Danmachi, Ch 221-225

Chapter 221 – Combat Refined into Art

The Expedition force advanced at astonishing speed, its efficiency unmatched.

Each squad engaged a wave of monsters, then rotated out immediately. Every team had ample time to rest and warm up before taking the field again.

After several rotations, the group had already descended from the upper floors to Floor 13. From here onward, the monsters grew stronger—their power tripled or even quadrupled compared to those on the first floor.

The appearance of Minotaurs, Hellhounds, and Killer Rabbits greatly increased the pressure on the shield-bearing Adventurers. The Minotaur relied on brute strength, the Hellhound on devastating magic, and the Killer Rabbit on agility and precision.

From this floor onward, each team’s challenge rose sharply.

Not only did the monsters’ strength increase, but their numbers as well, slowing the overall advance. Yet despite the growing pressure, the Adventurers showed no signs of strain—only mounting excitement.

“Incredible. The efficiency is unbelievable.”

Alise watched their steady progress with genuine admiration. Judging by both pace and coordination, their advance could only be described as lightning fast.

“Warrior, shield, and archer—a perfect front and rear formation forming a compact battle circle. No matter how agile the enemy, someone can respond. The archer handles both suppression and finishing.”

Kaguya observed the three-person cells closely, quickly grasping the essence of their formation. The combination of front and rear roles allowed flexible adaptation to any kind of opponent.

Moreover, once one squad finished their battle, they immediately yielded the field to the next. The archers could restock arrows between engagements, ensuring a constant supply and seamless rotation.

“In addition to their Dungeon training, their work inside the Challenge Space must have played a major role. This formation must’ve been tested and refined there.”

From their precision and coordination, Kaguya could easily tell this tactic wasn’t spontaneous. The three-man structure—with clear roles and a controlled rhythm—was the optimal configuration, allowing every Adventurer a moment to breathe after each fight.

She glanced back at her own team.

They, too, had clear roles, but lacked the same defined structure. In battle, there were often moments when the intensity offered no chance to rest. It was… inefficient.

Once this Expedition was over, she decided, they would need to rework their formations and refine their teamwork.

“Moo!!”

A Minotaur appeared—a humanoid beast with the head of a bull, its twin horns and massive axe radiating threat. Its style was wild and unrestrained, like that of a berserker. Facing such a foe required utmost caution.

The Minotaur swung its axe downward at a one-handed swordsman. Quick and nimble, the Adventurer sidestepped with ease and darted in close, slashing across its side. The monster retaliated instantly, raising its axe to strike again.

But its stationary stance made it the perfect target for the archer behind them.

Thwip!

The arrow flew straight and true, piercing the Minotaur’s eye.

“Graaaah!”

The beast roared in agony, thrashing wildly as it swung its axe in blind rage. The shield Adventurer charged, shield-first, blocking the chaotic strikes head-on.

Meanwhile, the swordsman moved behind the creature, bringing his blade down sharply on the back of its knee.

The Minotaur’s body was like a suit of armor made of muscle—dense enough to resist most blows. But the joint behind the knee was its weak point. The clean strike severed its strength, forcing it to one knee. The massive axe fell from its grasp.

Seizing the opening, the shield bearer rammed forward, slamming his shield into the monster’s face with a heavy thud.

Off balance, the Minotaur toppled backward.

The archer stepped onto the shield bearer’s back, vaulted high into the air, and loosed three arrows aimed squarely at the beast’s throat.

Thunk!

All three hit their mark—but not deeply enough to kill. The shots pierced the flesh but failed to sever the windpipe.

The swordsman finished it. Gripping his blade in both hands, he plunged it straight into the Minotaur’s throat. One decisive thrust ended the struggle.

The entire exchange took seconds—flawless cooperation, each action flowing into the next: suppression, imbalance, blindness, collapse, execution.

As they delved deeper, the number of monsters made it impossible for a single team to act alone. Dozens of squads fought side by side, maintaining perfect spacing.

The battlefield was cleanly divided; even when fights overlapped, the Adventurers shifted seamlessly, covering one another without confusion. Such coordination required a level of trust and practice few could achieve.

Yet for the Loki Familia, it all seemed effortless—so natural it was as if they were living out an ordinary day. No orders, no shouting, no hesitation. Even the timing of their victories was nearly identical.

This coordination turned efficient combat into a form of art.

“Wyrmling!”

At the shout, the front squad disengaged instantly, retreating as the next line advanced. This time, it wasn’t a three-man team but a five-shield formation at the front, followed by three mages with staffs, and behind them, five dual-blade Adventurers rushing to flank.

“ROAAAR!!”

The young dragon’s roar shook the air itself, its sound waves slamming into the shields of the front line, rippling across the metal.

As the shockwave passed, the dual-blade squad split to both sides, dashing out from behind the shields.

The wyrmling was among the most dangerous monsters of the middle floors—a young dragon, armored in thick scales that deflected steel and wielding deadly breath attacks. Its roars and fireballs could annihilate entire teams.

But while its scales resisted weapons, they were far less effective against magic. A wyrmling was still immature—its magical resistance not yet fully formed.

The five dual-blade Adventurers darted around it, drawing its attention and preventing it from gathering energy for a fireball. Behind them, the three mages seized the opening, completing their chants and unleashing their spells.

Three blasts of magic struck the wyrmling’s head. In an instant, the explosion reduced it to nothing. The kill was clean, precise—executed in the shortest possible time.

Combat, coordination, and strategy—refined to perfection.

The art of battle itself.

Chapter 222 – Me and Kaguya, Let’s Do This

Floor 17—the resting place of the Floor Boss, Goliath.

Beyond it lay Floor 18, the safest level nearest to the surface.

Adventurers lacking strength could only reach Floor 18 during the short window after Goliath was slain and before it respawned. Otherwise, once they entered this domain, Goliath would reemerge from the crystal walls, resurrected and ready to unleash a massacre upon any intruders.

Now, the Goliath on Floor 17 had already completed its regeneration cycle. At any moment, it could reappear. Anyone stepping into the floor had to be prepared to make a decision.

“Who’s going to handle Goliath?”

Finn’s gaze swept across the group—the two Level 4s from his own Familia and the eleven members of the Astraea Familia.

Ais, Tiona, Tione, and Bete were skipped immediately. They had already surpassed Goliath’s level and no longer needed the Excellia gained from such a foe. But for the Level 4 Adventurers still striving for Level 5, this was the perfect opportunity.

“I’ll do it.”

Ais eagerly raised her hand.

Riveria sighed and covered her face beside Finn. Why did this child insist on joining every single thing? She helplessly walked over and pressed Ais’s raised hand back down.

“Don’t be ridiculous. If you want to test your strength, go to the lower floors. Don’t use a Floor Boss as your testing ground.”

“But—”

“No buts.”

Riveria cut her off before she could protest further. She knew exactly what Ais wanted, but this wasn’t the time to indulge her. This opportunity should go to others—to those who still needed to earn their Excellia and gauge their power.

After subduing Ais, Riveria gave Finn a small nod.

Finn withdrew his gaze from Ais and focused on the two Level 4s and the girls of the Astraea Familia.

“Then let me and Kaguya handle it,” Alise said after a short pause, stepping forward. “Since we gained our new powers, Kaguya and I have only tested them in the Challenge Space—fighting Silence, and later that black Goliath. This time, give us the chance, Finn.”

Her words drew puzzled looks from the Astraea girls and wide-eyed surprise from the Loki Familia.

That phrase—new power—struck a chord.

Over the past six months, those two words had changed everything. They had seen firsthand how one person’s new power could reshape an entire Familia’s standing. Naturally, when Alise spoke them now, everyone immediately thought of the same person—Tsuna.

Finn nodded slightly.

“Very well. I’ll leave it to you two.”

He stepped aside, signaling the start of Alise and Kaguya’s show.

The two exchanged a glance, then turned and strode into Floor 17 together.

“AAAAAHHHHH!”

The roar came the moment they entered.

From within the crystal wall, the Goliath’s massive form began to take shape. The inhuman bellow shook the entire cavernous floor.

Boom!

A single punch shattered the crystal wall, and the giant’s upper body tore free. Its enormous bulk crashed to the ground, sending tremors rippling through the stone. The earth itself seemed to bristle, jagged and sharp where it had been struck. The creature’s arrival radiated a raw, overwhelming power.

The colossal body landed without injury and immediately rose to its feet, baring its teeth in a vicious grin toward Alise and Kaguya.

“RAAAAAHHHH!!”

With a roar that mixed rage and exhilaration, the towering giant charged forward, shaking the earth beneath each stride.

Kaguya tightened her grip on her katana. Her heel lifted slightly—and then she shot forward like a launched arrow. Her speed was so explosive that most could only glimpse the afterimages streaking toward Goliath.

As she neared the monster, her fingers pushed lightly against the guard of her blade, and she murmured an incantation:

“Scourge of calamity—Fivefold Light!”

The blade flashed.

Five arcs of light carved through Goliath’s body—legs, arms, and neck. Each strike tore away chunks of flesh, though the depth was limited, not enough to hinder its movement.

Still in full charge, Goliath swung its massive fist down at the ground where Kaguya had been.

The impact erupted with a deafening crash, shaking the entire floor and throwing up a storm of dust. A crater gaped where the blow landed. But when the smoke cleared, Kaguya’s figure was already outside the dust cloud.

Goliath turned, tracking her—yet its movement had grown sluggish. Noticeably slower.

The adventurers watching from afar noticed the blue sheen spreading across its wounds, seeping into its flesh like venom.

“What’s that blue stuff?”

“Could it be a new spell?”

Hearing the murmurs behind her, Alise glanced down at the ring on her finger. This was their first time using that power against a Floor Boss in the Dungeon—and its effect was astounding. No, more precisely, Kaguya was perfectly attuned to it. She could wield that destructive flame with remarkable control.

With this kind of suppressive force, even Kaguya alone could end the battle.

Alise’s eyes shifted back to Goliath, her gaze cooling. Compared to the black Goliath they once faced, this ordinary one was almost… disappointing.

Thick hide, a giant’s frame—nothing more. Beyond its size, it had no edge over them at all.

Even so, Alise couldn’t resist the urge to test her strength—just as Ais had earlier. That same spark of curiosity and challenge burned within her.

As she thought that, her fading flame reignited.

Her heel lifted. A nearly invisible trail of red fire burst from her feet, propelling her forward at a speed the eye could barely follow.

“Kaguya.”

Hearing her name, Kaguya glanced at the now-sluggish Goliath and lowered her blade. The next instant, Alise’s figure shot past her, rushing straight toward the giant.

BOOM!

Crimson fire surged from Alise’s ring, wrapping around her sword. She swung in one powerful motion, sending a blazing crescent of flame howling through the air.

The red arc tore clean through Goliath’s massive body.

In the next heartbeat, the giant dissolved into white ash mid-motion, its enormous Magic Stone splitting neatly in two and crashing down on either side of Alise.

With just one strike, the battle was over.

The victor had been decided.

Chapter 223 – Keep Advancing, Target Floor 28

“She’s incredible! Alise’s gotten insanely strong!”

Lyra’s eyes widened as she stared at Alise’s back—the back of the girl who had just felled Goliath with a single strike. Her jaw nearly hit the floor. She remembered that Alise hadn’t been anywhere near this powerful before. And it wasn’t just Alise. Kaguya, too.

Confusion flickered in Lyra’s gaze. When had those two become so strong?

And that strange blue aura that had tainted Goliath’s body… along with the crimson crescent Alise unleashed with her sword—everything about it felt unusual. Lyra could hardly restrain the urge to demand answers from Alise and Kaguya on the spot. Weren’t they supposed to be good friends? How could they keep something like this a secret?

Only now did Lyra begin to understand a few things. She remembered how everyone used to train together—until one day, Alise and Kaguya started going off on their own, claiming the group training wasn’t challenging enough. They’d said, “You’ll see the results soon.”

So this was the result?

“She’s mastered her power well,” Gareth remarked, crossing his arms. “To use an ability like that… she’s probably stronger than Ais.”

“Yeah,” Finn nodded. “Ais’s control still isn’t quite at Alise’s level. Ais is all about explosive bursts, while Alise’s style is focused on precision. But Ais could really learn something from her. Better control over her strength might take her even further.”

Ais?

Hearing Finn and Gareth’s conversation, Lyra immediately turned her gaze toward the blonde swordswoman. Ais looked the same as ever—cute, quiet, blank-faced, showing no visible reaction. But the mention of “power” caught Lyra’s attention.

Wait… does that mean Ais has the same kind of power as Alise and Kaguya?

Her mind spun. Could two people really share a power of the same type? It didn’t look like magic—at least, not any normal kind. And if it was magic, could such abilities even be compared?

Her curiosity only grew stronger.

Once Goliath was defeated, Dyne stepped forward and with a simple wave sent the bisected Magic Stone and all its rare materials into storage. The rear units quickly caught up.

“Alise, you’ve gotten stronger.”

Ais’s words drew a beaming smile from Alise—bright and childlike, her happiness radiated as she made a playful victory sign.

“I worked really hard for this Joint Expedition! I didn’t spar with you lately because I was training with Kaguya. Her ‘Rain’ is way gloomier than my ‘Storm.’ The calming effect is ridiculous—it completely neutralizes my style.”

Alise’s words made Ais’s golden eyes light up as she turned to Kaguya. During past sparring sessions, she had only faced Alise, never Kaguya. She hadn’t yet experienced Kaguya’s “Rain.” Now, she really wanted to.

This talkative girl…

Kaguya sighed and covered her face. Sparring with Ais wasn’t exactly something to look forward to. Ais was far from an easy opponent—not only was she a level higher, but her swordsmanship was ferociously refined. And unlike Alise, Ais didn’t hold back. Fighting her in a mock battle was exhausting.

“Kaguya, let’s spar when we get back!”

Ais’s face, still innocent and soft at this age, glowed with excitement. Her expectant eyes practically sparkled—it was impossible to say no.

“…Fine. After this Joint Expedition is over.”

“Okay!”

Seeing that settled, Finn walked over at a steady pace.

“Ladies, our priority now is to continue advancing. We won’t be resting on Floor 18 this time. Our destination is the safe zone on Floor 28.”

“The Amphisbaena that used to dwell in the Great Falls was slain by Bete last week. There’s no longer an obstacle there. Passing through will be far easier than before.”

After addressing Ais and Kaguya, Finn turned to face the rest of the gathered Adventurers—most of whom were staring curiously, brimming with questions.

“As for the power that Ais, Alise, and Kaguya used—once we reach the safe floor, we’ll talk about it in detail. It concerns all of you, so for now… just look forward to it.”

It concerns everyone!?

That single line sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd. Their curiosity burned higher than ever. Now they were eager to reach Floor 28—not just for rest, but to uncover the mystery behind that power.

“Now, let’s move out!”

“Yeah!!”

With Goliath defeated, the Expedition force resumed full speed.

They marched straight through Rivira on Floor 18, drawing plenty of stares from the adventurers there.

“Is that… a Joint Expedition between the Loki Familia and the Astraea Familia?”

“It is—but doesn’t the group look small for an expedition?”

The reminder made several onlookers glance behind Finn’s vanguard. Normally, the supply team would follow right after the main force. But this time, only combat members trailed behind—no supply carts, no materials, nothing resembling a logistics unit. It was strange.

“They didn’t bring any supplies? How far can they really go like that? Maybe it’s just a short-term expedition?”

“Could be. Still, it looks like they’re not even stopping in Rivira to restock.”

“Yeah. If it’s a short operation, that makes sense—they wouldn’t need to carry tons of provisions. But with a force that big, they won’t make it far without resources. They don’t even have tents for the safe floors.”

“No idea. Maybe the Loki Familia has some other method for resupplying. Either way, if they run into trouble, they’ll end up buying from us. So, no worries.”

“True enough.”

Rivira had always made its fortune this way. As the Dungeon’s midpoint hub, it thrived off adventurers’ crises. No danger meant no business. And business, as always, was good.

Chapter 224 — Landing on Floor 28, Return to the Rest Space

Beyond the Large Tree Labyrinth and the Great Falls lay the safety zone of Floor 28.

The greatest obstacle within the Great Falls—the Amphisbaena—had already been sent into a respawn cooldown a week ago by Bete, allowing the Expedition Team to advance at a much faster pace.

The trio of Level 2 Adventurers had also undergone thorough testing in real combat. The results proved the viability of this formation, and it would likely become the Familia’s standard configuration for future Expeditions.

With a small, three-person unit, coordination was far easier. They could train and grow together, making it an ideal model for fostering growth within the Familia itself.

Aside from the standard three-man teams, there were also specialized units created to deal with specific types of monsters—like the young dragon that had appeared on Floor 13. Ordinary parties couldn’t handle such a threat, so instead of forcing a small team into a desperate struggle, they adopted a more effective strategy tailored to each situation. The results spoke for themselves—the method proved highly practical.

This constant gathering of information from unknown floors allowed the Familia to build a more systematic understanding of monster behaviors, developing efficient counter-strategies for each unique weakness. As a result, the barrier to defeating monsters dropped, and the Adventurers gained a wider array of methods for combat.

This new, coordinated style of Dungeon strategy was something the Loki Familia had never attempted before. Yet their first try had already yielded such impressive results—it was a joy to witness.

When they finally reached the safety zone on Floor 28, the entire group was visibly elated.

Who wouldn’t be, after seeing the fruits of their hard work?

All that relentless training in the Training Space and Challenge Space hadn’t been in vain. Every ounce of effort had turned into real experience and strength that now pulsed through their bodies. Though they had seen progress before, this Joint Expedition had finally brought all of it to the surface.

“Excellent. That’s enough for today’s progress. Tsuna.”

As Finn’s command fell, a Puppet named Dye appeared before them. This time, however, it was slightly different—rather than remaining silent as usual, it spoke in a cold, deep voice:

“The craftsmen within the Rest Space have already prepared for weapon maintenance and the resharpening of arrowheads. As for food, preparations must begin now. The craftsmen aren’t skilled at cooking.”

“Eh? Tsuna, so your Puppet can talk?”

Tiona leaned forward in surprise, her eyes lighting up. This was her first time hearing Tsuna’s Puppet speak. Unlike Tsuna’s calm, gentle tone, the Puppet’s voice was low and emotionless, completely distinct from its master’s.

“During infiltration or covert operations, sound only increases the risk of detection. When unnecessary, I keep the Puppets silent. But the ability to speak was there from the start.”

The Puppet had always been capable of speech; it simply had no need to use it until now.

It stomped lightly, and the ground beneath its feet split open like a zipper. Pulling it down revealed an opening—a passage into another space.

“No more talking. Let’s head into the Rest Space.”

“Understood. Everyone, enter the Rest Space in groups. Once inside, disarm and hand your weapons and equipment to the Hephaestus craftsmen for maintenance. Those skilled in cooking, please start preparing dinner. The rest of you, after disarming, head to your rooms and rest.”

This was the first time their Joint Expedition had used this type of rest protocol, so Finn took extra care with the arrangements. After this initial run, future Expeditions could operate more smoothly, with each Adventurer handling the tasks that suited them best.

The Adventurers entered the Rest Space in groups of three.

Unlike the so-called “safe floors,” which were never truly secure—since monsters could still respawn, albeit in smaller numbers—the Rest Space was entirely devoid of spawn points. It was filled with clean air and a comforting, peaceful atmosphere.

They emerged onto an open field of grass in front of a massive treehouse. Beside it stood an impressive brick forge—large and expertly built. Members of the Hephaestus Familia were bustling around, carrying materials and equipment, their faces alight with excitement.

“Oh! You’re finally here!”

As the Adventurers paused in surprise, a bold, cheerful female voice called out. A woman in white robes and a crimson skirt strode toward them, a black eyepatch covering her left eye.

It was Tsubaki Collbrande.

She gave the returning Adventurers a quick once-over. Their presence was sharp, their expressions still tense from battle, and their armor bore the wear of intense combat. Clearly, they had been through a fierce fight.

Confirming this, Tsubaki turned and shouted toward the forge:

“Alright, you lot! The Adventurers are back from the front! Time to collect their weapons and gear!”

At her command, the craftsmen working inside the forge all came rushing out.

“Hey! Bring those weapons and armor here!”

“That’s right! Not just weapons—get all the retrieved arrows, too! Set everything down, you can rest after that!”

The craftsmen were uncharacteristically enthusiastic.

Of course, their excitement wasn’t simply because of the work itself. The new forge facilities were everything a craftsman could dream of—perfect furnaces, pristine workspaces, and the finest tools. The environment alone filled them with energy, eager to dive into their craft.

The Adventurers, on the other hand, were completely bewildered. Before they even realized it, their weapons and armor had been stripped away. They could only watch as groups of craftsmen clutched their gear, laughing maniacally—

“Kehehehehe!”

—and dashing into the forge with expressions that looked far more like villains than blacksmiths.

Chapter 225 — The Craftsmen and the Adventurers’ Goals

Inside the forge, the craftsmen worked with unrestrained enthusiasm.

A brand-new environment, flexible and finely tuned furnaces, and perfectly balanced tools—conditions like these filled them with an irrepressible urge to hammer away. Just as a new weapon tempts an Adventurer to test it, new tools made their hands itch to work.

Even within the Hephaestus Familia, not every member owned their own personal workshop. Without fame or recognition, few could afford such luxury. But this—this was practically the same thing. It wasn’t individually owned, but every other condition was perfect, perhaps even better.

All of this only heightened their excitement. The rhythmic sound of hammering never stopped ringing through the forge.

Watching them, Tsubaki couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

“In Orario, having no name means having no work. No matter how good your craft is, if no one recognizes your skill, your finest blades will still gather dust. What matters most is honing your craft and seizing a chance to show it. For new craftsmen, Expeditions like this are their best opportunities.”

The Familia’s craftsmen were all shut-ins at heart, spending nearly all their free time polishing their craft at home. But no matter how skilled they were, forging required a massive amount of materials to practice with. The path of a blacksmith was no easier than that of an Adventurer.

Tsubaki’s voice carried across the forge, and every craftsman within earshot burned with motivation. It wasn’t just the fine workspace or the brand-new tools—they wanted to prove their skill.

Repairing weapons was the final stage of forging, a refinement every true craftsman had to master. It was an essential skill.

A craftsman’s true level could always be seen in the smallest details. Skill, like pregnancy—either you have it or you don’t, and anyone can see the difference at a glance. Especially when these weapons were being used by front-line Adventurers—who would understand better than them how a blade performed in battle?

Adventurers knew instantly whether a weapon was well-balanced, sharp, and responsive—their lives depended on it. That was why working on a Joint Expedition with front-line Adventurers was a golden opportunity. A single repair could be the first step in gaining their trust, even for low-level Adventurers who had to balance between craftsmanship and cost. Right now, these smiths were at their most competitive moment.

Their greatest fear wasn’t low pay—it was being overlooked entirely. So this time, every one of them worked with everything they had.

Meanwhile, the living area built around the great treehouse was equally lively. After a long day of battle, the Adventurers could finally relax with a hot bath.

Past Expeditions never offered such luxury—clean water in the Dungeon was precious, too valuable to waste on bathing. But now, things were different.

Steam rose, and the warm water melted away exhaustion. For those who had spent the day fighting, it was pure bliss.

“Mmm~~~”

In the women’s bath, Tiona stretched her arms and legs, letting the hot water soak her from shoulders to toes. The feeling of being submerged completely was the most relaxing thing in the world.

“So refreshing~ All my fatigue is gone.”

“What fatigue? You didn’t even fight today.”

“Hehe~ Hearing that somehow makes this bath feel even better.”

Tione sighed, rolling her eyes at her sister before turning away to enjoy her own soak.

When Tione ignored her, Tiona’s gaze shifted to Riveria, who was quietly bathing nearby.

“Riveria, are we heading toward the 50th floor tomorrow?”

“No. As we go deeper, our pace will inevitably slow. The progress won’t be as smooth as before. For the Level 2 Adventurers, the next few floors will be where the real pressure begins. Today was just an adjustment.”

Riveria opened her eyes and noticed the growing attention around her. She spoke calmly, addressing everyone’s unspoken concern. After all, moving beyond the middle floors marked a critical challenge for all Level 2s.

The deeper they went, the more numerous and powerful the monsters became. The lower floors were no longer suited for Level 2 Adventurers to survive easily—but that was precisely what made them the greatest test.

If they could hold their ground, even triumph against stronger foes, they would earn tremendous Excellia. That was the key to their Level Up.

“You all need to remember this as challengers,” Riveria continued. “The monsters in the deep floors are no joke. One careless move could leave you gravely injured. When you realize your strength alone isn’t enough, that’s when you must rely on what you’ve learned—and on your companions. Finding the path forward together is the key to gaining Excellia and achieving a Level Up.”

Her gaze swept across the Adventurers relaxing in the bath. Crossing the barrier of Level 2 depended on surviving those deeper floors. Knowing when to fight and when to cooperate was the difference between growth and ruin.

All Riveria could do was remind them—the rest depended on their choices.

Though the deep floors brought danger, they also promised opportunity. The stronger and more numerous the monsters, the greater the reward for those who endured. For those ready to face the challenge, Excellia was already within reach.

“After you finish bathing, make sure to rest properly. Don’t let comfort dull your edge. Remember why we’re here. What we seek isn’t pride or satisfaction—but the strength to keep moving forward.”