Riveria's heart sank to the abyss.
She knew that even she, if facing an 'Aiden' who had mastered Silentium Eden alone, would very likely be single-handedly killed by someone of a lower level.
"Magic is useless! All hands, prepare for close combat!"
Seeing their painstakingly prepared magical bombardment vanish like mud thrown into the sea, the second-string acting commander, Anakitty Autumn, made a prompt decision and barked an order.
She drew the longsword from her waist, her eyes filled with fearless resolve.
"Follow me! We absolutely cannot let him get near Lady Riveria."
Taking the lead, she charged toward the 'Aiden' who had passed through the magic bombardment zone completely unscathed.
Behind her, fellow Level 4 core members of the second string—the human girl with capable short red hair, Narvi, the burly dog-person youth, Cruz, and the Level 3 green-haired rabbit-person girl, Rakuta—all drew their weapons without hesitation and followed closely.
Trailing behind them were over a dozen Level 2 and Level 3 Familia members.
They were the cornerstone of the Loki Familia, the backbone force responsible for support and logistics in the expedition team.
At this moment, there was no fear in their eyes, only the absolute determination to protect their companions.
But the scene that followed became a nightmare that everyone present would never be able to erase for the rest of their lives.
That 'Aiden's' strength vastly exceeded everyone's imagination.
When they ventured into the deep floors, the intel they received stated that the Captain of the Focalors Familia, Aiden, was merely a Level 3 adventurer who had only recently started making a name for himself.
Even if his actual combat capabilities far exceeded his level, compared to this fake right before them, the difference was simply like heaven and earth.
Anakitty was the first to clash with 'Aiden'.
Her swordplay was tricky and swift, like a leopard hunting in the dark.
However, a crimson sword beam flashed by, fast to the extreme.
Crack!
The longsword in Anakitty's hand snapped cleanly.
The emerald-green magic gauze applied by Riveria on her body tore instantly like wet paper before that crimson sword beam.
The blade swept across her chest without the slightest hindrance, slicing through her light armor and tearing open her flesh and blood.
Boiling blood sprayed out like a fountain, tracing a tragically beautiful arc in mid-air.
Anakitty's eyes were filled with disbelief. Even before she felt the pain, her body lost all its strength as she fell backward.
"Aki!"
The red-haired girl Narvi let out a wail of grief. The war hammer in her hands swung with furious whistling, smashing viciously at 'Aiden's' head from the side.
Without even glancing at her, 'Aiden' countered with a backhand strike.
That sword made of pure fire clashed with Narvi's war hammer in mid-air.
There was no sound. The heavy war hammer was melted and silently sliced cleanly through the middle, like butter meeting a red-hot iron.
Without losing any momentum, the blade directly severed Narvi's right arm.
"Aaaahhhh!"
Her severed arm flew into the air as Narvi unleashed an agonizing scream, her entire body crashing to the ground.
The dog-person youth Cruz roared, attempting to ram his body into 'Aiden' to buy time for his comrades.
But in the opponent's eyes, his burly frame was like a weak lamb.
'Aiden' casually threw a kick, landing squarely on Cruz's abdomen.
Terrifying force instantly pierced through his body, sending him flying backward like a cannonball. He crashed into several Level 2 adventurers rushing up from behind, sending them tumbling and spitting blood, instantly incapacitating them.
Tears welled up in the eyes of the rabbit-person girl, Rakta. Her dagger trembled, yet she summoned her courage and launched a sneak attack at 'Aiden's' back.
But it was as if 'Aiden' had eyes in the back of his head. Without turning around, he flicked the flaming light sword backward.
The blade precisely deflected Rakta's dagger and followed through with a slash.
Blood splattered. The rabbit girl shrieked as her body slumped helplessly to her knees.
In less than ten short seconds.
In just a single clash.
The squad led by Anakitty, composed of over a dozen elite adventurers, was unilaterally, brutally, and completely wiped out.
That was not a battle.
It was a one-sided slaughter.
Lefiya trembled all over, almost unable to grip her staff.
Fear, like a freezing tide, completely submerged her.
She watched helplessly as the Familia companions she trained and joked with daily were harvested like weeds by that fake.
The sight of spraying blood, severed limbs flying, and the agonizing, despairing wails brought her mind to the verge of collapse.
"Luna Aldis!"
Riveria's face was dark. Forcing down the wrath and grief in her heart, she decisively cast her healing magic.
Gentle particles of light fell upon the fallen Anakitty and the others, temporarily preserving their lives. But the deep, bone-exposing wounds and severed limbs silently testified to the enemy's terrifying power and cruelty.
On the other side, despite being viciously battered by Childe and struggling to protect themselves, Ais and the others still spared a sliver of attention to monitor the rear.
When they saw their familiar companions falling one by one into pools of blood, an uncontrollable wave of anxiety and rage instantly surged in their hearts.
"Aki, Narvi!"
Tiona let out a cry of sorrow, her movements exhibiting a nearly imperceptible stiffness due to the distraction.
It was just a split-second flaw.
Childe's figure appeared beside her like a phantom. A heavy punch wrapped in lightning slammed mercilessly into her abdomen.
Tiona's body flew out like a kite with a snapped string, smashing a massive crater into the hard ice wall.
"Tiona!"
Seeing this, her sister Tione completely lost her composure.
And Childe seized this second opening.
The water blade in his hand transformed into a long whip, wrapping around Tione's ankle. With a violent tug, he swung her entire body toward Gareth, who was swinging his axe.
To avoid friendly fire, Gareth was forced to forcefully abort his attack, while Childe's third strike arrived immediately after.
A long spear formed from lightning and water pierced clean through Gareth's shoulder blade.
"Being distracted on the battlefield is a grave taboo."
Childe's voice rang out across the chaotic battlefield, icy and completely devoid of emotion.
"Are you worried about your companions? I understand. However, rather than worrying, the first thing you should be thinking about right now is how to survive against me, or defeat me."
Hearing Childe's preaching words, Ais, Bete, Finn, and the others wiped away the blood on their faces and corners of their mouths.
One by one, they struggled to climb back up from the ground.
Adventurers were not so easily beaten.
But, uncertain if their companions were dead or alive, and being preached to from on high by their enemy... the last thread of their reason completely snapped.
----
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