Inside a dimly lit bar, unofficially owned by the Soma Familia, the air carried the tang of cheap alcohol and depressed conversation between fellow Soma Familia members.
Scums and poor souls alike were here, sobering away with the cheap taste of beer, dreaming about one day tasting the divine drink again one more time.
At one particular table sat three members of the Soma Familia, their weary faces betraying the toll of their latest dungeon expedition. For rookie Level Ones, survival was no small feat.
"That disgusting frog was almost at me. Thanks for the save again, Coco. I can't imagine what it could have done to me with its disgusting tongue," Tsukinokami Kaede, a Hume Bunny, shuddered at the thought, her arms wrapped protectively around her katana.
Sitting beside her, Coco Collins, a Pallum girl with short hair and a withdrawn demeanor, took a sip of her beer, then muttered almost inaudibly, "Call me Senpai." Her voice lacked heat but carried a small note of annoyance. She hated that her juniors didn't acknowledge her as their senior.
But Kaede ignored her, as usual, favoring a change in topic from the dungeon to the surface.
"Yesterday was really scary! To think we were this close to getting eaten by monsters. If it weren't for Momiji making us late, we could have died!" Kaede exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly.
On the other side of the table, Shinonome Momiji, a Renard with fox ears and Kaede's childhood friend, scoffed lightly. "To think such a barbaric practice is allowed... A festival for taming monsters? It was only a matter of time before something like this happened," she said, her golden eyes narrowing in disdain.
"Oh, c'mon, Momiji! It was probably fun, you know... minus the part where you get eaten." Kaede shuddered, the realization that their near-death experience came not in the dungeon but on the surface sinking in uncomfortably.
"Don't be foolish, It was—" Momiji began, but her words dissolved into their native Far Eastern tongue as she grew more animated.
The two started bickering, their voices rising and falling in sharp bursts of their homeland language. Coco paid them little attention. She didn't understand their language and had no interest in their antics. Instead, her eyes scanned the bar, taking in the depressed atmosphere and familiar faces.
Her gaze lingered briefly on where Canoe and his usual pack of lackeys often sat. The man wasn't present tonight, nor the nights before, and she felt a flicker of relief.
Perhaps he and his band of scums finally met their end in the dungeon. Coco wasn't one to wish harm on others, but for Canoe, she could make an exception.
Just as her thoughts drifted, a familiar voice pulled her back.
"Coco-sama, can we talk?"
The soft yet distinct voice made her head snap up. Her eyes met the sight of Liliruca Arde standing a short distance away. The Pallum girl's usual oversized backpack hung off her shoulders, but her face was more downcast than Coco remembered. Small dark circles underlined her weary eyes, and her expression was unnervingly neutral—emotionless.
Coco's breath hitched. It had been a while since she last saw Liliruca. They had met during Coco's first dive into the dungeon, bonding briefly over their shared Familia and heritage as Pallums. They'd even run a few dives together. But one day, Lili stopped showing up, no explanation given.
Coco suspected Canoe had something to do with it, though she never dared to pry too deeply.
Kaede and Momiji, now silent, stared at Liliruca with open curiosity. It was rare for their quiet and reserved senpai to have friends, let alone someone seeking her out.
When Coco failed to respond immediately, Lili raised an eyebrow. "I can leave if you don't want to talk," she said, turning her back and taking a few steps toward the exit.
"W-wait! It's alright, w-we can talk," Coco stammered, her face flushing pink with embarrassment. Her shyness made moments like these agonizing.
Liliruca paused, then turned back, offering a faint smile. Without hesitation, she shrugged off her massive backpack and took a seat at the table. "Thank you," she said softly.
An awkward silence settled over the group. Momiji and Kaede shifted nervously, unsure of what to say or do. The air felt heavier with Lili's presence, her expression calm yet strangely calculating. Coco couldn't help but notice how different she seemed—what had happened to her?
"I have a proposition," Liliruca said finally, her voice low but clear. A gentle smile played across her lips, but her sharp eyes hinted at a deeper intent. It was as though she already knew the outcome of this conversation.
The trio exchanged uncertain glances. Curiosity flickered in their expressions.
"A-and what would that be?" Kaede asked hesitantly. The usually bubbly Hume Bunny felt slightly unnerved by the stranger's presence.
Liliruca's smile widened ever so slightly, her eyes gleaming with an almost unnatural brightness. "The solution to all your problems of course, and more." she said, her voice steady, her tone confident.
The trio froze, their imaginations running wild.
Coco studied Liliruca intently. The girl before her was a far cry from the companion she once knew.
Still, Coco felt she owed it to Lili to listen, at least.
---
"Why didn't you tell me you had such a powerful attack?" Eina asked, her voice hushed to avoid drawing attention.
An adventurer's arsenal was supposed to remain a secret, after all.
They were seated at the familiar table where she usually gave brief lessons to All For One before he descended into the dungeon.
All For One offered her a small, reassuring smile. "It manifested the day you invited me. I hadn't had the opportunity to test it in the dungeon yet," he said smoothly, his soft expression betraying no dishonesty.
Her eyes brightened with genuine excitement. "It was amazing! You managed to save so many with it!" she said, her tone full of admiration. His "heroic" rescue of that elf girl and his swift elimination of the remaining plant monsters had clearly left a positive impression on her.
he was awaiting Welf's arrival with his new gear. he would finally be equipped to delve deeper into the dungeon and expand his arsenal further.
Though his magic stat was progressing well, his other parameters weren't improving at the desirable pace. If he wanted to further his influence he needs greater firepower to make it up to his lack of pure strength. Weakness, after all, was not an option.
His new attack, while strong, had a very obvious weakness, The stacked-up energy consumed an alarming amount of his "Mind Reserve," and it would require addressing the issue soon—but not yet.
"It's good to know that you have a trump card of your own, Bell." Eina said, her smile warm and full of genuine relief, her concern for his safety evident.
All For One's smile deepened, exuding gratitude. "Yes, but without knowledge, power is useless. I appreciate your lessons very much. Without them, I would have had a very difficult time in the dungeon," he said, his tone gentle and his words perfectly selected.
While he doubted he would have truly struggled in the dungeon, Eina's guidance was still valuable.
Moreover, keeping her close was necessary.
A reliable source of information within the Guild, a critical advantage he currently needed.
Her face flushed slightly at his words, a reaction he noted with satisfaction. "I-it's nothing. I-I'm happy I've been able to help you so much!" she stammered, trying to mask her flustered state behind professionalism.
The silence stretched for a moment, and All For One seized the opportunity.
"Eina," he said, drawing her attention, his voice carrying a subtle trace of sadness, as though he bore the weight of the tragedy. "Are you aware of any developments regarding the Amphitheatron incident?"
It's been three days, something must have come up by now.
Eina's expression shifted to one of nervousness. "W-well…" She hesitated. She wasn't allowed to share information about ongoing investigations.
But this was Bell! The adventurer who had risked his life to save the remaining civilians in the stadium. Who had stood firm when others faltered.
'Yes, there's no harm in telling him,' she rationalized. Bell was a good person—a hero.
"Yes," she admitted, leaning in slightly and lowering her voice. "After digging through the Guild's archives, it turns out there's a sewer system that runs directly under the stadi—" She began explaining carefully, constantly glancing around to ensure no one overheard their conversation.
All For One absorbed the information like a hungry predator, his mind already piecing together the significances. Every detail, no matter how small, was another step toward understanding his new competitors.
Knowledge was power, and he would wield it ruthlessly.
---
"Arde," Zanis Lustra said, his tone laced with mockery as he leaned back in his chair at the Soma Familia headquarters.
His greedy eyes glinted as he regarded the pallum standing before him. "you've come to negotiate again?"
Liliruca Arde stood motionless before him, her small frame rigid, her expression unreadable. The small dark circles under her eyes hinted at sleepless nights.
She had deliberately left her oversized backpack elsewhere, far from the grasping hands of the degenerates in the familia headquarters.
"Zanis-sama," Lili began, her voice carefully measured, "what would it take for me to leave the familia?" Her tone was calm, almost curious, as though she wasn't making the most dangerous gamble of her life.
The truth was, she no longer clung to that old dream of escape. But showing Zanis that her "goal" was harmless to his interests would work to her advantage.
Zanis tilted his head, his crooked smile deepening as he studied her. "Confident, aren't you?" he sneered, the derision in his voice making her want to claw his face off.
Then, as though struck by inspiration, he snapped his fingers. "Ten million valis," he declared, reclining smugly in his chair. "Pay up, and you're free to walk out of here."
He punctuated the outrageous demand with a wink that made her skin crawl.
'This bastard,' Lili seethed inwardly. Zanis knew perfectly well that no one in the familia could ever afford that kind of money, which was precisely why no one had ever been able to leave.
This bastard thrived on the desperation of others.
She exhaled lightly, suppressing her fury. If she wanted her plan to succeed, she had to play along.
"Perhaps," she began sweetly, her voice softening as she stepped closer to his desk, "we can come to another arrangement?" Her tone carried a practiced air of suggestion as she placed her small hands on the desk, leaning forward slightly. "Has Soma-sama ever told you about my status?" she asked, tilting her head just enough to seem coy.
Her small stature made the act awkward, but she pushed through, hoping her disdain wasn't evident on her face.
Zanis's brow furrowed, his confusion evident. Of course, that useless god hadn't bothered to share anything with his bastard captain.
"I have a rare ability," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, her lips curving into a smile she didn't feel. "Transformation magic." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial tone. "I can become anyone you desire, Zanis-sama~ Any race." She fluttered her lashes slightly, forcing herself to hold his gaze. "All you have to do is tell me what you want."
Internally, she was screaming. Every fiber of her being recoiled at the act, but she pushed down the nausea.
Zanis's eyes widened, the gleam of greed overtaking his initial skepticism. His lips curled into a grotesque grin as he stood, stepping around his desk. "Arde, I must admit, I didn't expect such… boldness from you," he said, his voice oozing with self-satisfaction.
He walked to the window, clasping his hands behind his back as he looked down at the workers loading crates of failed version of Soma into storage. "Transformation magic, you say?" His tone was thoughtful, but the smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth betrayed his true intentions.
"You've intrigued me, Arde," he said finally, not bothering to turn around. "I'll contact you when I have need of your… services." His dismissal was casual, as though she were nothing more than a tool to be picked up and discarded at will.
The sound of her retreating footsteps was his only acknowledgment that she had left. When the door clicked shut, his smirk grew wider. "Transformation magic, huh?" he muttered to himself, his expression alight with avarice. "You're going to make me very, very rich, Arde."
---
Outside the, Lili exhaled shakily, her small hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"Damn bastard," she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and revulsion. To think she had to stoop so low just to convince him...
But it had worked. The scum had taken the bait, and now she could proceed with her plan. The thought of working under him for even a moment made her blood boil, but she forced herself to endure.
She needs to do it...
---
Flashback
---
"Lili," Bell-sama said, his soft voice barely reaching her ears.
Liliruca Arde didn't know what to do anymore.
She felt lost, utterly without direction. Her only goal—leaving the Familia—no longer felt sweet.
Ever since Bell-sama made her...
'No! Don't think about it!' she screamed inwardly, desperately pushing back memories of that night. She didn't want to remember.
"Lili." Bell-sama's hands gently grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Please don't be like this."
There was sadness in his voice, a quiet plea that made her chest tighten.
Stupid Lili! Why did she make Bell-sama worry?
"I-I'm sorr—"
"Don't," he interrupted, his tone firm yet kind, his eyes full of concern.
He let go of her, his hands falling back to his sides. "Lili, Do you still want to leave your Familia?"
She opened her mouth to answer but stopped. She didn't know.
Bell-samas expression softened as he sat beside her. "You don't have to answer if you are not sure," he said gently. "I want you to be sure of your choice."
Bell-sama...
"I-I don't know what to do now," she finally stammered, her voice so small it was almost swallowed by the silence.
But Bell-sama heard her.
"Lili... I understand." He spoke reassuringly, his voice filled with empathy. "I was once like that too. Helpless. Lost. With no one to turn to for comfort or guidance."
His words were like a lifeline.
"But you're not alone, Lili. You have me now."
Her eyes flickered toward him, and for the first time in what felt like forever, a faint warmth began to grow in her chest.
"You... you want to know what I want to do?" she whispered, her voice trembling as tears began to form in her eyes.
Bell-sama's expression brightened. "Yes," he said, his tone filled with encouragement.
"Lili... Lili doesn't want to feel weak anymore. Lili w-wants..." Her voice broke as she hesitated. "Lili wants to make them feel pain for what they've done to her," she admitted shamefully, her desire for revenge spilling forth in a raw confession.
She expected him to judge her selfish wish. But Bell-sama's expression didn't change.
Instead, he nodded with understanding.
"Then I'll be your teacher to achieve your new goal." he said, his voice steady, carrying a promise of guidance and care.
---
End of flashback
---
As Lili walked away from the Soma Familia headquarters, she cast one last glance toward Zanis's office. Her expression was neutral, but her eyes burned with quiet fury.
"I'll make you suffer," she murmured coldly, her lips curling into a grim smile. "Just wait."
—
"It'll do for now," All For One remarked with casual indifference, his sharp eyes appraising the set of armor before him.
Thanks to Eina's assistance, he found himself in one of the private booths the Guild provided for adventurers and their advisors. The confined space was far from luxurious, but it served its purpose.
Welf had delivered the armor shortly after Eina finished feeding him new information and now waited outside, probably eager to hear his assessment.
For the price they had agreed upon, he had anticipated mediocrity, yet this exceeded his expectations—slightly.
The armor was light and functional, a deliberate choice. It prioritized mobility without sacrificing critical protection. The chest piece was a silver plate with angular contours, reinforced at key points to shield vital areas. Subtle red accents traced its edges, a minor aesthetic flourish that did not undermine its practicality.
The pauldrons provided adequate shoulder coverage while allowing for unrestricted movement, and the segmented plates along the forearms ensured flexibility without compromising defense. The leg armor was minimal, with reinforced knee guards and light plating around the thighs, overall a set designed for agility.
He was aware of the limits of this fragile body—no amount of armor could change that. A single mistake, a single strike, could be catastrophic. Thus, evasion remained his most reliable safeguard.
After fastening the final strap, he allowed himself a brief nod. "Adequate," he murmured under his breath, stepping out of the booth and into the hall.
As he walked, his thoughts returned to what Eina had said.
The plant monsters that had attacked the stadium were apparently an unknown species. The Loki Familia had encountered them in the dungeon before, though that was the extent of her knowledge.
As for the individual behind the attack? Eina had no answers, though the Guild was already discussing a bounty.
"Twenty million valis," he mused quietly, his lips curling into an amused smirk. He was almost tempted to turn himself in.
Yet, that chaotic display was not of his making. Still, it bore watching. The one responsible had potential—potential to fill his pockets.
After all, as a "hero," it was his duty to rid the world of "evil."
He chuckled softly at the thought. "Hero." No matter where he was, the childish title persisted, as insipid as ever. Yet, it was a tool like any other.
As he approached the exit, Eina's voice called out, "Bell!"
He turned, schooling his expression into one of polite curiosity as Eina approached. In her hands, she held a small, wrapped object, her demeanor tinged with nervousness.
"Before you go, I wanted to give you this," she said, extending the package. A faint blush colored her cheeks.
How cute. A gift.
He accepted it with a smile, unwrapping it slowly to reveal a green gauntlet-like protector. The material seemed sturdy enough, functional if unremarkable.
"I know it's not the strongest thing out there," she said, her voice a little sheepish as her eyes drifted elsewhere.
He examined it further, noting the small compartment designed to store blades.
Practical.
Picking the sheathed knife from his bag, he demonstrated its utility by placing the blade into the opening.
"It's perfect," he said smoothly, his tone warm and reassuring. "This will be invaluable."
He allowed a smile to spread across his face, a calculated mixture of gratitude and charm. "Thank you, Eina. You are the best advisor someone could have."
The relief in her eyes was almost immediate, her shoulders visibly relaxing.
"Welf is waiting for me," he continued, sliding the gauntlet-like protector onto his arm. "I'll see you later, my invaluable advisor." He punctuated the statement with a wink before turning toward the exit.
Eina remained rooted in place, blinking in stunned silence.
"He winked…" she murmured, her voice barely audible. Her cheeks flushed crimson as the realization struck.
He winked at her!
This was the first time a man had done such a thing, and she found herself utterly flustered.
"What a nice boyfriend you have, Eina!" Misha's voice cut through her flustered state, making flinch.
Smirking, Misha got closer to her and whispered, "Make sure to tell me everything about him." Her tone was teasing, a small smile on her lips.
Eina swallowed. Maybe this was a bad idea?
—
"RAAGGHHAA!"
A deafening roar reverberated through the misty floor, the cry of the Silverback echoing like a feral declaration of dominance. The beast's challenge was unmistakable—a primal demand for battle that seemed to shake the very air of the dungeon.
Yet, the white-haired human before it did not flinch.
The two adversaries locked eyes, each studying the other, sizing up their prey. Unlike the mindless beasts that roamed the dungeon, this particular Silverback displayed a glimmer of intelligence. Its movements were deliberate, its circling predatory—an attempt to gauge the strength of the one standing before it.
A smirk tugged at the human's lips. The brief standoff gave him just enough time to utter the final line of his chant, his voice low and steady as he whispered the name of his spell.
Black lightning erupted around him, crackling like a storm confined to his frame. The energy coursed through his body, a potent enhancement of his speed. His muscles thrummed with power, and in an instant, he became a black streak of motion, blurring as he propelled himself toward the Silverback.
The beast, despite its intelligence, was caught off guard by the sheer speed. It had no time to react.
All For One's new blade flashed in the dim light of the dungeon. The double-edged sword carved a precise arc, the intricate Damascus pattern gleaming even as it bit into the Silverback's thick hide. The monster roared in pain, lashing out with a colossal arm, but the white-haired adventurer had already slipped past, sidestepping with almost casual ease.
He pulled the knife from his green arm protector—The gift from Eina. Without hesitation, he plunged it into the beast's exposed side and twisted sharply. Blood spurted from the wound, staining the intricate patterns on the blade, but the creature's endurance was remarkable. It staggered but did not fall.
The Silverback retaliated, its massive fist grazing him and sending him skidding several feet back. His boots scraped against the floor as he steadied himself, gritting his teeth in annoyance.
'Damn pest,' he thought, eyes narrowing.
Undeterred, All For One surged forward again, his movements a whirlwind of precision and ferocity. The sword and knife moved in tandem, slashing through the Silverback's thick hide with ruthless efficiency. Tendons were severed, muscles rendered useless. The creature's massive arms drooped, its strength waning as it struggled to keep up.
Desperation flickered in the monster's eyes. It swung one final, clumsy strike, but All For One met the blow mid-air. His knife embedded itself deep into the beast's wrist. Using the leverage, he vaulted upward, twisting in mid-air to bring his sword down in a devastating arc.
The final blow cleaved the Silverback's head clean from its shoulders. Its massive frame collapsed in a puff of black smoke, leaving behind a single magic stone.
All For One exhaled, letting his spell fade. The crackling black lightning around him dissipated, the strain on his "Mind reserves" easing. Sweat dripped from his brow as he took measured breaths, his hands still gripping the hilts of his weapons. He did not sheathe them.
This was only the 12th floor.
The 13th floor loomed ahead, already proving more challenging than he had anticipated. The monsters were growing in both numbers and strength.
He glanced at his blades, their sharp edges marred by blood and ichor. Forged from Damascus steel, their exceptional craftsmanship had been a lifesaver. The material's intricate patterns gleamed faintly under the dungeon's dim light, a testament to their quality.
But their cost had been significant.
Welf had explained the rarity of Damascus steel, mined exported from a country called Sharm. He'd managed to secure it at a discount from a familia member, though there had only been enough to forge a single sword and knife. Welf had called them his best work yet, and they had proven their worth.
Turning, he saw Welf dispatching a group of orcs. The smith's strikes were efficient, but his movements were slowing. With the final orc reduced to dust, Welf exhaled heavily, his fatigue evident.
All For One frowned.
"This floor cannot be cleared alone," he admitted reluctantly. The factors against them were numerous, the primary one being their current lack of numbers and strength.
He crouched to retrieve the magic stone left behind by the Silverback, his expression contemplative.
At this rate, the middle floors would remain beyond his reach—a bitter truth he hated to accept but couldn't ignore.
"Welf," he called, his voice calm but firm.
The smith turned, his breathing heavy but his eyes still sharp.
"We're done here for now. We should head back." All For One sheathed his blades, the sound of steel sliding into place echoing faintly. "Any further, and we'll be at a disadvantage."
Welf wiped the sweat from his brow, nodding. "Yeah," he said between heavy breaths, "we can't exactly handle the middle floors as a two-man party. We'd be slaughtered."
He wasn't wrong.
The two began their slow retreat to the upper floors. For All For One, retreat wasn't failure—it was a calculated decision. A setback today was an opportunity for better preparation tomorrow.
This laughable "murder pit" would not best him—not yet.
Not ever.
—
The End
—
Yo, a quick chapter to set up a foundation for the current "arc" of the story.
Sorry for the wait, but this week was…very interesting, with ahm—syria—ahm being the Hot topic.
Anyway, I hope this was up to your expectations reader.