Dungeon, 18th Floor, at the far eastern end of Rivira Town, beneath the dungeon's outer wall.
Following the flying monsters all the way here, Fron and his party of four stopped.
The monsters were circling around the rock wall, seemingly searching for something.
What shocked the other three besides Fron even more was that these monsters were clearly communicating using language.
The three were utterly stunned.
"How is that possible! Monsters are communicating with words!? Do they really possess reason!?"
This scene, which shattered their very worldview, struck them with undeniable reality, leaving their minds in complete turmoil.
"Are they really monsters? These… monsters with reason… could this be, the very truth the Guild has been desperately trying to conceal? This is too absurd! If word of this truth spreads, all of Orario, no, the entire continent, will fall into chaos!"
Asfi, deeply shocked, immediately thought of the fallout if the incident of "073" were ever exposed.
Humans and monsters had slaughtered each other on this land for thousands of years. Humanity had come close to extinction countless times.
This was not something that could be described as a mere blood feud, it was hatred etched into their very bones and genes.
"...Asfi, this isn't something we need to concern ourselves with. Don't we still have the gods? We just need to focus on doing our jobs. Since these monsters possess reason, doesn't that actually make our cover operations easier?"
As Fron said this, under the dumbstruck gaze of the other three, he walked straight toward the group of monsters.
On the other side, the monsters' naturally keen senses immediately picked up his approach.
"Rooaaar!"
"Heh."
As the monsters raised their weapons into defensive stances, Fron only smirked.
"Weren't you just speaking in the common tongue a moment ago? Why the act of going mute the moment I show up?"
He chuckled, not the least bit fazed by their hostility. He didn't even bother to raise his staff, standing there completely unguarded.
But alas, Fron, as the famed pillar of the [Loki Familia], carried an influence far greater than even he himself imagined.
Beneath his trademark black-shouldered cloak was a matching battle robe, and in his hand was his staff. For the Xenos, who had intelligence ties with Fels, there was no way they wouldn't know him.
On the Guild's "Do-Not-Confront List", targets deemed far too dangerous to approach, [Night Weaver] Fron Argon of the Loki Familia was one of the most prominent names, ranked just beneath the [King] Ottar of the Freya Familia and the [Braver] Finn of the Loki Familia.
In fact, Fron's placement was even higher than other Level 6 powerhouses.
This ranking was a comprehensive evaluation of individual combat power, influence, and more.
Unlike Ottar and Finn, whose positions as captains of Orario's top two familias amplified their influence, Fron's third-place ranking was almost entirely due to his combat strength.
Unlike single combat specialists, Fron possessed an overwhelming EX-rank wide-area annihilation ability, making him one of the greatest possible threats to the Xenos.
Coupled with individual ability rivaling even the [King] and the [Braver], he was without question one of the last people the Guild, or the Xenos, wanted to antagonize.
Yet here he was, standing in front of them so suddenly, openly smirking.
From their position, it was obvious he had been tailing them the whole way, and they hadn't noticed a thing.
If this man truly wanted to exterminate them, they would already be dead, without even a ripple left behind.
The leader of the gray-winged monsters, named Gros, glared at him.
According to Fron's intel, Gros was one of the Xenos' "Leaders," with potential strength reaching Upper-Level 5, made even more dangerous by his natural flight ability.
[T/N: where did you get the so called-intel?]
Against those of his level, he was a formidable foe, though to Fron, a walking cheat code who surpassed them in every way, he was hardly worth mentioning.
Because of Fron's name and reputation, most of the Xenos froze in unease.
"Damn adventurer! You've hunted and captured our kin, now that you've shown yourself, do you mean to wipe us out completely!?" Gros roared.
Fron only smiled, unsurprised by his words.
From the forest behind him, Ryu, Asfi, and Aisha emerged, removing their invisibility masks.
They stood behind Fron, their expressions grave yet filled with curiosity as they looked upon the group of Xenos.
"They really can communicate…"
"Aisha, quiet…"
…
Ignoring the whispers of the three behind him, Fron scanned the group of Xenos.
Not finding any figure of authority other than Gros, his gaze finally locked with Gros's resentful, hateful eyes.
After a pause, he spoke slowly.
"First of all, regarding what you said, we know nothing of it. Of course, you're free not to believe me. But with my status, I've no need to lie or quibble with you. As for what happened to your kin, I offer my sympathy."
"Second, you who possess wisdom and reason should understand this: no single individual represents an entire race. Even among you intelligent monsters, there must be those who are innately good and those who are innately evil. The same applies to us humans. Do you judge all humans by the cruelty of the [Evilus] alone?"
"Lastly, the reason we followed you here was because we had other matters to investigate. We are not interested in you yourselves. That answer should be enough to ease your suspicions, no?"
With that, Fron paused. His eyes curved into something between a smile and a predator's stare as he looked Gros dead in the eyes, his tone playful yet sharp.
"You should understand, without even relying on the three behind me, with only myself, and even giving you one hand free, eradicating you would take no more than an instant. You can admit that much, can't you?"
"The only reason I'm standing here, 'talking' with you right now, is because of your ties to that figure behind the Guild. Whether monster or human, as long as you are a creature of reason, you should understand the meaning of gratitude. Don't you agree?"
"..." The group of Xenos were left dumbfounded by Fron's sharp and threatening words, then quickly erupted in rage.
"Damnable adventurer! I'll kill you!" Gros's temper flared, and he moved to strike Fron.
Yet Fron didn't even place him in his eyes. A mere monster with potential Level 5 ability, aside from his natural physique, what else did he have? Those crude fighting techniques?
Laughable.
"Stop, Gros!"
"Do you hear me!?"
Just as Gros and the Xenos were about to clash with Fron and his party, leading to a possible massacre, a third voice cut through, reaching the ears of both sides…