Published: January 24, 2026
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—Tsutolairu District Outskirts, Northeast Area: Near the Fourth Dungeon—
Some time after Selma issued the state of emergency declaration to all residents of Tsutolairu, the district and its surroundings had turned into a living hell.
Fires flared up here and there throughout the town, and incessant screams echoed everywhere.
Moreover, outside the town, in addition to the Second Dungeon where Selma and her group were headed, demonic beasts were emerging from the Fourth Dungeon, where Katina and her team had been advancing.
A massive number of demonic beasts were invading towards Tsutolairu.
“Damn it! No matter how many we take down, they just keep coming endlessly!”
Barnard, a defender belonging to the silver rabbits of the night sky who had been assigned to the group suppressing the demonic beasts emerging from the Fourth Dungeon, grumbled as the number of monsters showed no sign of decreasing.
“If you have time to complain, then hunt down even one more!”
Anthem, also from the silver rabbits of the night sky, responded sharply to Barnard’s remark.
“I know that! But still, this might not be the time to say it, but this is the first time we’ve teamed up since last year’s guided exploration. You’ve definitely improved your skills since then.”
“You’re no different. You’re joking around like this in the middle of all this chaos.”
Anthem and Barnard were the two defenders who had accompanied the silver rabbits of the night sky as leaders during last year’s guided exploration.
Both of their parties had reached the 89th floor of the Great Labyrinth.
“I’m not joking around. If I don’t do this, I can’t take it…!”
Amid occasional exchanges, Anthem, Barnard, and the other defenders were drawing the bulk of the demonic beasts’ attention, holding back the invasion.
At that moment, Katina, who was in charge of commanding this group, issued orders to the explorers through her amplifying magical tool.
“Twenty seconds until the rear attackers’ interval ends! Once the interval’s over, we’ll switch back to wide-range attacks by the rear attackers! Frontline attackers, fall back once! Defenders, maintain the frontline as is!”
Following Katina’s command, the frontline attackers timed their retreat behind the defenders, while the resting mages began constructing new techniques.
Then Katina raised her voice again through the amplifying magical tool.
“Wide-range attack, countdown! Three, two, one—attack start!”
At Katina’s signal, a barrage of offensive magic rained down on the hordes of demonic beasts.
At the same time, Anthem’s team swapped places with the other defender group.
Despite being overwhelmed by sheer numbers, the explorers managed to hold the line since the demonic beasts were about as strong as those inhabiting the middle layers of the Great Labyrinth.
“Hah… hah… This many is seriously tough… Is the town okay…?”
Barnard, taking a breather away from the frontline, muttered as he glanced at the numerous plumes of smoke rising beyond the outer walls.
“…This is not a situation to take lightly. This is, with very high probability, an attack by the Empire. We have to prepare for the worst-case scenario…”
“What worst-case, Anthem!?”
Barnard pressed Anthem, who bore a pained expression.
“…The enemy’s already crushed the most organized guild in Tsutolairu first. So, the next likely targets are either the nobles, including Marquis Forgus, or us, since we’re the next most organized after the guild…”
“…”
Barnard could only fall silent; he had been suspecting as much but could not argue against Anthem’s words.
Most of Tsutolairu’s explorers had been dispatched to fight the invading demonic beasts within the city.
The remaining few were working alongside the territorial army to guide non-combatant residents to safety.
“We can’t abandon this position if we want to keep the demonic beasts out of the town. All we can do is pray our guild members have evacuated safely.”