"Whew... finally got it." Tiona flopped onto the ground, exhaling a long sigh and wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
"Is it over...? Dammit, if the Floor Boss has turned into something like that, who besides Familias of your level could even handle it?" Bors, who had been watching from a distance, walked over with a grim expression.
The strength displayed by the Dead End Butcher in its final stage had transcended common sense; it was a localized natural disaster. He could say with certainty that for any party without First-Class Adventurers, encountering that thing would mean total annihilation.
"Following the pattern of these new monsters, this Floor Boss is likely a random spawn. We'll report it to the Guild. If it shows up again, the Guild will have to send a subjugation force," Finn noted, far more composed than the worried Bors.
"Easy for you to say!" Bors bit his lip.
Finn and his crew were at the pinnacle of Orario, but for adventurers who lived in the Town of Rivira, having a "Hell Mode" monster like the Dead End Butcher blocking the 17th floor meant their livelihoods and lives were at stake.
The group ascended the long, winding staircase. When they stepped onto the 18th floor, the oppressive atmosphere of the Dungeon vanished.
In its place was a lush world of vibrant nature and shimmering crystal clusters—a safe floor where monsters did not naturally spawn. Above, the ceiling bloomed with a white crystal as massive as a sun, flanked by blue-white clusters that shed a soft radiance. Despite being deep underground, it created a convincing "sky."
This was the safe zone known as the Under Resort.
"So this is... the 18th floor?" Bathed in the warm, sun-like glow of the white crystals, Robin squinted slightly against the brightness, her voice filled with wonder.
"Welcome to the Under Resort, members of the Focalors Familia."
Before they parted ways, the scarred giant Bors stepped forward. "We owe you this time. And Flamescion, I owe you my life. If you stay in Rivira, I'll give you a twenty-percent discount."
"Don't you dare go, Aiden-boy!" Tiona hopped over, exposing the truth without hesitation. "He'll fleece you blind!"
"I know," Aiden replied flatly.
He was well aware of Rivira's reputation. Prices there were legendary—ten or even a hundred times the market rate. A single night's stay could bankrupt a small Familia. A twenty-percent discount on an extortionate price was still extortion. He had no intention of spending a single Valis there.
The Loki Familia clearly had no plans to stay in the town either. They moved with practiced ease to an open plain and began to set up camp. In short order, a large-scale campsite took shape. Tents were erected on the emerald grass, and a mountain of supply crates was stacked under a massive tree.
Dwarves, beast-people, elves... the members of the Loki Familia scattered about, some talking seriously, others relaxing. Because they had just fought side-by-side, their attitude toward Aiden's group was exceptionally friendly, yet filled with irrepressible curiosity. Whispers followed them, and countless admiring or inquisitive glances were fixed on Aiden and his team.
"Don't you need to help? You don't have to worry about us," Aiden said with a helpless smile to Lefiya, Ais, and Tiona, who were sticking to them like glue.
"We can't do that! The Captain said we have to host you properly," Lefiya replied with a serious nod.
"Yeah, and we don't really have anything to do anyway," Tiona said, clasping her hands behind her head. "Look, everyone else is super capable. They don't need us."
Scanning the camp, Aiden saw a hive of activity. Some were checking gear, others were prepping food. Raul was even arm-wrestling a dwarf; the loser had to wash the entire team's socks. The atmosphere was tense yet harmonious.
"Actually, you don't need to go out of your way. We'll find our own spot to camp," Robin said, stepping forward with a gentle smile.
"Right. Besides, Daphne and Cassandra have been to the 18th floor before. They know the area," Tifa added.
Lefiya hesitated. She realized it might be awkward for the Focalors members to stay in the middle of a formal expedition camp. "Alright... but you must be careful. Even if it's a safe floor, monsters from the lower levels occasionally wander up. Don't let your guard down."
"We won't. Say hello to Braver and Bete for us," Aiden nodded. He led his team away, waving goodbye as they faded into the distance.
Shortly after they left, the blonde elf Alicia arrived, carrying a bundle of crystal-clear fruits she had gathered from the forest. Seeing the empty space where Aiden's group had been, she looked confused. "Did the Focalors Familia leave already?"
"Yeah, they didn't want to disturb the expedition, so they went to find their own campsite," Lefiya explained.
"I see..." Alicia looked down at the fruit, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face.
"By the way, Miss Alicia," Lefiya said, her expression turning concerned. "During the fight, I saw Aiden accidentally touch you... are you okay? He definitely didn't mean anything by it, so please don't be angry."
Lefiya was genuinely worried. Unlike her, Alicia was a high-born elf who adhered to traditional standards. For such elves, being touched by someone they weren't close to often triggered a visceral, blood-deep repulsion.
"Huh? That?" Alicia blinked, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. She waved her hand dismissively. "I'm not angry. I know it was an emergency. And..." She paused, searching for the right words before whispering shyly, "And for some reason... I didn't feel disgusted at all."
"Wh-what!?" Lefiya's jaw dropped. That was not the reaction she had expected. But since the party involved said it was fine, she didn't push it further.
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