"The 'Killer Emperor'—Valetta Greyti. I didn't expect that lunatic to set up an ambush for Tiona and Tione in the dungeon."
Finn's voice carried a hint of weariness as he looked at Valetta, now bound and suspended in midair.
Three years ago, this same opponent had caused him endless headaches. Had it not been for Valetta's interference back then, the dark factions might have been completely eradicated.
But Valetta's madness was legendary—unpredictable, erratic, and utterly deranged. She had always been impossible to anticipate, her actions defying all logic. It was precisely that madness that allowed the dark faction to escape annihilation.
This time, however, her luck had run out—defeated and captured by Tsunayoshi.
"Tiona and Tione have always been too open with their intentions," Finn continued. "Add to that the fact that they've acted alone in their last two missions, and it was only a matter of time before they were targeted by the dark faction."
"Just like the girls from Astraea Familia…"
The reminder made both Finn and Gareth tense up. Targeting young adventurers—the future of Orario itself—was an unforgivable act.
"The dark faction's been trying to eliminate Orario's next generation of powerhouses," Finn said grimly. "After three years of lying low, they're resurfacing again."
He pressed a hand to his chin, deep in thought.
"They claim this is 'revenge,' but I think it's more than that. It's preparation—planning their return to Orario."
"They really won't rest until they destroy the city, huh," Gareth muttered, shaking his head.
The dark faction—an organization born from gods who rejected the world's order. Their twisted doctrine sought to bring chaos and darkness back to the surface by destroying Orario, the city at the heart of the world.
If Orario fell, the monsters sealed beneath it would be unleashed once again, returning the world to its primal state of terror and destruction.
Gareth had never been able to understand the gods behind such madness. Perhaps it was simply divine arrogance—a cruelty born from boredom.
"They have their goals," Finn said, "but it's still a clash of strength and belief. And in that regard, we'll never lose to them."
Tsunayoshi crossed his arms and nodded.
"There's no point arguing with gods," he said. "Their minds don't work like ours. Sometimes even their love and protection can become a form of harm."
He exhaled softly. "So the simplest solution is still the best one—strength."
Since the gods' powers were sealed in the lower world, their wars were fought through their Familia—proxy wars between mortals.
Finn nodded. "Right. The final outcome will be decided by power—and conviction."
"Simple," Gareth said with a grin. "But that's fair."
Strength and resolve—those were the only truths that mattered. And in that, Loki Familia had never been stronger.
Under Tsunayoshi's influence, the Familia's enthusiasm for training had reached unprecedented levels. Their overall power had skyrocketed far beyond expectations.
"They haven't even hit their limits yet," Finn noted. "There's still room to grow. The 'Training Space' and 'Challenge Arena' will keep pushing them to their physical and mental extremes. Once over eighty percent of our members reach their caps, it'll be time for the next step—the expedition."
"Expedition, huh," Gareth nodded. "Not just to explore deeper levels, but to earn their heroics."
Venturing into the dungeon alone for personal growth was reckless and deadly. Tiona and Tione's recent battle had already proven how dangerous that could be.
Finn leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. "An expedition will let everyone gain achievements safely, together."
"Indeed," Gareth said. "And truthfully, even our own strength has grown faster than expected lately."
Finn smiled. "Same for me. The gains from Tsunayoshi's systems are undeniable."
"Still," Gareth continued, "our only suitable floor boss target is Barol. And that's no small matter."
"Barol…" Finn murmured. The mere name of the Level 7-class boss carried weight. "Even with the three of us—me, you, and Riveria—it'd be suicide to take it alone."
Their combined strength as Level 6 adventurers was considerable, but Barol was rumored to exceed even that by a full tier.
"Then a three-person joint challenge it is," Gareth suggested. "Still risky, but doable."
Finn nodded slightly. "If we're going to face something like that, we'll need more than maxed stats. We'll need full control over the power Tsunayoshi gave us."
Gareth raised his hand, showing the ring on his finger. "This power is unlike any spell or enchantment I've ever used. It's direct—and doesn't even need a chant. It's our greatest weapon moving forward."
Finn agreed. "After experiencing the Flames of Sun, Storm, and Rain, I realized just how crucial this 'Dying Will Flame' power really is. It could push us beyond the limits of magic itself."
"But it'll take time to master," Finn added, shaking his head. "We're not ready to challenge Barol yet—not soon."
Their excitement began to cool, replaced by practical awareness.
Facing a Level 7 monster wasn't something they could rush. They needed preparation, control, and complete readiness.
"Besides," Finn added, "we've got something more pressing—expedition logistics."
Tsunayoshi blinked. "Expedition?"
"Yes," Finn reminded him, "the one I just mentioned. Even if it's not happening immediately, preparing the entire Familia will take months."
"Before, it took nearly half a year. With your help, we might cut that time down—but it's still a long process."
He glanced over at the plans scattered across the table. "Weapons, armor, supplies, potions, tools… everything has to be crafted and stocked."
Gareth grinned. "Better get started now, then."
Finn smiled faintly. "Exactly. It's about time Loki Familia prepared for the next great adventure."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]