The mass of monsters rapidly decreased.
The hordes of monsters, originally led by two Silverback, was being killed with extreme efficiency by Shirou, starting with the weakest Imps.
Hrunting was a demonic sword capable of sniffing out the scent of blood and delivering the most optimal slash with a mere ordinary swing.
Each time the sword lands a successful hit, the drawn blood will flow into the blade and caused it to emit a crimson glow.
One of the Silverbacks had already fallen, its head severed, while the other showed a fierceness entirely unlike that of the Orc or Minotaur. It didn't turn around and flee but instead charged forward even more furiously.
"RAAAH!!!" The silverback roared as it lunged forward, but Shirou stood his ground without flinching.
"AHHH-!" Though his own shout was much quieter, the ferocity matched the monster's.
However, instead of valiantly clashing against the Silverback's arms head-on with his sword, the boy remained calm.
Although his fighting spirit was high, his reason and battle experience remained intact.
Shirou sidestepped the attack, exploiting the Silverback's massive opening, and with a swift motion, thrust the black sword into the Silverback's chest.
The monster's heart was pierced, yet, not a single drop of blood gushed out, the black sword in the boy's hand had now turned completely crimson.
"Done."
Pulling [Fake-Hrunting] out of the Silverback's chest, Shirou slowly took a deep breath.
While he hadn't felt too tired during the battle, now that it was over, a wave of exhaustion quickly washed over him.
"I can't tell if projecting [Fake-Hrunting] or fighting the horde of monsters drained me more."
"Are you alright, Shirou-kun?" Alicia approached, and asked with concern.
It seemed that after teaming up to take down the three adventurers from the Soma Familia, their relationship had subtly grown closer.
"I'm fine, just a little tired," Shirou shook his head.
Two Silverbacks, a group of Imps, and Bad Bats. It wouldn't have been too difficult for him to deal with this group of monster if he had used the bow to thin their numbers, but taking them all down in close combat would've been tough without [Hrunting].
He wondered if the experience he gained this time would count as an "Achievement".
"How's Lefiya?" Shirou asked.
"Your first thought is to worry about someone else instead of yourself? I'm speechless..." Alicia shook her head. "That girl isn't like you. This is her first time experiencing something like this."
While Shirou had been fighting the monsters, Ryuu had briefly told Alicia about Shirou's time being imprisoned by Evilus. From this, Alysia pieced together an imaginary story of the boy's emotional journey and personality development.
A boy who had been imprisoned and tortured by Evilus didn't succumb to despair nor did he hate the world. Instead, he had become someone who hated evil and treated those around him with kindness. What a wonderful child.
As she praised him internally, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken toward the boy's past.
To go through so much at such a young age...
Suppressing the urge to embrace and comfort the boy, Alicia helped Shirou up.
Ryuu, along with a still slightly nauseous Lefiya, walked over.
"Shirou, why...why did you kill those people?" Lefiya, hands clenched tightly, couldn't stop herself from asking.
She had finally voiced the question that had been weighing on her mind.
Both Alicia, who was usually gentle, and Shirou, who was very determined, were figures Lefiya admired. Though they didn't yet surpass her number one idol [Sword Princess] and number two idol Riveria, they were still people she aspired to become.
So she couldn't accept the completely different side of Alicia and Shirou, which differ from her usual impression of them.
But honestly, the reaction of the young elf girl was quite normal.
If measured by the standards of the world at large, Alicia, who had been an adventurer for decades, Ryuu, who had executed countless remnants of Evilus, and Shirou, who had lived through an apocalyptic world in his previous life, were the true outliers.
However, this was inside the dungeon of Orario. Here, people like Shirou and the others (adventurers) were the norm, while it was Lefiya (an ordinary person) who was the odd one out.
Three against one, the rule of the majority had already given Lefiya the answer, but she refused to accept it.
"I think this is something, Lefiya, you should ask your fellow familia member, Alicia-senpai," Shirou gave it some thoughts before passing the question to Alicia.
Although his relationship with Lefiya was good, some matters were better left to someone from the same familia to explain. Neither Shirou nor Ryuu should overstep their boundaries.
"Lefiya, as I've explained before, those people were 'adventurer hunters," who trap other adventurers in the dungeon," Alicia's usual gentle and patience returned now that they were out of battle.
Lefiya remained silent. She understood what Alicia meant, but she still couldn't find the peace of mind.
"Princess Riveria taught us to help other adventurers in the dungeon when we can, and that doesn't conflict with what we did," Alicia said gently, stroking Lefiya's hair.
"Lefiya, you're a smart girl. I won't repeat meaningless phrases like 'they committed sins worthy of death' or 'more people will be saved by their deaths.' All I can tell you is this: the dungeon is just that kind of place. If you're here to hunt monsters, you must be prepared to be hunted by them in return. Similarly, those who intend to kill others must be ready to be killed themselves!"
Ryuu quietly added, "Besides, those whose minds have been consumed by alcohol and greed, are they really any different from the monsters in the dungeon?"
Her clenched fist trembled slightly, as if recalling some bad memories.
Lefiya hesitated, her voice a whisper, "But the Guild prohibits attacking other adventurers in the dungeon…"
Alicia responded calmly, "So, are you going to report us to the Guild?"
Lefiya quickly responded, "Of course...not."
"You haven't been on enough adventures yet, Lefiya. In time, you'll understand," Alicia reassured her.
"And if you still can't figure it out, you can always consult Princess Riveria. Her wisdom can answer any question in this world!"
Alicia's eyes shone brightly whenever she mentioned "Riveria," like a devout follower spreading their faith.
Shirou, who had never met this "Princess Riveria", hearing her wisdom could answer anything, he could only picture an airheaded blonde girl, which made him chuckle.
"ROOOOAAAR—"
A loud sound suddenly interrupted Alicia's words.
"What was that?" Lefiya snapped out of her thoughts, startled.
"A dragon's roar? Is the Infant Dragon on the 12th floor?" Alicia was surprised. "To encounter such a rare monster, we hit the jackpot!"
Shirou glanced at the [Fake-Hrunting], Beowulf's dragon slaying sword, in his hand, which had yet to disappear. It had turned a deep crimson red from absorbing so much blood.
"Indeed, we're very lucky."