How should this Familia expedition be described?
Very simple.
Boring.
At least, that's how Elfy, the supporter, saw it. Carrying a massive supply backpack on her back, she walked at the very rear of the expedition team.
The monsters they encountered along the way were nothing more than Goblins and Imps—the kind she normally couldn't even be bothered to deal with.
Just low-tier trash mobs.
The good news was:
They were only heading to the middle floors—Floor 24. At their current pace, it wouldn't take long. They'd probably be back in Orario to rest soon.
'Mm…'
'Let's just treat it as a dungeon picnic?'
That was the only way the girl could comfort herself. Her vacation had vanished for no reason at all, and she didn't even feel like chatting with Lefiya.
She passed through floors she had already visited countless times, utterly bored.
Until—
The expedition reached the end of Floor 12 and stopped before the staircase leading to what was known as the "first death line," the entrance to the middle floors.
Elfy looked up.
And saw that Ron, the captain of this expedition, wore an expression more serious than ever before—as if he were about to face an especially troublesome monster.
"Everyone."
"The next floors are considerably more dangerous."
Ron had personally experienced the oppressive presence brought by the Giant Dog.
For Lefiya, Daphne, and the others—who had never dealt with Soulslike monsters—it was necessary to issue a safety warning.
He glanced around at everyone and calmly explained: "These monsters… I ran into them while scouting ahead. They're quite troublesome."
"…"
The Adventurers' Guild had records of nearly all monsters.
For Lefiya, who had already reached Lv.3, she had traveled to and from the middle floors more times than she could count. She might not know everything perfectly, but she definitely knew how to deal with most situations.
But Ron's emphasis made her realize something was different.
'An abnormal situation.'
The elven girl raised her head, eyes filled with surprise. Could his unique ability be causing changes in the dungeon's monsters?
She didn't ignore the warning: "I'll be careful. And as an adventurer, no matter what kind of monster we encounter, staying on guard is always the right choice."
"Mm."
The reminder was brief.
Fortunately, many of the adventurers present had already experienced the ancient dragon Lansseax, which saved Ron the trouble of giving a detailed explanation.
And from yesterday evening—
After their battle with the Giant Dog pack, they had concluded that frequently using incantations against these T-rex-like monsters consumed an enormous amount of mental energy.
Real combat enjoyment…
That, of course, came from using the greatsword "Great Fortune" to crush everything head-on.
He took the heavy weapon off his back, nodded toward the Hiryute sisters, and decisively stepped forward into the next floor.
"…"
'Is this really necessary?'
At the rear of the expedition—
Elfy shook her head lightly and quickened her pace to keep up. But as she walked beside Tione and looked at Ron's retreating figure, she finally couldn't hold back her confusion.
She raised her head, her slightly chubby face filled with helplessness: "Senior Tione, this is just a middle-floor expedition."
"Is all this really necessary?"
Of course it was necessary.
Rather than ensuring the team's safety, Tione—who had a steady and composed approach—clearly understood the true purpose she and her sister had.
To observe, evaluate, and determine the possibility of future cooperation with Ron.
That kind of thing…
Naturally, she wouldn't tell Elfy.
She could clearly sense the faint resentment in the girl's tone—probably because her vacation had been taken away.
Thinking of that, Tione shook her head and warned: "From here on."
"Anything you encounter in the dungeon—you are not allowed to disclose it to your Familia members or any other friends. Remember that."
"Otherwise, Captain Finn will come looking for you."
"Isn't this just a normal expedition?"
"If it were, why do you think we're here? You should be thanking Lefiya for even being allowed to come."
"You just need to understand…"
"Even Ais wanted to join this expedition—as a supporter."
To prevent Elfy from doing something stupid.
Tione smiled kindly—but beneath that kindness was an undisguised disdain toward the girl.
She couldn't even figure out something this important?
"…"
It was, at least, advice from a senior.
But the sheer weight of information made Elfy realize the seriousness of the situation. Looking at the figures ahead gradually pulling away, she quickened her pace.
So—
What exactly did Tione mean?
Why did even Ais want to join this expedition?
Countless questions clouded the girl's mind.
Elfy walked down the dim staircase.
And when she finally reached the middle floors—
The place known as the "first death line"—
She understood.
In the darkness ahead, countless red, ferocious eyes flickered—monsters seemingly gathered just to welcome the expedition.
The moment she arrived—
A suffocating pressure crashed down on her.
'Is this… a monster feast?'
But before she could even confirm it—
When she saw the creature stepping out of the darkness—
Her shocked expression slowly turned blank.
Hellhound?
No.
This was a completely unknown monster.
At least in size, it rivaled the Minotaur found on deeper floors.
Gray-brown skin, covered in sparse fur.
As if scorched by flames.
But what truly horrified Elfy—
Was its indescribable form.
Something like a dinosaur.
A massive, grotesque canine head, its cold fangs seemingly capable of tearing anything apart. Powerful hind legs contrasted sharply with its hunched forelimbs.
An utterly distorted body ratio—
Just looking at it made one's skin crawl.
Facing those blood-red eyes filled with killing intent—
Even as a Lv.2 adventurer, Elfy felt overwhelming pressure.
Were normal Hellhounds like this?
Absolutely not.
And now—
All the questions that had been troubling her finally had answers.
It wasn't that Ron was all talk.
It was that his dungeon exploration…
Was completely different from what she had experienced.
And—
Tione's earlier warning.
But before Elfy could fully process her existential crisis—
At the very front of the team—
That figure wielding the massive greatsword—
Ron had already charged straight at the Giant Dogs.
"Are you serious…"
"What the hell is going on?"
"…"
...
At the same time—
Having received orders from the god Dionysus, and upon learning that the entire Hestia Familia had entered the dungeon—
Filvis Challia did not hesitate.
She took another exit from Daedalus Street and headed deeper into the dungeon.
Her target—
Ron.
No matter the cost—
She would bring the core executor of the "Madness" plan before her god.
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