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

The brave warrior, whose blue eyes had not yet lost their luster, roared at despair:

"Concentrate all forces on attacking the lower half of the pillar! Find a way to disrupt the maze's countermeasures!"

When he gave the order in a firm voice—

The enemy also began to launch all-round bombing.

Icicles rained down from the sky like a sudden downpour. Torrents of lightning swept across the entire space. Magic circles imbued with murderous intent formed a carpet of fire, like landmines covering the entire surface.

To carry out their orders, the adventurers weaved through a hail of artillery fire, their equipment instantly scorched, yet they continued their assault on the "altar pillars."

The brave forwards launched an attack.

The defenders, now under cover, take up sniping positions.

Faced with the deafening explosion, the adventurers roared in anger to suppress their fear.

This is a "super bombing war" that even a full-scale war between humans could not have been witnessed.

Led by terrifying "celestial spirits," an unprecedented war of attack and defense has officially begun.

*

A series of tremors could be heard.

Even though they were far apart, the sounds of battle seemed to reverberate through the earth.

"Get moving, you snails! Finn and the others have already started fighting!"

Lefia ran quickly.

Bert led the group forward while cursing, with the adventurers in hot pursuit.

This is the fifth unit, composed of the Loki Familia and the Ganesha Familia.

The large cave where the "celestial spirit clone" was hiding was now in sight.

(I feel so calm.)

The view through the corridor kept swaying.

With each step I take, my heart beats harder.

However, Rafia remained incredibly calm.

This was clearly a battle that would sever the fate of the city, yet she surprisingly remained largely unmoved. If it were the Lefia Viridis of the past, she would surely be desperately fighting against her unease, barely able to focus on suppressing her racing heartbeat.

However, she could now chant fluently and had no fear of failing. She had long forgotten how fortunate she was to have just carried out a large-scale raid, saving countless adventurers. Even if she were to face the floor master alone now, she was confident she could maintain "parallel chanting."

Lefia has reached a level that her former self could never achieve.

My mind is as blank as a seaside beach under the moonlight, where bubbles quietly burst with the waves.

Even as the adventurers around her roared with high spirits, it sounded to her as if they came from a different world, and she remained detached from it all.

She didn't feel nervous, defiant, or angry.

It's simply about being "enlightened".

Lefia has "decided" to no longer run away from anything, but to face it head-on and meet the challenges head-on.

So──

She had a premonition that reaching the location of the "celestial spirit clone" would not be so easy.

I am convinced that something bad will happen next.

So──

"There's an enemy!!"

Just as Lefia had predicted, it happened.

The moment the "counter-attack magic" in the passage temporarily paused.

An enemy appeared in the side passageway as if seizing the opportunity.

Despite his companions' loud warnings, this person continued to approach at high speed, his long, indigo-purple robe billowing in the wind—who was this?

(—The Masked Man!)

He wore a menacing mask.

Both hands were wearing metal gloves.

A mysterious figure whose skin is not exposed at all.

I could never forget this person.

How could I possibly forget?

I've been working towards this moment for so long!

Lefia's eyes flashed with malice.

Clench your fist tightly.

As if this moment had finally arrived, my heart, which had been as calm as still water, was suddenly filled with a raging storm.

"Step back, Lefia!"

Annaquite's reminder came to my ears.

The situation was that the enemy was launching a surprise attack from the flank of the team, so Bert, who was in charge, needed a few seconds to get back to defend.

To make up for this brief opening, she, who was in charge of bringing up the rear, prepared to issue orders.

However, the masked man completely disregarded his adjutant and directly extended the "jewel" in his right hand forward.

(The "Dardaros Jewel"!? What is he planning to do?)

The artificial maze was now filled with green flesh. Like a sacred tree taking root deep into the soil, it was beyond the control of even the hardest metal doors, let alone the fact that there wasn't even a single "door" nearby.

Not understanding why the other party had pulled out the "key" to the maze, Annaquite immediately became wary.

"Step back."

The instant after a human voice comes from under the mask.

The thin film of green flesh covering the ground receded rapidly like a tide.

"────"

The stone slab then came into view, and in the center of the army appeared a bright red pearl.

After Anachidi saw the "trap" hidden there, she immediately realized the enemy's purpose.

But this also means they have lost the initiative.

"Fall."

The jewel on the floor and the "key" held by the masked man glowed in sync.

The floor cracked rapidly the next second.

“Eh!?”

The members were shocked, and Bert was speechless.

The traps remaining in the man-made labyrinth were activated by the "Daedalus Orb".

After eliminating the parasitic green flesh, the opponent immediately activated the still-functioning "trap".

"spit!"

The trap covers the front half of the troops.

As Bert clicked his tongue, the adventurers who had lost their footing fell into the hole.

The masked man then jumped into the cave.

"Lefia! Bert!!"

Annaquite tried to reach out and grab the person, but the cracked floorboards quickly closed.

She immediately took out the "key" she was carrying, but the green fleshy membrane that had dissipated quickly spread back, covering the ground again with a sticky sound.

Faced with the sudden and decisive victory, Annakidi was greatly shocked. She and the remaining members of the group stood there for a moment, and after regaining their senses, she took out the crystal ball she was carrying with a deep frown.

"Commander! We've fallen into an enemy trap! Bert and the others have fallen into a pit, reaching a floor even deeper than the tenth floor!"

She reported the current situation to the "Eye Crystal," which was constantly emitting loud bombardment sounds.

Anachidi knew a fierce battle was raging on the other side, but she had no choice but to report the sudden situation truthfully. After four terrifyingly loud bangs echoed from the crystal, Finn's voice finally came through.

"Is it possible to reunite with them!?"

"...No, we can't be sure where Lefia and the others have fallen! Even if I wanted to reopen the trap and chase after them, that spot is blocked by the 'altar' structure!"

Holding onto a sliver of hope, Annaquite examined the case briefly, then, with a heart-wrenching pain, gave a negative answer.

Although she couldn't see the commander's expression, she quickly received the next order.

"Angie, you continue the attack. I'm dispatching backup troops to support you. Immediately attack the 'Fairy Clone'!"

"...Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this cold command, Annaquite couldn't help but twitch her cat ears.

The priority remains unchanged, and this is the most reasonable "answer".

Even if it means losing half of their companions, they must defeat the "Fairy Clone." This is the resolve with which the adventurers here face this final battle.

While feeling extremely frustrated, Anachiti led the remaining members to run forward along the passage.

*

Lefia's troops were forced to split into two groups.

At the same time—

“──!!”

Ais sensed an astonishing aura.

"Rivia! She's here!!"

"!"

As Ais, who was running at full speed with the troops, suddenly shouted a reminder, Riveria shuddered.

This is a one-way street where "counter-attack magic" never stops.

In the distance, one can see the entrance to the large cavern guarded by the "Immortal Spirit Avatar".

Just then, the flesh wall on the side of the group opened like a gaping maw, revealing a wide passageway.

"...!"

The corridor was pitch black, without a single ray of light.

Then, red hair, seemingly stained with blood, emerged from it.

The newcomer was the strongest monster, wielding a jet-black cursed sword.

It was Rives.

"You've come, Arya."

The instant she appeared, the "counter-attack magic" arrays that had been set up along the entire passage ceased all at once, as if welcoming a distinguished guest. As the magic arrays dissipated and transformed into countless magical particles that drifted and danced down, the Queen of Slaughter leisurely walked out.

"Let's settle this once and for all."

"..."

"This is our last battle."

The woman's request was very brief.

She stood before the second unit, which had stopped, ignoring the adventurers' terrified gazes, and stared intently at Ais alone.

This moment of tranquility almost made people forget that they were on the stage of a decisive battle.

On this corridor where the roars of adventurers and the bombardment of the labyrinth had abruptly ceased, the golden eyes and the red eyes stared at each other silently.

"Rivia".

The girl made a decision quickly.