Fron had known the other party's name for a long time.
A character with such distinctive traits, combined with the self-introduction during their first meeting and that unforgettable commission, made it impossible for Fron to forget, even if the other had no presence at all.
What's more, the other was no nameless, insignificant underling.
"..."
Fels remained silent for a while, then slowly "looked" toward Fron.
Even with the hood covering his face, the complexity in his "gaze" could be clearly felt.
"As expected of the [Night Weaver]. Even in the thick of the situation, your senses remain this sharp. That's right, I'm from the Guild headquarters, in cooperation with Ouranos."
"As for Lyd and the others, discovering their existence was indeed just a coincidence. Don't speak of me, a [Fool], even Ouranos himself has never witnessed such a bizarre thing."
"I'm sure you've realized it by now, the Xenos… are unique. They have reason, intelligence, and the ability to think. Apart from being monsters, they are no different from humans…"
Fron shook his head.
"On issues of principle, I don't want to argue with you. That's something the gods should concern themselves with. I don't intend to be swept up by public opinion. Let's end this topic here."
"You say you've obtained the key, then about the matter of the man-made dungeon, shouldn't that be dealt with?"
Fels nodded. "Our purposes differ, but our goals don't conflict."
Their group had invaded the man-made dungeon to strike back at those who had captured them and, along the way, to rescue their kin.
Fron's group, however, originally came to gather intelligence on the monster riots, and now, they were seizing this chance to map out Knossos' internal structure in preparation for the next battle.
"Please."
Making way by the passage and the great door, Fron and his companions stood outside, eyes fixed on the Xenos, Reed, Lyd, Gros, and the others.
Under Fron's oppressive gaze, the Xenos felt their breathing grow difficult, their bodies taut with tension, wary that he might change his mind at any moment and strike them down.
And who could blame them?
A Lv.6, peerless among equals and able to fight far above his level, such a person needed to do nothing more than simply stand there to radiate overwhelming force.
"..." At last, Lyd gritted his teeth, met Fron's gaze, and followed behind Fels, leading the others past Fron's group and into the dungeon.
Compared to the Xenos, Bell Cranel was far more unsettled under the stares of Fron's group, his posture stiff, his back betraying a touch of awkwardness as he walked.
"Wanting to be a hero isn't so simple."
"?" The three glanced at Fron, but he only shook his head silently.
…
As one steeped in mystery, Fels walked further than both Fron and Asfi on the path of sorcery. He quickly analyzed the symbols within the corridor and the hidden mechanisms on the door.
"As I thought… the descendants of Daedalus built this. To think of the manpower and resources they must have consumed, it's staggering. Even more astonishing is the span of time involved."
"Is there a problem, Fels?"
Glancing at Bell Cranel, Fels held the key borrowed from the Loki Familia in his hand and explained heavily:
"A problem? This problem is enormous. If this information ever leaked, it could shake the entire city. The first Daedalus was the greatest craftsman of the lower world, a follower of Ouranos. Who would have thought that, driven by obsession, he secretly built such a structure beneath Orario?"
"Never mind the dungeon itself, just the fact it creates a second entrance to the Dungeon would send shockwaves across the entire continent. Bell, you've read the tales of heroes, haven't you? In the ancient days-"
"Monsters surged from a bottomless chasm, ravaging the continent."
"That chasm was the Dungeon's entrance beneath Babel Tower. It took gods and humans thousands of years of struggle to drive the monsters back into that abyss. Now imagine, what would happen if the Dungeon's malice poured through this man-made dungeon?"
"..." Even Bell Cranel, in his naivety, shuddered at the thought, a chill running down his spine as fear flickered in his eyes.
...
Fron's group, of course, overheard their discussion.
"Heh, upper-floor monsters are still manageable. With weapons and parties, humans can handle them with ease."
"But the middle floors, the lower floors, even the deep floors? If monsters swarmed to the surface en masse… the outcome would be unimaginable."
He recalled the recent war waged by the Kingdom of Rakia, where tens of thousands of warriors had been utterly routed by some adventurers. That alone had turned the tides.
Now consider the lower floors, where monsters were typically Lv.3–Lv.4; the deep floors, starting at Lv.5 and other inherently powerful species. Small wonder humanity had nearly been annihilated thousands of years ago.
Between monsters and humans lay a natural, insurmountable gulf.
It was precisely the fear of such consequences that made the Loki Familia take the discovery of [Man-made Dungeon: Knossos], a second Dungeon entrance, so seriously when they uncovered hints of it in smuggling investigations.
The Guild's decision to seal all intelligence about it only proved the gravity of the matter.
"Rumble, " As the key in Fels' hand gleamed with a crimson light, the massive metal door slowly rose with a deep vibration.
Beyond it lay a stone-paved road, no different from the corridor they had just passed.
"Go!" Without hesitation, the Xenos group, Fels, and Bell Cranel charged straight in.
"..." Fron's expression twitched, and he quickly pulled down his hood to cover his face, hiding the grin threatening to break free.
Seriously?
Just charging in like that, don't they know the meaning of the word 'death'?
Didn't they see even the Loki Familia nearly wipe out here?
Or perhaps… Dix, tormented by the curse of his bloodline's obsession, had long since lost his sanity.
Exchanging glances, Fron's group donned their invisibility masks and followed.
"We must stick close. If we get separated in this place, it'll be troublesome."
"Understood."