The Ikelos Familia! / Freya: What Do You Mean, "Sacrificing Ten Thousand Years of Goddess Freya's Lifespan"?

"Ah!"

An arrow plunged straight into the bald man's shoulder.

Pfft—Pfft—

It struck his right shoulder, leaving him unable to keep knocking away the incoming swords.

Then, one sword after another stabbed into his body.

Thud—

Pierced by several swords, he collapsed, no longer able to run.

"Who exactly are you?!"

Though the bald man lying on the ground had suffered serious injuries all over his body, they only made his already fierce face look even more vicious.

"You tried to ambush me without even knowing who I am?"

"Brother, I'll admit defeat this time. Name your price."

"Sorry, but I'm not that forgiving. The best outcome for anyone who means me harm is to be buried in the ground."

"You—"

Pfft—

Without hesitation, Cao Ye swung his sword and slit the man's throat, sending him on his way.

The Ikelos Familia!

Cao Ye looked around. Only after sensing no further malicious intent did he finally relax.

Plop—

Just as Cao Ye was about to dispose of the bald man's body, something like a small sphere fell from his clothes.

It bore a strange design, resembling some kind of totem or rune.

A ring of golden patterns surrounded a vivid crimson eye. At the sight of it, Cao Ye's pupils contracted.

"A key to the artificial labyrinth?"

In DanMachi, the Xenos arc had raised quite a few questions, including the darkness hidden in the shadows of Orario.

Glancing once more at the bald man's corpse, Cao Ye's expression darkened slightly.

He tore open the clothes on the man's back. There was no Falna there; it must have been sealed, which was only natural. As a Dark Faction member, he naturally had to conceal his Falna information.

After all, Falna information was like a person's [status panel], exposing everything without reservation.