Two months later...
A month and a half ago, Loki Familia set off on their expedition. This time, they had prepared more supplies, intending to update their strategy for the deepest levels of the dungeon.
And this time, they were far more confident. Their ranks now included three Level 7s, one Level 8, and many Level 6s and Level 5s. The team composition for this expedition was drastically different from the last one.
The biggest challenge below Level 50 was the "Dragon's Vase."
The Valgang Dragons at its base could bypass floor restrictions and attack adventurers entering Level 51 directly.
To advance through the "Dragon's Vase," adventurers had to force their way to the bottom, eliminating every Valgang Dragon capable of bypassing floor attacks. Only then could they lead their entire familia forward.
Originally, this would have been an extremely difficult task.
A few adventurers alone couldn't hold off the endless waves of monsters from the dungeon.
Moreover, since the "Dragon's Vase" was located in the Deep Floors, the monster respawn rate was incredibly fast. After clearing one wave, there was only a 15-minute window before the next wave of monsters emerged.
Even after killing all the Valgang Dragons at the bottom of the "Dragon's Vase," they couldn't fully relax. Only by seizing that brief 15-minute window, when no new monsters had spawned, could they safely pass through.
This was a massive test of the adventurers' coordination.
At the same time, lower-level adventurers couldn't proceed any further.
Even if they found a way, it wouldn't work. The deeper levels were too dangerous for lower-level adventurers. Even in the so-called "safe zones," they couldn't be considered truly safe.
Still, the number of adventurers attempting to tackle the Deep Floors had significantly increased.
"Cave spiders!"
"Quick, burn the webs with fire! We don't have much time!"
The Valgang Dragons at the bottom of the "Dragon's Vase" were a major threat, but the monsters spawned inside the vessel to delay the adventurers couldn't be underestimated either.
Though the cave spiders were slowing them down, this was to be expected. The well-prepared team swiftly dealt with the spiders, continuing their progress until they reached the bottom of the "Dragon's Vase."
By the time everyone reached the bottom, the Valgang Dragons on that level had already been wiped out.
"Hm, ten minutes. The journey went more smoothly than expected."
Gareth checked the time and approached the others who had just arrived.
"No, it wasn't smooth at all."
Bete didn't think the journey had been easy. The mere thought of those huge creatures clinging to the walls made him feel uncomfortable.
This time, he was leading the team through the "Dragon's Vase," and the situation was far more complicated than usual.
The weaker monsters in the Deep Floors weren't a threat; if he didn't act, it would just be slaughter.
But aside from the monsters directly attacking, he hadn't gotten involved with those that were only slowing them down.
Those spider webs didn't just trap people—they were extremely sticky.
The spiders especially liked to cover the ground and walls with webs, as if they were waiting for prey to walk into their traps, ready to feast.
Though not difficult to deal with, they were still a hassle.
Bete's greatest asset was his speed, and facing monsters that restricted movement in this area was a real inconvenience.
Especially with some of the webs containing sharp barbs—if one got caught around the neck, even the strongest adventurer would be done for.
Of course, none of that was the biggest issue.
Bete's level advantage made it easy for him to quickly take out the spiders. The problem was, this time, he was leading the team. His role wasn't just to solve the problem himself, but to guide the other members of the party through the situation.
This turned what would have been a simple task into something much more complicated.
"This is way more troublesome than dealing with the 'Monster Feast' on my own," Bete grumbled inwardly.
However, as he glanced at the weaker adventurers in the team, still growing, he couldn't help but smile faintly.
'At least they're not a bunch of idiots charging forward without knowing their limits.'
"Though it's a bit troublesome, they're working together surprisingly well."
Bete knew exactly who the central figure was among them.
Like Finn, she was a member of the Pallum race, but unlike Finn's martial prowess, she didn't seem to have such high natural talent. However, she was excellent at on-the-spot command. Without her, they wouldn't have been able to counter the spider swarms so quickly.
"Bete, you don't seem too unhappy about it."
Gareth's words instantly made Bete's face harden, and he snorted dismissively.
"Old man, do you think I'm happy?"
"You don't look very happy." Gareth raised an eyebrow, beginning to find this tsundere wolf more and more troublesome.
"Don't get it twisted. I hate babysitting, especially babysitting a bunch of weaklings."
"These guys shouldn't even be here. In a Monster Den where any random monster could kill them, even the slightest mistake could mean death. And they're still so happy about it? They're crazy."
Bete didn't hold back his harsh words, practically dragging everyone down with his criticism.
But his words also served as a constant reminder to the weaker adventurers: this was a dangerous Monster Den, and they could never afford to underestimate any creature, or they would meet their end here.
"Couldn't you speak nicely?" Gareth felt a headache coming on.
He was clearly warning these kids about the dangers of the Deep Floors, but why did every word seem to carry a hint of disdain? Gareth now understood perfectly why this wolf was so unpopular in the familia.
Gareth noticed that some adventurers in the group looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Just as he was about to speak, a Pallum stepped forward from the crowd.
"Senior Bete, thank you for the warning."
Liliruca's voice was genuine this time, with no trace of sarcasm.
"None of us are particularly strong. In fact, if we split up, we lose our combat effectiveness entirely. This Deep Floors is dangerous for all of us. Even seasoned adventurers have perished here."
"Mr. Bete probably wants to remind us not to become arrogant just because we're facing a few cave spiders. In the Deep Floors, monsters far stronger than these are everywhere. Arrogance will only lead to our quick demise."
"!"
Liliruca's words instantly jolted the discontented adventurers back to reality.
None of them had forgotten they were in the Deep Floors. They couldn't forget that individually, they were powerless. Only by working together as a team could they deal with monsters—and even then, only certain monsters.
They all started to reflect on the captain's words. Maybe Bete's warning had indeed been a timely reminder.
"Hmph!"
Bete's expression stiffened. He wasn't good in this kind of situation. With a cold snort, he abruptly left.
This caused Gareth to glance at the fleeing Bete with slight surprise. Who would have thought even this werewolf had his weaknesses?
But what surprised Gareth even more was Liliruca.
She had understood Bete's unspoken meaning and, when the team's emotions were running high, had managed to remind them at just the right moment. That was the mark of a capable leader.