"So, it started with just informing the captain, and then it became everyone going together, huh?"
"It's not bad; it's good to have more people for a livelier atmosphere!"
Walking along Adventurers' Street with Tiona and Ais, Shirou listened to their narration and nodded slightly. Having Finn and Riveria along certainly made it much safer. After all, those two were among Orario's top combatants.
At this moment, Shirou and the two women had just finished their procurement at the Dian Cecht Familia and were heading to the Central Plaza beneath Babel to rendezvous. Before this, the group of seven had split into three teams to go to different places for various preparations. After all, for a prolonged stay in the Dungeon with limited supplies, they needed to prepare more than the necessary amount of weapons, tools, and provisions.
They also brought extra luggage, as an adventurer's proper stance was to be fully prepared beforehand for any unforeseen circumstances. Thus, the items bought by just the three who went to the Dian Cecht Familia for medical supplies could pile up into a small mountain.
When they arrived at the meeting point, the others hadn't arrived yet; they were the first group to get there. However, it wasn't long before Riveria and Lefiya, and Finn and Tione also arrived one after another. At this point, all the personnel for this Dungeon expedition were present.
"It looks like everyone's ready. Let's set off."
"Yeah, it's been a while since just the few of us explored the labyrinth."
"Wow, saying that makes it sound like I shouldn't be here. Tell me, are you throwing shade at me?"
"S-Sorry. I forgot Shirou was still new. After all, he's almost LV.4 now; it feels like he's been with us for ages."
"Haha, that just shows how reliable Shirou is."
"Hahahaha!"
Amidst everyone's laughter, Shirou and his group of seven embarked on their journey into the Dungeon. This expedition was destined to encounter various twists and turns.
In the Twilight Manor, Loki looked around, searching for familiar faces. Finally, in the reception room where Familia members often gathered, she found Bete.
"Huh, is it just you, Bete? Where are Ais-tan and the others?"
"They went to the labyrinth. With Finn and the others, they probably won't be back anytime soon."
"Oh my, were you abandoned?"
"No way!"
Provoked, Bete immediately stood up to assert himself, trying to mask his inner feelings. But to Loki, who understood him extremely well, this was simply childish behavior. After a few "there, there" comforts, Bete quieted down again.
After a moment of silence, Loki suddenly said, "Hey, Bete, would you mind coming out with me today?"
"Huh?"
Bete looked at Loki with a confused expression, waiting for her to continue.
"There are some things I want to investigate."
Shirou and his party departed from Babel at noon, as scheduled. Upon entering the Dungeon, Goblins and Kobolds appeared to block their path, but in front of the group, the existence or non-existence of such monsters made no difference. After seeing the strength of the two vanguards, Tiona and Ais, even the monsters began to avoid them. And other adventurers were even more so. Soon, Shirou and his group crossed the Upper Floors and arrived at the 17th floor of the Middle Floors.
"Ah, the Great Double-Bladed Axe really is more reassuring."
"Has Miss Tiona's weapon been re-forged?"
"Yep, the Great Double-Bladed Axe Mark II, just finished and still warm!" Tione answered Tiona's question, easily spinning the Great Double-Bladed Axe with one hand.
"The hard work of the Forging Familia almost appears before my eyes!" Looking at the Great Double-Bladed Axe in Tiona's hand, Shirou shivered. Such a large weapon probably required several blacksmiths to work day and night without rest for several days to complete. Shirou wouldn't even consider taking on a weapon with that much workload.
"I remember Brother was going to test a Magic Sword, right? Want to try it here?" Lefiya, acting as a supporter, asked Shirou while picking up magic stones and materials from the ground. Hearing Lefiya's question, the others also turned their gaze towards Shirou.
"No, no, the experimental Magic Sword I made is meant to replace the Super Broken Phantasm arrows in the future. With that kind of power, the terrain here is too small." Because the Dungeon is generally conical, meaning the further away from the surface, the larger the Dungeon's area. Therefore, in the first 17 floors, due to their size, they are almost entirely labyrinthine terrain. After the 17th floor, there is almost no more labyrinthine terrain, though this is only "almost," as the 51st floor is also labyrinthine. In the labyrinthine terrain of the first 17 floors, the passages are extremely narrow. Many passages can only accommodate one person at a time. Releasing a Super Broken Phantasm in such a place would be asking for death.
"No, no, absolutely do not experiment with Magic Swords here." As for the Super Broken Phantasm, no one understood it better than the Elves. After all, this wide-area annihilation magic that required no chanting was practically a divine skill of their dreams. So, privately, the Elves had long figured out the principle of this technique. Therefore, they also understood its terror. Experiment here? They would die, absolutely die.
"Haha, I won't be experimenting with Magic Swords here, Lefiya, don't look so scared." Gently pinching Lefiya's cheek, Shirou chuckled and teased her.
"Lefiya must be scared."
"Lefiya is so timid!"
"Be strong, Lefiya!"
Looking at Lefiya's cute expression, everyone couldn't help but tease her. Amidst their playful banter, the group of seven soon arrived at the end of the 17th floor, the location of the Floor Boss. However, there was no trace of the Floor Boss here now.
"The Floor Boss isn't here? Was it defeated by someone?"
"It seems the adventurers of Rivira town mobilized en masse and defeated it, saying it was obstructing traffic or something."
Since there was no trace of the Floor Boss here now, many MinOttarurs had taken its place, wandering around. But in front of the Loki Familia group, these monsters were nothing more than mantises trying to stop a chariot, seeking their own demise. After all, the target of this expedition for the seven members of the Loki Familia was the Deep Floors after the 37th floor! The Middle Floor monsters truly held no deterrent power.
After casually dealing with them, the group of seven stepped onto the stairs leading to the 18th floor, arriving at the rare safe floor in the Dungeon.
"It's always so beautiful here, no matter when you come."
"Indeed!"
Dense forests, thick trees, clear rivers. This forest terrain environment was greatly loved by the Elves. Therefore, both Riveria and Lefiya were extremely satisfied with this place.
"What should we do next? Should we go directly to the 19th floor?"
"Let's go to Rivira town first. If we don't process the magic stones and materials we collected on the way, our luggage will quickly fill up." With that, the group headed towards Rivira town.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter