"Your courage is amusing, but ultimately meaningless."
---
"Where the hell is she?!" Asfi snapped with irritation, voicing what everyone was thinking about the sudden disappearance of the Sword Princess, who had left them so abruptly.
The entire Familia was gathered at the gates of Rivira, waiting impatiently for their trump card to return from wherever she had gone.
"I'm sure she had a good reason to leave," Nelly, the rear guard leader, said with a nervous smile, trying to calm her captain down.
Asfi, despite her normally cool-headed nature, did not appreciate the Sword Princess abandoning them without a proper explanation—especially right as they were about to depart for the 24th floor.
You could say she wasn't one to tolerate sudden complications.
"Look, here she comes," Falgar said, pointing toward the town. Sure enough, the Sword Princess was heading toward them... alongside another person?
"Uhh, who's that with her?" Lulune, the Chienthrope thief, asked the question on everyone's mind. They exchanged glances, but none of them recognized the person.
Their captain sighed in irritation. "Wait here," Asfi ordered, beginning to walk toward the approaching figures to see what new complication had just landed on her shoulders.
As she neared them, preparing to question the unfamiliar white-haired human beside Ais—
White hair?
Asfi double-checked, her sharp eyes narrowing. Sure enough, the boy had white hair... and red eyes... and his stature—
Wait a minute, she remembered him!
"Perseus," Ais said as they finally reached each other. "I hope I wasn't gone for long?"
But Asfi paid her little mind, her cyan eyes locked onto the familiar figure before her.
The white hair, the crimson eyes, the build—he was unmistakably the boy who had been at Albert's place that night.
The million-valis question was: Why was he with the Sword Princess?
She noticed his sharp, crimson gaze dissecting her—not merely observing, but analyzing her—like a blade against a blade, a silent clash of tension sparking between them.
"Uhh..." Ais looked puzzled, unsure if she should intervene before something happened. "Do you know each other?" she asked instead, hoping to break the silence.
"No." "I don't know him." They said at the same time, denying something they knew wasn't true.
"Who is this, Sword Princess?" Asfi questioned, her tone calm and reserved, careful not to antagonize Ais.
Ais opened her mouth to answer, but the white-haired teen beat her to it.
"Bell Cranel," he said, delivering the name without hesitation. "An acquaintance of the Sword Princess."
His body language was composed and confident as he extended a hand with a charming smile.
Asfi stared at the offered hand for a moment before accepting it slowly, instinctive caution stiffening her fingers.
"A... pleasure," she said, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"I and the Sword Princess are in one party for the day. I'm pleased to meet the rest of the subjugation group," he added smoothly, breaking the handshake with a fluid motion.
Asfi turned her gaze to Ais, silently seeking confirmation.
Ais simply nodded.
Asfi returned her attention to the still-smiling Bell Cranel, her mind whirring. 'A party member? Is he from the Loki Familia? What level is he anyway?'
She usually kept track of newly leveled-up adventurers, and so far, his appearance didn't match any one she had heard about.
It didn't matter—for now. Unexpected, yes, but ultimately inconsequential for their upcoming quest.
...Although she might do a little digging regarding him later.
"Alright... no problem. Just don't fall behind," she said almost dismissively, turning away. "We've wasted enough time here. Let's begin the quest already." With that, she walked back toward her waiting Familia.
"Yes," Ais said softly and followed after her.
---
In a dark room beneath the tower of babel, more akin to an underground throne room, lay the most important figure in all of the mortal realm.
The God Ouranos, the de facto ruler of Orario and its bureaucratic entity—the Guild of Adventurers.
The old-looking god was deep in concentration, busy offering prayers to the dungeon.
This term might give an outsider the idea that a god was worshiping the monstrous belly that was the dungeon, but they would be wrong, for the prayers of a god to the dungeon greatly weaken it.
His prayers reached deep; with each floor they passed through, the monsters there are birthed weaker, and hence far easier to handle for the mortal races.
Unfortunately, his prayers did not reach the entirety of the dungeon—thus, the monsters of the lower floors remained immensely powerful.
But for the mortal race, the God Ouranos might as well be their savior. For almost a thousand years, he had remained down in this throne room, praying to the dungeon to ease the mortal race's burden.
Suddenly, the old god's eyes opened, sensing another presence in the dark room.
"What happened?" Ouranos asked, seemingly speaking to the shadows—but the old god knew better.
From the darkness emerged his loyal servant and follower: Fels.
Although he appeared composed, Ouranos could see—and even smell—the scorched scent of burnt fabric clinging to his loyal follower.
"Was the Sword Princess more aggressive than anticipated?" he inquired, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity.
He hadn't expected her aggressive tendencies to have remained so intense after all this time.
"No," Fels replied curtly. "It was another person. But I am well, Ouranos," he revealed, his tone carrying the weight of truth.
Even if he had lied, no mortal could deceive a god.
Ouranos nodded, letting the matter drop. "Did the Sword Princess accept the quest?" he asked instead.
Fels nodded in return. "Yes. I managed to convince her to meet with the Hermes Familia. They should be heading to the 24th floor as we speak."
It was easy, if Fels was honest—say the right words and watch as the person did exactly what you intended.
Ouranos closed his eyes, a thoughtful expression painting his ancient face.
"I sense that tragedy is inevitable in this conflict," Ouranos said, his voice carrying a tint of guilt. "I would have sent Lyd and his group, but this outbreak is far beyond what they can handle," he murmured, unwilling to risk further casualties among the Xenos.
Fels pulled out an Occulus, his unique communication magic item. "I have contacted them and ordered them to retreat from the 24th floor. They will not be caught between this conflict," he reported.
Ouranos took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts. "I will inform Hermes myself. He will be more understanding if I am the one delivering the news."
"As you wish, Master," Fels bowed, his figure already retreating into the shadows, his cloak rendering him invisible once again.
Ouranos took a deep sigh, "what troubling times are we in." He muttered to himself in a tired voice.
---
"Are you a Level Two?" Ais asked, repeating the question she had posed back in Rivira. This time, she would get an actual answer.
All For One didn't even bother to look at her. "No," he answered, short and straight to the point, exercising just enough self-control to avoid rolling his eyes in irritation.
After introducing himself to the rest of the group—more out of courtesy than any genuine care—the party finally began descending into the lower floors of the dungeon.
All For One immediately recognized the change from the upper floors.
After the 18th-floor safety point came a vast expanse made up of dense forests and caves, often referred to as the "Grand Tree."
The monsters here were vastly different from the ones encountered above, as he recalled from the textbooks Eina had reluctantly allowed him to access after an irritatingly long debate to convince her that he needed to understand the dungeon, even if he technically couldn't reach those areas yet.
His formal studies with her had been informative, but his private research had been even more so.
On the 24th floor, at a massive pantry, there lay a huge crystal pillar—an essential structure that produced nutrients, sustaining the local monster ecosystem. It was a critical food source, attracting monsters that wouldn't normally appear in this area. Sometimes, creatures from the "Great Waterfall" would even venture here temporarily in search of sustenance.
His primary targets might not be native to these floors, but the monster gathering ensured there would be at least some of them here.
Now, he just had to avoid snapping at the insufferable Wallenstein until they reached their destination.
At least the others were wise enough to leave them alone.
Minus the occasional stares. Especially from that girl—Perseus.
He was fully aware of the identity of this particular group. The Hermes Familia had been mentioned enough times for him to recognize them immediately—travelers, mediators, information brokers. They claimed neutrality, but All For One had no illusions about that claim holding under real pressure.
Neutrality was a lie of convenience. Push the right pressure points, and even the most passive of souls would bare their fangs.
He also knew of their captain, Asfi Al Andromeda—the very girl he recalled seeing at that broker's bar. The one who was now staring at him with sharp suspicion.
She was a prodigy of craftsmanship. A genuine genius.
A possible threat—or a tool.
More likely a threat.
Quite the inconvenience, if All For One was being honest. Information gatherers thrived on observation. They watched. They analyzed. They sold. If he made even a single misstep, it could spiral into a catastrophic revelation of his true power—something All For One had absolutely no intention of allowing.
Still, high risks equaled high rewards.
It would all be worth it in the end.
"How are you so strong as a Level One, then?" Ais asked yet another irritating question, her head tilted in curiosity, a tinge of eagerness flashing in her otherwise calm golden eyes.
All For One barely held back an audible sigh. "Training and talent," he answered curtly—not exactly a lie. He did possess talent. And he had been training lately, performing minor workouts to optimize his body. Hestia encouraged that, telling him how significantly a Falna's growth could be affected by physical condition.
Ais remained silent for a few moments, absorbing his answer.
"What training regimen do you follow?" she asked eagerly, her eyes wide, almost expectant.
All For One stared at her flatly, his face a mask of deadpan disbelief.
"You think my training will help you? A Level Six?" he pointed out, highlighting the absurdity of her logic.
Why would he share that information with this stalker anyway?
What was she even aiming for with all these incessant questions? Growth? Strength?
As if that would work for her.
The only true path to strength laid in absorbing... abilities.
Ah.
So that's what this was about.
She wanted to figure out how his arsenal was growing so fast. She was trying to learn his "secret" method, probably in hopes of applying it to herself.
How cute.
The Level Six monstrosity stalking a mere Level One for growth methods.
And he would absolutely be taking advantage of that in the future.
Ais looked sheepish at his blunt reply, pulling a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Yes... that was stupid," she admitted, her gaze falling forward in slight embarrassment.
All For One almost thanked a fake deity that she had let the matter drop.
Maybe he could enjoy the rest of the journey in relative peace.
"...Who was that with you?" Ais suddenly asked, breaking the temporary silence. Her question was vague, offering no clarification.
All For One raised an eyebrow at her, his expression clearly saying, 'Elaborate.'
Ais seemed to pick up on it. "That short Amazoness you were with... is she your lover? You were holding hands," she explained, creeping at him with that same damned curious look—like a puppy sniffing at something new.
All For One felt his eye twitch.
How had she even arrived at such a ridiculous conclusion?
"And what does it matter to you?" he asked sharply, struggling to keep the edge out of his voice.
Ais, unfazed, pressed on. "I saw you with another elf girl at Monsterphilia," she said simply, as if laying down evidence, which earned her another twitch from All For One.
"I was curious..." she added innocently. Then she tilted her head again. "Are you an edgy delinquent?"
...
What the fuck was her problem?
All For One almost huffed. "The elf is my guild advisor," he answered, voice flat and tired. "The Amazoness is just an acquaintance."
"Ohhh," Ais said, as if everything suddenly made sense, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"Are you done with your ridiculous questions?" All For One asked, almost regretting ever proposing this deal with her in the first place.
Ais put a hand over her mouth, as if contemplating something deeply.
"Why are you so... arrogant?" she finally asked.
"...Pardon?" All For One said, confused for a second.
"Gareth said you're cocky and arrogant," Ais explained, her voice soft but curious. "You don't regard the strong. Why? Aren't you weaker than them?"
All For One didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked ahead, his gaze sharp and focused toward the Hermes Familia.
Ais followed his line of sight, her eyes landing on the Hermes Familia members as they fought off a wave of monsters.
She instinctively wanted to step in and help, but Perseus had insisted earlier that she observe and not interfere—likely to showcase their teamwork and capabilities.
"Thane, take out the ones on our left flank!" Asfi commanded, her voice clear and composed. Her order was swiftly obeyed as the hat-wearing elf took down the monsters with quickly, securing their flank with a rapid volley of arrows.
"Tell me, Wallenstein," All For One said suddenly, his voice low and deliberate, "do you see strong individuals... or weak ones in this party?"
Ais blinked at the question, momentarily thrown off. "What do you mean?" she asked, seeking further clarification.
"The weak hide behind the strong to exist, while the strong exist simply because they can," All For One said, his tone cold and sharp, catching Ais by surprise.
He pointed ahead at one of the Hermes Familia members—Keaks, if he recalled correctly—who was in the midst of taking down a fungus-like monster.
"The Hermes Familia pretends to be strong right now," All For One said, "but they all know that you are their true trump card."
His eyes turned back to her. "Once you leave... the whole façade will crumble like dust and scatter in the wind."
Ais glanced back and forth between the battling group and All For One, uncertainty flashing in her golden eyes.
"...You're wrong," she said finally, her voice steady. "They are strong."
She trusted her instincts—the Hermes Familia was not built solely on illusions. They were a balanced force of teamwork, experience, and genuine strength. Their captain was a genius strategist; their bonds were real.
All For One almost chuckled at that, a cold glint flashing across his features.
"You ask why I don't regard the strong?" he said, amusement briefly coloring his voice.
But then the humor drained away, replaced by a chilling neutrality.
"Wallenstein," he said, voice dropping lower, "There is no fate. No divine plan. Only the will to rise... or the weakness to fall."
He turned back to the path ahead, speaking with a calm finality that seemed to weigh down the very air.
"I refuse to fall," he said simply. "Hence... I refuse to acknowledge anyone as stronger than me."
His words hung between them, sharp and deliberate, like a blade drawn in a silent, tense room.
Ais's expression didn't shift much, still carrying that same unwavering curiosity. Her golden gaze never wavered.
"I'm stronger than you," she pointed out bluntly, her tone not boasting—just stating a reality.
All For One did not reply, his gaze remaining locked ahead, unmoved.
Ais didn't push the matter. She simply let it drop, her golden eyes reflecting a quiet struggle to understand.
"...Let's head forward. We shouldn't get separated from the rest," Ais finally said, stepping toward the Hermes Familia, who had long since finished their fight and were preparing to resume their march.
All For One followed suit, maintaining a calm expression.
"Look who finally decided to catch up," a smug-looking Pallum said.
What All For One assumed to be his sister chuckled at her brother's words. "Don't be so harsh on the new guys, Pock," she said.
Pock waved his hand dismissively. "Whatever, Pot. They're not helping anyway. All they do is flirt with each other at the back while we work our asses off."
That comment drew a few chuckles from the Hermes Familia, clearly amused by their little friend.
"Well, I suppose carrying the rest of the group's equipment is a tiring endeavor," All For One said with a small, mocking smile.
Pock's expression shifted instantly from smugness to fury. "What did you just say?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Pot grabbed her brother's shoulder, stopping him from doing anything rash. "Don't, Pock," she said, her previously carefree smile gone.
"Bell. Remember, we're outsiders here," Ais whispered to him, a worried look in her eyes.
...
Well... As much as he hated it, antagonizing them wasn't exactly in his best interest.
So, All For One put on his most apologetic face and voice. "Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you," he said.
Of course, he had meant to offend him, referencing his race's stereotype status as supporters who carried the adventurers' equipment and loot.
But All For One's mask was not so easily seen through.
Pock sized him up, eyes sharp with lingering hostility. "Don't repeat it," he spat, then turned away, his sister following after a final glare.
...
That's what he got for trying to be polite.
"Chop chop! No more chatting! Let's get going!" Falgar, the vice-captain, called out, relaying Asfi's command from up ahead, where she was likely scouting for a suitable path.
Soon enough, they resumed their slow march, silence stretching between them.
"So, Sword Princess, what's your relationship with that boy?" Tabitha asked Ais in a hushed tone, casting a glance at All For One.
She seemed to be a Chienthrope—or at least, that's what All For One assumed. She resembled a cat person, though thankfully without the infuriating habit of adding 'meow' to every sentence.
Ais raised one eyebrow curiously. "He's... an acquaintance," she replied, echoing the same label All For One had used earlier when speaking with Asfi.
"Oh~ So that means he's open~?" Tabitha teased, her eyes sparkling playfully, a slight blush creeping onto her face. "You know, I have a thing for white-haired bad boys~," she added with a mischievous smile.
All For One was unimpressed. He simply ignored them and kept his focus forward.
Ais, on the other hand, had... complicated feelings about this. "I..." She looked like she wanted to object but ultimately kept her mouth shut.
"Tabitha, leave him alone," Nelly, the rear-guard leader, cut in, chastising her Familia member for her inappropriate focus. "We're in the middle of something, you know?"
She then leaned forward, whispering the last part, "Besides, Pock and Pot will be angry if you chase after him after what he said."
Tabitha seemed to realize the risks involved and rolled her eyes. "Fine..." she huffed.
"Hey, uh... what's your deal, man?" said a voice to All For One's right—it was the other Chienthrope girl, Lulune, if he recalled correctly.
All For One raised an eyebrow. "My deal?" he echoed, not quite grasping what she meant.
"Besides that racist comment, what's your deal with Miss Ais? Are you from her Familia?" she asked, her casual tone suggesting previous encounters with Wallenstein.
"That would be none of your business," he said dismissively, keeping his gaze locked forward.
Lulune looked unsatisfied with that response.
"C'mon, lil bro! Indulge our little mischief girl a little!" said another voice, this time from All For One's left, making him sigh audibly for the two to hear.
Annoying bunch.
Maybe he should have risked getting lost rather than staying close to them.
Glancing briefly at the newcomer, he recognized him: Keaks, the black-haired human with a slingshot for a weapon.
"Come on, we're not that annoying!" Lulune said with a smirk. "Just tell us if you're from Loki Familia!"
"Why don't you two tell me your real levels?" All For One said calmly, his tone bored, his expression unreadable.
That earned an alarmed look not just from Lulune and Keaks, but also from several others who overheard.
Got them.
"Uhhh... I don't know what you're talking about, pal," Lulune said with a nervous laugh, glancing sideways at Keaks. "We're Level Two, right, Keaks!?"
"Absolutely, yes! Hahaha!" Keaks echoed, poorly hiding their clear discomfort.
"You're above Level Two," All For One said flatly, his gaze returning forward.
Lulune almost choked on air.
"And you... Keaks, was it? I'm not so sure about you. You seem physically weak, so you might actually be a Level Two."
Though the comment should have reassured Keaks, it instead struck a nerve.
"WEAK!?" he exclaimed loudly, his face turning bright red with embarrassment.
"I'll have you know, I can kill a monster in one strike! Bare hands!" Keaks said, puffing up his chest.
All For One raised an eyebrow. "Then test it out on that troll," he said, gesturing toward a wandering troll monster approaching the group.
"I'll show you!" Keaks shouted, rushing toward the creature, desperate to prove himself. "Lulune! How about a bet!?" he called back smugly.
"Oh boy, this ain't gonna end well," Falgar muttered beside Asfi, having overheard everything.
Asfi looked about ready to tear her hair out. "I can't believe these incompetent idiots got exposed by some random kid..." she muttered, barely containing her anger.
She would deal with Lulune and Keaks later for this catastrophic failure.
"Look at me, kid!" Keaks shouted dramatically, charging the troll. "Watch as I, Keaks the Great, defeat this troll and present its loot to Asfi-ch—!?"
CRACK!
The unmistakable sound of breaking bones echoed across the forest, making everyone in the Hermes Familia wince.
Everyone—except All For One, who was smirking at the pathetic display.
"AHHH! MY HAND!" Keaks screamed, rolling on the ground in agony, his hand visibly mangled from the troll's tough skin.
Before the troll could finish off its whimpering assailant, it was swiftly dispatched by Lulune, who immediately ran over to check on Keaks.
"Keaks!? Holy shit, your hand's in the wrong direction!" she exclaimed.
"I know!" Keaks wailed. "Give me a potion!"
"Don't worry, Keaks! I think if I twist it back the other way, it might fix it!" Lulune said brightly, already reaching for him.
"No, wait, Lulu—!"
CRACK!
Another audible snap. Another wave of collective winces from the Hermes Familia.
"AGHHHHH! YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Keaks howled, rolling on the ground dramatically while cradling his mangled hand. "You did that on purpose, didn't you!? I know you did!"
"C'mon, don't whine. Here, take my high potion, heh," Lulune said cheekily, handing him a potion.
With the comical display over, All For One turned his attention elsewhere—specifically to Asfi, who stood before him with sharp, unreadable eyes.
"Come with me," she said, her voice calm but carrying unmistakable authority.
Predictable. It was only a matter of time.
"You stay with the rest, Sword Princess," Asfi instructed as Ais took a few steps toward them.
Ais hesitated for a moment before nodding in understanding.
Asfi returned the nod, then turned and marched forward.
All For One sighed lightly and followed behind her.
"How did you figure it out?" Asfi asked just as they gained enough distance from the rest of the group, the two of them taking the lead through the dense forest.
All For One didn't need further clarification to understand what she meant.
"I've fought and defeated Level Twos. A simple observation was enough to discern the power difference," All For One replied in a dismissive tone. "It might be in your best interest to conceal it better, or the Guild might receive a complaint or two about potential Familia tax evasion and deliberate misinformation about level status." He added this with a mocking smile.
This comment served two purposes: one, it was a indirect threat—essentially saying, "try anything funny against me, and you're exposed."
The second was simply because All For One loved watching the twisted expressions of so-called geniuses when they realized they were in the palm of someone else's hand.
"Grrr…" Asfi silently gritted her teeth, fully grasping the implication behind his words.
Now, Asfi was beginning to indulge in Falgar's earlier talk with her—about how this kid might be the mysterious white-haired individual she was trying to find.
'Take a deep breath, Asfi. Don't fall into irrational choices because of petty vocal provocations,' she reminded herself, trying to stay calm.
There was no way this smartass kid was powerful enough to be the one she was looking for.
"I'll consider your… suggestion," Asfi replied, her eyes narrowing. "You seem to be very observant. Are you a strategist in your Familia? Which one was it again?" she asked in an innocent tone, attempting to extract information the old-fashioned way.
"I see that your skills in information gathering are just as lacking as your strategic ones," All For One said in a neutral tone. His words were mocking, even if his voice wasn't. Did she really think such a basic tactic would work on him?
Asfi blushed slightly at that but kept her cool. "That was just a simple tactic! And my strategy is fine. If not, what do you suggest then?" she challenged, her expression daring him to offer an alternative.
Pathetic.
"For starters, are you aware that this incident might not be the result of a typical dungeon occurrence, but rather something intentional?" All For One asked, his tone shifting into something more instructive.
Asfi looked momentarily baffled, not expecting him to take the challenge seriously. "Uhh… Yes, I did have a theory about that," she admitted, now paying closer attention to him.
"At least you're not completely hopeless," All For One said, earning himself a frown from Asfi.
"The gathering of monsters could only mean one thing: the path to the Pantry has likely been destroyed or sealed off, forcing the monsters to rampage in search of another route to sustain their hunger," he explained, sharing his insights despite having limited information.
Asfi nodded, her expression sharpening. She had already suspected something might have happened at the Pantry. It was the only plausible explanation for such a massive outbreak.
"If this expedition is to succeed in completing the quest, you'll have to face and clear whatever caused the blockage in the first place—which means confronting the people behind this incident," All For One continued, his eyes never straying from the path ahead.
"Yes. That's where the Sword Princess comes in. No matter the culprits' strength, they can't overpower a Level Six," Asfi replied confidently, assured of their party's capability.
All For One rolled his eyes. "And what happens when the Sword Princess is separated from you?" he asked, pointing out the obvious flaw in her plan.
Asfi considered it. It was a plausible—though unlikely—scenario. "Then… we fight on our own. We're not helpless," she insisted. Her group had the strength and intelligence to handle most situations.
All For One nearly sighed. This expedition was doomed.
Before he could respond, Asfi pointed ahead. "There. We've arrived."
It was a cliff—a vantage point overlooking the path to the Pantry. The path, however, was overrun with monsters. From the lowly Firebirds—capable of magical attacks much like Hellhounds—to the mammoth Fool, the name of which was rather self-explanatory.
"Now that's an outbreak if I've ever seen one," said Thane, the hat-wearing elf, sweat beading on his brow.
"I'll surely describe this in my next song," said Jose, a slightly chubby beastman who fancied himself a poet.
"There's no way around it. We'll need to engage," Falgar said, stating the obvious.
All For One's eyes drifted toward Wallenstein. Her expression was thoughtful, her posture ready to… leap?
'Don't say it…'
He quickly turned toward Asfi before that blonde idiot ruined everything for him.
"Perseus," he called, drawing her attention. "You think your group is ready to face anything without the Sword Princess." He pointed toward the monster horde. "Can you handle that?"
Asfi's expression hardened. "This is far beyond what we can manage, numbers-wise," she admitted. She wasn't ashamed to reveal a slight vulnerability—charging in would be suicide.
All For One's mind worked quickly. What compromise could function?
"Let the Sword Princess handle a portion of them. The remainder should suffice to keep the party battle-ready for the Pantry," he suggested. His tone remained neutral, so as not to seem forceful.
Asfi peered down at the horde. Their numbers seemed endless. Taking them on would be exhausting.
And yet… Cranel's words planted a seed of doubt in her mind.
What if the Sword Princess did get separated somehow? Would they have the strength to overcome whatever lay ahead without her?
...
"Sword Princess," she called out to Ais, who stopped mid-motion just before leaping into the fray.
"Yes?" Ais replied, tilting her head.
"...Don't kill them all. Leave some for us to engage with," Asfi said with a troubled look. This would at least help keep their Battle instincts sharp.
Ais nodded and leaped down gracefully. Within seconds, the sea of monsters became a sea of carcasses as Wallenstein tore through a massive portion of them, leaving just enough alive to pose a challenge for the others.
The Hermes Familia looked eager to engage, their expressions lighting up at the opportunity. Meanwhile, All For One smirked.
"Now, stay in formation and strike when you have the chance!" Asfi commanded and leaped from the cliff, descending upon the remaining monsters.
"Hyaa!" the Hermes Familia shouted in unison, following their captain's lead.
All except All For One, who chose to follow his own path.
"Now… let's hope that idiot left some of you behind. Otherwise, this whole trip was a waste of time," he muttered, his eyes scanning the pockets of monsters spared by Wallenstein.
---
A group of purple, crystal-like creatures were firing at the now long-gone assailant.
Yes, you heard that right—these monsters were shooting beams of light. A magical attack that drained their very core: the magic stone embedded within them.
They were known as Light Quartz, named for both their crystalline appearance and the nature of their attack.
Though these particular ones looked extremely unhealthy.
There were five left in total. Dozens more had been present earlier, but the Sword Princess had already eliminated the majority, having deemed their ranged capabilities a potential threat to the Hermes Familia.
Four of the remaining ones were barely able to stay upright, their magic attacks continuously draining what little energy remained within their fragile bodies.
They weren't native to this floor. They had migrated here temporarily, drawn by the lure of sustenance from the pantry.
But with the pantry path sealed, they were left here—hungry and exhausted.
The last of them fired a pitiful beam before collapsing, completely drained of energy.
"Ah, poor little monsters. Hungry and cornered like rats," All For One murmured as he dropped down from his vantage point, deciding his prey had weakened itself enough to pose no threat—or complications.
One of the Light Quartz summoned the will to fire a final, flickering beam of light before it too crumpled to the ground, hopefully not dead—at least for All For One's purposes.
Sidestepping the beam with ease, he charged forward, eyes sharp, hands already orchestrated. Black lightning sparked from his palms—the exposed holes through his gloved hands hungry to devour yet another ability.
"Light-based attacks... akin to a mediocre laser quirk," he muttered, grabbing one of the limp creatures. The black lightning intensified around his hand—the sign that magic extraction had begun.
"It seems potent enough to melt through an unblessed individual." He stabbed the creature through its eye, discarding the drained body like a trash bag before moving on to the next.
"Perhaps it could replicate the effects of my old quirk—Impure Beam of Light." He tossed aside the second, still speaking more to himself than anyone else.
"It might require... at least ten copies to reach comparable strength," he estimated aloud. Even without the numerous enhancer quirks he once stacked, Impure Beam of Light had been a powerful and flashy quirk.
He extracted the remaining three. Now possessing five copies in total.
"Now..." He glanced at his hand, then quickly fetched a Mind Potion, replenishing his Mind reserves.
"Ghagah!" came a guttural roar.
A group of trolls were charging at him, clubs raised and bloodlust high.
"Time to see if it is indeed a powerful attack." He raised his hand, choosing to use only two copies.
"This should suffice," he said, calmly aiming at the oncoming brutes.
Magical energy gathered—yellowish lightning began manifesting around his arm, wild and aggressive due to its intensity.
FWOOSH!
A sharp, golden beam of light erupted from his palm, striking a troll directly in the forehead and piercing through its thick skull with ease.
The troll collapsed with a heavy thud, but its kin didn't falter.
"…Remarkable." All For One smiled, cold and pleased. He dispatched the rest of the trolls with little resistance, noting that one attack had been strong enough to pierce through two trolls.
"Haa," he exhaled, pulling out another Mind Potion and downing it in a single gulp.
Note to self: it drains a lot.
"Aaaa—Keaks, act as a decoy!" Lulune's panicked voice echoed from the back, where the Hermes Familia was supposedly finishing off the last of the monsters. The Sword Princess had already cleared most of them.
"No way! You do it! You're more flexible than me!" Keaks retorted.
The two of them were being chased by a maddened Mammoth Fool with no intention of giving up.
Unfortunately, they were heading straight for All For One's position.
"These two again..." he muttered with a tired sigh.
Well... might as well test the full range of his new attack.
All For One raised his hand, this time opting to use three copies of the beam.
He took aim. The familiar yellowish lightning manifested again, and then—
Pain.
"Agh!" A grunt escaped him as the magic turned on him instead, burning his arm with enough heat to scorch his bracer and the clothes beneath.
Thankfully, the majority of the energy was still directed forward. It launched with lightning-fast speed into the Mammoth Fool's skull—vaporizing a portion of it and killing the beast instantly.
"Whoa!" Lulune shouted, startled by the sudden blast. Her eyes locked on All For One, who now clutched his scorched hand in discomfort.
"Hey—did that kid do that?! He's a mage?!" Keaks said in awe. He wasn't well-versed in magic, but even he could recognize the precision and raw power behind that attack.
"I think he's hurt," Lulune added. Both began closing the distance to him. The rest of the Familia would likely follow soon.
Meanwhile, All For One was deep in thought, struggling to comprehend what had just gone wrong.
He had merely stacked the magic—something he'd done many times before with the Hellhound's flames.
Why had it backfired?
Reaching behind his back, he retrieved his only and final High Potion—bought specifically for emergencies. He drank half of it, then applied the rest to his scorched hand, watching as the red, burned skin healed to an acceptable degree.
All For One's mind raced through theories. What could have caused this unexpected outcome?
"Magic output?" he whispered. He'd read about that. Mages required magic circles to properly channel their spells. Without one, the magic was weaker, inefficient—and consumed far more Mind reserve.
It was also far easier to disrupt, which could lead to Ignis Fatuus—essentially a death sentence for weaker individuals.
Perhaps the three stacked beams had simply exceeded the limit of what he could safely cast without a proper magic circle.
Annoying.
He needed a Mage Development Ability—immediately. This couldn't be left unresolved.
"That was damn awesome! B-But hey, are you okay?" Lulune asked, stars practically shining in her eyes. Then she noticed the scorched bracer on his arm, with red skin peeking out from beneath.
"I didn't know you were a magic swordsman! Or is that sword just for show?" Keaks pointed to the Damascus steel blade sheathed at his side.
All For One turned around, ignoring their questions. He didn't have the time or energy to indulge them.
"Hey, come on, don't be so grumpy!" Lulune jogged up beside him, Keaks mirroring her on the other side.
"Yeah, we just wanna know you better!" Keaks said with a grin. "Tell me—is the Sword Princess your girlfriend?" he added with a mischievous smirk.
All For One nearly moved to choke Keaks for the absurd implication. "Stop it, or you'll meet the mammoth's fate," he warned, voice cold and very serious.
The two laughed it off.
"No man, we're just messing with you!" Lulune said, patting him on the back.
Just as All For One considered whether it might be possible to kill them both right now, a strange, cat-like creature leapt onto the path before them, halting them all in their tracks.
…
It tilted its head, giving them a curious look. Its emerald fur shimmered in the light, and the crimson gem on its forehead glowed brightly.
"O-Oi... Keaks, is that what I think it is?" Lulune whispered, barely daring to breathe.
"Y-Yeah… it definitely is," Keaks replied, wide-eyed.
It was adorable—but also unmistakably rare.
A Carbuncle—one of the rarest monsters in the dungeon. Its gem alone was worth a fortune, almost as valuable as a unicorn horn. But the true challenge wasn't in killing it—it was in catching it.
Not only were they nearly impossible to find, but their Barrier Magic rivaled that of high-level mages—insanely powerful and defensive.
Seeing one here—on a floor it didn't even belong to—meant it had likely come for food and gotten stuck during the outbreak.
Lulune and Keaks were already lost in dreams of wealth.
"Raijin." Too bad for them—All For One had already activated his speed-enhancing spell.
Black lightning burst around his form, boosting his speed to inhuman levels.
With a full-powered leap, he launched himself toward the Carbuncle like a living missile. In that moment, nothing else mattered.
The Carbuncle turned, frightened, and attempted to flee—but it was far too late.
All For One's hands locked around the furry creature, and before it could activate its barrier, he began extracting its magic.
The monster squeaked desperately, struggling in vain. But he was already done.
A wide, satisfied smile spread across his face. He had low hopes of encountering this creature due to its rarity. The textbook had mentioned how they preferred to remain hidden.
Now? He couldn't believe his luck.
"Oh my god—you actually caught it!" Keaks and Lulune rushed over, eyes wide at the trembling Carbuncle in his grasp.
"He's... kinda cute, don't ya think?" Lulune said, gently stroking its forehead as it tried to squirm free. A blush crept onto her face. "Aww… I might fall for it."
"Since when do you see stuff as cute?" Keaks asked, raising an eyebrow.
Before Lulune could give Keaks a piece of her mind, All For One—without a word—grabbed the Carbuncle and ripped its head clean off.
...
"AGH—You killed it!?" Lulune cried out in horror, her eyes tearing up. "Why!? He was cute!"
He ignored her, placing it's gem into his bag. It was worth a fortune, after all.
"Geez, that was cold," Keaks said, but All For One offered no reply.
Turning around, he wore the most satisfied expression ever.
This truly was his lucky day.
---
A woman was resting against a wall, eating what seemed to be a fruit from the dungeon itself—a luxury that not even kings outside of Orario could indulge in it without immense wealth.
Revis felt her annoyance growing as her companion emerged from the shadows, his skull mask concealing whatever expression might lie beneath.
"What do you want?" she demanded, taking another bite of the fruit without bothering to look at him.
"More Violas are needed to guard the pantry," her companion said bluntly. "The walls cannot produce stronger ones that fast."
He revealed a truth she already suspected—their current defenses were stretched too thin.
"What about the Darkness Faction?" she asked, her tone sharp. She wasn't confident in their abilities, but their suicide tactics were destructive enough to take down even an experienced adventurer.
"Fodder," her companion replied, almost scoffing. "More useful for buying time if complications arise."
Revis fell silent, closing her eyes as she contemplated the situation. She took another slow bite of the fruit, savoring its sweet flavor.
"Take the ones under my command. Guard the pantry at all costs," she said at last, her words heavy with authority and finality.
Her companion nodded. "I'll inform you of any intruders."
Revis didn't respond, her gaze fixed ahead, lost in thought.
Without another word, her companion turned and left, satisfied now that he had what he came for.
"This will be a glorious day—for Her and for us," the masked figure muttered, a wicked smile curling beneath the bone-white mask.
---
End of part one because webnovel doesn't let me post the whole chapter together
Swipe to the next chapter for instant continuity