In a strange atmosphere, everyone finished dinner.
Bete noticed odd glances but couldn't pinpoint why, so he kept a cold, silent demeanor.
His usual aloofness and disdain for the weak distanced him from most members, save first-class adventurers.
Naturally, no one chatted with him, and none dared mention if he was gay in his presence.
Thus, Bete remained clueless about the drastic shift in attitudes, though he didn't dwell on it yet.
If he knew the real reason, he might want to kill Roy.
After dinner, Finn planned for tomorrow.
"No accidents this time so our plan stays: explore new areas," Finn said, perched on a rock for all to hear.
"But before the 59th floor, we have an adventurer commission."
The Dian Cecht Familia, like the Miach Familia, specialized in medicine and issued the commission.
Frequent partners of the Loki Familia, their request was hard to refuse.
The task was to retrieve Cadmus spring water from a 51st floor.
Finn split executives into two groups: himself, Ais, Bete, and a Level 4 adventurers; and Gareth, Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya.
"Roy, stay with Riveria at camp and watch over everyone," Finn said.
Riveria's mana drained heavily on the 49th floor even with high potions, she needed rest.
High potions were vital for the 59th floor, and even with Roy's Space, conserving was key.
Plus, the camp required first-class adventurer guards.
The 50th floor was safe, spawning no monsters, but 49th or 51st-floor monsters could enter via passages.
Without enough first-class adventurers, the camp risked annihilation.
The commission was the Loki Familia's, so Finn didn't burden Roy.
With Roy's consent, Finn's groups moved swiftly, heading to the 51st floor after brief preparation.
Still early for sleep, Roy stood at the camp's edge, eyeing a nearby passage.
"What're you looking at?"
Riveria's cool, elven voice came from behind, clad in her mage robe.
"Looking forward to tomorrow's route," Roy smiled, turning to her.
Completing the random task was close, with hundreds of thousands of dimension points in reach.
Following the Loki Familia's paths would ease future rank-ups for his Level 5.
"Past the 51st floor? Not pleasant, but the most thrilling trip you'll have," Riveria smiled.
"So, are you interested?" She giggled softly.
Roy gave her an odd look.
"What?" Riveria asked, puzzled.
"Just surprised an elven royal speaks so casually," Roy grinned.
They hadn't talked much before.
Riveria rolled her eyes, smiling again.
"I came to Orario to escape royal stuffiness."
"What's past the 51st like? Prepare me mentally," Roy asked, smiling.
"Hell, in a word," Riveria thought briefly.
"Pre-51st floor common sense fails there. Everything from dungeon layout to monster behavior changes drastically."
"Guess I'll wait for your full explanation," Roy cut her off, eyes on the passage.
"What's wrong?" Riveria followed his gaze.
Within half a minute, rumbling grew louder from the passage, with ground-shaking tremors.
Monsters from the 51st floor were climbing up.
"Everyone, gather! Form defensive lines!" Riveria spun, shouting sharply to the camp.
Members reacted fast, exiting tents in a rush, weapons drawn, forming a defensive formation at the camp's front in under thirty seconds.
Like trained soldiers, they knew the deep floors meant death if careless.
"With this vibration, it's a lot of monsters," Riveria said gravely.
Monsters sometimes crossed to safe floors, but usually few and manageable.
Now, with most Loki Familia forces out, only Roy and Riveria remained as first-class adventurers, with Level 3 and 4 adventurers.
Facing at least Level 4 monsters, a breached defense could mean heavy losses.
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200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter