Leading the group, Chigusa quickly noticed a massive magic circle glowing like a full moon in the fog ahead.
"…It's another adventurer!"
"Captain, we're saved!"
Chigusa gasped, her eyes—hidden under her bangs—lighting up with hope.
Sakura looked up and her face suddenly changed.
"That's… a magic circle?" she muttered in shock, her eyes widening.
"Could it be… a first-tier mage?"
It was her first time witnessing such an exaggeratedly large spell formation.
In the very next instant—
A wave of firelight flickered to life within the magic circle, glowing like a field of stars.
"Everyone, get down!"
Sakura reacted instantly, throwing herself flat on the ground.
Chigusa, Mikoto, and the rest of the group did the same.
Almost simultaneously, all six pressed themselves tightly to the ground—
—avoiding the massive area-of-effect impact.
Countless fire-feather arrows sliced through the air at supersonic speed, shrieking as they went.
The ogres and orcs chasing them…
Never even had time to react.
They were pierced through in an instant.
Even after the projectiles passed through their bodies, the ground beneath them ignited in flames.
The heat was so intense, it looked like it could melt the entire surface.
—
Seeing the monsters wiped out, Raven Eltharion quickly willed his magic to stop outputting.
That spell…
Was a sustained-output, ultra-wide-area annihilation type.
So long as he had enough mental power, he could keep casting indefinitely.
At his current level and full mana, he could maintain that spell for a full minute.
A few seconds passed.
Sakura slowly turned her head, her eyes still filled with disbelief.
"The power… is insane."
The raging fire had already turned the whole field into a sea of flames.
"S-So strong…" Mikoto murmured, utterly dazed.
The heat had even cleared out much of the surrounding fog.
—
"You're all not hurt, right?"
Raven had already approached the battered six-person party.
He returned his wand to his storage space.
"…Raven-sama?" Mikoto blinked in surprise and joy.
"Was it you… who saved us?"
Raven nodded. "Just a small favor."
He reached out his hand.
Mikoto took it, and he pulled her up effortlessly.
"Thank you, Raven-sama!"
Mikoto bowed deeply, expressing endless gratitude.
Chigusa stood on her own, eyes filled with admiration.
"Your magic was amazing~~"
"Thank you~~" Her voice was gentle and sincere.
The other two party members also bowed deeply in thanks—
—a tradition from the Far East.
Even Sakura, who was carrying the wounded rookie, couldn't hide her shock.
She hadn't expected it would be him…
So strong?
No wonder Mikoto always mentioned him.
"…Thanks," she said politely.
Raven smiled lightly and decided to go one step further.
"Let me heal you."
"You can use healing magic too?" Mikoto's eyes sparkled with awe.
Soon after…
Under the soft light of [Feather of Flame's Blessing], their wounds were instantly healed.
The unconscious rookie's leg closed up instantly, and he woke up fully alert.
"With your condition now, you can continue your expedition just fine."
"I won't accompany you further."
"Be careful out here."
With that, Raven gave a casual goodbye and disappeared into the thick fog.
Chigusa stared blankly after him, letting out a soft sigh:
"…So reliable."
She recalled how he mentioned heading down to the lower floors.
This time, the petite Chigusa believed him.
Because…
Raven truly had the power to match his words.
Most adventurers didn't dare explore the Dungeon alone.
Not because they didn't want to—but because they simply couldn't.
Mikoto took a deep breath and looked in his direction, silently resolving something.
"Let's head back," Sakura said, gripping her massive axe.
"Stick close. Don't get lost again."
"Yes, Captain!" the three rookies responded in unison.
After a brief rest…
The six of them from the [Takemikazuchi Familia] began their return.
Thanks to the frequent patrols of stronger adventurers in the upper floors, any monster appearing along the path was swiftly dealt with.
So naturally—
The return trip was much faster.
Middle Floors — Level 13
For adventurers without a level-up, setting foot here would be a death sentence.
"Requiem."
With a light chant, more than a dozen Hellhounds around them turned to ash.
Dozens of magic stones clattered to the floor.
Raven glanced at the dark-purple crystals but had no desire to pick them up.
Instead, his gaze was thoughtful.
After a moment, he said:
"Let's check out Floor 15."
"Not heading straight to the lower floors?" Alfia asked curiously.
Middle floors span Floors 13–24.
From Floor 24 onward begins a slope into the lower domain—
—the 25th floor, known as the Labyrinth of Water.
The dungeon's giant waterfall extends down to Floor 27.
For a Lv.2 adventurer like Raven to quickly farm experience…
Heading down to fight Lv.3 monsters was the best option.
After all, [Silence] Lv.8 would help him clear efficiently.
But Raven shook his head.
"I want to find the unexplored zone on Floor 15."
Unexplored meant areas not yet marked on any map.
There, deep inside a hidden cavern, was a natural hot spring.
Last time, he was too pressed for time to enjoy it.
In the anime OVA, after defeating the black Goliath on Floor 18, Hestia accidentally found this place.
Raven had full confidence in locating it again.
Thanks to—
The fourth passive of his [Sanctum of Sacred Magic] skill.
This passive let him sense exact target positions.
Just like earlier—
Even in thick fog, he had instantly locked onto Sakura's position.
Whereas the [Takemikazuchi Familia] hadn't even noticed him.
No matter the environment, Raven could always pinpoint his targets.
—
Now…
The [Thousand-Feather Wand] was in hand, and the golden barrier was reactivated.
"Let's go."
He gazed at the vertical pit before him.
"Jump?" Alfia asked softly.
"Nope," Raven chuckled.
"Let me show you one of my spells."
He had no interest in another death-defying bungee dive.
He began chanting a light-element incantation:
"—O angels of pleasure drifting in the void, return to this tainted world of dust…"
As he chanted, radiant halos emerged around him.
They became countless glowing golden feathers.
"—By my vow, grant me a pair of sacred wings!"
"[Wings of Light: Obliteration]!"
This magic was both a wide-area attack and an auxiliary spell.
Raven used its support effect, so no flashy circle appeared.
In a blink—
The golden feathers fused behind his back, forming a pair of angelic wings.
Twinkling with stardust, they shimmered in dazzling gold.
Even Alfia was taken aback.
Despite their brilliance, the wings consumed very little mana—about the same as a magic barrier.
Raven willed them to flap, rising into the air effortlessly.
The wings responded smoothly, adjusting direction and speed with mana output.
A few adjustments later, Raven exhaled contentedly.
"Flying feels so damn good."
In Orario, aside from the [Universal Genius] Asfi and her magic gear…
No one else could fly.
"We're heading down."
Raven swooped down and picked up Alfia.
She didn't resist—her body was light as a feather.
"You really have some convenient spells," she murmured, staring at him.
"I know." Raven grinned.
"Let's go relax in a hot spring."
A mischievous smirk curled at his lips.
After all, hot springs were more fun with more people.
Time to call in the Justice Squad.
—
Floor 15 — Middle Floor
In just a few minutes of flight, they reached the hidden location.
They landed before a cavern wall.
"This should be it."
Raven calmed himself, using his detection skill.
Inside the cavern, he sensed over a dozen monsters…
And one massive beast:
The Spring Lord: Man-Eating Catfish
"Requiem."
Alfia's blast obliterated the wall.
BOOM—
Dust filled the air.
With a flap of his wings, Raven cleared the fog.
Before them lay a sloping path underground.
"A hidden passage?" Alfia blinked, astonished.
How had Raven known this existed?
"Come."
Without explaining, Raven strode in with a bright smile.
The tunnel resembled the anime version exactly.
Crystal clusters of blue, purple, and orange adorned the walls.
At its deepest—
A natural hot spring pool, surrounded by sparse bamboo, awaited them.
Gentle streams fed into the steaming pool, which shimmered with faint mist.
The water was shallow, crystal-clear, with smooth pebbles visible on the bottom.
Raven looked around in awe.
"This place… is perfect."
"A nice spot to relax," Alfia agreed.
"…But."
Raven's eyes narrowed, focusing on a mossy rock.
"Alfia, if you please…"
"Take care of those catfish monsters."
"Try not to damage the scenery."
She disappeared in a blink.
Raven didn't worry.
Now was the time—
To summon the entire Justice Squad and have some fun.
"—Oh great god of darkness in the Underworld…"
As the chant ended, silhouettes emerged from a black summoning circle:
Alicia, Kaguya, Laila, Celty… and more.
BOOM—
A blast echoed from the bamboo grove.
"GRUAAAAGH!"
Then silence.
Moments later—
[Silence] reappeared beside Raven.
"So fast?" Raven blinked.
"You're done already?"
"Mhm." She hummed proudly.
Well…
The Man-Eating Catfish was a Lv.3 enhanced variant.
Its little minions barely reached Lv.2.
"Alright, time for a bath."
With a thought, Raven released their mental seals.
"…Where are we?" Alicia blinked.
"This looks like… the Dungeon?"
"That's a hot spring?" Kaguya asked in surprise.
"Yup," Raven smiled.
"Let's all enjoy a nice soak."
His stamina, mana, and focus slowly drained—
—but no big deal.
He pulled out five high-tier mental recovery potions.
"This whole room is clear."
"I sealed off the tunnel, so no monsters."
"Woohoo~" Liana's eyes sparkled.
The crafty [Sneak Rat] Laila blinked curiously.
"Your magic aura… is it from enchantment?"
"Kind of. It's a unique defensive and supportive spell," Raven explained.
Then he canceled the glowy magic wings and barrier.
The Justice Squad didn't know him nearly as well as Alfia did.
He needed to help them adjust.
To keep them permanently summoned—
Raven had to reach Lv.3.
"Celty, give me your hand."
The elven girl tilted her head, then offered her hand.
As soon as he touched it—
His passive triggered: Level Ascension!
Raven glowed with a faint golden aura—
—and ascended to Lv.3.
The buff would last for 20 minutes.
Immediately, he began casting another summoning spell.
This time…
From the dark magic circle emerged a stunning woman.
Alfia's eyes widened.
"C-Captain…?!"
It was—
The Lv.9 Empress.
---
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