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

"Finn, you're the ones in charge of leadership, but conversely, nobody's leading you. That's the problem with being a great senior. Although it's not something to be proud of, it seems our experience is still lacking compared to the factions of the gods (Zeus) and goddesses (Hera) in the past."

Looking around at his anxious family members, Loki also clasped his hands behind his head.

Just like how advanced adventurers feel overwhelmed on the "upper levels," for Lv.6, gaining experience points from the current floors isn't very efficient. Following Finn and his group, Ais and the others will eventually encounter this wall as well.

In this fierce battle against the "Fairy Clone (final boss)," the experience points seemed somewhat insufficient due to being distributed among each member of the team. Loki concluded.

"Alright, since time is limited, let's talk about what's to come. As always, you'll have to exchange the spoils for cash, okay?"

"Yeah, I know. After all, this 'expedition' was a huge loss. The 'Demon Sword' plus the indestructible weapon (Durandal), and then the acquisition of the poison vermis potion..."

"And most of the weapon materials have to be given to the major forging faction (Hephaestus Familia) as payment..."

"Ugh—don't bring this up again—! My head is throbbing—!"

"Is there going to be a banquet tonight?"

"Of course! I'm going to hold a celebration party for the expedition members!"

Loki and the others confirmed their plans for the day.

After confirming everything, Finn seemed to remember something and told Loki:

"I forgot to report something... about the Minotaur that appeared in the 'Upper Level.' It seems to be related to the goddess Freya; oh, it has appeared before us."

"……oh?"

"With a little investigation, we should be able to find evidence. Although no damage was caused, Ais and the others did fight with Otto after all... Should we report this to the guild?"

"Ah—this matter was also mentioned at the Council of Gods, but it was ultimately left unresolved... Bringing up the old story again is just a waste of effort. Ignore her, ignore her."

"Is this alright?" Finn asked, and Loki waved his hand dismissively. It was rare to see the chief god being tricked yet showing no intention of retaliating, so the servants all glanced at her suspiciously.

Ignoring the three men's gazes, Loki said with a nonchalant expression, "I have other things to do, dismissed—" and was about to leave the room—but inside he was sweating profusely.

Loki and Freya made a secret pact.

To be precise, it was because of his own personal desires that he was caught out.

She couldn't interfere with Freya's actions, and naturally, she couldn't tell her retinue about it. That would damage the already nonexistent dignity of the supreme deity.

Loki slipped out of the room, and Finn and the others watched her retreating figure, looking helpless.

"I think there's definitely something wrong... with that goddess over there."

"Is it related to alcohol again? Really..."

"Hmm—okay, let's just consider it doing them a favor."

Children cannot lie to God.

Similarly, Loki's lies had no effect on Finn and the others.

They've known each other for so long that they've seen through the hidden secrets.

✉

After the [Ability Values] update, the [Loki Familia] went straight to the streets. Their purpose was to exchange loot for money and handle the aftermath of the "Expedition".

All members left the headquarters and dispersed to various corners of the city, each carrying their belongings.

"I am Finn Demna of the Loki Familia. As previously announced, we have returned from our 'expedition.' Please exchange these 'Magic Stones' for cash."

"Alright~ I've been waiting for you all~! Missia Flott is here to serve you all. Welcome back!"

"We have repeatedly encountered unidentified monsters in the deeper areas. Although this information is only useful to a few factions, please still warn the guild that 'expeditions' below floor 50 are extremely dangerous. Other detailed information, including the leveling up of our members, has been compiled into this report."

"Received it—. Let me see… Eh?! There are three people at Lv.6!?"

Some people moved large amounts of "magic stones" to a special money exchange room and reported the information and adventure results brought back from the dungeon to the management organization (guild).

"Um—, President… could you ask for a slightly higher price?"

"What, Raul? We've already been very generous. Do you have any objections to our acquisition price?"

"No, well... we suffered a lot of losses on this 'expedition'... we hope to make as much money as possible..."

"No, Raul, you need to go even harder! — Please, Chairman, we're in trouble!"

(Hey, where did you get this innocent attitude from, Angie?)

"Big brother, the Little People (Palum) Guild Master, please! We'll take special care of your business from now on, giving you lots and lots of special treatment! Right, Linne!"

"Yes, yes, Miss Navi! The guild leader too, that [Braver] also said that the guild leader is very tolerant and a respectable compatriot—...I think so."

"Oh my, President, did you change your perfume? This elegant fragrance is so captivating, even I, an elf, am mesmerized... I feel like you look incredibly dashing today."

"Really? Heh, heh heh heh... Oh well, you're regulars, so we'll just add a few extra cents!"

"Thank you, President!"

"Girls are so cunning."

Some people, carrying "dropped items" or minerals and resources from the dungeon, engage in heated battles called "doing business" against merchants or business-type "familias".

"Chun, I'm here!"

"Oh my gosh! I've been waiting for you for so long, Grace! Come on, hurry up, hurry up!"

"Don't rush me... Here, this is the promised 'Deep Layer' weapon material (drop item), take it."

"Ah, this is it, this is it! The fangs of the Cannon Dragon, the scales of the Cannon Dragon...! Hahahaha! What kind of weapon should I use...! Hey, there's more, bring them all out!"

"Even though it was stipulated in the contract... I'm still a little annoyed."

Some people went to pay the factions that assisted in the "expedition".

"Oh my, Bert Roca? How strange, you're actually accompanying someone to transport supplies for an 'expedition'."

"The old man said he didn't have enough manpower to bring me out, don't force me to say it out loud. Let's not talk about this anymore, give this to that blacksmith woman."

"This is?"

"I told her to pay for the silver boots (Frosvelt) that she had remade. I told her that although it wasn't enough, I would pay the rest soon."

"Hehe, you haven't changed at all."

Some people asked the forging god to repay their debts for weapons.

"Oh, you're back, Rivera. You're all right, looking perfectly fine."

"Thanks to you. Never mind that, Renova, I'm sorry, I broke it again."

"Hehehehehehehe... Believe me or not, I'll curse you!"

Some people also sent their broken wands with "magic gems" for repair.

"Long time no see—, Amida—!"

"Hey, keep your voice down, we're in someone else's shop."

"Haha, hello, we're back."

"We're back...Amid."

"Welcome back, Miss Tiona, Miss Tione, Miss Lefia... Miss Ais."

As for the girls, they went to the clinic where their friends were waiting.

The [Deankaite Familia] clinic is adorned with badges of light orbs and herbs. The long-unvisited facility is, as always, packed with high-ranking adventurers.

Among them, the human girl Amid, with a smile on her face, came out to greet Ais and the others.

"You've had a tough time on the expedition. I heard you all encountered an 'Irregular' situation and are stuck on the 18th floor... Is everything alright?"

"Sigh, this battle was exceptionally fierce... but thankfully, Amid gave us potions and elixir, which barely saved our lives. Of course, the special medicine too."

"Me too, thank goodness for the magic potion! Thank you!"

"We are so glad that our medicine can be of help to everyone."

Hearing Tione and Lefia's thanks, the gentle healer, her long silver hair swaying, smiled. Her delicate, doll-like features softened, as if she were happy for Ais and the others' safety.

at this time.

Amed seemed to notice something and stared at Tione.

"Miss Tione...are you feeling unwell?"

"...Can you tell?"

"Because I am, after all, a therapist."

Having treated countless patients and wounded, Amid seemed to notice the subtle change in Tione's expression. Even though Tione was careful not to let Ais and the others notice, it was no use against a top-notch healer.

Tiony scratched her cheek.

"Ah—it's nothing serious... I've just been having nightmares lately. Are there any medications that can help me sleep?"

"I understand. Then I will prescribe Angel Herb, which has a sleep-inducing effect, for you."

"I'm so sorry. Please don't tell Ais and the others, and that idiot too."

Tiony leaned closer across the counter to whisper their conversation, responding to Amed's kindness with a wry smile.

"What's wrong—?" Tiona ran over to ask the two who were talking quietly, but Amid covered it up by saying, "We're talking about buying and selling raw materials (dropped items)," and then casually changed the subject.

"Is everyone going to have a busy day?"

"Hmm, I'm going to the [Gubney Familia] later to ask them to repair my Great Twin Blades (Ulga). Tione's going too, right?"

"That's true. We've used up all the spare recurve blades (Zoas)... We'll have to order additional flying blades (Feirga)."

"Miss Ais is one too, right?"

"Hmm, I also need to ask someone to take a look at the Indestructible Sword (Sword of Despair)..."

Not only do you have to exchange "magic stones" or "dropped items" for money, but you also have to maintain or repair your weapons or armor, or buy a new one. It's always like this; there's always so much to do after an expedition.

Ais and the others were buying and selling raw materials for healing medicines at the counter, asking Amed to replenish their supplies, while their thoughts drifted to the mountain of tasks piled up on their minds.

"By the way, Loki also left the mansion today, right? Do you know what happened to her?"

"She only said she had something to take care of..."

"They're probably going to the restaurant where they booked the celebration banquet—?"

Tione casually recalled the matter and brought it up. Lefia answered, and Tiona laughed heartily. Hearing them mention it, Ais also remembered the figure of the main god who had gone their separate ways as soon as they stepped out the door.

(She looked rather unhappy at that time...)

Ais tilted her head slightly, looking up at the ceiling.

"Oh, are you alone?" J

"Ais and the others are busy handling the aftermath of the 'Expedition'—"

Loki opened the door and entered the room, where she was greeted by a god-like figure who resembled a wealthy prince, and an elven girl who served as his attendant.

A high-end pub built in a bustling area.

A highly soundproof room was booked, perfect for a private conversation.

Loki pulled over a chair and plopped down opposite Dionysus at the round table.

"What happened to that weak-legged shrimp?"

"Hermes hasn't returned yet. He said he went to the dungeon... His retinue (children) are here in his place."

Dionysus's gaze drifted elsewhere, where he saw a chienthrope girl standing by the wall, giving Loki a stiff smile and greeting him. Besides her, a weretiger man was sighing.

"That spineless coward, I heard he insisted on going to find Finn and the others on the 18th floor. Is he alright? Did he kick the bucket in the dungeon?"

"Uh... our 'blessing' is still there, so don't worry... Besides, I feel like that god is impossible to kill... I have a feeling he'll suddenly come running back while laughing 'hahaha'. And the captain (Asufi) is here too."

To Loki's question, the dog-woman Lulune answered timidly. Despite being forcibly sent here, she still wore a smile and expressed her somewhat uncertain trust in the supreme god.

On their way back from the "expedition," they had already heard that Hermes and the others had appeared at the Loki Familia camp. They also knew that on the day they set off from the 18th floor—which was yesterday—for some reason, Hermes and the others did not leave with the Loki Familia but remained on the safety point.

"Now that Loki is here, let's get down to business."

Loki and the others gathered here for no other reason than to seek a solution to confront the organization lurking in the city.

The remnants of the Dark Faction, along with underground forces comprised of "colorful monsters" and "creatures," form an alliance to combat these groups, with "Urban Destroyers (Ernio)" as their mastermind. Their motivations for pursuing the Dark Faction vary: some seek revenge, others seek to settle scores.

The main fighting force of the Loki Familia has now returned from the "Expedition," and the faction alliance is about to officially begin operations.

"Sigh, there's no need for special discussion; the task has already been decided. Besides the 'Tower of Babel,' there's another entrance to the dungeon... Let's find it."