NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: chapter 16
The labyrinth city of Orario stood as a testament to divine influence and mortal ambition. Ever since the gods descended to the mortal realm, Orario had basked in an unending Golden Age.
The city was the spearhead of technological advancements and the economic heart of the world, carrying the promise of endless prosperity.
The Guild, the city's main bureaucratic body, thrived alongside Orario's unparalleled wealth. Yet, even an institution as meticulously organized as the Guild couldn't account for every corner of the adventurers' city.
Over the centuries, the streets and structures had been demolished, rebuilt, and reshaped countless times. This constant cycle of renewal created layers of forgotten history beneath the surface—places that had slipped from maps and memories alike.
One such forgotten and ignored relic was an ancient sewer system, its decayed tunnels snaking beneath the grand Amphitheatron. Long overlooked and neglected, it had been deemed irrelevant.
After all, what significance could a rotting, abandoned sewer possibly hold?
The answer slithered through its dark, damp corridors—grotesque, plant-like monsters moving with unnerving obedience behind their "master."
The "master" was cloaked in black, their appearance obscured, a coiled crimson whip in one hand. In the other, they held a flickering magic stone lantern, its dim light pushing back the shadows. Their goal was singular: reaching the Amphitheatron's foundation.
"Beatrice, I'm almost there," the figure growled, their rough voice reverberating through the oppressive darkness.
Silence followed for a moment.
"We weren't told to go after civilians," they continued, seemingly talking to themselves.
But for a member of the Anansi Familia, it was clear this was no conversation with oneself.
The figure's words traveled through the "Mentis Amulet," a magic item capable of establishing a mental link between its bearer and others connected to it. A marvel of craftsmanship, the amulet was a creation of Beatrice, the Familia's most skilled item maker.
---
Far removed from the sewer's gloom, Beatrice reclined in a plush chair at an upscale restaurant in Orario's northern district. The faint aroma of freshly brewed tea and delicately prepared dishes filled the elegant establishment, its tranquil atmosphere contrasting sharply with what her Familia was planning beneath the city.
Her long, flowing white hair framed a face of serene beauty, her green eyes reflecting quiet confidence tempered by sharp intellect. For the festival, she had chosen an effortlessly stylish outfit: a black, off-the-shoulder blouse with a softly gathered neckline, paired with a white, lightly flared skirt that fell just above her ankles. A slim black belt cinched her waist, accentuating her graceful figure.
She sat with perfect poise, exuding an air of calm detachment as she sipped her tea. Every movement she made was deliberate, a studied elegance that belied her calculating nature.
Her magic item—designed to resemble an unassuming decorative necklace—didn't require verbal communication. Yet, Armin, the fool currently navigating the sewers, insisted on speaking aloud.
'Incompetence paired with volume... typical,' she thought to herself.
"You heard your orders, Armin. Carry them out quickly," she instructed mentally, her tone as smooth as silk but underpinned with unmistakable authority.
A faint sigh echoed through the link, but Beatrice severed the connection without a flicker of emotion, as though dismissing an insignificant annoyance. Setting the teacup back on its saucer, she allowed herself a moment to reflect on the absurdity of her current task.
"What is Anansi thinking?" she muttered under her breath, her irritation carefully masked but still present in the sharp undertone. This operation was an unnecessary drain on resources—her resources, to be precise.
The plan had been simple at first: dispose of the unsightly monsters. They no longer needed these ugly things.
Yet their goddess had decided to complicate the matter. For what? Some white-haired brat?
Beatrice couldn't fathom why he warranted such attention. The boy was a novice at best, a footnote in Orario's vibrant tapestry. She bore no personal grudge against him, save for the death of Russell. That fool had squandered her efforts—an entire grimoire wasted on him, only for him to die so easily.
The memory brought a flicker of irritation to her otherwise composed expression. She would never financially recover from its loss.
It was all Marcus's fault. He had been the one to champion Russell for the honor, and now he was filling Anansi's ears with talk of this white-haired brat.
Her goddess's judgment had been clouded by that bastard.
"Hm~ perhaps I should do a little digging of my own," she mused, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. If the boy truly posed any threat—or held any value—she would ensure the information passed through her hands first.
That is, if he survived the upcoming "show."
---
Inside the corridor leading to the arena, chaos reigned. The air was heavy with tension as available guards scrambled to form a proper formation under their captain's orders. Beyond the safety of these stone walls, the reputation of the Ganesha Familia hung precariously.
Monsters had escaped, and the safety of countless civilians was now at risk.
"Listen up!" barked a stoic, heavily armored Ganesha Familia member, his voice cutting through the din like a blade. "I'm taking command of the vanguard per the captain's instructions! Level Ones will act as supporters—your job is to stay behind and eliminate the lesser monsters. Focus on clean kills; we can't afford unnecessary risks. Level Twos," he gestured to himself and the two others assembled nearby, "we'll tame the silverback and the battle boar as quickly as possible. Our primary objective is the safety of the civilians while ensuring this looks like part of the event. No panic, no slip-ups!"
With a sharp clang, he slammed his greatsword into the stone floor, ending his speech.
"YES, SIR!" the group shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the corridor.
Standing further back, Captain Shakti Varma—alias Ankusha—watched the scene unfold with a calculating eye. She was calm, almost unnervingly so.
Years of experience told her this situation was well within their ability to handle.
The silverback and the battle boar were formidable, but the Level Twos would make quick work of them. After all, these monsters had been captured under far worse conditions in the dungeon.
This, she decided, would also serve as a valuable opportunity for the Level Ones to gain experience in battle formations and teamwork.
Her calm demeanor was quickly tested as a familiar voice reached her ears from behind.
"C-Captain! Please, let me explain myself to you!"
Shakti's piercing gaze shifted to the trembling form of Izik, one of her more... disappointing Familia members.
Behind him stood two equally unreliable members, Baz and Zak, both fidgeting nervously as they avoided her stare.
CRACK!
Shakti's spear slammed into the stone floor, shattering the tiles beneath it. The sudden display of power shut Izik up instantly, and he took a hesitant step back.
Shakti's jaw tightened. If she weren't so confident in the squad's ability to handle the situation, she would have sent these three idiots straight to the heavens for their disgraceful desertion of their designated posts.
Zak, taking a nervous step forward, gave his partners-in-desertion a reassuring look that clearly said, 'I've got this!'
"Allow me to tell you what really happened, Captain!" he declared with a confident smile.
Shakti raised an eyebrow. Was her message unclear for these idiots to get it?
Sighing, she decided to give them one chance to explain themselves. "I'm waiting," she said.
Zak smirked... and then pointed directly at Baz and Izik. "It's their fault!"
For a moment, the other two didn't register what had just happened.
Baz smiled confidently. "Exactly, Captain!" he agreed enthusiastically. "It was jus—wait, what the fuck did you just say!?" His voice suddenly broke into a furious shout, his face twisting in outrage as realization dawned.
"I only told the truth!" Zak said defensively, raising his hands in innocence.
"You piece of shit! I'll kill you!" Izik lunged at Zak, hands outstretched to strangle him, but Baz managed to hold him back just in time.
"Look, Captain! They're trying to silence the witness!" Zak exclaimed, shielding himself dramatically with his arms as though pleading for protection.
"ENOUGH!"
Shakti's roar cut through the commotion like a whip, silencing them instantly. The three dropped to their knees without hesitation, their faces pale and dripping with fear.
"Y-yes, ma'am!" they stammered in unison, their voices trembling.
Shakti sighed heavily, turning her back on them. "I'll discuss your punishment with Lord Ganesha after this is over. However..." She paused and glanced over her shoulder. "If you 'willingly' join the supporters and pull your weight in this subjugation, Lord Ganesha might be lenient with you."
The trio exchanged nervous glances before scrambling toward the supporters without a moment's hesitation.
Shakti shook her head in disappointment before refocusing on the assembled squad. Her sharp eyes swept over them, taking in every detail. Three Level Twos, and with the three idiots joining the Level Ones, that made ten Level Ones in total—more than enough to handle the situation.
She tapped the ground with her spear to get their attention. "Beyond this corridor lies the arena. Your highest priority is the safety of the civilians. Level Ones, eliminate the threats quickly and efficiently. No unnecessary risks, no heroics. Work together."
Her gaze lingered briefly on the three idiots, who stood among the supporters trying to look useful. She resisted the urge to glare and turned back to the vanguard.
"Level Twos, your objective is to tame the two biggest threats—the silverback and the battle boar. If taming them isn't possible, eliminate them." Raising her spear high, she pointed it toward the corridor. "Move out!"
With a roar of determination, the squad surged forward, their footsteps pounding against the stone floor in unison. The Level Twos led the charge, while the Level Ones followed closely behind, weapons at the ready.
Shakti remained behind for a moment, watching them disappear into the arena. She exhaled slowly, gripping her spear tightly.
Hopefully, this mess will be solved quickly.
After a beat, she began walking, her pace steady and deliberate as she followed the squad. Her presence wasn't needed—not yet, at least.
Her ears picked up the distant roar of the silverback and the faint cheers of the crowd.
The show had just started.
---
"Fire!" shouted a Ganesha Familia member, his voice cutting through the cacophony of battle as he nocked an arrow and released it in one fluid motion.
His two companions followed suit, their bows twanging in quick succession as arrows sliced through the air like deadly whispers. The projectiles found their mark, piercing an incoming orc's skull cleanly. With a guttural roar cut short, the creature collapsed, disintegrating into black dust and leaving behind its glimmering magic stone on the arena's blood-streaked sand.
"Bullseye, Lilian! That's the fifth one!" one of the archers exclaimed, his voice bright with a fleeting sense of triumph.
Above, the crowd erupted in cheers, their voices a tidal wave of noise. Cries of "Kill them all!" and "More blood!" grew louder, drowning out even the sound of weapons clashing.
Lilian, however, remained unimpressed. His sharp gaze scanned the battlefield. The lesser monsters were being handled quickly. Their fellow Level Ones were fighting the last major groups of them, while the three Level Twos kept the bigger threats at bay.
"Stop wasting time," Lilian snapped at his companions, his tone clipped. He drew another arrow from his quiver, his movements precise. "We were trusted to stay at the rear, and we're not about to let the main force be flanked."
Lilian turned his attention to a pack of hellhounds weaving through the battlefield toward them, their sleek black forms darting erratically.
Strange. Hellhounds were notorious for their aggression, yet these seemed hesitant. Their usual fiery breath attacks were conspicuously absent.
"Take aim!" Lilian barked, unwilling to let their odd behavior distract him from the task at hand.
His companions hesitated for a moment, one of them muttering under their breath, "They're acting weird…" The archer's voice carried a hint of curiosity, his gaze lingering on the hellhounds as if searching for an explanation.
Lilian's eyes narrowed, his grip on the bow tightening. "We don't have time to play detective. Fire!"
The command snapped his companions into action, and their arrows flew in unison. The hellhounds howled as the projectiles found their targets, one by one. Their cries echoed pitifully before they collapsed into heaps of black dust. The eerie glow of their magic stones was the only evidence they'd ever been there.
---
Slashing downward with all his might, Baz cleaved a disgusting kobold in two just as it lunged for his throat, its claws missing him by inches. The creature let out a final, guttural yelp before dissolving into black dust. He took a quick breath, steadying his nerves.
The crowd's wild cheers for monster blood grew with each new kill, their bloodlust palpable.
Beside him, Zak was locked in combat with a War Shadow, the eerie, featureless black humanoid gliding across the arena sands with unnerving speed. The creature slashed at him with razor-sharp claws, its movements relentless.
Zak gritted his teeth, deflecting a swipe that came perilously close to his face. Using the momentum, he quickly stabbed it through its abdomen. The War Shadow froze, caught off guard, and Zak seized the opening to drive his blade upward, splitting it cleanly from its torso to its neck. The creature disintegrated into black dust, leaving behind its magic stone that fell to the ground with a faint clink.
"This is way easier than I thought!" Zak exclaimed, barely audible over the cheering crowd, his voice tinged with relief and a dash of overconfidence. "Though I would've preferred if they gave us spears. I'm not used to swords, ya know?" he added.
Baz gave him a withering look, wiping sweat from his brow. "It's a damn sharp stick. Swing at the ugly thing, and it'll die. Don't complicate things, idiot." His gaze flicked slightly further across the arena. "Speaking of idiots… should we give that fucker a hand?"
Zak turned to see Izik and someone else, a lanky rookie named Gian, he recalled. being slowly surrounded by a cluster of goblins and kobolds. Behind them loomed an orc, its grotesque frame towering over the smaller creatures. The monsters jeered and cackled as they closed in, claws poised to strike.
Zak groaned but nodded. "Yeah, it's better not to have any casualties. The captain's already pissed enough at us."
Without another word, the two set off, their boots kicking up sand as they sprinted toward the struggling pair.
---
Izik swung his axe wildly, desperate to keep the monsters at bay. But they quickly adapted, darting in and out of his reach to probe for openings.
"It's just a damn dog!" one spectator called in disappointment, seeing Izik unable to kill the kobold that was in his reach. The crowd seemed unimpressed with his poor performance, eager for bloodshed and not a swinging contest.
Izik, growing frustrated from the mocking crowd and tired from the monsters, looked over to his comrade for help. "Gian, fucking help me here!" he roared, his frustration mounting.
Gian, trembling, held his short sword in a shaking grip. He took a hesitant step forward, only to freeze when the orc let out a guttural roar. The beast stepped through the cluster, crushing a goblin underfoot, its gaze fixed on the terrified rookie.
"I-I'm trying!" Gian stammered, his voice breaking.
The monsters took advantage of the distraction, one kobold leaping onto Izik's back. The adventurer staggered, trying to shake the creature loose, but its claws dug deep into his shoulders.
"Aghh!" He screamed in agony.
"Nice backpack, idiot!" Baz sneered, closing the distance. He leapt forward, slashing the dog off Izik's back with a wide arc of his blade. The creature shrieked as it fell to the ground, only to be stomped into dust by Baz's heavy boot.
Zak arrived a heartbeat later, intercepting a goblin sneaking up on Gian. His sword flashed, slicing cleanly through the goblin's neck, and its headless body crumpled.
"Stick close to us, rookie!" Zak told him, his voice carrying slight annoyance.
"O-of course, senior!" Gian stammered out, grateful for the backup.
The orc growled, its attention now fixed on the newcomers. Then it charged, sand flying beneath its heavy steps.
"You're one ugly bitch!" Baz mocked, nervously tightening his grip on his sword. His last encounter with an orc wasn't favorable. Hopefully this time it'll be different.
The orc's punch aimed for Baz with terrifying force, but he sidestepped at the last moment. The ground shook as the orc's fist smashed into the sand. Baz countered with a slash to its side, his blade biting deep into its flesh.
Zak flanked the beast, aiming for its legs. His sword sliced through the tendons of its right knee, and the orc roared in agony, dropping to one knee.
"Eat shit!" Baz shouted.
Both adventurers moved in unison. Baz drove his sword into the orc's chest, while Zak struck its neck with a clean, decisive blow. The creature let out one final, defiant roar before collapsing into dust, its magic stone falling to the ground with a faint clink.
The crowd erupted in a frenzy, their voices deafening.
"What a finish!" someone bellowed, and the cheers only grew louder.
They turned to face the remaining cluster, but the archers had already taken care of them.
Baz scanned the battlefield, his gaze locking onto the archers. With a wave of his hand, he acknowledged their efforts; they were really a big help.
"That… was too close," Izik muttered, clutching his bleeding shoulder.
"You're welcome," Baz replied dryly, kicking the orc's magic stone toward him. His tone dripped with sarcasm. "You really are a shit fighter."
Izik's face twisted with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. "Go fuck yourself," he muttered under his breath.
Zak turned toward Gian, who looked slightly more at ease, though his knuckles were still white around the hilt of his short sword. His wide eyes darted nervously around the arena, betraying his unease.
"Rookie, grow a pair already! The captain's going to be disappointed!" Zak snapped, his voice sharp, though tinged with irritation.
"Like you're one to talk," Baz remarked dryly from the back, but Zak chose to ignore him.
"I-I'll do better next time," Gian stammered, his grip on the sword remaining shaky despite his words.
Their brief reprieve was interrupted by a deafening roar that echoed across the battlefield. All heads turned toward the center, where the level twos were methodically beating the silverback into submission. One adventurer acted as bait, drawing its rage, while the others exploited openings with precision. The massive beast's fists slammed into the ground with earth-shaking force, sending tremors across the arena as the adventurers steadily wore it down.
Its movements began to grow sluggish under the relentless assault.
Noticing the absence of the battle boar, Baz smirked. "Looks like we're not riding a boar today," he said, his tone laced with dark humor.
"Sweet, it's almost over," Zak said, visibly brightening. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his posture relaxing slightly.
"L-Look out!" Gian's panicked cry cut through the chaos, his trembling finger pointing at a speeding blur—a Hard Armored who was engaged with other members of the subjugation squad, suddenly barreled toward them like a spinning wheel of death.
Zak turned, but the monster was already upon him. His instincts screamed at him to move, yet his limbs refused to obey.
Time seemed to slow. The roar of the crowd faded into a dull hum, replaced by the thunderous pounding of his heartbeat. His eyes locked onto the beast, it's hard shell glinting ominously in the sunlight, each spike promising certain death.
'What a stupid-looking monster…' Zak thought bitterly, his mind racing, dread washing over him like ice water. The inevitability of death loomed closer, his life flashing before his eyes—not grand memories, but a montage of mundane, pointless moments, like the time he'd stolen the captain's laundry.
A blur of motion shattered the surreal stillness. A spear whistled through the air, its trajectory flawless. The weapon struck the Hard Armored with pinpoint precision, piercing its shell and shattering it into a cloud of black dust.
Time snapped back into place. Zak collapsed onto his back, gasping for air. His chest heaved, and sweat trickled down his temples. The world seemed unbearably loud again—the cheers of the crowd and the rush of blood pounding in his ears.
Slowly, Zak turned his head toward the source of the lifesaving spear. His gaze landed on the captain, standing tall and impassive. Her gauntlets gleamed under the arena's light, her expression calm and neutral.
'Captain!' Zak thought, tears of gratitude welling in his eyes. 'I'll never sexualize you again!'
Baz, noticing his friend's emotional state, stifled a groan.
"It's one of his stupid promise moments again," he muttered under his breath.
Scanning the arena, Baz noted that the lesser monsters were being eliminated faster than expected, much to the crowd's delight. At this rate, no one would suspect this wasn't part of the planned show.
---
Directly Under the Amphitheatron
Armin stood in the suffocating darkness, his gaze fixed on the jagged path above him that led toward the stadium stands.
The air was damp, carrying the cloying scent of mildew mingled with the acrid tang of the monsters around him. The oppressive silence of the underground tunnel was punctuated by the soft, unsettling sounds of the creatures' grotesque movements. Their plant forms twitched and swayed under the dim, flickering light of magic stone lanterns.
His orders were clear: release the monsters into the stands. No deviations. No witnesses.
Armin sighed, his lips curling into a grimace as he turned toward the creatures. Their pulsating, organic forms seemed eager. He gripped the whip tightly, the crimson coils seeming to shimmer with malice in the dim light.
CRACK!
The sound of the whip echoed sharply through the tunnel like a gunshot, cutting through the oppressive stillness and snapping the monsters to attention.
"Go through that hole," Armin commanded, his voice calm but razor-sharp. "Attack anything that moves."
The creatures obeyed instantly, slithering forward with grotesque, unnatural grace. Their writhing vines scraped against the rough walls as they surged upward, disappearing one by one into the darkness above. The faint vibrations of their movements reverberated through the ground beneath his feet, a foreboding rhythm that matched the distant roar of the crowd above.
Armin watched them ascend, his eyes glinting with cold fascination. "What a masterpiece," he muttered, his gaze dropping to the whip in his hand.
"Beatrice's work, no doubt," he said softly, almost reverently.
The muffled cacophony of the arena grew louder as the monsters neared their destination. Soon, screams of terror would echo through the stands, and chaos would reign.
A ghost of a smile crossed Armin's lips as he turned, clutching his lantern tightly. Without sparing a backward glance, he vanished into the shadows, leaving only the lingering sound of his footsteps to fade into the gloom.
---
What a disappointment.
That was the singular thought running through All For One's mind as he watched the circus unfolding below.
From his vantage point, the "special event" was no more than a petty slaughter against level one monsters.
The announcer's quick efforts to convince the audience that the event was intentional was admirable.
Turning a taming event into a battlefield... it's not the worst excuse they could have concocted, he mused, his lips curving into a faint smirk.
The Ganesha Familia, to his surprise, was managing the situation with commendable coordination. Dispatching the escaped creatures with practiced efficiency. Perhaps he had underestimated their capabilities—a mistake he resolved not to repeat.
His musings were interrupted by a sharp, whining voice slicing through the din.
"This is boring! We see Level Ones kill monsters every day! I wanted to see monster taming!"
Tiona Hiryute's voice carried across the crowd, pouting like a child denied her favorite toy.
All For One suppressed the urge to roll his eyes.
Returning his focus to the arena, he observed as an idiotic adventurer barely escaped a gruesome end, saved by a blue-haired woman's expertly hurled spear piercing a hulking armadillo-like monster.
What a waste of time.
Turning to Eina, seated beside him, he noted her pale complexion and uneasy expression. Unlike the raucous crowd, reveling in the chaos, her discomfort was palpable.
"Are you alright?" he asked, getting closer. His voice was calm, smooth, but loud enough to cut through the surrounding noise. "We can leave if this is too much for you."
Eina hesitated, then offered a shaky smile. "Y-yeah... This is getting out of hand." She rose from her seat.
All For One mirrored her movements, eager to leave this circus behind.
"Ehhh?! Pen, you're leaving already?!" Tiona's voice rang out again, loud and obnoxious, drawing their attention.
'Is she doing this deliberately?' he wondered, irritation sparking in his mind.
Eina, bless her soul, answered for them both. "Yes, this isn't really the taming event we were expecting." She glanced nervously at the arena, where a so-called "taming" process was being held, consisting of repeatedly whipping the massive gorilla monster until it collapsed.
The sheer lack of sophistication was appalling.
"You ain't wrong," Tione said, standing and making her way through the crowded stands. "We should head out too."
Lefiya, the elf girl, eagerly agreed. "Yes! Maybe we can find Ais-san and enjoy the rest of the day together!" she said enthusiastically, following Tione.
Tiona hesitated for a moment but quickly relented. "Fine! We'll head out. They ruined the event anyway," she pouted, trailing after her companions.
Throughout the exchange, All For One remained silent, his blank expression masking his growing irritation as he waited for them to clear the way.
Eina gave him a nervous smile. "Let's go," she urged, motioning for him to follow.
With a resigned sigh, he moved to follow her, only to pause as a faint tremor rippled through the ground beneath his feet. It was subtle at first, almost imperceptible. But his instincts screamed at him, alerting him to danger.
The vibrations grew stronger.
Others began to notice, murmurs of confusion spreading through the audience near him.
"What's that shaking?" someone nearby asked, their voice tinged with unease.
All For One's sharp senses flared. Trusting his instincts, he pushed through the throng of civilians, making his way toward Eina. She was the only individual here worth protecting.
Without a word, he reached her and pulled her into his arms, startling her.
"B-B-Bell?!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing as she struggled to process the sudden physical contact.
Ignoring her protests, All For One leapt into action, using an empty stand as a stepping stone to vault higher into the stands.
"KIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEHHHHH!"
A deafening screech split the air, followed by an earth-shattering crash. The stands beneath them erupted in an explosion of stone and debris. From the gaping hole emerged a swarm of grotesque plant-like monsters, their writhing vines and gaping maws radiating pure malice.
Screams erupted as the creatures surged forward, lashing out at the panicked crowd. A woman's desperate cry was silenced as a creature clamped down on her torso, spraying blood across the seats.
"Run! RUN!" a man bellowed, shoving others aside in his desperation to escape, only to stumble and fall directly into another monster's waiting maw.
Chaos consumed the Amphitheater as the creatures advanced, their relentless attacks scattering civilians like leaves in a storm.
---
All For One landed gracefully on a higher ledge, far from the monsters' emergence point. He set Eina down, her legs trembling beneath her. Her face was pale, her wide eyes fixed on the unfolding horror below. Screams of terror echoed through the stands as civilians scrambled for safety, their efforts futile against the chaos.
"Stay behind me," he said, his tone calm yet commanding, his voice cutting through her panic like a knife.
Eina nodded wordlessly, clutching at his sleeve. The trembling of her hands betrayed her fear.
---
Meanwhile, the Loki Familia sprang into action. The sight of the grotesque plant monsters from the 18th floor incident—an unwelcome memory—emerging beneath them sparked immediate movement. Tiona and Tione readied their weapons, their playful demeanors replaced by deadly focus.
"Where did they come from!?" Tiona barked, her confusion clear as she gripped her massive Urga tightly. "Were they brought here for the taming event!?"
Tione's sharp gaze swept the chaos, landing on Lefiya, who stood frozen, horrified at the sight of civilians being devoured. "Lefiya! Snap out of it! Find a safe spot and start casting something—now!" she ordered, her tone leaving no room for hesitation.
"Y-Yes!" Lefiya stammered, her legs carrying her toward a vantage point even as fear gripped her heart. She knew the plant monsters would sense her magic, but she had to act. The screams of the dying civilians rang in her ears, spurring her to move faster.
---
One of the grotesque plant monsters had cornered an unfortunate civilian—a man in his forties. The man backed away frantically, trying to get away from the gruesome monster.
"Help! Please!" he shouted, his voice cracking as the creature advanced. Its gnarled, vine-like appendages lashed out, creeping closer by the moment.
The man's cries went unanswered as the beast lunged, its maw wide open and ready for another snack. He threw his arms up instinctively, expecting a painful death.
"Hyaaa!" Tione descended like a storm, her kukri knives—Zolas—flashing in her hands. She slashed the plant monster in one fluid motion, cutting it clean in half. The monster turned to dust, scattering in the air as the terrified man opened his eyes.
"Get out of here, now!" Tione barked, her fierce expression leaving no room for argument.
The man nodded frantically, pulling himself together and running toward the nearest exit, barely managing a shaky "Thank you!" as he fled.
Tione ignored him, her sharp eyes scanning the stands. Civilians swarmed toward the exits in a chaotic stampede, but the monsters struck relentlessly, plucking one or two at a time. A woman screamed as a maw snatched her leg, dragging her towards the beasts. Blood splattered onto the nearby seats as another beast tore into a fleeing group, scattering their bodies like ragdolls.
She gritted her teeths, Dammit! We can't save them all!
"Tiona!" Tione shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. "be done with those already, we are running out of time!"
Her sister, grappling with three plant monsters at once, gritted her teeth. "I know!" she yelled back, spinning her Urga with ferocious strength. The weapon's massive blade decapitated two monsters in one sweep, turning them to dust. Still, more emerged, their screeches blending with the cries of the fleeing masses.
"You annoying, overgrown weeds!" Tiona snarled, stepping between the monsters and a cornered group of civilians. She spun her weapon again, a whirlwind of destruction that brought the terrified people precious seconds to escape.
---
In the chaos, one monster clawed its way onto the stands, lunging at a terrified woman.
"Aghaaaaa! Help!" she screamed as the beast's jagged maw closed around her. Its sharp teeth grazed her shoulder, and the grotesque creature prepared to devour her completely.
Before it could finish its gruesome work, a streak of blue tore through the air. Shakti Varma, captain of the Ganesha Familia, rocketed into the scene. Her spear pierced the monster's core with unerring precision, disintegrating it into dust.
"Thank you!" the woman sobbed, collapsing in relief as the horrifying brush with death left her trembling.
Shakti didn't pause to acknowledge the woman's gratitude, she had tasked the level ones and twos to get the injured out, they will take care of the rest.
Her gaze swept over the battlefield, cold and detached. Her body moved with unwavering focus, but her mind churned with guilt.
'This is all my fault,' she thought grimly. She shouldn't have been so confident. She should've deployed a stronger force than just a bunch of Level Ones and Twos. She should've seen the bigger motives behind the monsters escaping. It's obvious this was orchestrated by a mortal.
Her jaw clenched. 'I was blind, and now innocent people are paying for my foolishness.'
Her bitter self-recrimination was interrupted by a new wave of those grotesque monstrosities surging forward. She steadied her grip on her spear, her cold expression unchanging, and propelled herself forward with all her might.
The spear became an extension of her desire—to wipe all the monsters out, she cut through three monsters in a single motion. Each strike was swift and merciless, her Level Five reflexes and strength reducing the creatures to nothing more than piles of ash.
As the last of them disintegrated, Shakti paused for a brief moment, surveying the battlefield. Her sharp eyes caught glimpses of the Loki Familia rallying to contain the chaos she unknowingly had a hand in creating.
Without hesitation, she launched herself toward another cluster of beasts, her spear a blur of deadly motion. Each strike was delivered with unwavering precision.
"At the very least," she muttered under her breath, "I can avenge your deaths."
Her voice was quiet, almost drowned out by the cacophony of battle, but her resolve burned fiercely as she pressed on, determined to rectify her mistakes.
---
'I have to succeed!' Lefiya Viridis thought desperately as she climbed higher into the stands, her breath hitching at the slaughter unfolding before her. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she pressed on, her determination outweighing her fear.
"Help!" a voice cried out, filled with terror. Lefiya flinched but forced herself to keep moving, weaving between panicked civilians scrambling for the exits. 'I'm so sorry,' she thought, guilt clawing at her heart.
Reaching a good vantage point, she steadied herself, glancing over the chaotic battlefield.
The stands had become a warzone, in a matter of minutes, overrun with grotesque plant monsters. She spotted Tiona and Tione down below, their movements a blur as they fought ferociously against the seemingly endless horde.
Nearby, a blue-haired woman darted through the fray with incredible speed and precision, cutting down monsters left and right.
"It's up to me now." Lefiya took a deep breath, closing her eyes to block out the chaos and steady her mind. A wide-range magic attack could turn the tide, but only if she succeeded.
"Proud warriors," she began, her voice trembling but steadying as a glowing magic circle appeared beneath her feet. It pulsed with power, marking the start of her incantation. "Snipers of the forest. Take up your bows before the advancing plunderers."
The air shifted. The monsters in the arena froze momentarily, their grotesque heads snapping toward her in unison. They sensed the surge of magic and were drawn to it like moths to a flame.
"Hrrraaaaackkk!" one of the beasts gurgled, abandoning its prey and charging toward her position.
Lefiya heard the guttural sound, the slithering of their movements, but she kept her eyes shut, focusing intently on the chant. "Answer the call of your brethren and ready your arrows," she continued, her voice rising above the din.
'So many lives depend on me.' Her heart pounded as she pictured the devastation below. 'I have to succeed! I have to stand beside my comrades as an equal!'
"Tinge them with flame, the lamplight of the forest," she pressed on, her voice trembling with raw emotion.
The monsters were almost upon her now, their hideous forms leaping over obstacles to reach her.
"Lefiya! Look out!" Tiona's voice cut through the chaos, but the Amazoness and her sister couldn't reach her in time.
With a surge of resolve, Lefiya opened her eyes. The magic circle beneath her glowed brighter than ever as she completed her chant. "Release them—the fire arrows of the fairies! Falling like rain, burn away the savages!"
"Fusillade Fallarica!"
With a flourish, she pointed her staff toward the advancing horde.
Golden, fiery arrows erupted from the magic circle in a dazzling torrent, each one precise and relentless. They rained down upon the monsters, piercing through their bodies with deadly accuracy. The horde charged mindlessly into the storm of arrows, only to be reduced to piles of blackened ash. The air grew thick with dust and the acrid smell of burnt foliage.
Lefiya gritted her teeth, her hands trembling as she poured everything she had into sustaining the spell. Her head throbbed, her mind reserves rapidly depleting, but she refused to stop. 'I have to kill them all!'
The onslaught seemed endless, but so was the strain. Her concentration wavered, and with a sharp crack, the glowing circle beneath her shattered.
'No!' she thought in horror as the spell abruptly ended. The monsters surged forward once more, emboldened by her lapse.
One creature barreled into her, its grotesque body slamming her into the wall. "Aghh!" she cried out as the air was forced from her lungs.
"Lefiya!" Tiona and Tione shouted in unison, their voices filled with panic. They tried to rush to her aid, but the unrelenting horde blocked their path, forcing them to fight them first.
Shakti, noticing Lefiya's heroic attack, surged forward to help her comrades. "I'll Help!" she called out to the amazoness sisters, her spear flashing as she joined the fray. Lefiya's efforts had significantly thinned the horde.
Lefiya groaned, her vision swimming as she slowly opened her eyes. "Did… did I win?" she murmured, disoriented and barely conscious.
The screech of a monster jolted her senses. She glanced up, her blood turning cold as she saw its wide maw descending toward her.
"No… no!" she screamed, trying to move, but her battered body refused to respond.
"Kiiiik! Kiik!" The plant monster sounded almost delighted, as if savoring the moment.
Lefiya's eyes filled with tears. "Help," she whimpered, her voice trembling with despair. "Ais-san! Help me!" She sobbed, clinging to the hope that Ais-san—anyone—would come to her rescue.
The monster's maw loomed closer, its grotesque form casting a shadow over her. She closed her eyes, resigned to her fate.
"Fear not," a soft yet firm voice cut through the chaos. "I am here."
Lefiya's eyes snapped open just as an intense blue flame erupted, engulfing the monster before her. The heat was so intense she could feel it from where she lay.
"Screeeaaawwwkkk!" the creature screeched in agony, its body rapidly turning to ash.
When the flames died down, nothing remained of the beast.
Lefiya blinked in disbelief, staring at the spot where the monster had been. Who…?
"Are you alright?"
She turned toward the voice and saw the human who was with Eina-san—Bell cranel, she recalled, getting closer to her, his expression filled with genuine concern.
'Did he… did he do that?' she wondered, dumbfounded. He didn't seem like a mage.
"Lefiya, right?" Bell asked gently. "Can you hear me? Are you okay?"
She nodded slowly, too stunned to form coherent words.
Relief washed over his face as he smiled kindly at her. "Good." Without another word, he turned toward the edge of the stands, glancing at his hand with a curious expression.
Lefiya watched him, still reeling from the encounter. What is he doing?
---
Now that he had saved the elven girl Eina so desperately wanted to help, All For One could finally focus on his main goal here: testing these new flames.
He had considered stealing the elf's abilities, but the numerous witnesses made that plan unfeasible—for now. Perhaps another opportunity would present itself later.
Looking over the battlefield below, All For One couldn't help but think, What a sight.
He resisted the urge to smirk as he observed the chaos. Civilians were trampling over one another in their desperation to escape, while the remaining monsters fought valiantly against the "heroes,"
Truly a magnificent sight.
"Now... let's see," he muttered, shifting his focus to materializing the flames once more.
This Hellhound magic was truly fascinating. It required no chant—just a thought—and the flames would appear wherever the user desired, making it far more versatile than he originally thought.
He had managed to stack up all the five attacks he took from the hellhounds earlier, intensifying the flames to the point of turning them blue.
It had been a successful display, though the range of the attack had been less than desirable.
The attack had resembled an intense flamethrower with a disappointingly short range. Still, it was strong enough to kill a monster that had proven troublesome even for Level Fives—though their plant-like nature certainly worked in his favor.
Glancing down again, he noted the dwindling numbers of monsters. Perhaps he should end the show with a grand finale? he thought with amusement.
An idea sparked in his mind, and his expression brightened. "Of course, how could I forget about that?" he murmured, a sinister delight creeping into his tone.
Closing his eyes for better concentration, he summoned his fireball spell into his open palm. At first, it appeared insignificant, just a small orb of flickering flames.
He thought about the Hellhound magic to appear on his hand, and slowly, it began to manifest and infuse with the fireball spell.
The fireball trembled, its surface writhing unnaturally. The warm orange glow deepened into a vibrant crimson, and sparks crackled like miniature fireworks as the energies merged.
That definitely powered it up, but it wasn't enough.
Furrowing his brow, he forced the two magics to meld completely, bending them to his will. The crimson flame began to shift, turning blue as its heat intensified. The temperature became so ferocious that even All For One felt its searing bite against his skin.
"Now this is interesting," he mused with a satisfied smile.
Magic combination was far more difficult than combining quirks, but its potential was undeniable. This technique would prove invaluable in the future.
A sudden, shrill screech interrupted his musings.
"Reeeeiiiiikkkkk!"
His gaze snapped toward the sound. The last remaining plant monsters, still engaged with the Level Fives, had suddenly turned their attention toward him. They broke into a frantic charge, barreling through the battlefield with unnatural speed.
---
"O-Oi! They're heading for bed over there!" Tiona—getting Bell's name wrong again—shouted, alarmed as she noticed the white-haired figure standing alone.
"Lefiya's near him too! Let's go!" Tione called, urgency in her voice. Without hesitation, she sprinted after the monsters, her twin sister and Shakti close behind her. They were determined to put an end to this nightmare.
---
'Hmm... they must be drawn to concentrated magical energy,' All For One deduced, watching the approaching monsters. It was an annoyance, but one that worked in his favor. His target was now rushing straight toward their demise.
The blue flames in his hand continued to grow, swelling larger and larger as he poured more mind into the attack. The heat was unbearable, radiating waves of scorching intensity. The flames illuminated the surroundings like a miniature sun, casting flickering blue light across the arena.
Sweat beaded on his brow from the strain of maintaining the spell, but he held firm. This attack would be worth the effort. Aiming at the incoming cluster of monsters, he softly muttered, "Fireball."
FWOOOSSSHHH!
The blue inferno roared to life as it launched from his hand.
The massive orb of flames, nearly as large as the monsters themselves, sped forward with blinding speed, leaving a fiery trail in its wake. The plant creatures, mindlessly approaching their demise, were engulfed instantly.
"Reeeeeiiiiiihhhhk!" Their agonized screeches echoed across the battlefield, drawing the attention of any survivors brave enough to have not escaped yet. The blue flames tore through the cluster, incinerating everything in its path.
"Oh, shit," Tione muttered, wide-eyed.
The fireball didn't stop with the monsters. It burned through their charred remains and continued onward, catching the incoming "help" from the Loki Familia and Ganesha Familia's captain in its destructive path. The attack only dissipated when it struck the arena floor below, leaving scorched stone and sand in its wake.
All For One, barely standing, surveyed the aftermath with satisfaction. The plant monsters had been reduced to ashes, their cries silenced.
An excellent attack.
Turning slightly, his gaze fell on Lefiya. She was still lying on the ground, her wide eyes fixed on him in stunned disbelief.
He resisted a smirk.
---
'What the hell was that!?' Lefiya's thoughts were racing. 'He didn't even use a long chant! How did a human manage such a destructive attack with a mere short chant!?'
Lefiya Viridis, a proud elf and mage of the Loki Familia, felt her entire understanding of magic unraveling. This human had just unleashed the most devastating short chant spell she had ever seen—perhaps in history.
His expression was calm, unnervingly so, as though the destruction he caused had been effortless.
Her pride as a mage shattered further. How could she ever measure herself as an equal to Ais-san when a non-mage is capable of such magical destruction? The thought brought stinging tears to her eyes, though she refused to cry outright. Wiping her face, she glared at him.
"I won't fall behind you, Bell Cranel!" she vowed fiercely.
Her cheeks burned as she realized she had spoken aloud.
"You okay?" Bell asked, raising an eyebrow.
She froze, mortified. "N-NOTHING!" she stammered, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment. She couldn't let him think he had won.
Bell seemed curious for a moment but eventually shrugged it off.
Phew, that was close.
"Lefiya!" Tiona's voice rang out, brimming with concern.
Relief flooded through her. Her comrades were safe! She turned toward the voice, wincing in pain as she moved. "Tiona-san! I'm glad you're—"
Her words caught in her throat as she froze in horror. There stood Tiona, completely naked, her body exposed to the world. Behind her were Tione and the blue haired woman she saw fighting earlier, equally unclothed, though they tried to shield their modesty with their hands.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Tiona asked, concerned.
"Ah?" Lefiya barely managed to reply. Her head spun, and she gladly embraced the darkness of unconsciousness to escape this nightmare.
"Lefiya!" Tiona cried in alarm, rushing to her friend's side.
Meanwhile, All For One simply stared at the trio of strippers, questioning whether the heat from his attack had fried their brains along their clothes.
Still, the fact that they were completely unscathed—that blue haired woman included—was surprising.
The durability of a level 5 is truly Something else.
"What the hell are you looking at, huh!?" Tione snapped, her voice dripping with menace.
With a sigh, All For One turned away, ignoring her outburst.
What an eventful day.
---
Finally a new chapter!
Sorry for the wait, I made the chapter extra long just so the monsterphilia can be skipped already.
Bunch of new OCs reveal.
All For One famous Quirk combination reappearing.
And the horrible slaughter of civilians by the Violas monster—which will leave terrible consequences.
I think this is more than enough content for a chapter.
The next chapter—myabe—will take forever to write, just wait people, I'm not dead if didn't update in a while, it's just means I'm cooking something extra juicy for you to enjoy.
I hope this was up to your expectations, reader.