"What is going on over there?"
Artemis questioned, her gaze fixed on the plumes of smoke rising from where their base should be.
Judas and Artemis glanced at each other briefly before sprinting toward it.
When they finally arrived, they saw swarms of scorpion-like monsters invading the camp, while members of the Hermes and Artemis Familia fought them off.
"I'll put out the fire."
Judas said as he quickly ran toward the tents that had caught fire and used water magic to extinguish them.
"Hermes, what happened?"
Artemis asked as she ran toward him after spotting him crouched on a tree branch.
"As you can see, monsters have invaded the camp. And the night watch, who were supposed to keep an eye on our surroundings… I can no longer feel my blessings on them."
Hermes said with a serious expression as he clenched his fist.
Hearing this, Artemis' expression tightened.
"It can't be…"
She whispered quietly.
"Yeah… they were killed. And they weren't incompetent enough to be taken down by these monsters so quickly and without making any noise... or without us noticing…"
"Which means something... or someone... set this attack up deliberately."
Hermes spoke.
Though he usually acted like a flippant god, someone who had lived as long as he had could be just as sharp when the situation demanded it.
'Something is off. The timing can't be a coincidence either… right before our raid on the Elsos Ruins was about to begin.'
Hermes thought as he surveyed the camp.
Although they had been caught off guard and some had suffered injuries, they responded quickly and began slaughtering the scorpion monsters without much difficulty.
Especially once Judas entered the fray... the tide turned almost instantly.
'There are still quite a few monsters left… but the situation should be mostly under control.'
Judas thought as he crushed a monster's head in his hand before tossing it aside, its body dissolving into ash.
That was when he felt it...
A strong presence approaching.
'Someone is coming.'
Judas turned his head, narrowing his eyes.
"I see you adventurers enjoyed my little present."
What he saw was a petite blonde elf... someone most would find adorable at first glance.
But the hostility radiating from her made everyone wary.
"No way… is that?"
Asfi exclaimed, her eyes widening.
A few older members of the Hermes Familia recognized her as well... but the look in their eyes was as if they had seen a ghost.
The same look they had when they saw Olivas during the incident in the 24th floor.
"Dina Dis… one half of the infamous Dis Sisters who terrorized Orario during the Dark Age…"
"She's still alive, huh?"
Hermes muttered.
'Evilus… even here, they're involving themselves in this?'
As Dina stepped closer, Asfi and the others raised their weapons, pointing them at her.
"Dina Dis! Why are you here?"
Asfi asked, a bead of sweat trailing down her face.
"Ah… I see quite a few familiar faces."
Dina said, placing a finger on her chin as she tilted her head cutely.
"As for why I'm here… well, I'm here to love(kill) anyone who's disrupting my beloved boss's plan."
"Does that answer suffice?"
Her lips pulled back into a demonic grin.
'Boss?'
Hermes wondered.
'Is she still aligned with the remnants of Evilus, or is there a new player on the board?'
"Just by yourself? Dina, look around you."
Asfi countered.
Dina did just that, glancing around at how she was surrounded by the combined forces of the Hermes and Artemis Familia.
"Your little scheme ends here, villain!"
Rethusa shouted.
"Hehe… how cute."
Dina chuckled coldly, looking at them with derision.
"Did you really think that first attack was all we prepared?"
"And who said I'm by myself?"
As if on cue, a thunderous rumbling echoed from the forest.
"What is that noise?"
Welf asked, turning toward the source of the vibration.
"Big Sister Dina! Big Sister Dina! I gathered them up and brought them all here!"
A dark elf shouted as she burst through the decaying trees.
Behind her surged a massive horde of scorpion monsters... easily dozens of times larger than the one they had faced before.
They charged straight toward the camp, trampling trees and bushes in their path.
"I knew it… if she's here, then her little sister... Vena Dis... is here too."
Hermes said from his vantage point.
One of the scorpion monsters lunged at Vena, trying to sting her with its tail.
"Whoops… that was a close one. These guys are a bit too excited."
Vena said with a grin as she dodged effortlessly.
She put on a burst of speed, leading the swarm straight into the heart of the camp.
"Look at that... the second wave is coming. Prepare yourselves, adventurers."
Dina mocked.
Seeing the tidal wave of monsters the Dis Sisters were sending their way...
"Everyone! Incoming!"
Asfi shouted as the monster party finally came into view.
"Goddess, please go find somewhere to hide!"
Belle shouted, gripping her sword and the Hestia Knife in both hands as she stared warily at the approaching monsters.
"Belle…"
Hestia looked at her back... then turned and ran for safety.
Weapons were already swinging.
Mages had begun chanting.
The base camp had turned into a full-blown battlefield.
"Where do you think you're looking?"
Dina said as her figure flickered and appeared in front of Asfi.
She swung her short sword down in a vertical arc.
Asfi raised one of her daggers to block...
But Dina's strike was overwhelming.
The dagger shattered instantly upon impact.
'Dammit…'
Asfi discarded the broken hilt and tried to leap backward to gain distance, but she was too slow.
"Big Sister Dina, you can't have all the fun to yourself."
Vena appeared behind her and drove a kick into Asfi's side, sending her flying.
"No way… Miss Asfi, a Level 4, was defeated so easily?"
Lili said, her pupils trembling.
A Level 4 was still considered powerful... not just to her, but to everyone present.
To overpower someone like that so effortlessly could only mean one thing.
"First-class adventurers."
Welf muttered with a frown.
'As I thought… the Dis Sisters. Seven years ago, the Dis Sisters were considered the heavy hitters of Evilus.'
Hermes thought, eyes narrowing.
'Back then, they were Level 5. Now… from their movements, no doubt, they've reached Level 6.'
Level 6... if not for the existence of Level 7, they would be considered among the strongest beings on the surface world.
But while his followers looked on with strained expressions, Hermes remained noticeably calm.
"Too bad for them… we have a counterforce."
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