A young man covered in blood

### Floor 17

"Ah... It's so frustrating. We went all the way up to Floor 50 for this," Tiona complained as they headed home.

"Come on, how long are you going to keep complaining?" Tione glanced at her younger sister, silently wishing she'd stop grumbling throughout the journey.

"Besides, what kind of monster was that green caterpillar? I've never seen anything like it!" Tiona recalled the strange monster they encountered on Floor 50.

"Must be a new type of monster," Tione replied, examining the bright yellow magic stone she had obtained from that creature.

**Crack... Crack... Crack...**

The dungeon walls cracked open as they approached the stairs leading to Floor 16. A large group of tall minotaurs with black skin and red eyes emerged from the dungeon walls.

"It's a monster party!" shouted one of the members of Loki Familia.

A monster party is a special event that rarely occurs, where the dungeon spawns a large number of monsters in one place.

"Captain, what should we do? There are quite a few of them," Tione asked Finn. Given their Familia's strength, they could easily handle a monster party consisting of minotaurs, as they were only level 2 monsters.

The real issue was to eliminate them before they spread to the upper floors and endangered other adventurers. Even for Loki Familia, it would be challenging to wipe them out before they could escape due to their sheer numbers.

"Quickly eliminate them at the fastest pace," Finn ordered calmly, showing no signs of panic.

"Well, that's how it should be," Tiona exclaimed as she dashed toward the minotaurs impatiently. Still frustrated from her broken weapon, she decided to take out her annoyance on the minotaurs.

Standing in front of a minotaur, Tiona kicked its head, instantly turning it to ash and leaving behind a magic stone.

Tione leaped into the air, landing on the shoulder of a minotaur before grabbing its horns and twisting its head, killing it in an instant, blood spraying from the monster's neck.

The minotaurs took a step back in fear at the display of power. Their survival instincts kicked in, causing them to flee toward the upper floors.

"That way... Chase them! Don't let them endanger the adventurers above!" Finn commanded as he realized the direction the minotaurs were fleeing.

Even though the minotaurs seemed weak and helpless in front of Loki Familia, they were a nightmare for adventurers on the upper floors, where the highest levels were only level 2.

---

### Floor 6 of the Dungeon

Bell jumped to the side to avoid a kobold's attack. Gripping his dagger that glimmered with a cold light, he leaped forward like a rabbit and slashed the kobold's neck. The creature staggered back before disintegrating into a puff of black smoke.

Bell picked up the magic stone from the ground and pocketed it. Today was his first time exploring the dungeon alone. Previously, due to Hestia's request and Noah's orders, Lili had accompanied Bell in the dungeon for several days. After explaining everything he needed to pay attention to in the dungeon, Lili left Bell's side because she was a supporter of Vermilion Familia and couldn't stay with him for long.

Thanks to Lili's guidance, Bell was able to explore Floor 6 of the dungeon alone in just a few days.

"Mooo..."

As Bell continued his journey, the sound of a heavy cow-like moan echoed, and a tall, muscular minotaur emerged from the shadows.

Seeing the minotaur, Bell stepped back in fear, realizing he was cornered by the wall behind him.

**...Swosh... Splash...**

Just as Bell thought he was going to die, a slash cut off the minotaur's right arm.

"Moo!!!" the minotaur screamed and turned to kill the one who attacked it from behind, but another slash came in an instant, severing its other arm before cleaving the minotaur diagonally. Hot blood sprayed everywhere, soaking Bell, who was directly beneath the creature.

Bell looked up to see a beautiful girl with long blonde hair, her sword gleaming as she sheathed it.

"Are you okay? Can you stand?" the girl asked in a flat voice while extending her hand.

"Argg!"

Ignoring her question, Bell, still recovering from his shock, ran away in sheer terror, his entire body turning as red as a tomato.

Ais, surprised at his reaction, retracted her outstretched hand, not understanding why the boy had fled.

"Hahaha... He ran away after seeing you, Ais," Bete, who happened to witness the scene, couldn't help but laugh. His laughter echoed in the quiet dungeon.

---

Finn led Loki Familia out of the dungeon. The adventurers discussed among themselves as they watched their return.

"Hey, look, it's Loki Familia."

"Why did they come back so quickly?"

"Something unexpected must have happened in the dungeon."

The adventurers whispered quietly, none daring to speak ill of Loki Familia, even though they could see the tense expressions on their faces.

Finn paid no attention to their discussions about what had happened to his Familia, as it was a fact that this expedition had ended in failure. However, a certain topic piqued his interest.

"Hey, did you hear that all members of Vermilion Familia were promoted to level 2?"

"Really? Wasn't it only a month since they became adventurers? Even the Sword Princess took a year to reach level 2."

"It seems the news about them defeating the Goliath Rex is true."

"Looks that way."

"I can't believe they got so strong so fast."

"Unbelievable. A party of three level 1 adventurers defeating a Goliath."

"It seems the title of the strongest Familia will change soon."

"Shh... Don't say that; Loki Familia is still here," one adventurer cautioned upon hearing his friend's words.

"Vermilion Familia? I might have underestimated their strength," Finn murmured as he recalled the three adventurers he had saved a month ago.

Ais, who also overheard the conversation, had a glimmer in her eyes, curious about how they had become so powerful. As someone who pursued strength for revenge, Ais was eager to know their secret. But she held back for now, as they had just returned from an expedition and she needed to rest.

Riveria, walking beside Ais, noticed the change in her expression and immediately understood what was on her mind.

Riveria was the one who knew Ais best, having cared for her since childhood before joining Loki Familia. To Riveria, Ais was like a daughter, which is why among the adventurers of Loki Familia, many jokingly called her "Mama Riveria." Of course, those who dared to call her that had felt Riveria's staff.

As an elf with a long lifespan, Riveria, who was 99 years old, was still like a teenager by human standards, so how could she not be angry when called "Mama"?