It was the perfect time for an expedition, Shurry was ready to go, and so were all of the other members who'd be going on this trip. Hathor familia helped with the material preparations because they knew exactly what they were all about to face down there.
As for who was actually heading down this time, it was a far larger group, with a few extra helpers… First up, Ganesha Familia's upper ranks, and everyone else who had showed potential to level up during the extreme training regiment. Second up, was the entire collection of the Astraea familia. Third, was the limited support from the lower level members of the Hathor familia who knew how to set everything up, and were there to teach the others about it. Fourth, were a few of the smiths from Hephaestus familia with the captain Tsubaki leading them, she was actually newly promoted level 5, so she was eager to test out her skills, despite the massive hit to her work order backlog this will cause. Finally, Shurry was also going with them, for obvious reasons of course.
For the sake of optics, and with the fact Shurry is in this massive group, he gave the "leadership" role to Shakti so she could earn even more Excelia, and earn a wonderful story to tell her young son when he gets older.
…
Using a similar strategy as the last time Shurry did the long expedition, the whole party arrived on floor 28, in a single day. Several members had already generated quite a bit of best quality excelia as a result. While resting, Shakti, and Tsubaki conversed with Alise, and a member of the Hathor familia along for the ride.
"So, how is it compared to last time?" Shakti asked, curious to see where her familia stacked up.
"Uh, about that, the last time we came down here… We made it to the 36th floor in the same time frame."
"You're joking?"
"Nope, but by the time we got there everyone was exhausted. And it took a full day to recover enough to continue forward. Here I think more people have earned a level up than last time too, so there's that."
Shurry walked over. "The reason we're going slower is because we have about twice as many members as last time. And, I want to make sure everyone has enough time to fight and learn about each other's ability. It will help improve your abilities faster if you can get in gear now."
Tsubaki, looking at the young man, smirked. "You've grown a lot since you healed my goddess' eye. So much more mature now."
"Thank you. To be honest, I'm a little worried about this trip, I think Ardee is going to ask me to do something… She's been holding it back for a while now… And I- the thought of it still brings back nightmares."
"Hmm?"
"..."
"What do you think she's going to ask you for?"
"It doesn't matter, I only bring it up so you can relax a bit more for a while. If I seem tense on these easy floors, it's because of that."
"Well, alright then. We'll keep that in mind."
"Good, then the four of you should get some rest. I want to move tomorrow."
…
The surface was eerily quiet for the time being, Evilus would attack everyone once in a while, but it was nothing major, and mostly just sacrificial members making probe attacks in an attempt to keep the Loki, and Freya familias busy. An endeavor that they were unsuccessful with when it came to the Hathor familia.
Why? Simple, the Hathor familia had a system set up, where each of their stores had enough of their members, and Shurry's wolves to deal with 1 and a half level 5s. This was a system they could put in place because they had the means to do so.
Bokhoir, would keep a watchful gaze on the city to the best of his ability, and react as soon as an altercation beyond the stationed members was reported. All of the altercations would trigger a signal flair, a single shot meant everything was okay, and two shots meant they needed assistance. The system would change twice every week, with the occasional adjustment to the changes like switching which districts did what signals. And to avoid any confusion, Bokhoir was the one who chose who changed, and when.
Nernatti was in charge of keeping herself, and Ganesha safe from harm while all of his strongest were in the dungeon. Astraea, sort of lived in the Guild building conversing with Ouranos and under the safety of Fels. Hathor was the most well protected in the familia home, with so many of her children there even a level 6 would find it difficult to get out alive before Bokhoir would show up and completely clobber them… Not to mention the fluffy pups that Shurry left with her once more.
…
Erebus, having just returned from his trip, inspected the results of Evilus' work in gathering all of the materials he had requested of them. And sure enough, his lips curled into a smile.
"It's a little less than I expected, but it'll be more than enough to make this work. Especially given the increase it'll receive once I'm done with it. So how's the other one doing?"
"It's ready Lord Erebus. Right now, the only things we need now are the other gods to finish their preparations, and for the right moment to enact your will."
"Good, very good, in fact it's excellent. I was also successful in my endeavors as well. Truly a wonderful thing, the number I got was quite large. They'll take a while to reach us because they have to burrow their way here to avoid early detection."
"You actually managed to-"
"Shh, this is one thing I don't want to reveal too much about. You never know who may be listening. Hathor familia could be listening in on us."
"You think they can?"
"No, but it isn't just that Origin wolf who's made the impossible, possible. Bokhoir was supposed to be limited to level 4. Yet something changed, and he became level 5, and then even level 6. And shortly after, defeated the King of Freya familia. It's best to be wary of them. If they have a way to get Origin Wolf back in a short time, then there's no way we can risk anything right now." Erebus smiled. "Alright, time to go and get everyone amped up for the eventual assault. And, it's time to begin gathering the triggers."
"You got it. We'll start it off slow at first. And slowly ramp it up. We've got to make it look like the Freya, and Loki familia's fault for this right?"
"Indeed. Their laziness in dealing with us is what has allowed us to come this far."
"Same thing for Origin Wolf?"
"No, he's been tasked with something that might prove to be an even greater threat at the bottom of the dungeon." Erebus said.
"What is at the bottom?" Erebus whispered the response in his child's ear, the fear in the man's face, had terror. "Seriously? Surely no mortal could-"
Erebus put a finger to his child's lips. "Nope, no more. You aren't supposed to know, so keep it a secret."
"Not like I care that much, I like killing people. It's the pinnacle of beauty, and color."
…