"Everyone, retreat!"
The instant Riveria finished chanting, Finn shouted and turned to leap to her side. The others arrived almost at the same time.
The moment everyone reached Riveria, crimson veins spread from the Magic Circle beneath Riveria and Lefiya's feet, branching out beneath all the monsters.
"Laevatein!"
Riveria and Lefiya pointed their staves at the horde of monsters. In an instant, flames surged skyward from the crimson veins.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Endless explosions echoed throughout the entire 58th Floor. All the monsters were crushed by the flames, burned to ash.
Aside from the spot where Lu Qiming and the others stood, flames filled the entire field of view.
"So cool!"
Lu Qiming stared blankly at the flames before him. Compared to a warrior's plain old basic attacks, Magicians really went all out on both special effects and damage. More importantly, they were perfect for taking on groups.
Finn and the others, meanwhile, looked completely unfazed. They were already familiar with Riveria and Lefiya's magic; it had been one of their most important means of breaking through enemy lines on previous expeditions.
Before long, the flames died down. The barren landscape had been transformed into a stunning sight. Vast amounts of earth and rock had melted into liquid under the extreme heat, then solidified as the flames receded into crystals of every color, studded with eerie Magic Stones.
"Raul, how much food do we have left?"
Finn glanced across the landscape, now completely transformed, then turned to Raul behind him. He needed to know how much food they had and whether it would last through a night of rest here before they continued their expedition to the 59th Floor tomorrow.
The sudden appearance of two Oliveruses and that red-haired woman only strengthened his suspicions about what was happening deep in the Dungeon. Ever since the New Species Monsters had ambushed them on the 50th Floor, Finn had been wondering about it.
The party needed to be fully rested before moving on.
"Captain, we have enough food for three days, but we only have enough potions for a few more fights."
At Finn's question, Raul hurriedly took off his backpack and checked their supplies.
"Mm. Then we'll rest here tonight and enter the 59th Floor tomorrow morning."
"Yes!"
"Understood, Captain!"
Everyone agreed with Finn's decision. Ever since entering the 51st Floor, they had been in constant combat and had barely had any time to rest.
Just then, Ais sensed something, as if something were calling to her. She turned to look at the entrance to the 59th Floor not far away.
"Ais, don't bother staring. You'll find out tomorrow when we enter the 59th Floor."
Seeing Ais gaze blankly toward the 59th Floor, Lu Qiming patted her shoulder, then walked aside and took two more potions from the pouch at his waist. He downed them with a series of gulps.
"Ais, here."
Ais came over and sat beside Lu Qiming. Noticing her odd gait, he handed her a Top-tier Healing Potion.
"Thank you, Qiming."
Ais glanced at the potion he offered and thanked him before taking it. The red-haired woman had kicked her earlier, and her abdomen was still throbbing with pain.
"No problem."
Lu Qiming waved it off and looked into the pouch at his waist. He still had two Top-tier Mana Recovery Potions. He had already drunk his last Stamina Potion, and of his two Healing Potions, he had used one himself and given the other to Ais.
"Whew..."
After checking what potions he had left, Lu Qiming let out a long breath. The Stamina Potion and Healing Potion had left him feeling warm all over.
He wasn't injured, but it was still better to drink one. If you were hurt, it healed you; if you weren't, all the better.
The sensation in his body also made him realize that although he didn't have any serious injuries, the intense fighting had left him with a few hidden ones.
I've decided! From now on, I'll buy a few more Top-tier Healing Potions and drink one whenever I feel like it. If I'm injured, it'll heal me; if not, it'll keep me safe.
Lu Qiming knew that even though his physique had already surpassed that of ordinary people many times over, he was still human at heart. If his hidden injuries built up, he might drop dead one day.
"Qiming, Ais, come eat!"
Lefiya called to the two of them from nearby. In front of her was food she had heated with magic.
"Coming!"
Lu Qiming took the Stainless Steel Basin off his head and beckoned to Ais before heading over. He had already drunk a Top-tier Stamina Potion, but who would choose to get by on potions alone when they could eat a proper meal and regain their strength?
"Lefiya, fill up a basin for me!"
Lu Qiming handed the Stainless Steel Basin to Lefiya to fill.
But when he saw the basin, which had gone from holding Magic Stones to being his personal dinner bowl, he couldn't help wondering what world—or what profession—could give it the power to grow stronger.
He didn't want this companion that had crossed worlds with him and stayed by his side to end up as nothing more than a dinner bowl.
And it wasn't just the Stainless Steel Basin; Divine Judgment needed strengthening, too. His identity meant that for a long time to come, he would be alone as he traveled through one world after another. Even if he formed bonds in a new world, once he left, he wouldn't see those familiar people and things again unless he fully mastered the system or got incredibly lucky and was sent back to this world.
So strengthening Divine Judgment and the Stainless Steel Basin, giving them intelligence, and even turning them into beings with bodies was a necessity.
He didn't want to become cold and heartless after traveling through countless worlds, turning into a tool that only knew how to complete system missions.
"Qiming, here you go."
Lefiya filled the Stainless Steel Basin and handed it to Lu Qiming, interrupting his thoughts.
"Thanks."
Lu Qiming thanked her, found a spot, and started digging in.
An hour later, everyone had finished eating and put up their temporary tents. After Raul eagerly volunteered for night watch, they confirmed that the monsters on the 58th Floor had been cleared out and wouldn't respawn for a while. Even if any did appear, they'd have enough time to fight back. Everyone then headed into their tents to rest.
The night passed peacefully.
"Morning, Riveria."
Lu Qiming stepped out of his tent and ran into Riveria, who had just emerged from the one opposite.
"Morning, Qiming."
Riveria greeted him with a smile and studied him closely. Judging by his expression, he had fully recovered.
A minute after Lu Qiming and Riveria came out, the others began emerging from their tents as well.
After packing away the tents, the party headed toward the entrance to the 59th Floor.
At the entrance to the 59th Floor, Finn stepped closer and examined the opening, which showed no sign of cold air. Then he glanced at his unmoving thumb.
"No need to equip the Fire Spirit Cloaks. Everyone, we leave in three minutes!"
Before you continue