Unless he had a qualitative breakthrough in some technique or combat experience, it would be better to just read quietly in the library.
--------------------------------
"Everyone, this time our target is still the floor we failed to reach last time."
"And once we achieve this goal, we can set our sights on the unknown territories."
"I hope everyone can show their best side to face this 'expedition'!"
"The team distribution remains the same: the first team, led by me and Riveria, will depart first to the 18th floor to subjugate the floor boss. The second team, led by Gareth, is tasked with protecting supplies and supporters, and will depart later."
"Is that clear to everyone!"
"Yeahhhhhhhhhh!"
"Very well, then let's depart! Gareth, I'm counting on you over there!"
"Leave it to this old man!"
The bustling team finally began the 'expedition'.
In the first team were mostly the main forces. Perhaps Finn wanted these high-level combatants to reach the 18th floor early to recover and ensure sustainability.
Compared to the core members in the first team, the second team, besides Gareth who is Lv.6, mostly consisted of veteran mid-level adventurers.
Lv.4 Raul, Anakitty, Cruz, Elfy, Alicia, and Lv.3 Lefiya, Fron, and 21 others.
They departed later, responsible for protecting the cargo on the carts and logistics.
As for why Fron was placed in the second team...
"Line, I'll be in your care. For this expedition, my role is rear guard, acting as both a fire-supporting [Mage] and a team [Healer]."
"Fr... Fron-san, p-pleased to meet you."
Line Arshe, a cute human girl with big glasses, a white hairclip, and braided pigtails down to her waist.
Compared to the 23-year-old, 185cm tall Fron who just got a year older, 16-year-old, 155cm tall Line looked like a little sister who needed protection.
And in fact, she did, Line was Lv.2, but her only magic was healing magic.
That alone made her arguably more important than the Lv.4 front-liners.
In dungeon exploration, whether there's a healer in the team makes a fundamental difference in overall performance.
And in an 'expedition', this difference doesn't shrink, it grows exponentially.
Potion quantities are limited, but a healer... only needs to recover their mental stamina.
Which is superior is obvious at a glance.
Therefore... as the optimal choice, that tiny prum leader naturally wanted to maximize Fron's utility.
That is, as a healer and rear-guard mage protecting the team, his role was absolute and not to be compromised.
"Don't go causing trouble for this old man, Fron. Stay at the rear and protect Line, Alicia, Lefiya, those delicate girls. Don't go charging to the front!"
"..."
The one-handed grip on his shoulder was firm as iron; sweat dripped down Fron's forehead.
"Ahem, I'm very obedient and very afraid of dying. You can rest completely assured!"
"Obedient? Afraid of dying? You!?"
Remembering how the youth fought on the 17th floor, the dwarf warrior gave a cold "heh."
"..."
"Alright, you lot! Get fired up, we're setting out too!"
"Yes!"
With a grand wave of Gareth's hand, the second team also entered Babel Tower, starting their journey along the spiral path.
...
...
Guild headquarters, the prayer room deep underground.
"The Loki Familia has set out, Ouranos."
Fel's "gaze" shifted from the crystal ball to the one seated on the stone throne.
The old god's azure eyes looked downward, his divine will unreadable.
"The Dungeon is undergoing a change. Soon… the answer will come."
"Is that a divine prophecy?"
"No, a god's intuition."
"That doesn't sound very reliable."
"This time, it will be."
...
...
Northeast sector, a certain forge workshop.
"Yo, looks like Loki's bunch set out on another expedition."
"Ah."
"Your Familia member's teammate's among them too."
"Ah."
"Give me a proper reaction, will you?"
"Ah."
"Boring!"
One kept teasing, the other couldn't be bothered, and so, within the Hephaestus Familia's headquarters,
A goddess was lecturing another goddess.
"Listen, Hestia, even if we were friends in the heavens, you're way out of line now!"
"Since coming to the lower world, you've been freeloading off my Familia, eating, living, everything!"
"You're not even trying to be helpful, so I've got an idea."
"Right now, immediately, you're going to move out and… establish your own Familia!"
"Nooo! I can't survive if I leave here! Besides… where will I get a house, or money… and how will I recruit members! Fii-Fii, please don't kick me out!"
"Useless shut-in goddess, work hard for once!"
"No! I won't go!"
"I heard Loki's Familia is heading out on another expedition."
"Hmph."
"You two are sworn enemies, right? Aren't you afraid of meeting her again at the next banquet?"
"..."
The goddess's face darkened.
"Doesn't that feel awful?"
"Stop talking!"
"I found you a temporary place to stay, and even a job that even a useless goddess like you can barely get by with."
...
...
Dungeon, 13th floor.
For the first time, Fron had the illusion that this so-called den of monsters wasn't terrifying.
Starting from the 1st floor, it felt like going on a relaxing family outing, enjoying a dreamy journey.
A never-before-felt ease filled his mind and body. Aside from the lack of warm sunlight, it was no different from a stroll.
With a team of all Lv.2 or higher adventurers, it was like a bulldozer plowing through, pure overwhelming force.
Monsters born from the dungeon were taken out instantly by the mid-guards on watch. The smooth and effortless flow gave Fron an entirely new experience.
"It's completely different from a small party."
"Because it's a team. Everyone handles one or two tasks, which makes it easier. And since we're all long-time comrades, it just works."
Fron began to understand the intricacies of coordinated combat.
"This is too easy. At this rate, reaching the 18th floor won't cost us much stamina at all."
Lefiya, hugging her staff, walked side by side with Line next to Fron, giving cheerful commentary about the journey so far.
"At our usual pace, we'll regroup at the 18th floor, then push straight to the final floor of the 'middle layer,' the 24th floor, and spend the night there."
"Then at a pace of 5–6 floors per day, we'll reach the 'deep zone' safe area, the 50th floor, within a week."