Sitting on a chair, Alfia, who was reading a book, stared at the broken vase that had fallen to the floor.
Rumble
Another tremor shook the city, the glass on the window cracking under the strain.
"I never should have come here... this city is as noisy as ever."
She slammed the book shut, walked outside, and fixed her gaze on the giant tower looming in the distance.
"If those brats can't resolve it soon, then I will do it myself."
Her chilling voice cut through the air, and the bystanders who heard her felt shivers crawl down their spines.
At the entrance of the Dungeon stood a beautiful azure-haired woman, the captain of the Ganesha Familia. Shakti Varma, a level 5 adventurer.
"Captain! There are over 120 injured and 23 dead. It seems floors one to nine experienced some kind of Dungeon outbreak where massive hordes of irregular monsters spawned out of nowhere!"
A member of her Familia reported with a salute.
"Any idea on what the cause might be?"
Shakti asked. Everyone around her shook their heads.
"We have no clue. That's why we're preparing to gather a team to investigate the situation, as per the Guild's orders. We are awaiting your command to proceed, Captain."
Shakti closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Even in chaos, she remained calm and composed.
Her Familia members looked at her with unwavering respect, waiting for her decision.
"Alright. We're heading out."
Her command was firm.
"Yes ma'am!"
That was when it happened—
"Kyaa!"
"Wh- again?!"
Another explosion reverberated from below, an earthquake shaking the entire city.
Screams echoed through the streets as panic spread, Shakti quickly ordering her adventurers to focus on damage control.
"What is wrong with the Dungeon today?"
Ilta Farna, the Amazoness vice-captain of the Ganesha Familia, asked, her voice carrying both confusion and unease.
"This is different from before... this is the result of someone's magic."
With her sharp experience, Shakti immediately distinguished the difference. The prior tremors were natural Dungeon quakes. This one felt like a shockwave.
"What? Are you saying someone is fighting down there?"
An adventurer nearby spoke up, startled by her deduction.
"A spell strong enough to cause tremors of that scale... could it be Nine Hell? The Freya Familia aren't in the Dungeon, so the only one who fits is her."
Nine Hell — the title of one of the greatest mages in Orario, Riveria Ljos Alf, level 6, of the Loki Familia.
"No... the Loki Familia are on expedition. They should've already reached the lower floors by now, unless something forced her to climb back up."
Shakti muttered. Even to herself, the speculation felt far-fetched.
"Regardless, it doesn't change the fact we need to investigate."
"Shakti, sorry we're a bit late."
A feminine voice called out.
Shakti turned and her lips curved slightly when she saw who it was.
"Don't apologize. Your assistance is greatly needed."
It was Alise Lovell, captain of the Astraea Familia, a powerful level 5 adventurer with striking red hair tied into a ponytail and determined green eyes.
Trailing behind her was her squad, though only two stood out.
Beside her walked a woman with a kanzashi adorning her long black hair — Gojouno Kaguya, a level 5 adventurer.
"Oh dear, it seems the situation doesn't look too good."
Kaguya spoke with her usual elegance.
"You won't mind if we join ya?"
The one who chimed in was a pink-haired pallum with an eyepatch over her left eye.
Lyra, a level 4 of the Astraea Familia.
The crowd's spirits lifted instantly.
Hope flickered in their eyes.
Because they all knew—
The Astraea Familia had arrived.
"We don't mind at all. If you're ready, we can depart immediately."
Hearing this, Alise turned to her Familia.
"Everyone, I trust you'll take care of things up here."
"Aye aye, Captain!"
"Kaguya, Lyra, you're with me. We'll assist the Ganesha Familia's investigation."
The two gave no objections and followed immediately.
During their descent, the team surveyed the surroundings and were struck speechless by the destruction.
"What the hell happened here?"
Lyra's words slipped out almost unconsciously.
It was an unbelievable sight.
Where once intricate carvings and ancient stones defined the Dungeon, now there were only scorched marks, jagged edges, and broken ruin.
It was as though the Dungeon itself had been torn apart, its bones shattered by something incomprehensible.
"And what's with this giant hole? How deep does it go?"
Lyra added, rubbing her chin as she peered into the massive sinkhole.
"According to witnesses, it stretches all the way to the ninth floor," Shakti explained. "Numerous accounts also claim all of this was caused by a single person."
Her words stunned the Astraea members.
"One person did all this? Are you sure?"
Lyra asked skeptically.
"Every survivor says the same thing. And this person didn't just destroy—he saved. He rescued adventurers in danger. Now, people are calling him... The Savior."
"The Savior?"
Alise's eyes sparkled. "That sounds amazing! An ally of justice, just like us. Now I really want to meet this person."
But while Alise glowed, Kaguya remained silent, her frown deepening.
"Captain... don't you think this feels familiar?"
Her words drew Lyra and Alise's attention.
"Kaguya, what do you mean?"
"I..."
Kaguya struggled to find the right words, her eyes scanning the wreckage.
The familiarity, the dread—it gnawed at her.
Five years ago.
"When we clashed with the Rudra Familia... when excessive damage to the Dungeon unleashed that thing... doesn't this feel the same?"
Alise and Lyra froze, the memories slamming into them. Shakti and the Ganesha Familia looked confused, but the Astraea trio... their eyes showed fear.
The haunting roars of the Juggernaut still lingered in their nightmares.
Alise grit her teeth, her fist trembling before she broke into a sprint.
"Kaguya! Lyra! With me!"
The two followed without hesitation.
"What are you doing?!"
Shakti called, before turning to her Familia.
"Continue the investigation. I'll go after them!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridors.
"Kaguya, are you certain?"
Alise's voice carried uncharacteristic anxiety. Her usual brightness was gone.
"I-I don't know."
Kaguya's tone was grim.
'I pray I'm wrong. That thing should never appear again.'
Lyra's lips pressed tight. Just the thought made her shiver.
"Shit. Not again. Kaguya, you'd better be wrong."
Shakti, catching up to them, narrowed her eyes at their reactions.
'To make Astraea Familia's executives look like this... just what are we about to face?'
Rumble
Another shockwave blasted through the chambers, nearly throwing them off balance.
"We're close! Be careful!" Alise shouted as they reached the ninth floor.
And then, they froze.
Their breaths caught.
The ninth floor was no longer recognizable. Once a living labyrinth of stone and monsters, now it was a wasteland. A battlefield.
"This place... looks like a warzone. I'm shocked the floor hasn't collapsed already."
And then, their eyes widened.
Standing before them was a nightmare.
The monster they prayed to never see again.
The Juggernaut had been unleashed.
------------------
+15 chapters on [email protected]/drdedot