The "Monster Feast" had finally been weathered—but it had cost them all of their resources.
Liliruca felt a twinge of regret, but not a shred of remorse. If she had hesitated for even a moment back there, the loss could've been her teammates' lives.
Standing at the front line, she looked at the joyful faces around her and swallowed those feelings. There was no need to tell them everything.
"Everyone, that's the end of our training. We've overextended ourselves with resources—we no longer have the strength to face the monsters on this floor."
Liliruca lowered her head. She hadn't met everyone's expectations. She'd thought she could lead them safely to the 28th floor's safety zone, but instead, they'd ended up stuck here.
The members of Liliruca's team exchanged glances—then broke into smiles.
"Captain, you don't have to shoulder all the blame. Everyone knows how dangerous the Dungeon is. Without your leadership, we probably would've been stuck wandering between the 18th and 20th floors."
"Yeah. Running into a 'Monster Feast' is a common threat in the Dungeon. Every adventurer gives it their all to survive."
"Forget giving it their all—people would give an arm or a leg to push through something like that. Using our resources here was absolutely the right call."
"Exactly. If you'd chosen to hoard resources and let us face danger instead, we'd have seriously looked down on you."
A few of the Dwarves shrugged it off. Sure, showcasing their abilities was important—but survival mattered more.
"What we didn't accomplish this time, we'll aim to achieve next time. Our journey doesn't end with just one expedition."
"Yeah, no need for apologies. This was a team effort. If you really feel sorry, just make it up to us with a round of drinks when we get to the next rest spot."
Hearing their words, Liliruca's eyes grew misty, her nose stung with emotion.
Back when she was in Soma Familia, she was always the most insignificant support—how had she come to be recognized like this?
Now, Liliruca understood her worth. She had found her purpose.
This world wasn't meaningless. The reason she'd survived until now was because she could form bonds with companions—because she could fight alongside them toward a shared goal.
"Yeah... once we hit the safety zone, let's have a proper drink."
A bright smile bloomed on her face. In that moment, the shadows of her past finally lifted.
She turned around and carefully wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Alright, I'll go report to the captain."
As her small figure walked off, the rest of the team let out a collective sigh.
"Man... the captain's great in every way—she just downplays herself too much when she speaks and acts."
"Let it go. After what she went through in Soma Familia, it's no surprise she ended up with that kind of personality."
"Yeah... Soma Familia's cleaned up a bit lately, but they weren't always like that."
Any adventurer could tell you about Soma Familia. Those guys would haggle over even a single valis when trading—it was like money was their god.
The root of it all was Soma's Divine Wine.
That stuff wasn't something ordinary adventurers could resist. Just a small sip, and you'd fall under its spell—becoming a slave to the wine.
Think about the old members of Soma Familia... weren't they exactly that? Slaves?
"Hopefully, the captain changes a little after this."
Low self-esteem and servility weren't traits suited for a commander. Confidence and caution—that's what a leader needed.
Everyone knew this expedition was just one chapter, not the whole story.
Right now, reaching the 25th floor with only a mix of Level 1 and Level 2 adventurers was a miracle in itself.
Especially considering so many of them were on their first large-scale expedition.
Their strength, coordination, and teamwork had only just begun to take shape—there was no way they could already be a fully integrated fighting unit.
Honestly, even reaching the 13th floor would have been a challenge for a team like this.
Yet here they were, having made it to the 25th floor, surviving a Monster Feast without a single injury. That in itself was already a miracle.
Not being able to push on to the safety zone on the 28th floor was a disappointment—but there was no need to achieve everything on the first expedition.
Once they had the strength, the synergy, and the gear to match, they'd come back and try again.
And next time, it wouldn't be with the main party. It'd be just them, taking on the challenge alone.
...
While resting, Finn listened to Liliruca's report and her conclusion that their team couldn't continue the advance.
"Hmph. At least you know your limits."
"Small fry should know their place. You've already hit your ceiling."
Bete's ill-timed jab earned a sharp glance from Finn, though he said nothing. Instead, he turned back to Liliruca.
Her face was tight with anger, fists clenched under her cloak.
She seriously wanted to punch that wolf-faced jerk.
But she held herself back.
"Bete-san, even if this is our limit for now, it's definitely not the limit of my teammates."
"It's my shortcomings that stopped us. I couldn't find a better path through the chaos of the Dungeon, nor could I lead them any farther."
"My team is made up of excellent members."
"Oh~?"
Bete gave her a look of amused interest. He hadn't expected this little Pallum to talk back like that.
"If they're so excellent, then why give up now? Why not show us what they're really capable of?"
It was a taunt—and Liliruca knew it.
That flash of heat in her head quickly cooled. Her fists slowly unclenched.
"No. I still choose to stop here."
"My teammates are indeed exceptional—but my capabilities are limited. I've already exhausted all our resources. At this point, I no longer have the confidence to lead us forward."
Yet her eyes burned with unshakable resolve.
"I won't gamble with my team. That's why my choice, right now, is to pull back."
Maybe they could have pressed on. But Liliruca knew her team didn't have the strength to handle what came next.
Rather than act on pride, it was better to acknowledge her limits.
She could grow stronger. She could prepare better. There was no need to stake everything on a single expedition.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake