Four transparent, thin blue wings fluttered lightly, shaking off faintly glowing phosphorescent dust.
They drifted gently through the air, leaving a shimmering blue trail wherever they passed.
Several elegant blue butterflies fluttered together, wandering through the air as a group.
"How beautiful~"
The lovely butterflies gathered and parted in the air as if playfully frolicking. Lefiya watched them, looking a little dazed, and sighed.
"They're nothing like the monsters we've encountered in the Dungeon before."
Liber shifted his gaze from the Blue Magic Butterflies fluttering in the distance to the strange-looking rabbits gathered around a crystal-clear spring, quietly drinking with their tongues out.
The Purple Moths, famous on the seventh floor alongside the Killer Ants, clung to the enormous Green Crystal Pillar in front of them, together with the Killer Ants.
The enormous Green Crystal Pillar stretched all the way to the ceiling of the dim Dungeon, blending into the wall it leaned against.
The pillar's surface was covered with various knobby protrusions, and strips of crystal ran up and down it. From a distance, it looked like a giant tree made of quartz.
The Crystal Tree cast dazzling green light in every direction.
Clear liquid gradually seeped from the crystals and dripped down the trunk into the spring near its roots.
The Killer Ants and Purple Moths clung quietly to the tree, licking up the liquid.
Blue Magic Butterflies, Needle Rabbits, Killer Ants, and Purple Moths—the monsters of the Dungeon's seventh floor—rested peacefully together beneath the green light.
There were several Blue Magic Butterflies here in particular, despite being rare species.
Blue Magic Butterflies had beautiful appearances unlike those of monsters, and they were also extremely rare, making them very difficult to encounter.
They had almost no combat ability. What's more, the blue phosphorescent dust they shed from their wings could heal monsters' wounds.
Their rare drop, the Blue Magic Butterfly Wing, was an essential ingredient in many healing potions.
"I heard there were quite a lot of monsters here, so I thought we might have to fight."
Looking at the gentle, beautiful scene before him, Liber didn't feel like drawing his weapon and ruining the atmosphere.
"We'd better not attack anything in a place like this."
Hearing Liber's words, Lefiya replied with an expression of protest.
"No, we won't. I was just curious about the Dungeon Food Storage tucked away in this corner of the floor, so I came to take a look. I only prepared to fight in case something happened."
Hearing Lefiya's objection, he waved a hand in response.
Liber once again admired the beautiful scenery before him.
The Crystal Tree's light was gentle and clear. Ripples spread across the spring beneath it, and the tranquil surface sparkled.
A few white flowers bloomed beside the spring. White rabbits poked their heads out from among the plants, while moths rested on the quartz, their transparent wings tinted like clear jade.
A group of enormous ants marched past the tree's roots, sending up tiny splashes.
Unlike the ferocious monsters they usually encountered, the Dungeon's monsters had gathered peacefully in this spacious area.
The Dungeon Food Storage, as its name suggested, was a special space that provided food for monsters. Every floor had one.
Naturally, monsters born in the Dungeon could feel hunger too.
Many monsters hunted adventurers in the Dungeon or fought among themselves.
However, when given the choice, most monsters seemed to get their nutrients from the special liquid in this space, which the Dungeon had created specifically for its "children."
"Now that we've seen the food storage on the seventh floor, we'll start exploring deeper floors."
After lingering to take in the strange sight for a while, Liber turned away from it and spoke to Lefiya.
"Okay." Lefiya replied, reluctant to leave. Then she lowered her voice and said, "Ah, the Blue Magic Butterflies are flying away."
At that, Liber looked at the butterflies that had been clustered together in the air and saw them all fly off toward another passage.
Dungeon, Eighth Floor
"Not bad. The trip was worth it."
Feeling the four pairs of Blue Magic Butterfly Wings in his storage space, Liber smiled with satisfaction.
"That beautiful sight was amazing~"
Lefiya was still reminiscing about what they'd seen earlier.
Liber asked curiously, "Didn't you take part in a short Familia expedition? Haven't you seen that sight before?"
"No. I mean, short expeditions are just a way for the Familia to gather funds and supplies. They don't go very deep."
Lefiya spoke shyly. "They usually don't go out of their way to visit places like those corners of the floors."
"I see." Liber nodded, looking enlightened.
He stopped walking and looked at the approaching monster, then shrugged.
"Here it comes, Lefiya."
"Right." She quickly got into position too.
As Liber left the Dungeon, he watched the sun slowly sink and felt the cool breeze against his skin. He looked a little awkward.
"Why did we finish exploring so early today?"
Following behind Liber, Lefiya looked at the sunset and asked in confusion.
"I'm sorry! My schedule changed a bit today, and I got a little confused."
He turned to face Lefiya, pressed his hands together, and apologized sincerely.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just a little curious."
Seeing him apologize so suddenly, Lefiya hurriedly stopped him.
Liber scratched his head. "Hmm... Ais and I finished training this morning.
"I suddenly had free time, and I didn't know what to do with myself. Then something unexpected happened. I kept getting distracted while we were exploring and lost track of time."
"Something unexpected?" Lefiya pressed, puzzled.
"It's not something I can really talk about. Anyway, I'll get things sorted out tomorrow. Don't worry."
Liber spoke confidently.
"Okay." Seeing that he wasn't going to say more, Lefiya didn't press him.
The two of them walked side by side from the plaza toward Adventurer Street.
"The Blue Magic Butterflies dropped some wings today. Lefiya, do you know which potion shop would offer a good price for them?"
Liber asked Lefiya beside him.
"Um... I'm not very familiar with that. I haven't been to many shops."
Lefiya sounded a little nervous.
"I see." Liber thought for a moment, then asked, "Where did you buy the potions you had before?"
"Potions? Most of them came from Miss Amid." Lefiya explained.
Liber asked, "Amid... the one from the Dian Cecht Familia?"
Lefiya nodded.
Amid Teasanare was a well-known member of the Dian Cecht Familia.
Her Dian Cecht Familia was famous for healing and potion-making, and operated a shop that bore the Familia's name.
Besides selling healing potions, the Dian Cecht Familia also provided adventurers with specialized treatment and equipment according to their needs.
The Familia had its own research and development capabilities, and its shop could also resell or sell goods on behalf of others.
Among production-focused Familias, it ranked near the top in Orario.
"I wonder what kind of price they'd offer. They're not going to take advantage of us just because they're a big shop, are they?" Liber muttered.
"They probably won't... right? A lot of people in the Familia have sold things there."
Lefiya replied hesitantly.
"Let's go ask about the price first."
He thought it over. Since he didn't know any good shops himself, he decided to take a look there first.
"I'll leave it to you to show me the way, Lefiya."
Liber spoke to her.
"Okay." Lefiya agreed, her face faintly flushed.
Before you continue