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After defeating Udaeus, both Ais and Ryoji were satisfied with the expedition.
Since they had also completely run out of potions, the trio picked some fruit from the 38th Floor to use as food, then began their journey back.
It took them three full days to return to the upper floors.
"Why am I the one carrying this?!" Ryoji, with an enormous backpack strapped to him, followed behind the other two with a face full of black lines.
"How about showing some gentlemanly behavior toward the ladies?" Riveria chuckled, clearly unmoved. It seemed she still hadn't forgiven him for egging Ais on earlier.
"I am gentlemanly… just not in that way…" Ryoji paused for a moment. Considering that he was traveling with a pure-minded Ais and a clean-freak royal Elf, he wisely chose not to say anything inappropriate and shut his mouth.
Inside his backpack was an enormous Magic Stone, the energy core of Udaeus, nearly as tall as a person. The stone couldn't even fit properly into the pack and had to be tied on with vines. Along the way, it caught the attention of every passerby, who looked on in awe and reverence.
Besides that, there was also a black greatsword drop item, the one Udaeus had used. Due to wear and tear during battle, it had reverted to an ordinary greatsword. When passing through the 18th Floor, they had left it in Porus's care.
Porus, using some sly logic, said the red-haired girl (Ais) might appear again on the 18th Floor, so having a strong weapon stored there would be reassuring. Plus, leaving a spare weapon there wasn't a bad idea. So Ais left the greatsword behind; otherwise, Ryoji's load would have been even heavier.
The group climbed the stairs from the 6th Floor and finally reached the upper 5th Floor.
The walls here had turned a light blue, the dungeon's scale had shrunk significantly, just a few hundred meters in diameter. The terrain was smooth and free of steep inclines, making it a friendly area for rookie Adventurers.
"Want me to carry it for you?" Ais stopped and looked back at Ryoji.
"Thank God! I've been lugging this thing forever, my back's killing me!" Ryoji quickly unloaded the backpack and handed it over to Ais.
"Ais, aren't you pampering him a bit too much?" Riveria raised an eyebrow, radiating quiet authority.
"We're almost there anyway." Ais slung the massive pack onto her seemingly delicate back with ease.
"Some people just get weaker with age, " Ryoji, stretching his shoulders with exaggerated pain, glanced sidelong at Riveria and muttered sarcastically.
"What did you just say!?"
"N-Nothing! I said you're getting more beautiful by the day!"
Faced with the suddenly bristling Riveria, Ryoji instantly backpedaled and piled on the compliments.
"Hmph." Riveria gave a cold snort and turned away.
But out of Ryoji's view, her lips curled ever so slightly into a satisfied smile. As a proud royal Elf, she was used to being complimented on her beauty, but for some reason, Ryoji's clumsy flattery felt especially pleasant, even if it was clearly forced.
"Sigh, Ais is still the only one nice to me…" Ryoji grumbled quietly and reached out to pat Ais on the head.
Her golden, silky hair, like strands of stardust, felt unbelievably soft.
Even better than petting a cat!
"I was just… helping out a little…" Ais's cheeks flushed red.
She felt awkward being patted on the head in front of Riveria. She didn't know why, but it made her feel strangely embarrassed, like she wanted to find a hole and hide in it.
"Hurry up, you two. It's almost night."
"Coming, coming!"
Urged on by Riveria, the two trailing behind quickly caught up.
"Bell Sama, what happened to you?"
"Eh...? N-No, n-nothing at all!"
Voices echoed from behind them.
Ryoji turned his head, And saw a white-haired youth and a small beast-race girl walking out from the other end of the corridor, staring at the group with wide eyes. Under the girl's probing questions, the white-haired youth looked incredibly flustered.
A gloomy aura practically leaked from his body, as though he had suffered a devastating blow.
Ryoji tilted his head. He didn't think too much of it and quickly walked a few steps to catch up with Ais.
…
"They're back!"
"Thank goodness! Our prince, no, I mean, Ryoji's not hurt, right?"
As soon as the trio stepped through the Familia's main gate, they were greeted by a warm welcome. A large group of beautiful girls rushed over and began fussing over Ryoji like they were long-time acquaintances, asking if he was cold, hungry, or injured.
Just the thought of a few people staying behind in the deep floors had clearly made everyone worry.
Riveria and Ais were both the cold, aloof types; no guys dared to approach them easily.
"Welcome back, Ais-tan!" In the lounge area, Loki, beaming with a brilliant smile, came into view.
The moment she saw Ais and Riveria, she couldn't hold herself back and ran over with arms wide open for a hug, but when her eyes landed on Ryoji, she suddenly slammed on the brakes.
The lecherous uncle-like expression she usually wore vanished in an instant, replaced by an oddly serious look.
"Loki, I'm going to take a bath. Help me update my ability values afterward." Ais glanced at Loki a bit confused, but also relieved that she hadn't been groped this time.
"Me too," Said Ryoji.
"O-Okay, got it…" Loki replied timidly.
Riveria gave a surprised look, her eyes darting between Loki and Ryoji.
'What's going on?'
'Loki actually seems afraid of Ryoji?'
'Could it be… he's got some dirt on her?'
"Ais-tan hits Level 6!" Not long after, Loki's excited shout echoed throughout the entire Familia.
The Familia was instantly in an uproar. The excitement was on par with the sensation caused half a month ago when Ryoji leveled up to Lv.3 in just 40 days.
Level 6 held extraordinary significance for the Loki Familia.
It meant that the younger generation had begun to surpass the old veterans. It also meant one more name added to the ranks of Orario's top-tier Adventurers, bringing fresh strength to the Familia.
It wasn't entirely unexpected either.
Defeating a Level 6 Floor Boss that normally required the entire Loki Familia to subjugate, while still at Level 5, must have yielded an enormous amount of exploits, more than enough for a level-up.
"Congrats on getting what you wished for, Ais."
The door creaked open, and Ais walked out, fully dressed. She wore a faint, almost unnoticeable smile on her lips; clearly, she was in a pretty good mood.
"It's all thanks to you."
There was a trace of admiration in her expression. She looked at Ryoji with eyes full of gratitude.
"You're getting your status updated too, right? Can I see?"
"Of course." Ryoji then stepped into Loki's room.
"Why are you acting like you're scared of me? It's not like I'm going to eat you."
"Really?" Loki tied a silk scarf over her eyes. After hearing that, she actually sounded a little disappointed.
She was a Goddess, after all, not one of the three Virgin Goddesses, mind you. Back in Heaven, she'd had her share of fun. To be honest, part of her was hoping Ryoji might do something to her.
Most people would probably cry tears of joy to receive a Goddess's favor.
But Ryoji didn't even seem interested.
Two minutes later, the status update was complete.
(End of Chapter)