Loki familia expedition, ambush

The sun slowly rose, casting warm rays that enveloped the streets of Orario. The bright morning atmosphere was filled with the lively sounds of adventurers gathering in front of the Babel Tower entrance. Full of enthusiasm, they prepared to embark on the long-awaited adventure.

"Hey, look! It's Loki Familia!" shouted an adventurer with sparkling eyes, pointing towards the orderly line of members.

A commotion erupted among the crowd as they spotted Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess, walking with steady steps at the front alongside Riveria, the elf known as Nine Hell. Ais appeared calm, her blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight, while Riveria walked beside her with a serious expression, seemingly overseeing all their members.

"Look at that! The Sword Princess is amazing!" exclaimed a young adventurer, unable to hide his admiration. "I wish I could have strength like them someday!"

As they walked, the members of Loki Familia united in a neat formation. Finn stepped at the front, wearing light armor and carrying a spear on his back. He looked confident with a slight smile on his face. Beside him, Tione kept gazing at Finn with love and admiration in her eyes, while her twin sister Tiona walked nimbly beside her. In the middle of the formation, some members carried the Loki Familia flag that waved gracefully, signifying their glory as one of the strongest Familia in Orario.

"It seems like all the members of Loki Familia are here," murmured an adventurer next to his friend. "Are they going on an expedition today?"

"Yeah, it seems so. I heard they plan to explore areas they haven't visited before," his friend replied, eyes following the movement of the Loki Familia formation.

Adventurers who had previously intended to enter the Dungeon immediately stopped and watched Loki Familia. The adventurers outside stared in awe.

As they approached the entrance, Finn paused for a moment and turned back to ensure all members were ready.

"Is everyone ready?" he asked in a firm voice. All members responded in unison, "Ready!"

With determined steps, Finn moved forward, leading their formation towards the intimidating Dungeon gate. Outside, other adventurers watched with admiration and hope, while Ais and Riveria walked steadfastly behind him.

After entering the first floor of the Dungeon, Finn gave one last instruction. "From here, we'll split into two teams. Gareth, Riveria, and Ais will lead Team B, while I, Bete, Tione, and Tiona will lead Team A. We will meet in the morning on the 18th floor to rest before entering the middle floors."

The reason Finn split the teams was to expedite their mobility; after all, the upper floors of the Dungeon had narrow pathways that were unsuitable for a large team to traverse quickly. Thus, by dividing their numbers into two and taking different routes, they could speed up their mobility.

...

Booom

Yuuki jumped back and dodged the attack as the stone axe struck the Dungeon floor, causing it to crack. Debris flew around, accidentally scratching Yuuki. Standing in front of Yuuki was a powerful minotaur over 2 meters tall, wielding a stone axe. From the look of its weapon, it was clear that this was no ordinary minotaur, but a rare elite monster.

After exploring the Dungeon for several days, working together without Noah's help, they finally reached the 16th floor. It would be astonishing if anyone knew that level 1 beginners could reach the 16th floor, where only level 2 adventurers could set foot. Unlike the previous floors, monsters on the 16th floor had a minimum level of 2, which is why only level 2 adventurers could survive here.

As the minotaur attacked Yuuki, Asuna seized the opportunity and struck the minotaur from behind with a graceful rapier thrust. The rapier shot forward like cold silver light, piercing the minotaur's right thigh.

Asuna's attack caused the minotaur to roar loudly. Yui, who was on the sidelines, used her Healing Touch skill to heal both of them.

Asuna stood firm, feeling adrenaline coursing through her veins. The large, powerful minotaur roared angrily after feeling her rapier thrust. With agile movements, Asuna stepped back, giving Yuuki room to take a better position. In an instant, she was ready to attack again.

Yuuki stared at the minotaur with a sharp gaze.

"Asuna, we have to move quickly! If we don't defeat it soon, we will get caught in a barrage of attacks!" She shouted with fervent energy.

"Alright! I'll draw its attention," replied Asuna, preparing her stance to attack again. She knew well that the minotaur not only possessed extraordinary physical strength but also speed that could surprise opponents.

With a burning fighting spirit, Asuna ran back towards the minotaur while activating her Swordmaster's Grace skill, which increased her speed and attack penetration, dodging the massive axe that struck the ground with a thunderous sound. Asuna leaped to the side, avoiding the next attack, and tried to get closer to the wounded thigh of the minotaur.

"Now!" Yuuki shouted, noticing the opening. She dashed forward, readying her longsword for a deadly strike. Meanwhile, Asuna attacked again, this time with a diagonal strike aimed at creating a deeper wound on the minotaur's thigh.

The minotaur tried to evade but was not quick enough. The massive axe fell to the side as Asuna thrust with full power. The attack succeeded, and the minotaur staggered backward, letting out a pained roar.

Yui, who was behind, used her Healing Touch skill to assist Asuna and Yuuki.

"Be careful, you two! Don't expose yourselves too much!" she shouted, focusing her healing energy.

Asuna felt the soothing flow of energy as Yui healed her wounds.

"Thank you, Yui! I'll finish this soon!" Asuna replied, determined to end the battle as quickly as possible.

In an instant, the minotaur attacked again. It swung its axe brutally, and Asuna had to quickly take a step back. However, Yuuki was quicker. She leaped to the side, facing the minotaur with her sword raised. "Now, Asuna! Attack!"

Asuna didn't waste the opportunity. With lightning speed, she charged forward, focusing all her abilities. She ran with full spirit and slid between the minotaur's legs, trying to gain a better position.

At the same time, Yuuki diverted the minotaur's attention with a flurry of sword strikes. Each of Yuuki's attacks aimed to create an opening, even as her body was hurled back by the monster's strength. However, Yuuki did not flinch; she knew that speed and precision were the keys to defeating this monster.

Asuna managed to dodge the axe that slammed into the ground with a resounding crash.

"Now!" she shouted when she saw an opening on the minotaur's side. She lunged forward, seizing the opportunity. In one graceful motion, she executed a thrust aimed directly at the minotaur's heart.

The minotaur roared in pain, shaking the entire dungeon. Severely wounded, the monster attempted to turn around, but Asuna was already prepared for the next attack.

"Get ready, Yuuki!" Asuna said, channeling energy into her rapier. With a swift movement, she unleashed a series of strikes, combining agility and strength.

Yuuki followed up with her sword attack, increasing the pressure on the already wounded minotaur. The large axe fell, and the minotaur struggled to stay upright. Each of their attacks felt stronger, as if the power of their collaboration created a wave of energy that reverberated through the dungeon walls.

"Yui, prepare Healing Touch again!" Yuuki shouted while continuing to press the minotaur. "We need to maintain our stamina!"

"Ready!" Yui replied, preparing her healing skill.

Asuna continued her assault, trying to find a weak point on the minotaur's body. She saw how injured and exhausted the monster was, but she also realized that the minotaur would not give up easily. In an instant, the minotaur swung its axe with the remaining strength, striking the ground with a jarring force.

Asuna jumped to the side, dodging the attack, but Yuuki was not as fortunate. The axe struck her hard, sending her staggering backward. "Yuuki!" Asuna shouted, feeling panic rise.

"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Yuuki tried to stand despite the pain coursing through her body. However, the minotaur's strength could not be underestimated.

"Yui, hurry!" Asuna called out before redirecting her attention back to the minotaur. She stepped forward, attacking at lightning speed. "I won't let you fall, Yuuki!"

Asuna ran toward the minotaur, doing her best to draw the monster's attention. With every movement, she aimed to synchronize with the flow of battle, dodging attacks while delivering counterstrikes.

"Let's do the final attack!" Yuuki shouted, even though she still felt pain. She got back up, ready to deliver a finishing blow.

Asuna nodded, understanding that this was the right moment. She took a deep breath, focusing all her energy and concentration. In one swift motion, she surged forward, aiming her rapier at the minotaur's heart once again.

With a strong thrust, Asuna pierced the tough flesh of the minotaur, and the monster let out one final roar before its massive body fell to the ground with a thunderous sound. After a slight tremor, the minotaur's body transformed into black smoke, leaving a magic stone lying on the ground.

"Yes! We did it!" Yuuki exclaimed, although she was still feeling the pain from the earlier attack. She ran over to Asuna, patting her shoulder. "You were amazing!"

Asuna felt relief wash over her. "We did this together, Yuuki. Without our teamwork, this wouldn't have been possible."

Yui quickly ran over to them, using Healing Touch to heal their wounds. "You both were incredible!"

Asuna and Yuuki exchanged smiles, trying to ignore the fatigue enveloping their bodies.

"Let's take a short break before moving on to the next floor," Yuuki said, gazing into the darkness of the dungeon that awaited ahead.

"Yes, we must be careful; we cannot let the dungeon take advantage of our exhaustion to set traps," Asuna replied seriously, aware that the dungeon was alive and would seize any opportunity to eliminate adventurers like a dangerous virus in its body.

....

They had only walked for 10 minutes before stopping, not because they had reached a safe area but because five adventurers blocked their path.

Sensing the greedy stares from the adventurers, Asuna and the others immediately became alert.

These adventurers were targeting Asuna and her group, believing they had valuable items, including a magical sword.

In reality, they had been nearby when Asuna and the others fought the minotaur, but they were not close enough to see how Asuna's group had defeated it; they only assumed Asuna was using a magical sword.

They decided to ambush Asuna and her group after they had exhausted much of their stamina to reduce any unexpected variables.

The five adventurers who stood in their way looked ready to act. With weapons drawn and sharp gazes, they clearly had no intention of being friendly.

"Look, it's them! The newbies from Vermilion Familia," shouted one of them, a burly man with a hateful glare.

"Don't let them escape!" yelled the group's leader, a young man with black hair and sharp eyes; he was a Level 2 adventurer. He stepped forward confidently, clearly feeling superior.

Asuna and the others exchanged glances. They knew this situation could be dangerous.

"We need to prepare," whispered Asuna. "We can't let them attack us all at once."

"Alright!" replied Yuuki, gripping her sword tightly.

"Yui, keep your distance and prepare Healing Touch if we need it," Asuna instructed.

"Ready!" Yui replied, positioning herself behind them.

With fighting spirit blazing, Asuna stepped forward, gazing at the group leader with determination. "We're not looking for trouble. If you want to pass, we won't stop you."

"Trouble? Oh, we're not here for trouble, but for treasure!" The leader laughed mockingly, swinging his sword arrogantly. "Hand over all your valuable items, or you'll regret it!"

Asuna knew there was no other choice. "Then we'll fight!" she shouted, swiftly swinging her rapier at the leader. Her quick attack rushed forward, but the leader deftly dodged, countering with a powerful strike.

Asuna had to leap back, but she could still feel the clang of swords as they clashed. Yuuki didn't stay idle. She darted to the side, delivering a lethal sword strike towards one of the weaker adventurers.

"Watch out, Asuna!" she shouted.

Meanwhile, Yui remained vigilant in the back, preparing Healing Touch if needed. She anxiously watched as Yuuki got engaged in the fight, her fingers ready to heal if anyone got hurt.

The other adventurers began attacking simultaneously. Asuna tried to dodge, spinning and leaping to avoid their strikes, while Yuuki struggled against two adventurers who were attacking her at once. She focused all her strength and speed.

"Don't let them separate us!" Asuna shouted, fighting to distract several approaching adventurers.

Yuuki nodded. "Alright!" She leaped to Asuna's side, swinging her sword with full force. The attack hit one of the adventurers, sending him staggering back.

Meanwhile, the leader of the group became more aggressive. He unleashed a flurry of strikes at Asuna, each blow feeling stronger than the last. Asuna tried to evade and counter, but she could feel the pressure mounting, and her hands were starting to go numb from the force of the leader's attacks.

...ding....ding....

The sound of swords clashing continued, and even though Asuna and Yuuki were exhausted from battling the minotaur, they couldn't underestimate their opponents' strength. After all, if they weren't strong, how could they have killed a minotaur?

The leader also realized that Asuna's group was not to be underestimated; he couldn't help but be surprised by their strength. He decided to drag the fight out and wear them down. He wasn't worried about any other adventurers showing up since this area was remote and typically wouldn't attract attention.

As the battle dragged on, Asuna and Yuuki felt their strength draining.

Yui, on the other hand, was facing an adventurer who was putting pressure on her, exploiting her lack of battle experience. The man swung his sword brutally.

Yui tried to dodge, but the attacks were too fast. She accidentally fell to the ground, narrowly escaping a strike.

Asuna saw Yui and her panic heightened. "Yui!" she yelled, trying to run, but the leader blocked her path.

"Don't forget about us!" he shouted, redirecting Asuna's focus back to the fight.

Asuna had no choice; she had to confront the leader while worrying about Yui.

"We can do this! We just need to focus!" she tried to encourage herself and Yuuki, but her voice was beginning to tremble.

"Papa…" Yui murmured, trying to hold off the attack with her staff.

'Noah... please come…' Asuna thought with hope, but she knew that although Noah had the authority of the Rule of the Sky to come to someone who called for him, his divinity was currently sealed, making it impossible for him to hear her call.

She started to regret not bringing some items like Teigu earlier to prevent unexpected situations, even though she was aware of the dangers of the dungeon.