Chapter 139: Destruction or Protection

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Shakti Varma, Captain of the Ganesha Familia, couldn't believe her eyes as a group of Xenos walked out of the Dungeon, hands up in surrender.

The strange hostage situation left her stunned. Monsters being marched out at gunpoint? It felt unreal.

The other Familias were just as shocked. For some Adventurers, especially those deeply afraid of monsters, their nerves finally gave out.

Last time, when the Ikelos Familia brought Xenos to the surface, people had someone to blame. This time, August was unleashing these beasts himself—like a runaway train barreling toward calamity.

"What the hell do you think you're doing??"

A man grabbed his head, his eyes red with anger.

All the fear and frustration from surviving the Dungeon and from feeling weak burst out at once. When people find someone to blame for their hidden anger, they let it all out. August became his target.

Standing behind the armed Xenos, August heard the wild scream. He looked at the man but didn't answer. Instead, he let his actions speak for him.

'Crap.' Finn Deimne realized what was happening and quickly stepped in.

But August reacted even faster.

Bang!

A bullet hit the man's thigh with perfect accuracy.

"Aaaagh!"

The man's scream silenced the crowd. They realized August was serious enough to shoot them.

August moved to the front and met the Infant Dragon's gaze. The creature seemed to understand and crawled over, lowering its head so he could climb on. As August got on its back, it lifted him above the crowd.

"Idiots," August said coldly. "Screaming at me won't change anything."

He shot a cold look at the wounded Adventurer, who was now being treated with potions by his friends.

"As for where these guys came from? That's not your concern. I'm just following the rules."

"RULES??"

"WHAT RULES??"

"HOW THE HELL IS THIS PLAYING BY THE RULES??"

"..." The Adventurers in the crowd nearly lost control. What kind of rule was this supposed to be?

"Kidnapping and smuggling monsters to the surface is an unspoken rule you all tolerate. I hunted these monsters. I brought them to the surface. Completely within the rules."

August ignored the chaos. From his high perch, he used a megaphone to make sure everyone heard him, twisting his actions to reflect the city's own double standards.

"BULLSHIT!"

Letting monsters loose in the city? Bete Loga's eyes went wide. Was this guy crazy? What Familia would allow that? If monsters destroyed a settlement, would that just be called 'Adventurer business'? Bete was the first to protest.

'This was bad.' Only the Captains understood August's real plan.

When he talked about rules, they knew exactly what he meant.

August crossed his arms and looked down his nose at them. "Oho? Did you all forget about the Daedalus family and the Ikelos Familia that quickly?"

He sneered, as if they had all forgotten the past.

"The Ikelos Familia captured and smuggled monsters. And the Daedalus family, the financial backers connected to Dix Perdix, facilitated the surface trade. Since every Familia in this city turns a blind eye to the Daedalus family—you all clearly agree that smuggling monsters isn't a capital offense. Worst-case scenario? I'll pay a fine."

He explained everything clearly. Then, he mocked them without mercy.

"Impossible. The Ganesha Familia will not permit this."

Shakti Varma knew that if she said nothing, her Familia might be forced into a bad situation.

The Ganesha Familia tamed monsters because they hoped people and monsters could one day live together under the Gods' ideals. But that didn't mean they supported illegal monster smuggling.

If this problem got out of hand, what would the other Adventurers think?

More importantly, Shakti understood what August was really trying to do. He was forcing the whole city of Orario into a dangerous situation. He was pushing the Familias down a path that could only end badly.

When August saw her take charge as the city's protector, he realized she understood his plan and was trying to fight it.

"Not my problem."

He respected her, but right now they were on different sides. There was no point in talking more.

"Let's go." August signaled the Siren to lead the way.

Shakti watched him walk away, feeling a heavy weight in her chest. She couldn't argue with him. Her words meant nothing without action.

Then Ais Wallenstein broke from the Loki Familia's ranks. Drawing her indestructible weapon, Desperate, she blocked the path of the Xenos.

"You can communicate with us," she addressed the monsters. "Tell me why you are cooperating with August."

"..." Ais didn't get the complicated politics. She was direct and wanted answers. Why would monsters choose to work with August, even if it meant being shown off as hostages?

Lyd tried to step forward, but Gros took flight and landed directly in front of Ais. It was the Gargoyle's first time standing face to face with the Sword Princess. Bete, Tione, and Tiona tensed instantly, ready to jump in and protect her.

"To be honest, I never trusted you surface dwellers," Gros glared at Ais. "You capture our brethren. You torture them. NONE OF YOU ARE TRUSTWORTHY."

He sensed that Ais was a true warrior who deeply hated monsters, but Gros wasn't afraid of dying. It was the usual problem: blaming everyone for the actions of a few. The Ikelos Familia's crimes couldn't just be forgotten.

"As for that guy? I don't trust him either." Gros pointed at August.

He made it clear he didn't see anyone as a savior. If he couldn't trust humans, he definitely didn't trust someone from another world.

"But..." Gros clenched his fists. "While the rest of you surface dwellers were trying to hurt our brethren, he actually saved them. I can't deny that."

He spoke honestly, and even Ais hesitated at his words.

Compared to what August had done, the other Familias hadn't earned the Xenos' trust. These monsters were surprisingly direct. To the more honest Adventurers, Gros seemed like someone you could have a drink with—if he wasn't a monster.

Gros glanced back at August.

"If what he says is true, if you surface dwellers really do tolerate the smuggling of Dungeon monsters, then for us Xenos, public existence only means endless hunting and death..."

"...Rather than sitting in the dark waiting to be tortured, we might as well roll the dice and go crazy with this guy. At least we're fighting for a chance at the light for the Xenos who come after us."

He was exactly right. If Orario ignored the Daedalus family, the nightmare would go on. Waiting quietly meant a slow death. It was better to take a risk.

At least August was honest and showed all his cards.

"A hero, huh?" Finn Deimne muttered his own alias.

He was called the Braver, a hero who hunted monsters. But if humanity fell because they allowed monster smuggling, he would be blamed in the town square. The Pallum race could be wiped out by monsters that got loose.

He wouldn't be a hero. He would be the world's destroyer.

'August's intelligence was frightening.'

Finn realized he had lost.

August made every Familia in Orario look like they were helping destroy the world. Now, they were seen as the real villains, and that was a serious problem.

"Loki Familia, hear my orders! Commence an immediate citywide hunt for all organizations and businesses associated with the Daedalus family. If you encounter a direct or branch member of the Daedalus bloodline, kill them on sight."

Finn stood firm. He couldn't let the title of Braver be stained. He still felt responsible for restoring the Pallum race's honor, and he refused to simply wait for disaster.

"Captain..." The Loki Familia members were dumbfounded.

A hunt. An open public hunt in the streets...

Shakti saw Finn give an order that sounded wild but was completely right. Then she spoke up herself.

"Ganesha Familia, hear my orders! As Captain, I am issuing a city-wide kill order. Send the Daedalus family back to Heaven to face divine judgment!"

She gave the order directly, knowing her team didn't fully understand how serious the situation was. Now she saw why someone like Gros, who was always direct, was valuable.

"There are only two paths forward... Path one: we continue to tolerate monster smuggling, and the races of the surface get hunted to extinction by monsters deliberately released by conspirators. The Ganesha Familia goes down in history as the world's destroyers."

"Path two: we reject this trade, protect the lives of the surface, and prevent extinction. That is our duty as the shield of Orario. Destruction, or protection. Make your choice!" Shakti roared.

"PROTECTION, OBVIOUSLY!"

"DEFENDING ORARIO IS OUR MISSION!"

The passionate young members answered her call. The choice was clear: destroy the world or protect it. Anyone could see the right answer.

The other Adventurers heard the announcement and knew they faced a big decision.

If they chose destruction, the two biggest Familias would kill them right away.

If they chose protection, everyone would be safe together.

The Loki Familia understood too. They were supposed to be the heroes, and picking the wrong side would bring shame for generations.

Ais Wallenstein hated monsters. But if she were forced to take the blame for destroying the world, the choice would be clear to her.

She put away her sword and rejoined her group.

"I'll be watching you. Always." She glanced back at August.

Every choice he forced her to make was agonizing. His ways were harsh, but the results kept moving toward something she couldn't fully deny, and that made her angry.

"I couldn't care less," August said.

He motioned for the Xenos to follow him.

Lyd and the others looked at the Adventurers, then moved forward. The crowd split to let them pass. August had completely outplayed them.

A few moments later, the Loki and Ganesha Familias moved out with all their strength.

Both groups, claiming to fight for justice, were giving their all.

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Inside the Guild's hidden altar.

"Lord Ouranos... what should we do?" Royman Mardeel looked sick.

He was watching the live feed transmitted by Fels. A literal hunt for the Daedalus family and their affiliates was underway.

Ouranos sat on his altar, looking down at Royman. He didn't judge Royman for his flaws. Instead, he felt a fatherly affection. He returned the question to him.

"Royman, do what your heart tells you."

Royman had his faults and spent too much, but deep down, he wanted the Adventurer's Guild and Orario to do well.

"Yes, Lord Ouranos." Royman bowed.

He would follow his heart.

Truthfully, Royman had supported August's actions in secret from the start. He knew that if this Pandora's box stayed open, countless Adventurers would repeat the sins of the Ikelos and Daedalus.

Daedalus had once been Ouranos's child, and now that bloodline walked the path of ruin. Royman had suppressed his own hand purely out of respect for Ouranos. He had always known the rot was there.

But August had turned everything upside down, and nothing was the same. Now that Ouranos had given him full authority, Royman didn't have to hold back for the gods' sake. He could finally do what was right.

"I will bring a new dawn to this beautiful city of Orario," Royman declared, eyes burning with resolve.

He left the hidden altar and went up to the surface. In that moment, nothing could shake his conviction.

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