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

The younger sister, who had the same dream as her older sister, turned over while talking in her sleep.

Side Story: Sword Oratoria 6 - Chapter 1: Quest Result & Next Quest

The adventurers who went on the "expedition" have returned to the Loki Familia's headquarters, "Twilight Mansion".

Upon their return, they collapsed onto their beds and slept soundly through the night. When they saw the sunrise, a radiance only found on the surface, their expressions softened. They knew they had left the dark, cold underground, the harsh, monster-snarling dungeon, and were home.

The elven girl gazed at the sunrise from her room's window, her azure eyes narrowing. The blonde-haired, golden-eyed girl had gone to the courtyard early in the morning to train, choosing to immerse herself in the clear air and fragrant breeze for a while before beginning her sword practice.

Many people overslept, and when breakfast time arrived, everyone devoured the long-awaited bread, hot soup, eggs, and roast meat. The earth's bounty—sunlight, blue skies, and fresh food—that they usually took for granted, healed their parched bodies.

The returning adventurers quickly restored the lively atmosphere to the manor.

"Alright—there's a ton of work to do, but... let's update our [Ability Stats] first!"

On the day of their return from the "expedition," amidst the hustle and bustle at the mansion, Loki loudly announced that he would begin updating the crew members' [ability stats].

The members of the team that stayed behind had been organizing supplies, equipment, and loot since last night, while the expedition team had formed a long queue at the top of the central tower where the main god's bedroom was located. Because they had undertaken an "adventure" that easily surpassed their last "expedition," none of them had finished updating their gear last night. Even Ais had rested for a night and was queuing up again today.

Updating more than thirty people is definitely a tough job, but Loki seemed to be looking forward to it, efficiently and skillfully dealing with the [ability values] of a large number of his followers.

then.

"Lv.6—! I've caught up with Ais—!"

"OK!"

The roars of Tiona, Bert, and the others suddenly erupted.

The sublimation of [ability value] is also called [rank up]. After experiencing the decisive battle in the unreached realm, they gained enough high-level [experience points] to rise from Lv.5 to Lv.6. Rank up, as the name suggests, can drastically improve their abilities (ability value), and within them lies the possibility of breaking through the limits and reaching a higher peak.

Tiona jumped and screamed, holding the update paper Loki had given her in both hands. Werewolf Bert, unusually, howled, ignoring the stares of the other members, his mouth curving into a smile.

"Tione, you... you know without even asking."

"Yeah, Angie and Navi, what about you guys?"

"It seems we still have a long and arduous road ahead..."

Tione, having leveled up just like Tiona, asked with a hint of delight; the cat people Angie and the human Navi shrugged, while the other gave a wry smile. Led by a dejected young member (Raul), the adventurers of the Second Army of the [Family] remained at Lv.4.

"Look, look, Ais! Look, I'm level 6!"

"Hmm... Congratulations, Tiona."

"Hehe! I won't lose to Ais this time—! No, I'll just overtake you like this!"

After finishing her update, Ais descended the central tower and arrived at the courtyard. Tiona, excitedly calling out, ran towards her. Ais smiled faintly at her, and the innocent Amazonian girl beamed back.

She jumped up lightly and hugged Ais as usual.

"Where's Ais? Could she be at Lv.7 by now?"

"That might be a bit..."

"There's nothing I can do," Ais said softly, her gaze fixed on the record sheet in her hand.

Ais Wallenstein

Lv.6

力量：84→130　耐久：89→139　灵巧：98→158　敏捷：93→157　魔力：I45→H101　猎人：G　异常抗性：G　剑士：H　精神回复：I

Compared to her pre-expedition ability stats—the stats after she, the boy (Bell), and the goddess (Hestia) encountered the black-clad attacker under the moonlight—her proficiency increased by over 230 points. This includes not only conquering the deep area "Dragon Pot," but also the fierce battle against the "Filthy Fairy," and the encounter with the [Fierce One (Ota)]. Taking all of these into account, even at Lv.6, such a significant increase is quite reasonable.

Knowing that she had achieved the reward of surpassing her limits and reaching the peak, Ais couldn't help but feel a joy that was almost reassuring. "Let me see! Let me see!" Ais handed the record sheet to Tiona, who was clamoring to see it. "Oh~" she exclaimed in admiration, and the two smiled at each other.

—As for Lefia, who updated her status a little later than the other members.

"Lefia, congratulations! You've leveled up too!"

Behind her, as she removed her top, revealing her smooth back, Loki cheered loudly for the good news.

“…Huh?”

Lefia picked up her clothes and was about to put them on when she heard this, so she stopped.

On her back, rows of hieroglyphs, resembling vermilion inscriptions, rose and fell in a glow at regular intervals.

Lefia stared at the smiling goddess for several seconds, then scrambled toward her.

"You, you, you said 'upgrade'! That means me, I—"

"Yeah, it can become Lv.4 now—"

"It's a success!"

Lefia shouted with joy.

She was covering her chest with her clothes held tightly in her hands, almost jumping up and down.

Yes, to be honest, I've almost lost my life several times.

Lefia had prepared herself to die more than once or twice. At Lv.3, she fought relentlessly through the deepest areas where even first-level adventurers like Ais struggled, and returned alive. Since Tiona and the others had obtained enough high-level [experience points] to level up, her own [experience points] would naturally also bring a rating befitting a "great achievement."

Lefia also risked everything and completed an "adventure" that was no less impressive than Ais's and the others.

"Several children also discovered new 'magic' or 'skills'... This 'expedition' has been quite fruitful!"

Regardless of the profit or loss of income, Loki added, while Lefia's cheeks flushed.

What filled his chest was the real feeling of growing up, and the joy of slowly catching up with Ais and the others. And then there was—to the rabbit…correction, to the boy’s competitive spirit.

—I did it! See?!

The image of Bell Craney, the boy whom Lefia considered her arch-rival (competitor) in every way, panicking and bewildered clearly flashed before her eyes, making Lefia quite pleased. But only in her mind.

The boy, at level 1, single-handedly defeated the Minotaur and even advanced to level 2. The boy's rapid growth and "great achievements" once made Lefia feel intimidated, but she was not inferior to him.

For just that moment, Lefia swaggered around for a brief time.

(However, I can't be arrogant or complacent. That person's level is lower than mine now, so he can compete with me however he wants. Plus, he has some strange "magic," so I need to have the right mindset and work harder than my opponent to widen the gap...!)

Lefia went from being completely absorbed in her excitement to being full of energy; Loki seemed to see a raging fire behind her, and looked puzzled.

"Oh—and one more thing, Lefia? This is just my personal suggestion…could you hold off on leveling up for now?"

"Huh... Huh?"

Lefia froze for a moment, a sound of confusion escaping her lips. The God's suggestion was like a bucket of cold water being poured on her.

She looked at the Supreme God in confusion, and Loki first handed her the update paper for [ability values].

Lefia Viridis

Lv.3

力量：I84→86　耐久：H121→184　灵巧：G207→240　敏捷：G252→271　魔力：B723→797　魔导：H　异常抗性：1

No new "skills" were learned. Compared to the previous "expedition", the update values ​​of the ability parameters are indeed very high, especially "durability" and "magic power".

She continued to cover her chest with her clothes, lifting her head from the paper she held in one hand; Loki explained to her:

"Have you looked at it carefully? Then I'll explain it to you step by step... Lefia, what was your 'Magic' stat when you reached Lv.3?"

"Uh... it's S."

"Right? I think it's a bit of a waste to upgrade at this stage. After all, Lefia's exaggerated magic power is no less than Riveria's."

"The magic of exaggeration..."

Although Rafia was sweating profusely, she understood.

Loki meant that "Lv.3 Lefia" still has room to grow.

Like Ais, Lefia has not yet reached the limit of her [ability value] or the upper limit of her "capacity".

"Members of the normal faction are all incredibly eager to level up. Because each level increase makes them super strong, and the increase in ability parameters is incomparable."

"That's right..."

"Concerning those numbers in the tens or hundreds is completely useless. Instead of thinking about the effort and time required to 'reach the pinnacle,' you might as well just honestly move on to the next stage."

“However,” Loki continued, sitting on the bed.

"These small, missing figures could be fatal within our own faction (ours)."

When competing against someone of level L, what factors determine victory or defeat?

To put it simply, it's a difference in ability parameters.

Next is the ability parameter developed in the previous level, which is the potential value (extra point) reflected in the current level.

Of course, this also has a lot to do with the adventurers' skills—"techniques and tactics," "magic," or "skills," so numerical superiority or inferiority cannot determine victory or defeat.

But it can indeed become an advantage.

Furthermore, after leveling up to a higher level, the required experience points for each point increase in ability parameters will naturally be more than before.

"Fortunately, we have Finn and the others, so we're not worried about not accumulating experience. As long as we can go on 'expeditions' with them like this, we can grow significantly, right?"

"Ah, ahahaha..."

This is also why most factions prioritize upgrading.

Unlike the Loki Familia, which boasts a multitude of legendary figures, other factions always risk their lives exploring dungeons. Leveling up and increasing their combat strength is their top priority. Their environment doesn't allow them to easily obtain high-level experience points anytime, anywhere.

Rafia responded to Loki's wicked smile with a stiff one.

"Well, perhaps this is the drawback causing the current situation... Lefia, since you switched to our [Family], your leveling intervals have become shorter, right?"

"Yes, much shorter..."

It took Rafia three years to move up to the next grade, when she was eleven and attending the "school district".

After spending another year in the "school district", she joined the Loki Familia. A year later, she was promoted to Lv.3, and two years later, today, she has qualified to be promoted to Lv.4.

The white rabbit's rapid growth was abnormal; Lefia's growth rate was already fast enough.

With the help of Finn and others, as well as Ais, she made steady progress.

"After hearing us say this so many times, you may feel a lot of pressure, but the Supreme God (me) and the leadership team (Finn and the others) all hope that you, Lefia, can become Riveria's successor. No matter how much effort and time it takes, we hope that you will not only become Super Lefia, but also Super Killer Lefia."

Seeing Loki smile at her, Lefia's expression turned serious.

"Looking back at your final Lv.2 [stats], there's definitely room for improvement. Your 'Magic' stat is only B, which is a real shame... Let me think, I need to at least reach the latter half of A."

"..."

"Of course, this is just our arbitrary request. The decision is still yours, Lefia. If you say you want to upgrade now, I won't stop you. What do you think?"

Upon hearing Loki entrust her with the judgment, Lefia remained silent for the time being.

She pondered for a while, and then nodded.

"I understand. I'm willing to try my best at my current level."

As Loki said, she was under pressure.

In the past, Lefia might have felt uneasy about the expectations of others, and timidly and cowardly.

But now, all she wants to do is respond to that expectation.

The successor to the strongest mage (Rivilia). To rival the boy she considers her nemesis, and to become a source of strength for Ais and the others, she now feels she must aim for an even higher peak. Since the last "expedition," she has experienced unprecedentedly fierce battles, which have changed her mindset.

Lefia is now able to acknowledge that she has indeed changed.

"Thank you, Lefia. After hearing the information Finn and the others brought back, I think we should suspend the 'Expedition' for a while, especially since we're short on funds. Let's slowly build up our strength before the next 'Expedition'."

"Yes."

Lefia smiled back at Loki while turning her head to check the [Ability Values] on her back, which remained in standby mode. The continuously glowing [Holy Script] told her that she could level up at any time as long as the Supreme God intervened.

Loki carefully locked the door. After the entire [ability value] stopped glowing, Lefia, dressed, left the room.

"Oh dear, I haven't reached Lv.7 again."

After most of the team members updated their [ability values].

Among the last group of leaders to be updated in the faction, Grace stood with his arms crossed, grumbling.

"Looks like that's not enough. Now I really want to ask Otto what he's done."

"There are still only two people at the highest level, Lv.7, in the world, right...?"

Besides Grace, Loki's chamber also contains Finn with a wry smile and Riveria with a sigh.

Finn and his group, holding the updated paper, remained at Lv.6. The leadership looked down from the window at their members gathered in the atrium at the base of the central tower, some pleased with their stats, others frustrated; only at this moment did the leaders reveal a hint of anxiety.