Then, suddenly—one human, trembling with frustration and greed, snaps.

He hurls a fireball straight at a nearby beastman.

The explosion breaks the fragile silence.

In an instant, the clearing erupts into chaos.

Roars, screams, and the clash of weapons fill the air. Humans and monsters—once temporarily united by confusion—turn on each other with feral instinct. Blades flash, spells ignite, and blood sprays across the grass.

Zevran watches the scene with faint amusement, arms folded. "Predictable."

Mero chuckles darkly beside him. "Greed always wins over reason."

As for Alix, no one even notices him anymore. The noise, the blood, the desperation—none of it concerns him.

He simply rises silently into the air. The chaotic battlefield grows smaller beneath him as he turns his gaze toward the distant city glowing faintly under the afternoon sun.

The wind whips around him as the dungeon valley fades behind. The journey takes little time—mere minutes at his speed.

In Sona City.

The streets buzz with life, but today the usual chatter carries an edge of excitement and disbelief.

"Did you hear? Someone cleared the Wailing Catacombs Dungeon!"

"No way! That dungeon hasn't been cleared in decades!"

"I'm telling you, the Adventurer Guild confirmed it! Everyone got kicked out at once!"

Crowds gather near notice boards, gossiping and arguing. Merchants lean out of their stalls, trying to catch every word. Even guards pause their patrols, whispering among themselves.

---

Inside the grand mansion at the city's center, the atmosphere is heavier.

The city lord sits at the head of a long table, his expression unreadable. A tall beastman with dark hair tied back neatly, he exudes authority, but beneath that calm exterior lies disbelief. His armor gleams faintly, the insignia of his rank catching the afternoon light.

A subordinate kneels before him, sweating. "M-my lord… the reports are true. The dungeon has been cleared."

The lord's eyes narrow slightly. "By who?"

"That's… what we're trying to find out, sir. The Adventurer Guild has no record of the team that accomplished it. Every group inside claims they were still on the lower floors when they got teleported."

The lord leans back in his chair, thoughtful. "No one? Not even the high-level Tier 6 expedition team that entered three days ago?"

The subordinate swallows hard. "They… were expelled with everyone else. None of them claim credit."

A long silence fills the hall.

The city lord finally exhales, his fingers tapping the table. "Hmph. So someone finally cleared the dungeon… yet no one dares to claim it."

He looks toward the window, where the faint shimmer of the dungeon barrier can still be seen in the distance. "Even with my strength, and five high-level Tier 6 adventurers, we couldn't defeat the boss at the fifth floor."

The kneeling subordinate finally looks up—a beastkin with silver fur and sharp eyes, his presence carrying an unmistakable Tier 6 aura. "My lord," he says, his tone steady but curious, "if you permit it, I would like to investigate this matter personally."

The city lord turns his gaze toward him, amber eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light. "You want to find out who did it?"

"Yes," the subordinate replies, rising to his feet. His clawed hands rest calmly behind his back. "Someone capable of clearing that dungeon, is not a simple individuals. Knowing who they are could prevent future problems for the city."

The lord studies him for a long moment, then lets out a quiet, thoughtful hum. "You've always been cautious, Varun. That's why I keep you close."

Varun bows his head slightly. "Then you approve?"

The city lord stands, walking toward the window where the distant shimmer of the city's barrier faintly glows against the twilight. "Go," he says finally, his voice low but firm. "But listen well—do not offend whoever it is."

Varun's brow furrows slightly. "You believe they're that dangerous, my lord?"

The lord turns his head, his expression unreadable. "Anyone who could clear the Wailing Catacombs, is beyond what our city can afford to provoke." His gaze hardens. "Even I felt death breathing down my neck on that fifth floor. If they defeated that thing, then they're not someone we should treat as an equal—they're someone we bow to, if necessary."

Varun inclines his head, understanding. "I'll approach with respect, my lord. I'll learn who they are, and what their intentions might be."

"Good," the lord says, his tone softening slightly. "Take a small team only—no soldiers in uniform. Move quietly."

"Yes, my lord."

Varun turns to leave, but the city lord's voice stops him.

"And Varun," the lord adds, eyes still fixed on the horizon, "if you find them…" His lips curve into a faint, wry smile. "…invite them."

Varun's tail flicks behind him, his expression calm. "Understood."

He bows once more before disappearing into the shadowed corridor.

----

The sun hangs low over Sona City as Alix arrived at the bustling Adventurer's Guild. The great stone building looms ahead, its banners fluttering in the wind.

He pushes open the doors and steps inside. The noise of chatter and laughter washes over him; the guild is alive with gossip about the dungeon's sudden cleared.

Behind the front counter, a familiar receptionist—a catfolk woman with sleek gray fur and sharp golden eyes—spots him immediately. Her ears twitch, and her tail flicks once in surprise.

"Sir!" she says, eyes widening slightly before breaking into a teasing grin. "Well, look who's not a corpse. Welcome back—it's good to see you in one piece."

Alix opens his mouth to reply, but she keeps going, waving her quill dismissively. "You must've gotten caught in the teleport when the dungeon cleared, right? Don't worry, happens to the best of us. It's fine to fail a mission every now and then."

Alix blinks, a faint look of confusion crossing his face. "…Fail?"

She nods confidently, pulling out a form. "Of course! Everyone got thrown out before finishing their objectives. It's chaos right now—"

"I'm not here for a refund," Alix says calmly, reaching into his storage. He pulls out a vial, its glass faintly glowing with silver light. Inside, delicate leaves pulse with living mana—the Elder Vein.

The receptionist freezes mid-sentence, the tip of her quill scratching a line across the form. "Wait… what?"

Alix sets the vial gently on the counter. "I'm here to turn in the mission. I succeeded."

For a few seconds, she just stares at the vial, unblinking. Then she leans forward, tail stiff, eyes wide in disbelief. "I—uh—hold on…"

She snatches a small crystal from beneath the desk, pressing it over the herb. The crystal glows green instantly—confirming authenticity.

The woman's jaw drops. "It's… real. It's actually real."

Alix tilts his head slightly. "So, do I get the completion mark?"

She doesn't answer right away, still gaping between him and the glowing herb. "Y-you mean… you went that deep? Elder Vein only grows on the fourth floor! Even high-tier adventuring teams, whole groups of Tier 6's can't reach that safely!"

A few nearby guild members perk up, turning toward the counter. Whispers start to spread like wildfire.

"Did she just say Elder Vein?"

"Wait, from that floor 4?"

"No way—a solo adventurer brought it back?"

The receptionist shakes her head, finally snapping out of it. She straightens her posture quickly, clearing her throat, though her tail still flicks with nervous excitement. "A-ah, yes! Of course, Sir Alix. Please forgive my earlier assumption. I'll process your mission right away."

She slides a gold-etched plaque across the counter.

Shortly after, Alix picks up a bag of gold, claiming the five million gold reward for the mission without a hint of surprise.

The receptionist hesitates before speaking again, voice softer now. "…If I may ask, Sir Alix, did you see who cleared the dungeon? Everyone's been talking about it. No one's taken credit."

Alix glances briefly toward the window, where faint echoes of the dungeon's distant glow still shimmer in the skyline. "No idea," he says quietly, his tone unreadable.

Then he turns back to her. "Is there anything else I need to sign?"

She blinks, caught off guard by his calmness, and shakes her head quickly. "N-no, that's everything, Sir Alix. You've earned your reward."

Alix gives a small, faint smile. "I see."

He turns to leave, the murmurs behind him growing louder. Every step he takes draws more curious glances, some impressed, some envious. But Alix pays them no mind.

Outside, the sun has dipped lower, bathing the streets of Sona City in soft amber light. The air is warm and alive with chatter.