"Creature."
That was the label attached to Filvis.
Six years ago—
During a suicidal assault launched by Evilus, a "Feast of Monsters" incident was triggered in the area around the 27th Floor. She tried, together with her seniors, to save those adventurers.
But there, she encountered the incarnation of the Corrupted Spirit.
Her entire familia was wiped out. She herself should have died there as well—yet in the end, a magic stone was implanted into her body, and she was revived in the form of a "Creature."
When she became a monster that was no longer human, Filvis understood despair more clearly than anyone.
She tried every possible way to kill herself—but failed every time.
Death, on her…
Seemed to have lost its meaning altogether.
As for when she began to change that mindset, choosing to continue living as a "Creature"—
It was probably after hearing the persuasion of her patron god, Dionysus.
Destroy the Labyrinth City.
Let the "Corrupted Spirit" rule the surface.
Turn all humans into Creatures—
And in that overturned world, they would finally become beings that were "acknowledged."
From then on, that became the driving force that kept Filvis alive.
She clearly understood the fundamental difference between herself and the humans she encountered—
She had no soul.
She was merely a non-human entity, acting based on inherited memories of the body.
To create a world that belonged to Creatures.
Even the black-haired elf girl herself did not know whether that was right or wrong.
Perhaps it was simply a way to remain here with a clear conscience.
And so, she acted for that purpose.
Monitoring Ron.
This rising star in Orario, a genius of exceptional talent.
Ideally, she would establish contact, gain his trust, and bring him before her patron god Dionysus.
As for what would happen next—
Most likely…
There would be one more Creature companion.
With Ron's talent, if he too became a Creature, then the "Madness" plan might proceed even more smoothly—
Completely overturning the surface world.
Just like always.
When she realized Ron was exploring the Dungeon alone, Filvis immediately took action.
As for how to quickly gain trust—
The simplest method…
Was to create a crisis, and extend a helping hand at the moment he could no longer cope.
But reality gave her no such opportunity.
There was no need to create a crisis—
Those never-before-seen monsters, as if shaped by the Dungeon itself, were endlessly emerging…
These grotesque-looking Giant Dogs—
Even in her experience, they were completely unfamiliar special monsters.
And the strength they displayed was extremely formidable.
Coordinated attacks.
Even the flames they spewed far surpassed those of ordinary Hellhounds.
Yet only by witnessing it firsthand could one truly understand just how astonishing Ron's combat talent and endless magical methods were.
"Tarnished."
Knowing the meaning behind that title,
Filvis could only feel that it was entirely fitting.
But as she watched this battle, a new confusion enveloped the elf girl—
Why was the Dungeon producing monsters this powerful?
"… "
An abnormal Dungeon phenomenon?
Or…
As the Black Dragon commission drew nearer, the Dungeon environment was becoming even more hostile?
She had no way of determining the exact reason.
Just as Ron finished the battle, and she intended to seize the opportunity to make contact—
That member of the Loki Familia, Ais, suddenly interfered.
Disrupting all of the black-haired elf's plans.
She was even detected.
To avoid having her identity exposed, she could only retreat deeper into the Dungeon.
But as she retreated further, Filvis finally realized something was seriously wrong.
As a "Creature," the monsters of the Dungeon would not actively attack her.
Yet she discovered—
The Hellhounds and Almiraj she encountered were all completely normal.
As if the so-called monster mutation…
Existed only around Ron.
Why was that happening?
She couldn't understand.
Using another exit connected to Daedalus Street, Filvis returned to Orario.
Without any delay, she did not return to her familia base.
Instead, she went straight to face her god, Dionysus once more.
She reported everything—
Her surveillance of Ron, and everything that had happened in the Dungeon.
"Lord Dionysus, that's roughly the situation."
"… "
Dionysus had originally sent Filvis to make contact with Ron with a simple idea:
Transfer him into the poverty god's familia.
Then give him some time to grow within Orario.
Ideally—
He would quickly reach a level comparable to the Sword Princess, Ais.
Then, through the methods of the Corrupted Spirit, turn him into a "Creature."
As a human, he already possessed such talent—
After becoming a Creature, he might quickly grow to…
Perhaps even rival Ottar, the King.
But Dionysus had never expected to obtain such unexpected information about Ron—and the Dungeon—from Filvis's report today.
So—
The recent "Dungeon abnormal phenomena"…
Were all related to Ron?
It couldn't be that whenever Ron explored the Dungeon, he would encounter abnormal monsters, while others would not—
Could that really be explained as mere coincidence?
Things were becoming increasingly interesting…
Without concrete information, he could not make a definitive judgment.
But as long as he could meet this man, he could use divine wine to hypnotize Ron.
He would absolutely obtain the answers he wanted.
"Excellent."
"Excellent!"
Dionysus slammed the armrest of his chair.
That seemingly gentle face—
Now held nothing but desire.
A desire to destroy Orario.
The "Dungeon abnormal phenomena"—
Might bring fear and chaos to adventurers.
If things escalated further—
How many familias would be completely wiped out in the turmoil?
At that thought, he couldn't help but hum softly.
Whether it was Ron's talent,
Or the secrets he carried—
All of them were indispensable parts of the "Madness" plan.
Direct contact might not successfully lure him into the poverty god's familia.
It might even—
Attract the attention of his own patron deity.
Dionysus looked once more at the black-haired elf before him.
Her cold expression contrasted with the fanaticism in his voice: "Filvis."
"Next…"
"You know what to do."
"You must bring Ron before me—completely unharmed."
"The world you long for…"
"—a world where you are acknowledged—"
"Will arrive soon!!"
"The Creator of Dungeon Anomalies."
"The Elf Who Heralds Death."
If everything proceeded as planned—
This would be the gift prepared over nearly ten years, for Uranus, who suppressed the Dungeon—
A gift capable of overturning all of Orario—
And the world itself.
"… "
"How can I gain his trust?"
"Contact those fools from Evilus. Let him run into some trouble while exploring the Dungeon."
"As for the rest… I shouldn't need to teach you, right?"
"… "
"The methods can be a bit ruthless."
"Even if those Evilus bastards die in the Dungeon—"
"As long as the objective is achieved, their sacrifice will be worth it!"
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