The emotion known as "self-reproach" enveloped Lefiya's heart. Even though she had already arrived at the scene, she had not provided any help to this battle.
And even…
She had to personally witness Ron's death!
Such a thing—this elven girl would absolutely not allow it to happen. Since so-called healing magic had no effect, then she would use something even more expensive—a Panacea.
Participating in a Familia expedition,
She knew that this rare and costly "Panacea" was managed by her teacher, Riveria. So Lefiya did not hesitate to seek her help.
This kind of rare resource—
Using it on Ron, a member of another Familia, was indeed against the rules. Then she would use her own expedition earnings to make an emergency purchase from Riveria.
"…"
What kind of bizarre development is this!!
Ron really wanted to curse.
It wasn't because of the chatterbox elf Lefiya—rather, it was because the arrival of the Loki Familia at the scene had completely disrupted all his plans.
After all, this was a Soulslike dungeon.
Trying to completely avoid death and speedrun it in one go was simply impossible.
Since the side effects of "Power Within" could not be eliminated, and Daphne and Cassandra were both trustworthy, then he might as well die cleanly and decisively.
That way, he wouldn't have to explain anything later.
But what Ron never expected was that the Loki Familia, having just finished their dungeon expedition, would coincidentally appear on the 12th Floor. Setting aside the fact that they witnessed the battle—
At most, it just made things feel a bit insane.
But the unique nature of the "Revival" skill—
That was the secret he absolutely needed to keep hidden.
It wasn't to the point that adventurers in Orario would dissect him for research…
But if it were exposed—
There would definitely be unexpected trouble!
He looked at the elven girl crouching before him, who made no effort to hide the worry in her expression. There was a trace of comfort in his heart—
But his eyes were filled with despair.
Not because he feared death.
But because the flames of "Power Within" had already burned his vocal cords to the point where he couldn't make a sound. Otherwise, all he wanted to do was have Mikoto and Daphne take him away.
And then—
As if she understood the despair in the boy's eyes, the responsibility to save him made Lefiya even more resolute. She raised her head again, her gaze sweeping across the Loki Familia members who usually took care of her.
Her tone was urgent: "I really… have a reason I absolutely must save him!!"
"…"
As Lefiya's friends, for her to go this far, their relationship must be very deep. But looking at the boy whose body was nearly burned into charcoal, flames covering him—
Panacea—
Even though that kind of potion possessed powerful healing properties, for Ron's current condition…
Riveria truly didn't want to crush Lefiya's hopes, but she knew very clearly—
He couldn't be saved.
It would have no effect at all.
It was also…
A way to prevent Lefiya from falling deeper into self-blame.
She frowned slightly, took out a bottle of potion from her medicine box, and said seriously: "What we need to consider now is how to extinguish these flames."
"I suspect…"
"They were caused by the fire breath of that giant dragon."
These flames—
Even for Riveria, they felt unprecedentedly strange.
They emitted no heat.
They hadn't even burned away Ron's clothes completely.
Instead, they were targeting his body directly.
That gradually carbonizing body was proof enough!
The only thing she could think of—
Was that ancient dragon that had spewed flames.
Though she was reluctant to admit it, she felt fortunate that her Familia hadn't intervened.
Because with even a slight misstep—
Facing these bizarre flames, they might have suffered casualties here.
"Healing magic… has no effect at all."
"I can't even feel the temperature of the flames—it's as if they're specifically targeting Ron."
The Loki Familia's fame—
There wasn't an adventurer who didn't know it.
Especially…
With all of its members gathered here.
Cassandra seemed to have found her last hope. She raised her head, her pleading gaze sweeping across Finn and Riveria: "Please help Captain Ron…"
"We'll do what we can."
In the end, they couldn't bear to watch a life fade away before their eyes.
Riveria did not avoid Cassandra's plea. Holding her ultra-spec staff embedded with nine top-grade magic stones, she frowned slightly.
Nine Hell.
The reason she bore that title—
Was because her magic could take on different forms.
The solution she could think of now—
Was to use the first stage of her magic "Wynn Fimbulvetr", to completely freeze Ron.
Hoping that through magical interference, the strange flames could be extinguished.
As for the consequences—
Even if he were saved, his already carbonized limbs would most likely mean the end of his adventurer career.
But as long as he could live—
That was enough.
"Harbinger of the end, the white snow. Blow with the wind before the twilight."
"Closing light, the freezing land. Blizzard, the three severe winters."
"—My name is Alf!"
Riveria's control over her magic was exquisite.
A blizzard carrying chilling cold enveloped Ron completely.
He wasn't frozen into a block of ice—
Only a thin layer of frost formed over his surface.
And then—
An extremely bizarre scene appeared before everyone's eyes.
Even though his body had been completely frozen, the flames consuming his life—
Not only were they not extinguished, they were actually intensified.
Silence…
All the adventurers present—including Riveria—fell into brief silence.
"End it."
The one who broke the silence—
Was Bete, arms crossed, expression cold.
He turned his head away, not looking at Ron's miserable state.
That would be disrespect to the dying…
Having witnessed the battle just now, the strength Ron displayed—was absolutely close to that of a Level 4 adventurer.
At his age, he was unquestionably a genius.
Bete hated the weak.
But objectively speaking—
Facing the overwhelmingly powerful mutated Floor Boss dragon, Lansseax, even knowing he had no chance of victory, he showed no hesitation.
He endured multiple attacks.
Used unimaginable methods—
And ultimately blew that massive monster to death.
Just that alone—
Made him better than many adventurers in Orario.
Being able to face death calmly,
And fight to create a chance for his companions to survive—
Honestly—
If Ron were still alive, and still Lefiya's friend, it might be worth having a drink with him sometime.
Facing the gazes of Daphne and Cassandra, Bete turned his head, his tone indifferent: "There's no need to keep struggling."
"Let him… die with dignity."
"That's the last respect we can give him."
"His strength was decent. Just… a bit stupid."
Even though the Loki Familia was nearby, he still chose to resolve the battle in his own way.
Bete couldn't quite understand Ron's thinking.
But that was also—the reason he held him in high regard.
"…"
The reality was already laid bare.
An oppressive atmosphere hung over everyone present.
Even the Loki Familia—
Though they were merely passersby,
They understood Ron's battle.
He hadn't died due to conflict between adventurers.
But because of an abnormal event in the dungeon—
He faced the monsters head-on and died.
Not because he was weak.
In fact, his strength surpassed some of their own members.
"Thank you for your help."
Ron's secret absolutely could not be exposed here.
But he would inevitably continue to be active in Orario in the future.
As for how to explain things—
Even Mikoto hadn't figured it out yet.
She looked at the flames on Ron's body, gradually weakening.
It was time…
She raised her head, her expression calm, and said to Finn and Riveria: "We'll handle the rest."
"Seniors, we won't take up more of your time."
"…"
Damn this abnormal dungeon incident.
As fellow adventurers, seeing a junior burned into charcoal right before their eyes—
Finn couldn't help but feel something.
After all, people had hearts of flesh.
If they hadn't come here—
That mutated Floor Boss dragon would have caused even more adventurers to perish.
But Ron's appearance—
Prevented that from happening!
"We've finished our expedition and are preparing to return to Orario…"
"I'm sorry… that we weren't able to help Ron when he needed it."
"Mm…"
Looking at Lefiya, whose face was filled with dazed regret, Finn shook his head gently.
Perhaps Ron's intention had always been to kill that dragon.
But the final result—
Benefited all adventurers.
Just that alone—
Earned his respect.
The blond boy suggested: "It's not appropriate to bury him here."
"Come back to Orario with us."
"That's right."
"You're not in a condition to keep exploring anyway. It's safer to return with us."
"Setting aside Familia affiliations—someone who sacrifices his life to protect his companions deserves at least a bouquet at his grave."
"…"
What if Ron revived halfway through?
Facing the goodwill from Finn and the Loki Familia, under normal circumstances, Mikoto would be grateful—
But now, she only felt overwhelmed.
Fortunately—
She didn't need to think at all.
Because—
As the layer of frost covering Ron's body gradually melted,
Even the flames burning his life—
Began to visibly weaken.
It wasn't because they had been dealt with.
Every adventurer present could feel it—
That faint, nearly imperceptible breathing, and the heart that had already stopped beating—
Both pointed to one fact: Death.
It was about to claim the young boy before their eyes.
This guy—
He was probably around the same age as Ais…
Yet he withered away right in front of them.
Even Bete couldn't help but turn his head.
They all understood—
As long as one explored the dungeon, death was always a risk.
If one wanted to survive and return safely—
The only way was to become stronger.
Finn did not help Lefiya up from where she sat collapsed on the ground.
He looked at the dazed Daphne and Cassandra, shook his head slightly, and spoke in a complicated tone: "The outcome can no longer be changed."
"My condolences."
"…"
Why were her eyes blurry?
Lefiya couldn't understand.
Perhaps it was because—
A friend who had once saved her was dying before her eyes, and she was powerless to do anything.
The elven girl raised her head.
Ron's completely charred body—
Became increasingly blurred in her vision.
Her emotions were complicated; she didn't know what to say.
But then—
A soft, gentle light enveloped the boy lying on the ground.
Immediately after—
Fine cracks began to appear in the carbonized layer on Ron's body.
Along with it—
A strong, powerful heartbeat echoed from his chest.
The dark, burnt layer peeled off like old paint, replaced by smooth, fair skin reborn anew.
His consciousness had long fallen into unconsciousness—
He had no idea how much time had passed.
And Ron didn't want, after reviving, to see his companions immersed in such grief.
So—
When the "Revival" skill successfully activated, he suddenly sprang up from the ground, brushed away the ashes blocking his vision, and spoke in an unprecedentedly relaxed tone: "Kids, I'm back!!"
And then—
Ron noticed it.
Daphne, Cassandra—
And Finn, Riveria, and the others from the Loki Familia—
All staring at him with eyes wide in shock.
Oh no…
Looks like he revived at the wrong time?
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