"Dionysus, you're back again?"
In the vast, empty cavern, atop the massive stone steps, a broad-shouldered figure sat without formality, legs sprawled, peering up at the returning presence before him.
This man was none other than Thanatos—the only remaining god allied with Evilus.
Unlike Ikelos, who bore no official allegiance to Evilus, Thanatos was a genuine member.
And standing before him now, having returned from the dungeon's deepest layers, was Dionysus.
With a serene smile, Dionysus nodded slightly.
Thanatos said, "Judging by that look of yours, I'd say you've found yourself some powerful new subordinates."
"So, is there a problem with the plan this time?"
He wasn't concerned about who Dionysus had under his control. What mattered was whether the intricate plan they'd constructed still held.
In the previous attempt, they'd lacked enough Demi Spirits. That failure had cost them valuable time.
"Ah, no worries there. Everything's ready this time."
"What about the situation up top?" Dionysus asked softly, voice low like wine swirled in a goblet.
"The entrance to the artificial maze has been found. But they don't have the key, so they can't get inside." Thanatos replied calmly.
Dionysus said, "Is that so? Then make sure someone hands off the key. Quietly."
"Everything's been prepared. Now, all we need... is for the heroes and their toys to walk into the labyrinth."
Though his tone remained gentle, Thanatos could feel the icy madness lurking beneath Dionysus's words.
"You're insane." Thanatos muttered, staring at Dionysus with a complicated gaze. "Even more than those brats we sponsor."
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But Dionysus? He intended to raze it to the ground. To obliterate the city and all who lived within it.
"Haha, well, if you're not a little mad, how can you dream of something so grand?"
"And you, Thanatos—you're part of this too. You agreed to this madness."
"No." Thanatos responded coldly. "I'm just here to watch those kids. What they do is their business. I never gave them orders."
Meanwhile, oblivious to the discussions taking place in the artificial maze, Leon had already begun executing his plan with Lyd and the other Xenos.
The Hermes Familia had confirmed that there was an entrance to the artificial maze located in the mountains of the 18th floor.
Thus, they'd stationed observers there, but after days of surveillance, they still hadn't found any sign of the Ikelos Familia.
Even so, Leon didn't let up.
The 18th floor was a safe zone—a place that all adventurers passed through, no matter which route they took.
If Lyd continued to appear in public above the 18th floor, the Ikelos Familia wouldn't be able to ignore it.
Whether the enemy exited from the 18th floor entrance or emerged from another path, they would be forced to pass through here eventually.
Lyd's presence gradually began drawing attention. Word of a peculiar lizardman behaving like a human quickly spread across the city.
Leon estimated that the Ikelos Familia—hiding deep within the artificial maze—must have caught wind of it.
The only question now was... how patient would Dix really be?
There was no doubt that they'd hear of it. The artificial maze had multiple exits beyond the 18th floor, though the latter was the most trafficked for safety reasons.
But Leon's predictions were off by a day.
On the third day, the Ikelos Familia finally made their move.
They didn't exit via the 18th floor—as expected.
Clearly, they'd noticed the heavy surveillance and chosen a different route.
In the forested area of the 18th floor, Leon sat atop a massive tree branch, eyes closed in meditation, when he received a transmission.
"Leon-sama, the Ikelos Familia has been spotted."
Ray's voice rang through the communication orb.
Leon's eyes snapped open.
"Understood." He responded calmly.
In the next instant, he activated the Veins of Light, a vast network of magical energy that spread across the entire floor.
Normally, he disliked using it here—too many unsightly distractions but now wasn't the time for restraint.
The light veins scanned every corner.
Countless impressions and details rushed into Leon's mind, and within seconds, he pinpointed the exact location of the Ikelos members.
The next moment, he vanished from his perch, streaking toward them.
At that same time, deep in the forest, a group of cloaked figures crept forward under the cover of darkness.
They were the Ikelos Familia, careful and concealed. Clearly, they were aware that someone was pursuing them. Today, they took no chances.
"Gran, did you figure out who's been tailing us?" The man in front asked in a low voice.
"It's the Hermes Familia. Nothing we need to worry about."
"Though... they've got that damn Bete tagging along. That mutt from Loki Familia's a bit of a problem." The bald, muscular man—Gran replied.
"Hmph. Loki Familia, huh?" Dix scowled.
As the descendant of Daedalus, the one entrusted with his maddening legacy, he bore a fragmented mind and strength beyond what he revealed.
Officially, he was a Level 4 adventurer.
But in truth... he was Level 5.
At this time, when he heard that the people of Loki's familia had also gotten involved in this matter, he immediately looked troubled.