Danmachi: Is It Wrong to Be the Main Character in Orario?

'A Level 7 trial... really isn't something to take lightly.'

Finn tried to steady his breathing, but it was hard to stay calm.

Facing what was almost certainly a Level 7 Spirit, the weight on his shoulders was immense.

Haruhime's ability might allow five members of the Familia to temporarily break through their level caps—but even so, Finn wasn't confident it would be enough to take on a Spirit.

Still, as the captain, he had to stay composed.

If even he couldn't keep calm in this moment, then this trial would already be half-lost before it even began.

"Listen up, everyone. This expedition is do-or-die for us."

"The Spirit's strength could reach Level 7. That's a deadly threat."

He had experience leading the charge against Udaeus, the Level 6 Floor Boss—but that wasn't a one-on-one fight. It was a full team battle.

And there was a world of difference between Level 6 and Level 7.

What they were about to face wasn't a Floor Boss—it was a Spirit. The challenge might be even more brutal than fighting a Level 7 Boss.

So Finn laid it all out plainly:

"If anyone here feels afraid or wants to step back, I won't blame you."

"There's no shame in it. If you think you're not up to it, speak up now. You can stay on the 50th floor and sit out the exploration into the unknown."

The group exchanged glances. Whatever fear or hesitation had been in their eyes was now gone.

Maybe backing out wasn't something to be ashamed of—just as the captain said.

Everyone fears for their life when faced with death. That's human nature. No one is born without fear.

But fearing death and refusing to face it are two very different things.

And the Loki Familia wouldn't turn away.

"What the hell are you talking about, Finn?"

Bete's grin twisted into something fierce.

"If the road ahead is a death march, then that's all the more reason to keep walking."

"We haven't 'grown' in a long time."

He understood perfectly—this expedition was their greatest trial yet.

If they could get through it, maybe their long-stalled growth would start moving again.

But if they couldn't, then that was their limit. That's where they would stop.

And Bete wasn't the kind of man to accept that. Not ever.

He mocked adventurers who refused to improve themselves, and he wasn't about to excuse that same weakness in himself.

Vanargand wouldn't stop here. Doing so would mean betraying his past promises and trampling on everything he had been through.

"Old hag, don't tell me you're thinking of sitting this one out?"

"Who are you calling an old hag!?"

As the oldest one present, Riveria's forehead twitched furiously. She seriously wanted to pull her wand out of her spatial pouch and smack Bete in the head. But, infuriating as it was, what he said wasn't entirely wrong.

Riveria turned to Ais. Just one look at her eager expression was enough to tell—there wasn't a shred of fear in her.

Ais wasn't just chasing revenge against the Black Dragon anymore. She had another goal now: to see her parents again.

For that, Ais would never stop moving forward.

And even if Riveria wanted to stop her, she couldn't.

"Adventurers don't stop walking."

"How long has it been since the three of us reached Level 6? If we don't keep moving, we'll end up stuck here forever."

"Maybe we could afford to stall in the past… but not anymore."

Riveria let out a long sigh.

Just as Bell had said—they'd been gradually stagnating. All these years, and not a single step forward.

In the past, they might have continued taking the safe route, slowly building their strength—just like they always had.

But now that path was no longer an option.

Ais, the girl they had raised all this time, wasn't a child anymore. She was ready to push ahead.

So how could they afford to stay behind?

Riveria had no answer.

She had seen Aria with her own eyes. And she knew—Ais still wasn't strong enough to reach her. If they didn't move forward together, Ais would never catch up.

So whether it was for Ais or for themselves, they had no choice.

"Ais will keep moving forward. We need to do the same."

Riveria's resolve was clear.

There was no turning back. Even with the threat of the Spirit hanging over them, slinking away wasn't an option.

"Yes. We have to move forward."

Gareth shared Riveria's view. This time, there was no room for hesitation.

"If the Spirit Fetus really matures, and we don't fight it… what happens if it reaches the surface?"

"This wouldn't just be our Familia's problem anymore. It would be a threat to all of Orario."

Personal reasons or the greater good—it didn't matter. They had no path of retreat.

Sure, running now might keep them safe.

But it would also mean losing any hope of ever opposing the Spirit again.

This was a crisis—but it was also a rare opportunity.

Whether they could take the next step depended entirely on what they did now.

Everyone present understood that, which is why no one stepped back.

Because retreating now meant accepting that this was their ceiling—forever.

And not one of them was willing to accept that.

"That's right, Captain. There's no backing down this time."

Raul stepped forward, making his stance clear.

"Maybe I'm not on the same level as Bete and the others. But if I don't keep going, I'll be stuck here forever."

He understood that much. And for that reason alone, he couldn't back down.

He wasn't as talented as Ais, nor did he have the special skills or magic of Cassandra or Haruhime.

But that didn't matter. He couldn't afford to retreat.

No matter what.

Finn swept his gaze around the tent. Seeing the same fierce determination in everyone's eyes gave him a sense of relief.

At least before the real fight began, their spirit wouldn't falter.

But he also knew—this trial would be nothing short of perilous.

"Bell-kun, I know you're listening."

And with that, Finn made his decision.

He would ask what Bell thought.