The surroundings were filled with clamor.
Amid the scraping of metal and aimless chatter, members of the Familia bustled about—some carrying equipment, others driving stakes into the ground, and a few relaying messages here and there.
It was a campsite bustling with over thirty people.
The members of Loki Familia were scattered in small groups, preparing tents and food for the camp. Eiji was among them, also busy with miscellaneous tasks.
Once they reached the deep floors, adventurers like him at Level 2 could only take on supporter roles. Aside from carrying supplies, their tasks mostly involved setting up camp, rarely engaging monsters head-on.
But when they did clash, every enemy was on par with Goliath. He had already faced several such foes, and by the time they returned to the surface, his proficiency would surely skyrocket—perhaps even enough to level up.
"Still, that was really dangerous earlier," a companion helping him pitch the tent remarked with a sigh of relief.
"When those Formors broke through our formation, I had no idea what to do. I thought we were done for. Yet you actually charged at one, Eiji—that was insanely brave!"
He was one of the second-tier adventurers, but in the face of a Formor, he had trembled in fear, his performance far inferior to Eiji's.
Even Level 3 adventurers were fragile against Formors.
Eiji's daring charge had earned him the admiration of many—and the fact that he had taken one down was even more astonishing.
"Just did what I could," Eiji replied humbly.
Over the past few days, through constant trial and error, his "Sword Heart's Valor" had begun to show results, granting him astonishing courage in battle.
Thanks to that, he had managed to cripple a Formor's arm.
It was proof that his conventional combat ability had greatly improved.
"Miss Ais, you were so cool earlier!"
Amid the scene of humans and demi-humans chatting and laughing without distinction, the golden-haired girl emerged from the large central tent and silently walked toward the edge of the cliff.
Though called a cliff, their current campsite was merely atop a massive boulder spanning hundreds of meters, not particularly high off the ground.
This was the 50th Floor—the fourth safe zone of the Dungeon.
After the perilous breakthrough on the 49th Floor, they had rushed here without pause, setting up camp before nightfall.
The passage to the 51st Floor lay within a flat cave opening not far away.
Ais's appearance livened the atmosphere somewhat. Her earlier rampage through the Formor horde had greatly boosted morale.
"What's wrong? You look a bit down," Eiji set aside his work and approached Ais, noticing the slight droop in her eyes.
When she was unhappy, her eyelids would lower just .
"That guy, slacking off on the job!"
The man who had been pitching the tent with Eiji inwardly grumbled at the sight.
"...I got scolded by Finn earlier," Ais murmured, her gloom deepening as she recalled the conversation in the central tent.
"Because you ignored orders and charged into the monster horde?"
With just a bit of thought, Eiji understood why Finn was upset.
Ais gave a small nod.
During the earlier breakthrough, Finn had ordered Ais to guard the right flank. But after the frontline was breached, she had abandoned her post without permission and even plunged into the monster horde.
Though no serious consequences had followed, disregarding orders in a team battle was a grave offense.
"Sometimes you have to improvise in battle. Just be more careful next time."
While comforting the golden-haired girl, he gently patted her head.
The sensation was pleasant—smooth as silk.
A murderous gaze shot from another tent. No need to guess—it was definitely Bete.
"Um… this is a bit embarrassing…"
Ais's cheeks flushed slightly as she voiced a quiet protest.
Eiji gave her head a couple more firm pats before letting go, leaving Ais to fuss over her ruffled hair in dissatisfaction.
A tanned-skinned girl charged over with overwhelming energy. Updates are released by NovєlFіre.net
"Eiji! Pat my head too! I worked really hard earlier!"
She skidded to a stop in front of Eiji, shoving her head toward him and wriggling like an eager caterpillar.
"Alright, alright, stop headbutting me…"
Eiji hastily held off the Amazoness drill-head, barely avoiding being shoved off the rocky platform.
Tiona giggled happily as her head was held in place.
But the realization that Eiji and Ais had somehow reached a point where head-pats were acceptable instantly set off alarm bells in her mind.
As Tiona was inwardly panicking, another voice, brimming with forced courage, reached her ears.
The innocent, golden-haired elf approached the group with a fidgety demeanour, her eyes darting nervously as she bowed to Eiji.
"Thank you for saving me earlier!"
He actually patted Miss Ais's head!
'Damn it, I want that too—no, I mean, even I haven't gotten to do that!'
Lefiya vigorously shook her head, dispelling the strange thoughts and trying to steel her devotion to Ais.
But why did her heart feel oddly sour?
'I want head pats too… Oh, I get it—I must want Miss Ais to pat my head!'
Watching Lefiya nod and shake her head repeatedly, the group exchanged puzzled looks.
"Damn it, so envious!"
A lone Level 3 guy struggling with his tent watched as Eiji was soon surrounded by several beauties, nearly moved to tears by jealousy.
The rocky ceiling above soon vanished from sight, leaving only the faint glow of countless phosphorescent pillars in the distance.
Under the night sky, the countless gray trees, as if wrapped in dust, disappeared into the horizon. The vein-like rivers winding through the vast forest murmured softly.
A bonfire was soon lit atop the rocky campsite, with several portable magic-stone lamps hanging from tent poles, casting flickering light.
A large pot was set up in the clearing, surrounded by the group. Inside simmered a mix of herbs, tree nuts, and meat-fruits gathered along the way, creating a simple yet fragrant broth blending meat and vegetable flavors.
"Miss Ais, aren't you eating?"
Lefiya, as if reaffirming her resolve, fussed over Ais with excessive eagerness.
"Overeating isn't good for combat."
Ais nibbled on a block of portable rations, her eyes helplessly drawn to the pot with longing, yet she resisted the temptation of hot food.
"Alright, let's go over the next phase of our journey."
Finn sat atop a storage crate, sipping soup as he began the post-battle debrief.
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