For the first time, Renjiro set foot on the 18th Floor.
Truth be told, he had long wanted to see with his own eyes this place that so many adventurers called the Dungeon's Paradise. A land to rest, to marvel at sights unlike any other.
His gaze swept outward, drinking in the view.
The landscape stretched wide and open, far broader than most dungeon levels.
The overall layout was much like the the 10th Floor, no walls, no tunnels, just one enormous underground expanse.
Yet here, it felt far closer to nature.
Verdant forests, rolling hills, fragrant grasslands, crystal-clear streams…
And in the very center, a colossal world tree towering over a hundred meters tall.
Above, countless inverted luminous crystals clung to the cavern ceiling, casting soft, gentle light across the land.
A breathtaking vista you'd never see back on Earth. Truly a fantasy world.
Of course, where there is light, there must be shadow. And in the shadow, evil… cough, whoops, wrong line.
Anyway, though the 18th Floor was a "Safe Zone" where monsters did not spawn, adventurers knew all too well: monsters from other floors still wandered in.
Sure enough, with only a casual glance, Renjiro (Aether) noticed small, slender silhouettes lurking in the knee-high grass.
He knew that from the Middle Floors onward, monsters grew not only stronger but smarter.
On the Upper Floors, you'd rarely find creatures that knew how to ambush. Brainless brutes like Kobolds, War Shadows, or even Killer Ants didn't exactly understand lying in wait.
But here… Those shadows hiding in the grass were proof of the Dungeon's cunning cruelty.
So the Dungeon truly is… vile and treacherous?
That infamous saying echoed in Aether's mind.
At that moment,
"Did you know? Those glowing crystals gradually lose the 'light' they absorb from the outside world. Which means this floor, like the surface, has both 'day' and 'night'."
A casual voice spoke from the side.
Aether turned his head, actually, had to tilt it downward slightly.
"Captain Finn."
"Just call me Finn."
The golden-haired youth of the Pallum race stood beside him, gripping a long spear that was taller than he was.
"I heard from Riveria. You and Lumine cleared nearly every monster along the way. Quite the effort."
The forty-two-year-old Brave smiled, his voice calm yet warm.
"It seems I misjudged your strength before. Now… I'm even more eager to see what lies ahead."
"And also…" He glanced toward the crowd not far away. "Lumine's cooking has saved us a great deal of time. It's been a huge help."
Hearing that,
"No need to be so formal, Finn." Aether followed his gaze to the lively group ten meters away. "After all, we're part of this expedition too. Contributing for the sake of the whole, keeping everyone united, that's how we'll make it farther, isn't it?"
"Heh. Well said."
Finn nodded in firm agreement. The more they spoke, the more he realized how much he and this brother of the Traveler twins had in common.
Though, for now, because they served different Familias, some things were better left unsaid. At least, not yet.
Meanwhile, on Lumine's side, things were far more lively.
A quarter hour earlier, Gareth the Dwarf veteran had led the Third Group to the 18th Floor.
Now, with the entire Loki Familia expedition assembled, no one had bothered to set up camp.
Even the Level 2s and 3s, reassigned as temporary support for this expedition, simply dropped their packs to stretch their legs.
The supply carts remained sealed… Well, except for the one carrying food.
Naturally, everyone had gathered around that cart.
There stood Lumine, in front of a large pot filled with fresh spring water, flames crackling beneath it.
CLANG~ CLANG~ went the sounds of cooking as she produced one roast after another, handing them out like a kind noble's daughter distributing charity.
Not that the Loki Familia were beggars, but judging by the eager looks on their faces, they could've passed for schoolkids back in the Celestial Empire, crowding the canteen line right after the lunch bell.
Youth really is wonderful~
So mused Gareth, stroking his beard as he watched.
Riveria, beside him, frowned slightly at the disorderly scene, but said nothing.
Meanwhile, Lefiya and Elfy helped Lumine serve food.
As for Tiona… she had already wolfed down her first helping, yet shamelessly queued up again with her half-eaten roast still in hand.
Efficient little rascal.
Her sister, Tione, was another story.
"Caaaaptaaain~"
Usually sharp and capable, at this moment she was nothing but a lovestruck maiden, bouncing toward Finn with two fresh roasts in hand, eyes sparkling with obvious intent.
The others could only stare, black lines forming on their faces.
That kind of behavior, from a wild Amazoness of all people, was enough to break anyone's defenses.
The contrast is just too much. Terrifying.
After all, when Lumine had first started cooking, no one had been fiercer about "securing the first helping for the Captain" than Tione. Her expression alone screamed: Anyone who gets in my way is dead.
At that moment,
"Enjoy your lunch."
Aether glanced at Finn, now helplessly enduring Tione's aggressive "hospitality," and chuckled wryly.
Then, being the wise man he was, he quietly excused himself.
Because he knew full well,
Absolutely never get involved in this kind of… "otherworldly love drama."
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Footnotes:
Kobolds: Wolf-like humanoid monsters that inhabit the Dungeon's upper levels.
War Shadows: Agile shadow-like monsters with strong melee capabilities.
Killer Ants: Aggressive insect monsters that swarm their targets in large numbers.
Pallum: A small humanoid race in Orario, known for agility and cunning rather than strength.
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