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

Whether she wanted to show off her ease or deliver a death sentence, Valetta explained the characteristics of her "magic" in great detail. In contrast, Bert's expression changed drastically.

Although this magic belongs to the category of "abnormal magic," it can continuously apply effects to a single individual, making it a rare magic.

Because it is a high-output "barrier magic" activated by an extremely long incantation, there is no way to eliminate the barrier along with its vicious effects except for the conditions mentioned by Valetta and the warlock's freedom to dispel it. What is terrifying is that as long as one is inside the barrier of this extremely wide-range magic, regardless of whether the target is one person, dozens of people, or hundreds of people, their abilities (ability values) will be reduced.

"The more they move around, the more my 'magic' transforms into invisible threads, binding their bodies."

This is the true appearance of the Crimson Circular Array.

This is her castle, and also her prison.

In other words, it is...

"That's right, this is a custom-made 'spider web'!"

Bert's eyes were filled with shock.

"You can't escape now, [Fierce Wolf]! Who told you to act like an idiot, hitting and making a scene? You're now covered in my 'spider silk'!"

Valetta is right.

Bert's abilities have been severely reduced to levels below LV. Bert himself estimates his current abilities are approximately below LV.4, enough to cause a fatal impact.

Worst of all, Bert had been lured by her all the way to almost the center of the barrier. Even if he wanted to escape at full speed, he didn't know how many more attacks he would be subjected to. Moreover, every time he spent dodging or defending, the burden of "ability reduction" would fall on his entire body again.

The enraged wolf has completely fallen into Valetta's "trap".

"Alright, watch how I'll torture you to death! Guys, get your weapons out!!"

An exceptionally loud command resounded throughout the surroundings, and in an instant, all the other apostles of the dark faction appeared from behind the pillars.

What they held in their hands was a vast number of "demon swords".

"————"

Bert's time was frozen.

Valeta's lips were torn, and she raised her hand and swung it down, unleashing a devastating barrage of artillery fire.

"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!?"

Fire, lightning, blizzard; a barrage of various elemental attacks is unleashed at Bert.

The bombardment came from all directions. Although Bert possessed unparalleled dynamic vision and agility, he managed to dodge the blasts while being blown away by the hot air, but his skills gradually faded over time. Now, without Frosvelt, he was unable to absorb the enemy's bombardment.

The demonic shadow that emanates from the woman's body—[Queen's Web (Kill Luo Duo)]—will never let Bert go.

This tactic is even more insidious than a "curse." The perpetual and interconnected chains of restraint can be called a spider's web. The more the prey moves, the tighter the silk becomes, restricting its movements.

What awaits the prey afterward is the ravages of the vile predator.

「!?」

Bert tried to break free of the barrier, but his body was eventually hit by a fireball.

The crimson fireball stained the field of vision, and Bert was hit squarely in the face.

“Gah!?”

Fireballs erupted, followed by the howls of wolves that scattered in all directions.

"Go to hell!"

As the woman's sadistic laughter echoed, the group unleashed a barrage of artillery fire.

"Ugh—"

The beast's silhouette flickered in and out of sight amidst the flashes of lightning.

"One more meal!"

The retinue of the death messengers cheered, attempting to kill the ferocious wolf and bathe the enemy in the bright, turbid light.

Under Valetta's orders, the remnants of the dark faction descended into fanaticism, swinging the "Demon Sword" with ferocious force time and again. Each time a weapon shattered, a new batch of "Demon Swords" was added, gradually carveling away at various parts of Bert's body.

Even the blood vomited on the ground evaporated, and the underground space was dominated by a large amount of magical residue.

The rain of magic cannons, fired under the woman's command, resembled a concerto of light.

"Hehehehehehehehe! I'll take you down, watch me take down this Loki Familia executive! After I deal with this guy, it'll be your turn, Finn~!!"

Faced with the overwhelming scenes of abuse, Valette's excitement reached its peak.

The queen spider web beneath her feet radiated a joyful glow, and the woman let out a wild, mocking laugh.

★

"This is……"

In the redevelopment area of ​​Fengyue Street, on the ground.

Ais, who had been chasing Bert all the way, happened to see the same text (message) that he had witnessed.

"The ferocious wolf...come down to the palace."

In the complex, arched dead-end alley, Ais recited the blood-written common language left in the junkyard.

Upon entering the red-light district, where there were still traces of destruction and claw marks, Ais immediately followed the bloodstains drawn on the ground, clearly indicating that someone was waiting to find them, and arrived at this place.

The sight of the abandoned assassin's body twisted Ais's expression, but it also gave her clues about Bert's possible destination. Just then…

"...!?"

A tremor struck her feet.

The slight shaking was somewhat like an earthquake. Although it wasn't enough to make her lose her balance, the intermittent shockwaves still surprised Ais.

She immediately squatted down and placed her right hand on the ground.

The vibration transmitted to my palm was somewhat like a haphazardly played melody, or like repeated artillery fire.

"He was lured underground... Oh no!"

Ais grasped the situation, suddenly tilted her head back, and ran away from where she stood in one breath.

She kicked the stone slabs and leaped across the wall, landing on the roof of the brothel. Among the buildings below, Ais stared intently at the "Goddess Palace (Hall of the Goddess Prostitutes)" shrouded in darkness.

Ais shifted her footing from the rain-soaked rooftop to the half-ruined roof platform, her heart filled with anxiety, as she traversed the straight-line distance leading to the palace.

★

Sparks from what appeared to be the umpteenth explosion bloomed in the underground space.

"Goo! Gaa...!?"

Bert stood up, puffing out white smoke, refusing to fall, his wounds dripping blood clots that had congealed from the heat.

"He's indestructible, I can't take it..."

Valette, who had been casting playful glances at Bert, couldn't help but frown when she saw that Bert's knees never bent.

But she quickly put on a calm smile again.

(However, this is the end for him. My Queen's Web (Kill Luo Duo) won't let him get away with this.)

The glowing pattern beneath Bert's feet transformed into invisible spider silk, binding his body tightly and continuing to exert a "power reduction" effect, ensuring that his prey would not escape this crimson barrier.

(One poke with a "cursed tool" and he's dead, but... there's no need to risk getting close. You might accidentally get bitten.)

We've already come this far, there's no need to rush. In other words, maintain the status quo and steadily reduce their lives from a distance.

That werewolf, covered in wounds, must be so badly injured that he can't even dodge properly anymore.

(To prevent him from "bestowing" at any moment, I lured him to such a deep underground location... Now, [The Ferocious Wolf] has no trump cards left to turn the tide.)

When dealing with werewolves on the surface, the most important thing to watch out for is their "beast transformation" activated by bathing in moonlight. It is even generally believed that werewolves under the moon possess physical abilities superior to any other race.

It looks like the rain has stopped, but they're underground now. The moon's blessings could never reach here.

Valette couldn't help but let out a triumphant sneer.

Nearby group members who heard the laughter also gave stiff smiles.

They were able to take down the level one adventurer. This would bring their long-cherished goal a significant step forward.

Imprisoned by joy, excitement, and destructive impulses, the retinue bombarded the dying werewolf even more.

"...Tsk."

Amidst the flying fragments of lightning, the misty snow, and the sparks of fire, a gasp of surprise echoed all around.

The werewolf's clenched fist revealed his intense anger.

"Damn it...damn it...damn it...damn it!"

He growled through gritted teeth.

That was anger directed at himself, at Valetta and the others, and at the world. The "fangs" that had grazed his cheek were burning hot, about to unleash the phantom pain hidden within.

Bert's brain was burning red.

He was driven by anger.

Curse the world, curse the laws of nature, curse the truth.

His vision burned to a fever pitch. Thoughts churned endlessly. I (Bert) cannot forgive those guys. I (Bert) cannot forgive myself (Bert). Presumably, Bert had been unable to forgive everything for a long time. The pain of the "scars" endlessly fueled his anger. Bert was on the battlefield, his heart caught in a chaotic vortex.

The only certainty is that if things continue this way, the anger will have nowhere to go and will perish along with Bert.

The rage of losing a companion. The fury of a young girl being murdered.

These are the only things that absolutely cannot exist.

Even though it cannot be protected, even though it will inevitably be lost, only Bert must extinguish this raging fire.

Only the strong (Bert) cannot be forgotten.

We must not forget the roar of the weak who try to rebel against the world.

We must not forget the tears of those weak who succumbed to the world.

"—You damn bastard."

Bert said to himself dismissively.

He raised his head and stared at the smiling face of the woman on the other side of the sea of ​​fire.

So he decided to break the "rules" he had set for himself.

Break free from the childish willfulness that originally led to the decision to never disobey, even at the cost of death.

In an instant, memories from just two days flashed before her amber eyes.

very quickly.

He wove "poems" to dedicate to beautiful but ill-fated young women.

"【The King of the Obedient Wolves (Flos) -】"

Bert began to sing.

"What... the [Fierce Wolf] can use 'magic'?"

Valette was utterly shocked.

She had no idea about it, never even heard of it. The Loki Familia's Wolf and Great Severer (Amazon) are both vanguard specialists, capable of single-handedly dispelling enemies. The metal boots are likely a special weapon used as an auxiliary tool, replacing "magic."

A flicker of anxiety crossed Valetta's face. "Magic" was the ultimate trump card, a move that could bring the dead back to life. She couldn't let her opponent make a move for nothing.

"What are you daydreaming about! Burn him alive right now!"

“Yes, yes!”

Valetta's roar spurred the remnants of the Dark Faction to swing their "Demon Swords" horizontally.

Fireballs and lightning whips hurtled towards him. Bert closed his eyes, his arms relaxed and hanging down, focusing on chanting, not bothering to dodge these attacks.

Hit directly by artillery fire, several beams of light appeared in the darkness, and he continued chanting incantations within them:

"[First wound, bound (Gelgja). Second wound, screams of pain (GÖjll). Third wound, pile driving (Tviti). Hunger and drooling are the only hope. Open the river, mingle with blood, wash away the tears]."

Bert doesn't know anything about "parallel chanting".

I haven't practiced "magic" at all.

Of course. Since there's no intention to use it in the first place, expending effort to exercise it would be a waste of energy.

"[Unhealable wounds, never forget them. This anger and this hatred, your cowardice and your raging fire]."