Some members of the group exchanged glances at that moment.
The woman with the hood over her head seemed to change her expression, even though her face wasn't fully visible. She stood beside the crystal, writing down everything Douglas was saying.
After he finished his report, the group left the cathedral and headed to the only inn in the city — one built exclusively for the Twelve Heroes. But upon seeing the dire situation of the local residents and noticing that the inn had been stocked with various types of food and comfortable beds, Douglas couldn't accept such privileges.
"I'm sorry, but we won't be staying here. I saw many children at the entrance. You don't need to waste your resources on us. We're heroes, and we have mana. We won't die even if we go one or two days without eating or sleeping, but you need it far more than we do. I believe everyone in the group would agree."
Douglas looked at the rest of the party, but some members seemed quite disappointed with his decision.
"Ah man, just when I was looking forward to a hot bath…"
Isabella sighed deeply, and Vicente also looked annoyed.
"This guy's sense of justice pisses me off sometimes…"
"But he's right. I wouldn't be able to eat either while looking at those starving children…"
Li-Xeng looked down, agreeing with the captain.
"Well, what can we do? Douglas decides. But let's set up camp quickly and roast this bull, because if I go another ten minutes without eating, you can just count me as a casualty!"
Sally looked at Rayner, who was carrying the Minotaur meat they had hunted.
"If you want, I can even feed it to you mouth-to-mouth!"
"Go fuck yourself."
Sally glanced sideways at the man, who smiled indiscreetly.
The group moved to a more open area of the city and set up their camp.
Night fell quickly, bringing with it a sharp cold that caused a thermal shock after the high temperatures of the afternoon.
"What the hell is this? I didn't know Greece was like Egypt or those kinds of places."
Vicente grumbled as he pulled a small fur coat from his bag and draped it over his shoulders while sitting around the campfire.
"You do know these floors are only 'based' on supposedly real locations, right? When I was in the Royal Province, I saw a lot of this. These dimensions created here 'mirror' places that served as the basis for various mythologies. I don't think they actually existed in real life — especially that floor with futuristic machines and those saws, or the one with sea creatures that looked like a flooded Paris."
Erika eagerly ate a piece of the Minotaur meat while trying to explain, though she got a bit tangled in her words.
"And what about that thing with parallel universes? I think that would make more sense…"
Li-Xeng said modestly as he took a small piece of the creature from one of the skewers around the fire.
"These things are real, alright. After the damage we took, I can guarantee it! And who cares about their origin? We just have to keep climbing and defeating them."
Rayner drank some wine and took a bite of the meat without worrying about manners.
Sally, who was sitting next to him, moved away.
"Why do you always have to sit next to me?"
"Haven't you noticed yet that he has a crush on you?"
Isabella, sitting beside Sally, poked her shoulder, making the woman even more irritated.
"Actually, is there any woman he doesn't have a crush on?"
Douglas said, keeping his serious and cold expression.
"Definitely not Yumi. I like older women!"
Yumi looked embarrassed and a little annoyed by Rayner's comment, and consequently so did Sally.
"And who said I'm old, you rascal?"
"Yumi-chan, are you jealous because he's not interested in you? Despite your appearance, you're already 23."
Li-Xeng, who was closest to Yumi, said it without any irony, which only made Yumi even more embarrassed.
"N-no, not at all! I just don't like being treated like a child…"
"Looks like you're the one who's jealous, huh, Li-Xeng? You're really close to Yumi!"
Vick said with a smile, now embarrassing the boy as well.
"I-I didn't mean it like that!!!! Even if you don't believe me, I had a girlfriend back outside…"
Li-Xeng said the last part quietly, which even left the usually silent Omar looking surprised.
"Man, little Xeng has a lover and I'm in my thirties and still single. Life really is unfair, isn't it, brother Rayner? Do they really prefer these guys with innocent nerd faces?"
Vicente tossed a cup of wine to Rayner, who looked a bit irritated after hearing that about Li-Xeng too.
"Hah, I've had a few girlfriends too. Don't underestimate me."
"Okay, if I may ask, how long did that last?"
Vanya asked, already expecting Rayner's answer, which he gave honestly.
"The most recent one lasted about three days."
"You don't need to say anything else."
Vanya had predicted the answer and made the man fall silent for a few seconds as he reflected on it.
"Vanya-senpai really is the only one who can crush his ego. I admire you!"
Sally offered a piece of meat to Vanya, who refused while continuing to clean her weapon — something she did regularly.
Douglas had stood up. After pressing a compartment on his gauntlet, a red light emitted with a soft beep. A kind of ultrasound spread through the surroundings, causing his entire armor to glow afterward.
"There's no abnormality. The barrier here is quite strong. I don't think we'll need anyone to stay awake tonight."
"And to think we could be in a real bed right now…"
Isabella grumbled as she looked at the old tent in front of her.
"There's a reason those people only gave us 'this much,' isn't there, Douglas? On that desert floor — I think it was the 18th — the central village was even more miserable, but you didn't feel as sorry then. So tell us the reason. Our captain never hides anything from us."
Erika stood up, stretching her arms and glancing sideways at Douglas, who looked surprised but soon began to speak.
"Well, I did feel sorry, but I also sensed that someone was watching us in that place. You felt it too, didn't you, Omar?"
Douglas looked at Omar, who remained silent for a few seconds before replying.
"I thought everyone had sensed it."
"We don't have the sharp perception of an assassin-class guy, man."
Raul said in his usual melancholic tone.
"I-I didn't sense anything either…"
Yumi felt bad because, besides the assassin class, her own class — conjurer mage — was also supposed to have higher perception levels.
"Don't feel bad, Yumi. This guy can sense everything. He was a mercenary for a long time. He must have been through a lot."
Rayner tried to comfort the girl, but Omar shot him an unfriendly look.
After everyone had eaten and rested, they saw someone approaching the barrier from the central area of the city.
"Who is that woman? Didn't we tell them not to come near because there was a risk someone might try to take the fragments even with the barrier?"
Sally stood up, trying to see the figure approaching more clearly.
As the group watched, they realized it was a red-haired woman carrying a sword. She wore slightly worn small armor and had a different appearance from the other villagers. She carried a large sack on her back. When she noticed the barrier, she stopped and observed the group.
"I think she wants to come in (?)" — Li-Xeng instinctively grabbed his staff, but the woman didn't seem dangerous.
Due to the battles they had experienced, the heroes could sense the levels of monsters and other returnees.
"Her level is below 60, and I don't think she wants trouble. It looks like she wants to deliver that sack to us."
Vicente lit a cigarette while Yumi moved away from him.
"I'll check. You guys stay here."
Douglas stood up, but Vick approached him.
"Don't try to carry everything alone, boss. If she has any bad intentions, at least there'll be two of us to stop anything."
"You know I don't need it, but fine. Let's go."
Douglas and Vick approached the woman, who waited with her arms crossed.
"Hey, isn't it rude to leave a lady waiting in this cold? Especially since I came to bring you these blankets. But it looks like you won't need them…"
The woman noticed that the heroes' tents were quite "well-equipped."
After the last contact with the central command, they had sent a drone with supplies and useful technology for the heroes.
Drones were sent periodically across the floors. Some were shot down by beasts and demons, but those that arrived safely delivered useful items.
All equipment and supplies were stored in an "alternate space" carried by Yumi with her magic seal. In the group, only she could release the locks of the device, which looked like a saucer with a metallic vortex.
The space could hold about 200 liters of supplies — not much, but enough for the tents, food, and the Grail fragments.
The Grail fragments resembled small bronze shards about two centimeters long and quite heavy.
This alternate space was created by a technological device that compressed space/time. Only those with the mage class could unlock it.
"You think we reached this floor unprepared? But well, thank you for the hospitality."
Douglas took the sack of blankets, but he was curious about the woman's clothing.
"I didn't see you in the city. You don't seem to be from here."
Vick stepped forward.
"Well, obviously I'm not from here, but I decided to help these people when I arrived a few months ago."
"Ah, you were from Troop 23. I heard none of them remained here…"
Vick looked at Douglas, who stared at the red-haired woman with a youthful appearance.
"I used to be. We arrived here after many losses. They wanted to give up on the 27th floor, but I insisted, knowing that at least this area would be 'less' bad. At first, we thought about setting up camp and staying, but after they learned that a demonic troop had arrived, they ran away."
"And why didn't you go with them? Even though you're an 'explorer,' you carry that sword, you're level 55, and you have an excellent athletic build…"
Douglas looked suspiciously at the woman, who seemed irritated.
"You suspect me? If you want to confirm with the residents, feel free! We arrived here as eleven. I was the only one who stayed, but I have my reasons, of course. I'm a returnee, but I joined the explorers' troop because I want to find my brother who was on the 33rd floor…"
Vick widened her eyes and began paying more attention to the woman's appearance.
"W-wait! You're the sister of someone from the Goldenheart group???"
Vick blushed upon realizing that the three she admired were relatives of the woman in front of her.
"Well, I'm Christopher's younger sister. I think he's somewhat well-known…"
The woman looked embarrassed but continued.
"He's one of the most advanced in the tower, along with the Shadow Chinese, Amanda, and Hashino — they're the 'legends' closest to the 7."
"Yeah… and I'm a nobody who didn't inherit any of his strength, haha. Ironic, right?"
The woman looked down, condemning her own powerlessness.
"Hey idiot, you're on the 32nd floor! I bet there aren't any more returnees here. You're not at a low level at all, so why are you talking like that? Even Douglas, who's almost level 80, can't be compared to the Goldenheart trio. Don't be so hard on yourself!"
Vick gave the woman a pat on the shoulder, which caused her a lot of pain, but she made a face to hide it.
"I know, but I wanted to be able to find him! Maybe…"
The woman with blue eyes and snow-white skin hesitated for a few seconds.
"Come with us! I don't think Douglas will complain! The more members, the better!"
Vick pulled the woman toward the group, but she looked surprised and didn't react.
"I still haven't agreed to this…"
Douglas still looked suspiciously at the red-haired woman, who pulled away from Vick.
"I'm not strong, and I know you don't trust me. I don't know what I could contribute to the group."
"You have willpower and determination. Just staying here for months protecting these people already shows your character!"
"You're Vick, right…? The impetuous warrior."
"Hahahaha! We already have 'nicknames' like that? And what's Douglas's?"
"If I'm not mistaken, they call him the cold-blooded tank."
"I don't know if I should consider that a compliment…"
Douglas kept a petrified expression and then got irritated as Vick laughed.
"Hahahaha, it's a good nickname!"
"But there's something I want to confirm."
Douglas put the sack of blankets on his back and looked into the woman's eyes.
"You still haven't told us your name."
The woman was speechless for a moment and then laughed.
"Haha, how stupid of me. I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Natasha, the younger and weaker sister of Christopher the Relentless."
The woman extended her hand to Douglas, who shook it and seemed more open to believing her.
"You don't seem like a bad person, but I think there's something you don't know."
Vick looked at Douglas with a tense expression — something unusual for her.
"About the traitor? Well, I think everyone knows about that by now."
"WHAT?"
Even Douglas let out a small shout, which left Vick even more startled.
"And how…? We didn't even report it to central command! Since the angel's announcement, we thought only we had that information…"
"Really? I think all the explorers and people at central know. It spread a few weeks ago. There are even betting houses to guess who it is."
"Okay, that's already too much… And who's winning?"
Vick's reaction went from shock to curiosity.
"I think Omar is currently in the lead, according to the last analysis I saw."
"HAHAHA, of course he would be! Everyone suspects the assassin."
"Hey, wait, this is serious. If they know, why didn't they contact us? And how did they find out?"
Douglas became serious again.
"Hm, maybe the drones? They must report everything that happens with you. I think they're aware, right? Or perhaps… it could even be the traitor himself…"
Natasha looked away, wondering if she should have said those words.
"That's the least of our worries. It won't change anything if they know. We just need to find out who it is. That's another reason to recruit you. You'd be the only one in the group that no one would suspect!"
Natasha thought for a few seconds but seemed to agree, albeit awkwardly. After all, it was true.
"So… I guess I can at least try to go with you."
Even somewhat hesitant, the woman followed the two back to the camp.
When they arrived, some were already surprised by her presence.
"DOUGLAS! DOUGLAS…"
Rayner was the first to approach, giving Douglas several pats on the shoulder.
"I knew you were awesome, bro! Bringing such a beauty here. But wait… is she for you?"
Rayner looked at Douglas with irritation, and Douglas sighed, already anticipating the man's reaction.
"Don't be an idiot all the time. This is Natasha. She's the sister of the hero Christopher."
Everyone was surprised, even Omar, who admired Christopher even if he never admitted it.
"You… his sister?"
He looked suspiciously at Natasha, who felt embarrassed.
"I know I'm weak, but I really am his sister! I was part of the explorers for a while, but I want to climb the tower to reach him…"
The girl looked embarrassed as she introduced herself to the group.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Natasha. I hope I can count on your help, and you can count on me for anything!"
In a Japanese-style greeting, she bowed her head and bent at the waist.
"And she's coming with us? But where was she staying?"
Isabella glanced sideways at the woman.
"I know you have many doubts, but trust me. We had a quick talk with her. I trust her. Also, it's good to have someone we can trust. She's not in our group, and we know there's a traitor among us."
Everyone exchanged glances, understanding Douglas's point.
"So she's going to be like a 'supervisor' for us? Haha, I'm not really into having bosses, you know."
Erika, already in her sleeping clothes, looked at the girl, who kept a serious expression.
"I don't intend to supervise anyone. I just want to climb the tower and help with whatever is needed. I'm not strong, but I have conviction and I know a lot of information about the tower. You can count on me."
"It's a pleasure, Natasha. Our group is a bit degenerate, but I think you'll get used to it."
Sally said this while looking at Rayner, who, despite the "criticism" directed at him, was happy about the woman's presence.
The heroes' camp had 6 tents, with two people sleeping in each. Erika called Natasha to share hers.
"Are you really okay sleeping here? I mean, I don't think it would be a problem to use that area of the city. The residents here are really poor, but they were waiting for returnees all this time. They were happy even with your presence."
"I don't think it's right to eat and take advantage of the resources of people who are more miserable than us. And not only that, but I sensed that someone is watching us, and there's also the fact that we're already used to staying in these tents."
"I think the person who was watching was probably me…"
Natasha blushed.
"Good then! That means there's no crazy person trying something in the city or any demon."
Vick smiled as she took the last piece of meat from the fire, but unexpectedly, Raul began to speak — something rare for him.
"I… need to say something."
Everyone was surprised. Aside from Omar, Raul was the one who spoke the least in the group.
"Don't tell me you had another vision?"
Li-Xeng broke out in a cold sweat while Raul made an even more closed expression.
"Vision?"
Natasha looked confused.
"He usually has these kinds of 'prophecies,' crazy talk, but we try to trust him."
Isabella was being ironic, but Raul seemed to be speaking seriously.
"Okay man, what is it now?"
Vicente crossed his fingers, waiting for an answer.
"Well, I kind of had just a dream, but I think it's something stupid. Still, I felt I should say it when everyone was gathered."
He paused for a moment and then began to speak.
"I kind of saw one person from our group leaving, but I didn't see exactly who."
"It must be Rayner chasing after women."
"How cruel, Vick! I wouldn't do that when there are such beauties here!"
"You couldn't even see if it was a man or a woman?"
Sally asked.
"No, I couldn't. But never mind, I think it has nothing to do with those visions I had. It's a waste of time."
Raul returned to his usual self and went to his tent, which he shared with Omar.
"If anyone is thinking about leaving the group, say it now or shut up forever."
Isabella looked at everyone with a joking tone.
"And where would we go? Going back alone through the floors would be suicide, and staying in these cities with nothing, just waiting to die… We have no choice. It's climb or climb."
Vicente replied, tossing his cigarette butt aside.
"Sometimes it really was just a dream. I also have dreams like that sometimes…"
Yumi said, looking somewhat downcast.
"OK, it's getting REALLY cold. I think we should go to the tents. I'm exhausted too."
Erika picked up one of the blankets Natasha had brought and pulled her along to her tent.
"I'll set up your spot for sleeping, Nat."
Rayner huffed, feeling a lot of envy.
"Hey, why does she get the best part?"
"Are you stupid enough to even consider taking her to your tent with Li-Xeng?"
Vanya stared at Rayner with a murderous look.
"It's fine, sister. If he tries anything with you, I'll kill him with one strike."
Sally smiled toward Natasha while Rayner grumbled more.
The entire group retired to their tents.
Douglas and Vicente were in the first tent.
Rayner and Li-Xeng in the second.
Yumi, Erika, and Natasha in the third.
Vick and Isabella in the fourth.
Sally and Vanya in the fifth.
Omar and Raul in the sixth.
The last ones to enter were Douglas and Vicente.
"I felt that Raul didn't say everything. You felt it too, right?"
Vicente extinguished the last embers of the campfire while speaking to Douglas, who was storing his armor in the corner of the tent.
"He's acting differently. There really is something wrong, but even if this is a prophecy, we'll find out who's leaving the group. It's probably the traitor."
Douglas said as he entered the tent.
The next morning, Li-Xeng was the first to wake up, as usual.
"Ahh, it's so cold! With my coffee addiction, I wanted to stay in bed longer…"
The boy was about to prepare the campfire when he saw bloodstains leading toward a cluster of trees near a rock a few meters away.
He thought about calling the others, but remembered that Sally always scolded him when he woke her up, so he decided to check if it was just some animal killed by the barrier trying to enter — something that was common.
As he approached a tree with gray, hard branches, his legs went weak and he felt like vomiting when he saw, right in front of him, Raul's body lying on the ground with his throat deeply slashed.