Monica's eyes darted toward the dome behind Sylvia, her fists clenching tightly.
But the tremor in her voice betrayed her—she was no longer as resolute as before.
"Then… doesn't that mean we all need to enter the dungeon quickly to save them? That monster should still be nearby. Can't you handle it—after all, you are S-rank?"
Her hesitant words were met with Sylvia's cold, piercing eyes. Sylvia shook her head, the momentary chill in her gaze softening into her usual carefree expression—but her unempathetic words, wrapped in a layer of righteousness, made Monica feel a chill.
"I am talking about an S-rank monster—a monster that can tear apart many A-rank Espers in seconds. And let's not forget, a dungeon doesn't only have one monster. Can you guarantee they are both even still alive? If you truly want to go in, then start preparing. Stop wasting time with words."
Monica closed her eyes for a moment, realizing she had no choice but to relent.
A teammate patted her arm, and after a sigh, she nodded toward Sylvia, who had already closed off the dome's entrance.
She then swiftly turned, commanding her teammates and the other Espers present.
"Hurry up. Inform all available powerful Espers and guides at the Association to assemble immediately, and also gather everything needed to enter the dungeon—we don't have a moment to lose."
As Monica left with the Espers, the area around the dome was cleared. Even the Association building facing the towering dome was evacuated, along with a large portion of the surrounding area. A barrier was erected to seal off the newly formed dungeon, confirmed as an S-rank threat.
In the end, silence settled over the area, leaving only Sylvia and Eleven before the now-empty dome. Sylvia stared back, her deep gray eyes lingering on the pit where Lucien and Zephyr had been dragged in.
"A pity..."
She whispered coolly.
"Lucien was troublesome, but he was a good, high-rank guide. The Association suffered a loss. As for the other one, I doubt he was particularly remarkable."
Eleven cleared his throat beside her.
He felt uneasy and wanted to leave the area, but he stayed. Since Sylvia was the one who brought him here, he trusted he had nothing to fear with her by his side.
"You are right. He was B-rank—and blind. I don't think the Association will care much. He was only allowed in because of Erick."
He glanced back, his gaze flickering with conflicting emotions. Although he liked to do as he pleased in the Association, using his influence, this was the first time he had seen someone he had conflict with dragged to their death by a monster. Fortunately, he hadn't known Zephyr for long, so the loss didn't weigh too heavily on his conscience.
'Well… still, I hope they don't die…'
Eleven let out a quiet sigh, watching as Sylvia contacted her family to report the sudden situation. After she finished, she turned back to him and gave a wave.
"You should leave too."
She said calmly.
"With a powerful dungeon involved, I am sure you'll be deployed as well. Go prepare—staying here isn't safe. I'll guard the area. If that monster comes out again, I'll kill it."
Eleven's eyes widened at how casually Sylvia spoke of killing an S-rank monster.
She was truly powerful!
Even for S-rank Espers, taking down an S-rank monster was no easy feat!
Yet she said it as if it were certain!
He nodded and quickly left.
As a result, Eleven failed to notice the flicker of confusion in her calm eyes.
Amidst the silence, she frowned.
"Strange... why hasn't the monster come out of the dungeon again? It shouldn't take this long to devour two humans."
She shut her eyes, spreading her mana.
"I can't even detect anything. Is it good or bad that the dungeon is so eerily silent?"
"Well, I'll only know once I step inside."