The first attack, a clustering of factories, was targeted. A few of the ones in Hathor familia's range managed to avoid the worst of it thanks to the timely intervention of the aforementioned Hathor familia. Even so, there were still so many assailants, there was simply no way to arrive before anyone suffered death, or being maimed at the hands of Evilus.
Normally people would blame the adventurers for being too slow, however, in the case of the Hathor familia's adventurers, it was different. Some people still did, but they were quickly made to understand just how wrong they were.
"What took you so long to get here!? People are dead because you didn't show up in time!"
"Hey, shut your face hole right now!" Another citizen, specifically one of the factory's workers, grabbed the other guy by the collar of his shirt.
"WHAT?!" His cheek was bruised right away.
"Hathor familia has more than proven themselves! It has nothing to do with them being slow! We were just unprepared, and Evilus attacked quickly."
"But, they should have been here!?" Another punch to the face…
"Are you still blaming the Hathor familia!? You must want us to think you're with Evilus too!"
"Alright everyone, that's enough, break it up. We're not getting anywhere like this. Fighting amongst ourselves only helps Evilus." An exasperated level 4 said after finally finishing up the last of the Evilus members.
"Fine, sorry I let my rage take over… I just can't bear hearing someone blame you."
"Well, it's not like we aren't partially to blame. After all, we haven't managed to get rid of Evilus yet. But that's where our blame ends." The woman sighed, and then held up a trigger. "This item here, can you tell me all of its specific uses?"
"Oh, I'm not entirely certain, but that's a trigger, you can find one in almost any magic item."
"So, it's what sends the signal to turn something on, or off?"
"Yes."
"Why does it look different from the ones I'm familiar with?"
"This one is designed for portability."
The level 4 of Hathor familia had a shiver run the length of her spine. Could this… No, I'd better ask Lady Hathor about this first.
"Thanks for the information, you should all disperse, and continue your business. That is, unless you're a member of Evilus, it would be great if you just stopped."
"Oh, miss, may I have your name so I may thank your familia properly?"
"The name's Legi, have a good one." She waved. "Alright everyone, we're going back home now. You all need some rest."
"Got it!"
The Hathor familia adventurers left, leaving the porting of the dead and injured in the guild's and Ganesha familia's hands.
…
"Lady Hathor, I need to ask you something."
"I can see that my dear Legi."
"Can we call my brother back?"
"Unfortunately not. He's on a mission directly from someone even I can't easily go against. And with him doing it, the dungeon may stampede…"
Legi showed Hathor the trigger.
"Then, can you tell me, what your goddess intuition tells you about this?"
"It's a trigger for magical items, like portable lanterns, and similar magical items."
"Okay, now, would this work on blast-rock?"
Hathor's expression changed…
"How many of these triggers were stolen?"
"At least thousands."
"Legi, I know you just returned. But this comes as a matter of great importance. I'll personally inform the familia to be on guard for this, I need you to go inform the other prominent familias… I'll write letters now, you go and get something to eat first."
…
At the guild, Royman was panicking, the letter he just received from the Hathor familia's Legi did not bear good news. And he was clearly upset, ultimately speaking, he had no means of preventing the catastrophe his mind played out.
…
Hephaestus saw the letter, and almost lost her grip. So many people are going to die… And all from suicidal bombers…
"Tsubaki, you're level 6 now, could you handle the full power of a blast-rock explosion?"
"Maybe like 1. But if this letter is correct, this is a means to kill at close range… If it's point blank, I doubt a level 7 would make it out alive. Then there's the size of those things, if it's big enough, it wouldn't be a question, let alone if there are many in the same general area…"
"I figured we wouldn't be that lucky… Reorganize the familia, make sure that every team has at least two measures to deal with the explosions. And make sure they know what they'll be dealing with."
"I'll begin right away-"
"Actually, no… tell everyone to bring every last weapon they've made, and all the ores they've collected, here. We're heading towards disaster, it's better for a smith to be in the forge, making the weapons others will use to fight."
"I- I-"
"You may be a level 6 now, but that also means you're the only smith in the city who can make a certain quality of weapon. Now's also not the time to worry about hiding techniques from each other. Anything to make the weapons the others will need to fight off Evilus. Hmm, who else should I warn ahead of time?"
"How about Miach familia?"
"That's a good choice, send someone in here that can move quickly. I'll have a letter for Miach ready to go."
…
Freya familia's reaction upon seeing the letter they got was nothing short of surprise that they were given a letter, at least at first. But seeing how the letter made Freya react… They learned very quickly that this was bigger than the sin they'd committed against Hathor and her familia.
"Ottar, everyone, I'll be counting on you. This time many will die… Do not lose heart, the people will only be trying to find their own ways to cope."
…
Loki familia had a similar reaction, though some of those with a weaker stomach actually vomited at the thought of what was heading their way… And even their worst imaginations weren't even close to the full, true terror they would soon see.
…
Astraea familia had very different reactions upon hearing the news.
"This is why we're here. Let's do our best."
"This is going to get real ugly, real quick." Lyra said, speaking from practical experience with blast-rock.
"Make sure you stay safe out there, and don't forget to watch the skies." Astraea's warning caused the girls a great deal of wonder, but decided to just go with it.
…
Miach familia was an odd case, they may have been a mid ranking familia, but never did Miach expect a letter like this…
"What's this? Hephaestus, that's not an easy ask, you know that, right?" … "Everyone, cancel all patrols, and pack everything we need to make potions. Make sure you bring all of our ingredients, and tools, as well as anything you think you might need. And no, there's no time for questioning, only do."
…