20. A temporary alliance

Dungeon – 13th Floor

The air was thick with tension.

Orcbolg crouched behind a rocky outcrop, watching.

Ahead, a pack of Almiraj moved with unnatural coordination.

They weren't attacking blindly.

They were… waiting.

Observing.

This wasn't normal.

And then—another presence.

Footsteps. Light, but fast.

Orcbolg turned his head—just as Ais Wallenstein stepped into view.

Unexpected Reinforcements

She wasn't alone.

Behind her, Bete Loga and Lefiya Viridis followed.

The Loki Familia.

They saw the Almiraj—but they also saw him.

Ais spoke first.

"You're that adventurer in the black armor."

Orcbolg didn't respond.

Bete scoffed. "What's with the helmet? You scared of showin' your face?"

Orcbolg ignored him. He turned back to the monsters. "Watch."

Bete clicked his tongue, annoyed. "Tch. Who does this guy think he is—?"

Then the Almiraj moved.

They didn't charge immediately.

They spread out, forming a half-circle around the group.

Lefiya's eyes widened. "That's… not normal."

Ais narrowed her gaze. "They're adapting."

Bete's ears twitched. "Tch. Doesn't matter. We'll just kill 'em."

He lunged.

The Almiraj didn't scatter.

Instead, they countered.

A Change in Strategy

Bete landed the first blow—his fist sent one Almiraj flying.

But the others didn't panic.

Instead, they moved together, circling Bete.

Lefiya gasped. "They're setting up a—!"

Trap.

One Almiraj lunged, forcing Bete to dodge—but another attacked from his blind spot.

It was a coordinated assault.

Ais moved instantly. Her sword flashed, cutting the Almiraj down before it could strike.

But the fact that it even got that close was alarming.

Orcbolg studied their movement.

"They're hunting like a pack."

Ais turned to him. "You noticed it too."

He nodded. "Not normal. Something's changing."

Lefiya whispered, "But… monsters shouldn't act like this."

Bete growled. "So what? We just kill 'em before they can try anything!"

Ais, however, was watching Orcbolg.

"You've seen this before, haven't you?"

Orcbolg met her gaze. "Not here. But I know how to deal with it."

A Tactical Counterattack

Orcbolg drew his sword.

"Force them into mistakes. They fight like a pack—so break their formation."

Ais nodded. "I'll follow your lead."

Bete scoffed. "Hah? Since when do we take orders from—?"

Ais was already moving.

Bete groaned. "Tch. Fine. But if this goes wrong, it's on you, helmet guy!"

Lefiya stayed back, preparing magic.

Orcbolg studied the Almiraj movement.

Then, in a low voice:

"Now."

Ais dashed forward. She feinted an attack, forcing the Almiraj to shift.

Bete followed up—his sudden charge cut off their escape route.

The monsters hesitated.

And in that moment—Orcbolg struck.

A clean, calculated attack.

In seconds, the pack was wiped out.

Lefiya lowered her staff, blinking. "That… worked really well."

Ais nodded. "It was precise."

Bete crossed his arms. "Hmph. Not bad."

Orcbolg simply cleaned his sword.

Then he turned back to the markings on the dungeon wall.

Ais followed his gaze. "...You saw it too."

The strange symbols.

Orcbolg spoke quietly.

"This wasn't random."

Ais nodded. "Something is controlling them."

A silent understanding passed between them.

For now—they had a common goal.