Many adventurers who had long been stuck at bottlenecks finally achieved breakthroughs thanks to the emergence of the new-type monsters. Their income rose accordingly.
Faced with this development, the Guild's upper echelon, especially Ouranos, the god who quietly watched over everything from within his chamber of prayers—chose to turn a blind eye, even though he had already deduced that the Dungeon's mutation was likely connected to the rare Skill of a certain adventurer.
Faster growth among adventurers meant Orario's overall strength would increase. For a city constantly threatened by the Dungeon, that was unquestionably a good thing.
Of course, investigations still continued.
They were simply conducted more discreetly, transitioning from open inquiries to silent observation.
Faen was well aware that his uniqueness would eventually be noticed.
The gods were not fools. Nor did he naively believe other adventurers to be.
But that was fine.
As long as he safely passed through the weakest stage of being a newcomer, once he grew strong enough, he would deal with whatever came—whether force or scheme.
Besides, he had brought "possibility" to this world.
He had brought "change."
For the gods dwelling in the Lower World—those who yearned for heroes and for the birth of new epics, people like him were not a threat, but a source of excitement.
At worst, it would escalate into a grand War Game, a city-shaking struggle over recruitment.
Faen did not fear that.
---
Floor 10 – Misty Labyrinth.
The four members of the Focalors Familia were surrounded.
"Coo, coo!"
Dozens of Hilichurls of various types shrieked as they charged from all directions.
Charging Hilichurls lowered flaming clubs and rushed forward.
Archer Hilichurls hid in the back, firing arrows tipped with sparks.
Most troublesome of all were the Hilichurl Shamans mixed within the horde.
Muttering ancient chants incomprehensible to mortals, they waved crude staves.
Firelight, icicles, wind blades, and shards of stone converged into a chaotic, multicolored barrage.
Yes, four members.
Besides Faen, Robin, and Tifa, the Focalors Familia had welcomed a fourth adventurer.
A week had passed since summoning Tifa. After absorbing an enormous quantity of magic stones, Faen's [Entwined Fate] system had finally recharged once more.
This time, the summoned companion was someone new.
—
"Evangel."
Faen spoke sharply.
A compressed sonic blast shot forth, striking a Rock-attribute Shaman that was enhancing its allies with a "Geo Spirit Buff." The explosion reduced it—and two nearby Hilichurls, to black smoke.
"Tifa, left flank."
"Got it."
Tifa moved like lightning, narrowly avoiding an incoming icicle. She delivered a swift roundhouse kick that sent a Charging Hilichurl flying into the cavern wall.
Her metal-plated gauntlets shimmered faintly with the glow of [Meteor Feathers]. Each punch carried crushing force, driving back enemy after enemy.
"Resound!"
Robin stood calmly at the rear, pale fingers tracing through the air.
A razor-sharp soundwave sliced through space, interrupting a Wind Shaman's incantation just as a wind blade was forming, dispersing it into nothing.
But the enemies were too many.
A Kairagi: Fiery Might roared and broke through Tifa's line. Its flaming blade descended with overwhelming force toward Faen at the center.
Faen's eyes sharpened. He stepped back, sword rising to intercept.
Clang—!
Metal collided with a burst of sparks.
The Kairagi's strength far exceeded what one would expect of a Level 1 opponent. The impact numbed Faen's grip and forced him to slide several meters backward.
At that same instant, an Ice Shaman seized the opening and launched a fully charged ice spear.
Thud.
Faen twisted to evade, but the spear still tore across his left shoulder, carving a wound deep enough to expose bone.
Freezing cold flooded his body, stiffening his movements.
"Faen!"
Robin and Tifa cried out simultaneously.
At that moment, the pink-haired girl who had yet to move finally stepped forward.
She had twin tails of soft pink hair fading into gentle blue at the tips. A red-and-white cap rested atop her head. Her clear eyes showed no panic—only warmth and steady resolve.
She was the fourth member of the Focalors Familia—
Faye.
Hands clasped before her chest, she began her healing chant.
"Hear me, whisper of dawn and dusk entwined—"
Her voice was soft, yet it carried an oddly soothing resonance, cutting through the battlefield's chaos and echoing directly within her companions' hearts.
"Spirit who lingers gently between the seams of memory—"
A gentle pink radiance spread from her body, like the first light of morning.
"Once more, for me, for us—"
From the magic circle before her, a tiny pink pegasus leapt forth, shimmering with starlike particles.
It affectionately brushed its cheek against hers before taking flight in a streak of light, arriving instantly beside Faen.
"Let healing rain descend, and clear the sky!"
With the final verse, her Magic: [We Who Fly into Dawn and Dusk], fully activated.
Soft pink light enveloped Faen like warm spring water.
The deep, bone-exposing wound closed visibly, flesh knitting together until only a faint red mark remained.
But that wasn't all.
A gentle state known as "After the Rain" settled over the entire party. Minor wounds vanished. Fatigue faded. Even mental exhaustion seemed washed away.
"This is…"
Faen felt strength surge back through his body, surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Not finished yet," Faye said playfully.
The tiny pegasus, Little Ika—did not vanish after healing Faen.
Instead, it circled once in the air and released a clear, ringing cry toward the remaining Hilichurl Shamans.
A violent gale erupted.
A powerful tornado formed before Little Ika and swept through the enemy's rear ranks.
The fragile Shamans were utterly unable to resist the storm. They were hurled into the air, their spellcasting brutally interrupted.
In that instant—
The tide of battle reversed.
====================
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