*I do not own DanMachi or You-Zitsu

So that's how it operates. The wording wasn't specific enough so I just needed to be sure. Fortunately, Finn gave me this opportunity to test it out.

Cruel, but who am I to say.

I looked over the chaos ensued field, echoes reverberating off the Dungeon walls.

1 Day Prior

"Ottar, can you retrieve Heith?"

"Yes ma'am."

The Boaz man exited the doors and headed out to fulfill his order. Freya, Goddess of Beauty and War looked down on her lap. Residing on the black garments that coiled around her skin as sleepwear was a letter.

'He needs my assistance. He wouldn't ask for something such as this without any proper reason. Being spotted with one of my children would cause far too many murmurs to spark around the city.'

He, being Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, had a request for his patron deity. What he requested was a companion. The very idea went against his usual actions thus rendering Freya's mind to analyze possible reason until she can find a basis for his thought process.

'No good. There are not nearly enough details to prove anything to be true. Is it possible that he simply requires aid in his travels to deeper floors?'

Freya scanned the Koine letters through her brain. She stopped at a particular line.

'Send Heith Velvet to Central Park tomorrow. Make sure she's well prepared for any supporting duties. Send her with that item.'

This was what the letter had stated, prompting Freya to make Ayanokōji's request known to Ottar.

'My Bell has to overcome a big hurdle and now Kiyotaka has something barring his path, how exciting.'

A soft grin emerged on Freya's cheeks.

Light from the Sun's insolation reflected upon my shirt, giving it a unique color of auburn. Dawn had just passed, making it early morning. Many of the town's civilians were out and about, carrying out their daily tasks. I would usually be one of them however today is one of the few days I'm allowed to take a leave.

I moved my eyes towards the tavern on the Main Street, Anya, and Ryu were performing their daily chores, much to the grimace of the cat women. She gave me a smile as I passed by, Ryu simply waved. Both knew of my other activities, Dungeon prowling, so they didn't question what I was doing.

I looked down at the sturdy bag gripped between my palm and fingers. I strengthened my hold on it as I traveled to the barren park.

Adventurers come out of the Dungeon's premises at different times but the usual intervals in which they do range from afternoon hours to the evening rush. Meaning morning hours are relatively empty until a few hours after 8. You'll have your independent Adventurer here and there but most Dungeon parties have designated timings.

I suppose I should thank my occupation at the Hostess for supplying me with this information. I may not have been able to acquire these observations without it.

I navigated myself through the familiar scenery of North Main Street before making my way into the center of the city. The lush green environment filled my eyes, pleasantly surprising me on how it continues to stay clean bright every day. If not for the towering structure above it, one would never think that battles to the death and cries of anguish were happening right below their feet. The morning dawn signaled the silence and emptiness of the park.

I made my way to a corner of the park to get a better view of the Adventures passing through. As I observed previously, the park was nearly abandoned. But for the people that were here, they happened to be starting at a specific person. Out in the rear of the park, near the trees and bushes was a woman. She wasn't attracting attention because of her appearance but rather her status. This girl was Heith Velvet, a member of Freya Familia, as well as a fellow comrade.

She doesn't know what I look like so it would be best that I make myself known. I crossed through a line of people, causing said people's eyes to fall on me. This natural instinct of attention would cause third-party individuals to look at the commotion meaning Heith now had her eyes on me.

"Ayanokōji, I believe that I'm your supporter for today," I said to her as I threw up my hand in a waving action to show familiarity. She seemed bewildered at the fact that a stranger spoke to her in such a tone but she caught on quick.

Without hesitation in her voice, she responded.

"Yes, let's get going shall we."

I followed her figure to the basement of Babel, or in other terms, the Dungeon. With Heith Velvet being the Adventurer in this scenario, I kept my distance until we were both on Floor 1.

"Apologies for that."

"Did you not want to attract attention or something? Why be humble?"

I apologized for my display at the park as soon as we had shaken off any wanderers and spectators.

"A member of the cities #1 Familia will garner attention wherever they go," I stated, a matter of factly. Walking by her side at the moment, I kept my vision directly ahead.

"I guess that makes sense. We're not known for standing outside the Dungeon, being kept waiting."

Was that a dig at me?

"Here take this. Like Lady Freya said, I didn't see what's inside." She handed me a bag. It must have contained the item I requested. I took the bag and emptied it into the one I had been holding. A glassy clink could be heard.

"Anyways, who are you? Lady Freya wouldn't send me to accompany an outsider for no reason," she exclaimed, her facial features forming into a more serious tone.

"An outsider huh," I mumbled. I was heard of course, but it's not really important.

"What do you mean by that? Are you saying that you aren't?"

"That's not relevant to the quest in front of us," I said, keeping my eyes straight. "You'll find out soon enough anyway."

After hearing that last line, Heith faced away from me, most likely pondering what I meant. The two of us walked on in silence, but I broke that tranquility once we entered Floor 8.

"You're just here to accompany me as I wander into the lower levels. I'm not confident in my ability to survive without a backup being close by."

"Yeah sure," she said. Her acknowledgment signified the doubts she has been keeping inside of her.

We kept en route for the next few minutes. While I disposed of any hurdles along the ground, Heith took care of any ariel threats such as poisonous moths. She asked an abundant amount of questions, representing the complaints she had with this job. Nonetheless, she fulfilled her duties as a supporter flawlessly.

This was the perfect time to be experimenting on my skill. I've had questions that I want to be answered for a while now.

The skill itself is based on mastery, which means excellence. One could excel in a plethora of ways. Excellence in problem-solving, excellence in overcoming physical hardship, or excellence in teamwork. While adventuring, I've only ever gone solo, earning a max amount of points while doing so. Now that I have a companion, how would that differ? Would I be able to earn the max amount of stat points for excellence in teamwork, or would I earn a lower amount of points due to receiving assistance when I hadn't before?

Though, this cant be tested on Floors 1-8 because I had already wandered down here before. Meaning we had to dive deeper into the dungeon depths.

Coincidentally enough, there just so happened to be other Adventurers down there as well. When the two of us were halfway down the staircase leading to Floor 9, I let out an order.

"Stop here."

"For what?"

I didn't answer as I maneuvered my hands inside the bag I had been holding this entire time.

"What's that?"

I pulled out a small bottle from the bag.

"This is a submission incense. It's used to weaken and numb the senses of monsters. Humans are susceptible to the contents as well." I explained its usage, as for its purpose...

I held out the bottle to my right side where Heith was standing.

"What's it for?" She asked while taking it from my fingertips.

I thought about it for a second as I stood on these cold, solid steps.

...

"A cure to a dilemma."

Honestly, the men I have to hang around with are so crazy. Who wants to attract monsters to them anyways? Higher levels or no, that's just stupid.

I was currently on the 9th Floor. The man, Ayanokoji, gave me several veils of numbing incense. He didn't give me his bag however so I was forced to use my own.

Essentially, the plan was to go to an empty room and hunt down a man-made monster party.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka would go and attract the monsters on the floor in which he would lead to this room. Using incense, we would weaken the monsters and hunt them accordingly.

The whole plan depends on his survival while bringing an entire party of monsters to this room.

I had already destroyed the walls in the room to ensure that no monsters spawn here while I wait.

While I'm typically a healer, I would be able to face a monster party. Mainly to the fact that monsters spawned on the higher floors are no threat to a level 2 like me. As for that guy, well I've seen a bit of what e can do. If worst comes to worst, I'll heal his near-dead body.

I looked at the entrance to the room, the only spot where monsters would be able to stroll in.

I can only hope beasts come through there. Because dealing with a true monster...will be impossible.

With the bag held firmly in my grasp, I traversed the 10th Floor footpath. It was new territory to me so I kept my guard up. The knowledge I have memorized is useless without experiencing the dangers for myself.

As for why I had left Heith Velvet on Floor 9 to explore this new land personally, it was to attract attention. Of course, usually that something I avoid, however, if things are going to play out as they need be, I'll have to be in the center of it.

On this floor were multiple monsters and Adventurers, I stayed on the right path, avoiding any monsters that were currently being dealt with by level 1 combatants. The mist in the atmosphere blurred my vision as I traveled along the roads. The entire floor was covered in this haze so there was no escaping it.

Because of it, accidents and obstacles would become more unexpected than ever before. Monster parties would be difficult to deal with and organization would become sloppy. Though, only if one was inexperienced, such as I.

So, if an experienced veteran were to deal with these problems, they would have no issue disposing of them. The reason is their experience and knowledge of such events. But if these veterans were exposed to something different, a contrast to the usual variables they were used to, the result would be the same. One could survive in this place without being able to adapt.

Thus, there remains only one way to break the composure of a veteran.

It would be to reverse any surprises and make sure they are challenged by the inevitable. In other words, discard the element of surprise and use the element of expectancy. Reverse psychology one may call it.

I was without my traveler's robe at the moment, meaning my appearance was disclosed to anyone who wished to see.

I heard sounds of battle from every corner of the Floor. Finn sent several of his Adventures to the Upper Floors, Floor 10 being a hotspot for them to gather.

At the moment, I was in the main path while most of the Adventurers were occupied in several of the rooms. It didn't take long for me to decide to go in one of them, after all, it doesn't matter which Adventurer I encounter as long as they happen to be a member of Loki Familia.

While walking into the room, a small item fell out of my bag. I looked down at it before placing my eyes back onto the Dungeon room.

The contents fell onto my clothes. It was only a little bit, however.

I'll deal with it later.

"Morel, stop the surge of Orcs! Take out the walls behind them! Carmilla, lead the mages to the corner and have them chant defense spells to guard us!"

Upon entering a room, I was met with the sight of an Adventurer party taking care of newly spaned monsters coming from all directions. Unforntrly, I was met with these monsters as well, making it far too difficult to avoid them as I've done before. I don't know whether the adventures had taken note of my appearance but they were most likely aware that a third party had entered their space.

With my little Dungeon experience, even I knew that t was mutually understood to avoid the fights of fellow Adventures. So, I avoided them as such and took care of what was in front of me.

3 monsters approached me silently from my sides, looking at my rear, they happened to be demon esque, proving that they were the monster, 'Imp' commonly found on this Floor. Until this moment, I had only encountered 'Bad Bats' on Floor 10 so this would be a new battle experience.

I could notice the growls on the other monsters. Almost as if they had been itching to claw away at me. But they were already engaged in battle so they had no means to carry that out.

The Imp that had taken cover behind my back suddenly jumped near my left knee. I didn't take any action to stop it from clawing into my flesh. I could feel it tearing into my ligaments. Before the Imp could go all the way, I rushed to the next two monsters by making a circular spin to face the opposite direction.

Using the same left leg, I swiped at the ground as the two monsters jumped into the air, avoiding a direct confrontation with a sweeping left kick. That didn't matter though as I set down my left leg and brought up my right.

'!?'

A booming sound could be heard upon contact with the land and my foot. An Axe Kick interfered with gravity, forcing it to bring down the monsters due to the wind pressure exerted. The Imp on my left leg had lost its grip and fallen to the ground. After that, I simply applied pressure with my foot and stomped out its existence. The same was down with the other two.

Though this quarrel had been dealt with in a minute or less, that didn't stop the Imp from biting into my tendon. A necessary expense for what's to come soon.

I could feel a set of eyes on me. It kept dissapearing and reappearing every so often.

While fighting, I had been focusing my senses on the Adventures around me rather than the monsters, so I was alarmed to hear that fighting had seemingly ceased. I turned around and took in the sight with my own eyes. And as I suspected, all monsters were either cut down, burnt to ash, or eradicated thoroughly with no remains.

The shocking part wasn't the fact that the monsters were killed. I already knew of the Adventurers levels due to the public records. The shocking part came next. Newly spawned monsters were cowering in the corners. They must have been feeling the pressure. After all, the Adventurers in this room were levels 2-4 with the strongest of them all being level 4 Raul Nord.

Even Monsters abandon their natural instinct when it comes to overwhelming strength.

Well, now that battle is over. I think it's time that my objectives make progress.

"Sorry for getting you involved in this mess," the black-haired man, Raul, said as he approached me with one hand behind his head. I looked in his direction.

"Not a problem. I was the one who involved myself in your battle," I stated.

Before he can retort back with more apologies, my body flinched. I grabbed my left knee and knelt on the ground.

It seems I was injured more than I thought.

I didn't currently have any potions or healing elixirs. And of course, Heith, the mage healer was above me.

"Do you need help with that?" One of the Adventures asked.

"No." I got up with no problem.

"Well, if you need help, just ask. I feel bad for not helping you with those monsters," Raul Nord said, a look of seriousness brewing in his eyes. "May I ask of your name?"

"Ayanokōji Kiyotaka."

I looked him in the eyes as I stated my name.

"The names Raul," he flashed a nervous smile while reciprocating the introductions.

"I appreciate it."

"Of course."

I appreciate the confirmation, Raul. Finn sent you and the other Adventurers to observe every Adventurer. it would make sense that you don't know my name. Finn kept it to himself to avoid suspicion if we were to ever meet. I can only assume it was to avoid another 'S' situation.

As for how I came upon this theory that Raul was tasked to observe the Adventures around him. Well, it was simple. Rapid eye movements could be seen in Raul's facial movements and the way he conducted himself to avoid others while at the same time understanding what had been happening to them. The way in which he noticed me and my every move and how I was able to feel his eyes on me was just one example of this. As one who observes, it was simple to discover.

"Raul, there seems to be an incident up ahead!"

"What type?"

One of Raul's companions had announced the event of an incident. Something that is common in the Dungeon, according to Misha. Raul rushed out of the room and into the passageway. I walked behind him and the other Adventures.

"A monster party! I don't know why it was born but there's got to be nearly 30 of them!"

Only 30?

"30 Upper-level monsters isn't a threat. take care of them swiftly. Don't let them escape and attack other Adventures! Have the combatants stall the orcs as their too many and let the mags finish them off!"

Raul issued out orders in quick succession, handling the situation with precision.

"I'll take care of a few orcs myself," I said while walking past Raul. I saw him give me a nod through the corner of my eye. I stared at the murky spot where a smudge of liquid could be seen. This was the same spot where the monsters had gathered too.

'Grrrwor'

I could hear the sloppy noises of a pig. Orcs were begging to surround me. Were they being attracted to the spot I stood upon or myself?

Well, I already know the answer.

'Whoosh'

I sprinted across the ground, directly beneath an Orc. Before the pig-type monster could swing its landform weapon, I swung my right leg into its stubby left leg.

It was downed in one shot, its leg gone.

My strength exceeded my expectations. Gaining Falna and stats gave me a decent boost in physical power.

"They're coming for you!"

Someone shouted out as I noticed the Orcs, Imps, and Bats approach me from all corners. The Loki Familia Adventures were doing their best to cut down their numbers but monsters were approaching me relentlessly. I handled each and every monster directly in front of me but it was getting apparent that this would go on forever unless a change happened.

It did.

"Release!"

Bursts of flames shot out from the staffs of mages, burning away any monsters near the surface. I avoided the attacks beforehand, taking extra care to make sure my clothes hadn't gotten burnt in the process. If it had, the 'effect' would decrease.

Soon enough, the monsters had been eradicated. No stones were left over as each monster turned to ash.

The monster party was no more.

That was what every Adventurer thought as they let out sighs of relief.

Now that the Monster party was extinguished, I had no reason to be here. I walked out into the roads on Floor 10 after informing the Loki Familia Adventurers of my departure.

"Raul, Monsters are beginning to appear."

Raul, who was busy dealing with potion distribution to those who used up their mind, replied without facing his subordinate.

"Didn't you tear down the walls so they don't spawn?"

"Yes but that isn't the problem. There crawling outta nowhere."

At this point, Raul stopped his activities and examined the field. His level 4 enhanced sense let him notice the arrival of several more monsters.

"It doesn't matter, we'll take care of them," Raul stated.

"When did you get so confident?" Arcs, a subordinate of Raul, stated.

"We're part of the elite Loki Familia. If we can't handle something like this, it'll be a disgrace," he said. "And I've seen scarier," Raul mumbled so no one would hear his pitiful reason for confidence.

"Alright, take care of any monsters tha-"

Raul was silenced as he heard the hisses of unfamiliar monsters.

"Is that...?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Whats a Hellhound doing here?" Raul screeched.

Not just Hellhounds but Al Miraj, Lamia Mormos, Crystal Mantis, and other non Floor 10 monsters.

"None of these monsters are spawned on Floor 10. How can there be this many irregulars?" Raul was losing his cool, his normal, frightened attitude resurfacing when being faced with this unfamiliar sight.

Monster Parties are usually composed of several monsters born on that specific Floor. This however was an irregular Monster Party, a group of monsters belonging to different, deeper Floors.

"Quick, subjugate them! Don't let the wander off. Level 1 Adventures cant deal with these monsters!"

In an attempt to rile his comrades to respond to this event, Raul took action personally. He tushed to aid his subordinates before disposing of any monster he came across.

"It's no use, they're avoiding us!"

"No, that ain't it."

"Yes, they just don't care about us."

The Monster Party didn't bother fighting them, and instead, they all rushed over to the spot on the ground in which Ayanokōji once stood. After a few sniffs, the Hellhounds rushed off into the same road Ayanokōji had taken previously.

"Hey, ain't that the same trail that guy took!" Carmilla spoke up, noticing the unusual pattern.

"Damn it! Follow the Monsters, make sure they don't cause any casualties. Snipe them from behind," Raul ordered.

The Loki Familia Adventurers chased after the irregular Monster Party, hoping to prevent the untimely deaths of numerous adventures, including Ayanokōji Kiyotaka.

"What's this?"

A girl was walking across the Dungeon floors, witnessing the aftermath of the eradication of a Monster party.

She put her finger onto the ground and scraped up a wet liquid.

"I know this smell."

Tera, leader of Finn's personal spy unit had wandered across the dropped liquid on the ground. It was in this very same spot in which Ayanokōji had stood, the spot where the monster party gathered before whisking away into the Dungeon Floors

Tera looked out in the distance. She was able to hear the sounds of weapons and flesh making contact.

"On my signal, open the bottles and release the incense."

I had walked into the room on the 9th Floor in which Heith had been residing. I took my stand beside her.

"A Monster Party will be appearing soon. We must be quick to deal with it," I said to her. Heith nodded in response. And almost as in accordance to her acknowledgment, the Monster Party had begun to intrude.

"Now, release them."

With my command, Heith had opened the bottles in quick succession, and there them at the entrance, the same one where the monsters began to pour in.

"Take cover and don't inhale the incense," I said while retreating to the corners, preparing myself for a fight.

Hellhounds entered the room ad breathed fire in response. They aimed nowhere as they scorched the surrounding walls.

"Arent you going to kill them!" Heith yelled in frustration. The monsters crowded inside the room, making her cries of worry reasonable.

"Not yet."

"Then when!"

"...Now."

The Loki Familia Adventures had caught up and began to enter the room, slaughtering whatever was in their path. Right now it was an all-out melee. I came outside of my corner, stood up, took a breath, and yelled.

"What happened out there!" Maybe due to shock from hearing me yell or surprise that I was still alive, the Adventurers looked in my direction with a flabbergasted expression.

"JUST RUN!"

I see.

I suppose I'll be taking that advice.

"Hey, where are you going!" Heith yelled.

But I had already left.

By holding my breath, I narrowly avoided any monsters and left the room through the entrance. I let out a sigh of relief as I took off my shirt and threw it into the flames of the Hellhounds, my skin exposed to the dark atmosphere.

After a quick sprint, I had created distance between the Monster Party and I.

"This is all that's left now."

I took out a medium-sized, square-shaped item from the bag I had been holding. A stone tablet.

The Ruthven.

The Book I had found in that store a while ago had stated this.

'Despicable, vile, but willing. Only the one at the top of society may display those traits. And only they can follow through.'

'Willing' was the word I had focused on. One must have the will to go through with this maneuver, this 'operation' of sorts.

I looked down at the tablet, it had begun to turn darker and darker. Transforming from a gray shade of bedrock to a black color of obsidian.

As I stared at the stone tablet, I could feel my mind twisting and churning.

So that's how it operates. The wording wasn't specific enough so I just needed to be sure. Fortunately, Finn gave me this opportunity to test it out.

Mind was being extracted from nearby Adventurers, namely those who had been using magic.

Cruel, but who am I to say.

"What happened? Launch your spells!"

Arcs yelled at the mages as he held back as many monsters as he could. Being a level 3, he had no problem fending them off, but the pressure from numbers was just overwhelming.

"I am! My magic is just getting weaker for some reason!"

"That doesn't make sense? Didn't Raul give you a mind potion!"

"Yeah, he did. God damn my head is dizz-ahhhhh!"

A monster had bit into the mage but it was shaken off immediately.

"Defend me properly!" The mage yelled.

"I'm trying damn it," Arcs shouted back.

As he cut off the legs of an Orc, he looked back at his comrade. He was met with a shocking sight.

The mage was unconscious, and so was every other one in the room.

"Monster, he was the true monster after all."

I moved closer to the room, the same now I had just left. I took the Ruthven and placed it under the palm of my right hand. The tablet's dark color brightened while maintaining its dark aura.

After a few seconds, it had stopped glowing.

I put the tablet back into the bag.

Finn Deimne, I wonder how you'll respond to such a situation.

I looked over the chaos ensued field, echoes reverberating off the Dungeon walls.

"What...did you do?"

I turned my head around and saw Heith Velvet, bloody and dripping with sweat; grabbing onto her injured arm.

"..."

Silence was all she heard.

END