You thought I was the owner of Danmachi, but it was in fact me, MUGSAGUS!

Gordon was panting, heavily. He felt the cuts and bruises all over his body, the pain pulsating in his mind. He knew this could be it. Gryff and Alyssa were already gone at this point, there was only so long the dwarf's resilient body could hold for and once that was broken through, the young Chienthrope girl was easy prey. So why didn't he leave them?

He saw Sarah and Elfie standing behind him when he had a moment to glance back. He could tell immediately they were in shock, not knowing what to do and their bodies not being able to move. If even a single monster went to them, Gordan doubted either of them, even with Sarah being a level 2, could take down one monster in their current state. So why didn't he take them and leave?

He was the Captain; it was his job to protect his Familia. Frankie was a lost cause before he was dropped but Leo could have survived, yet he had not given the order to run. Gryff and Alyssa were going to die now but maybe if he had given the order to leave Frankie, they might've been able to run quicker without the liability. So why was he still fighting?

Gordon slashed away at a few bats that swooped down at him as he tried to get closer to his friend but the bats had the area on lockdown, like a pack of vultures not allowing anything else near their prey.

He managed to catch one on its wing but before he had a chance to finish it off, 3 Almiraj jumped him, forcing him back. However, he continued, he struggled because that's what they did.

Those amazing heroes in the books his father used to buy him, the ones his mother so effortlessly read out loud to him and his older brother. They had both sworn to each other several times they would grow up to be heroes just like them. His older brother was now one of the many corpses that had been collected by the dungeon.

Gordon cut down 2 of the rabbit monsters in a single slash, grunting as he did so. Then he felt it, the feeling of magic being created. He didn't need to look over to know what it was. Was he really going to suffer the same fate as Leo? He wouldn't mind it, to be able to see his older brother once more.

'Not before I save them. The argonaut wouldn't have let them die so neither will I!' He shouted in his mind, a small smile on his face at the childish thought, the same childish thought that had been the catalyst to all his decisions today.

"Bring it you... bastard?"

Turning to face the hellhound head-on, he attempted a war cry of sorts but was quickly caught short by an 8ft black-furred hellhound fly past his face, the sound of its body slamming into the ground multiple times behind him.

Standing in its place was a small figure, adorned with light armour and with its left fist stretched out, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

Before Gordon even had time to process what had happened, the figure pointed behind him.

I watch, finger pointed out, as the man cut down the hellhound I had punched behind him just before it bit through his neck.

I scowl, annoyed with myself for not killing the monster with my initial punch.

"Thank you."

The look the man gave me was filled with something, something that I had not seen before. Before I could even respond, the man, seemingly with renewed energy, jumped into the fray, roaring as he did so. I wasted no time in joining in.

I did my best to stay out of the man's way, quickly realising that he was a level 2. So instead, I became his assistant.

He jumped to where the dwarf was lying, blood still pouring onto the ground while the girl continued to whimper in his arms. However, this time, when the bats and Almiraj jumped him at the same time, I dashed in low and delivered a roundhouse kick to the 4 Almiraj that came. Once again I cursed my weakness, having only been strong enough to kill one of them. This time, without interference, the adventurer was able to take care of all 5 of the bats that descended on him. It was mesmerizing, the strength and fluid motion of the sword was a sight to behold. Even with all his injuries, he still kept up his technique flawlessly.

I scrunched my fists and looked on at the rest of the monsters.

'I'm not strong, nowhere near strong enough to be able to accomplish my goals. But I'm not weak, not anymore. I can help, I can do this.'

I jump at one of the hard armoured and punch with all my might. Its shell completely cracks but it still didn't die.

'Stronger!'

I don't let it get away and deliver a swift kick to finish it off, only to immediately jump after the next one. Just before I get to it, a barrage of fire magic stops me from advancing, cutting me off. I look to my right and see 3 hellhounds start rushing towards me.

'Faster!'

"Watch out!"

"gyaahh!"

I hear the adventurer shout behind me just before I feel a weight slam into my back. I'm sent hurtling across the wastelands, hitting the floor the 3 times before I come to a stop, a fallen log preventing me from going any further.

I try to gasp in air but find it difficult but as I look up I realise I don't have much time to breathe. The hellhounds view me as their next prey.

I don't want to force the adventurer to do everything. I said I would help, not become another liability. The first hellhound jumps at me, its fangs drooling as they aim for my throat. I slide underneath and gift it a swift uppercut to its stomach. It howls in pain but before I even have time to continue my counter, a surge of pain flashes through me.

I punch the second hellhound in the skull as hard as I can, its jaw remained tight around my right thigh. The third hellhound uses this to jump me, its target is the same as the first one. I raise my left arm, my armour receiving most of the impact but the lower teeth sink into my flesh that was only being protected by leather. I sink my left boot into the ground to stop myself from being pushed over and devoured.

"Aahh!"

I cry in pain but still manage to hold onto enough control of my body. I slam my right fist into the skull again, this time the jaw slackens and I manage to boot the dog's body away. I immediately slam my left arm onto the ground, pinning the other hellhound with my left leg. I can feel the blood ooze from the holes made in my thigh as I see my blood stain the remaining monster's teeth red. Then I feel it.

Its body is twice the size of me and its power is unrelenting as its hind legs begin to dig into my skin, tearing away pieces of flesh. Then an unfathomable heat appears out of thin air and I see a faint glow inside the hellhound's mouth. I begin stomping on the monster's stomach as hard as I can, the colour only growing stronger as the heat continues to rise.

'Stronger! Harder! Faster! NOW!'

Its front paws try to rip my face off. I do my best to avoid each swing of its vicious weapons but one eventually finds me. A small cut appears on my forehead and blood begins to flow down my face. I close my eyes and force every ounce of strength I can muster into my legs.

My left foot falls through the monster's black fur, through its ribcage and straight onto the wasteland below. The colour recedes and the tight grip on my arm loosens. I want to breathe a sigh of relief but this is where I learn a crucial lesson. The dungeon punishes those who lose concentration.

"Look out!"

A woman's shout from further back is timed perfectly with the worst pain I have ever felt. My back arches. My body becomes warm and my head goes numb.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I throw my hands behind me to where the pain is flooding from. Something hard! Something hard and rocky is embedded in my back. I turn around to see a cluster of white rabbits with jewel red eyes begin to rush at me, accompanied by 2 hard armoured.

My vision is stained red with blood as I look on at the onslaught of death running towards me.

'IGNORE IT! FIGHT!'

I grab hold of what I imagine is the handle and yank the weapon out. I feel a sense of relief but an even bigger rush of pain follows, almost making me throw up. I stop myself. Just before the herd of monsters reached me, I kick with all my strength. I hurtle the corpse of the hellhound that my foot was lodged in straight towards the pack. I manage to take down 4 out of the 6 Almiraj, with a bit of fortune as their bodies fly into the path of the hard armours, who roll over their monster brethren without a drop in pace. It's gone from an 8v1 to a 4v1.

For some reason, I feel myself smile. I throw the axe that was given to me, I hit my target.

3v1

The second rabbit drops back, something I had never seen a monster do before. That must be the major difference between the upper floors and the middle ones. Intellect. Doesn't matter, they still end up the same way, piles of ash on the floor.

The first hard armour reaches me, I can't dodge it in time. I reflexively stick out my arms, catching the rolling rock. I slow it down but it doesn't stop rolling. The friction on my hands begins to generate so much heat, my leather gloves begin to melt into my hands.

"Reg... *gasp*... gave m-me... theses!" I say through gulps of air. Using my anger, I raise the monster into the air and just before the second hard armoured joins his teammate, I bring the monster crashing down with all my strength. The collision between the two monsters sends pieces of armour everywhere. Shrapnel flies at me from what felt like all directions. I cover my eyes through sheer instinct as pieces of armour lodge themselves into my torso, arms and even into my right ear. However, when I open my eyes, I can't help but take a deep breath.

1v1

I scan my surroundings. Where is it, the white rabbit, the final monster? If I can take him out, I can go help the adventurer. But I can't see it. Is it because it's hiding in the wasteland's dead grass? Maybe it's taking cover behind one of its dead comrades? Most likely I can't find it because my vision has all of a sudden gone hazy. I feel pain throughout my body, bile is slowly making its way up my throat. I feel like I'm about to black out.

I barely hear the sound of grass moving. I can just make out the sight of a figure just a bit smaller than me running straight at me, a stone axe with blood on it grasped tightly in its hand. I try to raise my hands in defence, they don't move. I try to will my legs into motion, instead, they just crumble as I fall to the floor, helpless.

The rabbit leaps into the air, the axe that had been buried in my back ready to be reunited with my body, just this time at the front. Then I see a gleam of metal

2v1

The Rabbit turns into ash. Poof! Right in front of me. The only proof of its existence is the flakes of ash that fall to the floor.

2v0

"Are you alright? Here drink this, quickly!"

Sarah had watched the bravery of the small figure as it joined in the fighting, helping Gordon out. Because of him, Gordon was able to dispatch the rest of the bats and a hard armoured. This had finally freed Gryff from his torment, and Gordon wasted no time in shoving a health potion down the dwarf's throat.

"Aye, ch-cheers lad..."

"Save ya strength Gryff. Alyssa! Are you alright?" Gordon asked the young girl. Instead of an answer, the Chienthrope threw her arms around the sand-haired man, crying into his shoulder.

'Thank heavens they are alright.'

Sarah breathed a sigh of relief as she happily watched Gordon slice the remaining Hellhounds that were still near them before he too fell to one knee. Surprisingly, this forced Elfie into action. The woman ran over to their captain as she began chanting her quick healing spell. She did have a crush on the man, maybe that was why she ran to him instead of the heavily injured dwarf first. However, after a few seconds of administering the healing spell, the mage dashed to Gryff and Alyssa and began chanting her main healing spell. She hadn't been able to do this before as she needed full concentration and she had yet to learn concurrent chanting.

'Wait a minute, there were more hellhounds than that, weren't there? And where are the rest of the Almiraj?'

Sarah got her answer as she looked over at where the second fight was just finishing off, the small figure slamming one of the hard armoured into the other, killing both. However, it was to her horror when she saw the state he was in. A cut across his forehead, bits of shell sticking out each limb and his chest. His clothes are in tatters. It was a miracle his armour was still in one piece. Then he dropped to his knees and then an Almiraj began leaping towards him.

Sarah still couldn't recall doing it. She was unsure why she did it, her body moving on its own but she was grateful it did. With a single slash of her sword, the Almiraj was ash and the boy was no longer in danger. Sarah regained control of her body when she saw the horror state his body was in, especially the gaping wound gouged into his spine.

As she forced her final health potion down his throat, the one she always kept for herself in case the worst happened, the boy kept fading in and out of consciousness. With her adventurer instincts not saying anything, she took her time examining the boy.

He must have been a prum because if he wasn't then what kind of evil creature was chucking a child so young into the dungeon, he could barely pass for a 6-year-old.

She carefully began nursing the boy, slowly picking out the pieces of shell from his body, her eyes widening slightly when she had to pick out one from his eye. He was lucky that none got in his eyes. Next, she ripped off some tattered bit of her battle dress and became dapping away at all the blood on his skin. First, she wiped away at the blood staining his forehead but as the cut was still open, it wasn't much help. The health potion had mainly gone to restoring his back and even then, it had only stopped the bleeding with a massive wound scar appearing on his bare skin. Though it would fade with time thanks to the falna.

"mm..."

Sarah looked down at the young-looking boy as he made a noise as he once again opened his eyes. Her green eyes met his own.

"mmm...mom?"

Sarah was a bit taken aback by the comment but she quickly accepted it as she continued to aid the boy in his recovery.

"How is he?"

"Oh, captain!"

Gordon had walked over to the pair. Sarah struggled to look the man in his eyes, embarrassed and guilty of her lack of action. Gordon himself also found it hard to talk to his friend. Give some time and he would forgive her but not right now, as the only reason that future was possible was because of the person lying on the ground.

"Did... I H-help?" Percy asked the two adults looking down at him. Gordon crouched down, wincing at the pain everywhere as he did so. He placed his gloved hand on Percy's shoulder and gave his best grateful smile he could muster.

"You saved us. Because of you, I along with my Familia would have died. You have our eternal gratitude."

'Gratitude? What's that?' Percy thought as he began to sit up. He tilted his head slightly as he moved his tongue around his mouth, a familiar sweet taste coming to his mouth. The last time he had tasted this was when he woke up in Brant's apartment. However, the best part was the pain in his back and the fact that it had all but disappeared. While the rest of his body still ached and groaned in most places, his back felt almost as good as it did when he woke up.

As the two watched the boy sit up and look around for a few seconds, they both raised their eyebrows in confusion as the boy seemed to freeze.

Percy had just realised that he was out in the open, for other adventurers to see him. That was when he realised as he slowly turned his head to face the two adventurers.

'They're gonna question me, aren't they?'

He was right in thinking that as Sarah wanted to make sure that the boy that had saved them was indeed a Prum and not a young child, the worst question for Percy to answer. He could just lie but that had yet to go well so far in his life.

But be it divine fate, luck or something else beyond comprehension, the wasteland shook slightly as a small tremor rocked through the ground. It was quickly followed by a fwwwwsssssh, almost as if something had jumped somewhere.

"Where?"

"I don't know, can't see anything yet."

Gordon and Sarah immediately recognised it as the sound of a large monster spawning from the ground. It was likely an Orc so Gordon stood back up and got his sword ready. He swung his arm around a few times to stretch it out before heading over to Gryff, Alyssa and Elfie.

"Is that boy alright?" Elfie asked as she jogged over to Gordon. The man gave a small glance back at the boy before looking back at the young woman. Just like with Sarah, he wasn't happy with how Elfie had initially reacted but she was a backline healer, and she had rushed in when the damage was cleared. It was not to the same disappointment as it was with Sarah, a front liner, and especially not with Clint. That bastard cat man would be kicked out of the Familia if it was up to him right now.

Instead of getting even more worked up, Gordon focused on getting out of the dungeon alive and he planned on bringing their saviour with them.

"Yeah, he's had a health potion but I'd still go check him out if you could please," Gordon said. "But be careful, I think an Orc has spawned so be on guard," He finished while giving a small grin. Elfie silently blushed, giving a nod before beginning to jog over to Sarah and the boy.

Gordon shook his head slightly.

'I need to deal with that sometime soon. For now, let's just get out of here.'

"Hey Gryff?" Gordon called towards his vice-captain. The man was currently resting while sitting next to an unconscious Alyssa, seemingly having had enough of today.

"Did you feel that?"

"Feel what, somethin' spawned?"

"Yeah, think so. Both me and Sarah felt it. Wonder where it-"

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Gordon swivelled around and his eyes widened in shock and fear.

I'm currently trying not to make eye contact with the woman beside me. I thanked the heavens that whatever had caused that tremor had distracted her from the topic concerning... well, me. As the sandy blonde-haired man walked away, another set of footsteps replaced his as a gentle patting on the dungeon floor became louder.

"Hey, Sarah!" A girl, clearly younger than the woman next to me shouted out. Is that the woman's name, Sarah?

"Oh Elfie, what's wrong?"

"Oh, captain just said I should-"

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

My eyes widened as the girl was cut off mid-sentence as she was squashed. In an instant. Just like that, the young girl before me was dead.

In her place stood something not even my worst nightmares had concocted. Not even the images of what I thought the One-eyed-black-dragon looked like compared to what stood in front of me.

In the place where that young girl, Elfie, had been a moment prior was an 18ft, black-furred creature. It had blood-red eyes with the rest of its face being a ghostly white. Its long, hulky arms bulged with muscle that threatened to tear through the skin. Its iron-looking knuckles were on the ground alongside its hind legs, with its back arched.

All the blood ran from my face. I felt my body go cold and numb as I began to uncontrollably shake. I didn't know what this thing was. I had never seen anything like it before. I had never encountered anything this, this, this... horrifying.

At that moment, as it began walking towards me, leaving a blood smear on the ground, I finally understood something.

"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

I finally understood the meaning of the word monster.

As the monster began walking towards Sarah and Percy, all those in the vicinity were frozen. Gordon and Gryff, who were only looking at the back of the monster, saw the puddle of blood it left in its wake as it stepped off the remains of what was called Elfie.

However, it was worse for Sarah and Percy, who couldn't tear their eyes from its cold, red, bloodthirsty eyes. It stared them down, analysing them. It then lifted its right arm, its knuckle caked in blood. The sight made Percy and Sarah gulp in fear as it licked off the red liquid of its knuckle.

Then, a sight that made the two adventurers sick to their stomachs in fear, it grinned as it licked its teeth.

With a beat of its black chest and another blood-curdling roar, it leapt straight at Percy.

The boy couldn't move, shellshocked in place. His eyes had glazed over as his entire body had shut down. The 5-year-old couldn't even manage a scream as death loomed over him.

The giant creature slammed down onto the dungeon floor; both its gigantic fists crunched into the rocky surface. As it lifted its knuckles away, two small craters had formed but this time there was no blood.

It whipped its large head around as its shabby fur waved in its face. Its blood-red eyes spotted the young adventurer being carried away by the female adventurer.

"SARAH QUICKLY!" Gordon shouted.

He couldn't understand what he was looking at. It held the same shape and look as a silverback but its colour was completely different. In fact, they had switched places. However, the trademark red eyes remained.

'Is it some kind of irregular? It must be. I've never seen one of them move that fast or this big. It killed Elfe without me even noticing... Elfie.'

"LOOK OUT!" Gryff bellowed as he saw the muscles in the black silverback's arms tense as it readied to jump.

Sarah had made her way over, not even glancing back. It had been instinct to swoop in and collect the small adventurer as she darted away. Now, she placed him down next to her vice-captain and readied her blade. She stood alongside Gordon, promising to herself she would not freeze up this time and regain some lost pride.

But to the adventurer's horror, the monkey grinned a sadistic smile and leapt high into the air, vanishing through the thick smog that encompassed the 12th floor.

"WHERE'D IT GO!" Gordon shouted, his eyes darting around. Seeing Sarah with her sword out, he trusted her to watch his back.

"I can't see anything!" She replied shakily.

"Calm down, both of ya. Keep ya ears open. Eyes ain't everythin'!" Gryff spoke in a hushed tone. He was the veteran of the group, having come from a previous Familia to help out before he fully retired. His words of wisdom sunk into the younger adventurers as they calmed their breathing and sharpened their senses.

Percy did the same thing. Having recovered from his shock and hyperventilating, he listened to the words of the dwarf. His injuries were bearable now and he forbade himself from being extra weight.

Silence descended amongst the group.

...

Gordon and Sarah patrolled the air with their eyes narrowed, focused.

...shh

Percy and Gryff scanned the floor in case the monster had somehow landed and was now prowling across the barren land.

...swssh

None needed to clarify the noise, they had all heard it. Gryff and Percy tilted their heads upwards as that was where the noise had come from.

Swssh

They heard it again; this time it was a bit clearer.

"What in the...?" Gryff muttered.

Swssh...swssh...swssh...

CRSSSSHHHH!

All eyes darted to the ground approximately 30 metres away from them. Laying there was a rock that had smashed into tiny pieces.

"Did that...?" Sarah started the question.

"Yeah, it did... the roof," Gordon answered, knowing what her question was. It was at that moment that Gryff realised something. The something that was the key to unlocking what was going on. A bit of rubble fell into his lap.

"AWAY NOW!"

Percy felt himself get flung away alongside the unconscious Chienthrope, rolling along the ground.

"IT'S SWINGIN' ON THE CEIL..."

CRSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"GRYFF!"

Sarah shouted as she watched her vice-captain throw Percy and Alyssa away just before succumbing to the same fate as Elfie. He had wasted no time in making sure the two beside him were safe before even considering his safety. The dwarf died a true hero.

"God fucking dammit!" Gordon shouted as he charged the silverback. He wasted no time slicing at the overgrown monkey, revenge searing into his eyes as he forced the monster off the pool of blood and flesh.

Sarah was quick to follow as she began attacking the black silverback.

I struggle to breathe. Any attempt at the most basic tasks seems to be out of my range of possibilities. Why can't I? I'm hurting everywhere, especially in my stomach but my main focus is on breathing.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I'm allowed to breathe. I quickly gulp down cups of air, filling my body with the much-needed oxygen. I begin to re-focus my vision and take in my surroundings once more. I hear the sound of metal scraping in the near distance.

I see the unconscious girl next to me. I look back and suck in a quick gasp of air at the sight. The two adventurers are fighting the monster but no sight of the dwarf. That is until I spot the second pool of blood, a battle-axe lying near it.

'He... saved me.'

I struggle to hold back tears as I realise what happened before I grit my teeth.

I begin to study the ongoing fight. The two adventurers are quicker than the monster by a fair bit but the tough hide and its overwhelming figure give it the edge in both durability and strength. I can tell that if this became a fight of endurance then the monster would win.

As if to prove my point, the man loses his footing slightly. The monster takes full effect and slams one of its giant hands into the adventurer, sending him flying.

"GORDON! Fuck's sake," The woman says through gritted teeth.

I want to go in and help, but before I can rush in, the sounds of cracking and breaking surround me. A sound I'm all too familiar with.

"Really... now," I annoyingly ask no one as imps begin to crawl out of the ground. Even in my condition, I can still take on imps but it's not me I'm worried about.

I smash 2 imps' skulls in before they reach the dog girl before turning to face more. I can see the woman, Sarah, struggling to fend off the silverback. She is doing her best to duck and weave around all of its attacks.

I stand guard, waiting for any other monsters to come at me or the girl next to my feet. I watch as the large monster flings one of its giant hands in an attempt to grab Sarah, only for the brown-haired woman to narrowly slide underneath.

'She's in!' I shout in my mind as the woman can fully utilise her new position. I barely keep up with her speed as she barrels straight at the monster's exposed stomach.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

I hear her battle cry as she drives her sword in. Her sword that was covered in monsters' blood and scraped and scratched after hundreds and hundreds of hard-fought battles. I watched as the worn-down blade collided with the hardened skin of the irregular monster.

Krrrrrrrsssssssshhhh!

The sword shatters. I watch, dumbfounded, as the once glistening silver sprayed bits of its body over the ground.

"-huh"

I faintly hear Sarah mumble out a noise of surprise before she looks up. The face the monster made at her was sickening. Its grin was sadistic as blood drooled from its razor-like teeth.

The woman didn't move as the monster raised its giant hand, ready to slam her into the ground, turning her into the third pile of mush.

"...huh" She muttered once more as she faced certain death.

"...PIERCING LIGHT!"

Suddenly a golden beam of light shot straight forward from out of the dense fog, blazing through the thick air. It illuminated the entire section of the floor, bathing everything around us in a bright, angelic light.

SLAM!

"RRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

My eyes dart back over to the monster. It is clinging to its left shoulder, the shoulder that had raised the arm prepared to squash Sarah. The arm that was now laying on the dungeon floor, that was previously attached to its owner's body.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

The monster roared again in pain as it jumped back just in time as the man that had been flung away earlier walked through the fog. His face was riddled with determination and anger. In one hand was a sword ready to take on the world. His other hand was glowing a bright gold light, very similar to the one that had burnt the monster's arm clean off its body.

I watch in awe as the man continues to stride towards the monster. He doesn't even spare me a glance, instead his only focus being the monster that had taken two members of his family.

"Come get some, you bastard! I PRAY TO THE HEAVENS, GIFT ME THE POWER TO SMIGHT DOWN MY FOE SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE THIS FIGHT, HEAVENLY PIERCING LIGHT!"

'What the...?' I thought as my eyes were glued to the man's arm. The glow it had been omitting had been slowly fading but as he shouted out those words, it immediately gained strength and as he stretched out his arm, aimed at the black-furred monster, another blinding golden beam flew from the palm of his hands.

I follow its trajectory. Its speed is immense. If this was shot at me, I know I would have no chance to dodge. But the monster wasn't me. It had heard the chant and its mind told it to jump away.

The golden beam narrowly missed the silverback's head, however, another bit of flesh dropped to the floor. The monster looked down in rage and pain as it saw its right ear begin to turn to ash.

It turned its attention back to its attacker. It narrowed its eyes and snarled its teeth. With a pound of its chest and another almighty roar, it charged at the man, who was more than ready to take on the fight.

Fierce.

That's what was happening in front of me.

A fierce fight to the death, straight out of the hero book Mother Maria had given me. A man focused on saving his friends and family fighting an evil monster whose only focus was to kill everyone. It truly was like a fight out of the dungeon oratorio.

I was still taking down some imps but I barely stayed concentrated, mesmerised by the fight in front of me.

The man's sword swung at the monster, who blocked it with its thick hide. The monster then prepared a counter-attack, its hind legs swinging from underneath its body to deliver a fatal blow, only to be dodged.

Off to the side, Sarah was trying to find a way to help but with no weapon, she could do little but watch.

As I watched, I wondered why the man wasn't using that light beam again but I soon learned. After his third usage, which missed completely, he stumbled a bit, his hand coming to his head, almost as if he were tired and in distress.

'He can't keep using because it drains him of his strength.'

This was my conclusion. It was why the fight was so close. If the man could spam his attack, he would win. If he was fit and healthy, instead of coming off fighting off a large hoard of monsters and running for his life, he would win. But he had neither of those luxuries.

Sarah knew this as well as she watched her captain continue to fight heroically. She knew his magic. It was a one-shot to anything they had dealt with, apart from the Goliath floor boss. But it drained his mind rapidly, meaning he could only get a few uses. She was surprised he was able to fire it off more than once with how much he had been through today.

"dammit," she muttered as she cursed her uselessness. She had never been a hand-to-hand combatant, the closest she ever got was using a knife. Her expertise was her dexterity and agility stats, not her strength and especially not her defence. If she chose to enter the fight without a weapon, she would only be in Gordon's way. So she stayed out of his way.

Krsssssshhhh

The same noise that had echoed only 5 minutes prior once again resounded in the air. After so many cuts, slashes and blocks, Gordon's sword finally caved into the damage. It had been one of his first trusted allies and for years he had held it by his side with pride. So for the last time in its owner's hands, it gave all its strength.

As it joined Sarah's sword in pieces on the dungeon floor, the monster roared in pain as blood poured from its stomach. With its remaining hand, it covered the wound. Gordon wasted no time in mourning his weapon and instead began pummelling the monster with his fists.

Gordon had been trained by Gryff, a hardened veteran and a dwarf. While more efficient with a sword, he was no slouch with his fists. Sarah could feel the ground vibrate as each of his fists connected with the Silverback's body. Its arm, legs, head. Gordon spared no mercy as sweat poured from his forehead. His usual gorgeous sandy-blonde hair was matted with sweat and blood as he continued the onslaught, each punch created a boom.

Then it finally happened. The turning point of the match. The one moment that was needed to finally end the match. Gordon finally shattered the monkey's wrist, forcing its hand to go limp. With another roar of pain, the monster stumbled backwards.

Gordon, after constant battling, took his first breath and watched as his opponent fell to the floor, steam pouring from its mouth with each breath it took.

That was the moment.

"Sarah, are you alright?" Gordon said as he turned around to glance at his comrade.

The lesson Percy had learned earlier. Never lose concentration.

With a sudden speed of movement, the silverback pounced from its left foot and delivered a kick with its right. A kick so powerful, that Gordon's entire body evaporated into blood. Pieces of his body flew everywhere.

Percy's eyes were wide in shock.

Sarah fell to the ground as she stared at the place where Gordon once was. She had seen his face, his eyes, just before he was killed. He had looked tired but he still wanted to check if she was alright, and he died. He died checking on her. It was her fault he had died. She hadn't helped, not with the monster party or now and Gordon, Gryff, Elfie and Frankie were all dead. Because of her. She had gotten them killed. It was all her fault.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Percy's eyes moved to look at Sarah who suddenly screamed. She went mad. Clutching at her face, tearing at her hair, tears streamed down her face as she continually screamed. She sporadically moved all over the ground. She was easy prey.

The silverback stumbled over to the almost insane adventurer, its sadistic smile back. It had enjoyed killing that human, it had been a nuisance. It had cut its arm off, opened up its stomach and broken its wrist. This one though was pathetic. They had tried to kill it already but could barely scratch it. It reached out its black-furred foot, ready to grab the adventurer and crush it. He knew there was another one but it barely registered, deeming them not a threat.

Percy would make sure that would cost it its life.

His body moved without thinking. He found speed he didn't know he had and rushed straight towards the monster. Then with all his strength he leapt 15ft high and collided his fist perfectly with the monster's chin.

The silverback fell to the floor, dazed. Percy wasted no time in grabbing Sarah and rushing her over to where Alyssa was.

"Hey! Hey listen to me!"

Sarah just continued to cry.

"Look, please. One of your friends still needs you. Please save her."

"SAVE! I can't save. I'm the reason they are all dead!"

Percy heard the silverback begin to get up.

"Please I'm begging up. You can still do it. Do it for the ones that died."

Percy thought to the dwarf that had saved him from being crushed.

Percy brought Sarah's hand, making it touch Alyssa's. It was warm but Sarah could tell it was losing heat. It brought her back to her senses.

"We won't make it."

Sarah was right. The irregular silverback wouldn't let them leave alive, especially not now as it looked around only to spot the boy that had hit it. It snarled. It wanted to leap straight at them but it couldn't, not with its injuries.

"You will. I-I promise."

Sarah immediately understood what he meant, grabbing his arm.

"NO! I'm not having another person die because of me."

Percy did the only thing he thought of doing at that time. His 5-year-old mind was racing on what he needed to do. He shifted through all his memories of the hero stories he had read. They would never leave someone. They would always save people. And that was what Percy wanted to do now. So he remembered something he read.

"Wh-who said I'm going to d-die," Percy said as he looked back. His smile was strained and scared as he pathetically pulled off a cool line he read before a hero went off to battle.

Without a second glance, Percy squirmed free of Sarah's grasp and began running away. The silverback glared at her once before giving chase.

Sarah just watched as she silently cried. She picked up Alyssa and without a look back, she ran off in the direction of the 11th floor staircase as she hated herself more than she ever had.

I don't know how long I have been running for? My lungs are on fire and it feels like my legs will give out any minute.

SLAM!

I get a fresh reminder of why I haven't stopped. The monster barely misses me again with its remaining arm. It seems to have given up hope on living as it lets blood continue to pour out of its stomach and shoulder. It seems to only care about bringing me with it.

SLAM!

It again slams into the ground to my right. I see it stumble and so I quickly dash in for a swift roundhouse kick to its jaw before jumping away again. The monster howls in rage and restarts the pursuit around the 12th floor.

I've tried to stay on the main routes, hoping I run into another party. I'm not that stupid in thinking the Loki Familia will show up again but hopefully, someone will. Call me selfish but my thinking is that if someone is down here, then they might be strong enough to help me kill this thing.

I continue to run as I hop over a fallen tree. I don't dare look behind me at the sound of wood splintering reaching my ears a mere second after. I did it once and I regret it. I almost fainted in fear as the black fur, combined with the bloodshot eyes contrasted with its bloodied and bruised body, especially its wrist that was hanging by the bone and a few pieces of stretched skin. It was something out of a nightmare.

"ORRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

I once again internally thank the male adventurer for all the damage he did to the monster as that is the only reason I'm able to stay in front. I will make sure it wasn't all for nothing.

I swerve around a recently spawned Orc. It didn't even get time to register its existence before it was ripped apart by its fellow monster.

I'm breathing heavily. Moving as fast as my legs can carry me. I think back to why I'm even here. The fight with Brant over nothing but a question. Why did I have to be such a brat? Why couldn't I just accept things and move on?

SLAM!

I narrow my eyes and grit my teeth as I fight through the searing pain flowing around my whole body.

'I don't wanna die, not before I apologise!'

I reached behind me for the 10th time since I began running. It's still there. The thing that my whole plan resides on. The knife Reg gave me to dig out the purple stones. I look back up, my heart pounding in my chest as I see it.

I have run past this area two times now. The first time was a coincidence, I was just running at that point. Between the first and second I realised what I saw and made a large circle to get a second look. It nearly cost me my life a couple of times but it was worth it. This third time was quickly approaching. It was now or never.

I begin to pump my legs again and make it into the open wasteland. The monster continues to chase.

I see the piles of trees that were clumped together, I dash towards them. They really do remind me of that thing I saw in Daedalus Street. I think Maria called it a See-Saw(teeter-totter).

SLAM!

The monster once again tries making a ditch effort at getting me with its broken wrist. It had taken to slamming its useless wrist into the ground in hopes of catching me. This was its last attempt as all the pressure was enough to finally make it detach. It had already been hanging by the bone but now it was gone, leaving the monster without either of its deadliest weapons. But it still had its teeth and its legs. I will not make the same mistake as that man.

I reach the trees and jump over the tilted one as it's aimed upwards, pointed towards me. I land on the part that's touching the floor and then hope. My plan relies on something unlikely to happen. However, my plan comes to fruition as I feel my body go light. The monster has stepped on the other side of the tree trunk, sending me hurtling upwards. This is where I draw my knife.

The monster wastes no time in jumping after me, probably seeing me as easy prey now that I'm unable to run away but I swivel in the air and aim. Closing one eye I pour all my concentration into my right eye and with a swing of my left arm, I let go.

THUD

"RRAAAAAAAAAA!"

I remain in free fall for another few seconds before landing harshly on the ground. Immense pain immediately springs from my right foot. I know what a broken bone is. I cry out in pain but do my best to hold back any other noise. I heard my knife land into the monster but I don't know where. I was already swarmed by the thick fog before I got a chance to look. The monster had screamed but I was unsure if that was just because I hit it in the body.

I manage to wipe away the tears and stop most of the rest coming through, doing my best to try and scan my surroundings. Then I see it.

The monster is lying down about 10 metres away, its black fur motionless as it doesn't move. I squint my eyes and then I see it.

I hit my target.

I fall back to the floor and breathe a sigh of relief as the image of my knife lodged in the monster's right eye stays in my mind as I close them, trying to regain my energy.

"It's... o-over," I mumble out through long drawn breaths.

Then I hear it.

CRRRRRCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!

'You have to be kidding me!' I think as my mind registers the ever-present sound of a monster spawning. Judging by the sound of it, it's an Orc.

I can't. Not anymore. I can barely move my finger, let alone get up and fight. My ankle is definitely broken as I whimper out painful moans.

'After all that... for nothing.'

I close my eyes again, possibly for the final time. I can't help but smile slightly.

'At least those two got away,' I think as the image of Sarah carrying the dog girl away is the last thing I see before my mind shuts down.

The Orc spotted the young boy but unfortunately for it, so did a group of adventurers. With a quick slash of her sword, the young elven girl stood over the boy as she began registering his injuries.

"Alise, over here!" Ryu shouted to her friend.

Perseus' first proper battle in the dungeon has finished. What did you think? I kind of went JJK on this, having enjoyed writing interesting side characters only to kill them off straight away, which felt even better, I can see why the author of JJK does it.

I am sorry if you did grow attactched to either Gryff or Gordon but this is the dungeon and I think a lot of fanfics and even the source material forgot how deadly the place really is. It's a place of constant death and monsters around every corner. This stuff happens every day in it, apart from the irregular part. Speaking of, what did you think of the black silverback. I thought of Bell's fight with the silverbakc in daedalus street and thought huh, that could be a really bad enemy if it was an irregular similar to Astreus.

Anyway, now the AStrea Familia have met/seen Perseus and they ain't leaving anytime soon. Also, a new God shall be appearing soon. It is one in the story so take you guesses cause they will be play a pivitol role in this story, would like to see who you think. I won't be saying yes or no, so be warned.

Review time:

Raphielle: I'm unsure who you are on about when you say Perseus is trying to avenge his former Familia's banishers. Who is that? As for Zeus and Hera, well Zeus had Bell and Hera had Perseus, who knows why she left him behind but Zeus was able to raise Bell.

Roland Tepes: Young Astrea FAmilia interactions next chapter guaranteed.

cloudman3011: Firstly, cheers mate, glad you enjoying it. Reg and Brant reactions were funny to write and I'm hoping to use them lighten the tone of this story. And yeah, Perseus needed that push to finally do what he wanted, something he experienced even more in this chapter.

jank7457: Freya and Loki Familia GOING DOWN! Sorry, Justice going down next chapter, not this one.

korakovroman9: As sad as it is, you ain't wrong. I guess only time will tell but this chapter is only a brief taster for what is to come

With that, see ya next time, Peace!