After exiting the passage connecting the 13th floor to the upper levels, the group entered the foggy grasslands of the 12th floor.
The number of adventurers around them gradually increased. By the time they left the 12th floor, the trio had encountered three or four groups of adventurers. Each group remained wary of the others, with no intention of getting closer.
There was an unwritten rule when exploring the dungeon: different familias should avoid interacting with each other as much as possible.
To prevent unnecessary trouble, Eiji took out a cloak from his backpack and draped it over himself.
"By the way, haven't there been more Amazoness around lately?"
Line, carrying a large backpack, had been paying attention to their surroundings and suddenly spoke up.
"Really?"
Lefiya hadn't noticed.
"It does seem that way."
Eiji stroked his chin.
Over the past few days, while exploring the dungeon, he had clearly noticed that his "fate memory bank" had expanded significantly, with a large portion of the new memories involving Amazoness.
Their outfits were quite revealing, and their skin was a distinctive brown, so he couldn't have mistaken them.
"But it probably has nothing to do with us."
Lefiya waved her staff, somewhat dismissively.
Perhaps there was some special request from the Guild. The Guild often issued all sorts of requests, or maybe a certain familia was preparing for an expedition and was clearing the area in advance.
"That's probably it."
Line thought about it and agreed.
After all, they were members of the Loki Familia. It was almost impossible for anyone to dare cause trouble for them. If anything, others should be grateful that they weren't the ones causing trouble.
"..."
Eiji remained silent, his gaze under the cloak scanning the surroundings.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's nothing."
Eiji shook his head, signalling to Line, who was concerned, that everything was fine.
Was it just his imagination?
He felt like someone was up to no good.
Was he being too sensitive? Or was his intuition warning him?
Well, overthinking wouldn't help. Things would work out when the time came. If it was good fortune, it would come; if it was misfortune, it couldn't be avoided. As long as his own strength was sufficient, any ill intentions would be like child's play.
"By the way, Eiji, there's something I need to tell you."
Line suddenly remembered something and gave Eiji an apologetic look.
"In a few days, Lefiya and I will be participating in the familia's expedition, so we won't be able to team up with you to explore the dungeon."
"Expedition?"
"Yes, our Loki Familia often goes on expeditions. Simply put, it's about delving as deep as possible into the dungeon, reaching floors no one has been to before. This brings great benefits to the familia."
The dungeon was a treasure trove.
It held countless secrets, attracting adventurers from all over the world. In fact, Orario was built around the dungeon.
Fame, monsters, merchants, special materials—as long as you reached previously unexplored floors, all sorts of benefits would come pouring in.
This was also encouraged by the Guild. Exploration-type familias, once they reached a certain level, would be assigned mandatory expedition tasks. However, the Loki Familia had an unusual enthusiasm for expeditions, going on one every few months.
But from what Line was saying, did that mean—
"Can't I go?"
"Huh?"
Line and Lefiya exchanged surprised looks.
They hadn't expected Eiji's first reaction to be that.
"The deeper parts of the dungeon are extremely dangerous. There are even monsters with threat levels around Level 5 or higher. Only the elite members of the familia can go."
Before the familia's expedition, the executives would divide everyone into the expedition group and the home defense group.
The expedition group would include various talents needed for the expedition, such as powerful adventurers, who would head deep into the dungeon. The rest would be required to stay at the familia's base as a precaution.
Lefiya, with her exceptional firepower as a mobile artillery unit, was naturally selected.
Line, as a rare healing mage, was also included, as she could save a lot of potion resources.
But as for Eiji.
A newcomer who had only joined the familia about twenty days ago, although his strength was impressive, he was still only Level 1. It was unlikely the executives would choose him.
After all, the combat personnel selected for the expedition group were mostly Level 4 or higher. Level 3 members would struggle in the deeper floors, and Level 2 members were almost never brought along, with Line being an exception.
Eiji remained silent, deep in thought.
***
After leaving the dungeon, the trio first found a nearby tavern for dinner.
By the time they returned to Twilight Manor, it was already past seven in the evening. Eiji settled his luggage, took a bath, and then headed to the top floor of the central tower.
Today happened to be the day for updating his status.
"There are quite a lot of people."
When Eiji arrived at Loki's door, he noticed that there were indeed many people waiting in line.
"Since the expedition is in five days, everyone is trying to level up as much as they can."
The person in front of Eiji was a man with spiky hair, looking rather ordinary and even a bit simple, around twenty years old, a few centimeters shorter than the fifteen-year-old Eiji.
His name was Raul Nord. Despite his unremarkable appearance, he was a top-tier Level 4 adventurer and one of the core members of the Loki Familia's second army.
The first army, of course, referred to the familia's executives led by Finn, Ais, and others.
"I'm so busy! So busy! You still have five days, can't you come later?"
From inside the room came Loki's hysterical shouts.
Seeing Loki like this, bursts of laughter came from the front of the line.
"Who told you to be lazy all the time."
"Lazy Loki."
Eiji peeked ahead.
Wow, there were at least seven or eight more people.
"Does Loki have enough blood?"
"Uh, it should be fine..."
Raul hesitated.
"Okay, next!"
"Next!"
"Ugh, my fingers are going to fall off!"
"Use another finger then."
"Who said that! How dare you say that to my face, I'll punish you!"
Everyone in line turned to look back.
If they heard correctly, the voice came from the very back of the line.
"Ow!"
Raul suddenly cried out, giving Eiji a confused look.
Why did you pinch me?
"I heard it, it was him!"
Eiji pointed at Raul with righteous indignation.
"?!"
Raul was utterly baffled, then suddenly cried out again.
Why did you pinch me again?
From Raul's eyes, Eiji could read a deep sense of grievance.
"He has deeply reflected on his actions and will never say such things again!"
Eiji put on a brotherly demeanour.
"Hmph!"
Loki glared fiercely at Raul, then quickly moved on to updating the next person.
The familia members ahead all cast subtle glances in their direction.
"Raul is good in every way, except sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks."
"Right, too naive."
Dammit!
Raul's face turned green.
As an honest man, he had never been in such a situation and didn't know how to defend himself.
Twenty minutes later.
After being lectured by Loki for several minutes, Raul walked out of the room with his parchment, giving Eiji a resentful look before leaving.
Eiji, with an honest and straightforward expression, walked into Loki's room.
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹