Everyone was stunned. That kind of bell chime, even they hadn't heard it many times before. The last time was during the time Fron was outside the city and the monsters had swarmed from the dungeon.
"!" They exchanged glances and finally turned their eyes toward Fron.
"Let's go. We should head to the reception hall. The captain and the others should have made a decision by now. Besides, no matter what happened, we've still got someone 'tall' to rely on, don't we?"
"..."
Everyone looked at him speechlessly.
Someone tall to rely on? Are you seriously going to say that? Did you forget you are also a Level 6?
Not to mention the companions present, Fron's reputation alone was enough.
Practically all of Orario knew of Fron.
From the moment he first emerged into the public eye, the legends he left behind with each battle proved one thing: at his level, he was unmatched.
He even turned the impossible into possible, defeating enemies a rank higher than himself. Facing a monster with the potential of Level 6 was, for him, like taking a stroll.
Even against so-called "cheat-like" opponents, he could still hold his own.
But that being said, Fron knew better than anyone: monsters were one thing, they relied only on raw power, physical ability, survival instinct, and unique abilities. But fighting humans? That was another story entirely.
Combat technique, battle experience, willpower, tactical intelligence, special skills, magic, all of it had to be considered.
And anyone who could reach Level 5 was, without exception, already a "hacked" existence in some way.
Even with all his strength, Fron never dared underestimate any opponent. The number of arrogant fools who ended up crashing and burning was simply too many to count.
[T/N: Yeah, yeah, you fight with Revis and a powered-up Phryne and say this.]
"Alright, let's go already."
Ignoring the strange looks gathered on him, Fron pushed away from the lounge chair and left the room.
Reception Hall.
By the time Fron and his group arrived, the familia's main force was already gathered, including their goddess Loki. Even the second team, with Ankh, Hruz, Raul, and the others, were present.
"Finn, what happened?"
Glancing at Fron and the rest, Finn rested his chin on his hands, his eyes narrowing into thin slits.
"News from the Guild headquarters. It's confirmed, Rivira, the town on the 18th floor, was attacked by monsters."
"...Rivira was attacked? Isn't that basically routine?"
"Yeah, haven't they rebuilt it hundreds of times already?"
"..."
Tione, Tiona, and Lefiya perked up at once when they heard Rivira was under attack again, chattering noisily.
Everyone knew it: Rivira, the adventurer town built on the 18th floor, had been destroyed and rebuilt countless times. What was there to be so surprised about?
"What's with the Guild acting all flustered this time? Whenever Rivira got trashed before, they never seemed this tense."
Riveria glared at the twins, then explained to the group:
"According to survivors who escaped back to the surface, this time's attack was no ordinary assault. The monsters involved were… very different. They not only wielded adventurer weapons, but also wore armor."
"And more than that, they used tactics in combat against adventurers. With intelligence like that, it's not something upper- or middle-floor monsters could possibly have. Even in the lower and deep floors… based on our experience, it should be impossible."
Finn bit his thumb thoughtfully.
"My thumb doesn't hurt, but my gut tells me this is going to be a big headache."
Fron chuckled to himself. Of course it will. The moment it involves Xenos, trouble is inevitable.
And who was backing them? With Ouranos supporting from behind, even Loki and Freya would have to think twice before interfering.
Of course, that only applied so long as the Xenos weren't exposed.
Once exposed, with the adventurers cause on their side, the Loki Familia could seize the moral high ground. At that point, it wouldn't matter, right would simply be on their side.
But right now, the real problem was this: the Guild would never allow Loki Familia to discover the Xenos' existence.
Worse still, to cut off information, they clearly didn't even want them involved.
And sure enough, right after the bells rang through Orario, the Guild's message arrived.
"Attention to all familias: The town of Rivira on the 18th floor has been attacked by 'armed monsters.' They are advancing toward the surface. All combat units, prepare for battle. Rally point: Babel Plaza."
"Repeating, wait, what?"
"Correction. Latest directive: All familias are to remain on standby at their bases."
Loki Familia, Common Room.
Bete, the Amazoness sisters, and even Ais had already been itching to fight, Ais' hand rested on her sword hilt. And then suddenly, they were told to stay put? Who could stomach that?
Everyone stared at each other in silence, the once-fiery atmosphere instantly frozen, so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard.
"Ahem. Since the Guild issued an order, we have no choice but to obey," said Fron, the only one not surprised. Lounging back on the sofa, he crossed one leg over the other, shrugged, and spread his hands.
"..."
"..."
Hearing his obedient tone, Bete glared furiously.
"You bastard, you're just going to accept this? They dared to leave us out of it? What a joke, we're the Loki Familia!!!"
"Exactly, exactly! The whole city's on alert, and they won't let us move? Who else can the Guild rely on, those pigheads?"
Though Tiona didn't name names, everyone present knew who she meant. Naturally, it was none other than the Freya Familia, the only force rivaling their own.
"If it's the Freya Familia, then yes, they could handle it. But… I don't believe for a second the Guild could order them around." Finn smirked, amused.
Riveria, however, was much calmer.
"My guess is that the Guild is worried that if multiple familias head to the 18th floor at once, command systems would clash and chaos would follow."
"Don't forget, the upper floors of the Dungeon can't possibly withstand so many adventurers rushing together at the same time."
'That's likely part of it, but not the main reason.'
Loki sat quietly, listening to her children debate. She didn't comment, but her divine intuition told her things weren't nearly so simple.
"Hehe… Could it be the Guild is deliberately hiding information from us? I wouldn't be surprised if they sent the Ganesha Familia to deal with it instead."