"Authority: Drunken Frenzy… it can force nearby lifeforms, mana, even divine power and Authorities, into a berserk, uncontrollable rampage."
Feeling the new Authority bloom inside him, Takumi's eyes lit up with sharp brilliance.
He'd thought it would be useless—turns out it was insanely useful.
"So traits of the same type can fuse too… no, this is probably more because of Authority itself."
Even when gods hold the same Authority, the exact flavor of what they govern can differ in subtle ways.
Unable to suppress his grin, Takumi carefully savored the power.
And at that same moment, the blessings on Dionysus Familia—Filvis and the others—vanished.
In an instant, the strength they'd relied on disappeared as if it had never existed.
Of course, it wasn't truly gone. It was sealed.
A blessing was like a key: it unlocked the power sleeping inside an adventurer.
When that blessing vanished, it was like the lock had been snapped shut again.
Unless they found another god to grant them a new blessing, their power wouldn't return.
"How… our god… was sent back?!"
Filvis murmured, staring into the distance in disbelief.
She still didn't know Dionysus's true nature. To her, her god had always seemed gentle and refined.
But the disappearance wasn't even the worst part.
The worst part was that their strength was sealed—and they were still on Floor 27.
They still had a long way to climb back.
As ordinary, powerless people, surviving the return trip was nearly impossible.
This was basically a delayed death sentence.
Then things got worse.
Rumble… rumble… rumble!
Heavy booms rolled through the air.
"An earthquake? Why would the Dungeon—!?"
Filvis felt the ground trembling and, like everyone around her, a deep dread rose in her chest.
Then they watched the lake begin to boil—then evaporate.
The forests along the shore ignited into raging flames. The earth cracked open, spewing scorching magma.
In only a few breaths, everything within sight was swallowed by fire. Even breathing became difficult.
Filvis stared at the disaster unfolding before her, eyes empty with despair.
"What… what is happening…?"
"It's the Evilus remnants. They're sacrificing gods at the deepest levels of the Dungeon, using it to produce a monster capable of destroying Orario."
A figure appeared suddenly—voice calm, answering her question.
Takumi.
The moment she saw him, tears flooded Filvis's eyes.
"Takumi-san!!"
She threw herself into his arms like a helpless child.
He'd only been gone a short while—and yet she'd already fallen back into danger, into despair.
That crushing anxiety disappeared the instant he arrived.
Right now, Filvis was like someone who'd jumped off a platform and Takumi was the cord that snapped taut around her waist, the one thing keeping her safe.
All around them, people stared at him with raw relief.
Some even dropped to their knees on the spot, sobbing.
"Please… save us again, Takumi-sama!!"
Even in panic, they were ridiculously respectful—everyone used the word "please."
Because they'd all seen it. They'd seen him erase a Corrupt Spirit with a flick of his finger.
No one dared anger him—terrified he might flick them next.
Only then did Filvis realize what she was doing.
Her face burned red, and she whispered urgently, "Please save us. Lead us back to Orario. I… my god might have already been sacrificed. I don't have the strength to protect them anymore."
"Relax. I'll get you out."
Takumi ruffled Filvis's hair, wearing a bright, sunny smile.
He'd just killed her god himself—protecting these people on the way out was hardly a big deal.
"Takumi-san…"
Hearing that, Filvis felt like Takumi was literally glowing.
Even as the beautiful lake turned into a dry, scorching basin and heavy steam choked the air, her heart finally steadied.
But the situation was only getting worse. Takumi knew they couldn't waste time.
"Damn Dungeon… it even blocks space-transfer."
It wasn't that he couldn't do it.
It was that if he did, the Dungeon would probably retaliate violently.
Things were already bad enough—if the scale escalated further, who knew what would crawl out?
He wasn't about to gamble on that.
So he picked an easier solution.
He didn't create a bunch of Rabbit Talismans for everyone—too much waste.
"Ten Shadows Technique!"
He formed seals with both hands, and shadows spread across the ground like spilled ink.
Then he said, "Don't resist. I'm getting you out."
The moment he spoke, everyone lowered their breathing on instinct.
Cold sweat ran down faces as black shadowy hands rose—and dragged them down into the darkness.
Takumi had used the Ten Shadows to create an Umbra Domain.
Since it was carved out by his personal power, it couldn't compare to a true "Shadow Kingdom" yet—but it was already the outline of a small world.
When Filvis was pulled in last, the shadow itself became alive, writhing and rippling.
After giving the command—
"Get them back to Orario… then return."
The shadows flowed upward at terrifying speed.
Watching it happen, Takumi closed his eyes. Even now, he could sense every person inside the Umbra Domain.
Then he opened his eyes and looked down. Where his shadow should have been, there was nothing.
"Hah… feels like I'm not far from grasping the Authority of Shadow."
He could tell: if he could fully build the Umbra Domain into a true Shadow Kingdom…
That would mean he'd taken the first real step in mastering Shadow as an Authority.
"Too bad gods don't wander around alone very often."
"If I could kill two gods who hold Darkness, I wouldn't have to figure it out the slow way."
Compared to slowly training, Takumi preferred the fast path.
He didn't dwell on it.
He looked out at Floor 27—now a full-blown hellscape.
"Something's coming up… but first, I'll escort Filvis and the others out."
Takumi didn't linger.
He sprinted upward—saving a few more adventurers along the way.
After all, those people would make perfect "walking advertisements" later.