floor 18 (2)

Ever since I was little, I've always been so scared to make mistakes and when I do I always just back away from them and don't touch anything involving the activity, it's a little disheartening to see the Goliath chapter made people drop the fanfic and it made me don't want to put out more chapter, bc just the thought of me messing up again scare me, I hate myself for this and I can't shake this old habits off, and I know its a bad habit

I shouldn't be affected by the popularity of my fanfic and try to write to my heart's content, but I get easily affected by other people's expectations, what a sad excuse even after knowing a lot of you still support this fanfic

old habits die hard I guess, anyway enough about me, sob stories won't make them go away but sharing them will lessen the pain enjoy the chapter

~~

Exiting the tent with Ais, I surveyed the area and spotted many familiar faces—Tiona and her twin sister Tione, Bete focused on training his kicks on a dummy, and several other familia members whose names I didn't know.

"Oh? Xian! What brings you here?" Tiona noticed me and walked over to greet me, accompanied by Tione.

"Bell disappeared two days ago, so a rescue team was dispatched," I explained.

"Oh!? Have you found Bell?" Tiona asked with concern.

"Indeed, we found him battling the Goliath," I stated, surprising Ais, Tiona, and Tione.

"Huh?! Why was he—now is, wasn't he fighting the Minotaur just a few days ago?!" Tiona stumbled over her words, struggling with the multitude of questions in her mind.

"The situation is not as you might think. He barely damaged the Goliath, managing only to put a deep cut on its neck," I explained, sighing at the memory of Bell's recklessness in facing formidable foes.

"Nevertheless, it seems you've taken an interest in Bell," I observed Tiona's sudden fascination with Bell.

"Who wouldn't! The way he fought the Minotaur is like a hero from fairy tales, rising to greatness," Tiona exclaimed, displaying the fervor of a daydreamer. I had heard that Amazons were attracted to strong males, and it seemed to hold true.

"Oh?! If he fought the Goliath, then he should be here, right? Right!" She asked me with glittering eyes, but Tione intervened and slapped the top of her head.

"Ow! What was that about!?" She turned to Tione with a pout, and Tione looked at her with annoyance.

"Don't be annoying, especially to a guest."

"Oh, please, don't act like you don't react like this when you talk about the captain. Once a topic about the captain comes around, your mouth goes on and on nonstop," Tiona retorted. Both Ais and I left them alone to their banter.

"Xian," Ais suddenly called my name, redirecting my attention to her.

"Could we spar again?" Ais requested.

"Very well," I accepted, and we both headed to the practice field where Bete was training.

Bete heard two approaching figures and glanced over to see who it was. His expression quickly shifted to fear as he saw me approaching.

"What are you doing here?" Bete tried to cover his fear with an act of toughness.

"Can I not be here?" I threw the question back at him. Annoyed, he didn't retort and swiftly left the practice ground. Ais seemed unfazed by the drama and took her stance, drawing her rapier. In response, I unsheathed my broken katana, and ice formed on the blade.

After hours of sparring, we decided to end it as darkness enveloped the atmosphere. I bid farewell to the camp and walked to the giant tree at the center of the floor, where my team was currently staying.

Reaching the base of the tree, I saw a small town barricaded by wooden walls. Though calling it a town was an exaggeration; it was barely larger than a village. Judging by the state of the homes, it seemed more like an abandoned village, with most structures on the verge of collapse.

I extended my senses to locate my team, and it appeared they set up camp just outside of the town. Tents brought by Asfi in case we needed them on the 18th floor displayed her foresight.

Approaching the tents, I observed that most members of the search party and Bell's group were gathering at a campsite. I decided to join the celebration, as they were rejoicing in the success of rescuing Bell's party. However, I couldn't help but notice that Hermes was missing, deepening my weariness toward him.

-

Morning arrived, signaled by the crystal's light filtering through the tent's fabric. Exiting my tent, I extended my senses as usual. I observed Bell and Hestia peacefully sleeping together in a bed, while others shared a tent but slept in separate beds.

Deciding to explore the surroundings, I found that the forest dominated this floor, with many flora and fauna scattered around the ground as friendly monsters roamed the sky not minding my presence

After an hour of strolling, I decided to go back to the camp However, I sensed a group of people approaching me.

"Oh, Xian! We were looking for you," Hestia's voice echoed from behind, and I turned to face them.

"Wanna take a bath together?" Almost all the females from both my team and Loki's familia were present. Glancing at my own body, I realized that despite my previous indifference to personal care in my former life, the prospect of maintaining a spotless body had become a priority in this life.

Taking a moment to consider, I agreed with a nod, and the group led me to a nearby river where they had found a waterfall, surrounded by thick trees to cover us, The forest provided a natural and refreshing ambiance as the clear water flowed gently downstream.

The females, including Ais, Tiona, and Asfi, began to undress and enter the water, their laughter filling the air. Following their lead, I undressed completely, placing my clothes and blindfold neatly aside by the edge of the lake.

Their expressions turned to awe as I joined them in the water.

"Wow, I knew you were beautiful, but I didn't think you were this gorgeous," Hestia commented, her gaze focused on my red, dull eyes that resembled Bell's hair and eye color.

"Oh my, are you related to Bell?" Tiona inquired.

"It's just a coincidence that our hair and eye color are the same," I replied briefly. More questions about how I maintained my body and other random topics followed. However, the conversation was abruptly interrupted as I sensed a prying gaze from above.

Instantly summoning an ice dagger and cutting a branch, two figures fell from the treetops and splashed onto the water, revealing themselves as Bell and Hermes.

"So it seems you reveal your true nature, Hermes, Bell," I remarked, casting a cold gaze that caused the temperature around us to drop rapidly. Both of them looked at me with fear, while the others who were bathing quickly covered themselves.

"Xi-Xian-san, please cover yourself," Bell tried to remind me, but I redirected my attention to him and summoned a blunt sword.

"It's useless as you've already seen my body. I'll make it the last thing you see," I declared, creating a ring of ice to block their escape.

"Wait, wait! We can talk about this. No need to resort to violence," Hermes attempted to reason, but his words fell on deaf ears.

~~

Sorry my mental state has been declining over the days, so it's affecting my writing, the combination of real-life stress and self-hatred took a toll on my health