Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Bel, at a loss for words, replied hastily, "You're such a nice person, really," Daphne smiled. Neither Lena, who had handled the negotiations so efficiently, nor Daphne, who had readily agreed, seemed to know what to say.

"Well then, we'll accept it with gratitude. Cassandra thinks it's alright too, right? Although we were originally planning to start our return journey now."

"Hmm, um! I'm alright, little Daphne!"

Faced with the hastily assembled temporary team, only Bell and Haruhime kept blinking repeatedly.

"In that case, going to the lower floors won't be a problem. [Little Rookie]? His combat power is sufficient!"

"Yes, yes, if Miss Daphne and Miss Cassandra could come and help."

"Could it be that you intended to do this from the very beginning?" Bell finally nodded in response to Lena's playful smile.

As long as their interests align, they can cooperate even with adventurers they've just met. That's the nature of adventurers.

There was a feeling that although his own level had risen rapidly, he had still witnessed the experience and skill of a seasoned professional. Bell had that expression on his face.

"Alright, let's all work together, five of us, to complete the adventurer's quest!"

Lena raised her fist with great spirit.

Bell and Haruhime smiled at each other, not wanting to elaborate on how their "dungeon date" had gradually turned into a regular "adventure."

"Same method as before, you two, please!"

"Yes, Miss Daphne!"

It's lost count of how many times the monster hordes have clashed with the adventurers.

We've already gone down two floors; we're on the 15th floor now.

With Daphne and Cassandra joining them, Bell's group slaughtered the monsters without leaving a trace, and instantly broke through two floors.

"Cassandra, provide backup! Take out the 'Hellhound' at three o'clock! Next up is the 'Metal Rabbit' in the opposite direction! That one has a throwing stone axe over there!"

"Hmm, um!"

"【Little Rookie】and 【Bad Flower】have suppressed 'Minotaur' and 'Thunder Fang Tiger'!"

"Leave it to me!"

"knew!"

"Two 'Cerberus' are lurking in the shadows of the large-scale (Minotaur-like) ones! Be especially careful of the flames!"

With a formation of two forwards, one center-back, one defender, and one support, Daphne's instructions came in rapid succession. Cassandra, whom she had known for a long time, was of course present, and Bell and Reina, addressed by their nicknames, also heeded the voice of their excellent commander.

Wielding her short sword like a conductor's baton, she controlled the course of the battlefield.

"Once there's someone in charge, there's nothing to worry about!"

As Lena effortlessly slaughtered monsters while casually dispatching the "Thunder Fang Tiger," Bell, who had also defeated the "Minotaur," broke out in a cold sweat. He then used the spare short sword he had borrowed from Daphne and the others to dismantle two more "Hellhounds."

Although she wasn't put to good use in the war game, Daphne's command abilities were superb.

With a wide field of vision, she could preemptively eliminate enemy monsters that might attack from a distance, preventing potential threats. Furthermore, she could immediately switch positions from the center-guard to provide support to Bell and his group at the perfect time. Just having a steadfast commander behind them made the battle significantly easier for the vanguard adventurers.

Along with the importance of the defenders, the presence of a talented commander is key to group dungeon exploration.

"100, not 140. New enemies will attack in 10 seconds!"

Deep within the long and wide passage, facing a horde of monsters approaching from exactly 140 meters ahead, Daphne once again gave precise instructions.

"Are we still getting enough arrows?"

With a whisper as pessimistic as her alias "The Pessimist," Cassandra drew her shortbow and arrows. Just as Daphne had instructed, the arrow pierced the forehead and chest of the monsters led by "Hellhound."

Cassandra is an experienced healer, but she takes up her bow and arrow when she needs to make up for the team's shortcomings.

This is generally how it is when you team up with Daphne.

There's probably no more unnecessary profession than a healer who stands idly in the party despite having no injuries to heal. Unless a healer is heavily 'specialized' in support magic and buffing magic—like the 'Battle Saintess,' considered the highest-ranking healer in Orario—most healers possess some form of counter-attack and self-defense. Some even personally lead attacks as a 'side job.'

"Wow, that's amazing! She's just like Lady Lily!"

Haruhime, who was holding the staff for Cassandra as a supporter, couldn't help but compare the skills of her own faction members with those of Cassandra.

It was completely unimaginable from her timid appearance that Cassandra's arrow struck the monster so accurately.

Of course, even non-professional archers can hit their targets every time, but they can respond to Daphne's instructions about 70% of the time. Daphne herself also takes this into account when changing her position, which shows how well the two coordinate.

"Cassandra! Reply in twenty seconds! Specify the range as you see fit!"

"Yes, little Daphne!"

The moment the enemy's long-range attack sprouted, Daphne ordered the healer to begin work.

Cassandra nodded and quickly hung her bow and arrows at her waist, giving her supporters a wink.

Chunji hurriedly returned the staff, and Cassandra quickly entered the chanting phase.

"[The light of heaven I once rejected. The compassionate hand that saves my shallow self. In place of my unreachable words, save the sorrowful.]"

Raising her crystal staff, Cassandra swiftly completed the incantation.

"[Sunlight, please repel destruction!]—Mr. Cronney, please retreat to the Great Ooku and Little Daphne!"

Just as he was about to launch the attack, he shouted towards Bell's figure, who had just defeated the monster.

As soon as the boy obediently jumped back, he pronounced the magic name.

"[Soul Light]"

The "area recovery" function, which could target several injured individuals, was activated.

With Bell also withdrawing, all the adventurers were now enveloped in the effects of the magic.

A magical light, like the radiance of the sun, poured down, restoring his strength.

The adventurers, who had just been engaged in a series of battles, regained their full mobility and swiftly wiped out the entire monster army.

"Everyone, your methods are truly brilliant!"

"Although Aisha did it reluctantly a few times, it's true that having someone in charge maximizes the team's strength—the burden is also much lighter, allowing us to keep fighting."

"Is it easy to keep fighting?"

"Yes. It's that thing female warriors are really bad at, called efficiency. Once you're at the forefront, you really understand the difference between 'Ah, this is command I can understand!' and 'This is command I can't understand at all.' In this respect, the [Laurel Escapers] are quite good at it. It's amazing that a makeshift squad can operate so well."

With more manpower available, there was no longer any fear of monster ambushes. While helping with the support staff's work, Lena mentioned Daphne's nickname and frankly praised her skill.

Kassandra, the support character, felt a similar sensation as she watched Rena and the others from behind.

It's not about letting Bell, with his outstanding [ability stats], fight alone, but about ensuring the entire team safely defeats the monsters.

Perhaps what the Hestia Familia needs isn't a rearguard led by mages, but rather a commander. Haruhime thought this after observing the battles so far.

"Is everything alright, Mr. Crannie? Would you like some water?"

"Oh, very well. Thank you so much for bringing this, Miss Cassandra."

"No, it's nothing! Staying hydrated is very important in the dungeon. Back when Lord Apollo was on his [Family], there was even infighting among our companions during the expedition! I was just trying to avoid ruining my relationship with Mr. Craney, it's nothing to be grateful for, sob sob sob~!"

"Why are you holding your head while spouting these broken words, you idiot Cassandra?"

Bell and his companions kept watch while replenishing their water supply. Cassandra, who handed the boy a water bottle, blushed and squatted down, and Daphne sighed at her reaction.

Bell gave a wry smile, but the smile seemed a little stiff for some reason.

Perhaps because there was no other male team member (Welf) present, it felt a bit awkward.

Haruhime goes without saying, but Rena, Daphne, and Cassandra are all undeniably beautiful girls. Partly because he hadn't teamed up with them before, Bell couldn't hide his nervousness. He could barely make eye contact with Cassandra and the others.

Haruhime smiled gently. As the assignment neared completion, she noticed Bell's relieved smile. Their hands touched as they handed each other the spare dagger, both blushing, but quickly bursting into laughter.

Although it was only a slight experience, I somehow got a taste of what "dungeon dating" was all about.

"I can never seem to find the Crystal Mantis. It's definitely not a monster you encounter that often."

"That monster has scythe-like legs, it's dangerous, and it can suddenly fly up. It's best to avoid encountering it in groups if possible."

As they set off again, moving in formation, Daphne and Cassandra discussed their views on the targets they had not yet encountered.

In their search for the 'Crystal Mantis,' they had strayed from their usual, conventional route.

Haruhime felt uneasy seeing the unfamiliar scenery, but then she suddenly noticed something.

"Um, Lady Lena? What are you sprinkling?"

"Hmm—? 18 layers of crystal."

Lena, positioned at the very back of the queue to prevent monsters from ambushing her from behind, took out shimmering blue shards from her small bag and scattered them.

"Sold at the item shop I frequented on the 'Adventurer's Path' before going to the dungeon."

It seems to have been bought cheaply along with the backpack Haruhime used; it's a crystal that advanced adventurers often bring back from the safe floors of "Labyrinth Paradise." It's mainly used to fill the gaps in dungeon exploration with little success, and to exchange for money. However, since anyone who can reach the 18th floor can acquire large quantities of this, it usually doesn't fetch a high price. Despite being a "mid-level" resource, even "guilds" only buy it at a low price. Although the number of advanced adventurers who can reach the 18th floor is limited overall, it should be considered rare.

Gossip less.

In short, Lena continued moving while scattering these cheap blue crystals on the ground.

"The Crystal Mantis has a particular fondness for crystals and beautiful minerals. Normally, you can find them by simply breaking up some quartz and going to the food storage. But Little Rookie, you probably don't want to go, right?"

"Yes, that's true. The food depot where monsters gather on the floor is quite dangerous."

"Yeah, I thought so too. And it's on the edge of the building and quite far away. So, we'll lure them over there and scatter 'bait' like this. Just do whatever."

The crystal fragments, like a record of the team's journey, emitted a faint glow in the dim cave.

Moreover, the quantity is quite large.

Perhaps it was because the previous battles had started with a rather slow pace of movement through the dungeon that had a certain effect.

Just as Haruhime was admiring the adventurer's command—buzzing sounds echoed.

You can hear something continuous.

"Ah, footsteps?"

"Hey, I have a bad feeling about this."

"Okay, it sounds like it could also be the sound of flight."

Haruhime, wiggling the ears on her head; Daphne, her lips pursed; and Cassandra, already filled with despair.

Just as the three girls were all thinking the same thing, "Could it be?", "The one in the group" suddenly appeared from around the corner of the passageway.

"SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" ! 』

Its body, slightly transparent and crystalline, shimmered faintly in the dim cave.

Two sickle-shaped feet, six legs, antennae, and wings, and compound eyes made of crystal—the very form of which possessed an artistic beauty—but that was only when there was only one.

What now appears before the adventurers is a terrifying swarm of dozens of insects.

"One, a huge swarm of 'Crystal Mantises'!?"

Bell's mournful cry carried with it the sense of crisis and physical fear inherent in an adventurer.

Faced with a swarm of mantises that covered not only the ground but also the walls and ceiling—and these mantises were medium-sized, about the size of a human—Haruhime swayed and was about to faint.

Just like the "bee" whose tail was stung in the big house in the Far East when she was a child, the "mantis" that Ming and Sakura grabbed and threw at her face had become a psychological trauma for the young girl who was still a sheltered young lady at the time.

The senior adventurers, all with ashen faces, suddenly...

He turned back to look at the Amazonian girl who had caused this situation, as if wound up.

Lena, who had been a little nervous, said something.

"You sprinkled too much! >_<"

"That makes sense!"

Bell shouted excitedly as Lena put her hand on her head, stuck out her tongue, and laughed.

"Ugh—really! What are we going to do with this quantity!"

"What can we do? We have no choice but to fight back!"

Daphne, furious and barely able to contain her anxiety, was glaring at the monsters when Bell had already set up "Hestia's Dagger".

Among the monsters in the middle layer, the crystal form of the 'Crystal Mantis' is considered one of the types where 'magic' is difficult to be effective. The boy, having extracted the knowledge from Aina's lecture from his mind, realized that randomly throwing magic would be disadvantageous, and planned to desperately block them with his Lv.3 ability.

"Alright, let's run!"

“Huh!?”

Lena simply chose to run away.