All the members who had gone out for the mission returned safely, not a single one missing.
"Captain, the plan went smoothly."
Everyone came back with smiles on their faces. The operation had gone off without a hitch—no mistakes, no problems.
"That's great!"
Liliruca's face lit up with excitement. It was her first time devising a plan like this, and with her teammates executing it perfectly, everything had gone better than she'd hoped.
Seeing her smile, the others who had successfully carried out the plan smiled too.
They had only cleared out a single beehive, but it was the team's first attempt at a coordinated operation like this, so it was something worth celebrating.
Somewhere unnoticed, a certain Werewolf had quietly returned.
Watching the group celebrating their success, even the Werewolf allowed a small smile to cross his face.
He didn't truly hate those weaklings without power. What he despised were those who knew they were weak yet made no effort to improve.
Those who kept pushing themselves forward—no matter how small the steps—were the ones who eventually became strong.
"The strong get stronger." That phrase applies after someone has already reached strength. Before that, every strong person had to grow bit by bit. No one is born into power.
"Hey~ Bete, you actually know how to smile."
The smile on Bete's face froze. In an instant, it turned into that usual scowl that made people instinctively want to back away.
"You dumb woman, what eye did you see me smiling with?"
"Oh~ obviously both my left and right eyes."
Tiona then pulled Ais, who was standing nearby, over and grinned.
"Ais, you saw Bete smiling just now too, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did."
Innocent as ever, Ais didn't deny it. She saw it, so there was no reason to lie.
With Ais confirming it, Tiona laughed even more boldly at Bete, whose whole body had gone stiff.
"Oh wow~ I never thought you'd actually smile just because someone else's plan succeeded. You always look so sour, but you're really capable of being happy for others."
Bete squirmed under the teasing. He knew this stupid woman was doing it on purpose. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dragged Ais into it just to gang up on him.
"Shut up!"
The werewolf snapped, face flushed red as he barked at the meddling Amazoness.
Then, without another word, he turned and stormed off.
"Bete, we'll be moving on soon—don't go too far."
Finn's voice made Bete pause slightly before he kicked off again, leaving only a trail of dust behind.
"Puhahaha!"
As soon as Bete disappeared, Tiona burst out laughing.
"Ais, did you see that? That's the real face of that werewolf."
"He's always got that grumpy face on, but deep down, he's really not that bad. After spending enough time around him, you realize—he's just a tsundere. Says one thing, but thinks something completely different."
"And he hates being called out on it. The second anyone mentions it, he bolts like some shy little girl."
"But seriously, isn't it kind of gross how he always acts like that? What's with the tough guy routine? No wonder nobody likes him."
If you asked Tiona, Bete was hands down the least likable member of the Loki Familia.
As she grumbled, Ais tilted her head slightly, watching Bete's retreating figure.
"If he was happy about Lili's plan working, why doesn't he just say it?"
"Who knows? Guys are just weird about this stuff."
Tiona honestly had no clue what went on in that werewolf's head. He was always doing things that got on people's nerves. And truthfully, it was kind of annoying.
But after getting to know him, Tiona had come to understand—that's just how he was, the way he talked and acted.
Which, ironically, made him even more annoying.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the thought.
"Ais, are you still carrying that?"
Ais gave a small nod, her mood settling.
"It's in my space waist bag. It's safer there."
Even keeping it in her own room made her nervous. She couldn't risk losing the Memory Crystal, so she kept it with her at all times. Ever since getting the space waist bag, that's where it stayed...
"You've been slowing down your training lately."
Tiona ventured carefully.
To her surprise, Ais simply nodded without any change in expression.
"I can't overcome Father and Mother's challenge on my own."
Though she knew deep down that her father and mother hadn't died—but were instead waiting for her in the deeper layers of the Dungeon—Ais wasn't in a rush this time.
That encounter had calmed her restless heart. The flame of revenge that had always burned within her was no longer consuming her.
More importantly, this time, she wasn't heading into the Dungeon for revenge. She wanted to prove to her parents that she could survive under their gaze, on their terms.
It might be the last time she saw them—but it was something she had to do.
Her parents were still bound by the Dungeon's will. What she truly wanted was to free their souls, to release them from that prison.
For that goal, Ais chose to slow down her own growth—just for now.
Just like her father had told her: bring your strongest comrades and overcome us.
She knew she couldn't do it alone. That's why this time, she was going forward with her friends.
"I can't overcome Father and Mother alone. So... I hope everyone will move forward with me."
It was rare for Ais to say something like that.
Tiona blinked in surprise, then gave a bright, easy smile.
"Yeah! I'll definitely keep up with you, Ais. When the time comes, I'll go with you into the depths of the Dungeon to meet your parents."
"Thank you, Tiona."
Ais was truly grateful that Tiona had chosen to stand by her. So she made up her mind—to keep moving forward for the sake of her goal, and to bring her friends along with her.