Danmachi: Strongest Familia

[TL/N: Merry Christmas Everyone!]

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Floor 27

Adventurers crowded the 27th floor, far more than usual, creating an unprecedented buzz in a territory typically ruled by Amphisbaena, the floor master.

Perched on the high cliff's edge, the dark faction forces had claimed a prime, defensible position. Their preparations were complete, including a lineup of "monster parade" collected from nearby floors, along with the floor master Amphisbaena, who had been lured to target adventurers caught in their trap.

Valletta, Olivas, and other dark faction leaders planned to unleash these monsters on the adventurers, leaving their corpses mingled with dark faction casualties to deceive the guild. Their aim was simple: to spark terror, clawing their way back to power in Orario under the dark faction's banner.

So far, everything was going as planned. Waves of monsters crashed against the adventurers' makeshift defense lines, a precarious formation that began to buckle under the onslaught. The sheer number of monsters was overwhelming, and with Amphisbaena circling ominously in the water, the situation grew dire.

Finally, with a devastating strike from Amphisbaena's dragon breath, the frontline warrior collapsed, weakening the adventurers' line. Healers struggled to revive them, but to no avail.

"Now's our chance! Attack, everyone!" Valletta shouted, seizing the moment.

At her command, dark faction adventurers surged forward from all sides, smashing through the fragile defense line. Unlike monsters, these enemies had a sinister intelligence, targeting vulnerable mages and healers with ruthless precision. In close quarters, the fragile spellcasters and archers were helpless prey.

As soon as the backline fell, the remaining warriors found themselves helpless, surrounded by monsters on all sides. Panic spread, and the defense line crumbled as deserters began to flee. Within minutes, the once-bustling floor was littered with corpses, a grim sea of blood and remains that stained the rushing waterfall red.

Sensing victory was close, the dark faction's morale surged. Under Valletta's command, they regrouped and formed a solid line at the floor's entrance, trapping the fleeing adventurers with monsters and the floor master at their backs. A suffocating despair filled the air, leaving those still alive with little hope of escape. Most of their ranged fighters had already perished, making it impossible to mount any effective counterattack.

But then, Valletta felt an inexplicable sense of dread.

Everything had been proceeding smoothly. Why this sudden anxiety?

Before she could grasp the cause, a wave of weakness swept over her body, draining her strength. She looked around in alarm, noticing her companions staring back, equally stricken. It was as if all their power had vanished in an instant, leaving them frail and defenseless.

"The God Blessing!?" Valletta realized, piecing it together swiftly. 'Something must have gone wrong!'

Unbeknownst to Valletta, far above the dungeon, in Orario, several beams of divine light had descended, just as they had on the day when Erebus sent back the fallen Gods. This time, the beams were even more numerous, casting dark faction members back into a state of powerlessness, effectively turning them into ordinary humans.

In an instant, the battlefield shifted. The dark faction members, who had relied on their divine blessings to repel monsters, were now vulnerable. Without their skills or strength, they stood exposed to the monsters' merciless instincts.

The monsters paused, as if sensing the sudden shift, and turned toward the dark faction members. Even Amphisbaena emerged from the water, its massive eyes fixed on them with newfound interest. The creatures, programmed to prey on weakness, now saw these defenseless dark faction members as prime targets.

Panic erupted as the dark faction members scattered under the floor master's deadly gaze. Amphisbaena prepared a powerful attack, scattering them with ease. Without the blessings of God's Blessing, any strike from the monster was lethal.

As the dark faction's lines dissolved into chaos, the adventurers—now heartened by their enemy's collapse—renewed their resolve. Desperation ignited a fierce will to survive, pushing aside their fears.

The 27th floor was plunged into an all-out brawl. Monsters, dark faction members, and adventurers fought in a whirlwind of violence. Friend and foe were indistinguishable in the pandemonium.