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

Seeing the elf Lefia bowing her head in shame and apologizing repeatedly, Ais asked her this question in return.

With every movement seemingly tense, she opened her eyes wide and repeatedly emphasized that she was fine.

She—Lefia Viridis—was one of the mages who was rescued by Ais at the last moment during the battle with the monster.

Although her small eyes and nose revealed a hint of childishness, they could not conceal the natural beauty unique to her race. Her exquisite features were constantly shifting in expression.

When faced with her savior who cared for her, the usually rigid girl felt both grateful and thankful, and her reaction was quite sensitive.

"...I'm so sorry. I can't always have someone protect me, but I..."

"...I'm okay."

Lefiya's expression suddenly became gloomy, and she lowered her head in frustration.

Even though Ais had said it was okay, the younger student still refused to raise his head.

Knowing she lacked ways of expressing emotions, Ais slowly reached out her hand after racking her brains for a long time.

At the last moment, she hesitated, her right hand hovering in the air for a moment before finally slowly placing it on Lefia's head.

The girl's shoulders trembled, and Ais awkwardly touched her thick, golden, smooth hair.

"It's okay."

Lefia looked up, her eyes almost welling up with tears.

She let Ais touch her hair for a while, then her cheeks flushed slightly as she said, "I...I'll take it!" and snatched the things from Ais's hands.

Ais let out an "Ah!" and the tent cloth disappeared from her hands.

"—Ais!"

“Eh!”

"……Um."

With a small impact, a pair of arms came around from behind.

Lefia was startled. Ais turned around slightly and saw a girl hugging her from behind.

"Tiona..."

"What are you doing? Is Lefia feeling down again and being comforted by Ais?"

"I...I didn't mean for her to comfort me...!"

Hearing what the girl named Tiona said, Lefia's face turned even redder. Watching the two of them, one laughing heartily and the other being teased, Ais smiled slightly.

She had healthy, wheat-colored skin. Her face was free of any gloom, revealing her optimistic personality. Her attire was typical of Amazonian dancers, revealing her chest and back. Only a thin piece of cloth covered her breasts, and a long wrap skirt was tied around her waist. Her navel and graceful limbs were unabashedly exposed.

The moment her gaze met Ais's golden eyes, Tiona smiled as brightly as a sunflower.

"Don't take it to heart, Lefia. It's impossible for everyone to escape unscathed during a battle in the Great Wilderness (Moit). It's a real headache for Ais because you always apologize like this, isn't it?"

"……Um."

"Ugh... I... I understand."

Seeing Lefia nod slightly, Tiona smiled.

This time, the arm wrapped around Ais tightened its grip.

"So, I'll tell you, Ais, why did you do such a reckless thing?"

"..."

"I did try to stop you. Just maintain the defensive line (human wall), there's no need to rush into a bunch of Vermouths."

Tiona's tone carried a hint of skepticism.

She seemed to be blaming Ais for recklessly launching an attack during the battle with the monster. Ais had nothing to say, and not wanting to worry her, she could only whisper "...I'm sorry" to apologize.

"I'm not much better off than you... but Ais is in much more danger than me."

A low, grumbling voice tinged with a sob escaped Tiona's lips as she tightened her grip on her shoulder. Ais felt the weight pressing down on her as her eyes slowly lowered.

Soon, Tiona pouted and began to complain, "That's why I'm telling you, Ais—", Ais didn't resist and let her hug her tightly.

As for Lefia, she seemed a little lonely after witnessing the close friendship between the two girls, and looked at them with a hint of envy.

"Hey, stop being disgusting, let go."

"it hurts--!"

At that moment, a long leg stretched out from the side and kicked Tiona in the waist.

It was unclear when, but the orc youth with animal ears on his head and a tail around his waist appeared out of nowhere, revealing a cold gaze.

Werewolves are characterized by their sharp, furry ears and tails.

Enraged, Tiona released Ais after turning away.

"What are you doing! That hurts!"

"I said you're being really cheesy. It gives me goosebumps. Don't let me see any weird scenes."

"Listen to you! Bert just wanted to flirt with Ais, and he even tried to show off!"

"What?! You...you want to fight?!"

"Oh dear—I was right—! That half-baked Xiao Lang—!"

"You wretched woman—!"

"Um, you two shouldn't fight...!"

Seeing Bert and Tiona quickly escalate into a heated argument, Rafia nervously tried to mediate.

Ais, who had been excluded, stood alone in place.

"What are you doing... well, I can guess without even asking."

"...Tione".

Perhaps hearing the commotion, a girl who was an Amazon like Tione came to Ais's side.

Apart from her waist-length hair, her temperament, and a certain figure, she and Tiona are practically identical.

Tiona's relative, and also her twin sister, Tione, suppressed a sigh and turned to Ais.

"Ais, the captain is calling you. Go ahead. I'll handle the rest."

"……Excuse me."

"Never mind it. --Alright, you two, if you're so free, go help the others prepare for camping."

Hearing Tiony's urging voice behind her, Ais left the area.

She walked through the campsite where the tents were gradually being completed.

The destination was a particularly large tent in the distance. Beside the tent, which was covered by a cloth curtain, stood a flag bearing the faction's emblem—a comical clown.

Loki's Familia.

Ais, Lefia, Tiona, and others belong to the "God" faction.

The so-called "familia" is the name of the organization formed by the gods who descended to the mortal realm.

To enjoy the game known as life in the mortal realm, the gods devised rules that aligned with their aesthetics—namely, sealing away their omniscient and omnipotent "divine power (Arcanum)." In other words, the gods, having condescended to become beings of zero power, bestowed the "gift" of unlocking their power upon the mortals in exchange for their sustenance, thus establishing a system of mutual benefit. This practice of having their own members create their own businesses and compete with each other was one aspect of the gods' entertainment.

Those who receive "familiar" are called "familiars," meaning a group that has made a pact with the gods.

Finn.

"Ah, you've come, Ais."

In the mortal realm where many gods descend, there are many "families" who carry out various activities according to the will of their respective faction's chief god.

The purpose of Ais and her friends' Loki Familia is to conquer the "Dungeon" and explore floors that no one has reached before.

"Haha, we were just talking about you, Ais."

"Grace...don't laugh at a time like this."

Passing through the tent entrance, one sees three demi-humans surrounding a low table.

Like Lefia, Riveria Lyos Alfre is an elven woman.

Grace Landrock, a strong-looking dwarf.

There is also Finn Demna, a young boy of the Lilliputian race.

These three are the core leaders of the Loki Familia.

"Alright, let's skip the introductions. Do you know why I called you over, Ais?"

"……Um."

"Then things are easier to discuss. Why did you disobey orders to maintain the front lines?"

Finn, who only reached Ais's belly, questioned her calmly.

Soft, golden hair and lake-blue eyes. Despite looking younger than anyone else, he exudes a profound wisdom; this is the leader of the raiding party who makes all the commands and decisions during the dungeon raid.

"Ais, you are very capable, which is why you are able to serve as an organization leader. Whether it is right or wrong, your actions will affect the people below you. You must remember this, or we will have a lot of headaches."

"..."

Does your current position make you feel restricted?

"...No, I'm sorry."

He saw through the instantaneous change in her mood.

Looking at Finn, who was smiling at her with clear eyes, Ais obediently reflected on her actions and apologized.

"Alright, stop nagging her, Finn. Ais only charged into the Furmore group because she wanted to lighten the load for the forwards (us). We were almost completely routed back then."

"If we're going to investigate, I'm also partly responsible for taking too much time to chant."

Grace, stroking his long, stiff beard, and Riveria were both speaking up for Ais.

Ais's expression remained unchanged, but her eyebrows curved apologetically; the dwarf's eyes narrowed into crescents; and the elven beauty closed her eyes without uttering a word.

The sight of the three people made Finn smile wryly, and a moment later he looked up at Ais.

"Ais, this is a dungeon, and no one knows what might happen. Besides, not everyone like Lefia and the others can act and fight like you. I just hope you remember that."

"……I see."

"Judging from your expression, Tiona or someone else has probably already given you a lecture. You can leave now."

Upon hearing Finn's statement that he had said all he needed to say, Ais bowed. This was also a way of expressing her gratitude to Riveria and Grace.

Stepping out of the tent, Ais pondered Finn's last words repeatedly, then slowly looked up at the sky.

The sky is obscured by the dome-shaped ceiling, blocked by the rock walls. Countless columnar protrusions emerge from this impossibly high dome, their surfaces glowing with a mysterious, sporadic phosphorescence.

Underground city.

It exists beneath the labyrinth city of Orario, in a vast and boundless underground labyrinth.

Ais and the others are now in the deep underground where monsters keep emerging.

In Orario, the labyrinth city and the stronghold of the Loki Familia, countless adventurers enter the city daily, drawn by the world's only underground labyrinth. To expand and strengthen their own factions, most of the gods have chosen to manage exploration (dungeon)-based Familias, eagerly exploring and conquering the labyrinth.

Ais and others' [Familia] are among them.

"Hey, you're so clumsy! How come you can't even pitch a tent properly, you stupid Amazon!"

"You, you're so noisy! It's Bert's fault for not teaching well! It's not my fault!"

"Lefia, ignore them. Could you please find some people to prepare the meal?"

“Okay, okay!”

At this very moment, the Loki Familia is on an "expedition".

They ventured deep into the underground city, spending considerable time reaching uncharted floors. Currently, the group is setting up camp and taking extensive breaks.

Although they were currently on an "expedition," perhaps because they had just fought a fierce battle with a monster—overcoming a major obstacle—the team members were beaming with excitement and a sense of accomplishment, creating a rather relaxed atmosphere. Watching her companions happily set up camp, Ais strolled forward.

Multiple tents were set up, and cargo boxes for moving supplies were scattered haphazardly. After passing through a large amount of equipment, the cluttered view suddenly opened up, and she arrived at the outer edge of the campsite.

What unfolds before you is a magnificent view that makes it hard to believe you are underground.

It was a grove of trees tinged with gray. The gray forest seemed to engulf all the surrounding space, stretching to the distant wall—the end of the building. Rivers flowed like veins among the trees, their blue waters continuing their ceaseless course.