"Waiting for the Potion to Wear Off"
Revis, though a Level 4 adventurer, wasn't particularly strong in direct combat. However, he was a notorious and dangerous figure within the Dark Faction.
This was due to his reputation as a skilled beast tamer from several years prior.
Using the Dark Faction's enslavement collars, given sufficient time, he could control a large number of monsters, forming a terrifying army.
At the time, the Loudro and Astrea Familias were bitter rivals. Five years ago, Revis and other Alecto Familia members set a trap, intending to use Blazing Magma Rock's material drop, the Blazing Stone, to drive off the Astrea Familia.
They used the same material Drake used as fuel for his forge.
It's a highly dangerous material, yet it didn't inflict significant damage on the Astrea Familia's members.
Instead, it caused excessive damage to the Dungeon, resulting in the birth of the calamity monster, Juggernaut.
The Astrea Familia was annihilated except for Ryuu Lion, while the Alecto Familia suffered a devastating blow; however, Revis escaped.
The surviving Ryuu then went on a rampage, seeking revenge on everyone involved.
The Alecto Familia, the primary target of her wrath, was completely annihilated; during this period, four high-ranking gods were even returned to the heavens.
Revis, the mastermind, though losing an arm and an ear at Ryuu's hands, survived and has been barely clinging to life ever since.
Drake understood better than anyone that the Dark Faction couldn't be eradicated. Its roots weren't in the gods, but in the lower world's mortals.
Mortal desires are the source of the Dark Faction's power; gods with sealed divine power are powerless; the presence of "evil" mortals fuels their wickedness.
The trade of monsters as commodities, the circulation of forbidden items in Orario, the clandestine slave trade—these are all operations only the Dark Faction can manage.
Not just trading companies or mercenary groups, even legitimate Familias might be skirting the line!
When did the artificial labyrinths built by the Daedalus clan become the Dark Faction's hideouts? What role did Icarus Familia, the descendants of Daedalus, play?
What is the source of Ishtar Familia's prostitutes? How many shared a similar fate to the Fox of Lust?
This is the darkness hidden beneath the heroic adventures and legends of the Danmachi world.
Drake never intended to eradicate this darkness; neither he nor the gods could.
Ottar of the Freya Familia alone could easily crush the remaining Dark Faction, yet Freya never gave the order.
This is because Freya knew darkness couldn't be completely eradicated.
Or perhaps the goddess simply didn't care; the Dark Faction might be tools she uses to train "heroes."
However, that didn't mean Drake would remain indifferent when such scum appeared before him.
Especially since Revis's malice was almost palpable.
Drake found it odd; while the Dark Faction were madmen, their animosity towards him was excessive. He couldn't recall ever offending Revis.
Revis displayed a classic villainous expression, his face contorted in a sickening manner.
"I saw your entire fight; truly remarkable! Defeating a Lone King single-handedly.
But your fighting style reminds me of that dead woman. Five years have passed; I almost forgot her face, but don't remind me of unpleasant memories!"
Drake understood; Revis's intense malice stemmed from this.
Drake's fighting style reminded Revis of someone—a girl who died in the Dungeon five years ago: the Astrea Familia's leader, Alise.
Alise, titled 〈Scarlet Harnel〉, would have been a first-tier adventurer if she hadn't died.
She possessed a strong sense of justice, fighting valiantly to protect Orario's light and order.
Alise was the Alecto Familia's most feared and hated enemy.
Alise was powerful, possessing rare flame-attribute magic and skills; the Alecto Familia couldn't defeat her in battle.
Until five years ago, the unexpected appearance of Juggernaut ended the life of this righteous flower of flame.
Unknown to Drake, Alise had used the same method as Drake to repel Juggernaut.
In Revis's eyes, their fighting styles were identical, awakening his deepest shadows.
He appeared before Drake, his malice unconcealed.
"As a thank you, I'll have my pets devour you!"
Revis produced a whip; a sharp crack echoed.
The ceiling above Drake shattered; numerous monsters, wearing enslavement collars, fell.
These included lower-level monsters like half-mermen, blue crabs, and floating crystals, but also several strengthened mid-to-upper-level monsters—half-orcs, goblins, silverback apes, and lizardmen.
Even the mid-to-upper-level monsters were strengthened; they could absorb magic stones to enhance their strength, raising them to Levels 2 and 3.
This was a "Monster Feast," the kind seen during Dungeon anomalies; even multiple teams of Level 4 adventurers would be overwhelmed.
Drake raised the [Martial Saint], plunging it into a half-merman's chest.
With a bang, the half-merman exploded into black mist. Drake charged into the horde, his blade cleaving a silverback ape and a half-orc in two.
Drake cut through the monsters like a hot knife through butter; Revis showed no remorse.
He'd likely pay any price to defeat Drake.
He'd noticed Drake's weakness. He'd been present since Drake reached the 27th floor, witnessing the entire battle.
He saw Drake drink the potion; he assumed it was a power-boosting potion.
Revis, though ignorant of potions, knew such potions have a time limit, followed by weakness.
Once the effect wore off, Drake would revert to Level 4 strength. Combined with injuries from Amphisbaena, Drake would be helpless.
However, his monsters dwindled, yet Drake showed no signs of weakness.
Drake dodged a floating crystal's beam, throwing his blade.
The crystal shattered; the [Martial Saint] dissipated.
Gauntlets appeared on Drake's arms; his flaming hand-blades pierced a gargoyle's chest, extracting the magic stone.
Revis roared, "Impossible! What potion did you take? How could the effects last this long?"
Drake kicked a lizardman, turning to Revis. "You were waiting for my potion to wear off. Conveniently, I was waiting for the same thing!"
Drake felt his magic flow freely again; his muscles regained their strength.
His body had fully metabolized the weakening potion; Drake was at full strength.
Intense flames erupted; Drake stepped forward, unleashing a magical attack.
"[Fire Dragon's Roar!]"
Drake didn't unleash a pillar of fire; instead, he spread the flames, creating a sea of fire that engulfed all the monsters.
"No… impossible!"
Revis knew he'd miscalculated; Drake was different from Alise; he possessed absolute power.
Drake walked through the sea of fire; Revis saw a winged behemoth behind him, roaring.
The next moment, the behemoth's jaws snapped shut.
Crack! The sound of a broken neck. The fallen Revis saw only Drake's cold gaze.
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