An Unachieved Battle Record

On this day, the entire Orario was once again in an uproar.

The fact that so many Loki Familia entered the Dungeon together, especially before the expedition, was already quite eye-catching. However, when those who had witnessed the battle between Leo and Goliath in the 17th Floor came out and spread the news, the entire Orario was in an uproar.

"Loki Familia, a legendary adventurer who reportedly leveled up in less than a month, has successfully soloed the floor master!"

"Leo Eligos, an adventurer belonging to the Loki Familia, soloed the 17th Floor boss Goliath!"

"A battle spanning two levels! Challenge the floor master!"

"The strongest Familia, the new pillar of the Loki Familia!"

These messages spread at an astonishing speed, causing a sensation in Orario no less than that caused by Leo's upgrade half a month earlier.

Countless people learned of this news from others, and countless others were shocked, questioning, and incredulous.

"He challenged the floor master, who was two levels higher, and actually succeeded?"

"Is this really something a human could do?"

"Are you sure the rest of the Loki Familia didn't intervene, and that there was only one Level 2 challenger from beginning to end?"

"It's not that I don't want to believe it, it's just too outrageous!"

Similar sounds were heard throughout Orario, proving just how surprised people were.

People's first reaction was, of course, disbelief, thinking it was just a rumor, an exaggeration. However, compared to the last time Leo was upgraded, the level of skepticism was much lighter this time.

Unlike the record-breaking upgrade speed, which couldn't be personally verified, there were many onlookers during Leo's one-on-one battle against the floor master.

They came from various clans; some were members of large clans, some were members of small clans, and some were hired supporters. Their different backgrounds meant that it was impossible for them all to collude with the Loki Familia to tell such a colossal lie.

Therefore, with the unwavering affirmation and publicity from these adventurers who witnessed the battle firsthand, people's doubts naturally crumbled on their own.

Now, it's impossible for Orario not to cause a sensation.

People were astonished, making noise and commotion, checking everywhere to confirm the news they had heard, bringing back the bustling scene from two weeks ago.

The sensation caused this time is no less than that when the news of Leo's upgrade came out half a month ago.

The former broke the world record for the fastest upgrade, and was so far ahead that it caused a sensation throughout the Lower World. The latter, while not quite reaching the level of global attention, was still more impressive to the citizens of Orario.

The reason is simple: the amazing feat of single-handedly defeating the floor owner is something no one has been able to achieve yet, as mentioned before.

"The Freya Familia's [Brave] only managed to beat the floor master half to death before retreating, right? Who would have thought that Loki Familia's Supernova could do it!"

"Moreover, [Brave] was fighting a Level 7 floor master that time, which was at least a challenge between people of the same level. This time, however, it's a Level 2 floor master fighting a Level 4 floor master, a whole two levels higher!"

"After all these years, finally someone can take on the floor owner alone again."

"Yes, before the rise of the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia, this was something only the monsters in those two families could accomplish."

The gods gathered together, discussing animatedly. Every god's face was filled with excitement and anticipation, as if they couldn't wait to rush to Loki Familia headquarters to recruit people.

For the eternal and unchanging gods, what they crave most is entertainment, the unknown, and anything that can bring them excitement.

The heroic deeds of those in the Lower World are what they admire most, because even to them, such great achievements are worthy of praise and interest.

The people of the Lower World yearn for the birth of a hero, hoping someone can save them from their suffering, vanquish all monsters, and save the world. The gods, too, yearn for the birth of a hero, hoping to witness a magnificent epic legend to bring some entertainment to their dull divine lives.

Therefore, whenever such miracles occur that they find worthy of praise, excitement, awe, and reflection, they are often even more thrilled than those in the Lower World.

Once the guild was alarmed and the truth of the matter was confirmed through various channels, and the news was made public, neither gods nor humans were interested in doing their own things anymore. They kept running back and forth, vying to tell each other, which made the sensation caused by this matter even more intense.

Merchants began writing letters to spread the word of this incredible event beyond the city, and bards flocked to the streets, singing and praising this great achievement.

On this day, the name Leo Eligos was etched even more deeply into everyone's hearts.

Countless people silently chanted this name, causing Leo's popularity and reputation to soar at an astonishing rate.

Leo remains unaware of all of this.

After his fierce battle with Goliath, he fell into a coma due to exhaustion and was taken back to the main camp by the Loki Familia, where he slept soundly.

He slept for a full day and night.

When he woke up again, the first thing he felt was not anything else, but his head, which was still throbbing.

"Hiss!"

In the room, which was filled with a slightly chilly atmosphere and the smell of cooking fires, Leo woke up in bed and was immediately jolted awake by a sudden sharp pain in his head.

My head hurts so much!

He couldn't help but press his brow, his brows furrowing tightly. Although his face wasn't pale, there was a visible look of distress on his face.

After finally relieving his headache, or rather, successfully adapting to it, Leo realized that he was back in his room.

"What am I doing?!"

Looking at the familiar room, Leo endured his headache while trying to recall what had happened.

With this thought, Leo finally managed to awaken all his memories from before he fell into a coma.

"Oh right! I'm challenging the floor master!"

Leo sat up abruptly, which only amplified the pain in his head, almost causing him to clutch his head and lie back down.

"Click----"

Just then, the door to Leo's room opened, and someone walked in from outside.

"Leo?"

The visitor was carrying a tray filled with water and food. Upon seeing Leo sit up, he immediately showed a look of surprise and delight.

"You're finally awake!"

The other party immediately rushed over.

"Raul?"

Leo recognized the newcomer and called out his name.

It was none other than Raul.

Then, this key figure in the Second Army, who was once highly regarded by Finn, acted like a concerned butler, first placing the tray he was carrying on the bedside table, and then using a pillow to prop up Leo's back to make him more comfortable.

"How are you feeling? Are you feeling better?" Raul asked with concern as he bustled around. "We've used Elixir on you to heal your external injuries, but Lady Riveria doesn't recommend using magical potions. She thinks you overexerted your mental energy during the battle, putting a heavy burden on your mind. It's best for you to get plenty of rest, so you'll have to recover from your mental fatigue on your own."

Upon hearing this, Leo immediately understood what had happened.

Did you bring me back?

Leo rubbed his temples and asked Raul.

"That's right." Raul nodded, then scratched his head and chuckled, "Although we did come back together, it was Miss Ais who rushed out and caught you the moment you fainted. On the way back, I was responsible for carrying you back to your room. Lady Riveria came here twice to examine you."

As for the others—well, they all came to see you at least once, and left after making sure you were alright.

"Oh, right, Loki came by too. She told us to take good care of you and keep an eye on you. She also said that if you wake up, you should come to see her."

Upon hearing this, Leo sorted out his thoughts while confirming the current situation one by one.

"So, my challenge was indeed a success, right?"

Leo's words excited Raul completely.

"Yes! You did it! You took down the floor master all by yourself! It's unbelievable!" Raul exclaimed excitedly, gesturing wildly. "That was the floor master! And a floor master two levels higher than you! And a 'durable' one at that!"

A specialized, colossal monster!

"And what happened? You managed to blow him up with magic!"

"You have no idea, this has already caused a huge sensation in Orario, and people everywhere are talking about your name!"

"You're just as famous as Miss Ais and the others now!"

Mentioning this matter, not only Raul, but everyone in Loki Familia couldn't help but get excited.

There's no way around it; his record of single-handedly taking down the floor owner is just too impressive.

This achievement, which even the Freya Familia's "Brave" reportedly failed to accomplish, was achieved by the Loki Familia, which boosted the reputation of the entire Loki Familia.

It's important to know that although the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia are known as the two kings of Orario and share the title of the strongest, their relationship is not only bad, but extremely bad.

As the saying goes, "Two tigers cannot share one mountain." As exploration-type Familias, and both possessing an air of dominance, the Loki Familia and the Freya Familia are competitors in all aspects and fields.

The antagonism and conflict between the two sides have always existed, and this antagonism and conflict can be traced back to decades ago when both sides were just starting out.

Finn, Riveria, and even Gareth —all the veterans had clashed with the higher-ups of Freya Familia.

Therefore, the Freya Familia is both an opponent of the Loki Familia and a hostile faction to the Loki Familia.

Aside from some major events where they had planned together, the two sides were mostly in competition and opposition. People in Orario often compared the two, taking sides and supporting the one they believed was stronger, constantly comparing their strengths.

Under such circumstances, being able to surpass the Freya Familia naturally made the Loki Familia extremely happy.

It can be said that Leo's actions this time greatly boosted the prestige of the Familia.

Leo didn't seem to care much about this.

His purpose in challenging the floor master was not to enhance the reputation of his clan, but for his own benefit.

Although this outcome was an unexpected bonus, Leo was more concerned with things other than fame.

For example----

"Where's Ais?" Leo suddenly asked. "Is she with her familia?"

"Yes, I am." Raul smiled when Leo suddenly mentioned his Princess, then said meaningfully, "Miss Ais was originally planning to wait for you to wake up here, but Lady Riveria said you would probably sleep for a while longer, and Loki was making a fuss about not letting her be alone with you in the room, so she had to leave."

Raul didn't tell Leo that when Ais suggested staying, a certain elven girl jumped up, immediately bristling, and dragged her away without a word.

Otherwise, given Ais's sometimes stubborn personality, she might not have been persuaded to leave without being forcibly dragged away.

"Yeah?"

Leo nodded and didn't bring it up again.

Actually, he had some regrets.

His original plan was to return to level 18 with Ais after successfully defeating the floor master.

Layers.

It was Ais who brought him out of the 18th Floor back then, so this time, Leo wants to bring her back.

It's hard to say why; perhaps it's to commemorate, or perhaps it's to say goodbye to that time, like a kind of ritual.

Unfortunately, with Tiona, Tione, Lefiya Viridis, and others arriving, the plan was already half ruined, and now it's out of the question, since they've all returned to base camp.

However, since the matter was already settled, Leo wouldn't dwell on it any longer.

At worst, I can just go back again later.

With my current strength, I can go to the 18th Floor whenever I want, right?

Thinking of this, Leo instinctively reached for his back, but ended up simply placing his hand on his shoulder.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Upon seeing this, Raul immediately inquired.

"It's nothing." Leo shook his head and said, "I was just thinking, now that I've successfully challenged the floor master, shouldn't I be able to level up now?"

Leo's words jolted Raul awake.

Yes, you've already successfully defeated the floor owner, so you should have accumulated enough merit to level up by now, right?

So, Leo is about to level up to Lv.3?

Only half a month has passed!

It's only been half a month, and it's already upgraded again?

The moment Raul realized this, he was completely stunned.