As a team designated to launch a surprise attack, this entire squad was composed of members of the Loki Familia. Led by Riveria, all ten of them were elves.
According to their records, every one of them was a high-level adventurer of Lv.3 or above. Not only were they individually powerful with rich combat and teamwork experience, their movement speed was equally outstanding.
The nature of this squad's formation was special from the very beginning. Strategically, they were even more valuable than Fron's "vanguard" team.
One of the reasons was the wind magic Ais had inherited. In this operation, Ais' role was that of a "detector (radar)."
As someone with spirit blood, she could expand her magic over a wide range, sprinting back and forth through the labyrinth. This allowed the Loki Familia to track the reactions produced by the "Corrupted Spirit" through its unique traits.
Judging from past cases, once the Corrupted Spirit sensed Ais' wind, the "Spirit Avatars" hidden in the dungeon, as well as that red-haired, would become extremely agitated, giving everyone the opening they needed.
Thus, the entire strategy was clear: Fron's team would serve as the spearhead, applying rapid pressure onto the enemy. The other squads would slowly encircle and restrict the opponent's movements, forcing them to reveal the techniques they were hiding.
Finally, Ais and Riveria's team would use their "radar" to directly locate the Corrupted Spirit fragment. Once its position was confirmed, they would rush in together and destroy it.
Wrapped in wind, Ais sped through the narrow passageways.
As she ran, she replayed Fron's words in her mind.
"Listen well, Ais. The Corrupted Spirit is indeed our final goal this time, but if things go badly, it's fine even if you can't find it. The target is huge. If they attempt to act, they won't be able to avoid making a massive commotion. We'll still have other opportunities."
"Your most important task is to draw out that red-haired women and her accomplices! Even I can't do that. In fact… they'll intentionally avoid me."
...
Deep inside the Man-made Dungeon,
The moment Ais expanded her magic, Revis, occupying one of the deeper floors, felt it.
"Aria… actually intruded?"
This information was practically a slap across Revis's face.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief as she looked at the Evilus member who had just rushed in to report. After coordinating with the others, she had been preparing to strike down the intruders, but this report completely caught her off guard.
"Y-Yes! The squads with Nine Hell and the Sword Princess in it are attacking from below!"
Revis furrowed her brows, wavering.
That cunning, despicable "Nightweaver" had already broken into the 13th floor, visibly approaching their hideout. And now, the lower area had been occupied as well, the situation had already deteriorated twice over.
To break the deadlock, she had to choose one direction to wipe out the enemy. Otherwise, their entire plan would be ruined.
"What did your side say?"
The Evilus underling was pale with fear and agitation, so nervous that his words were almost incoherent.
"Thanatos has issued orders! Your top priority is to eliminate either the Nightweaver or the Sword Princess!"
"Heh… so he finally sees the situation clearly? Has he realized it?"
Though she mocked him, Revis understood very well: they needed to deal with one side immediately. Otherwise, the location of the Corrupted Spirit would inevitably be exposed right under the enemy's nose.
Thus, even though it looked like a choice between two, in reality there was only one path Revis could take, she had to intercept Ais.
"This is part of your plan too, isn't it, Braver?"
A classic two-choice dilemma.
That's right, because of the special relationship between the enemy and Ais, Finn, with his deep experience, had already predicted their reactions.
He believed that once Ais moved, even if Fron himself showed up right in their faces, the enemy would still prioritize dealing with Ais.
This was an open scheme, clear as day, and yet impossible to ignore.
And once they chose to focus on Ais, Fron's team would be completely free to go wild however they liked.
...
"You mean… Ais and Riveria's team is actually bait?"
Anakitty's small face was filled with shock, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the utterly calm Fron, who was drinking a healing potion.
Already aware of the full plan, Fron glanced at the catgirl and smacked his lips.
"Relax. When it comes to dealing with monsters, even I'm not as specialized as Ais. You haven't forgotten that, right?"
Against monsters and "creatures," Ais's unique ability left even Fron unable to compare. The Avenger, that unreasonable exclusive skill, came with severe drawbacks, but as a trump card… who wouldn't be envious?
"…Understood. Please give the command!"
Fron looked over the team. Everyone seemed mostly recovered, so he decided to move deeper.
"Everyone, move out!"
"Yes!"
Gripping his staff, Fron stepped toward the staircase leading downward, holding his torch high as he charged ahead without hesitation!
...
"They're here!"
"It's the Nightweaver'!"
"We have to stop them!"
"Stop them? With what!? Did you forget what happened to the ones ahead of us!? This guy isn't like the other Loki Familia adventurers, when it comes to us, he's truly ruthless! He leaves no survivors! None of the people we sent before even mentioned Fron's name afterward!"
Terror filled the eyes of the Evilus members. The impression carved into them by Fron had long since rooted itself deeply, the moment his name was spoken, they instinctively trembled.
Seeing the complete lack of fighting spirit, the leader's eyes suddenly blazed with fanaticism.
"Everyone! Do not forget our vow! Do not forget Lord Thanatos!"
"Huh?"
"That's right! With Lord Thanatos watching over us, what does death matter!?"
"Offer your bodies, and fulfill our vow!!!"
...
The moment Fron stepped onto the 13th floor passage, before he could even take in the surroundings, the "gate" at the fork ahead rumbled upward!
Immediately after, what awaited him was the suffocating, frenzied presence of countless Evilus members hidden in the shadows.
Seeing their numbers, Fron's pupils contracted sharply.
"Anakitty! Don't come down, turn back!!!"