Danmachi Emerald Version

Chapter 9

Evilus part 3


A/N:

Narration

"Talk"

Monologue

*sfx*


Dungeon, 18th floor, forest

"Lost again,"

"And who's fault do you think that we're lost?"

As I look at the dark and unfamiliar surroundings, I said to myself my current status and walking beside me who made the rebuttal is Ms. Lefiya.

This started after I got my clothes back. Following Ms. Lefiya who walks past me, I accidentally trip and clung to her body for support. That in itself is no problem until I felt a soft sensation on my right hand. Fearing the worst, I ran into the forest as Ms. Lefiya chase after me.

Though going into the forest when it is about to go dark is foolish when I could run back in the camp but I feel like I'll be executed on the spot if they learn what happened. This incident would probably be the last straw to break the camel's back. I'm already on a tight rope after what happened earlier and the forest seems to be the safest place for me back then.

Thus I flee into the forest. Unlike earlier, Ms. Lefiya opts to chase me rather than fry me with her magic.

Just where did she get that extra strength from?

I thought after seeing her closing in.

Somehow, the speed of Ms. Lefiya was frightening. I manage to outrun her when I was a level 1 adventurer before. You would think I can do it more than ever now that I gain a level but she manages to nearly catch up to me.

Nevertheless, I was still a few feet away from her. After a few minutes more of chase, I stop from my tracks after sensing she stop pursuing me. When I look back, I saw her look around and from the little illumination of the lamp she carries, I saw her troubled expression which tells me one thing.

neither of us knew the way back

With that in my, I approach and we started walking side by side until I noticed the very same tree that I mark while walking. Which only means that we walked in circle and had return back to this spot.

"Ahahahaha..." with how she accuses me, I can only offer a burst of dry laughter.

"Seriously, what is wrong with you running deep in the forest?"

"Well, If I didn't run, I'm dead," I tried to explain my situation from a logical standpoint. "If I ran back to the camp, your familia members will likely kill me. This is the only route available back then."

"Just what kind of savage do you think of me?"

A very wild forest fairy.

Not that I can say that out loud.

"Besides, I learned some healing spells from Ms. Riveria so I can heal your injuries if you just stand there and let me beat you half to death.

Half to death, she really said it! But learned magic from Ms. Riveria? Is that even possible?

"That sounds painful so I'll pass on that, ahahaha..." I answer followed by nervous laughter.

"Gaaaah! you're so irritating," Ms. Lefiya exploded in anger as she points a finger at me with an accusing look. "Stop acting like a goody two-shoe. Why don't you say what is in your mind? It's my fault that we are lost? can you even defend yourself?"

Hmmm... no matter what I say or do, it always seems to anger Ms. Lefiya for some reason.

"I can say that but what is the point?" which is why I decided to answer her directly and honestly.

"What?!"

"If that didn't happen, Ms. Lefiya would have not chased me," I explained. "And besides, putting all the blame on you is not fair as I share half of the blame in this." No matter how much I want to twist the events, I was also responsible for half of it. It's not like I want to please others but rather I want to avoid unnecessary conflict. "What is more important now is for us to keep a calm and collected mind to think of a way to get out of this forest."

What happened to us now is similar to what had happened after the pass parade. Every second matter and blaming someone won't help save us from our situation. Right now, I need to keep a calm and collected mind to assess the situation carefully but I really have nothing in me at this point.

"This is why you are so irritating!" Ms. Lefiya bark back. "Is this how you got Ms. Ais to train you? By abusing her kindness and getting on her good side?"

Ms. Ais? why did she involve Ms. Ais in this conversation I wonder.

"Do you know how fortunate you are that Ms. Ais trained you?" Ms. Lefiya continues. "Not even us from the same familia ever receive personal training from her! How the beautiful and strong Sword Princess trained a deceitful rabbit like you from a no-name familia in the dumps is beyond insulting!

Ms. Lefiya continues to pour out all of her bottled-up resentments from me.

"you monopolize her time..."

Starting from the whole day training we had before their expedition.

"She took care of you..."

Her nursing us. Us and not just me but I doubt she will even consider my explanation.

"You got to go on a date with her in Rivira..."

Goddess, Lord Hermes, Ms. Asfi, Ms. Tiona, and Ms. Tione we're with us so I can't call it a date but we did hang out there for a bit.

"You even got guidance from Lady Riveria. Do you even know how envious it is to be on the receiving end of it? And you're not even a member of our familia!"

Her anger, resentment, and jealousy, I took it all in. In all likelihood, those are most likely the same as the resentment of the other familia members had the moment I walked out of their tent. I know arguing is pointless at this point so I keep it in. Yet if one thing I can't ignore is that how she belittles Goddess and the familia she made.

"To top it off, you even saw her naked!"

Upon hearing her said this, I avert my eye for the first time as I was reminded of earlier mornings' incident.

She's already mad so denying all what I saw is pouring more oil in the fire.

"You're the worst human out there! A parasite that abuses others' kindness and an enemy of women. Have you no shame? or your goddess is just too irresponsible to bother to teach you one?!"

I clench my fist tight as I restrain myself. Right now, giving in blindly to emotions will most likely put us in jeopardy. But even I have my own threshold that I can endure Which is why

"Ms. Lefiya," I answer back at her for the first time with a strong voice as I look at her straight in the eye "I don't mind you insulting me but leave my goddess from it. Even I will be mad at you if you continue that."

"Eh-ah!"

Seeing my reaction, Ms. Lefiya was startled and took one step back.

*grrrrrrrr*

but all of it became moot after my stomach decided to let its presence be known.

In a way, I am grateful as this momentary stops our argument. With her dumbfounded look, I lean my back on the tree that I mark before crouching down to its roots.


Dungeon, 18th floor, Loki Familia camp

Around the same time Bell and Lefiya started arguing, after delivering the antidote to the executives, the werewolf Bete left their tent with the intention of getting a proper shut-eye. He had been running for a day straight after all.

That is until he smells a familiar scent. A scent that was not present when he came back to the mansion. A scent that he ignored backed in the 9th floor because his focus was elsewhere and a scent that should have not be IN the 18th floor of the dungeon.

"Oi, what do you think you're- eh?" Bete called out someone who is wearing a brown hood who was walking with an unknown man with short red hair.

In response to his action, however, the person in the hood looks back and froze on the spot. With wide eyes and a stiff expression.

"Who or what are you?" Bete pressed further. There's no mistaking it, he is familiar with the scent of this person but what he is seeing is from a different race. He is certain that the elf named Elly and this familiar pallum have the same scent.

Welf who noticed Lily's stiff expression and mouth that continuously open and close took a step forward to shield Lily from the werewolf with white messy hair.

"Something wrong, Bete?"

While other adventurers decided to turn a blind eye knowing how volatile the werewolf is, Gareth approached them casually. "Aren't you suppose to be getting some rest already?"

"Why do we have outsiders in our camp?" Bete replied angrily. It must be the fatigue but he is more aggressive now than ever before.

"Ais found them injured near the entrance of the 18th floor the some day after you left," Gareth explains as he scratches the back of his head.

"When did we became a charitable group?" Bete asked, irritated as he placed both of his hands in his back pocket while leaning forward to get a closer look at the two. "Or you're all itching to have the same fate as what happened a while ago. Huh?"

The incident Bete is referring to is most likely when they encountered the being known as Revis. It happen some time ago before their expedition where she disguises herself and killed a member of the Ganesha familia.

"Erm... just so you know," Gareth grumbled. "Their group is acquainted with some of us," points at Lily before looking at Welf. "And he's a blacksmith from the Hephaestus familia."

"Tsk, seriously," Bete click his tongue as Gareth gives him a very valid answer he could not argue back making him to scratch the back of his head in irritation. "You weakling shouldn't bother getting down here if you can't handle the middle floor."

"Which is the more reason we helped them," Gareth replied. "They weren't supposed to be here. They were caught with a different familia's pass parade and were forced to go to the 18th floor just to survive."

"Whatever," Bete grumbles as he turned his back on them before walking away in a foul mood.

Gareth look at him with a troubled expression and waited until he is out of sight before crouching near to Lily and giving her a private warning.

"Better get out of his way if you want to preserve your secret."

"Something wrong Lil' Lilly?" Welf asked curiously after watching the famed Elgarm leave.

"It's nothing," Lily replied with a wry smile. "Lord Gareth noticed that I may not feel well so he advises me to take a rest."

"I see,"


Dungeon 18th floor, forest.

I think I may have gone too far,

while venting all of my frustration to him, the argument that we had earlier was put on hold after hearing his stomach grumbled.

"...Even I will be mad at you if you continue that."

So even he can have such a reaction. I though as I recall his last statement.

I hate to admit it but I was taken aback by his serious look that I inadvertently took a step back with a tinge of fear in me. And for better or worst, this argument shows how much he wears his emotion. Realizing this, the guilty feelings from my previous action starts to weigh me down that I offer him half of the food Ms. Ais gave me before as an act of good will.

"Here," I said as I stretched out my hand.

"Ms. Lefiya?" Bell asked, tilting his head.

"Just take it and eat it,"

seriously, he should have just take it without asking. "It's not much but it will be a trouble for me if you pass out from hunger here."

"Thanks,"

Since we ran a lot and just had an argument, it's best to rest for a bit to calm our heads. With that in mind, I also sat at the tree he is resting.

"By the way... I... I'm sorry I went too far."

"I understand," Bell replied. "It's a natural reaction after all since I am an outsider."

"Since when did you develop Bete's mindset?"

the voice of Lady Riveria rang on the back of my mind. I've been arrogant and let my jealousy blinded me and said some things that go out of bounds.

"You see, after arriving in Orario with the dream of becoming an adventurer, it was goddess who accepted me when all of the familia I tried to join rejected me for my weak look."

All... so it means even our familia most likely turned him away. No wonder he is mad. Loki Familia is one of the strongest familia right now and we received multiple applications from aspiring adventurers. Naturally, we rejected many of them.

His weak feature and personality don't fit in the dungeon and it will be like sending someone to be slaughtered mercilessly.

It's natural for us to turn him down. Who is at face value is more of a liability than an asset.

"By the way,"

"hmm?"

"How old are you?" I asked as a means to try to divert our conversation.

"I'm 14 this year."

So he's younger than me... then that makes me his senior!

As I was overcome with pride, as someone older and more experienced,

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

a monster's howl took our attention.

Now, this makes it more difficult than before.

I could fire my magic and wait for them to come and save us but not only I will be relying on their help on my own mistake, but I will also get the attention of some monsters which is not good. A single monster won't be a problem but if hoards of them appear, then we would be done for.

"Listen," I stood up and dust my skirt. "Just follow my lead and don't do anything stupid, got it?"

"Yes ma'am!"

From there, we make our move by first looking for the tallest tree we could find. The place where we set our camp after all is near the tallest tree next to a huge crystal. If we locate it and use it as a reference from our location then it is easy to deduce where the camp is located at. We start by putting landmarks. He already marked the tree we walked by earlier so I used that as our starting point and instruct him to do the same for every 5 meters and I also ordered him to cut the nearby crystals of the carved tree.

We climbed the trees that we marked and survey the surrounding especially the monsters that are in the area. Here I noticed that rabbit seems to have good eyesight in the dark as well as some skill in terms of sneaking around. Come to think of it, he did manage to hide from me when we first met.

"Ms. Lefiya?"

"Yes?"

Probably due to boredom that he started some idle chat, I do not mind that as long as it didn't became a hindrance to our work yet he began with

"Members of the Loki Familia are really amazing." Bell began as he cautiously follow where I am going. "You're a mage and yet you can easily take charge of the situation.

Awawawawa

IT was due to shock that I suddenly stop from my tracks. Not because I like the blatant flattery he throws my way.

"Seriously, do you really think plain flattery will work?"

"Ahahaha... more than flattery, you could say I am amazed and envious,"

Gosh why do you keep piling things up!


"You're one to talk, peko"

"Ms. Lefiya?" Imaginary Bell asked, tilting his head.

"The way you carry yourself here was a big help that it makes me wonder if this is your first time here, peko,"

"Eh?"

"I-I mean don't get the wrong idea here, peko," with a reddening face, I turned my head away from him and at the same time points my staff to him. "It's not a praise or anything. Just my objective observation. peko.

"Observation?"

Turning around to him with a smile on my face I added. "After all, I have my eyes on you peko."

don't get the wrong idea here. What I mean is that I am looking at him as my rival. A rival peko.

Seeing he was too stuned to react, I turn my back on him followed by a soft giggle


Gaaaaah! As if I could say that? and Why am I acting all giddy because of it?

As I crouch down and held my head in embarrassment.

"hmm?" I saw him look at me with a puzzled face

this naive and dense rabbit!

"End of discussion."

"Eh?"

It's getting more distracting than I initially consider so I tried to finish our discussion right now.

Since I know that he is not acting. This makes things worst. It means this naive, dense as a brick smooth-talker elf fetishist is a natural walking gigolo.

"I don't care if you're envious but let me tell you this," I clench my right fist tightly as I stood and face him. "we second class adventurers of the Loki Familia are expected to act accordingly if the first-class aren't present." I point my staff to him and show him my resolve. "What you saw earlier is only natural otherwise we, no I, won't be able to catch up with them." that's right. I need to catch up with them, to help them and not be a burden. And most of all to not let this rabbit overtake me as a fellow student of Ms. Ais. "If you have time to be envious of us, then use it to improve your familia. Increase your members and act accordingly as your familia's first child. Those disgraceful acts of yours must be purge otherwise I will be the one doing it for you."

"Y-yes!"

With that, the discussion is over and a new resolve formed within me. We continue our walk until we reach a relatively tall tree. Taller and wider than the once we climbed so far. Because of this, I have him stay on guard at the roots while I climbed its trunk to survey our location.

Our location is closer to the dungeon wall and-

As I am assessing our current location, I froze as I saw 2 clothed individuals. That outfit is from the same group we encountered before. Evilus.

Just what are they doing here? did they have a nearby hideout?

"tsk."

I bit my right thumb in frustration.

This is an opportunity to know what they are up to but it's dangerous since he's a level two and from a different familia.

It can't be help...

I sigh internally as that idea pops into my head.


As I crouch on the ground and look at the lamp left by Ms. Lefiya, I focus my hearing and listen to my surroundings. In such situation, I can't bring my guard down and at the same time, following the advice of Ms. Riveria. After seeing how Ms. Lefiya conduct herself, I can see Ms. Riveria's firm teaching rooted to her core. If I wat to walk side by side with Ms. Riveria, this is something that I must hone to its fullest.

Keep a calm mind and analyze the situation.

It was during that point when Ms. Lefiya descent from the tree. Her knotted eyebrows and troubled looks is not a good indicator of our current situation.

"Listen carefully and don't make sudden noises."

She said and I replied by covering my mouth with my hands followed by a nod.

"I know how to get back but a more pressing matter comes."

Seeing that I am listening carefully, Ms. Lefiya continues. "I saw two members of a bad familia that we had encounter numerous times in the past."

Bad? like the ones that killed Ms. Ryuu's familia?

I though as I swallowed my saliva.

"We could ignore them as they have yet to realize that we are here or we tail them and see where their hideout is."

with Ms. Lefiya's proposal, I can only stare at her blankly.


Dungeon, 18th floor Loki familia camp,

Meanwhile, standing guard at the northern entrance of the camp, the elf Alicia and the Hume Bunny Rakta divert their attention near the woods after hearing rustling sounds of grass.

"Whose in there?" Alicia asked as she withdrew her sword. Rakta followed suit, never letting her guard down.

"I'm sorry for the late visit," the person, an elf with long black hair said as she slowly walks towards them where they could fully see her.

"You?" Alicia trails off as she lower her weapons.

The one that greeted them was the infamous banshee of the Dionysius familia, Filvis Challia. Knowing her relationship with their very own Lefiya, Alicia gave her a questioning look.

"I had an errand from Lord Dionisious and decided to drop by to see Lefiya." Filvis answer.

"Very well, say, Rakta,"

"Yes?"

"Have you seen Lefiya?" Alicia asked as she try to remember herself when was the last time she saw her.

"Last time I saw her, I saw her walking together with that adventurer."

Hearing Rakta said this, Alicia sigh as she put her right palm to her face. This action however puzzled the adventurer Filvis forcing her to give them a questioning look. "Is something wrong?"

"We'll about to find out," Alicia answer hoping her gut feeling is wrong.


Dungeon, 18th floor forest

Due to the urgency of the situation, we decided that it is worth the risk and slowly followed the two individuals wearing white robes. Because of how dangerous it is to be seen with our lantern lit, Ms. Lefiya ordered me to temporary cover the lantern as I hang it in my waist.

Right now after a few minutes of trailing, they took a stop to scan their surroundings as we quickly hid behind the trees a few meters away from them.

"Ms. Lefiya," I whispered. "Isn't it about time for us to retreat?"

"..."

Ms Lefiya look at me in disbelief.

"They are acting more cautious than normal," I added. "It means their base is nearby. Right? Isn't this enough?"

"When did you become such a coward?" Ms. Lefiya replied as she look at me with ire followed by rolling her eyes. "Unless we saw the entrance of their base, we can't say that it is near. That kind of action is typical to those sneaking around so it is natural for them to make sure that no one is following them."

"But if let's say we manage to find their hideout," I argue back. "Isn't it natural for them to lay traps?" with how grave the situation is, this is not the time to just keep my thoughts to my self. "With how poorly equip we are, one wrong move could spell our deaths. At the very least, If we go back, we can mark this location so we can go back the next day and investigate along with your familia members"


Dungeon, 18th floor forest near under resort

At the same time, after learning that Bell and Lefiya have yet to return and some reports says they saw Lefiya's Arcs Rays being fired a while back near the under resort, Finn decided to put all guards in standby by in full alert while sending two familia members, Alicia and Cynthia, and one guest, Filvis, to look for the two. While elves does not possess heighten senses of the demi human race, they are well verse in moving around the forest making them the best candidate to search for the two. Well second best since Bete just returned but the executives decided to let him rest from more than one reason.

"the footprints are still fresh and it indicates that they are heading straight in to the forest," Cynthia reported with a troubled look as she examine the tracks left by Bell and Lefiya.

"In that case, Cythia, let's use this spot as our reference," Alicia ordered as she drew her weapon. "If there's problems, we will fire our magic in to the sky. Use that as reference to warned others of our location."

"Understood,"

"In that case, let's go," Alicia made eye-contact to Filvis before quickly running in two different location. Their direction is 45 degrees from one another from Cynthia's position. Cynthia on the other hand waited for ten minutes before heading south.


Dungeon 18th floor, forest.

"W-what is this?!" I asked in a panic tone as I drew out my knife and look at 'that'.

It all started after weighing the pros and cons of our action, we can continue our pursuit in the condition that once we're found out or things doesn't look right, we will escape as fast as possible towards the direction of the camp. A plan that did not come to fruition after a few more minutes of tailing when we arrive at hallway surrounded by tall pillars of rock.

We first waited for them to continue walking and be as far as possible before entering the hallway ourself only to fall to a pit trap that just opened beneath us. A clear indication that their hideout is nearby.

*splash*

Despite the height of the trap, we manage to land on our feet only to be greeted by a scenery of multiple corpses at out feet. To make thins worst, the unknown fluid us starting to erode our clothes.

Acid!

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

And as if wanting to tell us what is what, an unknown voice gave an errie screech.

Looking at the source, I saw an unknown monster rooted on the wall of the pit.

"W-what is this?!" leading me to ask in a terrified tone.

This is bad.

I though as I took a side glance at Ms. Lefiya who now have a troubled look.

I don't need her to tell me this but right now, this monster is stronger than us. Stronger than the monsters Ive met save from the monster rex at the 17th floor.

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

the monster screech once more as at attacked us with its vine like arms.

*splash*

We manage to evade the initial attack.

as it once more screech in irritation.

it attack us again and again not leaving me time to fully assess the situation.

Damn it!

I curse internally as I focus my sight on the tentacle like vines of the monster.

Right now, I need to calmly analyze the situation but the unknown factor of this monster and this very experience is starting to cloud my mind and judgement. I have not hear any of this and this kind of situation has not appeared in Ms. Eina's lectures.

that is when

"Here,"

I heard Ms. Lefiya's voice and a few second later, her outer top was thrown to my face. "Your clothes can temporary withstand the acid but your skin and endurance as a level two wont last from it.

"Thanks,"

I said as I once again jump back from the minsters attack followed by wrapping the clothes given to me on my free open hands.

The two vines might be its only means in attacking us but I need to be wary of its irregular movement and its elasticity whenever I dodge.

"Don't focus on its arm."

"what?"

"Its eyes, it moves when it is about to attack."

amazing!

I thought. Compared to me, Ms. Lefiya manage to assess the situation faster and make a sound judgement. She took our surroundings in to consideration and manage to identify the monster's movement patter in a short period of time. This just showed me how large of a gap I still have from them.

"Got it!"

I replied. I used the clothes given to me on my other arm before firmly gripping my knife and ran in circles to confuse the enemy while I monitor both the movement of the monster's eye and limbs.

"Back me up while I prepare my spell."

"Leave it to me"

I replied as I dashed forward towards the monster while continuously evading its attack.

This situation reminds me of the rest Ms. Riveria gave us. As an adventurer, it is my duty to protect Ms. Lefiya who acts as my rear artillery support. By making sure she can fully finish her chant.

*splash*

*splash*

*splash*

I continuously evade the monster's attack and if given an opportunity, I also try cutting its limbs.

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

the monster gave a more ear splitting cry than before. So loud that I took a stop and plug my ears.

Damn it!

That it uses as it waste no time and attack me once more.

*swoosh*

As I was still recovering from its sound attack, I barely dodge its vine by ducking followed by picking the artifact I found near me, a shield, and use it to block its second attack. An attack that I have little to no time to evade.

*thud*

"ack!"

*crash*

Even though I manage to block it with the shield, the force was too great that it send me flying to the wall of the pit.

"Unleashed streak of light, "

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

As I fell on my knees and cough off blood, the monster change its target.

concurrent chanting

it was brief but I was too stunned to see Ms. Lefiya skillfully doge the attacks aimed to her while maintaining her focus in her chant.

There's a reason why mage normally stood in one spot while chanting. One wrong move, if the chanter loses focus, it will cause ignis fatum. A phenomena where the magic goes out of control and burst out from the user. In a way, her spells is similar to my Argonaut skill. I have no issue activating it while standing but I failed to activate it even once when the pass parade are chasing us.

This just show the gap not just in level but experience I have with the likes of Ms. Lefiya and by extension, my goal, Ms. Riveria.

"I need to get stronger,"

I said to my self.

Not just stronger but to polish my skills as well.

"Kyaaaaa!"

While I was preoccupied in my own world, I heard Ms. Lefiya's scream and saw that the monster got a hold of her legs and started to swing her around. If this continue, it will build up enough momentum that when it slammed her to the ground or to the nearby weapons would spell Ms. Lefiya's end.

"Not good,"

I grumbled as I stood,

I can use that

it was then that I noticed a worn out halberd planted on the ground. And as I have no time to waste, I put my knife back to its holster and pick up the halberd. Focus my skill on my leg and made a long leap towards Ms. Lefiya's location

"Not on my watch!"

I yelled as I cut the vine of the monster that is holding Ms. Lefiya.

I can do this!

Using the force and momentum of my attack, my body spins like a razor sending me to the wall of the pit.

*crash*

in split second after hitting the wall with the halberd, I use it as platform and once more activate a micro second charge and leap back to catch ms. Lefiya.

*splash*

landing back to the ground, I roughly let her go and wasted no time by swiftly taking out my knife. Channel my magic to the knife and yelled

"Firebolt!"

with my knife as my medium, I let my magic pass through it and made a swing to the air. In turn, the flame that burst out from its tip move in a whip like fashion that fended the vines of the monster.

"Firebolt!"

"Firebolt!"

"Firebolt!"

I followed up my attack with a barrage of firebolt to the monster as soon as I saw an opening made from its reaction to my flame whip.

"Ms. Lefiya, your spell," I yelled, not looking at how Ms. Lefiya saw me. I just focus on the monster and fire my magic in its eye and body.

"I really hate you." I heard ms. Lefiya's voice. "But I will bet my life on you for this."

"The monster react to magic, so I'll act as decoy."

"Got it!"

I replied as I took a worn out katana near me.

From there I protected Ms. Lefiya similar to how we did it on our test.

"Unleashed streak of light, "

It doesn't mean that I am protecting her means she will remain rooted in one spot.

"bow limbs of the holy tree."

As she continues to finish her chant I fend of the monsters limbs while slipping one or two firebolt shot at it. Not giving it the time to rest.

"You are an expert of the bow.

By now, most of our movements are in sync with one another thanks to the training and test provided to us by Ms. Ais and Ms. Riveria.

"Shoot, sniper of the fairies."

She act as a lure, evaded when needed and I parry the enemy's attack. A repetitive process that works against this enemy rooted in the ceiling. It can't move and has a predictable movement once you get use to it..

"Penetrate, arrow of absolute accuracy

Arcs Ray"

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

The monster roared as it receives the full blast of Ms. Lefiya's magic.

Not good.

I thought. I was about to breath a sigh of relief but I saw the ceiling slowly closing in on us. It knows it can't hold on for long so it is trying to take us with it. At this point, even with her fire power, it is no enough. With that in mind, I stretched out my right hand and as I focus on my next move, igoring the closing in cealing on us.

"Here a I go!" After a twenty second charge, I aim my hand onto the monster and roared

"FIREBOLT!"

*Boom*

With our combined magic, we defeated the monster and opened up the ceiling of the pit.


Dungeon, 18th floor

Across the dungeon, several eye witness saw the unexpected pillar of light shooting up to the sky

From the cloth individual near the pit, to the Loki Familia in their camp and up to Rivira. Garnering shock and amazement of the sight which in turn made several individual to quickly take action, namely the golden haired sword princess. Upon realizing the owner of the magic, she quickly dash off towards the direction of the beam of light. Three elves who are in the forest quickly went to investigate while the one nearest to the camp return, Karen who is near the camp fire smile at the sight while one high elf who recognize the magic mixed in with an unknown fire magic sigh as she enter the tent where the two executives of the Loki familia awaits for her.

"Haah, haah, haaah,"

Bell pants as he is given a piggy back ride by his elf companion while she swiftly dash out of the pit.

"Are you alright?" Lefiya ask the moment she landed near the edge of the pit's hole.

"Y-yeah," Bell replied with a faint smile, he is exhausted to the point that moving is impossible. .

But their moment of relief didn't end there. Mainly for the elf Lefiya.

"Thousand Elf!" a voice called prompting them to look at its source only to find the two individual they were following are now looking at them with shock.

"They defeated Venenthes?" the other cloth individual asked in shock.

"Heh, but looks like this is the end of the road for you," replied by one of the cloth individual after seeing how battered and exhausted they are right now. Judging from the looks of it, the two Loki familia members are so tired after their encounter that the famed thousand elf is the only one capable of moving.

"Violas!"

They both called as 10 plant like monsters appear behind them.

Seeing the number of monsters behind the Evilus members, Lefiya could not help but tremble in fear as she remember how she easily brush off the warning presented by the white hair rabbit. They not only had fallen in a trap just as he warned but the enemies now know they are there with little strength to fight back.

This is my fault.

Lefiya thought as she points her wand to her enemy. It was her fault that they are in this mess which is why she is adamant to make sure to keep the two of them, him, alive.

My hubris cause this which is why... I promise to keep you safe.

The elf resolve herself as she took a side glance to the rabbit on her back. Exhausted as she is but she feels that she still has some extra strength left in her. A strength that she did not had when they were at the bottom of the dungeon fighting the demi-spirits. A strength that puzzle and anger her as the implication of this strength says something that she wants to deny.

"This is where you die scum!" the evilus member declared with a triumphant smile as five violas charge in.

*gagagaga*

"What?" Lefiya said in confusion as a swift barrage of slash divert the direction of the violas as she saw a silhouette that landed to their right.

Ais?

Lefiya initially thought as she saw the golden hair of their savior

she's not...

that is until she noticed the figure's short hair and long cape.

"To think I'll saw the new species here," the figure spoke as she turn around revealing her elven ears and slowly walks towards them.

"M-Ms. Ryuu?" Bell asked weakly as he open his eyes.

"You know her?"

*nod*

"Stay where you are," Ryuu warned as she focus on the monsters that slowly rise back. "I'll take care of this,"

"████▄▄▄▄▄▄"

and as if using the monster's roar as the signal, the Elf Ryuu began her assault on the violas.

"Fast!" Lefiya exclaim while watching the attack the violas with little to no effect.

*tsk*

Ryuu clicks her tongue in irritation as her attacks seems to do little to no damage at all.

"Just hitting them wont work," A different voice called and soon they saw another golden haired elf fending some of the Violas by cutting the vines off. "You need to cut them off!"

"Be careful as they also reacts to magic" This time around a black haired elven beauty came from a different direction and started assisting Ryuu and Alicia.

"got it," Ryuu replied as she began her attack while chanting her spell.

"Not good," one of the Evilus familia member said as he clicked his tongue when he saw the Violas being handled by three adventurers. This prompts them to quickly flee while the enemies are still busy fending off the Violas.

"In the sky of a now distant forest.

Infinite stars scattered in the endless night sky.

Respond to my foolish voice,

give me now divine protection of starfire.

Give the mercy of light to the one that abandoned you.

Come, wandering wind, the wandering traveler.

Cross the sky and run through the wilderness,

run faster than anything else.

Imbue the light of stardust and destroy the enemy

Luminous Wind!"

"Incredible!" Lefiya is practically breathless at the sight before her. The unknown elf called Ryuu began concurrent chanting a long spell while attacking and evading the Violas and showing no signs of slowing down in doing so.

This level of skill far surpass Filvis,

Lefiya thought as she look to her right where Filvis just deliver a short chant spell to the monsters followed by shaking her head and looking back at Ryuu.

No, this level of finest is even greater than Lady Riveria! Just who is she?

Her level of Magic circle isn't on par to a magic swordsman. Her performance says she is not a regular mage

She can't be easily classified as any of those.

That intense beauty that shows loneliness as she stands at the center.

If there's an appropriate term to call her then that would be...

"An Elven Warrior," Lefiya finished as the golden haired elf with green cape slowly lands to the ground.

"Amazing..." Bell said weakly. Not only Lefiya but Bell was also mesmerize by the performance of the elves before him.

If anything, this just reinforce his desire to get stronger as it now give him a more concrete path to follow if he wish to stand beside the High Elf Riveria.


Aaaaaaaand Cut!

With this the chapter came to a close.

A quick call back just in case. Lefiya in this story dvelop the Skill Rabbit hunt that increases her stats when certain conditions are met. Naturally she us not aware of it as the skill was hidden to her by Loki so it is also natural for her to jump into conclusions that I will use and abuse in developing her character in this story.

If I am lucky enough next update is next month (June) the start of the final part of this arc that cover V3 and 5 of the original series. as to when is still dependent to RL work load and RL stuff.

For the review, likes and follow, thanks.