You're No Different, Are You?
In this way, the expeditionary force advanced at an astonishing speed, heading towards the 50th Floor as it descended rapidly.
Because both Leo and Ais have greatly increased their strength, and this time they also have the help of the Hephaestus Familia, this expedition is going incredibly smoothly and is much faster than the last one.
On the first day, the expeditionary force arrived at the Labyrinth Garden on the 28th Floor, where they stopped to rest.
The next day, the expeditionary force traversed the Dense Forest Ravine of levels 29-32 and the Desert Labyrinth of levels 33-36, reaching the boundary of the deeper levels.
On the third day, the expeditionary force officially entered the deep realm, stepping into the White Palace on the 37th Floor, and without stopping, crossed the Labyrinth Grey Bridge on the 39th Floor. Without resting on this safe floor, they went directly into the Giant's Graveyard on the 40th to 43rd floors, and even conquered the Crimson Mountain Range on the 44th to 48th floors, finally arriving at the 49th Floor, which is known as the "Great Wilderness".
Upon reaching this floor, the expeditionary force's progress was slightly hampered, forcing them to slow their pace.
Unfortunately, the 49th Floor is not only the territory of Balor, the floor master with a classification level of at least Lv.7, but also home to many powerful monsters that only first-level adventurers can quickly deal with. Monsters with a classification level of Lv.5 exist here, and this wilderness is larger than the entire Orario city area. Even though Balor has not yet regenerated, the Loki Familia still cannot make a rapid advance here, even with the help of the Hephaestus Familia.
Even the Loki Familia, the strongest faction in the city, was held back here. No matter how powerful the Hephaestus Familia was, their blacksmiths couldn't possibly be stronger than the elites in the expeditionary force. So, the blacksmiths' activity level had dropped significantly since they arrived. Only Tsubaki, a Level 1 adventurer, was still lively and energetic, but she couldn't affect the overall situation.
Thus, it took the expeditionary force a full day to conquer this floor and reach their destination – the 50th Floor.
The final result was that the expeditionary force successfully reached the designated final stronghold in less than five days, crossed the vast gray forest, and arrived at the large rock platform more than ten meters high, where they set up camp.
"So, we're here again----"
Leo felt a pang of emotion as he watched the adventurers and blacksmiths set up camp under Finn's instructions.
This was his second time on this floor, and the second time he had ventured so deep into the Dungeon.
Compared to when I first came here, almost nothing has changed.
Back then, they fought off the worm-like monsters that attacked the stronghold here, leaving the place scarred with the marks of battle.
At that time, there were traces of magical bombardment and melting by dissolving liquid. There were deep pits and charred smoke everywhere, a complete mess, and there was not a single intact place.
Especially the gray forest below the rock platform, because Leo and Ais fought a great battle with a female-sized monster there, which ultimately caused it to self-destruct, was ravaged by fire, storms, melting liquid and other things as if it had been hit by a natural disaster. Even a huge crater appeared, as if it had been hit by a meteorite.
However, after about a month, everything here has returned to normal.
That's normal. Dungeon have self-repair capabilities. A week would be enough to repair the severe damage, let alone a month.
Therefore, the 50th Floor Leo and the others saw was as if it had never experienced the terrible battle a month ago. It was as if time had been reversed, and it had been completely restored to its original state, with no trace of the previous mess.
But----
"Change has occurred, but it hasn't stopped."
Leo gripped his powerful hand and touched the legendary sword at his waist, feeling a sense of peace.
About a month ago, he fought a deadly battle with a female monster here. He didn't even have a single piece of first-level special weapon, let alone a weapon that had vaguely entered the legendary realm.
At that time, he was wielding the Dragon Fang Sword, a third-tier weapon, and the Emerald Staff, equivalent to a third-tier weapon, was tucked into his waistband. Only his Giant Battle Suit was considered a first-tier item. If we ignore this armor, which Loki had generously sponsored, his equipment was inferior to that of many lower-ranking members in the expeditionary force, let alone compared to the core figures of the Second Army and the leaders of the First Army.
His level is only Lv.3, and only his magic firepower has reached Lv.5. If [Meteor Dance] were not a spell with a very short incantation, and could be activated without incantation when necessary, he might be unable to move at all when facing worm-type monsters, just like Lefiya Viridis.
After all, the moment a spell is cast, the Demonic Power reaction will immediately attract the attention of those worm-like monsters. The others, intimidated by the dissolving liquid, dare not approach for close combat and cannot effectively stop the monsters' advance. As a result, they will inevitably become the source of the monsters' attention and be attacked by countless worms.
If that were the case, he might not even be able to deal with a single worm-like monster and would have to run around like the other ordinary members of the group.
Things are different now.
Having reached level 5, and having trained all his abilities to SSS before leveling up, he has also learned new magic and skills, and obtained a legendary weapon that would make even Orario's strongest blacksmith lose his composure. Now, even if Leo performs normally, his abilities in all aspects are enough to rank among the top in level 6.
If he disregards the cost and unleashes his full power, he should be able to handle even monsters classified as level 7.
"What are you thinking about?"
A familiar voice came from beside Leo, bringing him back to his senses, and he looked over.
The blonde, golden-eyed female swordsman stood beside him, as if that place had always been hers, unchanged since time immemorial.
"It's nothing," Leo shook his head and said, "I was just thinking, if it were me now, facing that female monster again, would I be able to defeat it all by myself without your help?"
Upon hearing this, Ais looked at Leo, her eyes flickering slightly.
Indeed, compared to that time, Leo has become far, far stronger now.
Others don't know just how strong Leo is now. After all, Leo has been staying obediently in the backcourt position all along, only responsible for casting spells, and hasn't even used a wand. In order to conserve mental energy, he has deliberately restrained his output, so many people have not personally experienced his current strength.
Only Ais, who had participated in the abnormal events on the 24th Floor with Leo and witnessed his display of power firsthand, knew that he was no less capable than herself now.
If it were the current Leo, wouldn't he be able to defeat that female-sized monster from back then on his own?
The dissolving fluid from that female monster no longer poses a threat to Leo in his current state.
After all, even if the Giant Battle Suit couldn't withstand the dissolving liquid, Leo's protective flight magic could resist its corrosive effects, leaving him unharmed in front of his opponent.
Thinking about this, Ais felt a little dazed.
The person closest to me has really become much stronger.
Moreover, only about a month had passed between when he initially needed my help and now being able to defeat that female monster all by himself.
Thinking back to what the other person looked like before, and what they look like now, Ais really found it hard to believe that only about a month had passed.
"----You've really become stronger and stronger."
Ais said those words with mixed feelings.
Leo immediately looked into Ais's eyes, gazing at the turmoil within them, and smiled slightly.
Aren't you the same?
Yes.
Not only Leo, but Ais is also becoming stronger and stronger.
Although not as extraordinary as Leo, she was still vastly different from herself a month ago.
Having transcended the past and entered a new stage, the girl, now at Lv.6, has undergone a remarkable transformation.
Realizing this, Ais's various emotions began to dissipate, and she became somewhat calmer.
Hey! What are you two doing, slacking off like that?
"Come here quickly! Leo! Ais!"
"Hurry up and set up the tent, we still need to prepare dinner later!"
"Don't always hang out with Miss Ais!"
Bete Loga, Tiona, Tione's voices came from afar, some impatient, some smiling, and some snorting. Lefiya Viridis even walked over angrily, looking like she was going to pull Leo away from Ais.
Leo and Ais exchanged a glance and smiled.
The two walked together toward the campsite, joining the crowd as they playfully bickered and set up camp.
The noise from the camp gradually grew louder, adding a touch of liveliness to the gray building.
As dusk slowly descended upon the surface, the Magic Stone lamps in the expeditionary force's camp deep underground gradually lit up, illuminating the surrounding area along with the campfire.
The tents were already set up in an orderly fashion, and a campfire was lit in the center of the camp, with an iron pot set up to cook delicious food.
Come and eat, everyone!
At the call of a group of female members in charge of cooking, except for a few who needed to stand guard around the campsite, the rest of the group formed a large circle in the center of the campsite and began to eat together.
--
To reward them for their hard work and effort along the way, the meal was quite sumptuous, featuring labyrinthine fruits such as Meat-flavored Fruit, specially made dried meat, and a large pot of soup that was fragrant and nutritious. The blacksmiths of the Hephaestus Familia ate with great relish, exclaiming that they never expected to find such delicious food in the Dungeon.
The atmosphere was so lively that it was as if a banquet could begin the moment just a few drinks were served.
As you can imagine, getting drunk is absolutely forbidden in a place like Dungeon, and no one would bring alcohol in, so everyone could only use soft drinks or water instead, clinking glasses with each other to keep the atmosphere lively.
Until-
Let me tell you about the upcoming arrangements.
Finn finally spoke, silencing the entire room.
"Starting from the 51st Floor, the advantage of numbers will be greatly reduced, especially for members who are not strong enough. They will not even be able to keep up with the main force. Therefore, tomorrow's strategy to conquer unexplored areas will be carried out by the selected elite main force members. Those who were not selected will stay behind to guard the camp and provide support to the frontline personnel at any time."
Finn's voice rang clearly in everyone's ears, causing their expressions to become serious and earnest.
"Now, everyone whose name is called, please pay attention."
Finn's gaze began to sweep over the crowd.
"First are Riveria Ljos Alf, Gareth, Ais, Bete Loga, Tiona, Tione, and... Leo."
Unsurprisingly, all the clan leaders and officers who were first-class adventurers were chosen; not one was left out.
Since they are the main elite force, it would be strange not to choose a level 1 adventurer.
In previous expeditions, the seven people, including Finn, were an unwavering main force, the first army in the expeditionary force. Only these seven could wander safely in the area below the 50th Floor; no one else could do so without risk.
Therefore, for strategies targeting floors below the 50th Floor, these seven people are all indispensable members of the strategy team; the absence of any one of them is unacceptable.
However, this time, a new member has joined the main elite team.
That's Leo.
"Finally, some new main combat force has joined us."
"Our stress levels should be relieved a lot now, right?"
Although Tiona and Tione were quite competitive about being surpassed by Leo, the addition of a new Tier 1 fighter was undoubtedly a cause for celebration.
This not only shows that the clan is becoming stronger, but also that they have found comrades they can rely on.
"Don't drag us down."
Bete Loga glanced at Leo and said this casually, but no longer used the word "small fry".
"With the addition of a new defensive Mage, my burden can be lightened a bit."
"You'd better work hard, kid."
Riveria Ljos Alf and Gareth both smiled at Leo, looking on with great anticipation for his performance.
As for Ais, she never doubted that Leo would not be chosen.
In her view, it would be inconceivable if Leo didn't join in.
Therefore, of everyone present, her behavior was the most normal.
Finn relaxed his expression slightly and said something.
"Leo's addition is of great significance to the entire main team. After all, he is both a high-level swordsman and a high-level Mage. He can play as a midfielder, a center-back, and a defender as well. He can play any position and is almost omnipotent."
"This greatly strengthens the main team. Even if someone has an accident, he can immediately fill in. In terms of strategic and tactical significance, it is undoubtedly greater than anyone else."
"Now, he has not only reached Lv.5, but his swordsmanship and magic are also above average. He is an indispensable asset to us, so everyone can rest assured that we can entrust our backs to him."
After his comments, it's clear how highly Finn regards Leo.
This already places Leo in a higher position than the other key players.