"Uuuuugh....!!!"
"Bell Cranel reached Level 3. The time elapsed... only one month...!?"
A few days after the War Game, news broke that sent shockwaves through the adventurer community.
It was the news of the Level 3 Rank Up for Bell Cranel—the adventurer who orchestrated the miracle during the War Game and was now hailed as the 'Record Holder,' the fastest rabbit in the world.
"That brat...!!"
A predatory grin spread across Bete's face.
"Look, Ais! Mr. Argonaut made it to Level 3! That's incredible!"
"Yes. It's truly amazing."
Slap!
Bete let out a laugh full of competitive fire at the thought of the boy chasing them at an impossible speed. Meanwhile, Ais and Tione—who had personally trained Bell—were so delighted by the news that they shared a high-five.
"This has transcended the realm of mere talent," Riveria observed quietly.
"He's becoming so exceptional that it's getting impossible to hide..." Finn added.
"Did you already know, Akumo?"
"To some extent."
Conversing with Riveria, Akumo weighed whether Bell's vertical growth was ultimately a blessing or a curse, given the shifting tides of Orario.
"Skill support or not, you already know the truth, don't you?" Akumo asked.
"Naturally."
"If he were a man who relied solely on special abilities, he wouldn't have been able to survive those types of adventures."
"That is exactly right," Finn replied with a smile, clearly placing high value on Bell Cranel's intrinsic potential as an adventurer.
Akumo returned the smile with a nod of affirmation, and Riveria silently concurred, acknowledging the boy's staggering potential.
"I haven't been overtaken yet...! I-I can reach Level 4 at any time!" Lefiya stammered.
"But still, one month.... It took me two years to reach where he is in just one!?"
"Uugh..."
Lefiya, who internally viewed Bell as a rival, was currently in a state of panic and agitation. A competitive spirit, similar yet distinct from Bete's, burned within her.
"A-As expected of my rival!! I... I suppose I have no choice but to acknowledge him this once!!!"
"Hopefully, this becomes a positive catalyst," Akumo remarked.
'Having a concrete reason to get stronger usually makes one far more passionate.'
"Of course! I'm going to grow even more too!!"
Seeing Lefiya's spirited response, the executive leaders—Riveria, Finn, and Gareth—shared a brief smile.
"She really is something..."
"Aye, she's got plenty o' fire!" Gareth barked.
"Work hard, Lefiya," Riveria encouraged.
Ais, Tione, and Tiona, all of whom were close to the elf, offered their own words of support.
"Good luck, Lefiya!"
"I'll be looking forward to it."
"Just don't overdo it, okay?"
A few days later, the Loki Familia found themselves investigating Daedalus Street following information provided by Dionysus regarding the recent man-eating flower incident.
"A Dungeon on the surface...." Akumo muttered.
'Since Lord Hermes said he would handle the Ishtar situation...'
"This is..."
Akumo, alongside Finn, Gareth, Bete, and Raul, had been tasked with investigating the sewers of Orario, specifically the area beneath Daedalus Street. In the process, they discovered a suspicious, unprecedented doorway.
"Finn."
"I know. This feels less like a trap and more like... a challenge."
"They don't intend to hide anymore?"
'That's actually more unsettling...'
"Even so, we have no choice but to move forward..."
"Agreed."
Ultimately, Finn and Akumo summoned the rest of the investigation teams—including Riveria, Ais, and Lefiya—from the surface to the sewers. Soon, everyone stood before the mysterious door.
Step, step—
"What did you find?"
"Upon entering, there were no people or monsters near the entrance. However, once we progressed, the paths split into complex branches, much like a labyrinth..."
"Just like the Dungeon."
"Yes, exactly."
The scouting party led by Bete had returned, but their report only confirmed that they needed to delve much deeper.
"Mr. Akumo, what should we do now...?" Raul asked nervously.
"According to the investigation, Evilus is currently preparing something."
"Then wouldn't it be better not to go in...?"
"If we leave it alone, they'll either unleash it on the surface or launch a surprise attack later. They'll do something regardless," Akumo countered calmly.
"Ah..."
"Moreover, there might be an area for producing Demi-Spirits. Entry is non-negotiable."
Akumo explained the status of Evilus to Raul, making it clear that retreat was not an option.
"Still, just walking in blindly means playing into their hands..." Finn mused.
'My thumb is throbbing... but I can't hesitate.'
"We commence the raid immediately!" Finn declared.
'The fact remains that we have them cornered.'
Following Finn's command, the members began combat preparations. However, Finn's thumb throbbed with increasing intensity, and Akumo also harbored no illusions that this would end quietly.
"Finn, leave the small fry behind. There's a foul stench coming from in there," Bete spat.
"When we don't know what dangers lie ahead, a small elite squad is indeed more effective, but..."
"He's right. We don't need those who will just drag us down. They'll only be in the way," Tione added.
"....."
"Akumo! You agree, don't you?" Bete demanded.
While Tiona looked uncomfortable with Bete's blunt dismissal of the lower-level members, both Finn and Akumo could understand his logic to an extent.
The moment they brought the weaker members in, the likelihood of casualties would skyrocket. However, they were forced to balance eliminating the threat with maintaining their numbers.
"I understand why you're suggesting it, but that's exactly why we need to bring the supporters and auxiliary staff," Akumo intervened.
"....."
"If this concludes cleanly, we may need to start an investigation on the spot. Furthermore, if we send the remaining personnel back alone, they might be ambushed on their way out."
"....Tch, fine. Have it your way."
At Akumo's logic, Bete backed down and began checking his equipment. Akumo didn't judge him; he knew Bete's rough words were actually born from a desire to protect the inexperienced members.
"Hm? Lefiya, who is that with you?" Akumo asked, noticing a new face.
"Ah! This is Ms. Filvis! She's a member of the Dionysus Familia..."
"Someone from another faction?"
"Yes! But she's trustworthy! We investigated the incident at the Under Resort together..."
"Hmm....."
'Loki is here with us. If she were hiding anything, Loki would have detected the lie long ago...'
After observing Filvis, Akumo set aside his suspicion and offered her a small smile.
"Alright then, let's work hard together. Ms. Filvis?"
"Yes. If something happens, I will protect Lefiya at the very least."
"A good mindset. I'll be rooting for you!"
With preparations finalized, the full might of the Loki Familia stood before the entrance to the labyrinth.
"Akumo, Bete, Tiona, and Tione at the front! Riveria will stay here with a reserve force just in case. Aki and Nic, detect traps. Raul, mark the corridors."
"Leave it to us."
"Lakta, focus entirely on mapping!"
"Heavy responsibility....."
Following Finn's efficient role allocation, the members focused on their tasks. Though some felt the crushing weight of the mission, the sight of Bete, Tiona, and Tione standing firm at the front—along with the presence of Akumo, one of Orario's strongest—served to ease their nerves.
"Now! We'll leave the point to Akumo!"
"Infiltration team, advance."
Finally, the Loki Familia began their descent.
Boom—!!!!
"Adamantite walls and excessively large corridors..." Akumo muttered.
'This is far too fortified and massive to be a mere hideout.'
"So it really is what I suspected?"
"You're thinking the same thing, aren't you, Akumo?"
Advancing through the structure, both Akumo and Finn had reached the same conclusion: this wasn't a hideout; it was a labyrinth in its own right.
Simultaneously, Anakitty Autumn, walking behind them, sensed through instinctive intuition that this space was not designed for a simple lair.
"Orichalcum doors and adamantite walls... Both escape and intrusion are forced along designated routes," she observed.
"Why would they build this? Was this place really made to be an enemy base?"
Step, step—
"""".....""""
Her words caused doubt to spread through the ranks, and the tension grew palpable.
"It's a fork in the road."
"It would be best to split into two groups here."
Without a moment to dwell on the mounting unease, they arrived at a junction and reorganized into two teams.
"Gareth Team, led by Gareth, Ais, Tiona, and Tione."
"Finn Team, led by myself, Akumo, and Bete."
"We will investigate this area in these two squads."
Divided by Finn's assignment, they prepared to go their separate ways, wishing each other good luck as they ventured deeper into the darkness.
"I'm leaving that side to you, Gareth."
"Don't go getting caught off guard while daydreaming, you two."
"Right. I'll keep that in mind."
"Thanks for the concern."
========================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 94
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T