…How did it come to this?
I was finally freed from the chains of Meryl and assigned the mission of capturing former comrades who turned out to be spies for the Kingdom of Rakia.
Since I had no clear intel on the situation inside, and the enemy's combat abilities were expected to be high, it was only logical for me to form a party with skilled adventurers, and some of them who knew these enemies well.
"Alright, let's start the briefing."
But,
"Hey, Finn, why's that snake guy here?"
"He apparently has a grudge against the spies. They're said to be quite skilled. Actually, a party centered around the Ganesha Familia was forced to retreat. We want as much information as we can get."
"...Hmph. Whatever. Just don't slow us down."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Who could have predicted that I'd be forced into a party with the elite members of the Loki Familia?
Right now, I'm wearing my battle gear, the same combat clothes I used in the War Game, and standing just before the"Path of Beginnings." having a meeting with the members of the Loki Familia's party.
I'd thought I'd be moving with the Hermes Familia, so the surprise was enough to freeze my thoughts. Even though I'm relatively familiar with them, teaming up with the Loki Familia's elite… It's more honor than I deserve.
"Finn, are those spies really that strong?"
Despite my mind still being foggy, the discussion moves on. Finn shakes his head at Gareth's question.
"According to the Ganesha Familia who retreated, as soon as they descended to the third floor, they were attacked by Killer Ants."
"Killer Ants? On the third floor?"
"Yes."
Killer Ants normally appear from the seventh floor. Them being on the third floor is strange. But that's not the only odd thing.
"That's strange. If it were just Killer Ants, the Ganesha Familia wouldn't have been forced to retreat."
I silently agree with Tione's statement.
Killer Ants are troublesome monsters, but they're only level 1. The Ganesha Familia is one of Orario's top factions; they shouldn't lose to such creatures.
"Normally, yes. But the Killer Ants the Ganesha Familia fought were… about five times the usual size."
"F-Five times!?"
Tiona screams in disbelief. Finn continues.
"Also, they're apparently calling their friends with pheromones. The entire corridor was already packed with Killer Ants… all giant ones."
I briefly imagine that scene, the familiar third floor of the dungeon. Even regular Killer Ants can fill corridors and rooms when they call for reinforcements. Five times that size…
A chill runs through me.
"Toki, do you know anyone with skills that could enhance monsters?"
Finn's question pulls me back to reality. I answer with the person that fits.
"Probably Solon, a lion-man named Leone. It's a rare and powerful skill."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Recently, I was attacked by an animal he commands… using magic."
"An animal that uses magic? What… no way."
Riviera voices the doubt but then reaches a conclusion, probably imagining the same thing as me.
"Giving 'Boons' to animals or monsters under his control, that's what I think Solon's skill is."
"Humans can give 'Boons'…!?"
Raul gasps in surprise. Before departure, I asked Hermes-sama if it's possible to give "Boons" to animals like dogs or cats. The answer was it's not impossible, but it's rare because such creatures have much shorter lifespans than humans, so it's not very interesting.
"Of course, it could just be a skill that enhances animals, but I deduced it's a 'Boons' type because of the magic used and differences in physical ability."
"I see… What else do you know about Solon?"
"He's male. He's a lion-man Leone, with one ear slightly missing and his tail bent oddly."
"I get it…"
I don't have time to explain further.
"I don't think Solon himself is that strong, so we should try to capture him alive."
"Understood. Anyone else to watch out for?"
"Besides the leader Svartá, there are two. One is Svartá Macul, a female dwarf from Pallum with flaxen hair and elf-like features. She's my mentor in skills."
I notice Finn's slight reaction but keep it to myself.
"She's stronger than me one-on-one. But she hates Svartá, so if we take him out, she'll probably negotiate."
"Got it."
"The second is Regos Drow, an elf who uses mind-control magic on civilians."
"Mind control magic… that exists?"
"He's completely devoted to Svartá, so convincing him is near impossible. Most elves on the spy side follow Svartá blindly and won't listen to us."
"This is a headache."
Riviera frowns deeply. Lefiya looks troubled too.
"These two are core members of the organization. If we can neutralize them, capturing the others should be easier."
"Understood. Everyone, remember this briefing. Let's move out."
𓂀═════════════𓂀
The elf girl, Lefiya, looked at her lover walking beside her with complicated feelings. His face was harsher than she'd ever seen.
She was happy to be in the same party, but this mission was deeply tied to his past. It was no wonder he looked like that.
Still, she wished he wouldn't look so tense, that was her honest feeling.
"Toki, you're trying too hard. Relax a little."
Tione noticed Lefiya's concern and spoke to Toki.
"…Sorry. I guess I just got worked up because I'm teaming up with everyone."
"Really? Well, just be yourself as always."
"Yes."
After a deep breath, the tension visibly eased from his body. Lefiya sighed in relief.
Soon after, just before the stairs connecting the second and third floors, Toki called for a stop.
"I'll check what's down there. I don't want to get ambushed as soon as we step down."
"Got it. Raul, come with him."
"Captain, I'm going too."
"Alright, all three be careful."
Toki and Raul took point, with Lefiya at the rear, as they descended the stairs. Along the way, Toki quietly cast Infinite Abyss and Kerykeion.
"Honestly, humming while casting 'parallel chants' is kinda weird."
"Ah, sorry. I'm just happy to be working with everyone."
It seemed Toki didn't care much about his old organization. Something must have happened earlier that day.
They stopped just before the floor. Toki peeked down, then quickly pulled back.
"What's wrong?"
"There's a huge swarm of giant Killer Ants down there. It's creepy."
Curious, Raul leaned over next to him.
Ahead in the corridor, a huge red glow writhed, it was the eyes of the Killer Ants. About 4 to 5 meters long, three times the size of normal Killer Ants, which are roughly 1.5 meters.
The report was off because they were too shocked to judge properly.
Suddenly, one Killer Ant's eyes seemed to meet mine… or maybe it was just a feeling. A chill ran down my spine. I quickly pulled back.
"…There were way too many of them."
"...Way too many."
"Right?"
All three shivered, then discussed what to do.
"Let's call Finn and the others."
"Yeah."
"Kiyaa!"
"…Looks like we've been spotted."
Immediately, they drew their weapons.
"Lefiya, go call Finn and the others!"
"Got it!"
"Raul, hold them off!"
"Understood!"
Lefiya ran up the stairs while Toki and Raul prepared to fight the incoming Killer Ants.
Toki slashed the shell with his dagger, but it only made a shallow cut.
"In that case!"
This time he aimed for the gaps in the shell and struck. The Killer Ant screamed in agony.
"Raul, looks like the shell's hardness increases with size!"
"Yeah, it seems that way!"
The Killer Ants clung to walls and ceilings with their claws, attacking from all directions.
"Toki, don't leave bodies! We'll get stuck!"
"Yes, sir!"
Following Raul's advice, Toki focused on the monsters' 'magic stones' and cut them, but he couldn't keep up.
"Raul, is Toki okay!?"
"Finn!"
"Thanks for coming!"
Reinforcements' voices came from behind as four shadows passed them.
"What is this!?"
"This is way too many!"
"If you have time to complain, move your damn hands, idiots!"
Elite adventurers kept cutting down the Killer Ants while Finn barked orders.
"No bodies left behind! We'll get stuck!"
"Ugh, what a pain!"
"Raul, what's the power level of those Killer Ants?"
"Estimated Lv. 2. About the same as the insect monsters in the Wood Labyrinth."
"Got it. We need to wipe them out for future safety."
"Yeah, they're too strong for Lv. 1 handling."
Exhaling, they charged into the swarm of black monsters.
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