Danmachi, Ch 226-230

Chapter 226 – No One Can Endure Disappointment

After their bath came a sumptuous dinner. Once the meal was over, everyone retired to their rooms to rest—everyone except for Hephaestus’s craftsmen, who remained hard at work in the forge.

The “Rest Space” was designed specifically for Expedition teams, so naturally, there was no need for multiple Adventurers to crowd into a single room.

While most of the Adventurers were resting in their rooms, the leaders of the Joint Expedition had already gathered around a low table.

Each of them sat cross-legged on a soft cushion, a cup of steaming tea set before them.

“Bete, what do you think of those three working together?”

“They’re even more efficient than I expected,” Bete replied. “Classic front and rear formation, but their coordination in battle is impressively fluid. Whether they’re up against stronger or weaker monsters, they’ve already developed a complete combat rhythm. And their teamwork’s improving fast after just one day of fighting.”

Bete had never denied the strength that came from a well-coordinated party. When synergy was high enough, even difficult battles could become simple. Just like today—their advance through the Dungeon had gone remarkably smoothly.

“The results on the Middle Floors were good. But tomorrow’s what really matters,” said Gareth, his tone heavy. “Once we reach the Deep Floors, the monsters will be far stronger, and the challenges much tougher than anything we faced today.”

“Yeah,” Bete agreed with a nod. “Once we hit the Lower and Deep Floors, both the monsters’ strength and numbers will jump. Tomorrow’s expedition will be a major turning point for every Level 2 Adventurer.”

Tsuna shared their view completely. The key would be whether those three parties could hold their ground tomorrow. The coming day was both crisis and opportunity—two sides of the same coin that had always defined life in the Dungeon.

Tsuna folded his hands, resting his chin against his knuckles.

“They should’ve experienced what it means to stake everything much earlier,” he said quietly. “Only with that resolve can one truly cross from Level 1 to Level 2. But they... ‘cheated.’ They skipped that step without gaining the resolve that comes with it. Tomorrow’s expedition will be the lesson they missed.”

“If they want to keep growing, they’ll need to show the resolve to face powerful foes without retreating. The moment they refuse to back down—that’s when they earn the right to move forward.”

Resolve wasn’t simply a feeling. It was the unshakable determination never to yield, no matter the obstacle. Only by hardening one’s heart could an Adventurer continue to move ahead.

“So we’re pushing them hard tomorrow?” Bete asked, understanding what Tsuna meant.

Just as Tsuna said, his assistance had made many members of the Familia forget something vital: that every Adventurer must always be ready to face death. Once they’d chosen this path, they should’ve known it would never be easy.

If they wanted to keep advancing, danger had to become their constant companion. Only by accepting that—and preparing their resolve—could they truly continue down this road.

“You mean... make those kids find their resolve?”

Even Gareth fell silent at that. He knew how difficult that was to ask of anyone. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward Tsuna.

“Are you sure about this?”

“No problem.”

Tsuna’s tone carried complete certainty.

“No matter who they are, once they’re baptized by battle, their hearts will change. Besides, every member of the Loki Familia knows the road ahead is still long. They all have the potential to reach Level 4—or higher. None of them will be content to stop where they are now.”

“Once they take this next step, the path to Level 3 will open before them. Knowing that alone will drive them to show a better version of themselves tomorrow. There’s no need to worry—they’ll make it.”

Those who had never seen the view from the summit could endure not seeing it. But once they started climbing—once they glimpsed greater, brighter horizons—they would never stop yearning for more. Not until the day they reached the very peak.

That was Tsuna’s own understanding of strength. He believed anyone who had tasted true power would inevitably think the same. Those who gained strength always sought more of it—an endless pursuit.

Because he was the same.

That was why he believed so firmly that tomorrow, when crisis came, the Adventurers would unleash passion and determination like never before. Only by surviving the challenges of tomorrow would they earn their ticket to greater heights.

Hearing Tsuna’s unwavering faith and trust in the younger Adventurers made Gareth, who had been quietly worrying, feel somewhat embarrassed.

“You’re right,” he admitted. “They’ve chosen the life of an Adventurer. There’s no such thing as stopping halfway down that road.”

Then, almost instinctively, Gareth thought of Raul—and his expression faltered for a brief moment.

“Yeah,” Tsuna said. “Once you set foot on this path, you either keep moving forward in pursuit of strength, or danger will eventually catch up to you. Every Adventurer’s growth in the Familia is out there for all to see. Who could endure missing a chance at true advancement?”

Gareth recalled the first time he entered the Training Space. The results had seemed unreal. Ever since then, he’d made a habit of spending some time there every day. The feeling of clearly sensing his growth was addictive. If even he felt that way, there was no way anyone else could resist it.

Having just tasted the sweet medicine of progress, every Adventurer naturally wanted more—to push themselves even further.

With such a clear path toward rapid growth laid before them, no one in the Familia would let that chance slip away.

Beyond raw Status improvement, what they needed next was the boost that came from the “Factory of Excellia.” And the only way to fuel that factory was to use their trained strength to battle stronger monsters.

That was why tomorrow’s expedition was bound to go smoothly.

In truth, more than the danger itself, what everyone feared most was losing their clear path to Level Up—returning to the uncertainty that had haunted the Familia before Tsuna joined.

No one could endure missing their chance again.

Chapter 227 – “Confrontation”

After the upper-level meeting ended, Tsuna returned to his room.

Compared to the other Adventurers who had spent the entire day fighting through the Dungeon, Tsuna’s day had been rather easy. Before reaching the Lower Floors, the chances of major casualties were still quite low. The only real threat was the Floor Boss. Once they passed it, as long as nothing unexpected happened, it would be difficult for the team to run into real trouble.

The real challenge would begin with the Deep Floors. Sitting on his bed, Tsuna took a steadying breath. He knew tomorrow’s expedition would be the real test.

Knock, knock, knock!

The sudden sound at the door made his expression twist slightly in confusion. Still, he got up and opened it.

“Yo!”

Standing there was Tsubaki Collbrande, her flawless smile as radiant as ever. What caught his attention next was her appearance—a loose nightgown, hair slightly damp, and even a pillow tucked under one arm. It was obvious what she was planning.

“Tsubaki? Don’t tell me you’re planning to sleep here tonight?”

“Bingo.”

Without waiting for permission, Tsubaki stepped forward, pressing her chest against him as she pushed him back into the room. She shut the door behind her with a click, locked it, and then grabbed his hand, leading him straight toward the bed. Setting her pillow down at the headboard, she pulled him into her arms.

“During that meeting just now, your brow was furrowed so tight you looked like an old man. Too much pressure, huh?”

“Too much pressure…” Tsuna blinked in realization. So that’s why she’d come. She was worried about him—worried he was carrying too much stress about tomorrow’s operation. So, this was her way of comforting him?

Her way was… surprisingly direct.

Pressed against her, Tsuna couldn’t help but note the faint scent of soap lingering on her skin after her bath. It was a surprisingly effective form of stress relief—one he couldn’t say he disliked.

When she felt his arms circle her waist, Tsubaki chuckled and held him tighter. She’d worried at first that her muscular body might turn him off, but it turned out he actually liked it.

“You really are such a boy. Still, you’ve got guts—going after me and Lady Hephaestus? That’s pretty bold.”

When she’d first heard it from Hephaestus herself, she thought she’d misheard. But no—turns out it was completely true. She wasn’t angry, exactly, but she was shocked she’d been the last to know. That alone was enough to make her storm over tonight to “confront” him.

Tsubaki pinched his rear hard.

“So I was the last one to find out, huh? If Lady Hephaestus hadn’t told me, were you planning to keep this from me forever?”

Tsuna hissed through his teeth—the woman’s grip was no joke.

“I didn’t mean to hide it…”

“Oh? Then you did put me last, didn’t you?”

Normally, Tsubaki was straightforward and easygoing—rarely the type to fuss about these things. But that only applied when she didn’t know. Now that she did, and realized how differently Tsuna treated her compared to Hephaestus, it stung. It made her feel cheap, and that made her angry.

Her temperament might be rough, but that didn’t mean she was oblivious to her own feelings. Especially when it came to her first time dealing with emotions like this.

“Uh…”

Tsuna had no words of defense. He really had placed her last. And then he yelped again when she gave him another sharp squeeze.

“See? You can’t even deny it.”

“Yeah… it’s my fault. I didn’t think about how you’d feel.”

“Well… at least you’re quick to admit it.”

Her irritation softened a little. She hadn’t come to end things—just to give him a piece of her mind and make sure she wasn’t being forgotten. Before, she’d seen him as a slightly pervy little brother. But after hearing about Hephaestus, something in her had shifted.

She could admit it—she wanted to keep him for herself. To steal this mischievous boy away from Lady Loki’s Familia entirely if she could.

But after hearing what happened between him and Hephaestus, her heart had rippled in ways she hadn’t expected. Especially when she saw how the goddess spoke about him—the way she looked at him. Tsubaki’s usual grin had faded. It felt like watching a beloved little brother being stolen away by another woman.

That bitter, possessive feeling had been eating at her ever since. So she’d decided to find a time to talk with him alone—to hear what this shameless little brother of hers really thought.

“I also heard you’ve got something going on with Tiona and Tione. They know too?”

“Tiona and Tione both know about each other. Last time, Tione made it pretty obvious, so I figured it out. Then Tiona confessed she liked me too, so… yeah, they both know.”

“And do they know about you and Lady Loki or Lady Hephaestus?”

“That happened before things with Hephaestus.”

“So they don’t know?”

“Right.”

Knowing the twins weren’t ahead of her made Tsubaki feel a little better. At least she hadn’t been the very last. Though, she definitely had gotten the worst treatment of the bunch.

“So? You got anything you want to say to me?”

“Yeah… I like you, Tsubaki. I really do. From the start, you’ve always felt like a big sister to me—strong, confident, and… well, your figure definitely leaves an impression. And, uh… I guess part of it’s because you let me get away with things sometimes.”

Tsubaki’s lips curved into a faint grin. Yeah, that’s my pervy little brother. At least he was honest.

“I probably should’ve told you earlier,” Tsuna admitted. “Guess I just kept putting it off. Too much going on lately.”

“So you can make excuses. Next time—no excuses. When something happens, tell me right away. Especially if it involves you trying to cop a feel.”

Her mood had completely lifted now. The frustration of being left for last melted away. She hugged him tighter.

“Tonight, I’ll give you your chance.”

Chapter 228 — Tsubaki: I Have a Man I Like

At dawn the next morning, the light had barely broken when the adventurers inside the great treehouse began to stir from their restful dreams.

After good meals and peaceful sleep, with no fear of monsters attacking in the night, everyone had finally regained their strength.

Well—everyone except the craftsmen. To repair weapons, armor, and arrows, most of them had stayed awake through the night, hammering away until every adventurer’s gear was restored. Whatever time remained, they spent reforging and sharpening arrowheads.

“Ha~~~”

Early that morning, Tsubaki strode into the workshop. The ringing clang-clang of hammer on steel instantly lifted her spirits. Seeing the weary faces of the craftsmen, she couldn’t help but smile.

“How’s it feel, tagging along with the main force on a Dungeon expedition? Like being up against a deadline? Spending the whole night fixing weapons while making sure every piece holds up—pretty torturous, isn’t it?”

“It’s very torturous,” one craftsman groaned, stopping his work to complain. It was his first time participating in a joint Dungeon expedition with a full team. He hadn’t imagined that weapon maintenance could be so exhausting.

“There’s no end to it. Every sword and shield takes damage in battle. Restoring them properly takes forever. I finally realized I’m nowhere near the level of the veterans.”

He had just finished repairing one weapon while his seniors had already done two or three—and their quality still outshone his, even after a sleepless night. For the first time, he truly saw the gap between them.

“That’s right,” Tsubaki said with a grin. “Joining a Joint Expedition is rough on the craftsmen. The moment the team stops to rest is when our real work begins. It used to be even worse, you know. If we didn’t have this kind of space now, where do you think we’d be fixing weapons?”

Her laughter was warm, her tone approving. Seeing the shock on the young man’s face, she knew the experience would leave its mark. Once you’d been through this kind of grind, you’d never forget how hard the older generations had it.

“But that’s how craftsmanship is honed—under pressure. Look around you. Every one of these veterans went through the same thing.”

The rookie glanced at his seniors. Despite their fatigue, they all smiled and gave him a thumbs-up.

“Working with the expedition really tests us. A mediocre craftsman won’t just fail to earn recognition—he’ll lose confidence entirely. We tend to bury ourselves in our work, but sometimes it’s only in these extreme conditions that our skill truly grows.”

“When there’s no time to think, you can only focus. The urgency forces you to pour everything into each strike. Through countless repetitions, your technique refines itself little by little. When this Joint Expedition ends, you’ll feel the difference.”

The young craftsman nodded, taking her words to heart. He resolved that once the expedition was over, he would return to his Familia and try forging a new weapon—to see for himself how much he had grown.

“Captain, you didn’t come to the workshop last night,” one of the older craftsmen called out.

“Yeah, that’s right! What were you up to, Captain?” another chimed in.

After the rookie’s talk, the veterans eagerly turned their teasing toward Tsubaki. They all knew she usually spent every spare moment hammering away, even during expeditions. It was rare for her not to show up in the workshop.

So where had she gone?

Of course, the older ones already had their suspicions.

Tsubaki didn’t bother hiding her amusement. When it came to matters of the heart, she was as straightforward as her swing of the hammer.

“Where else would I go? Obviously, I was off meeting my little brother.”

“Eh!?”

The veterans all smirked knowingly, while the younger craftsmen gaped in shock, completely unprepared for such a revelation.

“Captain—you have someone you like?” one of them blurted out.

“…Is it really that hard to believe that I might like someone?” she replied dryly.

“N-no, that’s not it! It’s just… we’ve never heard anything like that before. You’ve always been so focused on forging, Captain. No one ever said you were interested in men.”

That one clearly had done his homework about her, and Tsubaki could tell.

Of course, she wasn’t about to name names—she wouldn’t bring up Tsuna directly. But she had no problem admitting the truth itself.

“Anyway, I’m still a woman. Having a man I like isn’t strange at all. Even if I’ve devoted myself to perfecting my craft, once I reach the pinnacle, I still have to pass it on, don’t I?”

Her words left several young craftsmen visibly disheartened, while the older ones only chuckled knowingly.

For them, forging wasn’t just work—it was passion. But in time, even the greatest smiths would want to hand down their skills, to make sure their flame didn’t die out. None of them were in a hurry to settle down yet—but someday, they would.

“Alright, enough gossip. The expedition’s about to continue, and your shift’s nearly over. Once Finn and the others head deeper into the Dungeon, get some rest until nightfall. Our working hours will mostly be after dark from now on, so take care of yourselves.”

“Yes, Captain!”

The craftsmen straightened up at once. Even the most energetic among them could barely keep their eyes open after working through the night. They’d need proper rest to handle another round of repairs later.

With the day’s orders given, Tsubaki stretched, rubbed her side, and stepped out of the workshop.

The next stage of the expedition awaited.

Chapter 229 — The Limitation of This Power Is Level 4

When Tsubaki returned to the great treehouse, she went straight to the dining hall.

Many adventurers were already there, preparing breakfast. None of them were novices—their movements were practiced and efficient. Seeing that breakfast wouldn’t take long, Tsubaki found a seat in a quiet corner.

“Hss~”

As soon as she sat down, a sharp ache pulsed through her waist again. She rubbed her side and couldn’t help recalling last night’s pleasure. The memory left her with the vivid impression of an older sister tying up her mischievous little brother and devouring him whole. A faint smirk tugged at the corners of her lips—though she quickly hid it. Best not to let too many people know about that.

After all, it was her own private matter.

She lifted her hand and gazed at the ring on her left middle finger. With a single thought, golden flames bloomed from the band. The warmth flowed into her body, soothing and rejuvenating her. The soreness in her side faded rapidly as the fire’s energy coursed through her.

In less than three minutes, the pain was half gone.

“This power really is amazing.”

Only through firsthand experience could she understand just how remarkable this near-magical strength was. Haru—a flame of enhancement and restoration—was proving to be incredibly useful. As a half-dwarf, she already possessed great physical strength, and this power amplified that advantage even further.

“But I’m not a pure adventurer. I need to find a way to apply this power to forging.”

Ever the blacksmith, Tsubaki’s thoughts instinctively drifted toward her craft. Fire and forging were born for each other. The first person she thought of was Lady Hephaestus—the goddess who embodied both fire and craftsmanship. For a smith, mastering fire’s power was invaluable.

As Tsubaki pondered, she began to notice more and more eyes on her. To be precise, they were staring at the ring on her hand—and the golden flame dancing above it. Curious glimmers shone in the adventurers’ eyes, and a few bold women even approached her directly.

“Captain Tsubaki, is your ring—and that flame—like the ones Captain Alise and Vice-Captain Kaguya have?”

“You’re all curious about this power, huh?”

Her question made the surrounding adventurers nod eagerly. They had expected Captain Finn to explain everything during last night’s dinner, but he hadn’t mentioned it at all. It wasn’t until they saw Tsubaki’s flame that morning that they remembered the strange rings and the promise of a “surprise.”

“Didn’t Finn say he had a surprise for you all?”

“But he never told us what it was!” someone complained.

Tsubaki chuckled. “You really think he’d tell you right after a full day of Dungeon exploration? If he did, none of you would’ve slept a wink! I’d bet he plans to reveal it this morning—as motivation. So, I’m not spoiling the surprise.”

“Eh!?”

Groans and sighs echoed across the hall. Still, knowing it was meant as a form of encouragement from their Captain made everyone’s anticipation burn even brighter.

As more adventurers filled the dining hall and the rumors spread, excitement grew. All eyes soon turned toward Tsubaki’s corner, though everyone waited eagerly for Finn’s arrival. They wanted to hear directly about this “surprise” and “motivation.”

The wait felt long—until Finn finally entered the hall with Gareth and the others.

“Hmm?”

The moment they stepped inside, Finn and Gareth both noticed the countless stares fixed on them.

What’s going on? Finn frowned, puzzled—until he spotted Tsubaki across the room, her left hand raised, the golden flame on her ring gleaming brightly.

So that’s it.

“Tsubaki, you were supposed to wait,” Finn said with a wry smile. “I planned to surprise everyone this morning. But since you’re all so curious, I’ll explain it now—before breakfast.”

The dining hall erupted in excitement. Every adventurer straightened up, eyes shining with focus. None of them dared miss a single word.

Finn raised his right hand. Three rings—one blue, one crimson, one gold—gleamed on his fingers. Flames of matching colors flickered to life above each one.

“Different rings ignite different colors of flame. Each color represents a distinct type of power. This ability isn’t magic, but it’s similar to it—and far simpler to use. You’ve already seen what it can do in battle, during Alise and Kaguya’s fight with the Goliath yesterday.”

Every word from Finn hit the adventurers like a hammer striking steel.

Not magic, but similar to magic. That phrase alone made their hearts race. A power like magic—but without the complex chanting? Could it really be wordless magic?

Gasps rippled through the crowd as realization spread. This was no ordinary revelation—it was revolutionary.

“As for where this power comes from,” Finn continued, “I think most of you can already guess.”

Everyone inhaled sharply. He didn’t need to say it—they all knew.

Tsuna.

“This power, once fully mastered, will be engraved onto your Falna as a Skill—becoming a part of your own strength. You understand what that means, don’t you?”

Another explosion of shock. The hall buzzed like it had been struck by lightning.

If the power could be engraved onto the Falna itself… then it wasn’t merely borrowed—it became one’s own. A personal Skill.

A flame-like magic that required no chant, no incantation—a true wordless spell. The air in the room thickened with excitement as every adventurer’s breath grew shallow.

“Captain, is there any restriction on who can receive this power?” someone finally asked.

“Of course,” Finn said with a nod. “The only restriction is that it won’t be given to lower-level adventurers. The minimum requirement is Level 4. Tsuna designed it as a gift—a way to support those with the drive to improve. Just like Tiona, Tione, and Bete.”

Gasps echoed once more.

A power beyond magic itself—available only to those strong enough to wield it.

The hall blazed with awe and determination. The dawn of something new had begun.

Chapter 230 — Maybe Reaching Level 4 Isn’t That Hard After All

All the Adventurers finally understood what that “assistance” truly meant. The same power that had propelled Tiona, Tione, and Bete to Level 5 was now within their reach—a power strong enough to help Adventurers break through to a higher tier.

In that moment, everyone began doing the math in their heads.

Their first Level Up—from Level 1—had only been possible with Tsuna’s help. Without him, training their Status would have remained their biggest obstacle.

Now, the challenge before them was the advancement to Level 2. Ever since the “Training Space” had been created, accumulating Status had no longer been a problem. The only real hurdle was gaining enough Excellia. Although it was far more difficult than their time at Level 1, with enough effort it wasn’t beyond reach.

Thinking along those lines, even reaching Level 4 through steady Excellia accumulation didn’t seem so far-fetched. Especially with Tsuna’s assistance, the growth of their Status was no longer what held them back. All that remained was effort—and the gathering of Excellia.

They didn’t have to stockpile it all at once. Even small gains, made bit by bit, would be enough after a few years.

In other words, Level 4 really wasn’t that far away.

Once, none of them had even considered such a possibility. But now that they thought about it seriously, they realized the conditions they possessed far surpassed any other Familia. Who else could boast of having direct help that strengthened both their Status and their potential for Level Ups?

And once they reached Level 4, they could even receive another boost from Tsuna—one that might help them sprint toward Level 5. Of course, that power could only be granted after they themselves reached Level 4. In that sense, Level 4 was merely the prerequisite to qualify for it.

“Captain, do we really have to reach Level 4 first? What’s the reason behind that?”

“The reason,” Finn replied, “is to limit how widely this power spreads—and to avoid drawing too much attention from the whole Labyrinth City. If such a power appeared openly, it would inevitably attract unwanted scrutiny toward both the Familia and Tsuna himself. Without a proper explanation, it’s not something we can afford to display too freely.”

Finn’s reasoning made perfect sense. What Tsuna had created was something extraordinary—an ability that could grant strength directly within the “Skill” list. It was utterly beyond the norm. Moreover, this power resembled magic but required no chanting. If such a new form of strength became widely known among Adventurers, it would indeed cause chaos.

Therefore, limiting how many people displayed this power was the best way to keep it hidden.

Everyone in the Loki Familia understood Tsuna’s importance. No matter what, his secret must never be exposed. If his abilities were revealed to the world, the benefits they now enjoyed might soon be taken by others instead.

“Besides minimizing that risk,” Finn continued, “there’s another reason for setting the requirement at Level 4. It’s a form of training—and a challenge. Given everything Tsuna has already provided, don’t tell me you think you can’t reach Level 4 through your own effort and accumulation?”

He looked around the table, his expression firm.

“I believe your current conditions are more than enough for you to climb to Level 4. If you can’t, then you don’t deserve the power Tsuna offers. His aid is a gift to those who’ve proven themselves. If you can’t even reach Level 4, then you have no need for a helping hand.”

The words were blunt but true.

Under such favorable circumstances, any Adventurer who still couldn’t reach Level 4 through their own effort truly wasn’t qualified to wield Tsuna’s power. The Level Up to 4 was a threshold—one that tested perseverance and resolve. Only by crossing that line could they earn the right to receive help in reaching for Level 5.

“So if you want Tsuna’s strength,” Finn said, “then work hard for it. Make the most of the upcoming three Joint Expeditions and seize your chance to Level Up.”

His reminder struck a chord within everyone present. If they wanted power, they needed to grasp every opportunity that came their way. This next “Joint Expedition” was one such chance. If they gave it everything they had, many of them might even earn the Excellia needed to reach Level 3.

“Yeah! This time, I’m definitely earning my Level Up!”

“That’s right! We can’t waste this chance!”

“The upcoming battles are all against deeper-layer monsters. The Dungeon’s likely to trigger another ‘Monster Party.’ It’s dangerous—but also our best opportunity.”

Finn’s words ignited the entire dining hall.

They were no longer the greenhorn Level 1 Adventurers they once were. They had already experienced rebirth—now it was time to challenge higher ground. Their minds were clear, their goals within sight. The path upward was open to them, and this expedition would be their ticket forward.

It started with reaching Level 3.

“All right, finish your breakfast,” Finn said. “We begin today’s expedition soon.”

He sat down and began eating, and everyone followed suit. The chatter ceased as they focused on their meals. They needed every ounce of strength for the battles to come.

Watching them, Tsubaki couldn’t help but feel a twinge of emotion.

His power really has changed this Familia. Even Adventurers who couldn’t Level Up before now have a chance—and those weak in combat have room to grow.

It’s just a shame... our own Familia are mostly craftsmen. Aside from me, no one’s really interested in Leveling Up. What a waste.

Shaking her head, she pushed the thought aside and focused on eating.

Breakfast ended quickly. Soon after, the Adventurers gathered outside the Great Tree House to check their weapons and gear.

Once equipped, they began their morning warm-ups in unison. Against stronger monsters, courage alone wasn’t enough—they needed coordination, too.

This expedition wasn’t just about seeing the deeper parts of the Dungeon alongside the main party. For them, it was about earning their ticket to keep climbing higher.

And that climb began with Level 3.