The next day arrives as we see Aurelius and his comrade, along with a few others and some members of the Loki Familia, all gathered and prepared to set out, strolling leisurely through the 18th floor. The atmosphere was calm yet filled with a subtle tension that always lingered before a descent, the kind that came not from fear, but from anticipation. Conversations buzzed softly between the groups, weapons were checked, and packs were adjusted as they moved together in a loose formation, letting the natural rhythm of their steps guide them deeper into the vast, forested landscape of the safe zone. The sunlight-like glow of the ceiling above cast gentle rays upon their path, painting the scene in a quiet, almost serene light that contrasted with the dangerous journey that likely awaited them beyond.
As they were walking, Hermes couldn't help but speak up, a sly but genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He turned his gaze toward the giant young man beside him and offered a light clap on the back.
"Aurelius, I sincerely congratulate you on becoming Level 3," Hermes said, his tone unusually earnest for the usually flippant god. "Not many adventurers... no, in fact, almost none, can level up as fast as you have."
His words hung in the air for a moment, prompting Aurelius to blink in mild surprise. But it wasn't just him, Bell and Lili both turned their heads, a bit startled at the sudden praise.
Hermes chuckled, catching their expressions. "In fact," he continued, his voice growing just a touch more amused, "all three of you... it's almost unbelievable. To grow so fast, in so little time, it's like Orario is seeing the rise of a new generation right before our eyes."
He gave them a meaningful glance, walking leisurely with his hands folded behind his head. "Soon, you'll got people talking, you know. The Guild, other gods, even some of the higher-level adventurers. They will notice the rapid growth from three of you."
A brief silence followed as the trio absorbed his words, the sounds of the 18th floor nature, rustling as it echoed his voice. Hermes glanced at each of them in turn, a curious glint in his eyes.
"Keep it up, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Denatus starts arguing over new aliases for all of you before long."
"Hahaha! Flattering words, Lord Hermes," Aurelius said, a humble smile gracing his lips as he dipped his head slightly out of respect. "I do not seek fame for the rapid growth I have achieved. Such recognition is but measely things in the grand course of my goal. I simply seek strength, true strength, not for glory, nor applause, but to forge a path forward and to protect those who walk it with me."
His tone remained grounded, firm, but not arrogant, his gaze steady and unwavering. "If others take notice, then so be it. But I will not chase the eyes of the crowd. My purpose lies elsewhere."
Everyone who heard Aurelius' words stood in silent awe, the weight of his declaration sinking deep into their hearts. It was a bold statement, one that carried a heavy truth, a truth many chose to ignore, to turn a blind eye toward. And yet, there it was, spoken aloud without fear or hesitation, forcing those around him to confront the reality they often buried beneath pride, duty, or ignorance.
"I see," Hermes said with a faint smile, nodding in satisfaction. It was the answer he had hoped for, the resolve he had been seeking to confirm. In Aurelius' voice, there was no hesitation. Just conviction. And for Hermes, that was enough.
However, that wasn't was going on in the mind of th titan.
'Bruh, that's the most cringiest thing I've said.' Aurelius thought, as he mindfully flinch at the notion. 'All for the sake of getting on this perverted messengers good side.'
The group resumed walking, their footsteps echoing softly across the polished stone. The air, lighter here than on the higher floors, carried a gentle breeze that swirled through the cavern with an almost natural rhythm. Though they were still deep within the cold, stone heart of the Dungeon, the 18th floor was a marvel unto itself, a rare sanctuary amidst the danger.
Trees stretched high into the air, their leaves rustling softly above the quiet flow of rivers and waterfalls. Crystals embedded into the walls sparkled like stars, casting soft, ambient light that danced across the mossy earth. It was beautiful. Almost surreal. A place that stood in stark contrast to the blood-soaked battles of the upper floors.
The 18th floor, known to all as the "Under Resort," truly lived up to its name. A hidden paradise, untouched by the chaos above, where adventurers could rest, heal, and, for a moment, forget the looming threat beneath their feet.
After a while of walking through the scenery of the 18th floor of the Deungeon, they eventually arrived at a place, more specifically, a town nestled deep within the heart of the 18th floor.
The moment Bell laid eyes on it, his steps slowed, his crimson eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight before her. A soft glow bathed the surroundings, a mixture of warm lightstones and the natural ambience of the Under Resort. Buildings, stalls, and structures that resembled those from the surface stood resiliently in the open cavern, surrounded by the rocky terrain of the floor. Though, albeit a bit rundown.
Bell tilted his head, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "What is this place?" he asked, his voice light but filled with wonder as she gazed upon the peaceful society that had been built so far beneath the surface.
Ais, who had been walking just ahead, stopped and turned slightly to respond to the rabbit's question. Her golden eyes glanced toward the distant buildings before settling back on Bell.
"Livira," she answered simply, her tone calm and steady as always. "A town that fellow adventurers built here… in the Under Resort."
A brief silence followed as Bell continued to look around, absorbing every detail. The sight was unlike anything he had expected to find so deep inside the Dungeon.
All of them then walked into the town, except for one.
"Aurelius?" Hestia called out to her giant child, confused as to why he stood frozen in place, eyes fixed on something in the distance. "Don't you want to come with us?"
The others stopped as well, turning their heads toward Aurelius with puzzled expressions.
Aurelius snapped out of his stupor and looked toward his goddess. "Oh! My bad, goddess," he said, quickly straightening up and scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "I was just looking over there."
He pointed in a specific direction, prompting all of them to follow the gesture of the towering adventurer.
What they saw was a wide, looming tunnel in the distance, one that looked ancient, carved unnaturally smooth, and emanating a subtle pull. It was possibly an entrance to somewhere deeper, somewhere far more dangerous.
"Huh, a tunnel?" Bell asked, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. "Why were you looking over there, Mister?"
The group shared glances with one another, visibly perplexed by the sudden change in behavior from the titan. But among them, there was one who had quickly caught on to what he was thinking.
"Aurelius... isn't that—" Hestia began, her voice tightening with concern, but she was quickly cut off.
"Yup," Aurelius replied with a sheepish grin, still scratching his head.
Hestia's expression shifted immediately from confusion to something more intense, serious and frustrated. Her brows furrowed, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"Young man, do you want to go down to the 19th floor?!" she shouted, her voice filled with exasperation.
The rest of the group went wide-eyed in disbelief, stunned by Aurelius' bold and sudden intentions. Welf let out a chuckle, followed shortly by Tiona, who broke into hearty laughter.
"It's not like it's going to be long..." Aurelius mumbled, though his tone carried a weight of uncertainty. "...I hope."
Hestia, clearly frustrated with the recklessness of her child, began violently scratching her head. She groaned, torn between maternal worry and resigned understanding.
Lili, seeing her goddess on the verge of exploding, stepped in quickly to calm her down. "It's fine, goddess," she said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Hestia's arm. "He's plenty strong to go down there."
Hestia turned to Lili, eyes wide in disbelief. "Really, Lili? You too?"
"Relax, goddess," Lili said, beginning to massage her goddess' shoulders to ease the tension. "He went through the first half of the Middle Floors alone when he was still a Level 2. I'm confident he'll be just fine even if he dives into the second half."
Bell, watching the exchange, nodded in agreement. "That's right, goddess. Don't worry too much. He'll be fine, like always."
Overwhelmed by the support her reckless child was getting, Hestia let out a deep sigh and slumped her shoulders.
"Fine..." she muttered, finally giving in. "But make sure you're extra careful down there, alright, Aurelius?"
Aurelius gave her a thumbs-up and a cocky grin. "Sure thing, goddess. I'll make sure to be extra reckless while I'm down there."
He turned and began walking toward the tunnel entrance, his steps fast and hasty, the massive frame of his body casting a long shadow.
He then went on a full sprint.
In the background, Hestia's voice could be heard echoing through the street.
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT, DAMNIT!"
Bell and Lili were immediately at her sides, trying to hold her back before she chased after him herself.
But just as Aurelius approached the edge of the tunnel, a voice called out to him.
"Aurelius, wait!"
He turned his head to see Tiona sprinting toward him, waving one arm in the air while the other kept her sword from bouncing too wildly against her hip.
Aurelius said, looking back while running "Huh? What's up?" Aurelius asked, blinking.
"Let me come with you!" Tiona said, her voice full of energy and excitement.
Aurelius raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Tiona grinned playfully, closing one eye in a wink. "Because why not~?"
Aurelius let out a short laugh, clearly amused by the amazon's carefree attitude. "What about your captain and your Familia? Don't you have things you need to do?"
"It's fine," she said with a dismissive wave. "Tione'll cover for me."
Aurelius laughed harder this time, clearly impressed. "Hahaha! You're one cheeky girl."
He motioned with a nod. "Alright then, let's go."
Tiona nodded enthusiastically and quickly fell into step beside him, her face glowing with excitement. As the two sprinted side by side into the shadows of the tunnel, her thoughts drifted blissfully.
'Yes! Finally! I get to spend time with him!' Tiona beamed internally, her heart pounding with anticipation.
They were running together toward the 19th floor, rushing with breathless anticipation for what awaited them ahead, at least, for Aurelius. His heart pounded not just from the exertion, but from the thrill of the unknown, of what challenges might greet them beyond the next descent. Each echoing footstep down the stone corridors seemed to quicken his spirit. The dim glow of the Dungeon crystals shimmered along the walls, casting fleeting shadows across their faces as they moved in sync. Though they didn't speak, the urgency in their pace spoke volumes. For Aurelius, it wasn't just another floor, but it was a step closer to something he couldn't yet name, but could feel burning beneath his skin.
As they were sprinting together, Aurelius began to notice something strange, the floor of the Dungeon was starting to change. At first, it was subtle, but it became more obvious with each passing step. The smooth, rocky surface beneath their feet gradually shifted, taking on a different texture and color. The ground no longer felt like the cold stone he had grown used to. Instead, it had a strange, almost warm sensation to it. The matter of fact, the floor was slowly becoming that of a wood-like substance.
Aurelius, noticing this odd transformation, furrowed his brows. His pace slowed just slightly as he glanced down beneath his feet, then toward the walls beside him. He raised an eyebrow, clearly confused about what was going on. "Wood?" he muttered, his voice carrying a tinge of disbelief as his eyes scanned not only the floor now changing in material, but also the walls and ceiling of the tunnel they were currently sprinting through. What was once hard stone was now being replaced by thick, bark-like planks and smooth wooden arches, as if the Dungeon itself was shifting its form.
Tiona, catching the word from the titan beside her, glanced at him with a smil. One filled with excitement and fondness for what lay ahead. "Yup," she responded casually, her voice carrying a bright cheer that matched her energetic strides. "We're nearing the 19th floor now," she added, tilting her head slightly toward the end of the tunnel where a soft, natural glow was beginning to appear. The light shimmered with a warm hue, as if the sun itself was peeking through the far end.
Aurelius turned his attention toward the light, narrowing his eyes as the brilliance of it began to illuminate his vision. It wasn't the harsh glow of torches or magical stones, it was something else entirely. A golden radiance that felt... natural. Peaceful.
Then, with one final step, both he and Tiona burst through the end of the tunnel and into open space. The transition was so sudden, it made Aurelius instinctively halt in his tracks. His eyes widened as he took in the breathtaking sight before him.
Massive trees with thick trunks stretched high into the air, their canopies forming a sprawling forest ceiling that let beams of sunlight pour through the gaps. Soft grass blanketed the ground in every direction, and the air felt warmer, almost like a gentle spring morning. There was even the faint sound of birds chirping and water flowing in the distance.
"Woah..." Aurelius uttered, awe practically dripping from his voice. His eyes scanned the vast environment, still trying to process the sudden shift from the lifeless stone tunnels to this living, breathing forest that thrived beneath the surface of the world.
This... was the 19th floor.
Tiona, seeing the awe-struck Aurelius standing beside her, couldn't help but smile at his reaction. The sheer wonder painted on his face was enough to stir a flutter of pride in her chest. His eyes were wide, almost glowing with amazement as they took in the breathtaking sight before them, and Tiona found it adorable how easily the place had left him speechless.
With that in mind, she took a step forward, her boots crunching lightly against the soft moss beneath them and turned to face him with a playful grin. Spreading her arms wide, as if she were about to embrace the entire world behind her, she raised her voice so it echoed into the cavernous greenery.
"Welcome!" she announced, her voice ringing out with cheer and confidence as the echo bounced softly off the distant tree trunks.
She twirled around once, letting the air catch in her hair before stopping to dramatically gesture toward the expansive landscape behind her, a vast world of towering trees, glowing flora, and sunlight that poured down from a sky that shouldn't exist underground.
"To the 19th Floor!" she declared, her eyes shining with pride. Then, with a grin full of energy and a gleam of excitement, she added with a raised finger,
"Also known as..." she paused for just a second, letting the words hang.
"The Large Tree Labyrinth!" she finished with a proud and determined face, her stance strong and heroic like a guide unveiling the heart of a sacred realm.
Aurelius, hearing the name, couldn't help but wonder at the strange, yet serene atmosphere that enveloped the floor.
"Incredible," Aurelius muttered, disbelief coating his voice as he took in the scene unfolding before him. "To think that the malicious Dungeon could generate such a beautiful natural environment like this." His words carried a sense of wonder, nearly glee. He had always considered the 18th floor a sight worth admiring, a breathtaking landscape deserving of its title, Under Resort. The way the crystalline rivers flowed, the vast open sky simulated by the Dungeon's unknown magic, and the thriving ecosystem, all left a strong impression on him. But now, standing here, Aurelius thought that the 19th floor... might just surpass it. To him, this floor felt even more awe-inspiring... more alive. The soft winds brushing through the foliage, the warmth of filtered Dungeon light, and the distant hum of unknown creatures resonating across the air all gave it an almost divine feeling.
"Yup," Tiona chimed in, nodding as she stepped forward beside him. She, too, was gazing at the scenery with a light smile on her face. "Though, don't let its looks get to ya." Her tone shifted into something a little more serious, and she pointed toward the surface below from where they stood.
Aurelius followed her gaze and peered over the edge of the rocky ledge. His eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of the lifeforms crawling and flying through the forested floor beneath them. The creatures moving about weren't the usual monsters he'd seen in the first half of the Middle Floors. They looked different... strange, even exotic. Some were insectoid, small-looking at first glance, like massive dragonflies skimming just above the trees. But calling them small was a misjudgment. The closer he looked, the more he realized just how massive they were in comparison to his past life, earth counterparts. Wings that shimmered with iridescent colors buzzed loud enough to echo faintly up to their vantage point.
Then, his gaze shifted to something else. A bear-like monster lumbered into view, pacing slowly through the brush with thick, muscled limbs. It moved with a sense of purpose, unbothered by the other creatures nearby. At first glance, Aurelius assumed it to be about his size. Though, something about the way it moved, the way its shadow stretched, made him unsure. It could very well be bigger than it appeared. Still, it wasn't just the creatures' forms that were unsettling, it was the sense of intelligence in their eyes, as if they were more than just beasts shaped by the Dungeon's whims.
He continued to observe, eyes narrowing as he tried to commit every detail to memory.
"Beautiful," he said again, but this time with a layer of caution. "But dangerous."
Tiona nodded, arms crossing as the wind stirred her dark hair. "That's the 19th floor for ya. A paradise with fangs."
Aurelius smiled upon her words. He then turned his gaze toward Tiona.
"Hey," Aurelius called out to Tiona casually. "How about we head down there and have some fun?"
Tiona flinched at his words, her shoulders jolting slightly.
"F-Fun?!" she repeated, her voice rising an octave, her face suddenly tinged with a noticeable flush.
Her eyes blinked rapidly as her mind spiraled into a different topic entirely... a naughty one. Her cheeks grew even redder as a not-so-innocent image briefly flashed in her thoughts.
"Yeah," Aurelius replied with an oblivious look on his face, as if unaware of her misunderstanding. "You know, beating up monsters?"
The moment the truth clicked in her mind, Tiona's eyes widened in realization. Her face went from crimson to beet red in a flash.
"O-Oh! R-Right! Y-Yeah! T-That's what I-I thought as well!" she stammered awkwardly, waving her hands in front of her chest in frantic denial.
Aurelius, noticing her odd behavior, arched a brow and formed a wider grin.
"What?" he asked with amusement in his voice. "What did you think I was gonna say?"
Tiona froze, like a deer caught in the headlights. Her mouth opened but no words came out as she flailed mentally for an answer.
She started sweating a little, her brain kicking into panic mode.
"I-I... H-How about we go down there and start slaying monsters?" she blurted out, clearly dodging the topic.
"L-Let's go!" she added hastily, turning her back on him.
Without waiting for his response, she jumped down onto the floor below, escaping the awkwardness she had built up in her own head.
Aurelius remained where he stood, a light chuckle escaping his lips as he watched her flee.
"Heh, naughty girl," he said under his breath, a teasing tone laced in his voice. Then, with a grin still etched across his face, he too leapt down, chasing after the flustered Amazon.
After reaching the floor together, the two of them startled the bear-like monster that had been minding its own business. The creature, covered in shaggy fur and thick muscle, jerked its head toward them, now alert and wary. Its eyes locked onto the intruders. Its territory suddenly invaded.
The bear then noticed the two, its massive claws digging into the ground as it took a hostile stance, shoulders hunching forward. It looked like it was about to pounce on them in a heartbeat. However, it hesitated a moment later, its aggression faltering upon fully seeing the titanic figure of Aurelius.
The towering adventurer stared down at the beast with calm intensity, his presence alone enough to stir caution in the monster's instincts.
Aurelius, noting the creature's hesitation, casually turned his head toward Tiona beside him. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he asked in a composed voice, "So. Do you want to fight it, or should I?"
Tiona looked up at the titan beside her, hands resting on her hips, a sparkle of excitement in her eyes. With a playful grin, she replied, "How about you fight it, big man? Would love to see you fight first-hand."
Aurelius scoffed at her answer, shaking his head slightly in amusement. "Heh, of course you do," he said with a grin. "I was actually hoping to see you go at it instead. Wanted to see how a veteran Level 5 throws down. Guess that's not the case, huh?"
Tiona, hearing his words, tilted her head with a teasing smirk. She leaned in just slightly and gave him a flirty smile. Her voice danced with mischief as she answered, "Nope~"
Aurelius let out a resigned sigh, but the grin never left his face. He stretched his neck, cracking it once to the side, then rolled his shoulders with a calm, deliberate motion.
"Fine," he muttered, letting out an exasperated chuckle. "I guess enjoy the show, madam."
"Hihi~" Tiona giggled, clasping her hands behind her back as she watched him with amused eyes. Her voice came out in a flirty tone once again. "What a gentleman you are~"
Aurelius rolled his eyes, a crooked grin forming as he stepped forward. His heavy boots thudded against the stone floor, the weight of his presence shaking the air with every step. The bear, sensing the shift, snarled and reared back.
Without another word, Aurelius lunged forward, every muscle in his body coiling like a spring as he charged with deadly purpose, his intention clear.
to crush the beast before him.
"?!"
The bear in front of him noticed his charge, its eyes widening slightly as it took a guarded stance, bracing itself against any possible strike that the titanic human would unleash.
Aurelius, closing the distance in only a few strides, saw the defensive stance and smirked. Without slowing down, he slightly sprawled his arms open, intending to grab the beast by tackling it head-on. The collision was nothing short of thunderous. His body rammed into the bear like a wall of iron, lifting the massive monster up onto his shoulder with shocking ease.
SQUEEZE!
With marginal effort, Aurelius began to squeeze the bear perched on his shoulder. Cracking sounds echoed out, loud, sharp, and final, as the crushing of bones signaled the overwhelming power he was exerting. His arms flexed with relentless pressure as the bear let out a muffled groan before its body went limp. The force twisted and bent the beast unnaturally, its limbs flailing for a brief moment before it finally succumbed.
The corpse disintegrated shortly after, turning into fine dust that scattered into the still dungeon air, leaving only its magic stone to clatter onto the wooden-like surface of the 19th floor.
Aurelius dusted off his shoulder with a calm motion, as if brushing away lint rather than the remains of a monster. He turned his gaze toward the amazon who stood a few steps away, watching everything with keen interest.
"So?" Aurelius asked, his voice light, playful, yet laced with confidence. He raised a brow, flashing a subtle grin. "Does it suit your taste, my lady?"
Tiona, taking in both the display and the man behind it, couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips. "Hihi~," she giggled, eyes gleaming with amusement. "What an amazing show you put on. Brutal. Bold. And entertaining." Her words carried a flirtatious undertone, smooth and deliberate. "And…"
Without a hint of warning, Tiona blitzed forward, her movements swift and precise. She stopped just inches from Aurelius, her presence now close... intimate. Leaning into him gently, her fingers began to trace from his chest down toward his abdomen, her touch slow, teasing, deliberate.
"…I like that~" she whispered, her voice sultry, barely audible above the tension-filled air between them.
Aurelius, seeing the spark in her eyes and the heat in her tone, responded in kind. "Heh, are amazons always this flirty?" he asked with a raised brow as he wrapped one strong arm around her waist, pulling her tighter, pressing her against his firm frame.
"Mhmm~," Tiona hummed, her voice soft and tempting. "We amazons adore strong men… and you, Aure~," she said, her words playful as she gave him a nickname. "Especially you~."
Aurelius grinned. With no effort, he slid his hands under her thighs and lifted her up, cradling her body with ease. Now face to face with the amazon, his deep voice rumbled out, "So… want to show me how an amazon expresses interest in her man?"
Tiona's cheeks flushed with a light pink hue, though her mischievous smile didn't fade. Leaning closer, her lips hovered just a breath away from his, tempting and electric, eyes locked with his, glowing with excitement. Just as she tilted her head slightly to close the gap—
ROOOOAAAR!
A monstrous roar shattered the moment.
Both turned their heads, eyes narrowing at the emerging group of enemies from the far side of the cavern. Several monsters began spilling into view. Bugbears snarling with bloodlust, accompanied by a couple of Battle Boars stomping and huffing aggressively.
Tiona sighed, her breath coming out in a soft, disappointed huff. She leaned her forehead gently against Aurelius' before slipping from his grip with a chuckle.
"I'm sorry, big man," she said with a feigned pout, closing one eye playfully. "But it seems the Dungeon doesn't want me to show you..."
Aurelius let out a short laugh, equally disappointed but amused nonetheless. "It's fine. The Dungeon's always cockblocking." He then smirked. "How about you show me at the surface instead, eh, lady amazon?"
Tiona's eyes lit up. "A date?!"
"Yeah," Aurelius said with a shrug. "If you want it to be a date, then why not?"
"Yaaay!" Tiona squealed, nearly bouncing in place. Her mood shot through the roof, her excitement bubbling over. "You better keep your word, big man!"
Aurelius chuckled as she stepped down from him. "I always do."
With a shared grin, the two warriors turned toward the approaching monsters. Tiona took the lead with a gleam in her eye while Aurelius cracked his knuckles, ready for another round.
The monsters, despite their numbers, hesitated under the pressure that radiated from both fighters. But it was too late for them.
Together, they charged, tearing through the enemy ranks like twin storms. Bodies shattered, magic stones rained, and by the end of it all, only a field of silence and glimmering remnants and magic stones were left behind.
They both went on and massacred every monster that came their way. Monsters like Bugbears, Battle Boars, and even the likes of Fire Birds and Lizardmen fell before them. There was no pause in their stride, no hesitation in their movements. They just kept pushing forward, cutting down everything that dared to appear in front of them. Their battle cries echoed through the Dungeon, blending in with the screeches and howls of the dying monsters. It was a storm of violence, a dance of death, executed flawlessly between two warriors who knew how to enjoy battle.
They continued on like that until the very ground beneath their feet was littered with magic stones, glowing dimly amidst the blood and gore. The once quiet and dangerous stretch of floor had now turned into a graveyard. After a short while, the two of them, satisfied with the slaughter, decided to head further down, toward the 20th Floor.
Upon reaching the 20th Floor, they didn't stop. Instead, they resumed their rampage, fighting shoulder to shoulder. Like a pair of predators unleashed into wild territory, they charged at every monster with thrill in their hearts and grins on their faces. There was a rhythm in the way they moved, killing with ease, like it was second nature. They weren't just killing, they were having fun.
Eventually, they paused their rampage, finally taking a breather from their self-imposed training session, or in Tiona's words, "exercise."
Tiona let out a heavy sigh, wiping the light sweat from her brow. Her chest rose and fell with excitement. "Phew, that was fun, wasn't it, Aurelius?"
"You betcha," Aurelius said, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders, still feeling the burn from their earlier fights. "It was crazy fun."
The two then sat for a moment, resting atop the carnage they had created. The warmth of the battle still lingered in their limbs, but their minds were at peace. After a short rest, they got up and began preparing to return to the 18th Floor, where their respective Familias were stationed.
However, just as they were about to head back toward the entrance that led to the 19th Floor, a sharp scream echoed from one of the distant tunnels.
"PLEASE! DON'T KILL ME!"
A woman's voice, terrified and desperate.
The sudden cry caught both of their attention. Without hesitation, they turned toward the source of the scream and sprinted in that direction. Their feet pounded against the stone floor as they rushed through the tunnels.
Upon reaching the scene, Aurelius and Tiona halted.
There, in the middle of the dim corridor, a red-haired woman stood, her blade raised and her eyes locked on her prey. In front of her, a winged woman cowered, trembling, using her arms, no, her wings to shield herself.
"P-Please, h-have m-mercy…" the winged girl whimpered, her voice cracking with fear. Her entire body trembled at the looming figure in front of her.
The red-haired woman was silent. Her crimson eyes locked onto the winged girl like a predator studying its meal. Her expression was devoid of empathy, cold and unflinching.
"You'll do just fine," she muttered, her voice flat.
She then lifted her blade, long, elegant, and deadly, preparing to bring it down upon her target.
But before the sword could fall, she was smashed aside, sent flying several meters across the tunnel, crashing into a nearby wall with a loud thud. Dust kicked up from the impact, briefly clouding the space.
The woman quickly got back to her feet, eyes narrowing as she locked her gaze on the two figures that now stood between her and her prey.
Aurelius, towering and imposing, took a protective stance, while Tiona knelt beside the winged girl, checking on her with hurried concern.
"Are you okay?" Tiona asked, gently holding the girl's shoulder. She looked over her quickl, her concern evident. Despite being surprised by the girl's unusual features, she pushed that aside. Right now, the girl's safety came first.
"Y-Yes… thank y-you…" the winged girl stammered, still shaken but grateful.
Tiona let out a sigh of relief and stood up slowly. Her eyes then turned toward the red-haired woman who had just tried to kill the girl. Her gaze locked on her... and widened.
"…Aurelius," she said softly, her tone no longer casual. It was careful. Alert. "She's dangerous."
"I know," Aurelius replied, his stance tightening. His golden eyes locked onto the red-haired woman, reading her movements like a hawk.
The woman clicked her tongue with irritation. "Tch." Her eyes flicked between the two, her gaze sharp. "The Amazon again. A Level 5," she muttered.
Then her gaze shifted to Aurelius, lingering for a second longer. "And… a Level 2? No, probably Level 3 by now…"
Hearing that, both Aurelius and Tiona instinctively dropped into combat stances, preparing for any sudden attack. The atmosphere tensed instantly, like a thread ready to snap.
The red-haired woman remained still for a moment, then let out a quiet breath. "This shouldn't take long," she said coldly, confidence brimming in her tone.
She then walked toward the blade she had dropped, her hand wrapping around its hilt as she pulled it from the ground. She raised it, now pointing it at the two in front of her.
This wasn't just any woman.
This was Revis. The infamous red-haired killer. The same woman who once overpowered Ais Wallenstein, back when the Sword Princess was still Level 5.
Now, she stood in front of Aurelius and Tiona, and her bloodlust was as heavy as ever.