"The best way to deal with lunatics like them is to end it as fast as possible. Don't waste time trying to figure out why they joined the Dark Faction—no one wants to have a 'conversation' with a bunch of maniacs clutching fire stones, ready to blow themselves up in your face."
Bete spoke from experience.
"As for that madwoman, Arachnia—her actions and decisions are exactly what her title implies. She takes pleasure in tormenting her prey, like cutting the throats of kittens and puppies just to watch them try to run."
"She's taken the worst traits of high-level Adventurers and pushed them to the extreme."
"You have to be very careful when dealing with her. She loves playing cat and mouse with her targets—and when she finds herself cornered, she'll only push herself harder."
Everything Bete said pointed to one fact:
Valletta Grede, the so-called "Arachnia," was a pure sadist—and anyone facing her needed to be extremely cautious.
"I've always maintained the highest level of vigilance toward her. That's why I implanted perfect memories into her mind, making sure she never sensed anything strange. Then I threw her into the deep-level 'Food Storage,' letting her believe she'd been swept there by the current from the Great Falls. That's how she survived."
"My beast remains embedded in her consciousness. I never tampered with her body in any way, so no matter how she searches or tests herself, I'll always know exactly what she's thinking."
The manipulation Tsuna used operated within the deepest layers of the mind—a place nearly impossible to infiltrate by any normal means.
As long as he used that beast's ability with care, Valletta would remain his most reliable source of information within the Dark Faction.
"But one Valletta won't be enough. When I get the chance, I'll plant another parasitic beast into someone else inside the faction. That way, I can cross-check any intel I get through her."
"Still, after Valletta's failure, the Dark Faction will probably lie low for a while."
"After all, this makes twice now."
The first time had been against the Astraea Familia.
The second, against Tiona and Tione.
"With two failures in a row—and Valletta's defeat being so disastrous—they won't dare launch a third assault anytime soon."
"Repeated losses breed distrust among allies. The Dark Faction will likely pull back, at least for now. Any moves they make soon will probably just be Valletta testing the waters."
"The best thing we can do is stay out of their schemes altogether."
Tsuna had already anticipated that.
Valletta's current thoughts were exactly what she herself had already told him. Since that was the case, there was no reason for him to continue following their lead.
What mattered now was letting her believe she was perfectly fine—only then could he proceed with the next step.
He didn't dwell on the subject further.
"Bete, I just came from Miss Loki's room. She mentioned you've been looking for me, and I already have a good idea why."
"I need sharper fangs. Even if I push my Status to the limit, taking on a Floor Boss alone is still too much."
Bete had no illusions about his own strength.
Amphisbaena might only be one Level above him, but that difference was vast.
A solo fight against a Floor Boss was a completely different beast from a group battle.
In a party, as long as you controlled the formation—especially the magicians handling the main offense—even Amphisbaena could be defeated.
But in a group fight, the Excellia gained was shared, diluted. It wouldn't be enough for an immediate Level Up.
That was why any Adventurer who chose to face a Floor Boss alone was doing it for one reason: to earn the Excellia needed for advancement. Such people possessed overwhelming ability, talent, and conviction—unlike ordinary Adventurers who gathered Excellia through long accumulation.
Bete knew exactly what he lacked: claws sharp enough to tear through a Floor Boss's scales. Challenging one now would be nothing but self-torture.
Fortunately, the Amazon sisters had already slain Amphisbaena, triggering the timer for its respawn.
Bete's goal was clear—to synchronize himself with that countdown, to be the next one to surpass that wall.
"I need your help."
He stated his request plainly.
Tsuna nodded lightly, then began to describe the power Tiona and Tione had received.
"A power like magic?"
The revelation clearly surprised Bete.
"Magic that can be freely controlled—no incantation required."
"No wonder…"
Now it all made sense.
Tiona specialized purely in physical combat, while Tione used magic—but not for offense.
For the two of them to defeat Amphisbaena under such disadvantageous conditions, there had to be more to the story.
Bete had assumed Tsuna had given them some kind of magical item or beast.
He hadn't expected it to be magic without chanting. That kind of ability was a tremendous advantage against Amphisbaena.
"Tiona and Tione were the first test subjects. I wasn't sure they could truly handle the power. Once I confirmed their success, I moved on to Finn and Gareth."
"Huh? What about the old elf and Ais?"
"Riveria's potential element isn't one I'm particularly skilled at handling, so I set her aside for now. As for Ais—she's… a special case. Finn, Gareth, and I all agreed that her destructive power is too dangerous. We decided to put her last."
Bete couldn't speak for Riveria, but when it came to Ais, Tsuna was absolutely right—her destructive capability was on another level.
Then Tsuna added,
"It was supposed to happen sooner, honestly. But I went to the Hephaestus Familia afterward—to take cover, and to help Lady Hephaestus and Tsubaki with their forging research. That delayed things."
"If it weren't for Tiona and Tione's recent Level Up prompting Riveria to come to me, both she and Ais would've had to wait even longer."
"Originally, I'd planned to work with you right after Finn and Gareth. But now… looks like you're last."
Bete merely shrugged, unconcerned.
"A little delay's fine. No problem. There's still over a month until the Expedition. Perfect timing, actually—just before Amphisbaena respawns. I'll make that beast my stepping stone."
Tsuna felt the same—Bete could likely pull it off.
"In that case, let's start with determining your attribute."
"Bete, choose whichever type of ring you prefer."