Alise wrapped her arms around the two girls with a radiant smile, her voice warm as she comforted them. "There, there. It's fine. Isn't it actually a good thing that Akira keeps getting stronger?"
"The wings of justice grow ever more powerful!" She added playfully.
Lyra chimed in with a nod, her expression both calm and thoughtful. "From my point of view, the stronger Akira is, the safer everyone else becomes. That's something we can't overlook."
Ryuu, however, wasn't so easily reassured. Though Alise's encouragement was sincere, Ryuu's eyes still held a flicker of frustration.
"I understand all that. But as a member of the Astraea familia and as someone who sees him like a sibling, I... I want to stand beside him in battle, not just watch from behind."
Although Akira was technically a few years older than Ryuu back in the world he came from, her pride and sense of camaraderie made the gap feel nonexistent.
Kaguya, arms crossed and her usual confidence flashing through her tone, nodded in agreement. "For once, I agree with this not-so-useless elf. I refuse to be left in the dust."
With a chuckle and a gleam in her eye, Alise said, "Well then, when we return, it seems like it's time for a girls' strategy meeting. Let's cheer each other on and train even harder."
Once their lighthearted chatter faded, Akira stepped forward and carefully extracted the glowing blue-purple magic stone from Amphisbaena's torso.
The monstrous corpse, once towering and menacing, began to dissolve slowly. Its vast form faded like melting snowflakes, becoming fine dust that scattered gently to the floor.
All that remained were a few shattered, dense dragon scales and a pungent yet rare material that gleamed faintly in the lamplight: [Amphisbaena's Dragon Liver].
Without hesitation, Akira stored all the precious loot into his backpack.
As expected of a monster rex's drop, every item was immense in size and high in value. The dragon liver alone was nearly as tall as Lyra—a grotesque marvel.
After a brief rest and reorganization, Alise rallied everyone to press forward. They pushed through increasingly dense enemy resistance, battling through layer after layer of dungeon threats. Eventually, their efforts bore fruit as they reached the sanctuary of the 29th floor—a safe zone where they could finally breathe.
Upon arrival, they quickly set up camp. As the weary adventurers relaxed, Akira constructed a makeshift bathing pool, offering everyone a chance to wash off the day's exhaustion.
Conversation floated casually through the air, and before anyone noticed, the time had crept toward ten o'clock.
Mindful of maintaining their biological rhythms, the group began cleaning up and preparing for rest.
But when Akira stepped into the tent, he immediately sensed an awkward tension.
A strange silence hung between Asta and Lyra. Akira remembered the unfinished business between them and could only smile stiffly, uncertain of what to say or do. Instead, he quietly took his place, trying not to intrude.
Asta lay on her side, her back facing the group. Lyra was next to her, whispering something softly.
Meanwhile, as promised in their previous conversation, Ais had claimed her spot next to Akira. With a bright, innocent smile, she scooted close and slipped under her blanket.
Akira sighed helplessly but fondly, then reached out and gently patted her head. Ais immediately started peppering him with curious questions, to which Akira responded patiently until she drifted into peaceful sleep.
Watching Ais's tranquil expression, Akira exhaled slowly and opened his status window.
[Personal Information]
Identity: Member of Astraea Familia
He studied the information quietly. "Only two levels gained... It seems the current floor no longer challenges me."
Their victorious push through the monster rex had allowed him to break through easily, reaching the 29th floor without obstruction.
That night, it was Maryuu, Ryana, and Iska who took the watch shifts, safeguarding the rest of the group. Alise and the others, drained to their limits, finally enjoyed a full night of uninterrupted rest.
The next day, invigorated and well-fed, the party resumed their expedition with fresh determination. Their spirits soared like eagles lifting into the wind.
Perhaps inspired by Akira's overwhelming performance, Ais had begun to feel a subtle sense of inadequacy. She watched, fascinated and slightly troubled, as the three most aggressive fighters among them went wild in battle.
Nearby, Ryuu wielded a wooden sword with nimble grace, deftly slicing rocks and monsters alike with her left hand. She moved with unmatched agility, dancing through enemy strikes while chanting magic in her melodic tone. With each chant, blasts of light-infused wind thundered across the battlefield.
What stood out most was her willingness to take blows she could easily avoid, choosing instead to clash head-on and block attacks with sheer strength—a test of resilience and will.
Further along, Alise danced a deadly ballet with her rapier. Every flick of her blade pierced precisely into monster vitals, executing clean and swift kills. Even when surrounded, she refused to rely on magic, instead facing danger with pure swordsmanship. Her movements were sharp and lethal, blinking forward with sudden speed and cleanly dispatching monsters with one slash after another.
The intensity with which these three battled was staggering. They treated each encounter like a training session, relentless and tireless.
Their infectious tenacity spread to everyone in the party, igniting a silent, shared determination.
It wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about rising—to Akira's level, to the next floor, and to whatever lay beyond.