As expected of Gale!
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"Ryu, Asfi. Switch positions, you two protect Lady Artemis and Lord Hermes."
"Understood!" *2
At some point, Fron's authority had already surpassed that of commander Asfi.
Even Hermes couldn't have imagined that the famous [Gale] and his familia's captain would obey so completely.
From then on, the group's pace didn't slow down but instead quickened, all because… Fron's extermination speed alone even surpassed Ryu and Asfi, to the point where even the monsters' rate of multiplication couldn't keep up with his slaughter.
In the eyes of the others, Fron's figure seemed to be performing a dance of light itself.
Let alone injuring him, they couldn't even touch the corner of his cloak before being cut to pieces by that fleeting flash of white light.
"A complete and utter crushing… Ouranos clearly said this mission would be dangerous, and this is it?"
Shaken by Fron's terrifying strength, Hermes' handsome face twisted.
Artemis was the same, lips parted, pupils reflecting nothing but the youth's dancing figure. Her resolve to risk everything to stop the enemy began to waver under his influence.
At the same time, an inexplicable emotion stirred within her chest.
...
As the squad broke through the blockade and reached the tall stone staircase before the chamber, turmoil also erupted in Orario.
"Antares," an ancient monster born with special power, had revived, resonating with the Dungeon in some unknown way.
And then, the city… was shaken.
[Loki Familia] base, "Twilight Manor."
Finn frowned deeply as he read the report in his hand.
"Dungeon riot? The Guild wants us, Freya Familia, and Ganesha Familia to form a subjugation force and suppress it? What is going on!?"
Gareth tapped the armrest of his chair rhythmically, narrowing his eyes at the view beyond Finn's back, his voice heavy.
"Troublesome times. Our Familia just returned from an expedition, patching financial losses, and many of our lower members and elites are still scattered. We don't have much manpower left at home."
"Still, we cannot allow monsters to bring chaos to the city. That's our duty as [Loki Familia]."
"Summon all members at home, ready arms and potions, and gather in the courtyard at once."
...
Alongside Loki Familia, Freya Familia, Ganesha Familia, and other upper- and mid-tier Familias took action.
Everyone understood the principle of shared danger: if Orario, the labyrinth city, fell into chaos or if monsters reached the surface, then the Familias, who relied on the city and Dungeon to survive, would also fall into peril.
Babel Tower, top floor.
Within the temple of the goddess of beauty who oversaw the city's workings from its highest point, a rare guest arrived.
"Freya, this isn't the time for us to quarrel. About the Dungeon riot, do you have any intel!?"
Loki stood on the temple's balcony, hands gripping the railing, her divine eyes narrowing as she gazed down.
It was as if her divine sight could pierce the earth, surveying the restrained force within the Dungeon.
The elegant and alluring goddess sat on her palace-like chair, one hand holding a glass of red wine, her amethyst eyes filled with doubt.
"Sorry, Loki. Like you, I don't have any reliable intel. But… since you came here, surely you've heard something?"
"Yeah, the Guild slapped my Familia with an order forbidding us from leaving the city. I was about to take my girls to the seaside for vacation!"
"Oh? You received the same order?"
The goddess of beauty murmured, as if to herself. Loki's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean that guy Ouranos is hiding something from us, pushing us out of the picture?"
"Hehe… interesting."
Recalling Fron's departure from the city more than half a month ago, and the request filed with the Guild, Loki's mind raced, linking clues together.
"That request… it was from Artemis, wasn't it?"
...
Guild headquarters, deepest prayer chamber.
Staring into the blazing torches, Ouranos stiffly moved his lips.
"It sensed its child breaking free from its cage, so the riot began."
Fels was silent for a moment before exhaling softly.
"So… we were too late, or Antares managed to break the seal."
The old god's cheek twitched, his sky-colored eyes gazing northeast.
"It hasn't reached the final step yet. It's not the worst outcome."
"You mean Fron Argon, from Loki Familia?"
"That's right. If it's him, he should be able to notice Antares' special nature in advance. Before the worst happens, there's still hope."
...
Even if his fragmented memories weren't complete, Fron knew all too well about the special nature of a boss like "Antares."
Gods, humans, and monsters, the relationship between them was like rock-paper-scissors.
The Arcanum of gods was perfectly restrained by ancient monsters born with power. Under their suppression, not even divine return could be activated.
But Fron was here.
He was the greatest variable.
"Rumble…"
Everyone stood atop the staircase, gazing at the massive circular chamber hollowed out of rock.
There was nothing there except stone.
The only living being was the massive figure at the center platform.
"That's… the ancient monster 'Antares'!"
What entered their sight was a pitch-black scorpion, its body traced with glowing crimson vein-like patterns, like a living heartbeat.
Its enormous frame, though not as massive as the 17th-floor boss Goliath, still stood nearly as tall.
Its terrifying pincers and razor-sharp stinger tail made one shudder with fear at a glance. Even from this distance, they could feel the crushing pressure of its presence.
"So it's black skin again. So all Dungeon-born monsters that restrain Arcanum are this color…"
In just an instant, Fron analyzed its traits. And he had a premonition: its true target wasn't Ryu, Asfi, or himself, but the two gods being protected.
While Fron's focus was on the monster itself, the others noticed the strange umbilical cord-like tubes that swelled and contracted, connecting to Antares.
"Absorbing life force from outside, then endlessly spawning weaker versions through those things…"
"This monster is an energy relay station. If it's destroyed, the dangerous area will be freed."
"In other words, once we defeat it, everything ends!"
"Shing!" , Fron gripped his staff tightly in his hand.
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T/N: Second bonus chapter for crossing 450 power stones; next bonus chapter for 500 power stones~