Several days later.
"Are preparations complete?"
"Everything you requested has been acquired."
In the underground waterways of Daedalus Street.
Most members of Loki Familia had gathered here without alerting anyone.
"What about the Guild?"
"We've explained the situation. They'll provide maximum support."
"Good."
Finn nodded silently.
Though his brows remained furrowed, he maintained his composure.
All preparations were in order. Except for those staying behind to guard the home base, Loki Familia's entire combat force had assembled here. Most importantly, all eight executives were present—a lineup as formidable as during their expeditions!
The glow of magic stone lamps illuminated the dim passageway. Beyond the large metal door ahead lay the enemy's stronghold.
"Finn."
While everyone was busy, Loki approached the group of executives with a young girl in tow.
"Loki, who is this?"
Finn's gaze settled on the white-clad girl behind her.
Dressed in pure white garments with long black hair, she gave an immediate impression of striking purity.
"This is Filvis Challia from Dionysus Familia. She'll be joining you inside."
Loki gave a brief introduction while winking meaningfully at Finn.
"I see. Understood."
Finn grasped Loki's implication—this was Dionysus's way of monitoring the enemy situation by sending his familia's only second-class adventurer.
"In that case, Miss Filvis will join Lefiya's team."
"Yes."
Filvis responded tersely, her expression nearly blank, carrying an air of aloofness.
"Isn't that the Death Messenger Elf?"
"Keep your voice down. She's Lefiya's friend."
Some whispers emerged from the back but were quickly silenced.
"Miss Filvis!"
Lefiya shot a glare at the gossiping members before happily rushing toward the white-clad elf girl.
Only upon seeing Lefiya did Filvis's expression thaw. The two immediately began chatting animatedly.
"What's this 'Death Messenger Elf' about?"
Eiji moved closer to Tiona, whispering the question near her ear.
"Mmm, that tickles!"
Tiona's cheeks flushed as she rubbed her ear, then quietly explained:
"I've only heard rumors. Apparently, Miss Filvis is a survivor from the 'Nightmare of Floor 27' incident six years ago."
Eiji's eyes sharpened.
The Nightmare of Floor 27—according to Finn, this marked the event that ended Orario's era of chaos, when the remnants of the dark faction were finally eradicated.
At that time, the barely surviving dark faction had lured a powerful familia to the 27th floor and triggered a massive monster parade.
In that incident, every adventurer present—both the targeted familia and the remaining dark faction members—was completely wiped out with no survivors.
Or so the general account went.
In truth, Filvis Challia had survived that catastrophe.
Her entire familia had been caught in the monster parade. Everyone died—except her. She alone returned to the surface alive.
According to eyewitnesses, she was like a dead person at the time, aimlessly wandering in the rain without a trace of vitality, sending chills down the spines of those who saw her.
Later, she joined the Dionysus Familia and teamed up with adventurers from several familias.
But without exception, every adventurer who teamed up with her ended up dead.
Like a curse, her wails summoned death.
Thus, adventurers gave her the derogatory nickname "Harbinger of Death," and her survival in the nightmare of the 27th floor was believed to be due to abandoning her teammates.
"Last time we met, that rotten, stinking elf still had a face that warned others to stay away, but at some point, she started smiling only at that idiot elf. Hmph, trash really does flock together!"
Bete let out a cold sneer.
But he subtly lowered his voice.
"Get ready to begin!"
Finn at the front glanced at the group, and they immediately fell silent.
"The door made of the hardest metal is absolutely unbreakable, but invading from the side is another matter."
Finn looked at the dwarf warrior beside him.
"Your turn, Gareth."
Only the door itself is indestructible.
But the components connected to it can definitely be shattered!
"If we dismantle this door, how much could we sell it for?"
Eiji rubbed his chin, asking a question that left everyone speechless.
"Hmm, you've reminded me. After the battle, we must take this door back with us!"
Finn suddenly brightened, giving Eiji an approving look.
This kid really has the makings of a leader!
Seriously.
We're about to go into battle—can you be a little more serious?
Everyone silently complained.
"These two are probably more serious now than ever."
Riveria, dressed in her newly restored elven robes, scanned between Finn and Eiji, her heart tightening slightly.
Eiji aside, Finn wasn't the type to joke at such a critical moment.
They were likely trying to dispel their own tension this way.
That was Riveria's interpretation.
Behind this door, there was probably unimaginable danger.
Click!
At that moment, a faint, crisp sound suddenly rang out.
Everyone froze.
Rumble—!
Amid the low roar, the gleaming silver metal door abruptly began to rise slowly.
Everyone's eyes widened as they stared into the unfathomable darkness beyond the door.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Pale blue magic stone lamps flickered like will-o'-the-wisps, lighting up one by one, leading deep into the darkness.
"I haven't even started yet?"
Gareth looked down at the gauntlets on his hands.
He had just been about to smash through the side passage to bypass the door.
"Look!"
Tiona suddenly exclaimed, pointing into the dark corridor.
Deep in the shadows of the passage, a figure was rapidly retreating.
Cloaked entirely in purple, wearing a bizarre patterned mask, with silver armor covering its limbs—not a single feature was visible. It looked utterly eerie.
"Masked Man!"
Tione, who had been silent until now, growled.
That's right.
It was the Masked Man who had appeared on the 58th floor—the one who had commanded the caterpillar swarm to attack them before vanishing in an instant, leaving his motives completely unclear.
"Is this an invitation for us to enter?"
Finn narrowed his eyes.
The enemy was actually inviting Loki Familia inside?
Even Freya Familia, who stood as equals with them as the strongest, would never dare to actively invite them into their stronghold "Battlefield Wilderness." Where did these remnants of the Evilus get such courage?
His thumb throbbed violently, as if warning him that what lay ahead was hell itself.
Among the crowd.
A sudden question popped into Eiji's mind.
"Why such a coincidence?"