
The dagger shattered instantly, and the residual force sliced through his helmet, revealing his true face.
"Olivas Act..." Asfi gasped, recognizing the man's appearance.
"Olivas Act? You mean the 'Vendetta'? How could he be here?!"
Lulune exclaimed, studying the man's face as if trying to deny Asfi's words.
The red light of the quartz pillar illuminated the chamber, casting an eerie glow on the faces of everyone except Shiro and Lefiya, who remained clueless about the man's identity.
Asfi, seemingly trying to shake off her own shock, finally explained.
"How is this possible?! You're supposed to be dead! How can a dead man be standing here?!"
Lefiya looked at her with confusion, but Asfi, rising to her feet, quickly provided the necessary information, as if to quell her own inner turmoil.
"Olivas Act, was Level 3 last time he was seen, also known as the 'Vendetta', was a wanted criminal by the Guild. His god was sent back to heaven several years ago, and his Familia disbanded."
Asfi adopted a battle stance, her voice sharp with tension.
"He was a member of the infamous Evilus and the mastermind behind the tragic incident 'Nightmare on the 27th Floor'."
Upon hearing the mention of the name 'Nightmare on the 27th Floor', Lefiya instinctively turned towards Filvis, the elf whose life had been shattered by that tragedy.
Filvis stood frozen, her face pale, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of emotions that Lefiya couldn't decipher.
Asfi continued recounting Olivas's past.
"During that incident, he was cornered by the Guild and brutally bitten by monsters, losing his lower body. So, he was presumed dead by the Guild. But, why are you still alive...?"
Instead of anger, a smug grin spread across Olivas's face as he listened to Asfi's description of his supposed demise.
He puffed out his chest and pulled open his remaining clothes with his hand.
"It's true, I did die that day."
Beneath his clothes, his legs had transformed into the same yellowish-green color as the carnivorous plants.
A magic core that was supposed to be only in monsters was embedded in his chest.
Under their astonished gazes, he spread his hand and declared with a voice full of fervor, "But I have been granted a second life! Now, I am the ultimate creature, possessing the strengths of both monster and human! I am a supreme existence!"
"I am no longer a puppet of the Gods! You weaklings who rely on God's 'gifts' stand no chance against me!"
Taking advantage of Olivas's arrogant declaration, Shiro pressed for more information.
"Did you create this wall?"
"This is a breeding ground for the Violas," Olivas replied without hesitation.
"You're creating breeding ground for monsters? Is that how you control them?"
The fact that monsters were born from the Dungeon was a universally accepted fact, even among the gods.
But, what Olivas was doing was unheard of.
"The Violas all originate from 'her'. As 'her' agent, I have the power to command them."
Pride filled Olivas's voice.
Being 'her' agent seemed to be a source of great honor for him.
"Where's Ais?" Shiro inquired.
"My companion is keeping her occupied. The Sword Princess's probably been disarmed and is being ravaged by her now," Olivas replied with a cruel smirk.
"One last question. What is your goal?"
Olivas's grin widened, revealing a twisted expression.
"To destroy Orario."