In the sealed underground waterways of Orario, at the Loki Familia's hidden blockade, Loki herself stood silently, her face darker than anyone had ever seen.
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It is well known that between a god and their blessed followers, there exists some sort of mysterious connection.
Perhaps this link isn't as exaggerated as a radar that can pinpoint their followers' exact coordinates, but when it comes to confirming life and death, it truly works.
Loki's rare grim expression was like that of a volcano about to erupt. It only needed a single spark, and a twelve-magnitude earthquake-like outburst would follow.
"Loki, what happened?"
With a sharp mind and an intimate understanding of her deity's temperament, Riveria caught a glimpse of Loki's expression while directing the members' assignments. Her heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure and asked calmly.
The goddess' face was clouded, her eyes dark with suppressed turmoil.
"Finn is in trouble. I can feel it, his condition is terrible."
"What!" Even Riveria, who rarely lost her calm, couldn't stop her expression from changing drastically upon hearing the news.
"Then what do we do? Should we gather everyone and charge in?"
Loki shook her head.
"No. Since Finn told you to stay here and hold the line, we'll do just that. Besides, we have no intel about what's inside that passage. If you and the rest recklessly rush in… then we really would be doomed."
"I understand."
After that brief loss of control, Riveria quickly steadied herself. As one of the three leaders of the Loki Familia, she had far better control over her emotions than the younger members like Raul. That was precisely why she stood among the trio of leaders and they did not.
A true commander required more than just combat experience. The ability to master one's emotions, analyze both strategy and tactics, and make decisions from a broader, long-term perspective, these were what defined a capable leader.
And compared to Riveria, Finn's abilities in that regard were even more exceptional.
That was why Finn was the captain of the Loki Familia.
…
Outside the artificial dungeon, Riveria had faltered for just a moment after hearing Loki's words.
Meanwhile, inside, after defeating Valletta and the assassins' guild, Fron and the members of Finn's team had regrouped in a hidden corner to rest and tend to their wounds.
"[Pius' staff, Pione's light. Intersect with the authority of healing and heal everything]"
"Dia Panakeia!"
A gentle greenish-blue light spread from the massive magic circle beneath Fron's feet, drawing in the scattered mana from the air.
It shimmered like starlight, and under the full surge of Fron's power, amplified by his staff, the entire chamber was illuminated in pale turquoise light.
As he chanted the incantation and called out the magic's name, the circle, nearly ten meters in radius, burst into dazzling brilliance. Under that radiance, the grievous injuries clinging to Finn's small, fragile body like a parasite began to dissolve.
Before everyone's eyes, Anakitty, Raul, Cruz, the terrible wounds rapidly vanished, replaced by healthy, unbroken skin.
In only a few minutes, their joy surged. Finn's near-death aura stabilized, his breathing evened out, and his pale face regained a hint of color.
What remained now was merely exhaustion, he was unconscious only because of fatigue.
It wouldn't be long before he awoke.
"Hah…" Ending the spell, Fron took out a vial of mind restoration potion from his belt pouch and drained it in one gulp.
Ever since they had entered the passageway, he had been fighting without pause. The tension and strange atmosphere had kept his nerves taut. Only now could he finally breathe.
"Fron, how is Finn?"
Naturally, the one most concerned was Raul, crouched nervously by Finn's side.
Wiping the potion from his lips, Fron gave a relieved smile.
"Relax. Even with a cursed wound that severe, as long as he's alive, I can bring him back. And Finn's injuries weren't beyond saving."
"So, that means…" Raul asked hesitantly.
"It's fine. He'll wake soon. Just stay by his side. But don't forget where we are, this artificial dungeon is stranger than the Dungeon itself. Even though I've eliminated one of the masterminds, Valletta, we can't underestimate the Evilus. They're still here, waiting."
Fron's words doused their relief like a bucket of cold water, bringing everyone swiftly back to focus.
"Fron is right. From Loki's reaction, it's clear the Evilus is still under the control of an evil god. Our top priority now is to regroup with Ais, Bete, and the others, then find an exit. We can't waste any more time here," said Anakitty, her small face set with determination as she quickly analyzed their situation.
Fron nodded. "Three minutes, then we move."
"Yes!"
Everyone began recovering as fast as they could, using food, potions, and the healing potions from Fron to restore themselves to fighting condition.
"This way, let's go!" With a sweep of his arm, Fron dashed forward first.
Using the map they had pieced together, the team advanced swiftly through the dungeon's winding layers.
Overall, their current depth was equivalent to the Dungeon's third floor. To reunite with Ais, Bete, and the others, they needed to return to the previous fork and descend further.
…
At the heart of the dungeon, inside the Thanatos Familia's stronghold, two rows of torches burned brightly.
There were no modern magic-stone lamps here, only an ancient temple and altar setup.
Thanatos sat slouched on the lone stone chair, propping his cheek with one hand, his head tilted as he watched the surveillance images shifting to follow Fron's group. His half-lidded eyes gleamed with a faint, malicious amusement.
"'Night Weaver,' Fron Argon, was it? Tsk, tsk… what a troublesome child. To think his healing magic could even cure curses. That means… all of Barca's carefully prepared cursed weapon tactics are as good as wasted. Still, it's fine. After all, he's the only one who can dispel curses. Heeheehee… I hope the stage over there proves entertaining."
As he spoke, his gaze slid to another projection.
Displayed there was Gareth's squad, trapped in a vertical shaft of mechanisms and deadly traps.
Their situation was no better than Raul's group had been earlier, because they too… had been separated.
Tione, Tiona, Gareth, Ais, all divided by the closing gates and shifting mechanisms, each now facing their own peril alone.