Chapter 676: Altair, you don't want to suffer for a moment, do you?
Orario. The Labyrinth City.
Deep within the bowels of the Dungeon, on a floor where the air was thick with the scent of ozone and monster ichor, a storm was brewing. It wasn't a natural weather phenomenon, but a tempest of magical energy unleashed by a single swordswoman.
"Whoosh!!!"
The sound was less like a gust of wind and more like the scream of a banshee. Sharp, invisible blades of compressed air tore through the cavern, dissecting the horde of monsters that had spawned from the dungeon walls. They didn't just cut; they obliterated. Stone, flesh, and bone were rendered into dust in an instant.
"This..."
At the edge of the battlefield, Riveria Ljos Alf, the High Elf Vice-Captain of the Loki Familia, stared blankly at the scene unfolding before her. Her jade-green eyes, usually filled with calm wisdom, were wide with disbelief.
"Ais... so amazing!"
Lefiya Viridis, the young elf mage, clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with immense admiration. To her, Ais's figure, blurring with speed amidst the carnage, was like a deity of war. She moved as nimbly as the wind itself, her rapier a flash of silver lightning in the gloom.
"Ais, she's gotten stronger. No, that's an understatement."
Riveria's expression was grave. She knew Ais's capabilities better than anyone. All along, Ais had been pushing herself, fighting solo to clear the path for the rest of the party.
Normally, they would work together, a well-oiled machine of tanks, damage dealers, and support. But this time, Ais had been a one-woman army, pushing through floor after floor with terrifying efficiency.
Even Riveria, a veteran Level 6 adventurer, was dumbfounded.
She had thought Ais was just overexerting herself, burning the candle at both ends in her obsessive pursuit of strength. But now, watching her breathe evenly amidst the dissipating monster dust, it seemed she was still at ease. She hadn't even broken a sweat.
Finn Deimne, the Prum Captain of the Loki Familia, frowned, his thumb instinctively rubbing against his palm. His strategic mind was racing, recalculating every variable.
He mused, his voice low but carrying a weight that silenced the others, "Ais now might... be stronger than me and Riveria. Perhaps even stronger than Ottar."
As soon as he said this, the bodies of the other few people trembled violently. To surpass the executives of the Loki Familia was one thing; to rival the King of Freya Familia was another entirely.
Bete Loga, the werewolf, was the most disbelieving. He snarled, "How is that possible? She was just struggling a week ago! Strength doesn't just fall from the sky!"
Finn gave a wry smile, shaking his head. "I also think it's impossible, logic dictates it should be. But the fact is right before our eyes. That wind... it's not just magic. It's something else."
Riveria also sighed, her gaze never leaving the golden-haired figure in the distance. "I agree with Finn's view. Her mana capacity, her speed, her precision... everything has jumped several tiers."
After observing for so long, both of them had already realized that Ais's current strength had most likely surpassed theirs. This realization was both a relief—having such power on their side was a boon—and a source of deep anxiety. Rapid, unexplained power often came with a terrible price.
This was very unbelievable.
Had Ais improved from Level 5 to Level 6? No, the qualitative change felt even more drastic.
But why did it seem, from their perspective... that it was far more than that? It felt like she had touched upon a domain reserved for the gods.
... ...
Everyone fell silent, the only sound the settling dust and the distant rumble of the Dungeon shifting.
Tiona Hiryute, the Amazoness, stared at Ais with wide eyes and murmured, "How did she do it? Did she find a rare drop? Or maybe a secret skill?"
"Whoosh!"
Ais only stopped after slaying the last monster, a massive Goliath, with a single, casual wind blade that bisected it from crown to crotch.
She sheathed her rapier, Desperate, with a click. She stood amidst the remains of her enemies, her breathing steady, her expression calm.
She hadn't felt tired at all on her way here. The monsters on these floors, usually ones she needed to approach cautiously with a party, felt like paper dolls before her new power.
It was incredibly, frighteningly easy.
She really had gotten stronger.
Through the Doomsday Chat Group, she had used the roulette function and drawn an ability.
The ability was called "King of Wind." It was an A-rank ability, a concept that defied the Falna system of her world.
Afterward, she followed the guidance of the Chat Group members—Ren, Esdeath, and the others—and raised the ability to what the system called "1v5."
This "1v5" power was completely different from a Dungeon adventurer's Level 5. It wasn't just a stat boost; it was a fundamental upgrade to her existence.
She could clearly feel that she was much stronger than her former self. The wind didn't just obey her; it was a part of her.
As for how much stronger, she didn't know yet. She hadn't even used her full strength.
Ais stared blankly at her hands, clenching and unclenching them.
She finally had the power to achieve her goal of revenge. The One-Eyed Black Dragon... she could finally reach it.
Just then, her teammates gathered around her, breaking her reverie.
"Ais, you're so strong!!!"
Lefiya excitedly hugged Ais, burying her face in Ais's armor, her admiration beyond words. "You were like a storm! A beautiful, terrifying storm!"
Tione Hiryute, Tiona's sister, curiously asked, "Ais, how are you so strong now? How did you do it? Tell us the secret!"
... ...
Ais didn't know how to answer. Her golden eyes darted between her friends, a rare flicker of panic in them.
The Chat Group was a secret that couldn't be spoken. How could she explain a multidimensional chat room to people who lived by the will of the gods?
The understanding Riveria saw that Ais had something difficult to say. The Elf sensed the hesitation, the burden of a secret she couldn't share. So she stopped the interrogation.
"Alright, everyone, let's take a rest first. Ais needs to catch her breath, even if she doesn't look like it."
And she gave Finn a look, a silent communication honed over years of partnership.
Finn understood immediately. He clapped his hands. "Right! Camp here. Tiona, Bete, secure the perimeter. Lefiya, start the fire."
He led the others to rest in place, creating a buffer zone.
Meanwhile, Riveria took Ais aside, guiding her to a quiet corner of the cavern. She looked at the young woman she viewed almost as a daughter and softly asked, "Ais, did you meet someone or something? You don't have to tell me everything, but... are you safe?"
... "Yes."
Ais didn't want to hide anything from Riveria, but the secret of the Chat Group was absolute. She couldn't reveal it without potentially endangering everyone. So she could only nod.
"Since you can become stronger, that's your opportunity, Ais. I won't ask too many questions, as long as you can ensure your own safety. Just promise me... don't lose yourself."
Riveria smiled slightly, her hand gently patting Ais's head. "Rest for a while."
... ...
Ais was silent for a moment, looking at the kind face of her mentor. Then, she whispered a name, a single syllable that held a universe of gratitude.
"Ren."
"Hmm?"
Riveria was puzzled. Her ears twitched.
Ren... that sounds like a person's name. Not a god, not a monster. A person.
Ais's expression was solemn, her eyes shining with a strange light. "Ren is the benefactor who made me stronger."
Because she had received a million doomsday points from Ren for free, that was the fundamental reason she could become stronger. He had given her the key to her dreams without asking for anything in return.
"I see."
Riveria was a little surprised.
She had originally guessed that Ais must have encountered some rare monster drop or a hidden dungeon mechanic.
But now it seemed there was a person involved. A person similar to a teacher, or perhaps... something more?
Ren.
Riveria's thoughts churned, sifting through her vast knowledge of Orario's adventurers and gods. She had no memory of this person's name in Orario. Is he from outside the city? Or perhaps a god using a pseudonym?
Seeing that Ais could only provide that much information, she didn't ask any more questions. She respected Ais's privacy.
But she just secretly noted down the name.
'Ren.'
I need to investigate thoroughly once I return to Orario. At the very least, I need to confirm if they have some ulterior motive regarding Ais. Someone giving away such power... it's suspicious.
...
This conspiracy certainly has nothing to do with Ren.
He's just purely lusting after Ais's body, that's all. His motives were far simpler and baser than Riveria could ever imagine.
At this moment, Misaki Shokuhou and Misaka Mikoto have also gone silent in the group chat...
It seems they are either busy with their own matters or have gone to conduct some investigations into the dark side of Academy City.
Ren sat on the plush living room sofa of his villa, waiting for Amano Hina to finish touring the massive estate.
The air shimmered.
Space surged, ripples distorting the view of the garden outside. Altair suddenly appeared, her military uniform sharp and imposing against the domestic backdrop.
Her heterochromatic eyes swept over Ren, and her voice was cold, carrying a metallic edge. "You don't seem to feel tired."
She knew exactly what had happened on the third floor. Her omniscient perspective granted her knowledge of the debauchery that had taken place.
Ren's performance completely exceeded her understanding of humans.
Mating behavior could never be so prolonged. It defied biology.
Ren raised an eyebrow, leaning back comfortably. "Are you looking down on me, Military Princess?"
Altair didn't show obvious emotion, her face a mask of stoicism. She only said with a seemingly warning tone, "Don't treat Setsuna in that manner. She is fragile."
...
Good heavens.
So she was afraid he would be ruthless towards Setsuna Shimazaki, her creator.
To this, Ren righteously said, a playful glint in his golden eyes, "What if Setsuna is the one who takes the initiative? You know how creators can be with their inspirations."
...
Altair didn't answer. Her sabers hummed in the air around her, vibrating with her silent agitation.
But Ren continued playfully, "Perhaps you can help Setsuna. After all, you wouldn't want Setsuna to show an ahegao from overstimulation, right? You could share the burden."
...
Altair didn't show any emotional reaction to Ren's seemingly blatant provocative words. She refused to rise to the bait.
She merely gave him a meaningful glance, one that promised retribution if he crossed a line, before disappearing from this space in a flurry of blue pixels.
"Ren-kun."
Just then, Tohka Yatogami and Icarus returned with Amano Hina.
...
Amano Hina's mind was a mess now.
She was completely stunned by this incredibly large and luxurious villa. Her mind was blank, overloaded by the sheer scale of wealth and magic.
The floating islands in the garden, the rooms that cleaned themselves, the maids with wings and horns...
Only one thought remained in her mind, repeating like a mantra.
"Is this really a place someone like me can live in?"
Her small mouth couldn't help but murmur her true thoughts. She felt like an imposter in paradise.
Tohka heard it clearly.
Even she couldn't deny it. The leap from their ordinary struggles to this god-like existence was jarring.
She herself couldn't have imagined living here before meeting Ren.
Nor would she have thought that one day she would fall in love with a scumbag who collected women like trading cards.
Her gaze was deep as she looked at Ren.
Thinking that she might be tormented by Ren tonight, she was displeased, but... also inexplicably expectant. Her body remembered his touch, and despite her pride, it craved it.
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