Taking advantage of the chaos in the Imperial Capital, a dozen or so figures dressed in black slipped silently into the passage leading to the Dungeon.
Their leader was a tall woman with a dark red flower tattooed on the right side of her face, barely visible in the darkness.
Her code name was Rose, and she was one of the Demon King Cult's officers.
She was efficient and decisive, and her loyalty to Melina was beyond question. Whatever task the Goddess Princess entrusted to her, she would complete it even at the cost of her life.
"Keep up, everyone. Stay quiet."
Rose swept a sharp gaze over the cultists behind her. "Our objective is to investigate as much of the Dungeon as possible. Don't get drawn into fights along the way."
"Understood!"
The group made its way down the passage.
Not long after they entered the First Floor proper, a young cultist couldn't help asking in a low voice:
"I heard the Dungeon is full of vicious monsters. Is it really safe for us to come in like this? Besides, how does investigating the Dungeon benefit the Demon King?"
"Shut up."
Without looking back, Rose said coldly:
"If the Cult Leader sent us here, she must have her reasons. Are you questioning her decision?"
"N-no, I wouldn't dare!" The young cultist hurriedly shook his head.
An older cultist beside him patted his shoulder and offered quiet reassurance:
"Don't worry. Our task is only to investigate, so we can just avoid any monsters we see."
The young cultist finally relaxed considerably after hearing that, reasoning that if that was all they had to do, there really shouldn't be much danger.
But just then, several scouts up ahead came rushing back:
"L-Lady Rose...! Come take a look at this!"
Rose immediately