No one's POV

After Aiz and Asuna had accepted the request from a person claiming to be a mage, the two of them had met up with the Hermes Familia who also had accepted the request. After awhile, Sora came in and told them that he was also requested by the mage to investigate the 24th floor as well much to their surprise. And currently, Aiz, Asuna and Sora along with the whole Hermes Familia were on their way to the pantry, and Sora continue to lost in thought by the true meaning of this quest.

Sora(mind): What is going on here? Is Orario once again in great danger? That jewel that reacted to Aiz's Aerial. Is there some kind of fate between them? According to that mage who seems to be one of Lord Ouranus followers, that this incident was also related to the one on the 30th floor that was related to Hasharna's death.

Sora then started thinking about the jewel and the Red Tamer that he fought awhile back.

Sora(mind): That girl, who seemed to be a humanoid monsters, started calling Aiz by the name Aria, who is related to the Hero Albert. Does that mean, this enemy we're dealing is a...

Sora then started thinking all possibilities for the oncoming uproar that might occur.

Sora(mind): What kind of quest does Hasharna accepted? If it's related to the guild, that means that the one that is involve is, Ganesha Familia, Loki Familia, and the Guild itself, or more precise, Ouranus himself. And now, it seems that the Hermes Familia has also been caught up in this as well. Who else was caught up in this situation? Is it an Evil God just like Erebus? Or a remnant of a disaster group? The answer might just be in this quest...

Sora thought to himself as he along with Aiz and Asuna and the whole Hermes Familia had just entered a cocoon made out of those plant monster.

(Elsewhere)

After leaving the Twilight Manor, Bete, Lefiya and Filvis had already made it to the 18th floor as the three of the continue to stay quiet all the way which make Lefiya very uncomfortable.

Lefiya(mind): This might be my first time being in a party with so much discomfort.

Lefiya: Is... isn't it a very nice weather today?

Bete: Like there would even be any fucking weather on the 18th floor.

Filvis:...

With a strained smile, Lefiya forced herself to make a small talk, but Bete shot it down instantly. Even Filvis, a mere step away, didn't even dignify it with respond.

Lefiya: Uh...

They have left the Twilight Manor a few hours ago. Whenever Bete opens its mouth is nothing but abuse, but Filvis ignore everything he had said while Lefiya was crying on the inside.

Lefiya(mind) This is hard. It's really hard. But, I have to do something about this mood. Miss Filvis... Is she older than me? She is peculiar and difficult to approach, but...

During the way, they didn't even stop and move on a rapid pace. That's why along the way, Lefiya wasn't able to use her magic and Filvis has been covering her a countless number of time.

Lefiya(mind): She doesn't seem like a bad person. And I don't think she hates me...! Alright! From here onwards, we will have to start cooperating together! And I'm an Elf too! Elves have strong feelings of fellowship together! If it's me, I can do it!

Lefiya has made up her mind and wanted to get to know Filvis better and she started a conversation wit her, but Filvis has ignore all of it.

Lefiya: Miss Filvis! Thank you very much for earlier! For taking on the Minotaurs... I'm actually not fond of them and...

Filvis:...

Lefiya: Miss Filvis, do you prefer fighting in the vanguard? Instead of a sword, I use a staff...

Filvis:...

Lefiya: Don't tell me you're a magical swordsman just like Miss Asuna or something? If... If so, I greatly admire you!!

Filvis:.....

Lefiya: 😅 Ahahahaha... What are your hobbies?

Filvis:.............

Lefiya's voices grew more and more strained with each passing moment as she tried harder than ever. Unfortunately, she received only the same silence in respond as Filvis kept walking with her eyes glued to the path ahead. Lefiya's spirit was on the verge of crumbling, but she had seen the fortitude of other girls firsthand for so long that she urged herself to keep going.

Lefiya(mind): Don't give up! This is nothing, don't be discouraged!

Lefiya continue to tried to talk to Filvis finding topic after topic until Bete finally spoke up.

Bete: Shut the hell up, you're hurting my ears. We'll just throw her away if we can't use her. No point in getting friendly.

Lefiya: Uooohhh....

Lefiya moaned again, on the verge of tears as the mood took turn for the worst. Filvis who had been quiet this whole time, her eyes flashed at the werewolf's unnecessarily loud remark. Most likely, it was Bete's propensity to stir up a fights that kept ruining the atmosphere.

Filvis: I don't have the slightest bit of interest in getting to know you either. Bastard werewolf!

Bete: So you can talk, devious elf. Now you can sing monsters to their grave with your Magic.

Filvis once again ignore them and started making her way towards the 19th floor.

Bete: Hey, idiot, you don't know Aiz and Asuna's location, do you? We're heading to Rivira first.

Bete called out to Filvis, insisting that gathering information took priority, but she didn't turn around which anger Bete a bit and he reached out and grabbed the back of Filvis's collar. Filvis seemed to sensed that Bete was about to touched her and she whipped around in a flash, drawing her sword and swinging it forcefully.

Filvis: Don't touch me!!

Bete easily caught the blade with his hand thanks to his speed until he glared at Filvis with so much bloodthirst.

Bete: Hah?!

Lefiya quickly react on move in front of Bete with her hands wide open before Bete started attacking Filvis.

Lefiya: Mr Bete! Wait a moment! It's customary for elves to prevent other races from touching our bare skin... So don't take it any offense...!

Bete: Even so, that was a bit excessive. Something's wrong with her.

Lefiya(mind): It's true. Even for an elf, that was an excessive reaction.

Lefiya thought about it as she looked towards Filvis who was looking down.

Lefiya(mind): Miss Filvis...?

(Timeskip)

The three of them made it to the town of Rivira and Bete and Lefiya started asking question adventurers whether they saw Aiz and Asuna and where they were heading, but all of them had just given them vague answer, telling that a group of parties wearing a hood were heading towards the pantry on the 24th floor, and currently Lefiya was asking Boris whether he had seen them.

Lefiya: Mr Boris. Have you seen either the Sword Princess Aiz Wallenstein or the Berserk Healer Asuna Yuuki.

Boris: Yeah, they came my way. But if I hear my sound of money, I might just happen to remember something? AAA! Its just on the tip of mu tongue. Even though I might know something about them.

Lefiya: .....-_-.....

Bete: Hurry up and spit it out, you shit.

Boris: Ah, I apologize, please forgive me. The people that they were with were buying a lot of trap and camouflage items. Inside the cloth they were hiding red quartz like crystals.

Lefiya: Red quarts... That means...

Bete: The pantry.

Boris: Oh and one more thing. They were also accompanied by the Flashing Strike.

Both Bete and Lefiya were surprised that Sora was with them.

Lefiya: Mister Sora?!

Bete: Tch! What is that bastard doing with them? We're done here, let's go.

Lefiya: Y-Yes!

Bete then left them both and Boris whispered at Lefiya with an annoyed looked.

Boris: That bastard's getting all cocky. Out of everyone in the Loki Familia, I hate that werewolf the most. Hey, I'll give you 1000 valis if you hit him.

Lefiya: -_- There's no way I can...

Boris: Anyway... You guys are in a party with the "Banshee"?

Boris said while looking at Filvis.

Lefiya: Eh? Is Miss Filvis's second name "The Banshee"?

Boris: No that's just what we've started calling her. That elf has a different second name. Everyone that has been in a party with that elf... They are all dead. Whether its with her own Familia or someone else's... She's always the only one that survives.

Lefiya then looked at Boris completely and utterly shocked and Bete who overheard it looked a bit surprised as well. Bete finally understood to why Filvis doesn't want to cooperate with them.

Boris: Have you heard if the Nightmare on the 27th floor that happened 6 years ago?

Lefiya: I've only heard that a lot of adventurers died that day.

Boris: That's right. That period was when Evilus was still around. He sent his troops to annihilate all the influential Familia around, along with everyone else who went to the 27th floor.

Evilus used to be a radical group that threatened Orario after the Zeus Familia and Hera Familia weakened in power and were subsequently exiled from the city. It was weakened by the efforts of the Guild along with various Familia, such as the Loki Familia. By the time Lefiya joined the Loki Familia, they were completely destroyed, but even now their notoriety as the dark apostle is well known. A group of extremist that hated order, and sought to sow confusion among the Gods. And the perpetrator of that even was one of Evilus executive member name Olivas Act.

The 27th floor Nightmare, among all the bad deeds that Evilus committed, this was one of the worst. They leaked false information stating that there was suspicious activity going on in the dungeon. They lured several influential parties to the 27th floor. All Evilus's people acted as decoy and led a mass of monster to those parties. All of the floors monsters as well as the Floor Boss had a free for all, frenzy. It was like a painting of hell. The adventurers that arrived late, all they could see in their eyes was a river of black and red filled with bodies which no one could even begin to count and then the monster that followed. The adventurers that were attacked were at a loss, and the scenery on the 27th floor continued to spread.

Filvis Chalia was one of the few survivors fron that incident. Barely making it out of their with her life. She came back to town looking like she had already died. There were a lot of adventurers that had lost body part and comrade. But no one had ever seen with as bad of a face as the one Filvis had. And from that day on, it's as if she has become cursed. Any party she approaches, sooner or later, it gets annihilated. There are at least 4 cases where her party has been completely annihilated. And Filvis was the only survivor. And from that day on, a rumor started going on where if anyone that party up with Filvis, they will die. And from that day on, she was known as the Solo adventurer, the party killing Elf, "Banshee".

Boris: It's not a rumor that should bestowed on anybody. Well, be careful.

Lefiya(mind): "Banshee". People believed in the rumors and refused to approach her.. even she began to believe that if she apprached people, it would led to misfortune, and so she chose to live in loneliness by herself. That's just to sad...!! She's a nice person I just met, and one that's willing to cover my back. I don't want this to go on... I don't like it, but...

After Boris had told Lefiya about Filvis and her past she couldn't come up with anything to say. With Lefiya unsure how to proceed, Bete took a step forward with a smirk on his lip.

Bete: I don't know the details, but... Word is that you throw your comrades away. And managed to survive on your own. Serves you right. Why are you still an adventurer? It would have been better if you had just died.

Lefiya: MR BETE!!!

His words were intended to open old wounds. It enraged Lefiya that Bete showed no mercy to those weaker than himself even at a time like this, but Filvis said nothing. Slowly but surely, the apprehensive front that she had kept during their constant quarreling thus far disappeared, replace by a small smile.

Filvis: It's just as you say.

It was a smile of self-deprecation that twisted the beautiful face that wore it, to the point it bordered on self-mutilation.

Filvis: That day, without dying alongside with my Familia and comrades. I continue to live in shame. Ungracefully.

Filvis didn't deny that she had abandoned her allies to their fate. Bete and Lefiya stood completely still as Filvis turned the rest of the way to face them before continuing.

Filvis: You've heard the rumors, right? What are you going to do? Disband here? I might just kill you guys.

Bete frowned and click his tongue when he heard Filvis said that about herself who's voice laced with self-hatred.

Bete: The people that I hate the most, are those who literally interpret rumors like that, people like you.

And with that, Bete turned around and left both Lefiya and Filvis behind. The two shared a heavy silence, cut off from their bustling surrounding. Lefiya still couldn't find a word to speak while Filvis avoided making eye contact with her and she spoke up.

Filvis: Lefiya Viridis. Even if it's a mere rumor, don't associate with me.

The shock of hearing Filvis says her name for the first time made Lefiya's shoulders tremble. The one who had gone out of her way to protect her since they began this journey issued her a warning. With her next words, Filvis attempted to shut out her kindness completely.

Filvis: I am tainted.

A weak smile appeared on her lips appeared on her lips as if she was all too aware of the truth.

Filvis: I don't want to taint my brethren.

Lefiya's eyes widened as Filvis explained. It was a declaration unbecoming of an elf. Her words hanging in the air, Filvis immediately turned to leave. The cold shoulder should have been the last nail in the coffin, solidifying her rejection of Lefiya's kindness. Lefiya stood in stunned silence for a moment then her eyes flooded with determination. She reached out, fully aware of what might happened, and grabbed Filvis by the wrist.

Filvis: Let go of me I'm-

Before Filvis could finish her sentence Lefiya spoke first.

Lefiya: Not tainted!

Now it was Filvis turn to be shocked. Looking over her shoulder, she stared directly into Lefiya's deep blue eyes. Her words had stunned Filvis.

Lefiya: You are not tainted! You are much more beautiful than me and very nice!!

Lefiya spoke sincerely. Everything Filvis said up to this point was for Lefiya's own good, but Lefiya couldn't stand that her own brethren was insulted especially from her own mouth. As Lefiya made her feelings plain in no uncertain terms, Filvis eyed her in dismay.

Filvis: Ho-How would you know that?! Quit spouting nonsense! We barely just met not long ago!!

Lefiya couldn't string words together in the face of Filvis sound argument, so she blurted out the first thing that came into her mind.

Lefiya: I... I will continue to find out more about you!!

Filvis:...

Lefiya:...

Lefiya's word blindsided Filvis. Lefiya was still frozen in the same pose as when she spoke.

The reckless response of her kin left Filvis feeling like her effort were pointless.

Filvis: Ku...

The sound of chuckles slip her mouth and Lefiya started blushing.

Lefiya: EH?!

Filvis quickly covered her mouth with her fingers in an attempt to hide her laughter but it was useless.

Filvis: What was that? That really isn't an appropriate answer.

Lefiya: Auu....

This could be very well be the first time that Filvis, a loathed adventurer, had laughed in a very long time. Lefiya's face burned in embarrassment, but she couldn't help but smile upon seeing Filvis's expression.

Lefiya(mind): She laughed. I wasn't able to put it into words but... Because we are brethren, we understand each other. Miss Filvis is a prideful and beautiful person.

Filvis: You are quite a strange elf.

Filvis quietly remarked, her expression no longer tense. Her demeanor was ever so slightly less thorny, and Lefiya couldn't been happier. The two young women made eye contact underneath the blue underground sky.

Bete: Hey you stupid elves, hurry the hell up!

The two turned in the direction of the yell and saw Bete who was waiting for them at the edge of the town square.

Lefiya and Filvis exchange another glance before forming a smile on both of their face and nodded to each other before rushing to join him,

And so the three adventurers left Rivira together and once again return back to their quest to find the Sword Princess and Berserk Healer.