Muller
Level 4
Strength: C627
Endurance: C602
Dexterity: C630
Agility: C620
Magic: B723
Mage: G
Swordsman: H
Abnormal Resistance: G
Heat Body: H

Skill
-Fairy Cannon
    Increases the effects of Magic. The effect doubles when used with attack Magic.
-Mind Load
    Increases power stat when attacking by using mind.
-Lubrude Bequia
    Lubrude Bequia is a rare skill that increased her abilities, allowing her to be on par with a first class adventurer.
-Heat Body
    Allow the user to resist huge amount of heat and cold. Fire and Ice attack are far less effective against the user.

Magic:
-Lunar Flame Burst:
    Powerful fire enchant magic that covers the user's legs and hands. It can also enchant weapons.
    (Attack move: Red Lotus / Spellsword, Scorching Heat Slash / Scarlet Flames)
    (Chant: Respond to the contract, flame of earth. Follow my order and burn the violence)
-Hellfire:
    A spell that allows the user to emmit a flamethrower towards the target in a multitude of ways.
    (Chant: Arise, flames. Rage, rage, rage. Vortex of fire. The crimson wall. Hellfire's roar.)
-Purple Flare, Amaterasu:
A variation of Fire Magic that allows the caster to create a specific purple fire, one that cannot be extinguished by wind or water. Consume a lot of mind, making the user tired by just one magic.
    (Long Chant: The flame will soon be released. Creeping war, unavoidable destruction. The sky shall burn. The earth shall ignite. The seas shall boil. The fonts shall churn. The mountains shall erupt. All life shall turn to ash. Your envoy beseeches you, Salamander. Incarnate of fire. Queen of flame)

No one's POV

Aisha: Oh brave warrior, oh strong hero, oh covetous, cruel champion. Prove your desire for the queen's girdle.

Muller: Respond to the contract, flame of earth. Follow my order and burn the violence.

A song was being woven. The sonorous chant threaded its way among the ferocious howls of a monster. Muller and Aisha dodged their enemies' claws and fangs, casting their spell even as they assaulted them with their weapons. It was a Concurrent Chant.

Aisha: My famished blade is Hippolyta!

Muller: Lunar Flame Burst!

A moment later, the Elf was surrounded by a huge flame. It was Muller's fire enchantment magic. She surrounds herself with a wall of flame making it looked like a fire armor. While the Amazon—who had been chanting at the same time as she attacked and evaded multiple monsters—finished her spell and unleashed her magic.

Aisha: Hell Kaios!

Muller's long sword and Aisha's podao, threw off a huge cutting wave of wind and fire like the fin on a shark's back that shredded through every monster in the party's path. It sliced through not only a number of tough blue crabs but also the devil mosquitoes hovering in the air and even a large-class aqua serpent.

Rin: Good work, both of you.

Welf: Damn! It even works in the water!

Ouka: Bell Cranell is something, but Golden Swordswoman, Priestess of Element and Antianeira are just as strong...

Welf, who was guarding the party, and Ouka, who was carrying one of the wounded, stared fearfully at the spectacle. The Lunar Flame Burst and Hell Kaios had moved off land to cut through the water, laying bare the streambed as it blew away every obstacle in their path. As water flowed back into the streambed with a rush, Rin, Muller and Aisha—who had been fighting the monsters single-handedly looked back toward Welf and the others.

Aisha: Okay, let's get going while the path is still clear.

Muller: If they surround us, even we won't be able to protect you guys completely.

Daphne: Fine words from someone who just wiped out a whole pack of monsters...

Daphne muttered at the outstanding second-tier adventurer. She was carrying Luvis over her shoulder. For now, the party had left defense to the three level 4 while the others carried the wounded elven adventurers. As they began to once again move through the labyrinth, Lili rustled around for a Dual Potion and handed it to the 3 level 4.

Lili: Lady Rin, Miss Muller, Miss Aisha, are you three all right?

They reach their hands out to a small cascading waterfall and noisily gulp down some Dungeon water.

Muller: Yeah. This should be alright.

Rin: She's right, as long as we work together, for now we should be okay.

Aisha: Seriously, though, the reason I can keep going like this is because I have your support Golden Swordswoman Priestess of Element.

Ouka, Mikoto, Daphne, and even the weak Haruhime were carrying the Modi Familia adventurers. Cassandra had Chigusa on her back, which meant that five members of the party were unable to fight. No matter how hard Muller and Aisha fought for them, and how Rin was supporting them all with her magic, it was an extremely risky breakdown in terms of proceeding through the lower levels.

To make up for the imbalance, Welf and Lili were playing exquisite backup with their dagger-style Crozzo Magic Swords. Their high-speed, high-power attacks had taken down quite a few monsters that Muller and Aisha was unable to reach, and thanks to their combined efforts, the party had thus far been able to proceed without great danger.

Lili: I wish we could have used Malboro...

Welf: Didn't we just hear that water-dwelling monsters aren't very sensitive to smells from land? The enhanced species doesn't seem to be able to smell, either. Anyway, if we let out that god-awful smell right now, it just might finish off these wounded elves!

Welf was half-joking as he responded to Lili's comment about the Malboro stink bags, which kept monsters away by releasing a hideous smell. However, his words did little to lighten the feeling of tense urgency consuming the party as they continued through the blue crystal labyrinth. Just then, Muller, who was leading the party, started in surprise.

Aisha: What's wrong?

Rin: Is it a monster?

Muller: No, those footsteps sound like—adventurers.

Muller's words startled Lili and Welf. As she had predicted, no sooner did they round a corner with a cave entrance in it than they bumped into a group of adventurers.

Luvis: Dormul, is it you...?

Dormul: Luvis, Luvis!! Ye are alive!!

The elf raised his head from Daphne's shoulder. The dwarf shouting his name had eyes as narrow as threads, a big nose, and at around 170 celches was quite tall for his race. His head and body were covered in brown heavy armor, and both hands gripped battle hammers. Lili and the others guessed right away that these must be the Magni Familia adventurers Luvis had spoken about.

Lili: Mr....Dormul, is it? We are of Hestia Familia, and we are on an expedition.

Dormul: Oh-ho, the kin of Little Rookie! So that enhanced species attacked you, too...?

One look at the ivy-tangled Chigusa was enough to tell Dormul what had happened. His party consisted of four members, all of them hearty Level-3 dwarves dressed in tough full-plate armor. But the battered state of that armor spoke to how worn down the party had become. Without exception, each member was parasitized by a vine.

Ouka: You guys can move? Even with those plants on you...?

Ouka asked in amazement. The dwarf laughed off his comment.

Dormul: Yo-ho-ho! We are dwarves! Far stronger than those weakly elves!

Dormul said in his thick accent. It was clear from the black circles under his eyes, however, that his words were mere bluster. Most likely, he was pushing himself through a forced march for the sake of his party.

Luvis: Yes, you damned dwarves are far better than us burdensome elves...

Luvis said with a self-mocking laugh. But the dwarf lost his taste for banter when faced with his limp former rival.

Dormul: Eh, Luvis...what good will that kind of talk do...?

Dormul said, exhaustion spreading over his face as he looked at the haggard elf he would normally relish quarreling with.

Luvis: Dormul...did you find the party our quest was searching for?

Dormul: Aye, we found them. Their corpses, that is...They were at the 28th floor safety point below this level.

Luvis raised his delicate eyebrows, and Dormul nodded gravely.

Lili: A safety point?

Dormul: Aye. They were hidden where no one would find them. They had bite and their corpses were shriveled and dry. Those vines were wrapped around them, and flowered at that...

Lili: S-so that means...?

Dormul: Aye. The enhanced species was lying in wait at the safety point, and it killed the adventurers.

Shock shot through Lili and the others. Monsters couldn't spawn in safety points. The enhanced species had launched its surprise attack knowing full well that adventurers at a safety point would have their guard down. It had waited for its prey to make themselves vulnerable.

Aisha: I thought I was beyond surprise...but that monster knows a damn lot of things it shouldn't.

Her irritation and disgust expressed the feelings of the whole party. A monster that had learned the habits of adventurers. It was unheard of.

Aisha: That rumor about it being even worse than The Bloodstained Troll may not be far from the truth.

Rin: Do you have any more information? Anything you can tell us about the enhanced species' habitat or its weak points...?

Dormul: Nay. It attacked us as we were hurrying back to Rivira, I'm sorry to say...We beat it, we slashed it, but it seemed to feel nothing. Even our trustworthy thunderbolt magic swords didn't do much...

Lili: So, as we suspected, the only thing that clearly works is Master Bell's Firebolt and Lady Rin's Fire...

Welf: Which means its weak point must be fire...

Saying that, they all looked at the golden elf as she just sigh.

Muller: That means, I'm the best match for that Moss.

Welf: Still, Li'l Lili, would you take out the red magic sword? I'll use that one, just in case.

He had been carrying a thunderbolt-type dagger, but now he took the longer blade that Lili withdrew from the backpack and stuck it into the sword belt slung crosswise over his back.

Aisha: You're our ace, Golden Swordswoman.

Muller: I don't know I'll be a match if that monster keeps devouring Magic Stones. But with Crozzo's Magic Swords, we're almost sure to deal some kind of damage to that enhanced monster.

Welf: Sure. You can count on me. But are you okay...?

Muller: Hmm...?

Welf: I mean, about my Magic Swords...

Welf slowly scratch his back as he said and Muller seemed to realized what he was saying.

Muller: No. No. No. I don't bear any grudge towards you even if your ancestors were the one who burnt our village. It's all ancient history.

Welf: I see.

Welf sigh in relief.

Welf: But we've been getting swarmed down here. I just hope we don't run out of swords before then.

Rin: I'll cover you all with magic. Worse case scenario, we can make use of Haruhime's Level Boost.

Aisha: Although I hate fighting against small fries.

Lili: Let's do our best to avoid tipping our hand. Because it's going to be impossible to predict what that monster might try to pull...

Dormul: What does yer party plan to do now? Given our condition, we beg that ye let us join with ye...

Lili: Not a problem. It is the rule of adventurers to help one another in times of trouble. Lili and her companions will make our way to the connecting passageway on this floor and establish a base there.

The pallum said, acceding to Dormul's plea before quickly explaining their plan. The dwarf agreed, then glanced at Daphne, who was still holding Luvis. She jumped as he boldly walked toward her.

Dormul: Give him to me! I'll take that weak piece of baggage!

Luvis: Dormul, you—

Dormul: Don't get me wrong! I'm ashamed to say we can't fight much, and we've used up all our items and magic swords! But...we can still do the work of a supporter!

He snatched Luvis forcefully from Daphne and threw him over his broad shoulders. The other dwarves did the same, taking the wounded elves from Mikoto, Haruhime, and Ouka. Luvis looked at them in surprise, but Dormul cut him off by spitting on the ground, as if to say, Don't you dare thank me for this. Meanwhile, Lili and the others were marveling at the toughness of the dwarf race. No one could be counted on more than a dwarf at a difficult time like this. That was one reason adventurers often recruited them as heavy fighters.

Cassandra: Th-thank you very much! I don't know how to express our gratitude...

Daphne: You've really saved us, thanks!

Dormul: I-it's nothing! Brute labor is the work of dwarves! This is no job for d-d- d-d-dainty little ladies!

The stammering dwarf turned away, flushed to his ears, as he answered the two beautiful girls—Cassandra with her droopy eyes that aroused the desire to protect and Daphne with her wide-open, slanted pair. They were so attractive they had even invited flirtation from Apollo. The reactions of the other aged dwarves weren't much different. Even Lili, who was practically allergic to adventurers, giggled at their behavior.

Lili: I'm glad they're such pleasant fellows.

Aisha: Okay, guys, if everything's been sorted out, let's get going.

Muller: She's right. The more we wait, the higher chance we'll run into the enhanced creature.

The group obeyed. Although their numbers had swelled with the addition of the dwarf supporters, they moved more lightly now. Ouka and the others were able to resume their fighting roles.

Dormul: By the way, what happened to Bell Cranell? Uh, ye—lovely renard?

The nervous Dormul directed his question toward Haruhime, who was even more beautiful than Daphne or Cassandra.

Haruhime: Um, Master Bell is...

Behind them, Lili grasped the belt of her backpack tightly in both hands as she listened to their conversation.

(Elsewhere)

The sound of clapping is still ringing through the cavern, mingled with the crashing of the waterfall. Like a child, the mermaid looks into Bell's dazzled face with her sparkling jade eyes. Judging from her appearance, she would be a little older than him in human years—probably around Aiz's age. Her under-pearl hair ornaments look perfect on this girl from the water's edge. A monster that claps for humans...Bell know of only one type of monster that displays such a friendly attitude.

Bell: Are you...?

Bell manage to form a few words despite his dazed state. She tilts her head adorably, opens her eyes wide, and brings her hand to her mouth as if to say, "I really shouldn't..."

Bell: No way, this can't be what I'm thinking—

Sweating, Bell rub his fingers over his back, which seems to have been growing gradually hotter over the past few minutes.

???: You're okay? You're bleeding.

Bell jump at the sound of a beautiful, bell-clear voice. When he turn his head, he saw that she has popped up beside a crystal bank that looks like a rock. She sounds as if she's worried about him. Her voice is timid, and she's hiding her upper body, while her lower body is still underwater.

Bell(mind): She's not trying to attack me.

Bell froze for a minute, then slowly walk toward her so as not to startle her. Maybe she's not very cautious, or maybe she's extremely curious. The expression on her face is either uneasiness because Bell had neither tried to attack nor harmed her—a talking monster—or deep interest in him. She definitely was speaking in our language a second ago.

Bell(mind): She spoke. Yup, I'm sure now—

Bell get down on one knee in front of where she is hiding in the shadow of the crystals.

Bell: Um, would you happen to be a Xenos, by chance?

At the word Xenos, her jade eyes widen. The next instant, she hurls herself from behind the crystal and flings both arms around Bell's neck.

Bell: Ack!

Bell reflexively try to lean back as her round, bare breasts leap into full view, but her arms prevent him from moving. Like an idiot, Bell turned red. The mermaid brings her nose to the base of his neck and sniffs.

???: You smell like Rei...!

Hearing Rei's name brings Bell's back to his senses. So she knows Rei, a Xenos and a siren.

Bell: You know Miss Rei? And, do you know any of the other Xenos? Like Lido or Gros...?

???: Yes! Rei is pretty, Lido is cute...and Gros is shy. Right?

Bell: "Cute"? "Shy"?

Bell peel her thin shoulders away from his neck. She tilts her head and smiles. Cute...shy...those words don't match up with the lizardman and the gargoyle Bell know...but this girl's behavior is unmistakable. She's a Xenos. It was probably pure luck that Bell met up with her here. He somehow managed to get her to remove her arms from around his neck, and she peers at him from close range. Bell couldn't decide what to ask her first. Finally, he open his mouth.

Bell: Uh, my name is Bell. What's yours?

That's what he'd do with a human. She shakes her emerald-blue hair and tilts her head again with a confused expression.

???:...?

Bell point to himself and repeat his name.

Bell: Bell, Bell, Bell. I am Bell.

After Bell had done this a few times, she smiles beautifully and claps.

???: Bell!

Bell: Yes, that's right.

Marie: I'm Marie!

She's both learned Bell's name and shared her own. Bell have met a mermaid named Marie. It's hard to tell for sure yet, but compared to Wiene and Rei, her communication ability seems slightly weak. Her words strike Bell as immature or clumsy... As he was thinking about what to ask her next, she slowly, quietly puts her pointer finger in her mouth. Then she bites it, and as blood oozes from the top, she sticks it under Bell's nose.

Marie: Bell.

Bell: Y-yes?

Marie: Bell. Lick this.

Bell: Huh...?!

Bell stood there gaping, his mind frozen. She immediately sticks her finger into his mouth.

Bell(mind): Wait a second!!

Marie: Lick it!

Bell(mind): What?!

Marie: Suck it!

Bell(mind): Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

Bell's face was instantly on fire. Her finger draws a circle, invading the inside of his mouth.

Bell(mind): Oh crap—?! Stop wriggling it around in my mouth!! Now it's tangled up with my tongue...!!

Bell turned bright red and erupt with sweat. He couldn't breathe correctly. He grab her right hand and try to pull it out, but she won't let him. Instead she turns her finger into a hook and digs it into his gums.

Bell(mind): Ouch ouch ouch!

Marie: Hurry up—!!

She's got her whole upper body glued to Bell now. His body is as stiff as a stone. She may be a monster, but she's also a beautiful girl, and she's pressing herself onto him. Tears are welling up in his eyes, but he obey her order. Bell lick her finger and suck in, drinking down the saliva that's pooled in his mouth. She doesn't act like my tongue licking her finger tickles. She just smiles happily. When Bell figure he had done enough and try to pull away, she cries out.

Marie: More!

Bell's face was impossibly hot. Smoke is pouring from his ears. Almost literally. The truth is, this might be the most embarrassed he had ever felt. If not the most, it's at least among the top two. It ranks right up there with seeing Aiz and the other Loki Familia women bathing. For some reason, the memory of his grandfather's refreshing laugh as he stuck up his pointer finger passes through Bell's mind.

Bell(mind): O-Oh man... If someone saw us now, they'd think we were doing something crazier than if we were lovers...!

More people appear in his mind's eye. There are Lili and the goddess, arms crossed forbiddingly. There is Aiz, staring fixedly at him. And there is Eina, smiling with her mouth but not her eyes. Or worst, if Slyphid in her Spirit form watching right now. As Bell's body starts to shake violently and inexplicably...he finally notice something.

Bell: Fwha, fwhat?

Bell look down at his arms and body. The sluggish feeling is gone, and the energy he lost in his fight with the Iguazu seems to be back...

Bell(mind): No way...I'm fully recovered?

Bell's astonishment was obvious. There's no doubt about it. He was completely back to normal. Marie narrows her eyes and finally pulls her finger from his mouth. That's when Bell realize what happened. Her blood healed his body.

Bell: Oh right, mermaid lifeblood... It's supposed to be a rare healing item...

It's a drop item produced by the rare species. Classified as a recovery-type item, mermaid blood is rumored to restore energy, heal wounds, and even reverse the effects of poison. There's no need to process it in any way. It's as exceedingly rare as unicorn horns...

Bell(mind): I see now. She was worried about my injuries and wanted to heal me.

Bell: Um...thank you very much.

Marie: You're all better now! What a relief.

Bell bow his head in appreciation, and the Xenos mermaid smiles brightly back at him. Then she stares down at her sticky, saliva-covered finger. The moment Bell saw her do that, he grab her wrist by force.

Using the bottom of the Undine cloth Bell was wearing, he vigorously wipe her finger. Mari gives Bell a blank look, and he turn red. He was trying to eradicate all trace of his saliva. To finish off his work, Bell plunge her entire hand into the water. Even though he had regained his strength, he was panting loudly, and his shoulders are heaving like he was going to run out of energy again.

Marie: Let's go...there?

Bell: Huh...?

Marie: I...don't like here. Let's go over there.

Marie taps his shoulder, and Bell look up at her. She seems worried. Bell follow her gaze. Far above them, he can make out some shapes that are likely harpies and sirens, perhaps newly spawned from the Dungeon. Then Bell remembered...monsters hunt the Xenos, too. Marie was right. Visibility is good in this large cavern, and monsters can easily target them. Adventurers who emerge onto the cliff when they arrive on this floor could even spot them. Bell agreed with the mermaid's decision to move.

Bell: Over where, exactly? In the labyrinth...?

Marie: Yes!

She points to a cave on the northeast side of the cavern. At first Bell was skeptical that a half-fish, half-human will be able to walk overland to get there, but he manage to decipher her gestures and figure out that there's a hole at the bottom of the plunge pool that's connected to the waterways inside the labyrinth. Monsters that are swept over the Great Falls use this hole to get back inside. Marie dives under, and he step out of the shallow water. Gazing up at the ajura tree, Bell head back inside the crystal labyrinth for a second time.

Bell: But...how are we going to meet up? I have no idea where the plunge pool connects to the streams...

As this basic problem with their plan dawns on him, Bell stood bewildered at a fork in the path, which was already becoming complicated.

Bell(mind): Damn. We really should have figured this out ahead of time...

Bell stood standing there worrying when he heard a song.

Marie: LAA...

The voice singing it is smooth and clear. This wordless string of la-la-las doesn't seem to be a monster's chant intended to lead humans astray. Instead, the gentle, sweet melody reminds me of an approaching wave or the ocean on a moonlit night.

Bell: A song that echoes through the labyrinth...

Bell let the song guide him forward, his soul trembling at its beauty. After Bell had proceeded forward for a while without encountering any monsters, he arrive at a small room. A mermaid is sitting on the boundary of water and land, singing. The sight of her illuminated by the moonlight-like glow of the crystals, eyes closed as she smiles and croons to herself, is so beautiful and mysterious that it captivates him.

Marie: Bell.

Bell: I'm glad I found you, Miss Marie!

The mermaid notices Bell and waves. He return to his senses and hurry over to her. The water in this room is not a stream but instead a spring. Marie was sitting on a rocklike crystal at its edge. As Bell approach this girl surrounded by crystal the bluish shade of ice...he turn red all over again.

Marie: What's the matter...?

Bell: Oh, nothing! It's just...

Bell mumble incoherently as he stare at her defenseless upper body. Especially at her chest. Even putting aside what happened out in the plunge pool, which wasn't what it seemed anyway, Bell couldn't help looking no matter how hard he tried. The locks of hair that hang down on both sides just barely hide her breasts, but still... After Bell glanced at her chest a bunch of times and turned bright red, she claps as if she's understood.

Marie: Wait here!

Bell: Um, where are you going?

Smiling, she dives into the spring, and Bell wait for around a minute. When she bursts through the water's surface again, her long emerald-blue hair is pulled behind her head, and Bell hurriedly throw his arm over his face to avoid seeing too much. Then he notice she's covered her chest with something.

Bell: Sh-shell underwear...?

Marie: I got clothes! Just like Bell and his friends!

While underwater, she's donned a bikini made of shells and string. The blue shells are plastered to the indigo-blue mounds on her chest. By "just like Bell and his friends," she must mean the fact that she's wearing clothes. It's true that Amazons wear something similar...Aside from the pearl and shell decorations in her hair, she seems interested in the clothing of adventurers.

Bell smile wryly as she stretches out her arms and poses as if to ask his opinion. She's acting like a little girl, but Bell couldn't help finding it endearing. Still...her face is so gorgeous it's like an eye magnet, and she likes to play dress-up. Could she really have hidden her true identity from other adventurers up till now...?

Maybe because she's noticed Bell's gaze or maybe not, she smiles and starts to fuss with her hair. She pulls the damp locks in front of her face as if to say, Bell always do it like this. The green hair sticks to her face, hiding most of it, including her eyes. Even though she's smiling, Bell had to agree...if she did this, no one would guess a thing. Actually, she looks fairly scary.

Maybe this was what the goddess meant when she talked about "horror." She definitely doesn't match up with the Xenos Bell had met in the past...For one, she clapped at Bell and talked to him in a worried voice. She's innocent, and her words and actions are immature. She's full of curiosity, too. But judging from the fact that she knows Lido and the other Xenos, she probably isn't newly spawned from the Dungeon.

Since meeting her, Bell felt that she's somehow different from Rei or Wiene. Now he was sure she is.

Bell(mind): How can I put it? She's less like a Xenos and more like...a spirit, like Lady Slyphid. Which I've heard have less developed senses of self.

Bell: Uh, so, Miss Mari...

Marie: Miss Marie ? I am Marie.

Bell: No, miss is a word we attach to names. It's like a part of human culture...

Marie: I am Marie. Just call me, Marie.

Bell: M-Marie.

Marie: Yeah! Marie! I'm Marie!

Bell couldn't help giving in to her naive behavior as she brings her face close to him. Bell's face has been bright red this whole time as he watch her frolicking around happily.

Bell: So, uh, Marie? Are Lido or any of the other Xenos on this floor?

Bell ask, having decided to try to make contact with Wiene.

Marie: Lido went further up with the group.

Bell: To a higher floor?

Despite Bell's uncertainty, he didn't pursue the question further. All Bell know was that he won't be able to call on Lido and the others for help.

Marie: Rei and the others always stick together.

Bell: Huh?

Marie: I can't fly like she does. And I can't walk like Lido does.

Bell:...

Marie: So... I'm always left waiting here for them.

Bell: I see. That sounds pretty lonely.

Marie pouts as she haltingly strings together her clumsy words. It's the particular complaint of a mermaid, who is unable to move around on land. Guessing from her words, she might not have met Wiene yet. As Bell stood here thinking, Marie slaps her tail on the ground loudly, presses both hands on the crystal rock, and pulls herself up onto it.

Marie: Bell, let's talk about more stuff!

She's pestering Bell as if she's excited that someone who's not one of her brethren has accepted her. Her cheeks are flushed and she's smiling, overjoyed at her first visitor. She's really just like a spirit. If the situation was different, Bell'd be happy to chat with her endlessly, but...

Bell: Marie, listen to me. I have to leave and find a way back to my friends.

Marie:...?

Bell: I'd love to talk more with you, but... Will you take me to some places where people might be?

Bell looked into her eyes as he ask this favor. Bell will never manage to find his party by wandering randomly around the Dungeon. Plus, without a map, it will be hard to find his way back to the room where he was pulled underwater. Bell desperately want Marie—who he assumed knows her way around this floor—to help him. She lowers her eyebrows sadly and shakes her head.

Marie: You can't go.

Bell: Huh...?

Marie: There is a scary thing in here now.

Bell stood there frozen and unbelieving.

Bell: Marie, do you know about the enhanced species? Uh, the one that's green, and big, and has yellow eyes...?

Marie: Yes.

She nods as Bell list all its characteristics to make sure they were talking about the same monster. Marie knows about the moss huge.

Marie: I saw it myself! The very scary thing...the one that ate a lot of Bell's friends...

Bell:...! I want to put a stop to that monster! Do you know where it is?

Marie: No. You can't. Bell, don't go.

Bell: Marie...!

She just keeps shaking her head as Bell plead with her. And that's not all. When he ignore her warning, she tries to hold him back so he couldn't leave. She's gripping Bell's Undine cloth sleeve tightly in her delicate fingers.

Marie: It will eat Bell and me...It's scary. Everyone is afraid of it...! If you go, you and I will die...

Bell bite his lip as she lets out a heartrending cry and throws her arms around him.

(Elsewhere)

As Muller and the groups are still wandering through the dungeon making their way back to the entrance of the 25th floor.

Muller and Aisha:...?

Muller and Aisha were the first to notice the change.

Rin: Muller...?

Welf: Hey, what's wrong?

Rin and Welf asked, who had been peering around warily, as they looked up toward the Amazon at the front of the party.

Muller: Something feels off.

Aisha: It's strange how noisy the Dungeon is.

Muller and Aisha tucked their hair behind her ears and listened more closely. The party was in the northwestern section of the floor, in one of the higher portions of the indigo crystal labyrinth in the cliff's interior. The 2 Level-4 adventurer were sensitively gathering information from the vibrations that reached the wide main route via the many tunnels that crossed it.

Rin: You don't think it's a stream trap, do you?

Muller: No, it's not that. This is...

If you sense a change, escape. Even if you don't know exactly what it is, get away from it. That was an ironclad rule among adventurers. Muller drew her eyebrows together as her intuition throbbed. She was about to issue instructions to the group when Mikoto shouted out.

Mikoto: Monsters incoming!

Just as her detection skill had swiftly warned her, a large number of monsters appeared in the passage in front of them.

Ouka: A pack of monsters...! At a time like this!

Welf: I have no choice; I'm gonna use the magic sword!

Welf, who was standing next to him, answered. He leaped forward, gripping the hilt of the crimson sword. Moving up next to Muller, he prepared to draw it from the belt on his back.

Muller:...

Ignoring their actions, Mikoto once again reacted to something. Her beautiful face froze.

Lili: Mikoto?

Lili asked suspiciously.

Mikoto: They're coming from behind, too—

Hearing this response, Lili stiffened. She glanced behind her. A pack of monsters as numerous as the one in front was pressing toward them, their roars and countless footsteps thundering down the passage.

Ouka: What the...?!

Daphne: W-wait a second! They're coming from the right and left, too!!

Haruhime: And from a diagonal!

Daphne's and Haruhime's screams echoed the sound of their enemy's advance, which was like a nightmare roaring with laughter. Welf, who had been on the verge of drawing his magic sword, was in shock. Both he and the gaping Ouka stood frozen, looking back. The elves and dwarves tormented by parasitic vines went pale, too.

Aisha: Shit! What the fuck is happening?!

Muller: A monster parade at a time like this?!

Muller exclaimed as masses of monsters invaded the main route from every direction. Then, as she scanned their surroundings, sword and short sword at the ready, she saw it.

Muller: Not good—

It was far down the passageway. Way beyond the pack of approaching monsters, the hideous dark-green giant was slowly emerging from a tunnel. Its hands were stained red. Not with the blood of adventurers but with the blood of monsters. The awful truth dawned on Muller. The screams of the monsters rushing toward them were not threats. They were screams of terror. Some of them even had parasitic vines growing from them. They were racing into the main route as if they were being herded from the other passages.

Muller: You've gotta be kidding me.

Muller's eyes met the yellow eyes of the moss huge. As the monster's emotionless gaze pierced the golden elf, she shouted a jeer.

Muller: What kind of monster does a pass parade?!

(Elsewhere)

The Dungeon was thundering. That sound is either many monsters roaring at once or monsters marching. The vibrations barely—but unmistakably—reach the room Marie and Bell were in. They look up at the ceiling in surprise. Fragments of crystal fall like a dusting of light onto the spring, sending out small ripples.

Bell: Marie, listen to me.

Bell put his hands on the fragile shoulders of the mermaid, who is hugging his chest, and gently peel her away. She looks up at him with an anxious expression.

Bell: I have to defeat that Moss Huge no matter what. I will kill them. Definitely.

Her eyes widen. As if Bell was reasoning with a child or imploring a spirit, Bell begged the monster girl.

Bell: I promise I won't let them scare you, Marie. I'll kill all the scary things. So...please take me there.

Bell's little speech sets his teeth on edge. The ordinary him would probably be blushing and unable to say words like that. Now, though, Bell was able to speak them easily. Bell spoke them in order to save his companions and soothe these trembling little shoulders. His gaze into the wavering jade eyes.

Marie: Will you...protect me?

The mermaid speaks slowly, her head tilted.

Bell: Yes, I will protect you. Will you...help me?

Marie: Yes! I'll help you!

Bell made a promise to Wiene's kin, just like he did with Wiene herself. She looks at Bell as he nod enthusiastically, then suddenly she smiles.

Marie: Okay! I'll show you! I'll take you there!

She looks up at the ceiling, still smiling brightly. Then she shuts her eyes, puts her hands to her chest, and begins to sing.

Marie: LAAA...

Bell:?!

Bell slap his hands onto his ears despite himself. She was singing the type of discordant notes that can harm human ears. And she was belting them out so loudly Bell was sure they'll echo through every corner of the Dungeon. The song is different from the strange sound waves of a siren, or from the ruinous melody of a mermaid, or from the beautiful melody she sang earlier to guide him to her. As Bell looked at her in surprise, monsters' howls begin to echo toward them from deep in the labyrinth, one after the next.

Bell: She's...

Marie: I found them!

She stops singing and opens her eyes.

Marie: They say your friends are over there.

As she smiles at Bell, he guess what's just happened, and astonishment washes over him.

Bell(mind): A mermaid song. She's just charmed the monsters?!

Bell couldn't believe it. But it's the only explanation. Her song was not meant to seduce adventurers. It was a ballad to seduce monsters.

Marie: The ones who are more obedient told me.

In other words, she's charmed monsters with lower ability than herself. She dives into the spring and swims underwater in a gentle arc, popping up again in the center. Her hair and skin glistening, she looks at Bell and smiles.

Bell:...

Behind was is a stream that connects the spring to the waterways outside the room. A path follows along beside it. There's no need for words. Bell nod at her and start running. She flips over, and together they fly out of the room.

(Elsewhere)

Roars gushed through the passages, accompanied by an unending thunder of footsteps. Plagued by the parasitic vines, the monsters howled in rage and charged forward toward their prey. The adventurers stood paralyzed before this terrifying scene.

Lili: Impossible! A monster's pass parade...?!

Welf: Stop joking around! It's not funny.

As Lili and Welf watched this artificially created—no, monster-created event unfold, their panic mounted. A pass parade induced by a monster. It was unheard of. This time the enhanced species wasn't using itself as a decoy—it was using its superhuman strength and seed bullets to route other monsters from their lairs and drive them into the main route. They appeared from one passageway after the next like clockwork, cutting off the adventurers' retreat.

Monsters: OOO...

Muller gritted her teeth and glared straight ahead. The enhanced species had disappeared from her field of view when it crossed the main route into another tunnel. The hideous, intelligent giant was hopping about deep in the labyrinth precisely as if to prepare a new assassination attempt.

Muller: Rin!

Rin: Dust Whirlwind!

Without any other words, Rin used her Dust Whirlwind spell and did a 360 degree attack of wind. The wind covered the adventurers and clear some of the approaching monsters creating a small opening.

Muller: Run, you guys! Escape!

The second-tier adventurer's decision was instantaneous. She turned toward the party behind her and, with an urgent expression on her face, ordered them to flee.

Muller: That enhanced species is planning to use the other monsters to destroy this area! There's no way we can fight them with magic swords! Rin, we need your magic more than ever!

Welf and the others were astonished by Muller's ability to accurately read the monster's intentions. No matter how fierce the firepower of the Crozzo Magic Swords, they worked in only one direction at a time. Attempting to take down the monsters pressing in from every side would simply take too much time. The moment they succumbed to the enemies' superior numbers and were overtaken by the horde of monsters, it was over. As friend and foe mingled pell-mell, the battle would descend into chaos, and most likely all that would remain in the end would be the mercilessly trampled corpses of the adventurers. But more than anything, the life span of the magic swords would do them in.

Aisha: Don't fall behind or you'll get swarmed by monsters! Just keep running!

If the parade of monsters set upon them again after their blades had crumbled—

Welf: Shit!

Welf spat out, even as he obeyed Aisha and Muller's command. Returning his magic sword to its sheath, he took off running at full speed alongside Ouka. With them leading, the party dove into a passageway that branched off from the main route.

Monsters: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

The howling monsters pursued them. Haruhime didn't even have time to use the trick she had been holding back, her Level Boost. In the middle rank, the dwarves ran desperately, dripping sweat as they struggled to stay ahead of the nightmare barreling down on them. The elves on their backs, too, were hot with a fear unconnected to the parasitic vines wrapped around them.

Dormul: Huff, puff...Curses, I'm falling over my own feet!

Luvis: Damn slow-footed dwarf...Run faster!

Dormul: What?! Some nerve ye have when I'm carrying ye on my back!!

As Dormul cursed the vines that were robbing his strength, Luvis whispered insults into his ear. Fueled by a spurt of rage, the dwarf increased his speed once again. Lili watched from behind, her backpack swaying as she ran.

Lili: I can't tell if they're friends or enemies...

Luvis's words certainly weren't the equivalent of a carrot dangled in front of a horse's nose. The same dynamic was playing out between the other dwarf-and-elf pairs. As the injured adventurers desperately whipped themselves on in an attempt to keep the party's speed up, Muller, Rin, Welf and Ouka launched into intercepting enemies.

Muller: Arise, flames. Rage, rage, rage. Vortex of fire. The crimson wall. Hellfire's roar.

Muller did the fastest concurrent chanting she'd ever did in her life.

Rin: Flames Lances!

Welf: Get out of the way, Big Guy!

Ouka: Oof!

Monsters: GWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Welf brandished his magic sword as he ran toward the scattering of blue crabs blocking their way forward. His magic dagger—which he was carrying in addition to the crimson sword—released a streak of lightning. The monster's flesh fried.

Rin and Muller used their fire magic to bat any enemies that got past Welf into the stream next to them. Their priority was to clear the path in front of them, not to pointlessly crush their opponents. Aisha had fallen back to the rear guard to take on the horrendous pass parade. That inevitably left Muller, Rin, Welf and Ouka to defend the vanguard.

Welf: Crap!

Welf's magic dagger crumbled noisily in his hand. Kicking aside the fragments of blade with a combination of distress and regret, he drew his greatsword from his back. In order to preserve his remaining magic sword for later, he would have to engage in hand-to-hand combat without the benefit of any tricks.

Ouka: Here I go, Miss Elf, smith!

Welf: I'm right here by your side!!

Muller: Keep moving forward!

Everyone: Right!

With the ax-wielding Ouka and the young High Smith next to her, the golden elf charged forward toward her enemies.

(Elsewhere)

Marie: Bell, this way!

Marie's voice leads Bell forward. They're inside the labyrinth on the twenty-fifth floor. Bell was pumping his arms as he run while Marie swims forward, beating her tail against the water. The dryland path parallels the water, so they were able to move ahead side by side. Again and again, Bell follow her pointing finger and turn into small passages that branch off one another.

Marie: Bell's friends are far over there! Many of my kind are there, too! Your friends are running from a whole bunch of monsters right now!

Bell: Is that Moss Huge one of them?

Marie: Yeah! It is!

Again and again, she urges Bell to hurry toward the adventurers, whose location she has determined by using her song. She seems to think the enhanced species is there, too. Sweat dripping down his cheeks, Bell kick off the crystal path to increase his speed.

Aqua serpent: GUAAAAAA!

Bell: An aqua serpent!

The immense monster breaks the water's surface with a tremendous splash, undulating its long light-green body so it is stretched across the stream. It's aiming not for Bell but for Marie, who's right below him.

Bell: Marie!

Bell thrust out his right hand.

Marie:...!

Her body has disappeared into the water.

Aqua serpent: GUA!!

The aqua serpent roars in surprise as its fangs meet air, and Bell pause in astonishment, too, still poised to shoot a Firebolt. In that instant, he catch just a glimpse of her. With a swift, graceful movement, almost as if she's dancing, the mermaid slips past the long serpent's body stretched across the stream.

Bell(mind): She's unbelievably fast!!

Even among water-dwelling monsters, mermaids are often called "the birds of the water." They are able to move with complete freedom within the water, and their speed and ability to turn in circles are unparalleled. Once they are in the water, they are impossible to kill. It's one reason adventurers search so insanely for these rare monsters.

Bell thought she was a little absentminded, but she's managed to avoid becoming prey for another monster. Since she's a Xenos, she's probably even faster than ordinary mermaids.

Marie: Bell! Come on! Over here, over here!

Bell: Huh? Ah, okay!

Her face pops up behind the monsters as if she's teleported herself there. To Bell's surprise, she swims faster than he could run. They leave the angrily roaring aqua serpent behind and continue forward. As the mermaid points the way, Bell couldn't help but feel like the sort of spirit that might appear in a fairy tale is guiding him.

Bell(mind) Of course, that doesn't mean we can avoid combat altogether...! I'm flying solo here.

Bell persistently fight each monster he encounter along the water's edge. There's a crystal turtle with multiple crystals projecting from its body, and a hideous devil mosquito that latches on to adventurers and sucks their blood, and even a light quartz that shoots out rays of light. Bell try to defeat them as quickly as possible, but he didn't have time to take on every single one. Making his way through the sprawling twenty-fifth floor to reunite with his party on its own requires quite a lot of time. It's also extremely inefficient for Marie to continuously sing her charm songs. As the flustered mermaid navigates through the labyrinth, we're forced to change our route numerous times. After we change directions for the umpteenth time, something unexpected happens.

Bell: Uhh...

Marie: The stream!

The waterway that has been flowing alongside the dryland path suddenly breaks off. While the dryland path continues forward, the stream dead-ends into a kind of cove. Perhaps they ended up here because they've made so many turns, but there's no way Marie can follow the path on land. Bell won't be able to rely on her navigation.

Marie: Bell, I'm sorry...From here on, I...

Her shoulders sag dejectedly. Standing beside her, Bell try to think of another option. The solution that blares across his adventurer's brain a second later is totally simple and totally primitive. He feel a strong resistance to using it and frown, but this is no time to worry about appearances. He decide to go with it.

Bell: Mari, I'm sorry!

Marie: Huh?—Eee!

Bell splash into the cove and lift the mermaid into his arms. Then, like a prince carrying his princess, Bell climb back onto the land and dash forward.

Bell: S-see, we can go together like this! I'm sorry!

As Bell utter this half-excuse, half-apology, he accelerate even faster. If there's no place for her to swim, bell might as well carry her. It's completely obvious. But it also feels totally foolish...to run along carrying this girl with a fishtail for her lower body. Her tail waves softly back and forth. She's as meek as a lamb, but her shoulders are tense, and Bell catch her staring into his face, which is right next to hers. Her cheeks flush faintly when their eyes meet, and she rests her head against his chest.

This may well be the first time in history a human has run overland carrying a mermaid. Bell wonder if this counts as outstanding excelia...For a moment, he let his mind wander away from the present situation and laugh drily. In contrast, Marie's eyes are sparkling.

Marie: Amazing! You're so fast, Bell! I've never done anything like this before!

For the first time, the dryland scenery expands before her unsteady eyes. Crystal caves she has never seen before pass one after the next as the landscape changes dizzyingly. It must be like a dryland adventure for her. Her eyes are full of excitement and more joy than Bell has seen in them yet.

Marie: Bell! This is amazing! I love it!

Bell: Okay, but heyyyyyyyyyyyy!! Please don't hug me like that!

She's so excited to experience this unknown world that she's gripping Bell's neck. He could feel her firm breasts pressing onto him underneath her shell bikini top. Bell took a huge rabbit-like leap and jump over the swarm of blue crabs blocking their way forward.

Bell(mind): If another adventurer saw me like this, my reputation would be done for...!

Bell Cranell tried to take a mermaid home with him. If word of that got around, he'd be branded as someone who has a monster fetish for real. Dripping sweat and prodded on by all sorts of fears, Bell rush with renewed energy toward his destination.

Bell: Damn, I'm getting used to carrying women like this...

Marie:...?

Mari tilts her head quizzically as Bell mutter this sudden thought. First it was the goddess, then recently Haruhime. Bell even carried Lili in all the confusion... Bell thought back on these incidents and let slip a pathetic chuckle. He felt like he'd ended up so far from where he started... Bell had a funny feeling that if Lili and the others saw him like this, they would be extremely critical of him right now. But he took his mind off that and charge forward as Marie shouts gleefully.

(Elsewhere)

Monster: OO!

The blue crab's giant claw came swinging down. Welf barely managed to parry the attack with his greatsword. Stumbling, he returned the blow with the massive blade. He jumped back as sparks flew from the crab's hard shell. Finally, on the third blow, the blade found a seam in the shell and slashed through the fleshy body underneath.

Welf: Damn...!

He wiped the sweat that had pooled beneath his neck. This was not easy. Aisha had said that even a Level-2 adventurer could fight the monsters on this floor. She was right. If Welf put his all into it, he could unquestionably prevail.

Aisha: Hell Kaios!

Muller: Scarlet Flames!

But the fights were bitter. Killing a single monster took a lot of time and effort. In the Dungeon, where monster attacks came one on top of the next, that could be fatal. He would be cornered by the Dungeon's prime weapon— its resources—and crushed. The experience was teaching him, painfully, the meaning of the floor standards that the Guild set.

He could not keep up with the demands of the vanguard. The number of monsters in front of the party began to increase. Welf grimaced as the group continued its attempt at escape.

Welf: Yaaaaah!

Ouka: GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Welf:...!

But support was what a party was all about. A single blow from a fiercely swung blade bisected the blue crab charging Welf.

Ouka: What's wrong, smith? All tired out?

Welf: Man. You look pleased with yourself as usual!

Ouka was gripping in one hand the battle-ax that had slaughtered the crab. Welf smiled spitefully at him.

Welf: I guess I can forgive you in light of how well you used that weapon.

Ouka: Yeah...This one is really saving my ass.

Welf chugged down one of the potions he was carrying and leaped forward toward the monsters. Ouka was at his side.

Ouka: Arrr!

Using a martial-arts move incongruent with his hulking body—a technique he'd learned in the Far East—Ouka ripped off one flank of the blue crab directly in front of him. He followed up with a swipe of his silver ax, easily smashing the enemy's hard shell and pulverizing its soft flesh.

The Kougou battle-ax.

Welf had forged it for Ouka using varmath, a high-quality Dungeon ore that Hephaestus had given him as part present, part assignment. It was found only in the lower levels. Welf had used the leftovers for Ouka's shield. The heavyweight gear was exceptionally powerful, sharp, and protective.

Even though he'd gotten the materials for free, Welf made it a rule to sell whatever he could as a smith, and therefore he charged 700,000 valis for the set. That included a steep discount. Ouka channeled his indebtedness to Welf back into fighting strength and roared with rage.

Ouka: UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!

Blue veins popping in his powerful arms, he wielded Kougou with both hands. His abilities were undeveloped compared to those of a second-tier adventurer, but his gear—guaranteed by Welf as equivalent to second-tier level—made up for what he lacked, allowing him to crush the monsters. Swinging the ax sideways, he sliced the crab in half horizontally so forcefully that its magic stone shattered along with the rest of it, and everything turned to ash. The wall of monsters blocking the party's path had thinned, and a way forward was now open.

Daphne: Amazing vanguard work! Thanks, you guys...!

Mikoto: Lady Lilly, now is our chance!

Lili: Let's get as far as we can!

As Daphne gave the valiant Ouka a sweat-drenched smile, Mikoto urged the party forward. Daphne, who was concentrating on unexpected attacks from the sides, swung her baton-like dagger. While she defended Lili and Dormul and the others in the center, Mikoto supported the vanguard.

Mikoto was single-handedly filling the gap left by Chigusa. Using her skill, she would instantly identify approaching enemies, then throw her knives at them before they reached the party.

The throwing knives, called sakuya, were stained crimson at the tips, as befit the meaning of their name—"red nights." Welf had made the ninja weapons according to Mikoto's specifications. They were forged from blood onyx, an ore found in the middle levels. Although they entailed some sacrifice in throwing distance, the weapons handled far better than a bow and arrow. Mikoto gripped four of the throwing knives between her fingers and aimed for the eyes of approaching monsters. When the enemies faltered, Ouka and Welf rushed in to kill them using their ax and sword. Sometimes Mikoto even ran forward herself and bravely filled the gaps between the two boys.

Mikoto(mind): My head is about to explode...!

Aside from Muller, Rin, and Aisha, who were drawing forward the pack of monsters at the vanguard and rear and then slaughtering them, Mikoto currently bore the heaviest burden of anyone in the party. She was not only providing support from the center and filling in at the vanguard, but she was also scouting out enemies. Her role of course demanded physical stamina, but her continuous use of Yatano Black Crow was also sucking away her mental energy minute by minute. Although it could be revived with items or magic, the psychological burden was heavy. Her all-around talent with various weapons and positions was precisely what made it so weighty.

Mikoto(mind): Since Sir Bell and Sir Sora aren't here right now, I have to keep pushing myself...!

As sweat poured down her body, she mentally whipped herself to fight harder with both her throwing knives and katana. Just then, Ouka and Welf started making a commotion.

Welf: The hell is that?!

A figure about as large as Ouka was charging toward them straight on. Mikoto's net of perception hadn't registered it—in other words, it must be a type of monster she hadn't encountered yet.

Aisha: A Crystaroth Urchin! All of you, clear out of here!

Aisha shouted from the rear. She knew more about this floor than the others. The monster's ball-shaped body was covered in long, sharp needles. The blue marine species was charging toward the party by rolling at high speed. Watching it crush the crystal ground as it advanced furiously, sending up fragments, it was easy to imagine that anyone who got in its way would be similarly split into a thousand pieces.

As Mikoto watched, her violet eyes zeroed in on a hideous jaw in the center of the rounded surface. She could see a large glob of mucus hanging from the circular mouth full of countless teeth.

Welf: Hey, Big Guy! What are you doing? Get out of the way!

Welf shouted, turning pale.

Ouka: Chigusa and the other wounded can't run! If this thing makes it to the back, someone will be caught in those needles!

Ouka replied, raising his shield. He was right. The dwarves, weakened by the parasitic vines, could not run fast enough to escape. The same was true for the elves they carried. But given Ouka's status, he and his varmath shield would be turned into a mincemeat pancake if he tried to take on the huge needle-covered shell head-on. Mikoto watched Ouka drip sweat as he prepared to intercept the urchin, and her eyes narrowed.

Mikoto(mind): Ah—there's something familiar about this scene!

Over three months ago, she had been protecting the injured Chigusa in the middle levels when a hard armored charged them from behind. The fight had ended with injuries on both the monster's side and theirs, and ultimately they had been in such a wretched condition that they even decided to lead a pass parade into Bell's party. If only she had been stronger then! She still regretted what had happened. She smiled at her current difficult situation. Then she moved forward as if something was pulling her.

Ouka: Mikoto!

Lili: Lady Mikoto?! It's too risky!

She moved past the startled Ouka and leaped to the very front of the party. Returning the Iron Tiger Kotetsu to her hip, she pulled a new weapon from her back, sheath and all. It was a new blade made by Welf, called Shunsan, meaning "Spring Hail."

The cutting edge at the sword's tip was like a flame. It was far superior to the two blades at her hip, Kotetsu and Chizan. As Mikoto leaped out into the path of the crystallus urchin, it hurtled forward, cutting up the monsters in its way. A cloud of blood and flesh filled the air. Mikoto sped forward, her awareness sharpening as she went.

Rin: Dammit... Aero Armor!

Mikoto: Thank you, Lady Rin!

Rin cast her wind spell safeguard magic around Mikoto, before she closed her eyes. The voices of Ouka and the others behind her grew faint. Even the sound of the monster rolling toward her disappeared. She was prepared for this. Takemikazuchi had taught her new skills. She had a fantastic new weapon from Welf. If she couldn't get through this—if she couldn't overcome the same setup she'd encountered before—then her whole life up till now would be a fiction.

Mikoto(mind): I've trained for this. And I have a good weapons. Now all I need to do... Is to be be like Sir Sora and Bell!

The next instant, her body was on fire. She slipped the sheath on at her hip and placed her right hand on the hilt. Taking a fighting position, she prepared to draw the sword. Of all the moves she had learned during her ten-day training with Takemikazuchi, the one she was about to use was as powerful as the Full- Moon Throw. It was the most advanced quick-draw she knew, and her teacher, the god of combat, had ordered her to name it.

Monster:—!!

The monster groaned as it rapidly narrowed the gap between them, crushing crystals as it went. The instant it was about to make contact, Mikoto loosened her sword from its scabbard. At just the right moment, with just the right breathing, she slid the blade out. Takemikazuchi hadn't looked very pleased by the name she selected, but she was satisfied she had chosen well. Actually, she had based the name on the one the god had given her. In other words—

Mikoto: Zekka. Eternal Flower.

The flashing blade whined piercingly as it bisected the hard body of the crystallus urchin.

Welf: Whoooooaaaaaa!!

Ouka: N-no way!

Lili: She cut it right in half!!

Welf, Ouka, and even Lili forgot where they were and cheered as they watched Mikoto turn the monster into an enormous pile of ash. She swiftly returned Shunsan to its scabbard and raised her right hand in a fist.

Mikoto: Hurry, everyone! Onward!

Her heart still pounding with excitement, she turned to shout back at the rest of the group. The whole party—second-tier adventurers Luvis and Dormul included—was struck with admiration. They rushed down the open passage, their morale high.

Haruhime: M-Miss Mikoto, you're amazing!

Mikoto: Thank you, Lady Haruhime!

Haruhime was waiting for Mikoto when she returned to the middle rank. As the two ran desperately forward with the rest of the party, Haruhime handed Mikoto one of Naza's new High Dual Potions. As soon as she chugged it down, her physical and mental strength were completely restored.

For a moment, Mikoto blushed under the excited gaze of Haruhime, who was serving as her supporter, but she quickly switched gears. Once again, she began using Yatano Black Crow to search for enemies.

Mikoto: Three on the right, six in the water, and another one hiding behind that crystal!

Lili: Lady Rin, please turn left and attack with your magic in four seconds!

Rin: Then, RailGun!

As Mikoto told the party where the monsters were, the information was channeled through Lili. She made all decisions at her own discretion, having been entrusted by Sora with commanding the group. Drawing on experience gleaned as a supporter, she assessed her companions' movements, coordination, and degree of energy and instantly filled any hole that opened. Unsatisfied to simply sit back and command, she also provided support with her hand bow gun and magic sword. In effect, she was controlling the party as if it were an extension of her own body.

The combination of Mikoto's extraordinary ability to identify enemies and Lili's decision-making skills saved the party from disaster numerous times. Now that the group had lost its core—Bell—these two were unmistakably steering it forward. Then there was Cassandra.

Lili: Miss Cassandra! Recovery, please!

Cassandra: Yes, ma'am!

The girl was dispensing her healing magic according to decisions made by Lili, who had the best overall grasp of battle conditions.

Cassandra: Heavenly light, once rejected. Merciful arms that save my shallow self. Rescue my miserable companions in place of my words that cannot reach them.

Cassandra passed Chigusa to Haruhime and began chanting as she waved her crystal rod.

Cassandra: Oh sunlight, may you beat back ruin—

The speed and confidence with which she sang the words were evidence of her abundant experience and skill in healing her companions. She adjusted the amount of magic power she dispensed depending on the severity of her patient's wounds. Having come to the end of the chant, she activated the magic.

Cassandra: Soul light.

A magical light resembling sunlight poured down in a circle about ten meders across, with Cassandra at its center. This particular method, which allowed her to treat multiple people at once, was called area healing. All the adventurers aside from Muller and Aisha were within the sphere, basking in a healing light whose power was far greater than that of any ordinary potion.

As their wounds closed, their movements regained a remarkable alacrity. Cassandra's ability as a healer was obvious from the strength of her patients. They were fully recovered.

Rin: All good!

Ouka: I'm ready to go!

Mikoto: Thank you, Cassandra!

Welf: That was a bit too close for comfort, wouldn't you say, Li'l Lili?

Lili: We can't be using Cassandra's skills every other second at a time like this!!

Cassandra: Why are you arguing when I've just healed you...?

As Rin, Ouka and Mikoto applauded Cassandra, Welf and Lili were back to their usual quibbling. The healer looked on the verge of tears. The adventurers re-formed their battle line and, in a single surge, scattered the monsters blocking their way forward and once again began moving down the passage.

Aisha: You guys aren't half-bad...I thought when we lost Bell Cranell, everything would fall apart, but I guess I didn't know what I was talking about.

Muller: These team is strong. Sora has truly trained them well!

Aisha: Geez! All of them are being guided by the Hero huh? They've earned my respect.

Muller: They are more than a party that just relies on us for protection!

Muller and Aisha chat, gazing with narrowed eyes at the strenuous efforts of the party. They were still in a tough spot, but they let their admiration for the third-tier adventurers show as they cooperated to push through one lower-level attack after the next. At the same time, Muller compliments them and Aisha revised her view of them.

Lili: Turn right at the next passage!

Lili shouted. Following her order, Welf and the others found themselves leaping into a long, wide passage. It was a straight, dry path with no stream running alongside it. Although they could see small tunnels dotting the sides, large hordes of monsters would only be able to approach from ahead or behind them. The white crystals on the ceiling cast an unusually strong light. As the group approached the center of the passage, Lili issued another command.

Lili: We will intercept monsters here!

Ouka: Here?! Seems like the kind of place likely to have a lot of them!

Lili: In this passage, they'll only be coming from one direction! We should be able to keep them within the range of Lady Rin and Miss Muller's fire magic and our fire magic swords! Mr. Welf, burn them to cinders!!

Welf: Ha-ha!

Welf was overwhelmed by the ferocity of the party's brain, whose eyes were practically popping out from the speed her mind was spinning at, but he couldn't help chuckling. He had to admit—her plan was easy to understand. Annihilate the enemy on a single axis.

In the depths of his heart, he didn't want to admit it, but his insanely powerful Crozzo Magic Swords were unrivaled in this situation. As he crossed paths with Aisha, who was running up from the rear, he faced the pack of approaching monsters and swung the crimson magic sword he had drawn from his back downward.

Welf: Kougou!

Rin: Red Carpet!

Muller: Arise, flames. Rage, rage, rage. Vortex of fire. The crimson wall. Hellfire's roar.

As the sword descended from above his head, and the end of the chant of the mage and elf, it breathed out a huge ball of fire. The surge of heat it created surpassed even that of the magic sword he had used against the Goliath, wiping out the pack of monsters about to reach the group. The roaring of the fire drowned their screams as a storm of sparks danced through the crystal passage.

Daphne: The heat is incredible...!

Daphne said, throwing one arm in front of her face as the swelling flames exhaled their searing breath toward her. Blazing corpses of monsters and melting magic stones buried within piles of ash lay scattered before her eyes. But in the distance, she could see a new parade approaching.

Aisha: We may be using the terrain to our advantage, but what are we gonna do when the magic swords crumble? The Elf and the Mage won't hold out much longer either.

Aisha asked, sweating profusely as she drank a potion.

Lili: Whenever we run, the situation just gets worse! Even if we escape from this labyrinth, we'll somehow have to bring down the overall number of monsters or else we'll be trapped on this floor!

Lili desperately scanned the map as she answered Aisha, searching for a solution. As Rin and Muller's magic along with Welf's magic sword seared away the second wave of the parade, the Amazon—tossed back the rest of her potion.

Lili: We'll just have to see how it goes.

Aisha:—

But the situation was about to get worse. It was Mikoto, of course, who first sensed the danger.

Haruhime: Mikoto?

Mikoto: This is bad.

She stood beside Haruhime, who was handing an item to Muller, Rin and Aisha, and scanned their surroundings with her violet eyes. As if to affirm her murmured words, a crackling noise shot through the passageway.

Muller: !!

Fissures raced across the crystal walls. Thousands of them, covering a huge expanse. For Lili, time stood still. Ouka and Daphne were struck dumb, while Cassandra froze, and Welf, in the midst of swinging his magic sword, looked up. Even the enfeebled Dormul, Luvis, and Chigusa turned pale. These adventurers who had made their way to the lower levels knew instantly what the fissures foretold.

Aisha: Of all the goddamn times!

Rin: A monster outbreak...

Muller: Monster party!

A monster party. Local monsters were about to emerge en masse. This dirty trick of the Dungeon plunged the adventurers into an abyss of despair. The fissures extended from the center of the wide passageway for about fifty meders, placing the adventurers completely within their boundaries. The Dungeon had revealed its malice and was clearly trying to murder the party.

Welf: This is insane! We're totally not equipped to handle this!

Welf shouted as he took on the approaching parade of monsters. Even as he did, the ominous creaking and cracking of the fissures did not stop. It was as if the walls were proclaiming the number of minutes the adventurers had left to live.

Luvis: It's too huge...Can ye believe it reaches down there?

Dormul: Shit, we've made it this far...and now...!

Dormul and Luvis grimaced at the soul-crushing scene before them. Hopelessness crept over the faces of the other elves and dwarves, too, as they took in the incredible scale of the event.

Muller: I have no choice.

Rin: Muller...?

Muller: I'm gonna used my third magic.

Rin immediately interject.

Rin: In your fatigued states, you won't last and will have a mind down! And we still need you to fight the Moss Huge if we encountered here. We can't have you passing out now!

Muller: But still...

As Rin and Muller argue, Aisha interjects.

Aisha: Well...I don't have any other choice.

Muller and Rin: ??

Aisha alone clicked her tongue in irritation. Sweeping her bangs aside as if she was, in truth, reluctant to do what she planned, she turned to Lili.

Aishia: Okay, shrimp, I'm gonna do this. Get ready.

Lili:...!

Not bothering to wait for a response from the surprised pallum, Aisha walked toward Luvis and the other wounded.

Aisha: Hey, you—promise me something.

Luvis: Huh?!

Aisha thrust her podao at the elves and dwarves who lifted their faces toward her. Then she pressed its tip into the base of Luvis's throat. He blanched with shock. So did Dormul, who was propping him up with one shoulder. Aisha swept her sharp gaze over the stunned dwarves and elves behind them.

Aisha: You will never speak of what is about to happen...Do you promise me that?

Luvis: Wh-wh-what are you talking about?! Going crazy at a time like this?!

Dormul: A-aye! What the crikey are ye—?

Aisha: Do. You. Promise?

Dormul's voice broke off as Aisha jabbed the tip of her sword into Luvis's neck, tearing the skin. As a drop of blood trickled downward, the weakened pair of adventurers turned even paler. Aisha was not joking around. As the cries of newborn monsters rang out and the labyrinth walls strained as if they were about to fly apart, her eyes glinted fiercely. Death was confronting the party. Terror trampled Luvis's mind. Faced with Aisha's bone-chilling gaze, the dwarf and the elf forced themselves to respond.

Dormul: I-I promise.

Luvis: I-I swear on the name of Her Majesty the queen of the elves.

Aisha: I'll hold you to that.

As Dormul and Luvis nodded repeatedly, she withdrew her weapon. A second later, she smiled and called out.

Aisha: Okay, Haruhime—do it!

A pair of fox ears stood up in surprise and a head of luxurious golden hair trembled. Then the renard girl gave Aisha a nervous but resolute nod and prepared to release her magic.

Lili: Get in a circle formation around Miss Haruhime and defend her with your lives!

Lili shouted, looking up. Her order was simple and clear, and the others obeyed quickly. Muller with her long sword and short sword, Rin with her staff, Ouka with his shield and battle-ax, Mikoto with her sword, Daphne with her dagger, Cassandra with her short bow, and Aisha with her podao formed a circle around the renard. Welf leaped back, kicking the ground to join them. In the center, the girl quietly pulled her black robe low over her eyes and brought her hands together like a shrine maiden performing a ritual.

Haruhime: Here I go.

The next instant, the Dungeon walls around them roared like an avalanche as they spawned a huge swarm of monsters.

Monsters: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The monster party had begun. As a sword bounced off slashing claws, a shrill metallic screech echoed through the passage. Haruhime could sense that Mikoto, her black ponytail tousled, had fended off a monster's charge with her first blow. The renard closed her eyes and used the thread of her concentration to pull herself together. Then she unleashed the inner power that the grimoire had opened her eyes to.

Haruhime: Kokonoe!