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

The werewolf youth complained, "We set off last night."

He should have already returned to the surface and is currently scrambling to acquire the scarce and expensive potion needed by so many people. Finn predicts he should be back in two nights.

This is a painful time for those who have been poisoned, but as long as Riveria and the others continue their detoxification efforts, their condition is unlikely to worsen.

"With the indestructible weapon (Durandal) forged by Tsubaki, plus more than thirty 'magic swords,' and finally a buyout of special effects potions... we also have to give the weapon materials (dropped items) to the major blacksmithing faction (Hephaestus Familia). The Familia is probably going to be short of funds for a while now."

"Please don't make me think about this now, Grace."

Finn said with a wry smile that this would give him a headache.

Unexpected expenses, plus the fact that they had to transfer most of the weapon materials from the "deep layers" to the major blacksmithing faction (the Hephaestus Familia) as payment for forming an expeditionary alliance. Among these were weapon materials from layers 52 and below, such as the "Cannon Dragon Fang" and "Cannon Dragon Red Scale," which they risked their lives to obtain.

Although they've fulfilled their long-held wish and reached a new floor, which can be considered a victory, it's honestly a bit difficult to recoup the enormous cost of this expedition with just the "magic stones" they collected. If it weren't for the adventurer's quest reward from the 24th-floor food pantry provided by Ais, it's not hard to imagine what the situation would be like now.

"I don't know when that will be, but we might need to raise funds before the next 'expedition'," Finn murmured.

"...Although I really wanted to tell Loki what I saw on the 59th floor as soon as possible, there's no way around it now. Anyway, the letter has already been given, so I'll leave the rest to Bert."

Finn slowly looked up, squinting at the sunlight streaming through the forest foliage, and said this.

"Continuing to worry won't solve anything, so let's be more optimistic and just consider it an excuse to stay on the 18th floor."

Then his tone suddenly became relaxed, and he looked around half-jokingly said.

Rivera and Grace, unable to help but smile wryly, also looked around. Currently, only the male members like Raul were patrolling the campsite or caring for the sick; the female members like Ais had gone deep into the forest to take a cold shower. This was an instruction given by Finn because he was worried that everyone was accumulating too much fatigue and depression.

The plan was to wait for Ais and the others to return before Raul and the others took their turn to wash.

"You don't mind not going with Ais and the others, Rivera? We can leave this place to you for now, okay?"

"If I go to take a bath, the female members (elves) will be very sensitive and unable to relax properly."

Rivera said that if she were a member of the royal family (highelf) in the past, they would be treated like ladies-in-waiting serving the princess, taking a cold bath while maintaining a high level of security.

In response to Grace's question, Riveria smiled slightly and said, "I'll be done last."

"Although we can't be careless, the most critical moment of the 'expedition' has passed, so let's take a short rest."

After listening to the instructions from their little leader, Riveria and Grace, who were actually exhausted, didn't interrupt and just nodded.

✿

"Shift change—, shift change—, the boys are here to rest too—"

"Okay, let's go take a shower too..."

"Even though it's always like this, I didn't manage to catch Miss Tione and the others taking a cold shower this time..."

"Fool, unless there's a legendary god (heavenly deity) protecting you from peeping into the sacred baths, who would dare to trespass there?"

"Yes, I don't want to die yet."

"Stop talking nonsense, let's go—...If Angie and the others hear this, I'll be the one getting scolded."

After Ais and the others returned from a cold shower, they handed over their guard duties to Raul and the large group of male members who were moving around in groups.

Groans still emanated from various parts of the campsite. Although many looked much better than the night before, they were still unable to move freely. Linne and the others, who served as supporters and healers, diligently cared for the bedridden members and blacksmiths, while Ais and Lefia were responsible for patrolling the camp.

"The town (Rivera) is no good—they'll just rip us off—"

"Those guys only know how to take advantage of others when they're in trouble. It's infuriating."

"Miss Tiona, Miss Tione, you're back."

After parting ways with Ais and the others, Tiona and Tione went to the western part of the building, "Rivera Town," to buy supplies and returned to the campsite.

Upon reaching the 18th floor, the team urgently purchased all the Poisonous Maggot Remedies in town, saving the lives of some low-level, critically ill individuals. However, the "price" they paid was exceptionally high.

Prices in "Rivera Town," run by high-level adventurers, are far more exorbitant than on the surface. Tiona and her companions went there that day to try and buy even the bare minimum of food, but as they predicted, they were ripped off. Ultimately, the reason the troops chose to camp instead of staying in the underground town's inn was because the prices were unreasonably high.

Despite its beautiful appearance adorned with crystals, the town, run by thugs, remains just as tyrannical and domineering as ever.

"We hunted monsters on our way here and bartered with 'magic stones' for some bread and other things... but it seems like we're almost completely out of supplies for the expedition."

"Bert will probably be back for a while... It seems we'll have to get it on this floor."

"Ah, you mean the fruits from the forest?"

Her younger sister, rubbing her exposed belly button, replied to Lefia, "Yes."

She shrugged and said that while she wanted to avoid spending money, she didn't need to go hungry.

They should adopt the attitude that adventurers should have: self-sufficiency.

"Let's call Angie and the others over and form several groups. Some people can fetch water, while the others can gather ingredients from deep within the forest."

"understood."

"OK!"

"good--"

After hearing Tione's instructions, Ais, Lefia, and Tiona nodded in turn.

Besides springs, this 18th level of forest also contains cool streams and several fruit trees. The latter are not only for monsters to eat, but also safe for humans to consume.

"Groups should consist of two or three people, with at least one member at level 3 or higher," Tiony instructed the assembled female members.

Although it is a safe floor where monsters cannot be born, there are still many individuals from other floors, and some monsters even use this great forest and the wetlands in the north of the floor as their base.

She strictly ordered everyone not to be careless.

"Shall we go then?"

"Yes, please take care of me, Miss Ais!"

Ais and Lefia's task was to gather food. The groups dispersed from the campsite, and Ais, accompanied by the cheerful voice of the elven girl, headed deeper into the forest.

Crystals growing on the ceiling of the building let in light streaming through the gaps in the thinning leaves overhead, illuminating the surroundings like sunlight filtering through the trees. Blue crystal pillars sparkled around the tree roots.

The two worked together, with Lefia, who carried a pouch, mainly responsible for collecting food, and Ais responsible for guarding.

The attacking bear-like monster "Berg Bear" was instantly killed by the indestructible sword Durandal (Sword of Despair). Even after a long expedition, the silver sword remained unscathed. Furthermore, thanks to the meticulous maintenance by the blacksmith Tsubaki, its sharpness remained intact.

As Ais turned the monster to dust, Lefia tiptoed to pick the ripe fruit from the branches. She picked "honeycloud," a labyrinthine fruit that resembled soft cotton soaked in honey. The juice dripping from its skin emitted a sweet aroma that made Lefia's mouth water, but she shook her head vigorously and diligently stuffed the fruit into her bag.

Just as maze walls can be repaired, the fruit trees on this floor are part of the dungeon's structure and will bear new fruit after a certain period of time. In addition to cloud berries, Lefia also collected various other fruits, such as gourd-shaped "gourdberries." Looking around at the grove of trees, which resembled a small orchard and were laden with fruit, she decided to make a good note of this location.

While keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings, Ais, having nothing else to do, stood next to Lefia and began picking fruit and putting it into her bag.

"Ah... crystaldrop."

"Wow, that's amazing! Miss Ais is incredible!"

Their bags had become quite heavy, and just as they were about to head back to the campsite, Ais spotted wild blue-white shimmering light in the grass at her feet. Hidden among the elongated crystal fragments were teardrop-shaped fruits that resembled candies.

This is a rare ingredient that is rarely found even on the 18th floor... no, it should be called a rare fruit - crystal sugar.

"This would be very expensive to buy on the surface! People often call it a 'noble's dessert'... I've only had it once. It's refreshingly delicious and has a very elegant flavor, so it's understandable that it's called a noble's dessert!"

Just as an excited Rafia said, the crystal candy, resembling a crystal hard candy ball, was not only delicious but also rare. Its beautiful, jewel-like shape made it a favorite high-class dessert among the upper class, and bottled crystal candy could even fetch more than ten thousand falies on the ground.

They only managed to pick two, but the crystal candy in Ais's hand made Lefia's eyes light up.

Seeing her junior's complete inability to resist sweets, Ais smiled, but then seemed to remember something, and her expression turned into a composed smile.

Then she handed the crystal candy in her hand to the elf girl.

"Huh, Miss Ais...?"

"For Rafia."

"But...but! Miss Ais found this, and it's very precious!?"

Seeing Lefia panicking, holding a candy in her right hand and a staff in her left, Ais smiled at her.

"This is a thank-you gift."

"A thank-you gift...?"

"Mm." Ais nodded.

"You saved me on the 59th floor... This is my way of thanking you back then."

Hearing Ais say that, Lefia opened her blue eyes wide.

During the final battle against the "Fairy Clone" on the 59th floor, Ais, guided by Tiona and the others, rushed into the monster's embrace, but fell into the enemy's trap and was nearly shot down.

What saved Ais was Lefia's "magic".

Even on her deathbed, she did not give up singing, provided support fire, and protected Ais from enemy artillery fire.

"Some things happened afterward, and I didn't have a chance to properly thank you... Thank you, Rafia, thank you for saving me."

Ais smiled shyly as she spoke.

The blonde, golden-eyed girl stopped and faced Lefia to express her heartfelt gratitude, which moved Lefia to tears.

But she immediately wiped her eyes with her arm to cover it up, her face flushed and panicked, making strange gestures.

"No, no! If we're being honest, it's always Miss Ais and the others who protect me... I finally have a chance to repay their kindness...!"

"No... there's nothing wrong with that. I've said that before, haven't I?"

Ais and the others always protect Lefia.

Lefia, a mage, must rescue Ais and the others from their crisis.

This was what Ais had told Lefia when she was feeling down. Lefia recalled that memory, stopped moving, and a small but proud smile finally appeared on her face.

She smiled shyly, carefully examining the crystal candy in her hand.

As if she were a medal for saving Ais, she smiled and said, "I accept it," and put the crystal candy into the inside pocket of her clothes—the battle cloth.

"Tiona, and Tione, they both say you're really amazing. They say if it weren't for Lefia, things would have been really dangerous."

"Well, I have to thank Miss Philvis...! Uh, no, of course, Lady Riveria and Miss Ais's guidance was also invaluable! I... uh!"

"Finn was also very pleased, saying that we... Lefia had improved her strength, and he was very gratified."

"The commander said that? Uh, no! This, that... Waaaaaah!"

Ais continued her attack... Correction, it should be praise.

Unexpectedly, Lefia received such high praise from the girl she admired, which made her face turn completely red.

Her face flushed red all the way to the tips of her pointed elf ears, and she couldn't help but lower her head, gripping her wand with both hands.

Ais looked at Lefia with a smile and thought without exaggeration: She really has become stronger.

Between the last "expedition" and this "expedition", the girl has grown into a completely different person.

Lefia seems to change whenever she weaves songs into various battles.

What transformed her? Or was there some major reason? As Ais pondered these questions.

Lefia, who was standing in front of him, slowly raised her head.

"Um... Miss Ais."

"?"

"On the 59th floor, the leader mentioned... Bell Craney, who is..."

Hearing that Lefia was no longer in a sorry state and was only speaking with a serious expression, Ais stared in disbelief.

The encouragement given by the [Braver] during the final battle on the 59th floor.

Even in the most desperate of battles, the magic of courage still overturned everything and determined the outcome.

The shout also included the name of the boy, Bell Craney.

"On the way to the 59th floor... what did that human adventurer do?"

During the preparations for the "expedition," while Lefia was training in "parallel chanting," the boy, just like her, was asking Ais for help. Lefia couldn't help but ask about the boy's background, and Ais told Lefia his name.

However, Lefia was unaware of the fierce battle that took place between the bull and the boy on the 9th floor on the first day of the expedition.

The Minotaur appeared in the "Upper Level," and Finn and the others, who had temporarily left the Vanguard, went to investigate and resolve the matter. Lefia, like the other members, only heard what Raul and the others said. This was because Ais and the others refused to reveal the whole story—what they had witnessed.

Finn's inspiration at that time changed everything.

The boy's name completely ignited the fighting spirit of Ais, Bert, and the others.

Lefia, who was on the battlefield at the time, clearly had this intuition.

Under the fixed gaze of azure eyes, Ais stood still for a moment before looking up at the sunlight filtering through the trees, as if guided.