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After a short break, everyone continued their journey toward the seventh floor.
Thanks to Lyra's extensive knowledge, she guided the familia off the main route and deep into the heart of the seventh level.
The walls turned a pale green, the phosphorescent glow from the ceiling bathed the path in eerie light, and the ground beneath their feet became uneven and almost sickly-looking.
What was once a neatly structured maze gradually twisted into a wild labyrinth, as if they'd left behind man-made halls and stepped into a natural domain.
"We're here. This is the dungeon's food storage area," Lyra announced cautiously.
Suddenly, the narrow corridor opened up into a vast chamber.
It was an enormous hollow space, with towering green crystal pillars that reached all the way to the high, dim ceiling—like massive crystal trees!
Clear liquid seeped from the crystals, pooling into a large spring at the base of the pillars.
All the monsters they had seen before were gathered here: assassin ants and violet moths clung to the trunks, while needle rabbits drank peacefully from the spring below.
These usually fierce and grotesque monsters now looked oddly calm and beautiful, almost serene.
The unexpectedly peaceful scene—so out of sync with the usual chaos of the dungeon—deeply moved the girls' hearts.
"This is the food storage," Lyra said quietly, her voice laced with emotion. "It's where the dungeon offers food to the monsters."
She stared at the peaceful sight in the distance, her expression complicated.
"When I first came here with Alise and the others, we were all completely shocked. Sometimes, I can't help but wonder… Are monsters really that different from us?"
"Alise even ran up yelling that she wanted to be friends with the monsters…" Lyra gave a helpless smile. "And then we got chased halfway across the floor by a monster mob…"
Everyone else could only shake their heads, sweatdropping.
Yeah… that's definitely something Alise would do.
The quiet dwarf Asta, never one for sentiment, cut in with a cold, matter-of-fact tone that sounded straight out of a war general's mouth.
"No matter what, monsters are still monsters. We'll never truly understand each other."
Dan couldn't help but think of those strange ones from the lower levels.
Can't understand each other? Maybe… but maybe not.
There were multiple food storage areas on each level, except for the first and second. But even with Dan's crazy luck, randomly stumbling onto a jackpot wasn't exactly smart. That's why Lyra's plan was simple: stay put and wait for the prey to come.
"And besides," Lyra added, her eyes glinting mischievously, "this place has another bonus for us."
She turned to Ryuu, a playful smirk on her lips. "Ryuu, remember what I told you before? Why no one bothers grinding monsters here even though they know the food storages are full of them?"
Ryuu blinked her stunning sky-blue eyes, then answered hesitantly.
"Hmm… I think it was because even though there are food storage spots on every level, they're usually deep in the dungeon. Getting here takes forever—sometimes longer than reaching the next floor!"
"And even if you do have the strength to wipe out all the monsters here, it's more efficient to go deeper and hunt stronger creatures for better-quality magic stones."
Lyra's grin widened, eyes sparkling as she glanced at Dan.
"Exactly. But that's only true if Dan isn't with us!"
"Wait—you mean?!"
"That's right! With his insane luck and the ridiculous drop rates we've been getting... I feel a little bad for the monsters, but this place is basically our goldmine!"
Lyra pointed toward a nearby swarm of blue phoenix moths, beautiful and dreamlike as they floated in the air.
"There, see? Our target's already here."
"You're up, Ryuu!"
Ryuu gave a silent apology to the elegant, fluttering moths.
Sorry, little ones… but for our familia's funds, for Lady Goddess's hairpin… and for Dan's spellbook… I have to do this!
"—Come forth, wandering wind, traveler of the skies! Fly high above the clouds, race across the wilds, and strike down all that stands in your way! With the light of the stars, bring judgment upon our foes!"
Countless glowing green orbs swirled around Ryuu, her starlight magic blazing to life—and in a single blast, every single monster in the food storage was obliterated.
Dan stood silently behind her, his Sharingan quietly spinning, taking in every detail.
"....."