Dungeon District.
The adventurers' faces were filled with tension and fear, yet everyone gritted their teeth and resolutely carried out their tasks.
"How's the excavation going?"
Finn stood at the very center of the plaza, like a banner inspiring courage in the adventurers.
"Going smoothly."
Gareth gave a sardonic smile.
"As time passes, digging through the Green Flesh gets easier. By tonight, it'll be as thin as paper—pierced with a single poke. The irony is, the time until the corrupted spirit completes her grand magic grows closer too. She must be pouring all her energy into the chant now!"
If one listened closely, the gradually intensifying song could faintly be heard from the already excavated dungeon entrance.
"Finn, are you really not going to evacuate the people here?"
Shakti approached Finn, her stern face showing a trace of reluctance.
"Wouldn't it be better to let as many escape as possible? If the battle breaks out, or if we fail to stop the spirit's grand magic—"
The surrounding civilians would be the first to suffer.
"There's no time."
Finn shook his head calmly—even coldly.
"If the Spirit Hexagon is successfully activated, no matter how far they run, as long as they're within the city's vicinity, they won't escape it. Besides, this city is already unstable after the return of the two gods. Issuing such an announcement now would only cause chaos."
That much was true.
Shakti had no rebuttal.
"Captain Finn, I have a question."
A girl with aqua-blue curly hair approached Finn's side, adjusting her glasses.
"Based on the information you provided, the Spirit Hexagon requires the combined power of six spirits to be used. So, if we kill one of the six corrupted spirit avatars, would that halt the continuation of the magic?"
She posed the question from a highly technical standpoint.
"I wish that were the case."
Finn sighed and nodded, then gave a bitter smile.
"But according to Riveria, killing a single avatar won't work. They've already formed a magical resonance and cycle among themselves. Even if one is killed, the remaining chants will be compensated by the others. At best, it would only buy us a little time."
The girl's expression stiffened upon hearing this, realizing just how troublesome the situation was.
Indeed, this was the most problematic aspect.
To truly stop the activation of the Spirit Hexagon, all six corrupted spirit avatars had to be eliminated—missing even one would render their efforts futile!
"Thinking back now, the eruption of the green flesh wave back then was likely to accumulate mana as well."
Finn's expression was unreadable as he gazed at the dungeon.
The adventurers devoured by the green flesh had become nourishment for the corrupted spirit, the foundation for her destruction of the surface!
"The operation is about to begin. This time, I'll be reorganizing the teams."
Finn withdrew his gaze and began issuing orders one by one to the leaders of the various familias.
"This operation will also be divided into six teams. The first team will be led by me, the second by Riveria and Ais, the third by Gareth... Then, the Ganesha Familia—Shakti will be assigned to the fourth unit, the Crimson War Panther Ilta to the fifth... Tsubaki, you'll join Gareth's third team. Miss Asfi will be assigned to Tiona and Tione's sixth team..."
Everyone carefully committed the orders to memory.
"I see, so you're dispersing the combat strength of each Familia to form six evenly balanced teams?"
Shakti pondered for a moment before nodding in understanding.
"Exactly. Last time, I prioritized coordination between Familias when forming teams, but that led to the complete annihilation of the Dionysus Familia... As the commander, I bear undeniable responsibility!"
Finn's expression was grave, his emerald eyes reflecting traces of remorse.
"This time, I must avoid such a situation at all costs. May fortune favor you all in battle!"
"Your blessings are appreciated!"
The group laughed heartily, brimming with confidence as they headed toward their respective teams.
"Finn! Finn!"
Tiona came running from behind, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Where's Eiji? I don't see Eiji anywhere!"
"Ah... He has other matters to attend to. He'll catch up soon."
Finn's gaze wavered slightly at the question.
Indeed.
Eiji wasn't part of any team—his presence was nowhere to be found.
In truth, Finn had assigned him to a highly covert mission.
So covert, in fact, that no one could be told about it—especially not Tiona, Ais, or Riveria.
Finn's eyes drifted toward the southern edge of the city.
"I hope reinforcements arrive soon..."
Though reluctant, for the sake of Orario, Eiji would have to sacrifice a bit of his... charm!
After all, their current combat strength was truly insufficient.
The mere thought of the Spirit clones lurking in the dungeon, waiting for prey to step into their jaws, made the weight on Finn's shoulders feel several times heavier, his expression turning bitter.
If each corrupted Spirit clone possessed the strength of the Minotaur clone, that meant every one of them was at least Level 7!
With their current numbers, they stood no chance—especially with such a dire shortage of high-tier fighters.
Fortunately, the corrupted Spirits were likely preoccupied chanting the Spirit Hexagram, rendering them unable to use magic and significantly reducing their threat. As long as each team had several Level 6 and Level 5 adventurers, they might just barely manage.
"—Listen up, everyone!"
Ten minutes before the operation began.
"The operation is about to commence. As previously communicated, you will be divided into six teams, each entering the tenth floor of the artificial labyrinth via designated routes to eliminate the six targets—the corrupted Spirit clones!"
Finn's commanding voice echoed through the flickering Eye Crystals to all directions.
"Let me be blunt—this mission offers no glory or wealth. These events must never become public knowledge. We charge into certain death without anyone to remember us, and those who fall will never have their valor witnessed... just like the Dionysus Familia!"
The elven royal mage lowered her gaze, concealing her pained expression.
The golden-haired spirit girl tightened her grip on her staff, her eyes burning with fierce determination.
The others bowed their heads, each wearing a wry smile.
"But this battle is far from meaningless! If there are those who survive through sacrifice, then they are warriors of honor! I will never allow anyone to claim their deaths were in vain!"
The adventurers lifted their eyes.
"This fight isn't about atonement or judgment! We have only one goal—to make that damned god who seeks to overturn the mortal world regret ever crossing us!"
Every pair of eyes gleamed with resolve.
"All those who join the Celestial Funeral Procession—everyone present here will engrave their voices and faces in their hearts, then win this battle!"
People clenched their fists.
Suppressing their surging emotions.
Igniting the flames of valor.
"Now history is about to repeat itself, but this time we won't rely on others. With our own hands, just like the heroes of old who resisted the calamities threatening our world, we shall save this earthly realm!"
Finn raised his Spear of Dominion.
"Operation begins—target: Demon Castle Nothas!"
"UOOOOOHHHHH—!!!"