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She pointed the way she had come.
"Minotaur," she said, trying to catch her breath. "Minotaur here. Too... too powerful."
Finn tensed up next to him. "There aren't supposed to be Minotaurs this high up."
"Please," she said, getting to her feet unsteadily, "you have to help Bell."
A gold flash was all Godou saw.
Bell?
"Aiz!" Finn called out. "Where are you going?"
Godou shot Loki a look.
She crossed her arms. "It's not my fault," she said. "I'm like, ninety-nine percent sure."
Then Godou chased after Aiz Wallenstein, the rest of Loki's Familia right behind him.
XxXxXxXxX
Godou hadn't thought about Ottar since that incident with Freya in Babel.
In the Dungeon, the King of Orario seemed bigger, stronger, and way unhappier than the last time Godou had seen him.
Or maybe that was because he'd stopped Ottar's sword with his bare hand.
He turned behind, where Aiz was staring at him with wide eyes and an agape jaw.
"Go," he said.
Aiz blinked a few times, before muttering a soft thanks and disappearing into the darkness.
Ottar clicked his tongue and Godou finally turned back to the Level 7.
"I'm guessing Freya's involved."
The Boaz pulled his sword out of Godou's grip. "You."
The sound of skidding footsteps behind announced the arrival of Finn and his Familia. The young girl from before was being carried by Riveria, unconscious.
Godou pointed to the direction where Aiz had gone and, a quick nod later, Bete, Tiona, and Tione ran after her.
"Ottar," Finn said, a sharp edge of steel in his calm voice. "I didn't expect you of all people to be here."
Ottar shifted his massive frame to block the tunnel. "I am an adventurer. Where else would I be but the Dungeon?"
"You know that's not what I mean," Finn said. "Are you acting on Freya's orders?"
Godou gulped. Of course Ottar was. He had to be. The timing was too coincidental.
Something flashed across the Level 7's face.
"No. I'm here on my own accord."
"Then you won't mind if we pass through, will you?" Finn asked again, pressing forward, spear twirling in his hand.
"Unless, of course," Riveria joined him, "you have a reason for impeding the Loki Familia's expedition."
The two Level 6s stood next to Godou, and he could feel the cool confidence they exuded together.
He wondered if two Level 6s were as powerful as a Level 7, given the strange way the Falna measured people's strength.
"No," Ottar finally relented, "I have no reason to interfere in your expedition."
"Good," Finn said, lowering his spear. "And I was worried that we were going to have a problem with Freya after this."
The Boaz's scowl was quite obvious as he stepped back to let the two of them through.
But when Godou tried following, he found a sword blocking his way.
He gestured to Finn and Riveria to go ahead. The two shared a look and nodded.
"Can I take this to mean, Kusanagi Godou," Ottar said, "that you have finally decided to ally yourself with Loki and her Familia?"
"If I say yes?" he asked.
"Then I will let you through. And then I will pass the word to Lady Freya that you have been claimed."
"And if not?"
"Then I will fight you here," the Boaz said, his tone of finality making it clear that Godou had no say in this.
The answer seemed fairly intuitive to Godou.
"I'm affiliated with the Loki Familia temporarily."
At this, Ottar raised an eyebrow. "Temporarily?"
"Just until the expedition ends."
The Level 7 deliberated on this. Finally, he kept his sword, and Godou found his path clear.
"I suppose Lady Freya will be quite pleased to hear that," Ottar said. "Her offer still stands, just so you know."
"And my decision still stands as well."
"You might want to reconsider your stance against Familias," Ottar said. "Dangerous games are afoot, and most would think twice about harming you if you were a member of a powerful one."
Godou stared him down easily, despite being more than a whole head shorter. "I can take care of myself."
"So it seems."
And then Ottar left, and Godou waited until hi
s massive frame was swallowed by the darkness before clearing his throat.
"You can come out now, Loki."
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Want to read more?
The next 10+ chapters are already available on my Patreon!
By joining, you'll get:
📖 Early access to future chapters
🗳️ Polls to shape the story
🎁 Exclusive content for Patrons
🔥 Bonus scenes & content you won't find anywhere else
👀 Don't fall behind—others are already ahead!
👉 patreon.com/FanfictionTakashi
(If link doesn't show, just search on Google: FanfictionTakashi Patreon)