"Hehehe!"
A soft, mischievous laugh slipped from Shirou's lips as he walked among the adventurers, a boyish expression on his face.
His steps were light and carefree, and he hummed a tune no one recognized, completely indifferent to the stares directed his way.
A few meters behind him, Lulune glared at him with pure resentment — the kind of expression only someone genuinely irritated could muster.
Noticing her stare, Shirou tilted his head slightly and waved at her with a bright, almost sunny smile, as if greeting an old friend on a pleasant afternoon.
His carefree attitude was like oil poured onto a fire.
Lulune clenched her fists, puffing out her cheeks in silent rage.
Her eyes said it all: "He's doing this on purpose!"
Beside Shirou, Ais Wallenstein watched the scene with her usual calm.
She was already used to the rivalry between the two, and without changing her tone, murmured:
"You're so petty…"
"That's right," Shirou replied, placing his hands behind his head with mock innocence. "Petty and proud of it."
Ais just shook her head, unsure whether to laugh or sigh.
Though his body remained the same, something about Shirou had changed.
The fusion of his souls — the idealist he once was and the realist he had become — had forged a personality that no longer belonged entirely to either side.
The boy who once repaid kindness with kindness and avoided conflict now understood clearly what deserved compassion… and what deserved retribution.
And yet, deep inside, his helpful nature endured.
Only now, it was more refined.
More human.
"Look! White leaves!"
Excited shouts echoed through the narrow passage of the Great Tree Labyrinth.
Shirou raised his eyes curiously — and saw them.
White leaves, faintly shimmering under the cave's magical light, swayed like tiny silver flames in the wind.
These leaves were incredibly rare ingredients for elixirs — natural treasures whose value could rival gold.
But in recent months, the monsters of the twenty-fourth floor had grown increasingly aggressive, making gathering nearly impossible.
The result was predictable: a scarcity that drove herb prices to absurd heights.
Now, for any adventurer, a single white leaf was worth a small fortune.
"Forget the herbs."
Asfi's firm voice cut through the excited chatter.
"The mission comes first. If we stop now, we'll be surrounded by monsters. Focus on the objective."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The members of the Hermes Familia responded in unison, disciplined and alert.
Shirou watched with genuine admiration.
It was rare to see such coordination.
That's why they've come this far into the dungeon, he thought. They really are top-tier adventurers.
The way Asfi commanded them reminded him of Finn, the leader of the Loki Familia.
There was something in her tone — a mix of confidence, intellect, and charisma — that made everyone follow her without hesitation.
Even if her leadership skills weren't quite on Finn's level, the mysterious magical item she carried seemed to make up for the difference.
Perhaps one day, this woman will bring Hermes's name to the top of Orario, Shirou mused.
Of course… that's if Hermes himself doesn't mess it up first.
As the group advanced, they found more rare herbs — and even a gem tree, a natural wonder whose fruits gleamed like living rubies and sapphires hanging from crystalline branches.
Each of those trees was worth the price of a palace.
Even Asfi, usually composed, felt a fleeting temptation to pick one of the shining fruits.
But she quickly restrained herself.
At the base of that tree rested a colossal creature — a tree dragon, the natural guardian of the gem trees.
Its body was covered in golden bark, and living branches jutted from its back like spears.
A single breath from it could reduce an entire party to ash.
Its magical power was equivalent to that of a Level 4 monster — stronger even than Gloria, the ruler of the 17th floor.
"Not worth it," Asfi muttered. "The mission comes first."
Her words were the signal to retreat.
Everyone obeyed silently, though Shirou, as he backed away, stole one last glance at the tree dragon.
The gleam in his eyes said clearly: "I'll be back later."
---xXx---
Further ahead, the group reached a crossroads.
The tunnel opened into three paths, and a foul wind blew from the darkness ahead.
The adventurers stopped — and then they saw it.
A tide of monsters.
They came in waves, charging through the passage with deafening roars.
There were so many that the ground itself trembled beneath their advance.
"By the gods…" Lulune murmured, her face turning pale.
"No wonder even Level 3 adventurers almost died here. How are we supposed to fight that!?"
"Asfi! We need to thin their numbers before they get too close—"
Before she could finish, a calm, almost serene voice cut her off.
"I'll go."
"Huh?" Asfi turned, startled.
Ais had already drawn her sword.
The silver blade gleamed faintly in the dim light, and the sound of wind filled the silence before the storm.
"Wait! Don't go alone!" Asfi shouted.
But it was already too late.
Ais had vanished into the charging horde.
"Don't hog all the fun, Ais! Leave some for me!"
Shirou laughed, spinning Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands.
"Save a few for me too!"
Then he leapt after her.
The clash of steel and flesh resounded.
Shirou plunged into the swarm, cutting down everything in his path.
When he realized his short blades didn't have enough reach, he extended them with reinforcement magic — until both swords stretched as long as storm-wrought arcs.
"Trace on!"
Each swing tore through dozens of monsters.
Blood splattered across the floor, and magical sparks flashed like embers in the dark.
He could have used Muspelflamme to annihilate them from afar — but he chose to fight up close.
It was his way of training, of strengthening himself through effort.
After all, the Grace of the gods didn't grant experience from monsters.
Only personal struggle could refine the body.
Unfortunately, the battle ended far too quickly.
Ais was a golden whirlwind, slicing through enemies faster than Shirou could reach them.
If there were a scale for efficiency in killing, she would be at the very top.
"Ugh…" Shirou grumbled, looking at the smoldering remains of the horde.
Ais, bathed in the faint afterglow of battle, wiped her sword with the grace of someone trimming flowers — not butchering monsters.
He watched her quietly for a moment.
Too beautiful, he thought.
And sighed in resignation.
"Ais, you're really too strong…"
From a distance, Lulune crossed her arms and huffed.
"Petty and a flatterer…"
Shirou pretended not to hear her.
With calm steps, he approached Asfi, who was already organizing the adventurers to clear the battlefield.
"What's our next move?" he asked.
Asfi lifted her gaze, thoughtful.
"According to Hermes's informant, the anomaly originates from one of the food storages. But there are three — southwest, southeast, and north. We'll need to decide which one to investigate first."
"Then we head north," Shirou said immediately.
She raised an eyebrow, surprised — then smiled faintly.
"I see you came to the same conclusion I did. Great minds think alike."
The other adventurers exchanged curious glances.
Asfi crossed her arms and explained,
"The monsters came from that direction. If the problem's connected to the food supply, it's logical to assume the source is there."
Shirou nodded firmly.
"Then north it is."
And so, with the distant sound of wind blowing through the colossal roots of the Labyrinth, the Hermes Familia pressed onward — led by Asfi, followed by Ais and Shirou.
(End of Chapter)
Sorry for the lack of chapters, many things happened these days that prevented me from updating.
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."