"Everyone must wear the Fire Spirit Cloths. Even if the effect is minimal, it's still better than nothing."
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"Everyone, please share your opinions? What should we do?"
Seeing that Finn was very willing to listen to everyone's suggestions, Fron immediately raised his hand.
"Finn, I think the 'Fire Spirit Cloths' should still be worn. Having an extra layer of protection is better than none, isn't it? And this thing doesn't affect combat either."
"Hmm, alright. Then Raul, distribute them to everyone. Everyone must wear it."
"..."
The sisters Tione and Tiona opened their mouths, but before they could speak, Finn already issued the command.
"Rest for 10 more minutes, then we will prepare to advance toward the ultimate goal of this expedition. Everyone must muster their spirits and stay vigilant!"
"Yes!"
····
After taking a few potions, whether stamina or mental strength, Fron's condition had recovered to about 80%, already back to the point where he could function normally.
Everyone packed their gear and gathered at the entrance of the southernmost passage of the 58th floor. Looking at the darkness below, they fell silent.
"What will be here, I wonder…" The murmurs of a blonde girl reached Fron's ears.
"Don't worry, Ais. No matter what's there, you still have me and our companions."
Gulp
"Alicia, I'll leave my pack to you."
At this moment, Fron finally handed over his supporter's backpack.
"Yes, please fight to your heart's content!" The smile of the elven big sister was always so healing.
"Good luck, Fron!"
Looking at Anakitty, Fron nodded heavily. For Anakitty, the smartest girl in the team aside from Finn, to say that, it was already quite an extraordinary recognition.
"Move out!"
...
At the same time that the Loki Familia expedition team began advancing toward the unknown domain, on the surface, in the Guild's underground sanctuary…
The four torches still burned brightly as if nothing had changed.
The old god Uranus, seated on the stone throne at the altar's top, slowly opened his pale eyes.
"Fels."
"Ah, Uranus. As you predicted, the Loki Familia has smoothly reached the 59th floor."
"The unknown domain, the changes in the Dungeon, the unknown floors is finally revealing itself."
"I wonder… what kind of scene it will be."
As for the noisy surface world at this time, adventurers, common people, and all the factions, their focus was completely different from these two great figures.
At the just-concluded Denatus, two of the most eye-catching pieces of intelligence were posted at the very top of the bulletin board.
Bell Cranel of the Hestia Familia had astonishingly broken Fron's record, becoming the fastest to level up from Lv.1 to Lv.2 by a margin of 3 days, becoming a "High-Class Adventurer!" He was acknowledged by the gods and granted the title Little Rookie.
If this news was already explosive enough, then the other one was sufficient to shock all adventurers.
Fron Argon of the Loki Familia, after becoming a First-Class Adventurer, had his official title changed due to his promotion.
It was said that because of the naming of the title Flame Demon, a quarrel broke out at the Divine Meeting. The final result was unsurprising: the regretful goddess Loki obtained the final victory.
It was also said that in this brawl, Loki once again kicked Apollo family jewels, making the gossip-loving gods tremble in fear.
...
The various happenings on the surface were unknown to the Loki Familia expedition team.
At this moment, within the passage from the 58th floor to the 59th floor, the elite attack squad of 14 formed ranks, carefully exploring the unknown floor.
Beside Fron walked Anakitty and Alicia, each carrying a portable magic stone lamp for illumination.
Looking closely, one would notice… there was no sign of the rumored cold, not at all. In fact, from the stalactites hanging upside down on the ceiling, droplets of water dripped down.
"What the heck, this is nothing like what they said! Wasn't it supposed to be icy cold?"
The innocent girl Tiona began complaining again, but Fron only curved his lips slightly. Before long, they would be glad they had this equipment.
The endlessly descending staircase confused everyone, since reality was completely different from the intel. They all remained silent.
"I keep feeling something is off… is it just my imagination?"
With her keen beast senses, Anakitty twitched her cat ears, her little face full of unease.
"No, Anakitty. It's not just your imagination. The atmosphere really does feel strange…"
Trying to comfort the black-haired catgirl, Fron narrowed his eyes.
"Captain, the exit is just ahead!"
"Understood. Everyone, prepare for vigilance and battle. We don't know what's waiting for us ahead, so absolutely no carelessness!"
"Yes!"
At Finn's command, staves, rapiers, and short swords were drawn, and in an instant the formation was completed.
Clang, clang, clang, clang…
The adventurers' footsteps echoed in the passage. Ahead was the light of the exit. Following that glow, they carefully advanced through the darkness.
Finally, they stepped forward, their figures merging with the light, and entered the 59th floor!
"So at last, we've reached this point!"
"This is the floor that no adventurer has ever, seen before!"
...
"--!?"
What kind of sight was it, that even made these First-Class Adventurers lose all words?
The so-called Glacier Domain, the [Ice Labyrinth]…
But in front of them, there were no glaciers, no expected icebergs, crystalline streams, or snowy white land.
What completely unfolded before them was a gigantic jungle, utterly different from all intel!
Vast, endless, unseen and unheard-of enormous strange plants and trees filled their entire vision.
The hot, humid air rushed upon them, enveloping their whole bodies. It was an unknown within the unknown, completely beyond expectations.
"This… is the 59th floor? Why is it a tropical rainforest!?"
Those who had not experienced the 24th-floor incident stared in shock at the unexpected sight.
But Ais, Lefiya, and Bete seemed to recall something, their faces subtly changing.
"Hey hey hey, a tropical rainforest? And this familiar scenery… plus that smell… sniff sniff… a faint rotting stench."
As beastkins, Bete and Anakitty immediately perceived what others couldn't.
"No… no way, could this place be…" Lefiya's delicate little face wavered.
"Lefiya, what happened?"
Fron pressed his lips together and calmly spoke words that instantly put everyone on high alert.
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T/N: Bonus chapter for crossing 150 power stones; next one at 200 power stones~