With the urgent need for the guild members to be evacuated, the expedition party split up, Zald taking the lead, though to add balance to their power, Alfia, and Caotan, also went with them. This massive group took the majority of the camp gear with them, and left.
Empress, Gale, Lyca, Maxim, a few level 6s, and some weaker members serving as supporters remained behind with Shurry.
"Alright everyone, let's push further now. Shurry you're our main healer. Usually this would mean you can't hunt. But, if it's you, I don't see a problem."
"Really!? Woo hoo! Thanks Unccy Maxy!"
"Gale, Lyca, you're going to fight Balor on your own. Do not lose. Push yourselves beyond that barrier."
"Why isn't Zald even trying?"
"He's reached a point where he'd have to defeat Thalia, on his own."
The widening of both Gale and Lyca's eyes told a story of just how strong Thalia was. However, it only made Shurry excited.
"Who's that? Can we hunt it?" Shurry's smile, and tail, the definition of childish innocence personified.
"Pfft, it would be very hard for us to deal with it, given our current forces. But I don't see a problem in showing them to you…" Empress giggled, petting Shurry's head.
"We can win! I know it! Let's go hunting!" He cheerfully threw his fists up, cutely pairing it with a howl.
And they were off. Fighting through the monsters of the deeper floors. There were so many things in this world that provided a whole new experience for Shurry. The last time he came on the expedition, he wasn't allowed to hunt these creatures due to the higher number of members in the party. But now, he finally got the chance, the chance to serve as Vanguard. No monster could handle the overwhelming pressure he unleashed. And eventually, they cleared the floors one after the other, arriving on the 49th floor, and more specifically inside the massive boss room.
"Oh, hey Balor looks smaller than he did last time. And more ugly?"
Maxim's gaze fixated on the monster rex. "You're right. It seems this one is a bit weaker than the average spawn. He won't provide enough of a challenge if the two of you take him on together. Decide quickly who gets to fight him."
"Well I think I should get to fight-" Gale started speaking, but that was a mistake.
Lyca, didn't even bother talking, and just launched herself into the fray, starting the battle before Gale realized it.
"Oh come on!"
Gale was about to make a move to join the fight, but was stopped once he ran face first into a light platform.
"Ugh! What are you doing, Shurry? That's my prey."
"No it's not! That's Aunty's prey! Don't steal! That's bad!"
"You really shouldn't get so upset Gale. There's still a couple other chances for you to level up. Cadmus, and then… Balrog… And even in the event you need help on Balrog, there's no way it wouldn't be a level up for you, as you are now." Maxim stated.
The rest of the party had their own little chuckle as Gale rubbed his nose. Empress didn't bother with Gale, instead giving a small smile to Shurry… A gesture thanking him for preventing the loss of a level up opportunity.
Down in the battle below, Lyca used everything at her disposal except for the beastification. She slayed about 300 fomoires, and even managed to deal several powerful blows against Balor himself. Though something was clearly wrong.
"Hang on, why isn't she killing it? Surely she could pull it off right now?" Gale asked, confused. "I know I'd be done with it by now."
"She told me last night, she would do her best to kill Balor without destroying its crystal. We want Shurry to reach the point where he can finally cure the twins of their illness. Or at least prevent it from affecting them in any way. Balor is a level 7 monster rex, the magic power gained from his crystal will be far better than anything prior." Empress explained.
"That, and it increases the challenge she's under. Having to kill it without destroying the thing that grants it life, is no easy feat. I'd wager a guess it increases the difficulty level of any monster rex fight by a level. Similar to the terrain advantage." Maxim declared.
"What do you think, Shurry?"
"Hmm? About what? Aunty's hunt? Uhm… I wanna hunt too!"
Gale, flabbergasted, let out a heavy sigh. "No one better have any plans about Cadmus. He's my target now."
"Is Cadmus tasty?"
"Zald seems to think so…"
"I want it!"
"Sorry Shurry, but I'm siding with Gale on this one. I want you in top form for everything after the 51st floor." Maxim said, resting a heavy hand on Shurry's head.
"Awe, you'd better save some of the tasty meat, or I won't forgive you!"
"I'll do my best."
An hour and a half later, Lyca finally managed to get the perfect chance… She took it. Sprinting at full speed, directly towards Balor, she fired off Afterglow enhanced clawing attacks, with just the right spacing to narrowly grind against the magic crystal. The opening this provided her with, let her jump, right into the large area previously outlined with the cuts. She tore the skin away, grabbed the magic crystal… And yanked with all her might.
With a majority of the crystal free, she made quick, and bloody work with the other sections. All while Balor tried to recover from the damage… Fruitlessly. Finally, she fully freed the crystal from its home, and Balor turned into a pile of dust before he could truly die normally…
"Little nephew! I got you a present! Happy belated birthday!" The blood soaked Lyca only served as further proof of her conquest, one she was able to smile after completion.
Shurry's reaction was priceless. He howled, Lyca howled with him. He then ran down to her, giving her a great big hug.
"Hey now, I'm still covered in blood. You're gonna get all dirty."
"That's what baths are for!" He refuted and hugged harder.
"Pfft, go ahead now, and get Luna to devour that crystal."
Luna, woke up a bit groggy, and clearly not too far away from completely refining the other crystals from before. "Good morning, what's wrong Shurry?" She rubbed her tiny hands into her tiny eyes, then yawned. Her eyes lit up the moment the crystal entered her sight. "Is that? For me?"
"Yep! Aunty Lyca hunted it for us!"
"Yay! Aunty Lyca's the bestest!"
Luna devoured the crystal and then right back to sleep. The expedition team continued on reaching the 50th floor's safe zone. Lyca took a bath, practically dragging Shurry to come with her. And then typical campfire talk while everyone reflected on the day's events.