Is it Wrong to be the Warrior Captain in the Dungeon?

by oblivon2991

Thank you for reading my fanfic!

My mother language is not English, so please be patient about the grammatical issues.

I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.

I don't own Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka novel, and anime series, written by Fujino Ōmori.

Thank you!


Chapter 8: The Fall of the Warrior Captain


"Hah…!" wondering, a pair of silver orbs gazed in the far, searching for any point of interest down below.

"So many people and the children are all different, with all different colors."

Yet, despite all the colors her eyes witnessed, she found them all too dull. All too similar! She had seen them all! Knew them all! All combinations, all shapes, and intensity. No surprise anymore! They were all blurring together into a messy, washed-out patch of chaos! She had witnessed it all!

"If only, there would be more people with exceptional souls…"

If you asked this person why exactly she spent her time sitting in her chair, doing it day after day — scanning the people who were passing under the tower of Babel relentlessly. Watching the people of Orario conducting their usual business every single day. If one asked her why she did this, the answer would be mildly surprising.

She did so only to find exceptional souls, souls worthy of her attention and love!

Like other goddesses and gods, Freya was also a collector spirit. Seeking souls, exceptional children she could claim. People to invite to her heavenly domain after their death.

Day after day, she did this, never giving up her hope to find such curious souls!

There were days when she was unlucky, and no such soul appeared before her unusual eyes, only witnessing small, weak, and insignificant souls. People not even worth to brush them out from her net.

Souls with no potential to grow or with unsatisfying color, grey people with little to no meaning, "shine" or goal. Yet, rarely, she was lucky! Her eyes were able to spot real rarities! People that really worth her attention and time! People with great potential and overflowing potency of the essence!

Yes, Freya was like the wind! She was like a hunter that sought challenge! Endlessly seeking something, something even she didn't know. Searching endlessly, yet, she herself knew not when, what or where she would find that curious thing. She just followed her instinct of hunt! Collecting rarities from all around. Doing so until the fated day would come along with her final hunt, anchoring her down forever!

"Ahhh! When will that day finally come?" she asked herself often, pondering for long hours.

These eyes of hers were a great help in her eternal hunt, allowing her to see the soul of people, separating the wheat from the chaff, finding her Familia exceptional, exciting, colorful people. Members, she could share her love with. Yet, it was all for an even higher goal, to quench her endless thirst! Satiate it until she found that unknown thing, which could finally quiet the winds of her passion and need. Finally, settle her forever!

Seeking to find what she asked in Tenkai, brought no results. The people up there were boring, stagnating, dull-colored. She tried and got bored by all of them — a place filled with discarded toys, old men, and women.

No challenge remained there, all the same, no variants. The goddess despised boring places like that. Thus, she left it behind, like a bad memory, wishing not to return until the fated day.

"But this place… the world of the children! It is different!"

A new world opened when she arrived! The denizens of Gekai she only watched from far above were colorful! Always changing, and often surprising. She felt she was a step closer to reach her unknown goal. To find it, end her endless search! Finally satiate her endless thirst, her endless hunger! Sheath the fires of her passion! She finally felt progress! She finally felt she had made a step forward to true happiness!

A little bit more, and she would eventually find the "item," she thirsted for so long!

"I can't wait!" she licked her luscious lips, her eyes sparkling with the light of want!

Unfortunately — or not — gods were forbidden to use their heavenly powers in the mortal realm.

Or, better said, they couldn't use it without explicit permission! Anyone who did so — even for the sake of protecting their own mortal shell or the members of their Familia — was banished back to heavens. The contract forced them to go back! Only a few exceptions existed.

But it was better like this. Using her Arcanum to get what she wanted would be boring anyway. It was just no challenge. Freya was a hunter who sought a challenge. Not answering that trial would be a sin.

Her special eyes, and charm — which already almost defied this rule — guaranteed her more than enough edge. It was almost cheating!

It was enough to look at a person, and she clearly saw their essence overflowing! Like an aura, different, colorful, and budging out from their mortal shell!

"But what's it worth?" she asked herself often, sighing disappointed.

No matter this ability or the skill to charm even the gods with just a glance, it made things too easy, too boring! For a hunter like her, possessing this ability was almost like a curse!

Unfortunately, most of the time, this ability only brought disappointment. No matter how many souls she claimed, no matter how many times she succeeded. She only found frustration and boredom in the long run. Something lacked. Yes! Something she missed! A thing she hadn't felt for a long time! That "something" that finally could satiate her carving!

"Hahh!"

The goddess sighed with a wandering gaze, patting her index on the arm of her chair.

Her act earned the attention of the second person standing in the room, turning his head towards her.

"Is something wrong, Lady Freya?" the man that stood not far from her was tall and muscular, each cubic centimeter of his body steadily built, filled to the brim with muscle. Each scar on his stone-like skin spoke about countless years of combat experience. Under his rust-colored hair, two boar ears peeked, his face mirroring an iron will, a strict expression.

"Ottar, have you ever felt you lack something?"

"Only when I am not by your side, Lady Freya. Only then!" The man's answer was firm, coming from his heart directly.

"I see…" Her tone was serene, but deep inside, a kind of sad feeling bubbled up in her gullet. It was almost like she found the answer disappointing, lacking something."What am I to you, Ottar?"

"You are the wind, carrying us forward, ever-changing. Gracing the people with your presence before moving on, filling them with purpose and joy in your short stay."

As always, Ottar hesitated not with his answer. For most, it may sound like he knew the response from his heart, but for Freya, it was all said like he had just learned these words, then barfed them back once asked.

"It is… kinda sad."

Unfortunately, all her children became like this after a while, too enamored by her beauty, by her presence to have any other opinion. Only quoting back basic things, not their own thoughts.

Their soul slowly, but surely started to dim. Their original shining faded, turning to dim averageness. She had become… bored by them.

"Why is this happening? Why every one of them is becoming like that? I-I don't understand. Is something wrong with me? Is it I who I'm doing something wrong?"

She asked these questions again and again! All since coming down here, and it first happened. First, the gods of Tenkai, now even the children from Gekai, she had no idea what to do. She didn't know why, but she eroded everyone she connected with.

"Is it a curse of the beauty bestowed to me?" In recent times, she asked this question more and more often, finding her beauty more of a burden than a gift.

All the time, she recruited exceptional children, nurturing them to perfection till they reached the peak of their shine! Yet, sooner or later, all of them became like that! She would just get bored with them! They… were simply losing their shine.

As the goddess of love and passion, her love was still here; she loved all of them equally, only the desire, the fire was lacking! It all started to grow fainter and fainter each day! She just couldn't get excited by them anymore, like an overused toy, only good to showcase. A skeleton in her closet!

Was something wrong with her? What did she do wrong? Why was she like this?

"I still love them, but I can't help but seek new ones!" Almost like an addict, she wanted to collect them all! All unique souls must belong to her! But to gain them without any challenge, the thrill of the hunt? It was just…

"So boring…" She felt like that, she felt like that for such a long time! Despite her struggle to find the real thing, she couldn't help but pick up every morsel that piqued her interest. "I can't even remember when it started."

She felt she was losing her touch with reality. Even going as far as to mock, and openly challenge others. Waiting for their reaction. Disregarding the safety of her familia and children. She felt like that… she acted like that. Until today…

"That man! That soul! That defiance! That will!"

Her mouth almost watered, just remembering that blade pointed against her face, that defying light in the man's eyes. That will that defied even her godly charm! Honestly, it made her wet and even more aroused. It was almost like…

"Is he the one? A challenge?"

"Ottar, did you ever feel challenged? Defied by someone?"

Ottar pondered for a moment, his boar ears moving slightly, trying to recall a memory.

"No, Lady Freya. For a long time, my strength found no equal. I lack the worthy challengers in this city." Of course, there was that other one. The only one that had managed to defeat him. But she was no longer here. Here, he was without par — the most stalwart adventurer of all Orario.

"How does it feel?"

"I live only to serve you. Anyone who dares to challenge…"

"I asked, how does it feel living without challenge? Don't you feel empty?" Freya cut him short, glancing the only level 7 in the city. "Surely, you must feel something… lacking. Without motivation to grow further, you must be bored."

Freya stood up, walking to the tall man and hugging his neck, staring deep in his dark eyes.

"You can tell me…" Ottar gulped for a moment, shuddering as he felt the weight of the question, sniffing the enamoring scent of the goddess that hung from his sturdy neck. Seeing those silver orbs, reflecting a slight violet hue. He just… he just couldn't lie to her! She was his everything! His true goal! His…

"My goddess…" he mumbled deep inside his soul, feeling once more purposeful. In that exact moment, even his slowly dimming soul flared, making Freya lick her lips lustful.

"If I can be honest. It… feels a little bit empty. Yes! Lady Freya. Since that other person, I have found no equal who has encouraged me to push my limits."

"I see. I understand you, my brave warrior. I completely understand how you feel." She kissed his cheek, making the man blush slightly, a warm feeling filling his whole body.

"…" She just smiled, swaying her way back to her seat, and Ottar just watched her elegant form for a moment, even going as far as to raise his brow.

"Is something wrong, Lady Freya?"

"Hmm? Why do you think there is something wrong, dear Ottar?" Freya took her seat elegantly, glancing at her first warrior.

"Your…" Ottar bit his tongue, turning his face forward. "Please disregard what I said!"

"Just this morning. I was challenged…" Freya smiled, finally revealing what she pondered on, looking out the sizable window, an enamored expression settling on her face — a small chuckle leaving her shapely lips.

"Huh…"

Ottar's eyes widened immediately, just for a moment, as in the next, the man returned to his stoic self. Forcing his always present stoic calm on his ego. "Whoever that person was, the person who challenged you, I will crush them mercilessly. Whoever defies you, deserves such treatment."

The man's words may sound calm and collected, almost too stoic as he bowed. But Freya knew too well; she felt too well what her most excellent puppet thought and felt. Deep inside, Ottar was a raging boar, yes, she even recognized the man clenching his fist once.

"Hmm, is that so?" she just chuckled, seeing his devotion.

"Yes…"

Freya said nothing for long moments, just watched the people passing the streets, watching the averageness of their souls.

"It was so strange… his soul!" The woman with the spectacular silver eyes bit her lower lip luscious, her perfectly chiseled face offering a strange, aroused expression.

"I want it so bad! So unique! So, alien! I want this hunt to myself."

Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, war, sex, and many more things, was slightly disturbed; she almost felt like a blushing damsel in distress. Grabbing her face, a love-filled expression curled on her face. It almost looked like the face of an aroused prostitute. It was… a perverted expression.

"For a long time, I didn't feel this! Why now?"

All happened under her usual trip in the territory of Ishtar, doing her small prank on her fellow goddess.

One or two swayed children worth nothing in her eyes, but it easily made Ishtar tick. Yes, one of Freya's favorite hobby was to imbalance the usually confident people — watching as "the all-knowing" ones acted out of character. Prank them to entertain herself.

In Ishtar's case, it was straightforward, almost boringly. Yet, the Mesopotamian goddess's reaction was almost always amusing. Instead of acting all calm and seductive, this made Freya's counterpart from that other pantheon act unreasonable, shout, and disregard everything — even going as far as to endanger the safety of her own members, almost like a wild injured animal, a mother lion who couldn't mate for a long time.

"Ah, yes! People are usually so boring. But that person. He raised his sword against me, defied my charm and will! Even going that far to leave me in that alley, alone, and vulnerable! Threatening me after using my charm on him!"

Freya heard the grinding teeth of Ottar; the man barely managed to contain himself. He was usually always collected, caring not at all what others said or thought about him.

But if it was his goddess that was mocked or threatened, his loyalty was unquestionable. It almost edged zeal and fanaticism.

"Please give the order, and I will hunt that person down," Ottar bowed slightly, every muscle of his rock hard body itching to get his hand on that person, his eyes almost glowing in anticipation. It was almost like he pleaded for the chance.

"Hmm, it is not important. I was never in any danger, Ottar. It was just… surprising. Since a long time, I never felt such excitement." She stood up, grabbing her arms, her perfectly cut lips almost bleeding as she bit them in excitement.

"I have never felt such defiance! His soul was so complex. So many things mixed in it! So strong! Layered! Yes! That's the best word for it! A person with an unshakable will! A person with many scars! A person filled with mystery and defiance! A man with endless potential!"

Even as a goddess with a unique ability, under such a short meeting, she was only able to see a glimpse of what that soul could offer.

A mere glance from the first layer, a glimpse from the endless potential that soul hid! Still chained! Waiting to be freed!

Not even close to truly understanding what lies underneath, always moving and changing, layer after layer, like a shell inside of a shell.

If she wanted to compare it to something, she would compare that soul to a matryoshka. Yes! Some gods may call it like that.

"A strange word, coming from a different culture…"

Chuckling, she could only compare it to that thing.

"But it was strange. It was like I glimpsed something… odd for a moment. Almost like a scar, hidden deep. A dark presence ever spreading, only held back by an iron will. That feeling, almost like the stench of death. I need to know what it is! The anticipation is killing me!"

"Your orders, Lady Freya?" Ottar asked, still bowing slightly.

"We will observe what will happen. In any case, send a member to the guild. Investigate if anything interesting happened recently."

"As you wish…" With that, Ottar left the room, leaving the goddess alone.

"So exciting! A worthy prey on the horizon."

She had already spotted a boy with a transparent soul. But who said she couldn't pursue two preys at once? Yes! It would be an exciting hunt!

"This will be… a great harvest!"

Two more heads would join her collection soon. But she wouldn't rush this time. No! She would savor the hunt. Ripen those souls before harvesting them, and taking them as her own! It would be glorious! It would be… well, hopefully, it would satiate her hunger, and the void she had been feeling for such a long time!


Scene Change: Dungeon:

Gazef shuddered for a moment, almost like he felt a presence spying after him.

"KRghhh!"

"Hmph!" but it only took a shrug, and the warrior captain dismissed such thought, cutting down the black monster stood in his way.

"Kyyyeee!"

"Compared to the rest, the black ones quite sturdy," he commented, continuing his fight.

As he headed deeper and deeper, more and more monsters he encountered.

While the first few floors filled with weaker, goblin, and kobold like creatures, the deeper he went, the stronger enemies he faced.

Their forms varied greatly, from huge bunny-like creatures to huge ants, entirely to living shadows, to huge poisonous moths. He encountered all kinds of animals down there. He can barely count how many he killed under his stay here.

Adventuring more than a day, even Gazef lost track where he is in reality. The man started to lose his sense of time deep underground, fighting, proceeding, and collecting stones continuously. It surely took the tool one's sanity and patience.

One thing was sure; he long ago passed the boundary his advisor allowed him to advance, using several slopes to proceed deeper. He had no map to follow anymore or even recognized the environment from Misha's description. This was an unknown territory!

'Slash! Slash! Slash!' it only took several more flashes, and several monsters died again, falling on the ground lifeless.

"It is strange… On my first day, when the monsters breathed their last breath, they exploded into a fine dust. Leaving only that strange crystal and possibly monster parts. But now… their body remains."

Indeed, he came to a strange discovery right after killing his first monster of the day.

Killed by simple weapon, the body of the monsters remained intact, he himself had to carve out the stones. Only after removing the core, the beast turned into dust. Meanwhile, back then, killing them with Razor Edge, they exploded right away, leaving only the loot.

"Just as Misha explained." taking out his knife, Gazef used it to remove the stones from the monster carcass, taking his time to mine out the precious stones from their body, no monster born from the walls this time.

"It takes too much time!" he spat, seeing how messy his leather gloves became after gutting several monsters.

"Even after using a knife, it is messy!"

He became much more proficient when he first tried, still, his technique to recover the stones from monsters far from perfect. He needs much more practice to be satisfied with his speed.

"Hmph!"

It took several minutes to finish this operation, gut all the monsters around.

If he stops every time to gut the creatures and collect the stones, he will never reach deeper than a few floors at once.

If we consider the fact that each floor was bigger and more complex as he headed downward, he will never reach the bottom, and possibly, never find out what lies in the deepest level.

Albeit Gazef's primary goal was not to reach the bottom, he was nonetheless curious, what was in the deepest layer.

Who knows, he may even find a portal home!

According to stories of old, the ancient ruins, and dungeons left behind by the evil deities contained something alike teleportation circles. Considering this, if Gazef finds a way home, he had to worry one less thing about and can concentrate on his search here.

"According to Misha, no one reached the deepest floor and conquered the dungeon completely. The deepest point they reached was around the 59th…"

Considering the man's speed today and the fact, each floor more complex and more complicated than the previous. It will take a long time to reach the 59th floor. Indeed, with his current supplies and equipment, it was impossible to really reach deeper without risking dehydration, starvation, and death.

Even with the medallion of immortality, he needed food and drink. He rather not risk trying to eat the monsters or drink the water found down there. In a hostile environment, poisoning or unknown illness may prove fatal.

"Yes, I need more supplies for that. Maybe a whole caravan, with more people to look out for sudden monster attack."

Spending around a day in this place, exploring and fighting, Gazef recognized. If he wants to go deeper and explore, he needs a team, maybe a whole group. Alone, he will never reach the bottom. Neither has he had the necessary knowledge about this place to safely navigate and not get lost — like in his current case.

"That's, of course, not even considering the supplies needed to do that."

He only spent a day delving the dungeon, and he felt, he barely made progress, even with maps just stumbled around in the floors before finding a ramp or stairs that led deeper.

"Fortunately, following other adventurers helped me navigate."

Of course, it was not always the case, sometimes the adventurers just changed direction, occupying a larger room where they waited for monsters to spawn. Then kill them for loot. He spoke a few words with a few of them.

Like usual, some of these folks were decent, sharing a little information about this place.

Telling him they only proceed to a particular floor, taking things easy. Farming stones and items to exchange them for cash, or forge new weapons and armor using these goods. Rarely taking the risk to proceed deeper until they feel ready, or grow strong enough to proceed further.

"Just like Misha explained, the ones surviving some time here are not reckless. Taking their time to grow stronger and get to know the floors. According to her, most deaths occur amidst the rank of beginners."

Despite the best effort of the advisors and the guild, rookies adventure alone, or reckless, tend to die early. Bearing such characteristics, very few survive.

"No monsters around this time. Better eat something while I can…"

Sitting down, he pulled out the military ration from the backpack — he bought before coming down — eating the dried meat.

"Just like in the battlefield, heh?" he chuckled, remembering his first charge. "I was reckless. I barely survived."

Often, there was no time to prepare a proper meal on the battlefield. In battle, to regain energy, soldiers stuffed down the prepared, dried rations in the small pause between the charges. Then drowned them down with water, or watered coffee grounds — which left behind the awful taste, but kept the soldiers going and awake.

"I remember… officers often distributed raw coffee bean, giving us the command to gnaw on it, keep us going under long battles."

It tasted awful, but kept the soldiers awake, and forced out every inch of energy from their body under battle.

"Of course, after that. Most of us were exhausted and almost useless in battle."

Eating his meal, he pondered.

If his internal clock was right, he spent around a day here, collecting numerous stones and several monster parts.

Most adventurers entered the dungeon under their "first" time would be overjoyed proceeding this far, managing to conquer multiple floors and proceed unhindered. Collecting as many stones and items Gazef did just now.

As for him? The warrior captain was not proud of himself. More of that! Was somewhat ashamed he can only continue this far, to a floor which gave no challenge, and still wasted a whole day to reach this point.

"Well, if getting lost and stumbling in a monster nest each time when I arrive at a new floor counts impressive, then my progress indeed impressive."

He chuckled sour, recalling his day.

Honestly, he didn't expect much from this day. Only visiting that shop — Mia spoke about — starting the investigation to find where he landed — then collecting some stones to ensure his financial background.

Most would simply call a day after doing all of this, as they would feel they had done enough. But not Gazef, he felt unsatisfied. More so after all those things he heard from that small girl, Toth.

He was immensely frustrated, not knowing where he is, how he got there, how he will get home!

"Yet, delving this place helps somewhat. These monsters are good punching bags. I feel myself better slicing them up."

One thing he can bear with, being wholly lost. It is certainly scary, utterly mindboggling for most. But not for him who got used to such situations. What scared him the thought he can never return home, letting down his comrades and king

"It is scary, though. Not even a mention of the Re-Estize kingdom, or any other nation nearby. Not even any point of interest that could position me. And that girl…"

He felt the same presence from her. The same as Hestia, Thoth, that dubious figure — he saw in the inn — and the woman he encountered and escorted just this morning. All felt like some kind of faith-based caster, and something more. It was… an odd presence, his instinct just can't place.

"Hmph!" This was a very odd place, almost like he was thrown into an entirely different world.

"But that's impossible, right?" That granny told a few absurd stories about such things, other worlds, and the gods called players who came from there. But other worlds to exist? Maybe in fiction. But for real? It felt unlikely!

"Either she had an absurd amount of imagination, or, she heard those stories while adventured." Yes, granny Rigrit was always like that. An energetic adventurer, an easy-going granny who liked to speak nonsense, and tell absurd stories — most of the time when she was drunk.

"Magic is one thing… but other worlds? Hardly believable! Still, if the possibility exists. I can't just discard it amongst the options. It may be the only way to return home."

Either way, he was still new to this place. Maybe he was a continent away, maybe two, he will find out eventually. But now, he needs to concentrate on his self-imposed mission to find the kingdom's treasures. And above all, to find a way to improve his strength and techniques.

"Yes, it would be shameful, defeated once again…" after all, it worth nothing if he returns home, and Ainz once more takes care of him, just like that. He needs to protect his people. Grow stronger and find a way to counter that foul magic.

"This task may prove to be even harder than finding the royal treasures and returning home." he was in a bottleneck, Gazef knows it too well! He felt it! Without items, edging between the realm of heroes and simple people, he will never reach his goal if he can't improve!

"Huuuh!" pondering on all of this, he finished his meal. "Let's go back; I still need to…"

'Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!'

The whole room suddenly started to shake, like the entire thing would collapse under any moment.

"What now?!" he roared angrily, he really had enough from the antics of this place! It was like the whole dungeon working against him — only waiting to eat his meal, before throwing shit at him once more!

'Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!'

Several explosions followed, and the two exits of the room collapsed.

"What now!?"

With the ways sealed, he was utterly trapped.

"Shit!? How do I get out now!?" he should start digging, not wasting time for questions; he may never get an answer; he knows that well.

"Hahh! Fine! Let's start diggi…"

Oh! But it was too late. It would be better not asking any question, as in the next moment — like a sign of hate from the whole dungeon, and whatever deity watched him — the whole room started to tremble even more intensely, the entire floor underneath his feet began to fracture and broke, leaving the Warrior Captain little no time to react.

"Oh! The hell with this place!"

The floor collapsed utterly, pushing the warrior captain into the depths.

One thing was sure. His dislike of the place ever grown with each moment!

"Damiiiit!"


Scene Change: Tenth Floor:

The tenth floor, quite an unfriendly place. Filled whithered white trees, environmental stumbling blocks, and enemies, only an adventurer with at least a status B can handle. It was indeed a bad place to be.

Combining all of this with the constant white fog reminiscent of morning mist that limited visibility, this place was indeed a hard place to crack, for low-level adventurers at least.

"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!" the adventurer ran, taking her steps hastily, as fast as her legs could carry her.

On her face, a frightful expression, pictured her horror. Arm crushed, leg dislocated, in truth, she more of dragged herself forward, than really ran.

"How it come to this? How did this happen? One moment we were fine… the second we are overwhelmed!" she muttered, her face still covered by her comrade's blood, biting her lips painfully, blood sprouted from her mouth. "This is not natural! That many monsters couldn't spawn at once! Yes! Someone must draw them there…" she theorized painfull, trying to numb the pain throbbed through her body with each hasty steps, trying to drag herself one step further!

Even with the all-covering fog, she seemed to know the way, merely dragging herself past the numerous monsters. Her presence, of course, went not without recognition.

"Huh?"

Like hungry sharks to the injured, bleeding prey, the obese orcs stood up, tearing out the dead woods, using them as primitive weapons.

"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! Ah!" until now, she tolerated pain, running through a whole floor, somehow managing to survive. But soon, her body reached the breaking point, her leg went limp, and she collapsed on the ground.

'Thud!'

"I need to… I need to…" tears welled up in her eyes, remembering her comrades, remembering how the last of them remained behind, how her comrade's sacrifice was useless facing such a foe. Glancing back, she realized, their sacrifice to halt the closing enemy was all but useless!

"Why… Why… WHY?!" she mumbled, her strength starting to leave her frail body.

She felt useless, just a simple supporter, cannot possibly good for anything. Neither can warn her friends for the closing danger nor could she help them. She was useless!

"Trash, better left to die!" she remembered what that other adventurer said some time ago, and her friends foolishly protected her. "WHY!?"

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I should have died then!" despite her best attempts, she remained weak. No matter how hard she trained, how hard she tried, the only role she can fill is the supporter one.

She doesn't even know why her god accepted her into his familia.

Ah, yes, only thinking for a moment, she now remembers. She was accepted because her friend made that clause when he joined. The same friend who was strong, the same friend, died down there. The same friend protected her sorry butt in her escape! Her stupid head always forgetting this fact!

She hated herself for this!

"UGhhh!" trying to drag herself forward, her power ultimately left her; even so, she tried! Using her last ounce of strength to pull herself further, she tried!

"All useless! All useless! Why you had to do? Why me? Why save me?" her tears poured ever intensely, knowing it was all for naught. "YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT ME!"

Her arm crushed; she can't possibly get up and ran away with her overstrained legs. Weapon and collected goods lost. She will die, here and now, the girl barely hung on her consciousness, her eyelids were heavy.

"Gugugugugugugugu! Squall! Squall! Squall!" she already heard the trampling steps of the orcs, gathering around her, the scratching sounds of monkeys, the subtle wing strokes of the Bad Bats, and many similar creatures inhabited this floor.

Indeed, she managed to lure quite a few of them in her attempt to escape; maybe, it was the best she dies here. At least, she will not bring them to the upper levels, endangering the lives of others.

"Though… it was too short." being in her teens, barely 15, her life was indeed short. She didn't even kiss anyone, not speaking being together with someone. Dammit! She didn't even admit the fact she likes him!

"I want to live…" she mumbled, forcing herself to her legs. Her knees trembled, barely able to hold her weight. "I want to live…" pulling out her spare dagger, she held it before her with her only remained usable arm. The monsters all around just watched, like it would be some grotesque game, watching her struggle.

"I want to live!"

No one around to help, the girl was utterly alone in this otherworldly fog.

"I will survive…"

The orcs grinned, and the beast circled around her. Almost like they awaited to make her first step. A cruel light visible in their eyes. Then, she made her step, giving her all, and just like that!

'Stab!' but her knife was useless, the orc's skin was too thick to penetrate.

"Useless…" she mumbled, chuckling hopeless.

Metal weapons usually were able to penetrate orc skin, but with her current strength, it was not even enough to scratch the obese creature, it only watched her salivating.

'Thud!' the orc didn't even bother to use his stump of wood, the creature used its obese fist to slap her, crashing her to the nearby tree.

"Ugh!" multiple of her bones fractured and broke right away, she can't even move anymore.

"I suppose it is the end…"

Infinite sadness welled up in her gullet, filling her eyes with the endless flow of tears; she was barely alive. Using her last strength, she opened her swelled up eyes once more. Only able to see the towering figure stepped before her.

This was the end of her road, dying in the depths of the dungeon. Alone… most likely her carcass never seeing the light again, eaten by the monsters of the place.

Or, it supposed to happen this way as in the next moment.

'Crack!' the ceiling above broke, something or preferably someone started to fall.

If he didn't know it until now, now he was sure this place hated him, doing so with passion.

Yes, it cannot be otherwise. Else, the ground would not just collapse under his feet randomly.

"Shit!"

As he was on to leave the room, the ground suddenly collapsed under his feet, giving him no space, or anything to grab on before the depths swallowed him.

"When I thought this day couldn't be any worse!"

Unfortunately for him, Gazef was no mage. That meant he couldn't even slow his fall amidst reasonable borders, not speaking about using [Fly] spell. Yes, as he heard, it was a tier-three spell. Only the most talented can use it. And being he was no talented at all in the art of magic, most would say, he was in deep trouble.

"Even if not that… it was too late anyway!" The warrior captain was athletic; that was no question. He could use Martial Arts to kick the air and accelerate himself higher.

That was the case, of course, if he had at least a second to prepare. That was the case if he had a place to maneuver, and not the whole damn room collapsing on him! With even the ceiling falling after him to crush him to death.

Unfortunately, he completely caught off guard; it was too late when he regained his bearing, too far to do such maneuvers. He fell… his only hope was to find something to grab on his way down. Hoping, not infinite abyss awaits him underneath.

"Damn!" pulling out his sword, he sliced the sizable fragments in the air, avoiding to get underneath them — and possibly crushed to death.

Even if he survives the fall, those stones could crush him after he lands. He needed to get rid of them as soon as he can, or at least get above the big ones.

"There are supposed to be a floor down below; hopefully, this crevice not too deep!" With quick thinking, Gazef concluded.

Even with Martial Arts, there was a limit to how high one can fall, and not break their legs, or die right away.

Gazef's only hope was his fall will be not long, and he can dampen the fall with positioning.

"Ahhhh!" trying to regain his control in the air, the Warrior Captain used martial arts to restore his balance and sense of direction.

"[Sense Direction]! [Aerial Manovers]!" his body glowed twice in succession. Like a gyroscope, positioning himself into the most beneficial direction, allowing Gazef to fall gracefully, inspect the place underneath him — doing aerial maneuvers all along, slicing up to fragments any possible dangers, using many falling stones as stepping stones — trying to get above the majority of the rubble.

"Fog? How odd!" stepping on a bigger falling piece, he watched the fog he speed through.

Fog awaited him down below, almost impenetrable for normal humans. But he was trained, he had techniques which can penetrate this kind of natural obstacle.

"[Enhance Vision]!" a stinging strain hit his eyes right away, but at the same moment, his vision sharpened beyond human measure, Gazef's gaze easily penetrated the fog of this volume.

"So many monsters gathered around something…" with this speed, he calculated he had a few more seconds before landing, he needed to be prepared. The first falling pieces already started to bombard those down below, causing a great commotion amongst the monsters.

"Gueeh!" many of them crushed to death right away, burying them under the rubble.

"Let's prepare!" Gazef closed his eyes, doing a fast breathing exercise that stiffened his muscles and prepared his body. Raising his already battered metal sword, the man lifted it before himself.

The weapon not made for slicing rock or any hard material, only thanks to his masterful technique it remained in one piece until now.

"[Cat's Grace]!" he hated to use this Martial Art. Not because of its limited use, but because fighting in the air, or dropping down on the enemy was not his preferred way of fighting.

Such methods better fit for ruffians, or thieves or assassins, stealthy fighters. Gazef was no such man. But if the chance offered itself, he would be a fool not to use his position the best he can, and get rid of many monsters with an aerial attack.

"[Accelerate]!" His Martial Art activated once more, speeding the man towards the group of obese creatures gathered under him, and under a moment, he flashed through the air.

"Ohhhh!"

'Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!'

With sword out, like the hammer of a wrathful god, he spun in the air, and like a small vortex, at the moment he landed, Gazef sliced the fat beings, transforming their ghastly body into sliced ham in a two-meter radius. All around rubble falling, crushing the ones dared to approach!

'Thud!'

'Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!'

It was chaos! Amidst the still falling pieces of the upper floor! The orcs and every other creature watched horrified as their fellows' fell, at least half of their body missing, like a grinder, Gazef spinning entrance cut the closes ones to mincemeat, the pressure pushing their remains farther.

"Well, it seems, this was effective enough…" he mumbled, maneuvering through the monsters, using their confusion to his advantage.

With each step, many monsters fall! He gave them no chance to regain their bearing!

"Come on!"

Gazef's gaze was rock hard, a threatening presence emerging from his body, causing even more chaos. The creatures backed, looking terrified, for long moments. Their confusion and fear freezing them!

"Ooooooo!"

This opening only opened a short window, an opportunity, Gazef used the best!

'Bamm!'

And as the last stone fell! And when the dust settled, Gazef stood triumph on a pile of monster corpses.

Like a champion who conquered numerous foes, awaiting further challengers. Ooo! And there were many before him, all around the area filled with the monsters drawn by something.

"Haaah! This is so troublesome…" Gazef said so, immensely frustrated by the trouble he found himself, again. He much more preferred if his killing intent would scare these beings away and not draw them out.

Well, but this is what life gave, and as his mother always said: "Live with what's given, Gazef. Do not be greedy." afterward sending Gazef to help his father. She was a strict but fair woman.

"Huh!" dismissing the momentary nostalgic though, the warrior captain once more raised his battered sword, a confident smirk on his face. "Bring it!"

"Guahhh!" And thus, fearless, the warrior captain charged forward, facing a small army of monsters once again.

Under all of this, the girl remained silent. Balancing between consciousness and darkness, she only saw a blur, heard many loud noises, unknown to her what's happening around.

Somehow, miraculously, all the stones avoided her broken body.

Waiting for the final strike — what despite her expectation, refused to connect and ruin her body further — she pondered: "What's happening? Is someone came to my rescue? Why is the sky thundering?"

What her still intact ears picked up was many crashes barely avoiding her frail body, and the sound of an immense battle conducted only a few meters away from her — a man taunting the monsters around.

Flesh and blood sprouted, tendon and bones torn, and the stench of the dead creatures piled around. It was unbearable, almost the worst stench she ever smelt in her life, her vomit still lingering in her throat.

From all of the information around, what she managed to filter was the fact, she still felt her whole body throb in pain. Which meant she is still alive. Barely, but alive.

Whatever happened, whoever arrived at her rescue, must be fighting a hell of a battle, against a hell of numerical superiority.

"It must be a whole group…" she thought so, expecting a whole group of people once she wakes up. After all, no man or woman alone can face such numerical superiority. Right? That's impossible.

Dragging herself through a whole floor no less, she basically alerted every monster around, drawing many enemies from this, and the lower floor in her escape.

"Do your best! Please!" she muttered, with closed eyes, her tears flowed. Too scared to die, but too weak to remain conscious.

Minutes passed, maybe hours, the girl knows it not. But suddenly, the death groan of the last enemy echoed through the misty floor.

"Guuuaaahhh!" A huge ape-like being fell, Gazef's broken sword cutting it through like a hot knife through the butter.

"Huuh! This was the last!" the warrior captain sighed, sensing no enemy around. The remained flew fled, their instinctive fear overcame their impulse to kill.

Despite the weakness of the enemy, it was an intense battle. Basically, a small army of various creatures attacked him, under the strain, even his borrowed sword broke.

"This weapon is really bad quality… I need a new one." he watched the remains of the half-broken weapon, sighing tiredly. "Albeit considering I sliced up stones. It lasted longer than I thought."

"I really need a good sleep."

Tilting his head, his neck cracked, massaging it with his crusty hand. He started to get enough from this place.

"Haaah! And when I finally thought this cannot be worse, this happened. I wonder how deep I fall…" one thing is sure; he was more lost than ever. Surely, he will spend more time here; this place was no familiar at all. Not even from Misha's explanation.

"Unfortunately, that girl only shared knowledge about the first few floors." Her intention was most likely to keep him to go deeper. After all, who would be so stupid to risk their lives, and luck with that?

"Heh! She doesn't know me. Sorry, Misha, my curiosity overcame my reason."

Unfortunately for her, Gazef was a stubborn bastard who wanted to find his way home as soon as possible.

Unfortunately for her, the small pebbles remained after the monsters of the first floors worth little to nothing compared to the amount Gazef needed to collect to pay his expenses.

This was the only way for him, pushing forward — even when his body breaks! Push forward!

"I need to sit down for a moment…" but at the moment he sat down, he felt something soft underneath him.

"Ughh…"

A groaning sound hit his ear in the next moment, turning his gaze towards the noise.

"What the… shit!"

Underneath him, a frail girl laid, edging between death and life. She wore a plain cloak, torn and heavily damaged.

"He-Help…" she muttered broken, barely alive.

"I didn't even recognize her…" standing up, he inspected her body. A young girl with raccoon ears, white skin, underneath her cloak, a simple guild borrowed leather gear she wore. Her tail half torn, almost missing completely.

"Multiple fractures, internal bleeding. She will not survive without medical care." Gazef was not a medical expert but learned how to recognize underlying injuries.

Now, as he watched the girl, he was immensely frustrated. Damning himself not being a magic caster, or carrying a poti… wait!

"That girl, Hestia! She returned the potion I lost!" rummaging through his strangely intact backpack; he recovered the purple potion. The same Hestia handed him back last night — of course, only after Bell convinced her.

"Recovery potions usually show their effect over time…" his world's recovery potions worked like that, every one of them.

He never heard about potions that immediately restored stamina, or healed an injury. They usually only accelerated recovery — in an absurd margin, he might say. If one wanted instant recovery, then they needed to use magic or items.

"Still, not even trying it?"

Gazef had to make a hard decision, leaving the girl here to die, or using the potion on her, hoping her body strong enough to survive until he finds people who can help.

"Dammit!" It was no question; he needed to help! Else, his conscience will never leave him alone.

Under his life, he learned when to accept death, and when to not. In this case, the girl can still be saved. She carried the seed of life. Leaving her here would be a simple murder.

Opening the potion, it actually smelled neutral, having not that awful herb stench the usual recovery potions carry.

"What the…!?" only after slowly making her drink, his eyes widened. Several of her more severe injuries healed before the effect dwindled, basically stabilizing her health instantly. She was still critically injured but was mostly stable. At least enough to pick her up and carry her to the exit.

"Ugghhh!" the girl opened her eyes slowly, looking at him for a moment. "Thank… you…" she only mumbled that much before falling asleep once more.

"Hmm! Sleep! You are safe now." Gazef hummed, patting her head gently.

But in the next moment, as he watched the potion dwindling effect, he felt a presence appearing on his radar — disturbing the air around.

"There is someone else here…"

All along, he used martial art to keep an eye out; sense enemies approach him behind. And now, he felt a presence that watched him. Pulling out a dagger from his belt, he raised it.

"Whoever you are, come out! I know you are here." the man shouted, but no answer came…

"Hmm!" Gazef closed his eyes, opening his senses to the fullest.

"Got you!" and in the next moment, he threw the dagger!

'Crash!' the speed, strength, and precision he threw the dagger sliced through a tree, crashing the wall in the far.

"Come out! Or the next will hit you!"

Gazef waited one second, two seconds, a whole minute — Scanning the area with his heightened senses long. Yet, no answer came, only silence ruled over the area.

"No matter…" Gazef mumbled, hearing that person rushing away hastily. "Coward bastard." with this girl still in a critical state, he had neither the mood nor time to pursue his mysterious follower.

Thus, Gazef shrugged it down, turning back to the unconscious girl; he had no time to waste for cowards.

"I need to look behind. That person might come back." there was no time to waste, he picked her up, and started to run, seeking the exit of the floor.

Maybe he didn't even suspect, but a robed figure watched him leave, hiding, using magic.

"He almost got me? How…!?" the character asked disturbed, watching his torn cloak, inspecting his skeletal hand.

This man was more and more strange. A dangerous person!

First, he left a lesser army of creatures laid sliced up and crushed — completely destroyed! Then, managed to detect him through magic, the skeletal creature almost hit by a blindly thrown dagger!

It was more than just a lucky shot! He knew the exact direction where he passed! The dagger even tore his clothes!

"Scary…" the creature in cloak shrugged, before proceeding with his investigation. He needs to make a report about this.

It didn't take long, but Gazef found a few adventurers, seeking a challenge on the tenth floor.

"This is strange, the monsters?"

"What of it?" the members of the group asked with a raised brow.

"This area used to teem with monsters, but now, they are strangely absent."

"Most likely, a group already cleared this area…"

"This early? Don't think so?" shrugged the human. "It is not likely anyone outside of a high level can clear this area. And those folks bother not with the orcs mostly present on this floor."

"Then what…?"

"Wait, something is coming!?" all prepared, expecting a horde of monsters to charge through the mist. In the end, the only one they spotted was an armored human, carrying a broken sword in his hand, a backpack on his side, a wrapped rod — which was most likely a sword — on his back. There was something else he carrying, but from this distance, it was not recognizable.

"Oh, it is just an adventurer."

"Dammit! You made me worry for a moment." snarled the Chienthrope, earning a glare from his companion.

"Hey! You! It was you who killed all the monsters on the floor?"

"Don't be ridiculous; one guy cannot possibly…!"

"Any of you know a fast way up?" Gazef asked hastily, adjusting the girl on his back.

"Wait!? Is that?"

"A person?"

"She doesn't look too good…" noted the human, inspecting the girl for a moment.

"She is heavily injured. I gave her potion, but she still needs medical attention. Any of you know a fast way up?" the man looked quite distressed, worried the girl might die before he can reach the surface.

The potion healed a few wounds on her body, but it cannot possibly heal her completely.

"What?"

The adventurers looked at each other surprised.

"Man! We just arrived on this floor! You cannot possibly say…!"

"Why can't you just go alone? The road is… well, mostly clear."

"Do I look like I have a free hand to spare?" Gazef wanted to say, glaring at the human.

True, he can simply sprint, ignoring the monsters, but there is a chance one of them might lash out and hit the girl under the way.

"I know the way. I am the fastest of my group!" the Chienthrope noted, in his eyes, the willingness to help this stranger present.

"Thank you." Gazef hummed appreciating, glad not all people are selfish, but willing to help when it is needed.

"Seriously?"

"Follow the usual tactic. I will head back as soon as I can." the dog demi-human notified his group, and they nodded at once. It was evident they had their fair share of experience fighting with, or without their companion.

"Heh! Just don't lose your way, pretty boy." the dwarf member commented, chuckling. "Don't worry; we will manage." he waved, signing them to go.

"This way!" after nodding thankful, the two men headed up, taking the shortest way to reach the surface.

"Are you sure you will be fine from now on?" the Chienthrope escort asked a little bit worried. After several hours, they reached the upper floors, navigating the main pathway where monsters were mostly cleared. A straight path led through the remaining three levels.

"I am sure, this is supposed to be the main pathway." that means it was mostly clear, the constant adventurer traffic made it that way.

"Also, I recognized this area; I will find my way back."

"Very well… in that case, I head back. By the way, what's your name?"

"You can call me Zeff. Yours?"

"Zeke, Zeke from the Artemis familia." Gazef smiled, nodded appreciating.

"In that case, Zeke, from the Artemis familia. Accept my thanks. I will make sure to pay your kindness back, in some way."

"Umu… do that." after saying their goodbye, it took some more time reaching the surface.

The walls were all familiar, bluish-colored from this floor.

Filled with adventurers proceeded deeper, or on the way up, they gave a strange glance to the man who carried what looked like the unconscious girl on his back — speeding past them like the wind the grass.

"…"

Mostly ignoring them, Gazef proceeded up, soon the man reached the main hall, then the circular stairs — which led down to the dungeon.

Under the way, he saw many boxes towed on carts, almost like cages, containing monsters.

"Wonder what they want with them?" shrugging, he decided to worry about it later, increasing his pace once more.

The bustling stairway separated the big hall that settled above the dungeon, as usual, was full. The traffic was constant, adventurers descending and ascending through the stairwell, a strange lift raising cages filled with monsters and exotic wares — only found in the dungeon.

In the crowd, Gazef cut his way through the people, basically ramming through the ones he can't avoid with his fast maneuvers, causing a smaller commotion on his way up.

"Hey! Watch it!"

"What do you think? What are you doing!?"

"What is this commotion?" a half-elf guild employee with spectacles stepped forward, adjusting her glasses strict. Her face nonetheless beautiful, but carried a stern look. She wore what seemed to be a guild attire.

"This folk just charged through me!" complained an adventurer, slowly getting up to his feet.

It was evident; he was offended by Gazef, simply stepping him through on his way out.

"I apologize for the commotion I caused, but if she didn't receive medical attention immediately, she would die!" Gazef felt the raccoon girl's breath increased, just like her body temperature. It may sign the fact she is in a critical state.

"Let me see her…" the half-elf with spectacles walked near Gazef, checking the girl. "Hmm, indeed. She needs medical attention immediately. This way, I lead you to the infirmary."

Gazef was surprised this place has an infirmary. But considering things, it maybe was not that surprising. The dungeon was a dangerous place; it was only natural they build the infirmary in the same tower underneath the "jail" settles.

"Follow me!"

Thus, Gazef followed the guild employee, leading him to the infirmary.

Around half-hour passed, and the same guild girl returned from the chamber where the doctors still nursed the girl. Gazef gave her a look, his arms crossed above his chest while leaned against a wall.

"How is she? Is she…?"

"She will be fine. Her injuries, though, were critical. The responsible staff managed to stabilize her. Now, I need a few pieces of information from you. First, which floor were you passing? What happened?"

"I don't know which floor it was," he admitted, his first mistake since arriving back from that place.

"How so?" the elf raised her brow, watching strange the man.

"The ground collapsed under my feet, and I fall below. Finding this girl surrounded by a bunch of different monsters when I landed."

"You know this sounds quite unlikely…" the girl who just introduced herself previously as Eina sweatdropped, looking at Gazef as he would be some pervert. It was evident, falling through the floor was hazardous, only high ranked adventurers could survive such endeavor and live to tell the tale.

"Th-that's the truth!" the man can only shutter for a moment, seeing that strange gaze of the girl.

"So, what was the outline of the floor? From that, I can tell you which floor you fall at least."

"A misty place with withered trees. Full with obese greenish creatures."

"I see, so it is the tenth to the twelfth floor. Hmm, I see, the floor you fall from?"

"Umm, I am not sure?"

Eina started to tick; this man was impossible. Not even knowing where he fell from? Is he an idiot?

"How come you don't know?" she wanted to sigh really hard. One thing losing oneself in a floor, but not knowing which floor they were? That's an entirely new thing. She met her fair share of puzzled adventurers, but this? She hardly met someone of this caliber.

"Sorry, I was so immersed delving the dungeon, I completely lost my sense of depth and direction."

This was a terrible excuse, Gazef was well aware. But being it was also the truth, it was not entirely a lie.

"But considering I saw no other floors while falling, it must be the ninth floor I fell from," he concluded, earning a hum from the half-elf employee.

"I see. Hmm, interesting. It never happened before…" Eina was in deep thought, almost like she trying to recall any similar accident that happened in the past.

"Are you saying no similar case happened before?" this, of course, earned a sharp gaze from Gazef, finding it strange it happened with him, and not with others.

"Yes, it happened before. But not on the early floors. The ground in a few places weaker on the lower floors. But on the upper ones? I never heard it happened before. Now then, as we know this, what's your name and which familia you belong?" she needed this data so the guild can seek him out later if they have any more questions.

"You can call me Zeff, as for familia…" but before he could continue his introduction, Eina stopped him, blinking surprised.

"Wait! Are you the Zeff, who Misha advise?"

"Oh! So you know, Misha?" well, it was apparent. Both girls wore the usual guild uniform, a form-fitting attire. Of course, they know each other!

"Hmm…" it was like she inspected him thoroughly. "I see, she described you quite well. But she didn't say you were so…" Eina blushed for a moment, before hiding her embarrassment behind a cough.

"So?" Gazef raised his brow, only suspecting what the girl meant to say.

"Disregard what I said…" she cleared her throat, slightly blushing. "Anyway. That girl worried about you. According to her, you didn't show up on the last day. After you finished here, check her out!" she adjusted her glasses, this girl offered a commanding presence, her expression and demeanor seriously made Gazef remember one of his drill Sergeant from his youth.

"Ye-Yes, Ma'am!"

"Good, now, let's continue…"

The girl continued her questions for a few more minutes, all along pressuring poor Gazef with that relentless stare. In the end, he was glad he managed to leave that tower behind.


Flashback end:

"WHAT DID YOU DO!?" At the moment, Gazef finished recounting his tale — sparing a few, not so satisfactory details and scenes that may cause a stroke to his already fuming advisor — the usually lively, kind, and accepting Misha burst out like a volcano. The girl basically gnawed on her fingers due to her stress.

"Ehh… adventured deeper?" he asked, not so daring, suspecting the reason behind the girl's furious state.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I told you! Do not go deep! Are you an idiot, or what!?" Misha hit the table with her palm, making Gazef flinch for a moment.

"I am really sorry!" even if the monsters were not challenging at all, Gazef felt himself horrible defying the pink-haired girl. More so, finding her so disturbed, the warrior captain can't help but stand up and bow apologizing.

"Haaah! What to do with you…?" Misha sat back to her seat, resting her fingers on her forehead. Now, she looked immensely exhausted.

"It helps if I apologize once more?"

"No!" came the answer right away, Gazef earned an even more menacing glare.

Currently, the two of them inhabited a meeting room used for discussion between adventurers and their advisors.

"I thought you died, not reporting a whole day…" she muttered, her furious face now transitioned to mirror her sadness and worry.

"Please accept my apology. I lost my way…" this was one of the reason, the other reason was Gazef's curiosity.

"Ju-Just, don't do it again, ok? It is wrong enough you went that deep despite my advice. You dying would just burden me with further paperwork." she turned her head away, blushing. She was both embarrassed and angry. Yes, Gazef knew that expression, he saw it many times over.

"Women used to do this when they are angry, but also worried about someone." the scolding and sometimes swearing was also part of their game — raising the remorse of men, and who they love not to do dangerous things again.

"Yes, many of them used this to manipulate people too."

But now, considering things, it felt good someone truly worried about him. It filled Gazef with the will to live, survive, fight, and see them tomorrow.

"In the royal court, not many showed me such care… amongst them, his majesty." Yes, surrounded by two-faced people, in the royal court, the only ones truly cared about him were the king and a few more people. The nobles usually dismissed his presence, or watched him scornfully, feeling even being near the king was too much to tolerate.

"I do my best…" he nodded, earning a shrug and a sight from the girl.

"Why me…?" Misha grabbed her head, almost sobbing.

Gazef now really felt himself miserable; not only he defied the girl's request, he even disappeared for more than a whole day.

He felt, no excuse can save him from this situation.

"By the way, is it normal a recovery potion to heal instantly?"

"Huh? Yes, why?"

"Hmm, nothing… just curious." Gazef mumbled, finding this place more and more strange.

First, this city and the endless looking labyrinth — with all its weirdness — under it. Then, the recovery potion which heals instantly.

"In the Re-Estize Kingdom and the surrounding countries, for such potion, many would kill…" Not speaking the uproar of churches. Healing illness and severe injury instantly used to be their task, gaining a significant number of followers and money offering their healing services.

"If any of them would get know of this, they immediately request the king's aid to arrest those people…" yes, it would be enough to threaten the nobles and the king with the withdrawal of their support, and they would answer the call of the church without hesitation.

Many kinds of healing magic existed, from nature-based entirely to divine classification. Amongst these types, divine magic casters were the most numerous amongst healers — mostly trained and employed by churches.

If suddenly, the church refuses to offer healing services, not only the common folk, but the whole country will suffer the backlash. In war — where numerous divine magic caster supported the backlines with their miracles, this could lead an innumerable amount of losses.

The injured simply die because the only remained method to heal them would be potions, surgery, and the few remained healers not work for the church.

"So, Zeff-san! Please be more considerate next time. Even if you are strong, if you don't know the outline of the floors from the heart, you will get lost! Worse! You can die by just accident!"

"And who's a fault not giving me a map to the floors above the 5th?" Misha thought this would hold him back to explore. Well, she was wrong, oh, very wrong!

"Is there any way to accelerate the process to proceed through the floors?" the first few floors were a joke according to Gazef, even an appropriately trained and cautious soldier can get through. Soldiers trained by him and served in his unit could proceed even deeper. Alone if necessary.

"Haaah! Are you serious!?" just now, she scolded him not to proceed deeper! And the man right away requested more challenges?

"Is he a moron, or what!?" she seriously considered this option.

Misha can't help but grind her teeth loud. Yet, seeing that face, that expression he watched her, she can't help but sight defeated.

"Haaah! If you want to die so bad, at least hire a supporter, or join a team. They most likely know better the outline, and also solve the problem of collecting stones."

"I appreciate your advice…"

"Yet you didn't seem to take them to your hearth…" the girl mumbled, earning an apologetic nod from the man.

"I am very sorry…"

"Whatever! If you want to go so bad, at least I insist you learn the outline of each floor! That knowledge alone can separate life and death! And find yourself a group, dammit! Or at least a supporter — as soon as you can! They are basically everywhere! Just visit a popular inn, and announce you want to join someone. Or simply put up a request in the guild's board! With your stature, I am sure they will accept you! Even if you not from their familia, people surely consider hiring your services!"

Yeah, she mentioned earlier. Familia members stick together, not likely accepting outsiders in their group.

"Just like different mercenary groups. They like not to work with each other. Mostly thanks to the distrust, they feed towards each other."

"So, this is everything you wanted. Can we start our today's lesson?"

"I have one more question if you allow me."

The girl blinked, nodding. "What is it?"

"On my way up, I saw huge crates, filled with what I saw monsters. Why does your guild need them? If you allow me to ask?"

"Oh, that!" Misha, right away knew what the man spoke about. "Those are monsters for the yearly Monster Feria."

"Monster, Feria?" Gazef raised a brow, never heard about such a festival before.

"Mmmm! It is a yearly festival mostly organized by the Ganesha Familia — with the help of the guild, of course," she added.

"I see, and what's it is about?"

"Basically, the Ganesha Familia captures untamed monsters from the dungeon, bring them to the surface, and tame them before the crowd. It is connected to a big festival, organized mostly around the Colisseum of Orario."

"I see… so it is a simple circus." Gazef heard about similar events organized in the different arenas of the Baharuth Empire, sending captured monsters and beast against fighters. It was a barbarous custom to entertain the masses.

"It is more than just a simple circus!" Misha said so, puffing her chest proud. "This event, for long years, organized in this city. People from the whole world come to witness it!"

"So, this Ganesha familia tame monsters?"

"Basically, they are an adventurer type familia. But being they are one of the biggest familia of Orario with the most members. They perform numerous other tasks, such as helping the guild out with restoration projects. If you want, I can request an audition with their god. Just be aware, he is a bit… eccentric." yes, she remembered a meeting with the man.

"I am Ganesha!" even remembering it, she can't help but shudder.

"Fufufu… I pass, but thank you."

"Why I had the feeling you will answer this." Misha just sighed, expecting his answer.

However, speaking about Ganesha and restoration work, a case, she wanted to ask about came to her mind. A claim, connected to a certain trickster goddess who already paid her a visit.

"Speaking about restoration. Do you accidentally know something about a brawl before the inn, Hostess of Fertility? Between a level 5 adventurer, called Bete Loga, and an "unknown" adventurer accidentally called Zeff? Just like you?"

The girl forced a smile. Hoping, praying whatever deity listening to her that her foreboding not come to true, and her new client does not cause any more trouble. Praying, it was a different handsome man with the same characteristic, and name that caused the commotion.

She prayed that this is all a misunderstanding, a coincidence. That, in their drunken stupor, the people around misjudged the appearance of the man, mixing it with Zeff.

In all honesty, she was on the verge of a breakdown. Hear heart cannot really take more. First, Loki paying her a visit, then this! She cannot take any more.

"Please, I beg you! Say it was not you!" she prayed in her heart, gulping hard.

"Hmm…" Gazef contemplated for a moment, lowering his head with crossed arms. "I may have a prattle with a kid in the same inn. Nothing serious, just a little sparring match to smoothen our differences."

'Crack!' All her hopes in vain, her world shattered, hearing the man's words.

"Is something wrong?"

Gazef looked up, seeing as Misha trembling, her fingers cramping, cracked the wooden placemat she held her notes on. Her closed eyes tick, a forced smile mixing anger and disbelief on her face.

"He saying… a little sparring match? A little sparring match…!? He asked: Is something wrong?" like an imbecile, a person who lost her mind, she mumbled. "Is something wrong, he asking…?"

"Miss Misha, are you alright?" Gazef asked, worried, shaking the girl's shoulder gently a few times.

"Beating Bete Loga… and he says, sparring match? And he asks, is something wrong?"

"I…"

"ARE YOU AN IDIOT!?" the sudden shout surprised Gazef, making him blink a few times.

"Excuse you?"

"EXCUSE YOU!? BEATING ONE OF THE TOP LEVEL 5 FROM ONE OF THE STRONGEST FAMILIA IN THE WHOLE CITY AND "EXCUSE YOU!?" she shouted, once more, her rage bubbled like a volcano.

"First, falling a whole floor and surviving. Then, this!? Beating almost comatose a top adventurer from the Loki Familia no less? Leaving me into this mess?! AND YOU ASK: IS SOMETHING WRONG!?" she can't take it anymore, the girl fell back on the couch, and like melted cheese slumped in the cushioned pillows. Her heart can't take any more.

"Just who are you… Zeff-san. Just who are you…?"

"Eh… as said, my name is…"

"I know what your damn name is!" she interrupted him, grabbing a snack from the nearby table and biting from it.

The outside of the freshly baked croissant broke under her teeth, her eyes filled with a dangerous light. She continued to stuff the delicious food, until only a few remained, using both of her hands to help.

"See what you have done?! My stress eating returned!" 'Crunch!' 'Gnaw! Gnaw! Gnaw!'

"Eh, but…"

"No buts!" she pointed the half-eaten snack against the man, like a sword, if Gazef would say anything more, he was sure, she would skewer him with the dessert.

"One should not raise a woman's ire and wrath." he knows it too well, his youth filled with such stories.

"Now then…" she sat down, stuffing down the croissant, reaching for another one. "You will tell me everything that happened. Step by step. Starting with the night when you encountered with the Loki familia, to your return to the surface."

Oh boy! She won't know what she asked for. This will be a hell of a story!

"I feel this can't end well for me…" Gazef already felt this would not end well for him.

"Very well…" but nonetheless, he was up to the challenge.


Scene Change: Night: Party of the gods:

A bright moon floats above the curtain of darkness that has fallen over the land. The moonlit forest is alive with the sounds of owls and rustling leaves.

These sounds ride the breeze and spread out over a vast plain to merge with chirping birds and swishing grasses. They flow together in a chorus of nature until the sounds hit one sudden change in the landscape.

A humongous wall!

Big, thick, and sturdy, the edge of the city may as well be a castle wall.

The protective wall is constructed entirely out of stone. The curtain of night is pushed aside as light spreads through the city. The voices of nature outside the fence are drowned out by the faint sound of the city's nightlife.

The Labyrinth City, Orario.

This city is one of the few cities that existed since ancient times, even before the arrival of the gods. However, it is the only city that bears the title "Labyrinth City."

The wall forms a perfect circle, encasing the metropolis in stone. Relatively tall towers and buildings stick up just inside the edges of the wall. Shorter buildings are toward the center. Hundreds of magic stone lamps light this stone behemoth. It is as if a sea of stars came down from the sky to live in a stone castle.

Yet, compared to the tower in the very center of Orario, it is all dwarfed. Almost looks meaningless under the humongous tower stony gaze — the tower, which was tall enough to pierce the very clouds.

The tallest tower in the city, its size strikes and imposing shadows over the town below, filling both citizens and travelers with awe.

The tower — called Babel — which stationed directly over the dungeon served as a plug or a tap. Blocking the unwanted residents of the abyss to come up, but allowing people to adventure deep, then return through the same way.

With Babel at its core, the image of Orario has spread far and wide around the world. More adventurers call Orario as a home than any other city or country. This is the place, more precisely, the dungeon, where the ancestors of all monsters sprouted to life and scattered around the world.

Due to this, many refer to these mysterious depths as one of the three colossal mysteries of the world, ever seeking the immense "unknown" that sleeps within the deepest part of the Dungeon.

A mystery that draws many adventurers to the depths, seeking fortune or fame. Motivated either by greed — which this infinite source of wealth hides. Or glory — becoming immortalized by tales, through heroic acts, slaying the dangerous creatures the place hides.

As for why it is called "Labyrinth City"? Despite many tales and theories, adventurers had nothing to do with the naming… it was all on the gods.

The name was given by the gods who lived there. On a whim, one day to the other, they decided it is a fitting name. Thinking, the title makes the city more interesting. And soon, Orario became known far and wide.

The excitement of the unknown! The promise of challenge and wealth, a chance to attain glory, and above all, notoriety, draws in more and more people every year.

Among the newcomers, there may even be a few who came here merely for fun and fated meeting. Yet, if one sought enough, they could even find people who have a steady mission in mind. People who are not here to seek wealth, neither glory nor notoriety, but searched something… something that may bring all three, through hardship, and ambition, they can gain them all!

Because of all of this, the city often called: "The most passionate city in the world."

In a specific part of the town, people gathered in high numbers.

"Yo! How are you doing?"

"Eeeh! Long-time! How long has it been?"

"About four hundred years, I reckon."

"Ohoh! That long? You've changed quite a lot since then!

As one may surmise, these people were gods and goddesses who came to Gekai looking for entertainment. They came to the passionate city, Orario, seeking the "unknown" even more than the adventurers.

Just now, many of them gathered in a specific part of the city.

This was quite odd, as it was rare from them to gather in such numbers.

All are heading towards a particular building, watching the strange structure with either disgust, amusement, or turning their head away in shame.

"Ahhh! Ganesha-san, why?" one of them mumbled, sighing confused.

Before them, an overly extravagant building stood over the group of overly extravagant gods assembling in the street.

Standing among the lights, amongst the well-built buildings of Orario, this "thing" was just plain weird. It was so out of place; it was almost mysterious.

It was a building, built to resemble a massive, thirty meter, human-shaped statue with an elephant's head sitting cross-legged in the middle of the city block. A stone wall surrounded the base of the building.

This building sat proudly, puffing out its chest. It was famous for inspiring a sense of wonder and uneasiness within anyone who saw it. From many angles, magic stone lamps lit up the whole building, highlighting it even more amongst the "greyness" of the simple structures of the city.

It would be no surprise saying this building had a history.

The builder of this strange building was an eccentric dark-skinned god; his name was Ganesha. If you asked anyone what was in his mind when he built this "thing", not even the members of his Familia, or his fellow gods could answer that question.

This statue — which also served as the base of his familia — built by burning through his Familia's hard earned savings.

Unfortunately, outside of the man himself, no one liked this monstrosity, not even his own children. Most of them teared up a bit as they went in and out, thinking how their hard work had gone into smoke, paying for this "thing." Worse, the entrance to the building was in the crotch of the statue!

"Haah! Ganesha goes all out again."

"You know him…"

"Yeah, he is the same. No matter Tenkai or Gekai."

Under no time, the building was filled with richly clothed people — all of them extremely beautiful and charming; their beauty was divine.

Almost all of them answered the call, coming to the "Celebration of the Gods."

A large party put on by a god for other gods living on Gekai. There were no rules about who hosted and who attended. It was simply hosted by the god who wanted to throw a party and attended by gods who wanted to come.

Typically, it was only done by gods who wanted to show their wealth or had a second, shadier intention.

Most gods would make sure to no enemy gods enter their territory, fearing they might spot something they wanted. In Ganesha's case, however, the reason was different. He just loved parties! He loved to be around people! That's it! He had no shady intentions! He just loved parties!

"Everyone! Thank you for coming today! I am Ganesha! I am overjoyed the attendance of this Celebration! I love you all! I have a small announcement to make: The yearly festival put on by my Familia is only three days away! Please encourage your Familias to attend!"

Wearing an elephant mask, Ganesha welcomed his guests from the top of the stage in the middle of the hall. A welcome, and an announcement the gods largely ignored, simply continuing their chat.

"Oh! Didn't you heard?"

"No! What? Tell me! Tell me!"

The hall was only lightly decorated, compared to the extreme outside of the place, it was entirely out of the norm. A band sat behind the stage, playing calm melodic music.

Around the long tables, deities gathered, using the opportunity to eat from the delicious food served in a standing buffet style. The scent was mouthwatering; even the most stubborn deity can't ignore the free food.

Just for tonight, almost all the deities in Orario attended, filling the great hall to brim with gods and goddesses.

Amongst them, a certain deity with a twin tail and excessive black hair, and a small goddess with yellow eyes, and childlike complexion was also present. If you watched the two more profoundly, you recognized early on; they were the only ones not wearing lavish clothing. But the redesign of their usual clothes, trying to make them look more formal.

"Tch! That idiot Hestia. Is she lost all her dignity?" Toth almost snarled, when Hestia recognized her. With a full mouth that looked like a hamster, waving at her.

"Hewooo Toth-chan!"

"Tch!"

The short, dark-skinned goddess just snorted, grabbing a plate and showing its content in her handbag.

She had no particular problem with Hestia. She was just… too lively for her taste. Invaded her personal space whenever she wanted or not.

"Even in Tenkai, she always hugged me without asking permission! Calling me cute!" she hated it! She hated it when people treated her like a mascot!

"No! Don't come here!" she pleaded deep inside, already feeling as she suffocates her with her oversized chest, then pinch her cheek painfully — pulling her cheeks like a living taffy.

"Please!"

Hestia was on to approach her when a second goddess took her attention. A red-haired goddess with sharp features and eyepatch. She was nonetheless beautiful, but that eyepatch… many glanced at it first before looking at the woman itself.

"I am saved!" Toth didn't hesitate, she grabbed a plate of food from the edge of the table, and disappeared under the tablecloth. Fortunately, Hestia lost her, saving her from the torture people made her endure.

"Ahhh! Finally, peace!" Toth sighed, relieved, finally free the repressive presence of the numerous gods and goddesses around.

She hated this place, only coming here due to three reasons.

"Why I even mentioned?" she groaned deep inside, remembering her colossal first mistake.

She only mentioned once, but her only two children bugged her to come until she said "yes." Pressuring she needs to go out, separate herself from her books, try to be a little bit open.

It was no surprise; she was an introvert. Even she knows that! Only tolerating a few people for long, passionately hating crowded places.

"Of course, the chance of free food not to be dismissed…"

Yes, this was her second reason coming. Her familia was dirt poor. Barely managing to stay afloat. If she can rip off a wealthy familia, then she will do so. Gladly rob that annoying Ganesha!

"Ganesha wouldn't mind it anyway…" she knows Ganesha only for a few hundred years. But she already disliked his lively personality.

According to a standard of a god, this was very little time. Yet, under this time she learned to avoid the man whenever it was possible. He was just too friendly and weird for her taste.

"Why he even needs to introduce all the time? It is weird! I already know his name!" his eccentric personality was the complete opposite of her own introvert one, making her feel uncomfortable anywhere near him.

"I think I am not alone with this…" she was partly right saying this. "I want to go home!" she sniffed miserably, already missing her dusty books and maps.

She would be rather home, reading, or writing her notes. Yes, indeed. One or two people, she tolerated. A whole bunch of them, she was insecure! She hated the crowd! It made her nauseous, sending her head spinning.

"Not speaking many of these people just plain morons…" yes, she heard what they whispered behind her back, mocking her either because of her childish appearance or because of her introvert personality. She had very few friends who understand her problem. Treating her like a damn mascot!

"I HATE IT!"

And with this, we already reached the third reason her being here. She came because of one person — her best friend who helped her out in a time of need.

"Hopefully, he will help me again." yet, considering how much she owes him. How much she pressured their friendship when she first arrived Gekai, she was not sure how much the man would tolerate before abandoning her.

"…" peeking out from her hiding, she scanned the people, seeking one person before retreating in her safe place once again.

"Huuh!" she had no luck, spotting not the person she came to see.

"Well, no matter, try it later! Let's see…" putting down a book before herself, she started to eat the stolen food, not even recognizing for a moment as a hand raised the tablecloth, peeking underneath.

"Eh, miss? Do you need anything to drink? Why not come out? I am sure, many gods and goddesses want to meet you." the nearby waiter watched her uneasily, with a forced smile, peeking under the tablecloth.

He was a member of the Ganesha familia, serving as waiter tonight. After experiencing the weirdness of his god, he long ago got accustomed to the strange behaviors of a few gods and goddesses around. It was no strange at all for now!

"No! Get lost! Shhh!" like a hungry predator, she hissed, her glare made the man leave with tearful eyes.

"Eiii!" the man left, running away after witnessing the glowing pair of eyes under the table.

"Hehe… better leave. Jerk! Disturbing my reading…"

She was protective when it comes to food. She hated to go outside! One may say she was a complete introvert! Only a few people she tolerated for long.

"Finally! This will be enough for a few minutes!" she was calm, finally assured, no one will disturb her alone time. Her food will last for a while; she only needs to peek out from her hiding place, search for that certain person.

However, she didn't expect one thing…

"You know, it was entirely unnecessary."

"Hai!" hearing the voice from her side, Toth right away jumped up. 'Thud!' just to grab her head in the next moment, her nob is connecting hard with the table above her.

"Huh?" Many gods and goddesses watched surprised the jump of the table, just to a moment later return their usual chatter. Ignoring the strange furniture.

"I hate when you do this!" she whimpered, massaging her throbbing head, her eyes teared up.

"It never gets old…" the man on her side, sitting underneath the table, flashed a smirk. "Little Toth…"

He was a quite lean and tall man with brown skin similar to hers. His head bald, using a considerable amount of black eyeliner around his orange eyes. Like two suns, they glowed. Yet, despite his fiery eyes, his face carried gentle features, mixing boyish charm and bold angular shapes — a characteristic that gave his face a mysterious appearance.

On his chin, a small goatee peeked.

"Ho-How, did you found me?!" she shuttered, looking all embarrassed.

Unlike Toth, who only wore her usual attire a little bit modified — a top and a longer skirt — the man on her side had a certain style. Wearing an elaborate gown in Egyptian style, made from the best materials one can buy for coins.

A White and golden lined attire that completely fits his athletic body. Compared to her, he indeed looked like a proper deity.

"I know you too well. My little mascot…" he brushed her mid-long bob cut hair, messing it up slightly.

Yes, he was a man of high standing. His familia quite prominent, mixing exploration and other odd jobs, having a connection not only in Orario but all around the world. Indeed, this man was a natural leader. Yet, only his base stationed in the town, their operations mainly conducted outside in the wide world.

"Uggghhh! You know I hate it when you call me like that!" Toth pouted, looking away, blushing.

"Of course, I am. That's why am I doing it. My little companion." his chuckle was almost like he mocked her, this earned an even bigger pout and defiant expression from Toth.

"You meanie! Meanie! Meanie! Meanie! I hate you! I hate you!" she hit the man, like a small child in a tantrum. Yet, compared to the lean but nonetheless muscled deity, she looked quite insignificant. The man most likely didn't even felt her small fists.

"So, hiding from others?"

"N-No! I-I just wanted some calm! That's it!" she shuttered, quite embarrassed her secret comes to light so quickly.

"Just asking…" the tanned figure chuckled. "How you manage, by the way. Is your shop still stands? Have you managed to recruit someone? Since months we didn't speak. You look scrawny, as always. Did you even eat?" the man's questions rained, poking her flat stomach.

"Ughhh!" this, of course, greatly embarrassed the small girl. "Stop it!"

"Hahahaha! Just as expected! You are the same introvert I know! I am glad you didn't change! Still, aren't it would be better to go out? Just a little bit? So we can converse normally. I feel quite unnerved sitting here. It is dark…"

"Too many people out there…" she pulled her legs in her hug, paling slightly, thinking all those people out there. "Too many… scary…"

"Look, if you don't even try. It will not get better…"

"I want my safe place…" she mumbled, her expression like of a dead fish.

"Haah! I give up!" the man shook his head. "At least answer my question. How do you manage?"

"We are doing fine… I managed to recruit two children." she drew circles on the marble floor, her tone flat all along.

"Just doing fine? And two children, you say? That's nice! Tell me about them! I am curious!" seeing her state of being; the man can't just let his friend alone with her problems. Her state of mind was somewhat questionable, that's why he can't just leave her alone!

"Under the passing months, I only managed to gain two members. The people barely visit my shop. We barely stay afloat…" she admitted the hard facts, and hearing this, made her friend's expression soften.

"You know you can count on me. If you need money…"

"No!" she snapped at him. "I made a promise; I intend to keep. I-I don't want to burden you anymore. You always help when I ask… I already strained our friendship enough."

"I see…" he lowered his head, accepting his friend's decision, appreciating her willingness to stand on her own feet.

"Still…" she played with her fingers, circling them around each other.

"So, there is something? Just say, I am sure we can solve it."

"I am not sure how to put it, and I promised I would pay back everything on time! But I need a favor! The request of one of my clients, currently I can't fulfill myself."

"Oh! What request the mighty goddess of knowledge and magic can't fulfill?" the god teased her, earning a glare.

"Idiot! Would you just be serious for a moment?!"

The Egyptian god raised his brow, waiting for an explanation. His previous joking behavior disappeared. "I am listening. What do you need? But as you promised, make sure it worth my time."

The girl gulped, nodding. "I need a world map. One which not only contains different continents but the countries on them. The freshest version. As well, I require your connections to search for certain countries; even I don't heard about."

"You ask much. You know it will cost you dearly. Also, aren't it would be easier to ask Freya or even Loki. Their connections are better than mine. You can get what you want easier from them."

"I don't want to speak with them." she snarled, visibly disgusted by the mere mentions of these two. "One is a slut; the second is a battle maniac trickster! Just as in Tenkai, just as in Gekai."

"You know, they are changed. Loki, for example, much calmer, fewer times get in trouble. Remember, in the past; she battled whenever she can. Killing many gods who get in her way…" the man on Toth's side lowered his head, remembering her like that. "The children changed her. Made her calmer and more accepting. For good, I might say." yes, he spoke with her not long ago. She is more bearable than up there.

"Yeah… I suppose." at least, she didn't hear Loki herself battling against anyone. Her children, maybe. But the goddess herself? Toth knows not about such thing since she descended.

"Of course, I live secluded. But my children used to tell their day and what happens in the city…"

"So, a world map and access to knowledge. I see what I can do. But I expect you to pay back what you owe."

"I know… don't worry! Toth always pays her debts!"

"Visit my residence as soon as you can, and we can flesh out the details. Possibly bring that customer if you don't mind. I am curious about what kind of person requests such… unusual thing."

"Ok…" she mumbled, already depressed how much this will cost her.

"I wouldn't expect less!" the man beamed suspicious, and small Toth already suspected. The first part of her debt will be paid now!

"Eiii! Stop! No!"

"You can start paying now! Stop sulking! The night is still young, and you need to get out of that depression! Enjoy the party!" the light of a prankster lit in the man's eyes, grabbing her arm and pulling her.

"Wha…!? Nooo! Don't do it!" but before she could react, the god pulled her out from her hiding, exposing her to the whole world.

"NOOOO! MY SAFE PLACE! RA! YOU BULLY!" thus, the god named Ra dragged her out from the "safe place," showing her to the world.

That night, little Toth started to pay her debt, doing what she hated the most. Accompanying Ra, and answering her fellow deities' annoying questions. Experiencing her horror once again, treated as a mascot, patted on the head, her cheeks pulled until they went numb.

"I hate you so much…!" she massaged her face, feeling them not anymore.

"I know!" the man just smiled, accompanying her friend with a wide smirk.

That night, the introvert goddess forced to the light.

Meanwhile, underneath the guild, occupying a hidden room, a figure sat in his throne, meditating, his face shadowed by his hood. Only his long white hair that peeked out from the shadows.

"Fels, you returned." in the next moment, like waking up from his slumber, the man on the throne raised his head. The dimly lit torchlight giving a glimpse of his face. He was an elderly man, with a wrinkled face, his blue eyes piercing.

"Yes…" the second robed figure — wearing a dark robe — nodded, stopping a few steps away from the throne.

His voice was strange, almost like it was generated through artificial means — mixing many characteristics and gender.

"What did you find? Did you managed to know something?"

"The situation… is a little bit more complicated than we first thought." the creature named Fels raised the sleeve of his torn robe, revealing his skeletal hand — and the missing part of his cloth — torn by something approaching with great speed.

"…"

Seeing this, the one on the throne raised his brow. "Tell me more…"

Who is this mysterious duo? What do they want? It will come to light in the future!


A/N:

Well, that's it!

I hope it was enjoyable!

Sorry for the delay, hopefully, the long chapters make up for the wait!

If you have questions, review, or send a PM, I try to answer your questions as soon as I can.

RNR!

Be safe!

Good day! Good night! Goodbye! Have fun! Sail safe!

Until next time!

Codex:

[Enhance Vision]: Martial Art increases the sharpness of eyes, increases eyesight greatly. Able to penetrate liquid or gas. The greater version are even able to see the outline of the enemy behind solid objects. Greatly strain the eyes, overuse may cause partial or temporal blindness.

[Sense Direction]: Helps the user to find its position in space.

[Aerial Manovers]: Helps the user to regain their balance in the air, making it possible to control the body and make otherwise impossible moves in the air.

[Cat's Grace]: Reduces fall damage, making the user able to land soft, only works for certain heights.

[Accelerate]: Accelerates the body towards the direction it's heading, increases the work of nerves, lowers the control over movement.