"Giant Battle Suit"

Leo soon found out what the gift Loki had mentioned was.

"I heard that you fell into a coma due to mental exhaustion after defeating Goliath, so you probably don't know that Goliath."

Leo was surprised to hear Loki's words.

"Dropped items? You mean Goliath's Hard Hide?"

That's the most common item dropped by Goliath, the boss of the 17th Floor, and it's also the most common material dropped by bosses.

Because Goliath is the first floor boss that adventurers will encounter, and he happens to be blocking the entrance to the 18th Floor, hindering all adventurers who are preparing to venture deeper into the dungeon, this floor boss is the one who is defeated the most times.

As you defeat them more often, you'll eventually have a chance to obtain materials from them.

Goliath's Hard Leather is the most famous piece, and although it's the most common, it's still an item dropped by the floor master, so its rarity and quality are undoubtedly very high.

Putting everything else aside, if you were to sell this hard leather, it would easily fetch several million Valis. In times of market scarcity or high demand, it could even sell for tens of millions of Valis, which is no less than a second-tier special weapon.

This item actually dropped after I defeated Goliath?

"That's really lucky."

Leo spoke from his own experience.

"You were really lucky, and Raul even retrieved it for you." Loki chuckled, "I was originally planning to let you handle it yourself, since you defeated the floor master all by yourself, and this is your personal spoils."

"But once we found out, we just asked for it."

"Now, that piece of leather has been turned into armor by our trusted skilled craftsmen."

As he spoke, Loki untied the package, revealing its contents to Leo.

That was a complete combat suit.

The combat suit is entirely black, and its design, like a combat uniform, is understated and inconspicuous. Both the upper and lower garments are fitted, tight yet resilient, and it is also equipped with a belt with several buckles, clearly for hanging weapons and waist pouches.

The combat suit was also padded with a hooded cloak. The cloak was a little longer than half a body, but not long enough to cover the whole body. It was also black in color, with some gold stripes embroidered on it, which added a lot of elegance.

Loki's voice rang out at just the right moment.

"This combat suit is made primarily of Goliath's tough hide, supplemented with leather materials dropped by other high-level monsters."

"Goliath's hide itself possesses astonishing durability, capable of deflecting both physical and magical attacks, though it cannot absorb impact. Therefore, we commissioned a craftsman to reforge it. Through the craftsman's skill and the use of other materials, we have enhanced its defensive capabilities while also enabling it to absorb impact."

"That cloak also used Goliath's tough leather as the main material, but the craftsmanship and auxiliary materials were chosen differently, giving it excellent defensive properties while also being able to withstand high and low temperatures. Neither fire nor ice can destroy it."

Upon hearing this, Leo understood.

This combat suit is undoubtedly equivalent to first-level armor; it is a first-level piece of equipment.

"Don't blame me for being nosy, it's just that you're growing too fast, kid. Who knows when you'll be a Level 1 adventurer? And you're really reckless, maybe even more troublesome Ais in some ways."

When Loki saw Leo looking at him, he immediately grunted a few times and said this.

"Your first expedition is about to begin, and I'm really worried you might accidentally perish in the Dungeon. That's why I took the liberty of preparing this set of armor for you."

With this set of armor, which is equivalent to level one gear, your survivability should increase significantly, right?

Although Loki didn't say it aloud, that was basically the meaning behind his words.

"----How much is this?"

Leo was silent for a moment before asking the question.

"Not much," Loki chuckled, "About fifty million Valis."

Fifty million Valis, even if that's not the cost price, it shouldn't be too far off.

Every single piece of level one equipment used by level one adventurers is worth hundreds of millions of Valis.

Ais's Desperate was worth 99 million Valis, and this set of special armor, equivalent to first-tier weaponry, would definitely be worth no less than that.

As for why Loki quoted a price of fifty million Valis, it depends on whether she negotiated the price, or whether she reduced the price because Loki herself provided Goliath's hide and other auxiliary materials.

Leo wanted to say something, but seeing Loki's "don't be so dramatic" look on his face, he gave up the idea.

"I will find a way to pay this money back."

That's all Leo said.

However, Loki waved his hand dismissively.

"Since it's a gift, we naturally won't take money from you, kid." Loki said with his hands on his hips, "You single-handedly defeated the floor master, accomplished a feat that others couldn't, and made a name for our family. As the head of the family, we can't be too stingy. Consider this your reward."

"Besides, the main ingredient was your own spoils of war. We were just borrowing it to offer to someone else, so it's not like you got a huge advantage."

"As long as you take it easy and don't act recklessly again, this set of armor should last you a long time."

This is also Loki and Finn's expectation of Leo: that he can live longer and not lose his life so easily.

Although equipping a Lv.3 member with level 1 equipment is a bit absurd, considering Leo's growth rate and how reckless he is, Loki, after discussing it with Finn and the others, decided to prepare a more reliable set of armor for him.

"We don't usually talk about this in front of you, but you should know that both Finn and the others have high expectations for you."

Loki opened his narrowed divine eyes, stared at Leo, and a smile played on his lips.

"This expectation is not only based on the perspective of the clan, hoping that you will become successful and become the pillar of this family, but also on the expectations placed on you by the entire Lower World realm."

We hope you can become a hero.

"The stalemate in the Lower World has lasted long enough; everyone is waiting for a hero to appear."

"And you have the potential to become that person."

Loki uttered words he would never have said before, and the expectation and longing in his words were so obvious and so intense.

If a hero is destined to emerge from the Lower World and rewrite the course of the entire world, why can't that person be my child?

That's exactly what Loki was hoping for.

Loki had previously placed this expectation on Finn, on Riveria and Gareth, and also on Ais.

She didn't think her child was inferior to others; in fact, she always felt her child was more outstanding than anyone else, and felt deeply proud of it.

Now, Leo has become someone she places her hopes on, and this time her hopes are greater than anyone else's.

His outrageous growth rate, his still unexplained special skills, and his clearly extraordinary background all tell Loki just how special and unique his child is.

Therefore, including Finn and the others, the leaders of this clan were actually secretly placing high hopes on Leo.

In their minds, Leo's future was destined to surpass theirs, and he might even surpass Ais they had always admired.

His very existence may be the miracle that the world has been waiting for.

The hero that people in the Lower World and all the gods and Buddhas have been waiting for may very well be him.

Of course, Leo himself didn't think he could become a hero.

He knew he wasn't that great, and he also knew who the real hero was.

Judging by the time, that person should be arriving in Orario soon, right?

By then, the title of the world's fastest White Rabbit will surely resound throughout the world.

However, Leo didn't think he was any worse than him.

In the past, he certainly wouldn't have had such confidence, but with the special skill of [People of the Alien Star] and the exaggerated progress of leveling up twice in just a month and a half, it would be too embarrassing for him not to have such confidence.

He may not become a hero, but he hopes to become the strongest.

He was neither weaker nor worse than anyone else. He dared not say he could shoulder the entire aspirations of the Lower World, but he hoped to become the true pillar of the Loki Familia.

Under Loki's gaze, Leo reached out and touched the combat suit in front of him.

It feels very soft to the touch; I imagine it will be very comfortable to wear.

I've heard that Goliath's hide is very heavy, and even when made into armor or props, it would still be quite heavy. This piece feels so soft and light; it must have been made using the special techniques of a master craftsman.

Just as Loki said, this set of armor can be used indefinitely, even if Leo becomes a first-class adventurer in the future.

Level 1 equipment is something only level 1 adventurers can have. He had such equipment at level 3, so he might be the only one like him in the entire Orario.

This also shows how much Loki, Finn, and others expect from him.

Does it have a name?

Leo suddenly asked this question.

"Can you suggest one?"

Loki said with a smile.

"Let's call it 'Giant Battle Suit' then."

Leo didn't think much before deciding on the name.

Since it's made primarily of Goliath's hide, calling it Giant Battle Suit is quite fitting.

Wearing the suit, Leo left Loki's Divine Room and returned to his own room.

Looking out at the night sky, Leo suddenly felt a sense of anticipation.

Looking forward to tomorrow's expedition.

The next day, early morning.

The weather was exceptionally good that day.

The sky was completely clear, without a trace of gloom or even a few clouds; it was a cloudless, clear blue sky.

Sunlight streamed down from the sky, illuminating the entire Orario and the Long Mansion of the Twilight Manor.

The members of the Loki Familia all got up very early, and immediately created a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere.

They were either counting supplies or moving large crates of goods in the garden, making quite a scene.

All the lower-ranking members of the clan were mobilized. Some were tidying up the tents, some were checking the condition of various supplies and spare weapons, and others were sorting and preparing food, water and various tools. While preparing, they were also talking excitedly and nervously, which showed their current state of mind.

The elite members, about to embark on their expedition, checked in on each other's status, while the lower-ranking members, unable to participate and forced to stay home, watched with envy, dreaming of becoming one of them someday.

Scene.

Meanwhile, in one of the rooms of a tower, Leo was already ready.

He stood in front of a full-length mirror, his image reflected in the mirror at that moment.

The Dragon Fang Sword Emerald Staff on his left, and he also had two pouches filled with elixirs, but all of these were concealed by the gold-patterned cloak he was wearing.

The black battle suit was fully donned, fitting snugly and as soft and light as he had imagined, not hindering his movements at all.

At this point, Leo no longer gives the impression of a novice adventurer, but a battle-hardened warrior.

His tall and straight figure, along with his black battle armor and cloak, created a mysterious atmosphere, giving him the subtle air of a noble young master who had conquered battlefields.

"----good."

Looking at his reflection in the full-length mirror, Leo smiled slightly.

Everything is ready; all that's left is to set off.

Leo glanced around the room, memorizing its features before leaving.

The next time I return, it will be the end of the expedition.

An expedition can last anywhere from half a month to nearly a month, Leo has no idea what the situation will be like when he returns.

Perhaps they will return in triumph.

Perhaps they returned in humiliation.

But one thing is certain: he definitely doesn't want to stay there forever.

He will definitely come back again.

With this belief, Leo stepped out of the room, but stopped as he passed through the sky corridor.

Ahead, a blonde, golden-eyed female swordsman seemed to be waiting for him, standing there with her gaze fixed on him.

They hadn't made an appointment.

However, Leo still stepped forward and said with a smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, let's go."

Leo's words were met with a nod from the girl.

"----New equipment?"

Ais looked at the Giant Battle Suit on Leo, a rare look of curiosity appearing in her eyes.

"After all, it's an expedition."

Leo didn't say much, just chuckled and replied.

Ais nodded in understanding and walked over to Leo's side.

The two left the tower together and went into the courtyard.

"Leo! Ais! Over here!"

Tiona seemed to have been waiting for them as well; as soon as she saw them, she waved happily.

"Where's the commander? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

Tione waited anxiously for her beloved.

"Snort."

Bete Loga leaned against a tree with his arms crossed, watching Leo in his brand-new gear and Ais following closely behind him, and let out a somewhat disgruntled snort.

Raul and the rest of the crew watched Leo walk towards Ais, their eyes shining with a mixture of envy and anticipation.

Soon after, Finn and his two companions also made their appearance.

"Set off!"

Without any preamble, the leader of the Prum waved his hand and issued orders.

Cheers erupted, and the troops left the base camp.

The goal: the Babel Tower.