"Now, about the Joint Expedition."
"This time will be different from before. Tsuna and I made sure to spread word of his Puppet and spatial abilities. This expedition will be the first true demonstration of that power."
Loki began outlining the details of the upcoming Joint Expedition.
"Your children—the craftsmen—will handle logistics. Mine will take support roles for the lower Levels, while the higher-Level Adventurers push forward with their own challenges. They're all eager for greater Excellia."
"After this expedition, quite a few of them should have enough Excellia to qualify for a Level Up."
Loki made no effort to hide the situation within her Familia.
Crossing from Level 1 to Level 2 was like giving the children a powerful stimulant—proof that they could still grow stronger. But crossing from Level 2 onward was different. It wasn't about motivation anymore; it was about building the foundation for future potential.
That's why growth past Level 2 was slower. Adventurers spent more time filling the gaps in their skills until their abilities truly reached their current limits.
To move beyond that, Excellia became essential.
What was once impossible for a lone Adventurer could be overcome when many fought together.
For that reason, this Joint Expedition would focus most on the Level 2 Adventurers—the ones on the verge of their next evolution.
Every one of them was sharpening their claws, waiting for this chance at ascension.
"With Tsuna's ability supporting them, no mortal Adventurer would ever let such an opportunity slip by."
Hephaestus wasn't surprised in the least.
"And your children?" Loki asked.
"My children are all craftsmen. Even when they Level Up, it's to refine their Forging Development Ability. Aside from Tsubaki, who seeks stronger materials, none of them are interested in leaving the forge just to chase Levels."
That was the reality faced by production-type Familia.
Those who joined such Familias weren't pure Adventurers—they were artisans.
Most craftsmen didn't care about the pursuit of "strength." What fascinated them was Forging—the art of shaping steel.
If a craftsman did care about Leveling Up, it was rarely for power itself, but for the Development Ability they might gain afterward—specifically Forging.
Development Abilities defined an Adventurer's specialty.
For a craftsman, the Forging ability greatly amplified their skill, allowing their craftsmanship to reach greater heights.
Of course, once they realized a Level Up wouldn't grant Forging, most craftsmen lost interest in adventuring and returned to their workshops to hone their technique at their own pace.
Craftsmanship already consumed all their focus and energy. Who had the time—or desire—to waste that effort on fighting monsters?
Wouldn't it be better to spend that energy hammering metal?
"From the beginning, the children who joined my Familia weren't seeking to Level Up. They wanted to master their craft."
"For this expedition, I'll send a few older craftsmen along. Compared to the younger ones, they're better at handling the incredible and unexpected."
Hephaestus had to consider her children's mental resilience—and their ability to keep secrets.
Older craftsmen were more stable, more discreet.
"Your children... they'll be fine, right?" Loki pressed.
"Relax. Any problems were already dealt with thanks to Tsuna's help. Those with issues have been expelled. Only trustworthy children remain."
Hephaestus was far stricter now than before.
After discovering so many spies hidden within her Familia, she'd grown far more cautious about who she accepted.
"My children don't care for Orario's gossip. Their focus is on materials and technique."
Loki studied Hephaestus for a long moment, then nodded slightly.
"This Joint Expedition should go farther than any before."
"No doubt about it."
Loki's answer was firm.
"Your Familia will handle weapon maintenance and repair. That means my children can focus completely on battling the deeper-floor monsters. Even those usually working as supporters can set down their burdens and chase their own Excellia, striving to move forward."
"Up to the fiftieth floor, progress will be steady. But beyond that—it's up to Finn and Alise's teams to explore."
Lower-Level Adventurers couldn't handle the deep floors.
After the fiftieth floor lay the Dragon's Urn—a realm meant only for the strong.
Between the fifty-second and fifty-eighth floors roamed cannon dragons that could attack across floors, firing upward from the depths to bombard the upper chambers.
Those dragons had frighteningly sharp senses. The moment Adventurers entered the fifty-second floor, they would be detected—and the bombardment would begin, relentless and unending.
If the expedition failed to push through the Dragon's Urn quickly, the entire formation would be torn apart by ceaseless attacks.
Crossing that zone was not something ordinary Adventurers could attempt. Only those at Level 4 and above stood a chance.
"In the past, disturbances from the Dungeon itself always derailed the expeditions, dragging down the entire team's progress. The 'safe floor' at fifty wasn't safe at all."
"Finn and the others had to constantly prioritize the team's safety."
Those bitter memories still stung—so close to breaking through, yet forced to turn back.
"But this time, that won't happen."
Loki's tone was full of conviction.
Hephaestus understood why.
With Tsuna's ability supporting them, the team no longer needed to linger on the unsafe fiftieth floor. They could retreat into the Rest Space whenever necessary, avoiding the Dungeon's disruptions entirely and keeping the expedition on track.
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