On the safe floor, Hermes appeared for reasons unknown.

"Tch, Freya's really overbearing. Making me do her dirty work and take the blame," Hermes muttered, half-lounging on a tree branch in a forest, tossing a strange orb.

On a nearby tree, Jose, a Level 3 adventurer from the Hermes Familia, looked on helplessly.

"Lord Hermes, if Lady Asfi finds out, I'm not covering for you," Jose said. He'd stayed on the surface to protect Hermes when Asfi and the others left for their mission.

Asfi knew their god's knack for stirring trouble and making enemies.

Without a guard, Hermes might be sent back to heaven by some impulsive foe.

But Jose couldn't outwit Hermes, who sweet-talked him into bringing him to the dungeon.

Jose knew Hermes was up to no good, so he preemptively distanced himself from the mess.

Hermes smirked, unfazed. Blame all you want—you brought me here. Asfi will know, and no excuse will save you.

"I wonder when Orsted will return," Hermes mused, eyeing the orb.

He was here on Freya's orders.

She'd shadowed his investigation of Orsted, and to appease her, he agreed to a task.

He thought it'd be minor, but it was outrageous: deliver this orb to the 18th floor and activate it when Orsted appeared.

Hermes knew the orb contained divine power and godly pressure. Activating it would trigger a monster party.

He wasn't sure of the consequences, but the dungeon would go berserk.

If discovered, the Hermes Familia would face severe Guild punishment.

He could've sent a subordinate, but Hermes wanted to see Orsted's reaction to a monster party firsthand, so he coerced Jose to bring him.

He'd learned Ais and Orsted were on a joint mission with his Familia.

They'd likely return with Asfi's group, who could protect him if the dungeon rioted.

For Ais, he'd have Jose lie, saying Loki needed her back on the surface.

Orsted wouldn't leave immediately—his Hestia Familia members were resting on the 18th floor.

Hermes was thrilled to hear from Rivira adventurers about Lili and the others' feats.

As Orsted's subordinates, their strength would bolster him, fueling Hermes' hopes for Orsted's rapid rise.

Seeing Hermes ignore him, Jose sighed.

"Why the sigh, Jose? Check the passage for Asfi's group and report back," Hermes said, smiling.

"Fine," Jose sighed again, jumping down and heading to the passage from the 18th to the 19th floor.

Luck was on his side. Soon after arriving, Orsted and the others emerged.

"Ais, maybe it's just a hunch, but I feel we're in the same boat," Orsted said hesitantly in the dark passage.

"Hm? What do you mean?" Ais tilted her head, puzzled.

"We're both being targeted by whoever's behind the Jewel Fetus," Orsted said, sharing his theory.

He was certain the Corrupted Spirit was after him, just like Ais.

Their situations were similar.

Ais nodded, a slight smile curving her lips.

Despite the dim passage, Orsted caught her expression and frowned.

"Is that funny?" he asked.

"Not funny, but I'm a bit happy," Ais said, returning to her blank look, her tone oddly cute.

Orsted: …

Being targeted made her happy? Annoying.

But knowing Ais's slow, quirky thinking, he let it go.

They soon exited the passage.

"Finally back to the safe floor. Let's rest briefly and head to the surface," Asfi said.

"Sounds good," Orsted agreed.

They moved forward.

But a voice rang out.

"Captain!"

"Jose!"

"No way!" Asfi's eyes twitched, spotting Jose, muttering in disbelief.

---

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