"I am not your enemy, but the boss of the Adventurers."
Asuna heard Chen Hai's answer.
Boss?
Riveria, at her side, recalled the 'anomaly' of this period.
Just last night, she, Asuna, Leifia, Tiona, and Tione went to the Dungeon, exploring the unknown areas of the 'deep levels'.
Due to supply issues, they decided to return to the surface for replenishment.
When they reached the eighteenth floor's safe level, they found the residents of Riviera were abnormally panicked.
After a simple inquiry, they learned that the path to Orario was blocked by a rock wall.
Although some powerful Adventurers tried to destroy it and open a gap, it ultimately had no effect.
The rock wall's self-healing ability exceeded everyone's imagination. Even Asuna's full-power attack failed to free them.
Just as everyone was worried about being trapped, the passage suddenly returned to normal... This strange situation was perplexing, leading to a large-scale exodus of residents from the 'Adventurer Town, Riviera' to the surface, causing quite a commotion.
And now, Riveria, having heard her chief god Loki's explanation, was only surprised by the answer she received.
The Dungeon Lord really exists!
Orario indeed had urban legends circulating about the 'Dungeon having its own consciousness', but no one had ever proven it.
However, not a few people believed it.
In fact, Riveria also thought the legend had some truth to it.
Otherwise, why would there be a 'god's assassin'?
Why did large-scale monster invasions of the surface erupt in the past?
Then the question arises, why did the 'Dungeon' remain silent for a thousand years after that?
Was it because it was creating a 'Dungeon Lord'?
With many questions in her mind and no answers, Riveria noticed Asuna standing up beside her.
Orario's famous genius Sword Princess was no longer expressionless.
"The Black Dragon from the Dungeon caused immense damage to this world, which is unforgivable."
Asuna said with determination,
"That disaster requires someone to pay the price. If you are the Dungeon Lord, then the Black Dragon must also be your subordinate."
"Asuna, I don't think we should discuss this now."
Loki's expression changed, and she reached out to grab Asuna, wanting her to return to her seat.
However, the Sword Princess girl dodged her.
Chen Hai and Asuna met each other's gaze, not avoiding the topic.
He knew Asuna's misfortune and her hatred.
The black flames of revenge had never been extinguished; they continued to burn fiercely.
"My identity is not inherited from the past; it's more like a newly ascended ruler. Therefore, I have never commanded a monster army to invade the surface. In fact, even if I did, you cannot complete your revenge now, Ais Wallenstein. Can you understand this fact?"
"..."
"However, my coming to Orario and establishing rules is to create a fair and efficient environment. Therefore, your revenge, in my opinion, is necessary."
"I have never forgotten."
"Regarding your revenge, I promise you that in the future, you can challenge the Black Dragon."
Chen Hai suddenly said such a sentence.
Challenge the Black Dragon?!
Loki was startled.
She knew very well what the outcome of challenging the Black Dragon would be.
Ancient heroes and 勇者們 only managed to drive it away;
The strongest 'Zeus Familia' and 'Hera Familia' once went to subjugate it, but lost all their core combat power.
This even included the LV.9 Empress!
"If you're not satisfied with this, you can also fight me; I don't mind."
Chen Hai could accept Asuna's challenge.
The Sword Princess looked at the person in front of her... deep down, she had no hostility.
Because the Sword Princess only wanted to subjugate that Black Dragon, nothing more.
"However, you are too weak right now, but under the rules I set, you will constantly grow stronger."
"The rule that different levels can explore different floors?"
"That's right, you haven't been to the true deep levels, have you? For example, the seventy or eighty floors... there are stronger monsters, various body-strengthening materials, and priceless magic stones there. As long as they are qualified, I will grant them the right to go to those floors."
"As the Dungeon Lord, why do you help Adventurers, who should be your enemies?"
Asuna was curious about this.
Loki also followed up with a question:
"Aren't you worried that the Adventurers will become too strong and directly target you for subjugation?"
"It's fine as long as I'm stronger."
"Hahaha, that's an interesting answer."
Loki, who couldn't help but laugh, believed she had made the right choice.
When cooperating with people, one should choose those who are confident and capable.
"I've been to the Abyss Floor, you know. There are powerful monsters there, and also very beautiful scenery."
At this moment, Hestia suddenly spoke.
"Which floor specifically are you referring to?"
Riveria asked curiously.
The Blue Ribbon Goddess said proudly,
"The place Chen Hai took me to was the Abyss Floor beyond the hundredth floor."
"...!!"
This answer silenced the scene.
Neither Loki nor Asuna knew how to express their current feelings.
Before and after Orario was built, not a single Adventurer had ever set foot on the hundredth floor.
For example, people had already tacitly assumed that 'no such hero would appear'.
Because the deepest floors, for Orario residents, were like the moon in the water; you know where it is, but it is illusory and untouchable.
"It's actually beyond the hundredth floor..."
Finn, the captain of the Loki Familia, felt his worldview had been impacted.
But thinking about it carefully, this was normal... the person sitting in front of them was a Dungeon Lord who had existed for thousands of years and was even feared by the gods!
"It's not just about talking to you all; let's gather the other Familias tonight and discuss it together."
"I strongly agree with this. Otherwise, some Familias might misunderstand Little Brother Chen Hai and cause some trouble."
"Familias that would cause me trouble?"
"No, no, no, I mean those who are hostile towards you, and it would be troublesome to clean up after they are completely annihilated."
Loki subtly boasted.
No wonder they said she was very cunning.
After listening, Chen Hai instructed,
"Can I leave it to you, Loki?"
"No problem."
Loki stood up and bowed,
"Your command, Dungeon Lord."