While the gods in the Denatus were still stunned by the bomb Hermes had dropped, operations in the dungeon were moving fast...
Loki Familia's assault team slipped into the hidden floor without issue, advancing nonstop without triggering a single trap. Of course, they'd already spotted each trap mechanism along the way. Some were hidden with extreme care, while others were set out in the open, clearly meant for internal use. Their method was simple: clear out a trap-free zone.
Once the rear gate shut behind them and locked tight, cutting off any hope of escape from within, the risk of the team being trapped inside shot to its highest point.
"Control the pace."
"Our progress depends on how fast we clear these traps."
"We still have time. No need to rush."
Finn understood exactly how dangerous this hidden floor was. If they wanted everyone to make it out alive, they had to advance with even more caution than before. Everyone on the team understood that. The more observant members kept scanning the path ahead, locating traps and making sure the route stayed clear so the group wouldn't get split up.
Finn then pulled out a blank map.
"Scan."
A faint pulse of magic rippled outward from the map, almost too subtle to sense. The wave spread rapidly, then receded. A three-dimensional projection rose from the page. Dozens of red dots made Finn's brows tighten.
"They packed this many traps into such a short distance."
It was hard to imagine what Evilus was thinking when they set these. It looked like their intent was to wipe out anyone who stepped into the passage.
"Looks like they've been watching our invasion prep the whole time."
These traps were clearly added at the last minute just to welcome them. Finn let out a humorless laugh at that enthusiastic greeting. Who knew what would've happened if they'd gone with a normal forced assault? Odds were they would've been crushed before even getting this far.
"Whoa! That's insane!"
Tiona leaned in next to Finn and stared at the sea of red dots.
"This is only a five-hundred-meter radius, right? Those maniacs set up this much—aren't they worried about collapsing the whole hidden floor?"
Riveria shook her head slightly.
"If killing us here is an option, do you think they'd hesitate?"
"Of course not."
Tiona didn't even need to think before answering—and once she did, the meaning clicked.
"Ah. They're doing it on purpose!"
"Their goal is to delay the hatching of the 'Spirit Elite Soldiers'. As long as they buy enough time, the fight moves to the surface. That's what they're aiming for."
Riveria had no trouble seeing Evilus' intentions.
"With the team split and our retreat locked, they don't even need to bother with us once we're cornered. All they have to do is abandon this entire hidden floor to cut us off completely."
"And the explosives they set on the surface already show how far they're willing to go. A hidden floor means nothing to them. If sacrificing it gives them a better chance of destroying Orario, they won't hesitate."
Time proved Riveria understood Evilus all too well. They'd anticipated possible moves on the surface and made full preparations, just waiting to trap and grind down whoever came into the hidden floor. But since they didn't know the timing or number of intruders, this was the best arrangement they could make.
Within fifteen minutes, the assault team had cleared all unknown traps within five hundred meters.
"Keep moving!"
With rear security handled, the assault team pushed forward. Under normal circumstances, this setup should have held for a while, but because Evilus hadn't known the exact timing of the invasion, they'd deployed three patrol squads to continuously sweep the interior.
The three teams had been sent out at different times and in different directions to achieve a full carpet-style patrol of the floor.
It was an effective method.
And sure enough, one patrol squad ended up running straight into the stealthily advancing assault team.
"!?"
The sudden encounter startled both sides.
Bete reacted instantly. Before the two patrol members could raise an alarm, he rushed forward. With a burst of blistering speed and a single kick, he knocked them both out cold...
"Sizzle..."
"!?"
The fuse-like hiss made Bete jolt.
Oh no!?
Realizing he'd been a step too slow, he immediately leapt back, putting distance between himself and the blast zone.
"BOOM!!!"
Flames from the exploding fire stone swallowed the two unconscious men.
Bete had retreated quickly enough to avoid the shockwave entirely, but his expression was grim.
"Don't worry about it, Bete."
Finn tried to console him. Given the situation, Bete's response had already been fast enough. Who could've expected Evilus members to be just as unhesitating?
Finn felt a chill at how ruthlessly decisive they were.
Their complete disregard for their own lives showed just how deranged Evilus truly was on the inside.
"Lefiya, get ready."
"Got it."
Soon, a series of footsteps echoed toward them.
From the far end of the dark passageway, figures began pouring out one after another.
"Intruders!"
A group dressed in black trench coats quickly set their sights on the assault team.
Without the slightest fear or hesitation, they grabbed the pouches at their waists and charged straight at them.
Everyone saw the motion, and a cold dread spread through their hearts.
Dozens of Evilus members were already in view, and more were still rushing forward from behind.
"What a bunch of lunatics!"
Bete cursed, scowling.
He shot forward, aiming for the disposable fighters at the front line.
Those who'd been prepared from the start immediately yanked the fuses on their fire stones and hurled themselves ahead.
"BOOM!!!!"
...
"BOOM!"
Bell, moving along a different route, paused briefly at the sound.
"It's begun."
No doubt about it — Evilus's suicide troops had started doing their job.
Bell shook his head lightly and stopped thinking about that side of the operation. The members of Loki Familia were highly capable, after all. He didn't need to micromanage everything.
And a group of top-tier Adventurers wouldn't be wiped out by a few hundred suicide soldiers.
"I should speed up on my end too."