Venenthes didn't even get to scream as life drained from its single eye.
"After experiencing the attack from the Demi Spirit on the 59th floor… I expected something more… what a shame."
Judas said, watching the sliced remains of Venenthes tumble down into the acid pool below before dissolving into ash.
When he leapt out of the pit, he was met with a group of figures dressed in white cloaks that concealed their entire bodies.
'Members of Evilus.'
Judas thought with a frown.
"Is that... Veneratus Est? The one from the Loki Familia?"
"What's he doing here?"
"Isn't he the one who defeated Miss Revis?"
Even though their faces were hidden, the fear in their eyes was unmistakable.
"Run!"
Realizing they stood no chance, they immediately turned tail and fled.
At the same time...
"Violas!"
A small army of Violas appeared between the fleeing members of Evilus and Judas.
He sighed and stomped his right foot into the ground.
A trail of ice shot forward, racing after the fleeing Evilus members.
"What the—"
They didn't even get to finish their sentence before they were frozen solid, encased from head to toe in ice.
A second later, an explosion rang out, engulfing them entirely.
'They were just a bunch of low-ranking members. They wouldn't know anything useful.'
'Even if they survived that... they won't be walking anywhere for a long time.'
He turned his attention back to the Violas charging toward him.
"Luminous Wind!"
A familiar voice rang out before he could act.
Balls of compressed wind slammed into the Violas and sent them scattering in every direction.
"Ryuu..."
"Mr. Spade. Fancy seeing you here."
Ryuu stood a short distance away, dressed in her usual combat attire and mask, turning her head toward him.
"I suppose this is the part where I ask what you're doing here?"
Judas asked curiously.
"When I heard from Alise that the remnants of Evilus are still here in Orario… I couldn't help but come."
Ryuu answered, her eyes narrowing slightly as if remembering an unpleasant memory.
Then, screeches filled the air as the Violas regrouped and rushed toward them.
Seeing this, Ryuu raised her wooden sword and prepared to engage.
"Blunt attacks won't do much. Slashing or magic are what works on them."
Judas said. Ryuu gave a single nod and launched herself forward, already chanting under her breath.
She moved through the horde with the ease of someone who hadn't lost a single step despite stepping back from active adventuring.
"Luminous Wind!"
Explosions thundered through the air, followed by the dying cries of the monsters as they turned to ash.
Ryuu walked out of the cloud of dust like it was nothing and pointed toward the bodies on the ground.
"Are these the members of Evilus you killed?"
"Yeah. They've been stirring up trouble lately. You could say we're in a silent war with them right now."
Judas replied casually.
"I see... if the Loki Familia is handling it, I can rest easy."
Ryuu said as she turned to leave.
"Heading off already?"
"I have things to see to."
She said, adjusting her mask.
"Oh... and congratulations on your title. And for making it back from your first expedition in one piece."
She added.
"Good job not collapsing from Mind Zero this time either."
From the slight crease of her mask, Judas could tell she was smiling.
"You're really not letting that go, huh?"
"Well... women tend to remember things better than men."
She said lightly, a faint trace of amusement slipping through her composed voice before her figure vanished without a sound.
"...Is that so."
Judas muttered to the empty space where she had been standing.
He made his way back to camp not long after.
Just as he was about to step into his cabin, the sound of Lefiya screaming reached him from somewhere in the distance.
...
After the night passed, morning arrived.
Judas informed Finn about the pit housing Venenthes.
"I see… to think something like this existed on the 18th floor this whole time."
Finn muttered, standing at the edge of the pit and looking down.
His eyes lingered on the skeletons submerged in the pool of acid below.
"I heard that some people went missing on the 18th floor in the past… this must be the cause."
Riveria added as she looked down.
Members of the Loki Familia spread out to investigate the surrounding area.
Finding nothing of significance, Finn gave the order to regroup.
"We'll report everything to the guild and return for a proper investigation once things are in order."
He said as they turned and left.
...
Back at camp, everyone was busy packing up and getting ready to head back to the surface.
Judas was taking in the activity around him when Belle appeared at the edge of his vision, walking toward him.
"I heard you guys are already heading out."
"Yeah."
"I... um..."
She paused, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Be careful out there."
She said quietly, already turning away as she did.
'Be careful, huh.'
Judas watched her go and found himself smiling slightly.
...
The expedition returned to the surface without much trouble.
'They say adventurers start longing for the surface after spending too much time in the dungeon… I guess it's true.'
Judas looked up at the sky and took a slow, deep breath.
"Ahhhhhh, I've missed this so much!"
Tiona threw her arms out wide and stretched with everything she had.
"It's always blinding coming back out after an expedition."
Their return naturally drew attention.
Whispers and murmurs spread as the central plaza grew lively.
"Well, that sure was fun, Loki Familia. Give me a call if you're heading back down there again, alright?"
Tsubaki said, shaking Finn's hand.
"Thank you for everything, Tsubaki. Truly."
Finn replied with his usual smile.
Tsubaki glanced over at Judas.
"And you... I'm looking forward to working with you the most, kid."
"Yeah."
Judas responded, giving a small wave as she left with the rest of the Hephaestus Familia.
With the Hephaestus Familia members filing out behind their captain, Finn and the rest of the Loki Familia made their way back to the Twilight Manor.
"WEEEEELCOOOOOMEEEEE HOOOOOOOOOOOME!"
Loki's loud, excited shout rang out as she launched herself like a missile toward the girls, clearly aiming to grope them.
Naturally, Ais and the others dodged.
It looked like Lefiya was about to become the usual victim...
"Hmph."
But this time, Lefiya didn't stay still.
She caught Loki's outstretched hand, pivoted, and sent her goddess straight into the ground with a clean judo throw.
"Guah!"
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