Chapter 90

The days flowed like a river, each passing moment like migrating fishes climbing a waterfall. We toiled tirelessly, engaging in various tasks such as hunting monsters for excelia and training until our bodies begged for respite.

The culmination of our expedition was fast approaching, leaving only the final challenge of slaying the Goliath spawn.

Recently, a wave of adventurers had flocked to the dungeon, seizing the opportunity presented by the big familias who had begun their own expeditions.

The influx of people breathed new life into the once dormant 18th floor, bustling with activity and exuberance.

However, as the number of adventurers increased, so did the unruliness within the dungeon.

Hazing, extortion, theft, and various other crimes began to plague the adventurers' haven. Fortunately, some of the more seasoned explorers managed to maintain a semblance of order amidst the chaos.

"We should get going," I said to Kaguya. Our bond had grown stronger, especially after sharing stories of our pasts, much like I did with Lyra.

My thoughts also dwelled on Haruhime, who was to be on the brink of being captured by slave traders. I contemplated the best course of action to rescue her.

"Ugh, so much to do. This loot is incredibly heavy too," I muttered to myself, realizing that gathering a month's worth of high-level monster spoils might not have been the wisest decision. The value in Valis was undeniable, but the weight it imposed upon me was a hefty burden.

It was also decided that the Astraea familia will take on the Goliath this time around.

Considering the circumstances, it made sense for the members of Astraea familia to collaborate in defeating the Goliath; soloing the creature once again seemed pointless for me.

Despite the exhilarating sense of accomplishment I had felt after defeating the green dragon, my progression seemed stagnant after days of relentless monster hunting.

It appeared that my vessel had reached its current limits. I eagerly anticipated seeing the improvements in my stats, confident that I had far surpassed my previous achievements.

Soon, we reached the 17th floor, where the Astraea familia had assembled in preparation for the imminent battle against the Goliath.

"Listen up, members of the Bahamut familia. Watch and learn; this is how a team fight works," Lyra's sudden change in demeanor and her words confused me.

However, I recognized the value in observing their expertise, comprehending that it would prove invaluable to both me and my familia in the future.

We maintained a safe distance near one of the entrances on the 17th floor, keenly aware of the possibility of ambushes, as the dungeon now teemed with adventurers eager to stretch their limits following the mourning and rebuilding process subsequent to the evilus attack on the city.

Crack! Thud!

The resounding footsteps of the Goliath reverberated through the air as it broke free from its enclosure.

It immediately identified the Astraea familia as its prey and emitted a thunderous roar, fuelling the tension in the atmosphere.

"Analyzing the enemy is the first step," Kaguya's voice rang out amidst the chaos as she employed a hit-and-run strategy against the Goliath.

"By meticulously gathering information, we can ascertain its strengths and weaknesses. Even in the absence of prior knowledge, we can decipher them on-site through consistent analysis and harassment."

"Next, communication is key," Lyra proclaimed, her words resounding with authority. As if scripted, the Astraea familia moved with synchronized precision, akin to a well-oiled machine.

They vigilantly watched over each other, seizing opportunities and countering threats in seamless unison.

The battle unfolded, intensifying with each passing second. The clash between the Astraea familia and the colossal Goliath served as a spectacle, mesmerizing us watchers.

Every blow, every dodge, and every quick decision reverberated through the air, electrifying the atmosphere.

The scene unfolded, a symphony of blades clashing, spells casting, and the rhythmic footsteps of adventurers maneuvering in perfect harmony.

The metallic clangs, the crackling of elemental magic, and the pounding of hearts intertwined to create a cacophony of sounds that echoed through the vast chamber.

Time seemed to warp as the battle raged on, us observers on the edge of our seat, living vicariously through the Astraea familia standing against the Goliath. Well it was easy for them considering their level but that wasn't the point.

As the battle reached its climax, the intense struggle culminated in a final, resounding blow. The Goliath, staggering under the accumulated onslaught, finally succumbed to the collective might of the Astraea familia.

The aftermath buzzed with excitement and camaraderie. My familia members, awestruck by the exemplary display of teamwork and tactical prowess, marvelled at the Astraea familia's coordination.

The battle had not only solidified their reputation but also left an indelible mark on my familia who had witnessed their triumph.

"So can you see how awesome we are" Neze bragged.

"Tsk, Show off, I will show you something better someday" I replied as we picked the heavy drop. We then resumed our journey to the surface.

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Thwack!!!

I swiftly smashed a hell hound with a powerful tail slam, crushing its skull. Memories of the days when these creatures provided a decent challenge flooded my mind. But now, they were nothing more than mere nuisances.

"Draco, focus!" Neze's voice snapped me back to reality.

Oops, I thought, realizing that if I let my guard down, they could easily burn through our supplies. We continued our march towards the surface.

It was around 6 to 7 months before the end of the year, and I knew that the next year would bring forth a lot of crazy events. The death of the Astraea familia, Haruhime being purchased by the Ishtar familia, and the arrival of Tiona and Tione in Orario.

"I believe Bête should have joined or will soon join the Loki familia soon," I quietly muttered.

"Who's Bête?" Celty, who was walking beside me, inquired.

"Oh, no one special," I replied, concealing my true thoughts. "Just a name that came to mind. Looks like he hasn't joined yet."

Time seemed to crawl as we made our way to the surface. Finally, we arrived. I was ecstatic to see the genuine sunlight again, as nothing in the dungeon, no matter how fascinating, could compare to the surface. The rest of my familia also expressed their joy at returning home.

"Ugh, do we really have to go to the guild now?" I grumbled. I was eager to return and update my status. Oh, and I had three dates planned with Hephaestus, Tsubaki, and Rose. What a mess, I thought, absentmindedly stroking my tail. It had become a habit when I was stressed.

"Yeah, the guild first," Iska chimed in. "You can also use the opportunity to sort out what to keep and what to sell."

Well, I did plan to keep some valuable drops in the vault that I had commissioned the Gofannon familia to build. And I could certainly afford to pay them to add more upgrades to our manor, the Dragon's Den.

Then there was the task of commissioning someone to find Haruhime's whereabouts, as the Astraea familia incident could happen anytime next year. That meant I couldn't leave the city to save her directly.

"Sigh, what a messy situation," I thought, feeling the weight of my responsibilities as we headed towards the guild. There was much to be done, and I needed to find a way to navigate through it all.