"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."
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Fron listened to Lefiya's words and began calculating in his mind.
Starting from the 18th floor, reaching the 50th floor would mean crossing through the middle, lower, and deep levels, a total of 32 floors.
At the speed she mentioned, it would take about six days to reach the target floor, and then there would be the matter of the exploring the next few floors and a return journey.
In other words, a full "expedition" would take roughly 15 to 20 days.
"Amazing."
As the group chatted, they continued their journey under the weight of long-hidden pressure.
After passing through the vast cavern hall of the fearsome floor boss Goliath, also known as the location of the [Wall of Sighs], they finally reached the 18th floor.
The 18th floor, the first safe zone in the dungeon.
"This is…"
Lefiya, the elven girl, clasped her hands behind her back and said with a cheerful smile:
"Come to think of it, this is Fron's first time on the 18th floor, right? How is it? Is it a little different from what you imagined from the stories?"
Standing at the bottom of the sloped passageway, stepping on soft grass, and gazing up at the glittering dome, even with memories from deep within, he couldn't help but be stunned.
"This kind of light…"
"Hahahaha, kid. Pretty sharp, huh? You already noticed!"
The dwarven warrior, having completed his role as leader, came over laughing when he saw Fron's dazed expression.
"Those, they're all crystals? These things are pretty rare up on the surface, especially outside the city. I always thought they were high-value items."
"So why are they as common as rocks down here?"
"Things are only valuable when they're rare. In here, these aren't anything special."
"Uh, true enough."
He awkwardly scratched his nose, realizing once again that he had been thinking using his past-world common sense and values, and had stepped into a major pitfall. Only now did he realize how foolish he was.
"Let's go! You guys, stop spacing out. The supporters are still waiting for us!"
"Yes!"
The 18th floor's passage was located on the southern plains, while the path leading to the 19th floor was to the north.
To the west, a dilapidated little town made entirely of wood could be vaguely seen, it must be the famous [Rivira, the Adventurer's Town].
As they moved forward, Fron looked around.
On both sides of the path, beautiful zones of translucent blue light spread before their eyes.
They came in all shapes and sizes, from tiny plants near their feet to giant crystal formations like towering swords or structures large enough to swallow a person whole.
These richly varied, fantastical blue crystals covered the forest.
In this gathering of countless crystals, their irregular reflections of scattered light dyed the forest a magical pale blue. Reflected on everyone's bodies, it was as if they were wrapped in a layer of dreamlike silk.
Not only that, beautiful moss and fragments of azure crystals also clung to the massive, gnarled tree roots.
The entire landscape was filled with mysterious and fantastical sights, surpassing Fron's imagination and perfectly aligning with all fantasies of another world, it left him in awe.
Though the 18th floor was large, it didn't take long to cross thanks to the swift pace of the advanced adventurers.
Soon, their party arrived at the passage to the 19th floor.
At that moment, the members of the first team were already waiting there. A certain werewolf, leaning against a tree trunk, impatiently swayed his tail, his face full of irritation.
"You guys are too slow, old man. Can't you move a little faster~?"
"Easy for you to say, you brat."
"Tch."
"Gareth, everything go smoothly on the way?"
"Of course it did. With me around, what could possibly go wrong?"
"Excellent. Everyone, get ready to conquer the next floors."
"Raul, hand out the prepared 'Fire Spirit Cloaks.' The firebirds in the 'Great Tree Labyrinth,' even for us, are no joke. Be fully prepared!"
"Got it!"
As instructed, Raul and the others took out a large supply of pre-purchased "Spirit Cloaks" from the cart and handed them out to the members one by one.
"Miss Tione, Miss Tiona?"
"We don't need them. They just get in the way during battle, pretty useless."
"…Captain?"
"Tione and her sister are exceptions, but everyone below Level 5 must wear protective gear."
"Understood."
Including Fron and Lefiya, everyone quickly donned the red "Fire Spirit Cloak."
He was already wearing his usual black cloak, and now, with a red layer on top, his whole outfit looked pretty stylish.
"Double-layered protection, this is the most secure I've ever felt in the dungeon."
"Eh? Fron-san, is that cloak also some kind of gear?"
"My cloak? It's my secret weapon."
"…That sounds suspicious."
The elven girl looked doubtful, her expression skeptical.
He smiled without answering, after all, this cloak was made from Black Goliath hide, and its defense would shatter her expectations.
"Fron, time to descend."
The blonde swordswoman came over and gently spoke.
"Don't worry, I'm Level 3 too."
"Hmm."
"Alright everyone, move out!"
With everyone ready, and under Finn's command, they entered the passage!
Their entire formation shifted.
Bete and Tiona moved up front to break the trail.
Tione, Ais, Raul, Anya, and others held the middle to guard the rear and the supporters.
Finally, the three leaders covered the rear, binding the entire party into a seamless, iron-clad unit.The [Loki Familia] demonstrated their overwhelming coordination.
Floors 19 to 24 were also known as the "Great Tree Labyrinth."
Upon stepping onto the 19th floor, the entire environment changed once again.
The ceiling, walls, and even the ground were all made of tree bark.
On the main paths leading deeper inside, lush moss growing everywhere emitted soft blue or green glows, turning the whole area into a secret realm right out of legend.
Various plant leaves and mysterious flowers dripping with nectar, everywhere were rare and unseen plants.
This place was like a natural treasure trove, sure to drive any alchemist or herbalist mad with joy.
"This is floors 19 to 24: the 'Great Tree Labyrinth.'"
"In the Great Tree Labyrinth, the monsters often have unusual attack patterns or tactics."
"The most troublesome are their 'abnormal attacks', like the flame-breathing firebirds, trap monsters like the mimicry-capable Bloody Hives and Deadly Wasps, poisonous dark mushrooms, green dragons, and more."
"And most importantly, beware the Poisonous Worms. They may not be strong in direct combat, but once they form a swarm, it's serious trouble!"
Fron had read about all this in the "Expedition" records of the archives.
But no matter how much he read, nothing beat the real experience.
"We'll take the main passage and quickly clear this floor!"
"Bete, Tiona. We're counting on you!"
"Hmph, we've been waiting!"
And then, the two of them charged at the monsters blocking their path.