Two days passed quickly.
On a sunny, beautiful day, the highly anticipated War Game finally arrived. The eyes of everyone in Orario were focused on the two Familia.
Roy checked his equipment.
Wind-Chasing Boots: He had used the special effect so many times he couldn't count. Coupled with regular wear, the durability was down to 29%.
Muramasa Sword (Most used): Durability 46%.
Frost-Ice Blade (Magic Sword): Could be used one more time.
Titan Slayer (Greatsword): Deals higher damage the larger the target. Against ordinary humans, the damage drops to the level of the Muramasa Sword.
The rest consisted of bottles and jars of potions, and his most important trump card, the Giant Summon Card.
Roy took a deep breath. Success or failure hinged on this one action.
When Roy, Miss Ryuu, and Goddess Astraea arrived at the Dungeon entrance beneath the Babel Tower, the area was packed with people—walls of crowds three layers deep.
There were citizens who loved excitement, adventurers who had wagered huge sums, and a small number of people who had been helped by the Astraea Familia, their expressions filled with worry.
Due to the unique nature of this War Game, the Great God Ouranos and the Guild did not permit the use of the Magic Mirror (city-wide live broadcast). Neither the defeat of the Justice Familia nor the sight of both sides slaughtering each other was fit for broadcast, as it would severely impact Orario.
Everyone could only wait on the surface for the results.
Many nearby adventurers were filled with regret. They had been in the Dungeon earlier, and only realized the War Game was happening when they returned to the surface. It was too late to go back; they had missed a chance to watch a good show.
But then again, if they were forced to stay down there, they might not want to. The Dark Faction members were like mad dogs, and might turn on them.
Many Gods gathered around Goddess Astraea. "Astraea, are you confident?"
Astraea wore a gentle smile. "I believe in my children."
"Children?"
The surrounding Gods looked surprised. Only Gale (Ryuu) should be left in the Astraea Familia.
Did they have powerful external help? Yes, the Astraea Familia had good relations with many Familia; borrowing a few high-level adventurers shouldn't be a problem...
When they saw Roy, he looked quite handsome and clean-cut, but the Gods had no recollection of him. After learning his status, they felt a wave of disappointment: he was only LV.1.
They couldn't understand Astraea's thinking. How could LV.4 + LV.1 compete against over a hundred people?
In reality, Roy and Ryuu were mysterious about their activities, and Astraea didn't know what they were up to. She was cooperating with them and letting things proceed this way only out of unconditional support and trust.
It was impossible for Astraea not to feel worried, but as a Goddess, she could not show hesitation or confusion in front of her Familia children.
Above the Babel Tower.
Freya, seated high on her throne, had a flash of light in her eyes. "They've arrived."
"Otta, you must find it strange that I didn't let you help that child," Freya said, swirling the red wine in her glass.
"No. I follow the Goddess's will in all things," Ottar stood behind her like an iron tower.
"I don't dislike your compliance." Freya smiled radiantly. Her perfect face, created by the wonders of the world, could instantly charm even the Gods.
Freya smiled. "Don't forget, the War Game was proposed by that child!"
Only a very few people still paid attention to this fact. Most people only saw the huge difference in numbers between the Astraea Familia and the Rudra Familia.
High-level adventurers don't lose their minds easily. If they weren't confident, they would surely choose methods like assassination, poisoning, or bounties.
Not a head-on battle.
"What a shame,"
Freya murmured. The situation was too attention-grabbing. If she secretly used the Magic Mirror (for live streaming), the other Gods would discover it. Being sent back to the Heavens would ruin the fun.
"Otta, can you knock out all those boring Gods?"
"If that is your wish..."
"Never mind."
...Just then, the crowd parted, making way for the approaching God Rudra and his Familia members. They arrived in a sweeping formation—over a hundred people.
This was the entirety of the Rudra Familia members.
At a glance, a vicious smile was plastered across every face. Although they did not receive help from the Thanatos Familia, they were absolutely confident of victory.
Upon closer inspection, most were LV.1, but there were seven or eight LV.2s. Their Captain and Vice-Captain, two brown-skinned men, were both confirmed LV.3s.
They even had the combat record of defeating Goliath, the Floor Boss of the 17th floor, so they showed no sign of reverence towards the LV.4 Ryuu.
Looking at these villains, the citizens showed expressions of disgust and fear, yet they were helpless.
Roy noticed the Elven girl's shoulders trembling slightly with rage, her beautiful face taut. He whispered, "Just wait a moment longer!"
The Elven girl finally suppressed the anger raging in her heart.
A Guild staff member announced, "The War Game between the Astraea Familia and the Rudra Familia begins now. The goal is to challenge the Dungeon floors within one day. Shakti Varma, Captain of the Ganesha Familia, will serve as the overseer!"
The blue-haired woman, clad in tight battle gear, stepped forward—the LV.5 adventurer with the title "Staff of the Elephant God."
The adventurers of the Rudra Familia offered no objection. Shakti Varma was indeed Ryuu's friend, but would she dare to openly intervene?
If even one of them escaped, the credibility of the Ganesha Familia would plummet!
This was gambling with the future of a Familia!
Shakti let out a soft sigh. The helplessness in her eyes already conveyed her stance.
Ryuu whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Shakti, do not go to the tenth floor. Stay on the ninth floor!"
Shakti looked at the Elven girl before her, feeling an inexplicable terror. What exactly was she planning to do?
Following Ryuu's gaze, Shakti noticed the young man beside her. Was he the real trump card?
Under the gaze of countless people, the two parties began to enter the Dungeon, walking along opposite sides of the path. The contrast was stark: the Astraea Familia looked utterly pathetic, consisting of only two lonely figures. Gods, adventurers, and citizens alike shook their heads.
The disparity in numbers and strength was too great. They didn't believe the Astraea Familia had a chance to win.
The two sides reached the fork in the path on the first floor.
Shakti said, "Separate here. Astraea Familia, proceed to the right. Rudra Familia, proceed to the left. I will vouch for the floors you reach!"
Nominally, this was still a War Game!
Many people on the surface were craning their necks to peek. The actual battle would likely begin only after they reached a deeper floor.
"How pitiful, only two people."
"Make sure you don't sneak out and run away!"
"Hahahahaha!"
...
The members of the Rudra Familia shouted mockery at Roy and Ryuu. No matter how you looked at it, this War Game was 152 against 2!