· Expedition Time

Beside him were the silver-haired werewolf youth Bete and the dwarf Gareth, who were Lv5 and Lv6 respectively. Bete, in particular, was a werewolf who worshipped the law of the jungle; in the original story, he always looked down on Bell, though the main reason was actually his jealousy over Ais paying too much attention to Bell.

At the rear was the vice-captain of the Loki Familia, Riveria, a member of the elven royalty, Lv6, titled Nine Hell, and Orario's strongest mage. She was also a close friend of Eina's mother.

"Lu Qiming, is it? Eina has mentioned you to me several times."

Sensing Lu Qiming's gaze, Riveria smiled slightly and spoke up.

"Hello, Riveria. Eina has been very kind to me as well."

"You mustn't bully Eina, or I won't let you off."

Riveria looked at Lu Qiming with a playful expression, much like an old mother-in-law sizing up a son-in-law.

"Uh, Eina and I are just friends."

Seeing Riveria's gaze, Lu Qiming hurriedly explained. After all, he was merely a passerby in this world. Even if he completed the system mission, he could only stay until the mission time expired, unless he chose to abandon the mission.

But Lu Qiming could not abandon the mission, so he was destined to be a transient figure. Even if he were to fully master the system in the future and return to this world, it would take an unknown amount of time to reach that level, and his relationship with Eina was truly just friendship.

He could also feel that Eina only regarded him as a friend or a younger brother; there was absolutely no romantic intent.

As for Tiya and the others, they were simply craving his body, and he was much the same; the excessive killing required a way to vent. Both sides were merely seeking comfort from each other, and even if feelings developed later, they would not head in that direction.

However, before he left, he would make arrangements for Tiya and the others, which could be considered a sense of closure for them.

Just as Lu Qiming was thinking about the future, the group had returned to the hall of the Loki Familia and sat down one after another. Lu Qiming was pulled to her side by Riveria.

"Finn, how are the preparations for your expedition team coming along?"

As soon as he sat down, Lu Qiming looked toward Finn in the main seat and asked, clearing the clutter from his mind. His priority now was the completion rate of his mission, and the progress of the Loki Familia's expedition preparations was directly tied to the speed at which he could finish his task.

"Our expedition team is just about ready. We've added your share to the food and logistics. We can set out tomorrow. Do you have any issues on your end?"

After Finn finished speaking, everyone looked at Lu Qiming. Their familia's expedition team was supposed to have departed today, but it had been delayed until tomorrow because of Lu Qiming. If Lu Qiming couldn't be ready today, they would have to make him wait for the next expedition.

"No problem, I can set out at any time."

Lu Qiming nodded. He didn't need to make any special preparations; Divine Judgment was already within his soul, and his stainless steel basin was always on his head. He only needed to restock a few potions; as for everything else, the Loki Familia had already prepared it.

"Good. Then we'll meet at the entrance of the Dungeon tomorrow morning."

"Understood!"

With that, Lu Qiming stood up to leave. While he still had time, he planned to head to Babel Tower to purchase some potions. As for armor, he didn't need it at all; carrying such things would only hinder his performance.

"Oh, right. We're having a banquet at the Hostess of Fertility tonight. You should come, Lu Qiming, so everyone can get familiar with each other beforehand."

Watching Lu Qiming's retreating back, Finn suddenly called out.

"Mm, I'll be there tonight."

Lu Qiming waved his hand and walked straight out of the Loki Familia's headquarters.

After Lu Qiming left, Finn looked toward the Amazon sisters.

"Tione, apologize to Lu Qiming tonight. From now on, you are all comrades fighting together; you need to be able to entrust your backs to one another. No more causing trouble."

"Yes, Captain!"

Tione nodded, indicating she would follow Finn's instructions. As a top-tier adventurer, she knew the importance of trust between teammates in the Dungeon. Even if Finn hadn't said anything, she would have apologized to Lu Qiming tonight anyway.

"Good. Everyone, go and prepare. The expedition begins tomorrow."

Seeing that Tione had no resistance, Finn planned to go and report the expedition details to Loki.

"Wait a moment, Captain!"

Just as Finn was leaving, Tione called out to him, looking at him with anticipation.

"Is there something else, Tione?"

"Captain, didn't you say you'd let me come to your room? When should I go?"

"That won't be necessary. Just apologize to Lu Qiming tonight."

"No! I must go!"

Tione immediately objected. She had been looking forward to this for a long time; how could she just let it go?

"...Fine. Wait until I've finished reporting to Loki, then go to my room and wait for me."

Finn helplessly agreed to Tione's request, knowing that otherwise, he would be pestered by her all day.

"Yes! You'd better come quickly, Captain!"

Tione ran happily toward Finn's room, looking nothing like someone about to be reprimanded.

Ais and the others on the sidelines looked completely unfazed; such things happened in front of them almost every day, and they were long since used to it.

Babel Tower.

Lu Qiming walked straight inside. This was his second time here; when he came yesterday, he had spent one hundred million Valis to purchase Divine Judgment. This time, he intended to buy some potions.

He still had a few million Valis left; the remaining eighty million had been given to Tiya. However, a few million Valis was enough for him to buy the potions he needed.

On the eighth floor of Babel Tower, Lu Qiming stepped off the lift.

This was the area dedicated to selling potions. At a glance, the counters of every shop were filled with various types of potions.

Lu Qiming casually chose a potion shop with a good reputation among adventurers and walked inside.

"Welcome, adventurer. How may I help you today?"

A Pallum attendant approached Lu Qiming.

"I need some top-tier mana recovery potions, stamina recovery potions, and healing potions."

Lu Qiming stated his requirements directly, staring curiously at the Pallum girl before him. The traits of this race meant they remained in this state even after reaching adulthood, making them literal legal lolis.

This place was practically a paradise for lolicons!

Before long, the legal loli returned carrying a pile of potions and placed them in front of Lu Qiming.

"Adventurer, these are the best potions in the shop."

Lu Qiming picked up a bottle of mana potion; the deep blue liquid inside radiated a mesmerizing glow, as profound as the ocean itself.

The next second, Lu Qiming tossed the potion, bottle and all, into his mouth, crunching it up and swallowing it down. The bottles used for these top-tier potions were specially customized and perfectly edible, unlike ordinary potion containers.

After all, in the heat of battle, there isn't enough time to drink slowly, which is why these bottles exist.

However, due to the high production cost, they are only used for top-tier potions.