"Is this... the dungeon's fourth floor?"
"Nn."
Byune gave a small nod in response to Elena’s muttered question as she surveyed their surroundings.
"Byune, why did you bring us here?"
"Nn—!"
Byune shook her head with a slight frown at Vihera’s follow-up. Rei was the first to realize the meaning behind her gesture.
"You didn't want to be a public spectacle back there anymore, right?"
"Nn!"
She nodded emphatically, as if to say exactly.
Rei understood because he had felt the same way. While he was one of the central figures in the commotion, the discomfort of being gawked at was something he and Byune shared. Actually, considering Byune was a completely uninvolved party who got dragged into the drama, her desire to escape must have been far stronger than his.
"Nn!"
She pointed toward the passage leading from the room with the stairs and magic circle to the rest of B4F. Vihera, having known her for a while, seemed to be the only one who truly understood the gesture.
"Are you sure? You mentioned wanting to head to the lower floors today."
"Nn."
Byune nodded to indicate it wasn't an issue. Then, her gaze turned toward the two people and two beasts: Rei, Elena, Seto, and Ielo.
"Wait, you want Rei and the others to come with us?"
"Nn."
"...That's rare. You usually don't like teaming up with others."
Vihera noted this, though her own partnership with Byune was apparently an exception.
"Nn—, nn."
Maybe it's because she can actually communicate with Byune, Rei thought as he watched them. After a brief exchange, Vihera turned her eyes back toward Rei and Elena.
"Why don't we try working together for today? Byune seems to prefer it."
"...With you?"
Elena asked, her brow furrowing, but Vihera simply shrugged.
"I don't mind as long as it's what Byune wants. Besides, as long as Rei is here, it doesn't really matter if you are or not."
"Don't be absurd. Why would I ever leave Rei alone with an exhibitionist like you? Rei and I are in a party; if he stays, I stay. Besides... a thief cat needs a watchful eye."
"Oh? It must be exhausting to be a woman so insecure about her own charms. Rei, wouldn't you rather choose me over such a strait-laced person? I promise I won't try to tie you down."
She directed the invitation at Rei, but her eyes never left Elena. It was blatant provocation, and Elena took the bait, glaring back with sharp intensity. Vihera met the gaze with a playful smile.
"Are we going to fight? I'm perfectly fine with that."
As Vihera took a combative stance while still wearing her gauntlets, Rei let out a long sigh.
"Cut it out, it's definitely a problem. More importantly, why are we on B4F?"
Rei forcefully steered the conversation away. Elena was curious about that as well, so she reluctantly put her grudge against Vihera on hold. However, it was clear she had permanently marked the woman as a threat.
Unaware of Elena’s internal warnings—though she likely would have welcomed the challenge anyway—Vihera and Byune looked at Rei with wide eyes.
"You don't know? Elena, you neither?"
"I see no reason to let my name pass your lips, but... what are you talking about?"
"...Good grief. This is basic knowledge for anyone exploring the dungeon."
"Nn."
Byune nodded in agreement. Rei and Elena shared a puzzled look. Beside them, Seto and Ielo tilted their heads in perfect synchronicity.
"Nn."
The sight must have appealed to Byune. She reached out and gently patted the heads of Seto and Ielo, who accepted the affection quietly. Vihera watched the scene with a brief, warm smile before returning to her senses and continuing her explanation.
"You've used dungeon cards to teleport to floors you've cleared before, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, even if you're in a group, you can only teleport as far as your own progress allows. For example, if an adventurer who reached B10F and another who reached B20F try to teleport together, the device will only let them go as far as B10F."
"...How does it determine who is acting together?"
"The teleportation device handles that. It's an ancient magic device, so it has all sorts of unimaginable functions. Some people think it reads the user's thoughts, but the details are a mystery. These devices are so rare that the authorities won't allow any invasive research for fear of breaking them."
Rei and Elena were genuinely surprised. Despite their prior research, this was news to them.
"So, the reason you and Byune were sent to B4F was because that's the limit for Elena and me?"
"Exactly. Personally, I would have preferred a floor with more challenging enemies. How about you, Byune?"
"Nn—... nn!"
Byune thought for a moment before nodding. Her face remained a stoic, expressionless mask. Still, Vihera seemed able to read her emotions through subtle cues. She smiled and patted the head of the girl, who barely reached her waist.
Huh. So she can make a face like that too, Rei noted. Most of the expressions he’d seen from Vihera were either seductive or provocative—though the nature of the provocation differed depending on whether it was aimed at him or Elena.
"I see you're capable of more than one expression. I’m almost surprised. I might have to rethink my impression of you as just an exhibitionist thief cat."
"Oh? My, my. The woman with the embarrassing alias of 'Princess General' is talking big despite her lack of confidence. Is that a challenge? Because I'll gladly accept. I'll even give you a ninety percent discount on the beating."
Vihera raised her fists with a grin. It was a sharp, dangerous smile, nothing like the one she had just shown Byune.
How does she do that with the same smile? Rei sighed again. He had lost count of how many times he had done so today. Byune patted Rei’s shoulder, then reached up to stroke his red hair through his hood.
"Nn."
It felt like she was trying to comfort him. Rei turned back to the two women and spoke up.
"Look, just stop the fighting. So, to get this straight, Byune and Vihera are joining us today? Honestly, for people who have reached the deeper floors, this seems like a waste of time."
Vihera and Byune both nodded.
"Oh? Byune too? Well, fine. For me, getting to watch you and this strait-laced person fight up close is reward enough."
"Hmph. Who are you calling strait-laced?" Elena muttered, but Vihera ignored her and looked at Byune.
"Nn."
Byune pulled several small bottles from a pouch at her waist. They were about five centimeters tall, made of blue glass, and filled with a liquid.
"What are those?" Rei asked.
"Ah, I see," Vihera said at the same time.
"What is it?"
"It's the liquid harvested from seal worms. They're common on B4F. The fluid hardens within seconds of touching the air, so you have to keep it in a specially treated bottle."
"Seal worm? Right, those caterpillar-like monsters."
Rei mentally recalled the entry from the monster dictionary. Seal worms were white caterpillars about fifty centimeters long. Their main trait was spitting a fluid that hardened into a binding agent. It was strong enough to stop movement but could be broken with sufficient force. They were Rank E monsters. The proof of subjugation part was the right fang, which was also the only harvestable material.
"You mean the stuff they spit? What do you even do with that?"
"Nn!"
Byune thrust the bottle forward indignantly. Vihera chuckled at her sulking.
"It’s not well-known, but seal worm liquid is a useful material in alchemy. Usually, it doesn't sell for much, though."
"Usually?"
"Right. But there's someone who developed a unique process to use it for making magic items. Since Byune has a connection with that person, she can sell it for a much higher price."
"Someone? Who?"
Rei was curious, but Vihera just smiled and parried the question. It seemed that even with her interest in Rei, there were secrets she wouldn't share.
"Anyway, that's why we don't mind staying on this floor with you."
"I am here as well, you know," Elena interjected.
"Oh, were you? I suppose I'll let you tag along too, then."
"Is that so? You really do want to pick a fight—"
"Nn!"
Before another spat could erupt, Byune stepped between them with her arms spread wide. Her wordless posture made Elena hesitate. Vihera simply sighed and lowered her fists. Rei seized the opening. If they didn't start moving now, they never would.
"Alright, let's get moving. Byune, you're the thief, so you and Vihera take the lead. Elena and I will be the midguard with her whip-sword and my Death Scythe. Seto and Ielo, you're the rearguard."
As he spoke, Rei drew the Death Scythe from the misty ring. It was a shaft exceeding 2m, topped with a massive blade. It was a magnificent, captivating weapon. Even Vihera let out a breath of genuine wonder.
"So this is your real weapon..." she whispered.
Byune, who had seen it once before, still widened her eyes slightly. However, both of them were professionals and quickly regained their composure.
"I wouldn't usually recommend a long-handled weapon in a dungeon... but I suppose for you, it isn't an issue."
"Nn."
"He's right," Elena added. "If anyone but Rei tried to use such a ridiculous thing, I’d tell them to switch to a normal sword immediately."
"You're one to talk, Elena. Your weapon is a whip-sword disguised as a longsword. It's way harder to use than my Death Scythe."
"A great scythe and a whip-sword... you both use such bizarre things," Vihera muttered in exasperation.
"I don't want to hear that from someone who fights with gauntlets and greaves," Elena snapped back. "Besides, Rei and I are wearing proper armor and robes. What is that outfit of yours supposed to be? I refuse to call it armor."
Vihera’s clothes barely covered her breasts and lower body, looking more like lingerie than anything else. Layered over it were several pieces of fabric so thin they were translucent. To an outsider, she looked more like a dancer or a prostitute than an adventurer.
In response to Elena’s judging glare—which also carried a silent warning that it was bad for Rei’s eyes—Vihera just smiled provocatively and struck a pose.
"Don't worry. This thin raiment is a magic item. It's highly resistant to slashing, piercing, and magic. If you tried to cut me with a common blade, the weapon would break before I did."
"And if someone hits you with a hammer or an axe? How's the impact resistance?"
"I just have to make sure I don't get hit."
"Nn!"
Vihera grinned with absolute confidence. Beside her, Byune stood firm, clearly asserting that her own equipment was the most sensible of the lot.