Danmachi: Strongest Familia

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Riveria considered the suggestion carefully. After observing Tiona's pitiful expression, she nodded in agreement.

In the end, Riveria assigned a few others to stay behind and protect the camp. If something unexpected occurred, they could always return to the surface.

With several LV5 adventurers providing protection, it shouldn't be a major problem for the expedition team to make their way back.

This was a powerful group led by an LV7 adventurer, with even the supporters being LV5. The only exceptions were Haruhime and Eina.

Haruhime's role was unquestionable, thanks to her overwhelming ability to enhance others' strength. Eina's inclusion, on the other hand, was purely due to her exceptionally strong magic power, which also served as a way to train her in the process.

To keep them safe, Riveria had assigned Irelia and Tiona to guard them closely.

It was rare to find another team in Orario as strong as this one.

——

At the entrance to the 51st floor, Riveria cast a layer of defensive magic on everyone, as was customary, and the team began their mission.

"Stay alert. Zed, clear the way ahead!" Riveria reminded, according to their earlier assignments.

Zed, with his Living Shadow ability, was undoubtedly the best choice to lead the way. As they moved forward from the 51st floor, they would not only need to deal with monsters on this floor but also keep an eye out for attacks from the 58th floor.

The Valgang Dragon on the 58th floor could extend its attack through multiple layers, targeting enemies on the floor above. A direct hit would be disastrous.

Without hesitation, Zed darted ahead of the team. Wasting no time, he activated his Living Shadow, summoning a shadowy clone that took the lead, guiding the way forward.

The others slowed down to follow him, and soon, a massive pillar of fire shot up where Zed had been standing just moments before. When the flames finally began to subside, a massive crater had formed in the ground.

Through the hole, the team could even see the enormous head of the Valgang Dragon from the 58th floor, which had attacked earlier.

"ROARR—!" Gnar roared, the hair on his body gradually turning red.

Reviveria didn't stop it, everything was unfolding just as she had anticipated.

"It's all on you, Gnar!" Riveria commanded.

Following her order, Gnar transformed with a mighty roar. The group quickly climbed onto his back, and without hesitation, they jumped down through the hole created by the Valgang Dragon.

"This is the fastest way!" Riveria announced.

The hole served as a shortcut to the 58th floor. During a previous expedition, Lulu had accidentally fallen through a similar hole. Thankfully she have the [Wild Growth] magic that can enlarge her allies for a few seconds that makes rescue possible.

Riveria had taken note of it since.

Of course, using this shortcut came with its risks. The narrow space left no room for evasive maneuvers, and if attacked, there was no place to hide.

Additionally, traveling through this passage could draw in many monsters, as the creatures from floors 51 to 57 would likely pursue them through the tunnel.

It would be a Monster Parade, many times worse than usual.

As the giant Gnar fell, the others stayed vigilant, watching for any attack from below. The moment they noticed the Valgang Dragon opening its mouth, Lulu raised her staff.

"Whimsy!" she exclaimed.

With her command, the aggressive Valgang Dragon was instantly transformed into a harmless critter, and its attack was nullified.

But Gnar's fall was growing faster, and with a loud crash, he hit the ground. The sound of the impact drew the attention of nearby monsters.

At that moment, Eina, who had been following closely behind, prepared her magic. As they landed, she summoned the "Flame and Wind Dance" she had prepared earlier.

A circle of blazing flames spread around her, engulfing all the nearby monsters, and a powerful tornado formed, trapping them in its swirling winds.

The fire, assisted by the wind, instantly consumed all the monsters caught within range. Eina's compound magic had a devastating effect.

"Well done!" Riveria praised Eina, clearly pleased with the result.

The plan had gone smoother than expected. The entire area near the 58th floor was successfully cleared of monsters.

The ground was littered with magic stones and materials dropped by the creatures. Due to the monsters' immense size, the magic stones were unusually large, though not as big as Goliath's.

Naturally, the value of these magic stones and the dropped items was considerable.

"Let's take a short break before moving on to the 59th floor," Riveria suggested.

As they reached the 59th floor, Riveria immediately sensed something was off.

Just as Akali had said earlier, the temperature was unnaturally high. Even near the entrance of the 59th floor, there was no chill in the air.

Instead, several bulges had formed on the ground ahead, and the monsters from the 58th floor seemed to have been revitalized. 

As if summoned by the activity on the 58th floor, monsters from the upper floors began to pour down through the hole above them.

The previously empty area quickly became filled with creatures, including powerful wyverns that filled the air.

"Prepare for battle!" Riveria ordered. 

They couldn't afford to rest now. With so many monsters surrounding them, they had no choice but to fight.

Irelia moved into position in front of Eina, ready to protect Haruhime at a moment's notice, even if an enemy tried to sneak past.

The mages wasted no time, using Riveria's blessings to strike down the wyverns one by one. 

The battle didn't last long, and soon the monsters attacking from all sides had been reduced to magic stones scattered across the ground.

"We're lucky to get so many materials!" Tiona exclaimed excitedly, rushing to pick up the dropped items.

These were valuable materials dropped by monsters from the 51st floor and beyond. Tiona was thrilled, especially since she was in desperate need of funds to recast her beloved double blades once they returned to Orario.