Danmachi : Ashen Knight

"You found something?" Finn asked.

Orcbolg nodded and lifted his arm, revealing the blood-stained cloth he had torn from the dead man's body—the symbol clear for all to see.

Finn's expression darkened. "Evilus…" He trailed off, eyes narrowing. "No. This is something else."

Finn crossed his arms, deep in thought. "Whatever it is, it's not a coincidence. If they were hiding in the Dungeon, it means they've been preparing for something."

Bete scoffed, cracking his knuckles. "Tch. Doesn't matter. We'll crush 'em all the same."

Finn glanced at Orcbolg. "You recognized it too, didn't you?"

Orcbolg hesitated, but eventually nodded. "…Yes."

He wasn't sure how much he should reveal. The memories of his world, the things he had seen—none of it belonged to Orario. But the fact that this symbol existed here, in this world, meant that something was wrong.

Something followed him here.

The plan was set.

Loki Familia's elites, along with a few adventurers from other Familia, would launch an assault on Evilus' hideout.

Orcbolg tightened his grip on his sword.

The expedition party, composed of Orario's finest adventurers, stood before a massive set of iron doors deep within the dungeon. The air was thick with tension as flickering torchlight illuminated the ancient structure.

Loki Familia led the charge—Finn, Riveria, Gareth, Ais, Bete, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya stood at the forefront. Among them were several high-ranking adventurers from other Familia, including representatives from Hephaestus Familia, Ganesha Familia, Takemikazuchi familia and a few others who had been roped in for their expertise.

Orcbolg and Ryuu stood together, slightly apart from the main force.

Finn turned to the gathered adventurers. "We have reason to believe the mastermind behind the recent monster abnormalities is inside. Be ready for anything."

Riveria nodded. "Expect magic traps. And be cautious—the presence of divinely influenced symbols in the area suggests a direct connection to Evilus."

Gareth cracked his knuckles. "Bah! We've dealt with these rats before. Let's flush 'em out."

Ais, as always, remained silent but ready.

Orcbolg observed them carefully. Their coordination, their ease with one another, their confidence—this was the difference between him and the true elites of Orario. Even so, his instincts told him something wrong was waiting for them beyond the doors.

Ryuu's voice was calm but firm. "We go together."

Finn signaled. Gareth and Bete took the lead, pushing the iron doors open.

A deep groan echoed as the ancient metal shifted.

Beyond the threshold lay a vast underground chamber bathed in eerie purple light. Rows of torches burned with unnatural flames, casting flickering shadows against ancient stone walls. A massive ritual circle had been drawn in the center, its lines glowing faintly.

And standing before it was a figure draped in dark robes.

The cultist turned slowly, as if he had been expecting them. His pale skin clung to his bones, his features sharp and sunken. His robe bore the insignia of Evilus, and his eyes gleamed with amusement.

He spread his arms. "Ah, the famed adventurers of Orario. You arrived sooner than I expected."

Finn's eyes sharpened. "Drop the act. You're cornered."

The cultist chuckled, his fingers tracing the symbols in the air. "Cornered? No, no… you see, you've merely arrived at the final act of my grand performance."

The ground trembled.

From the darkness beyond the ritual circle, monstrous figures began to emerge—twisted humanoid creatures, their bodies lined with pulsating veins of dark energy. Modified monsters.

"Kill them," the cultist commanded.

A chorus of roars filled the chamber as the monsters lunged forward.

Finn raised his spear. "Formation!"

As soon as the cultist gave the command, the chamber erupted into chaos.

The modified monsters surged forward, their grotesque forms illuminated by the eerie purple glow of the ritual circle. Their eyes burned with unnatural fury, their bodies twisted beyond recognition.

"Spread out!" Finn barked, his sharp voice cutting through the noise.

Loki Familia and the other high-rank adventurers moved with practiced efficiency.

Gareth swung his massive axe, cleaving a monster in two with raw strength. Bete blurred forward, his foot slamming into another beast, sending it flying across the chamber. Tiona and Tione worked together, cutting down their foes in synchronized attacks, Lefiya, using her magic supporting them.

Riveria raised her staff. "Alfheim, bless us with your purity—[Víðarr Jörð]!"

A defensive magic circle spread beneath their feet, reinforcing the adventurers with protective energy.

Ais dashed forward, her golden hair flowing like a streak of light. "[Ariel.]" The wind around her surged as she cleaved through a charging monster, its body splitting apart in an instant.

Orcbolg and Ryuu moved separately from the main formation, using the chaos to their advantage.

Ryuu struck with precision, her wooden sword cutting through weak points with brutal efficiency.

Orcbolg, however, was different. He didn't fight with the speed or overwhelming power of the others. Instead, as usual, he observed—studying how these monsters moved, how they reacted, how they adapted.

A monster lunged at him, its claws swiping at his throat.

Instead of dodging outright, Orcbolg shifted slightly, letting the attack barely graze his armor before stabbing his sword deep into the creature's eye. With a brutal twist, he severed its spinal cord.

Another monster attacked from behind.

Without looking, Orcbolg stepped aside and threw a dagger into its knee, crippling it before driving his blade into its exposed throat.

His movements were methodical, precise—honed from years of hunting creatures just as dangerous in his own world.

Meanwhile, the cultist stood at the center of the ritual circle, untouched, chanting in an ancient tongue. The symbols on the floor began to glow brighter.

Riveria's eyes narrowed. "He's trying to summon something."

Finn cursed. "We need to stop him!"

Ais was already moving. She dashed past the monsters, wind swirling around her sword as she aimed straight for the cultist's heart.

But before her blade could reach him, the ground beneath her exploded.

A massive figure emerged from the shadows.

A towering, monstrous creature—twice the size of a minotaur, its body covered in thick, chitinous armor. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Ais, and with terrifying speed, it swung a massive, clawed hand at her.

Ais barely managed to twist midair, avoiding the brunt of the attack, but the sheer force sent her flying back. She landed gracefully, but her expression had hardened.

"This one is different," she murmured.

The cultist smirked. "You see, dear adventurers… I am not some mere priest of Evilus. I am an architect of its rebirth." He spread his arms wide. "And you are now part of my grand design."

The monstrous figure let out a deafening roar, shaking the entire chamber.