Following the fierce battle on the 18th floor, Bell Cranel's rescue team returned to the surface after completing their treatment. Al led the way, radiating more vigor and energy than anyone else, despite having been closer to death than any of them only a short while ago.
Logically, the group should have rested for several days before attempting the journey back. However, with Goddess Hestia and God Hermes present, and the constant uncertainty of when new black monsters might appear, they chose to return immediately. Thanks to Al's presence as a definitive striking force, the party decided to reach the surface that same day.
Allen, who harbored a deep-seated hatred for Al and refused to acknowledge his existence, vanished as soon as his wounds closed. The rest of the team moved at a staggering pace, outstripping even the speed of Bete Loga's squad on their way down. Al crushed every monster that crossed their path. On the way back, they took a brief respite in a hidden hot spring they stumbled upon in an unexplored region before reaching the surface in record time.
Bell and his companions exchanged congratulations on their safe return. Ryuu felt a profound sense of relief that no lives were lost, while Bete Loga looked visibly drained, having found no time for rest amidst the non-stop combat. Al, however, turned deathly pale the moment his eyes landed on a girl waiting at the Labyrinth's exit. She had white hair and features as symmetrical as a doll's, but the veins throbbing with anger on her forehead told a different story.
"Al."
"Present············"
Airmid spoke only his name as she took him by the hand, leading him away like a criminal arrested by the Ganesha Familia. Bell and the others watched the scene with indecipherable expressions.
"The Saint of the Battlefield is truly incredible········"
Lili muttered, her eyes fixed on Airmid, who had completely cowed Al. This was despite Lili knowing of Al's terrifying power—the same power that had obliterated a Goliath and a cursed bone monster with single strikes during their ascent.
"Well, there's much to do, but first·········· Status Update!!"
●○●○●
Ais and her companions returned safely to their headquarters, Twilight Manor, after a grueling expedition into the Labyrinth's depths that saw them cheat death on the 59th floor. Upon arrival, Ais and the others collapsed onto their beds, utterly spent in body and mind, falling into a sleep as deep as the grave.
It was a night of peaceful slumber, free from the constant vigilance for monsters—a true sign they had returned from the hell of the Labyrinth to the surface world. As the first light of dawn broke, everyone except those still overtaken by sleep gathered for a hearty breakfast. The table groaned under the weight of flaky bread, warm soup, fresh fruits and vegetables, egg rolls, and browned meat. They savored the bounty of the earth, a luxury denied to them in the depths of the Labyrinth.
Once everyone had finished their meal and rested, Goddess Loki announced the start of the Status Updates.
They had endured an unprecedented adventure. Although updating one's status is not mandatory, the expedition members formed a long queue in front of the Goddess's room. Meanwhile, the members who had remained at the manor busied themselves sorting through loot and replenished resources. Exhaustion had claimed most of them the previous night, so hardly anyone had updated their status then.
With the exception of Bete, who had updated his status beforehand, Al was the only one with energy to spare. Despite being the most injured and diving into the depths without rest only to return late at night, he seemed the most resilient. However, Airmid had apprehended him at the exit before he could get his update, and he was now a prisoner within the Dian Cecht Familia hospital.
"I've caught up to Ais──!!"
"Yes!!"
Shouts of joy erupted from the Amazon sisters, Tiona and Tione. By surviving the lethal battle on the 59th floor, they had earned massive amounts of experience points, just like Ais and Bete. They were ecstatic to realize they had grown stronger, ascending from Level 5 to Level 6.
Tiona took the parchment showing her new status from Loki, jumping for joy, followed closely by Tione.
"That's wonderful. What about you, Aki and Narvi?"
"Ah, it seems the road ahead is still long and arduous··········"
The second-tier elites remained at Level 4. None of them had leveled up during this expedition. Their heads hung in disappointment, while Narvi shrugged beside a frustrated Raul.
"What a shame. It seems reaching Level 7 will be delayed again."
Gareth muttered after the leaders finally finished their updates. Finn responded with a bitter smile.
"There are still only two people in the world at Level 7, huh······"
The leaders had remained at Level 6 without a promotion since the Great Conflict seven years ago. Although the three veterans believed they would one day reach Level 7 and continued their rigorous training, they felt a sting of frustration. Loki watched them with a hint of regret.
The floors they were currently exploring around the 50th floor did not provide enough experience points for Level 6 adventurers like Finn and his peers. The only effective way to gather such experience was to descend into even deeper strata or discover unexplored territories, both of which were difficult at present. Although the experience gained from fighting the creature and the Spirit was enormous, it had been divided among everyone and wasn't enough for a Level-up.
This hurdle would soon face Ais and Tiona as well—except for Al, whose reckless actions defied all logic.
Only Finn, who had nearly defeated the creature Revis single-handedly, had a high chance of promotion. However, Revis had already been broken at that time. Though his stats increased, the achievement wasn't quite enough to trigger a level ascent.
"It's unfortunate to say, but we still lack the long-standing experience that the Zeus and Hera Familias possessed. They had monsters at the 8th and 9th levels."
Even the Loki Familia, which now boasted three new Level 6 members, had not yet reached the pinnacle of power held by the two former strongest Familias. During their thousand-year reign in the divine era, those Familias had several adventurers at Level 7 and above. Compared to that era, which teemed with powerhouses even among the ranks of evil, the current era seems less significant.
Before the two great Familias failed the "Black Dragon" quest, powerful factions like the Osiris Familia existed, rivaling or even surpassing the current Loki Familia, with a Level 7 captain and several elite adventurers. Thus, it is natural for current forces to seem modest in comparison.
In present-day Orario, no one can be compared to those giants except for Al and Ottar.
"One wonders about Al's status?"
Undoubtedly, Al had reaped the most experience points in that battle. He had held back four Spirit clones, crushed the creature Revis, and—most importantly—survived the poison of the Behemoth that had once decimated even the followers of Zeus. This in itself was a monumental feat. It wouldn't be strange if he leveled up; even if he didn't, the increase in his base stats would be terrifying.
"········· I wouldn't be surprised if all his stats were at SSS rank."
●○●○●
"Hello, Airmid!!"
"Lower your voice a little; we are inside the shop."
"Welcome, Airmid."
Ais and her companions entered the Dian Cecht Familia clinic, which was packed with skilled adventurers. The emblem of a sphere of light and medicinal herbs hung above the door. There they found Airmid, the human girl with shimmering silver hair and pure white skin. She greeted them with a slight nod upon seeing them.
"You helped us so much on the 18th floor, Airmid. Thanks to you, we escaped certain death—and thanks to the specialized medicine, too."
"I was helped by the Mind-restoration medicine as well! Thank you so much!"
"I am very glad our healing medicines were of use to you."
The delicate, doll-like healer smiled, placing a hand over her mouth. Although Airmid had been using her magic continuously to treat dozens of Loki Familia members on the 18th floor only a short while ago, she appeared steadfast and strong as she stood serving customers.
"Will you be busy all day today as well?"
"Yes. We have to go to the Goibniu Familia afterward to request maintenance for the large dual swords. Tione is coming with me too, right?"
"Yes. I'm out of spare daggers······· and I need to order a restock of throwing daggers."
"Ais, you too, right?"
"Yes. I need to have them inspect my sword, Desperate···········"
There were many tasks to attend to after returning from an expedition. They had come here to deliver materials gathered from Deep Floor monsters used in medicine crafting and to stock up on potions. After this, they needed to exchange magic stones and loot for currency.
"──Me too. Regardless of the weapon, my armor is completely trashed."
"Al!! Are you okay with the poison?"
While Ais and the others were busy with their mounting tasks, Al emerged from inside the clinic looking perfectly normal, carrying folded patient clothes. He answered Tiona's question, saying, "No, I've been fully healed since I was on the 18th floor," before handing the clothes to the medic following him.
Airmid approached Al with a reproving tone, clutching her head as if trying to suppress a headache.
"·········· How are you out and walking around so normally? I bound you with chains made of the hardest refined metals."
"I broke them."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Note:
── Al Cranel ──
Alias: Saint of the Sword, Sword Demon.
Height: The tallest among the Loki Familia leaders.
Favorite Colors: White and Black.
Favorite Food: Sweets, and faces overwhelmed by anxiety.
Type: Similar to his brother's taste, minus the anxiety part.
Combat Style: All-rounder.
Archnemeses: Airmid, Mia, Argonaut.
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