Crisis, and Opportunity

That night, although the entire camp was unusually quiet, there was no noise, but the restlessness in people's hearts could not be suppressed.

Finn, Gareth, Bete Loga, Tiona, Tione, and the others remained relatively restrained, focusing wholeheartedly on mastering their new weapons, channeling all their energy into motivation, and silently awaiting the arrival of tomorrow.

Raul, Anakitty, Alicia, Lefiya Viridis, and the others encouraged each other and secretly strengthened their resolve.

The blacksmiths from the Hephaestus Familia, including Tsubaki, were also influenced by the atmosphere in the camp. They were no longer carefree and began to repair and maintain everyone's weapons and armor, doing their best to ensure that all combatants were in the best possible condition to fight.

Ais arrived at the rock platform and gazed at the entrance to the 51st Floor, as if she could see the scene on the 59th Floor. She remained lost in thought for a long time.

What awaits me there?

What exactly is the truth I seek?

With this question in mind, Ais unconsciously gripped the sword at her waist, so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Many people had difficulty falling asleep, their minds filled with a complex mix of anticipation, trepidation, and tension as they looked forward to tomorrow. Only Leo, after watching Ais from afar on the rocky platform for a while, returned to his tent to rest. He knew very well what his group would encounter on the lower floors tomorrow.

That would be a huge crisis that could lead to the complete annihilation of the entire clan's main force.

The enemy we will face tomorrow will be the most terrifying being we have ever faced.

However, crisis can also be an opportunity.

In the original story, it was precisely because the main force of Loki Familia overcame this hurdle that they underwent their first transformation.

At that time, the strength of the entire Loki Familia will experience a significant surge, which is why the Loki Familia has been able to overcome numerous difficulties and dangers.

Leo also doesn't intend to miss this opportunity.

He vowed to stand with his clan and companions, overcome this obstacle together, and reach a higher level, becoming stronger. Only in this way could he take the initiative in future major events and even nip some dangers in the bud.

Having made this realization, he closed his eyes for a while and then drifted off to sleep.

Time, just like that, slips away little by little...

Soon, the next morning quietly arrived.

As dawn breaks over the land, deep within the labyrinth where there is no sunrise or sunset, atop the 50th Floor rock platform, the campsite begins its early operations.

The many tents erected in the field were shrouded in the dim light and phosphorescence of the building, casting faint outlines of the people on guard duty and those cooking, which were reflected on the ground or the tents.

Leo and the others got up early one after another, ate breakfast under the care of the group members who stayed at the camp, filled their stomachs, and adjusted themselves to their best condition.

Soon after, the main force members appeared in front of the camp.

They were fully armed, carrying all their weapons, and even their pouches were filled with various medicinal herbs.

Their expressions were all cold and composed, even Raul and Lefiya Viridis forced themselves to remain calm, showing no fear whatsoever. Everyone in the camp had arrived, watching the adventurers who were about to head to hell, their eyes filled with both seriousness and anticipation. The clown band's flag, erected in the center of the camp, fluttered in the wind, its comical smiles gazing at the crowd as if it too were seeing them off.

Leo and Ais stood together as always, looking at each other without saying a word, yet both could sense each other's thoughts.

As if by prior arrangement, the two reached out their hands in perfect unison, eventually clasping them together and sharing their warmth. "Well then, I'll leave this to you, Anakitty."

Finn put on the captain's mask and spoke calmly.

"Yes, Commander."

Anakitty nodded solemnly in agreement.

"Set off!"

After saying everything that needed to be said, Finn decisively ordered the journey to begin.

The main force members stepped forward in unison, and with the shouts of farewell from the members and senior blacksmiths who remained at the base, they descended the giant rock and headed towards the large cave at the western end of the 50th Floor.

The dark, gaping hole in the western wall of the entire floor, connecting the 50th Floor and 51st Floor, was already welcoming their arrival.

Finn spoke again only when they reached the entrance of the cave.

"Next, we will proceed to the next floor according to the pre-arranged plan and the proper route."

Finn turned around, looked at everyone present, and began to make arrangements.

Everyone listened attentively, especially Leo, since this was his first real participation in the conquest of unexplored territory. The last expedition had failed, and this one was a restart. Leo hadn't been involved in any of the previous expeditions, so he had to listen carefully. Even though he already knew what would happen from the original story, it didn't matter.

"Bete Loga and Tiona will lead the way; you two will clear the path."

"Ais and Tione will be the center-backs. You'll be responsible for support, focusing on dealing with enemies attacking from the flanks. I'll also be watching from behind." "Leo and Riveria will be the defenders. Your task is to support us with magic and clear obstacles. Gareth will be responsible for guarding and clearing away any monsters that might interfere with their chanting from behind."

"Following this deployment method, and placing a supporter with weapons and equipment at each position, that will be the formation." Finn had clearly thought through this formation repeatedly in his mind, so his command was completely smooth and his words were clear and fluent. "Raul, you are the supporter at the vanguard."

"Alicia, you're in charge of center back."

"Lefiya Viridis, you'll be responsible for supporting the defense. You'll also need to cover for the damage dealers when necessary, with Gareth providing cover while you cast spells." "As for Tsubaki, as a guest player and a technician, you'll stay by my side."

Finn carried out the entire deployment all by himself without seeking anyone's consent.

Once here, he is the supreme commander, and his orders must be obeyed without question, allowing no room for doubt.

"We'll get through the 51st Floor as quickly as possible, then proceed to the 52nd Floor, where the real challenge begins." Finn didn't explain why, he just kept giving orders.

"Until then, the defenders can remain inactive for now, and the center-backs should also be kept in reserve. The pressure will fall entirely on the forwards who are responsible for clearing the way." Hearing this, Bete Loga and Tiona both looked completely unconcerned; one even grinned coldly, while the other was eager to try, showing no fear whatsoever. "We don't have time to linger on the earlier floors, so let's just rush straight ahead. We can take a final rest when we reach the entrance to the 52nd Floor."

Why take a final rest at the entrance to the 52nd Floor?

Are there no places to rest on the later floors?

This question was only posed by Tsubaki, who was new to the area.

But Finn still didn't explain; he simply turned around and drew the spear from his back.

This is a golden spear called the Fortia Spear, a weapon exclusively used by the Prum.

Its shaft is made of strong and resilient Oathwood walnut, while the spearhead is forged from a mixture of Brave Iron and Diljian Adamantite. Both of these materials are sourced from Elven Forest and are extremely rare, thus commanding a price of 130 million Valis, making it an astronomical weapon among the armaments used by the Prum.

Without a doubt, this is a top-tier special weapon, far more powerful Roland Spear Finn obtained yesterday.

At this moment, the Roland Spear was stuck in the cylindrical backpack on the back of Alicia, who was responsible for supporting the center-backs, waiting for Finn to pull it out at any time.

Finn is currently using the more powerful Fortia Spear; he will only use the indestructible silver spear when the worm-like monsters that can corrode weapons appear.

Seeing this, the others also drew their favorite weapons.

Tiona's twin blades Ullr, were already in motion.

Bete Loga's metal boots clanged against the ground.

Ais drew her gleaming silver military knife.

Tione twirled the recurve knife in both hands.

Riveria Ljos Alf and Lefiya Viridis gripped their wands tightly.

Gareth, also carrying a great battle axe, gradually had his expression replaced by a burning fighting spirit.

As for Leo, he still held the unsheathed Starlight at his waist, feeling the sharpness of his beloved sword.

"Bete Loga, Tiona."

Finn didn't waste any words and gave the order directly.

"Superior."

As soon as he finished speaking, the two vanguards who were clearing the way jumped into the large hole without hesitation.

"Alright! I'm going up!"

"Come on, monster!"

The Amazon's warlike nature was ignited, and the werewolf youth's pent-up ferocity was unleashed without restraint. As if they had been waiting impatiently for this moment, the two of them, the instant their feet touched the ground, shot forward like bullets fired from a gun. "Gahoooo...

The unfamiliar presence brazenly barged in, immediately alarming the nearby monsters, who roared and charged. But by the time they reached the entrance, the intruders had already vanished.

"No unnecessary fighting or waste of resources is allowed."

This was Finn's first strategy.

Their energy, physical strength, resources, and so on all need to be used in the unreached area—the 59th Floor.

Therefore, the earlier floors are merely obstacles for them, levels designed to wear them down. If they expend too much effort on these floors, they might not be able to conquer the 59th Floor later.

Therefore, the first key to this strategy is to proceed through the preceding floors at full speed without delay.

So, as Bete Loga and Tiona rushed out, the others also jumped down from the entrance and rushed out immediately to catch up with the werewolf youth and the Amazon girl who were running at high speed ahead.

The group sped through the rock passage at a speed that was beyond the reach of ordinary people, heading towards the entrance to the 52nd Floor.

A group of level one adventurers were sprinting in one direction, so their speed was naturally not going to be slow.

Even with two Lv.4 mages and Lefiya Viridis, a Lv.3 Mage, in the team, they were able to keep up with Bete Loga and Tiona, who were clearing the way, and avoid being left behind by the team, as they ran as fast as they could.

Therefore, in the rock passage of the 51st Floor, accompanied by a gust of wind, figures rushed forward at a speed like afterimages, so fast that ordinary people could not even see their faces.

But the Dungeon is alive, and it is naturally unhappy to see adventurers running so recklessly, trying to shake off all dangers and avoid battle.

"Boom..."

The entire 51st Floor suddenly trembled as if it were roaring.

To stop the adventurers from invading the dungeon, the Dungeon has begun to unleash its power.

"Pa-pa-pa-pa"

A series of cracking sounds came from all directions, causing cracks to suddenly appear in the walls, ceiling, and even the floor, which then collapsed completely. "Garrooa...

The roars of the monsters followed immediately, and their figures broke free of the walls one by one, as if hatching from an eggshell, pushing open cracks and emerging from the walls, ceiling, and floor.

These monsters were mostly large species, including Black Rhino with skin as hard as steel and enormous, Deformed Spider. They roared and attacked from all directions with a force that no other building in the entire building could match so far.

"Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...!!!"

The Black Rhino charged forward first, one after another, forming a large group. The sheer force of their collective charge even shook the earth, sending billowing dust into the air.

"Bete Loga! Tiona! Take care of them!"

Finn darted about with nimble steps, keeping close behind Ais and Tione, and issued a calm command.

Bete Loga and Tiona went to meet them without saying a word.

"Die, you bastard!"

Bete Loga, with his astonishing leg strength, was the first to initiate the battle. Facing the roaring Black Rhino, a violent smile appeared on his lips. He then roared loudly, and the metal boots beneath his feet burst into silver light.

"Bang!!!"

With a lightning-fast kick, he struck the Black Rhino squarely in front of him, creating a shockwave that sent the massive Black Rhino crashing into the wall, smashing it to pieces.

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh smell...!"

Bete Loga roared incessantly, kicking out and sending the enemy flying. He immediately followed up with a spinning kick, sending all the approaching Black Rhino flying with a series of astonishing "bang bang bang" sounds. He even kicked the head off one of the Black Rhino, instantly clearing a large area of monsters and clearing a path for the team.

"Watch me!"

Tiona rushed forward a beat too slow, her large twin blades imbued with all her strength, transforming into a whirlwind as she slashed out.

"Plop!" "Plop!" "Plop!!"...

The vicious blade, forged from an ultra-hard metal, spun in his hand, slashing at a herd of Black Rhino as if dancing, cutting all the monsters in its path in two, or even shattering them.

A bloody storm erupted around the Amazonian girl, with blood and severed limbs flying everywhere, a truly horrifying sight.

But...

"There are enemies on the left."

Ais suddenly spoke up.

A group of enormous, Deformed Spider suddenly emerged from the side and attacked the group.

The quantity is extremely large.