"Being able to command such monsters... what a terrifying ability."
Gareth shook his head, his brows knitting together as his arms crossed over his broad chest.
"That's not all..."
Riveria added calmly.
"During the fray, we were able to obtain a strange object. Apparently, she was after this."
Reaching into a bag, Riveria carefully placed the wrapped orb onto Finn's desk.
"So this is the object that caused Hasharna's death, huh?"
Finn muttered, his sharp eyes narrowing as he studied it with his gaze.
The pallum finally reached out and picked it up, weighing it in his hand as if testing more than just its physical mass.
"Mind telling us what this is?"
His gaze shifted toward Revis, who sat shackled on the floor, her eyes gleaming with mockery.
"You idiots have no idea what you're holding."
Revis let out a hoarse laugh.
"A stubborn one."
Finn remarked dryly, unfazed.
He then turned his attention toward Loki, who was casually sitting atop the edge of his desk.
"Loki, didn't you and Bete investigate the sewers earlier? How did that go?"
"We couldn't find any solid leads," Loki replied, swinging her legs lightly.
"Just a few scattered magic stones from those monsters."
She raised a mana stone between her fingers.
Unlike a normal one, it shimmered faintly with an unnatural hue.
"Well... I did look into the guild and even went to Ouranous directly."
Loki continued, her expression turning uncharacteristically serious.
"They're definitely hiding something, but it doesn't feel like they're directly involved. Which kinda lines up with Finn's theory... there's some kind of organization operating in the shadows."
"And not a small one," Riveria added, casting a brief glance at Revis.
"Anyone capable of deploying a first-class combatant like her... and one who managed to defeat Ais... isn't something we can afford to underestimate."
Her words carried weight.
"These people aren't amateurs. They're a threat. One that needs to be taken seriously."
Loki leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her palm as her eyes shifted toward Judas.
"Hey, Judas. You fought this Revis woman head-on, right?"
She tilted her head, curiosity mixed with genuine concern.
"If Finn, Gareth, or Riveria fought her one-on-one... do you think they'd win?"
Loki asked curiously.
At her question, Judas didn't answer right away.
His gaze shifted between the three veterans... Finn, Gareth, and Riveria... one by one, as if silently measuring them.
"I can't say for certain," Judas finally replied, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
"I've never witnessed the captain and the others fight seriously. But I can say this much."
His eyes flicked briefly toward Revis before returning to them.
"She's at least a high-grade level six. An opponent none of you should take lightly."
There was no bravado in his voice... just an unembellished assessment.
Finn and Gareth exchanged a glance before both turned toward Riveria.
"Well..."
Riveria began, folding her arms as she recalled the scene.
"I only witnessed the final moments of their battle. But from what I saw... and what I personally experienced... there is truth to his words."
"She is dangerous."
Her gaze hardened slightly.
"Someone who gets stronger by eating magic stones... just like a monster, thought I'd seen it all."
Gareth muttered, letting out a low chuckle as he shook his head.
A brief silence settled over the group as everyone took a moment to digest the information that had just been laid bare.
"The new species on the 50th floor... you lot wouldn't happen to be involved with that as well, would you?"
Loki spoke, her usual grin absent as her sharp gaze locked onto Revis.
Revis responded with a low, mocking snort, turning her head slightly as if the question itself offended her.
"Hah. You really think I'd tell you anything?"
No one seemed particularly surprised by her defiance.
If anything, it only reinforced what they already expected.
"Well... she certainly looks like a tough nut to crack."
Finn muttered with a small shake of his head.
He then shifted his attention toward Judas, his keen eyes studying him carefully.
"You've got quite the arsenal of spells, don't you? Don't you have some kind of magic that could extract information from her right away?"
At that, Judas gave a single nod.
His expression remained calm as ever as he raised his hand, a faint magic circle forming at the tip of his finger.
"I do..."
The circle shimmered softly, its intricate patterns rotating slowly.
"But it won't be easy. There's a powerful spell protecting her mind... something like a layered firewall. It's actively repelling any attempt to intrude."
To demonstrate, Judas extended his finger toward Revis.
Almost instantly, a second magic circle flared to life on her forehead, responding on its own.
The moment the two spells made contact, sharp cracks echoed through the air as the magic circle on Judas' fingertip fractured... and shattered completely.
"Although I can force my way through, doing so would cause the two magics to collide violently. There's a high chance it would damage her mind... possibly even destroy her memories."
Judas continued evenly, lowering his hand,
"I see..."
Finn murmured, closing his eyes as his thoughts began racing ahead.
"Then it can't be helped."
However, before the discussion could end there...
"Still, just because it's difficult doesn't mean it's impossible."
Judas added, his voice cutting in smoothly,
Finn's eyes snapped open, turning back to him.
"Instead of breaking through all at once, I can erode her defenses gradually. Little by little."
He paused briefly.
"It'll just take time."
"Oh?"
Finn raised a brow.
"How much time are we talking about?"
"A few hours, at least. Possibly more," Judas replied as the residual glow of his magic faded completely.
"Whoever cast that protection knew what they were doing. It's exceptionally sturdy."
Finn let out a quiet breath before nodding, a faint smile forming as he clasped his hands together.
"Very well, then. I'll leave the Revis situation in your hands, Judas."
...
While all of this was unfolding above ground, far beneath the city... within the hidden underground base of Evilus... a far darker meeting was taking place.
A lone figure clad in a white robe knelt reverently, head lowered, body unmoving.
Before him stood a god.
Thanatos... one of the dark gods aligned with Evilus.
He was tall and slender, his long, smooth dark-purple hair cascading down his back like flowing ink.
"Hm?"
Thanatos muttered, his brows knitting together slightly.
"What did you just say...?"
His gaze sharpened.
"Revis got captured?"
Disbelief crept into his expression, subtle but unmistakable.
He knew exactly who Revis was.
Among Evilus' ranks, she was one of their most powerful combatants... an abnormal existence whose strength rivaled that of first-class adventurers.
For someone like her to be taken alive...
Even for a god, the news was shocking.
"Yes, Lord Thanatos," the kneeling follower replied quickly, his voice trembling despite his effort to remain composed.
"There was an incident on the 18th floor. Our spies in Rivira confirmed that Revis clashed with members of the Loki Familia... and was subdued."
"The Loki Familia, huh..."
Thanatos murmured under his breath, clicking his tongue softly.
"How unfortunate."
His eyes narrowed.
"Tsk... I swear, I'm surrounded by nothing but unreliable allies."
Before the tension could settle, a sharp, feminine voice cut through the chamber, dripping with irritation.
"Valletta, great timing!"
Thanatos turned his head toward the source, welcoming the newcomer without the slightest surprise.
Valletta strode forward, her lips curled into a disdainful smirk.
"I already heard about it," she scoffed.
"That damn creature... barely even human... acts all arrogant just because she was a little strong. And now? Captured like a stray animal."
Her voice twisted with mockery.
"How pathetic. To think she was chosen by her... just like me. It's embarrassing to even call her my kin."
It was then a man with long white hair and yellow green eyes, wearing a skull mask appeared beside her.
This was Olivas Act... one of the key members of Evilus.
Seeing them arrive, Thanatos turned his gaze toward Valletta and spoke.
"What are you going to do?"
The god of death's voice was calm, almost curious.
In response, Valletta merely grinned.
Heavy, metallic footsteps echoed through the area.
Everyone turned their heads.
A man fully clad in armor emerged, advancing with a steady gait, each step radiating a suffocating aura of death.
"The Legendary—"
Thanatos' eyes widened, a sharp smirk spreading across his face before he could finish the thought.
"Let's give those Loki Familia bastards a warm welcome."
Valletta's grin stretched even wider.
---
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