The Surface Maze District

"Daedalus".

This is the name of a very famous craftsman from about a thousand years ago.

In the era shortly after the gods descended a thousand years ago, that master craftsman designed and built a vast residential area in the southeastern part of the Labyrinth City of Orario. However, due to his excessive obsession with the labyrinthine structure of Dungeon, he ended up creating a labyrinthine street with an extremely complex and strange structure, full of confusion.

This maze-like street is famous for its intricate staircases and chaotic roads that extend to every corner of the district, earning it the nickname "the Dungeon on the surface." Even locals can get lost and unable to find their way out, let alone outsiders. Here, you'll see spaces that can only be described as chaotic, twisted passages, unnaturally protruding square rooms from the walls, countless mixed staircases, and filthy, juxtaposed houses forming alleyways. The multi-layered structure is like a Dungeon divided into several levels. If you ignore the clothes drying on ropes and the elderly playing chess casually, you might have to worry about a monster suddenly jumping out from any corner to attack you.

Due to the overly complex terrain, even guilds were unable to operate smoothly here. As a result, repeated zoning efforts led to the loss of order, turning the area into a near-lawless zone and making this vast residential area inhabited by the city's poor.

It is said that once someone accidentally enters this place, even a high-level adventurer may never be able to come out again.

As for the reasons why they couldn't get out... they were either trapped inside, completely lost and unable to find their way, or they were drawn into illegal activities and were eaten alive by the criminals hiding there. In the end, they either died in some corner or lost their freedom and were sold off with a price tag.

It can be said that this place is both a slum in the city and a dark area that cannot be seen in the light of day.

Because the designer and builder was named Daedalus, the place was eventually named Daedalus Street.

Normally, ordinary citizens would never approach this place, and even daring adventurers would try to avoid getting involved here. As a result, only well-dressed local residents would walk around the intricate network of narrow passages with ease.

But when a group of fully armed adventurers, clearly with ill intentions, appeared here, the residents stopped in their tracks in unison. Then, as if they had agreed beforehand, they quickly scattered in all directions and disappeared in an instant.

That behavior practically screamed "I don't want to cause trouble" on its forehead.

These adventurers who appeared in groups on Daedalus Street were none other than the Loki Familia.

The leaders were naturally Finn, Riveria Ljos Alf, and Gareth.

Bete Loga, Tiona, Tione stood casually to the side of the three clan leaders.

Further back, closer to the center, Leo and Ais were inseparable and naturally staying together, with Lefiya Viridis acting as a third wheel next to them.

With the addition of Raul, Anakitty, Alicia, and others, almost all the well-known members of the Loki Familia were present. Even Loki himself was there, clapping his hands at the crowd.

"Alright, just like we discussed at home, let's all investigate this thoroughly together here!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, then at the intricate maze-like street before them, and none of them wanted to speak. "Are we really going to investigate here?" Tiona asked, her face long and her expression full of confusion. "In a place like this, I'm worried I'll get lost just walking around. Where am I even supposed to begin?"

The others were also stumped and didn't know what to do.

It wasn't that they lacked the ability to act, but rather that the terrain of Daedalus Street was truly daunting. Just standing there and looking at it made one unsure where to begin or even take a step, let alone actually conducting an investigation.

"We know this is asking the impossible, but what can we do when we only have these few meager clues?" Loki said, spreading his hands. "We can only work together, step by step, to search and inquire diligently."

That's really the situation; there's truly no other way to do it right now.

"Cheer up, everyone."

Finally, it was Finn, the captain, who spoke up and gave instructions to everyone.

"First, we'll split up to investigate. Some will be responsible for on-site surveys and finding clues, while others will be responsible for communicating with the residents and gathering information."

"Of course, while it's good to be separated, it's best to do activities in groups of several people so that you can look out for each other and avoid situations where someone gets lost if you're too spread out."

"Besides, this is Daedalus Street, where we're very likely to run into illegal people or things. Be careful, don't get caught in a trap." Following Finn's advice, the group did indeed start looking for acquaintances nearby to team up with.

The sisters Tiona and Tione were naturally together, along with several other female members, including Anakitty.

Finn and Gareth were together, Raul volunteered to join them, and there were several other male members as well.

Riveria Ljos Alf, along with Alicia, or rather, the elves led by Alicia, swarmed around the respected royal family member without explanation and followed her relentlessly.

Bete Loga, on the other hand, threw out the statement "I'm all alone," and then turned and left, taking his maverick lifestyle to the extreme.

As for Leo, he and Ais stood together the whole time, never separating from each other, and neither of them ever thought about separating.

With Ais (her sweetheart) around, and Leo (her rival) around, a certain elf girl naturally wouldn't be able to resist following her around like a ghost. "You're already Level 4, why are you still following Ais around all day?"

Leo gave the elven girl a half-smile, only to be met with a glare in return.

"You're already Level 6, and you're still spending all your time entangled with Miss Ais!"

Lefiya Viridis said this indignantly.

"Um... everyone, calm down, let's not fight."

Lefiya had arrived at some point and was desperately trying to break up the fight.

These were the four of them, arguing and shouting as they broke away from the group and walked into the dark alley.

Tiona originally intended to bring people with her, but Tione wanted to go with Finn, so both Leo Finn simply abandoned them and left on their own.

"It seems like it's been a long time since we teamed up, hasn't it, Lefiya?"

Looking at Lefiya, who was wearing glasses, carrying a bag, and holding a short cane typically used by healers, Leo suddenly said, "Has it been a long time?" Lefiya tilted her head, puzzled, and asked, "I don't think so?"

Indeed, if we count the time, the last time Leo teamed up with Lefiya was only two months ago.

Before Lv.3, Leo always teamed up with Lefiya. The opportunities to team up decreased after Lv.3. After returning from the last expedition and leveling up to Lv.4, he never teamed up again, but that was only for about two months.

Two months isn't a long time, really.

However, if we're talking about levels, that would take a while.

The last time the two teamed up was when Leo was around Lv.3, before the expedition two years prior. Leo is now Lv.6, three levels higher than before.

These three levels would take anyone, even a prodigy like Ais, about ten years to achieve. Unlike Leo, who only took about two months, it's simply inhuman.

"We were rarely in the same location during the expedition, so it feels like it's been a long time since we've worked together like this."

Leo certainly felt that way.

"Well... I'm quite ashamed." Lefiya twisted her fingers, looking dejected, and said, "Mr. Leo is already Lv.6, Miss Ais has also reached Lv.6, even Lefiya Viridis has reached Lv.4, only I... am still stuck in the same place."

Of the four present, only Lefiya has not yet leveled up; she is still at Lv.2.

Back when she and Leo first teamed up, Leo was just a rookie Lv.1, not even an advanced adventurer yet, incredibly inexperienced.

Now that Leo has already reached Lv.6, she is still Lv.2, which makes Lefiya somewhat frustrated.

She hadn't thought about becoming particularly strong; it was just that everyone else was growing and moving forward, while she was still standing still, which inevitably made Lefiya feel disappointed.

"You can't say that, can you?" Leo, seeing this, patted Lefiya's head and said, "You're a support role, a healer who won't be on the front lines. Even during expeditions, you won't have the chance to fight monsters. Isn't it normal that you haven't leveled up?" "Yes, healers are different from other positions. Your level doesn't affect your importance at all," Lefiya Viridis quickly added. "Isn't that [Battlefield Saintess] also Lv.2?"

The "Saintess of the Battlefield" mentioned by Lefiya Viridis refers to Amid Theasanare, one of Orario's top healers. She is Orario's most outstanding healer, not only one of fewer than five people in the entire city to possess a "mysterious" development ability, but also has a healing magic called "Dia Frattel," which is considered an overpowered ability.

It is said that this magic can cure everything.

It can heal not only wounds, but also abnormal statuses and curses, restore physical strength, and even perform group healing. It is the highest-level healing magic known to date.

In terms of healing ability alone, even Riveria Ljos Alf, who is hailed as the city's strongest Mage, cannot compete with her.

As for her level, as Lefiya Viridis said, it was only Lv.2.

"A therapist's skill level isn't determined by their rank. Even a Level 1 therapist can become the best, so you can't measure your worth by your rank."

No one knew better Leo how fortunate it was to have a healer by your side to provide healing while conquering Dungeon.

A healer is the lifeline of a team, sometimes holding a more important position than a level 1 adventurer.

"Everyone values you highly. Lady Riveria Ljos Alf has said more than once that anyone can get into trouble on an expedition, but you can't get into trouble," Lefiya Viridis said, fully demonstrating Lefiya's importance.

"I... I understand."

Lefiya wasn't one to wallow in self-pity; after being comforted by Leo and Lefiya Viridis, she immediately felt better.

She's just a support staff member; you can't keep bringing up her rank.

Her duty is to support those on the front lines, not to compare herself to them.

"Lefiya is amazing."

Ais, who had been unsure how to interject, finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Th-thank you, Miss Ais," seeing that Lefiya had come to her senses.

Lefiya immediately thanked her, looking embarrassed.

The four of them followed a separate road, but as they walked, they discovered that the road ahead seemed to have countless paths, extending outwards like a grid.

Countless steps and ramps stretch up and down, some forming spirals, others twisting and turning endlessly, making one dizzy just looking at them.

Looking up, strange buildings jutted out like cliffs, one after another, with intricate stone skywalks. The cluster of buildings and street scenes, constructed of blackened bricks and tiles, resembled an optical illusion, giving even adventurers familiar with maze-like terrain a headache. "W-how do we get through this?"

Lefiya Viridis was completely dizzy, feeling as if she had been thrown into an unknown territory.

"I'll draw the map."

Lefiya, the healer who was responsible for supporting the combat troops in all aspects, hurriedly took out paper and pen from her bag, but before she could start drawing, she was stopped by Leo.

"If drawing maps were useful, the guild would have done it already." Leo shook his head and pointed to a spot, saying, "Let's look at the road signs instead."

Yes, there are road signs in many places along Daedalus Street.

Without road signs, even locals would get lost, so this place is simply uninhabitable.

There are bright red lines painted on the walls to indicate the direction of the entrance. If you follow these signs, you shouldn't get lost.

Of course, this only applies to not getting lost.

"We're not looking for the entrance; we're looking for traces of the hidden enemies."

Lefiya Viridis said with a troubled expression.

Then...

"Then don't follow the signs," Leo suggested. "After all, those shady characters won't stay where there are signs; they'll just stray from the crowd and find secluded places to hide."

After Leo said that, everyone realized that it was indeed the case.

There are no directional signs on this road.

Lefiya accurately found one of the paths.

That road was particularly remote, far removed from the main road.

"Let's go take a look."

Leo took the lead and walked at the very front.

"... Don't get lost later."

Lefiya Viridis was still a little worried, but seeing that Ais followed in Leo's footsteps without hesitation, she quickly followed after him as well.

"Drawing a map..."

Lefiya quickly drew up a route map, just to make sure they didn't get lost.

The four disappeared at a secluded intersection and were quickly out of sight.