As one delves deeper into the dungeon, the area expands.
This is due to the dungeon's overall conical structure.
The upper floors are no larger than the central plaza of Babel Tower, but by the 30th or 40th floor, the dungeon is nearly as vast as Orario itself.
And the areas below that are even larger than Orario.
The Loki Familia had split into two groups because the upper floors were overcrowded. Not only were there adventurers scattered everywhere, but some passages could only fit one person at a time.
Add to that the heavy supplies needed for an expedition.
Thus, large familias like the Loki Familia often split into groups upon entering the dungeon, regrouping at the safe zone on the 18th floor.
One busy group moved through a narrow passage. This was the second group, the one Shirou currently belonged to.
Unlike the first group, which consisted of the Loki Familia's main fighting force, the second group was made up of second-class adventurers.
Raul Nord, Anakity Autumn, Alicia Forestlight, Narvi, and Cruz Bussell — all Level 4 adventurers — were members of the second group.
Shirou knew them well.
After all, they were the backbone of the Loki Familia, and he interacted with them regularly.
However, the most important person in Team 2 wasn't any of them, but rather a human girl named Riine Arshe.
She was only Level 2, but she was one of the rare few in the Loki Familia who possessed healing magic.
If she wasn't important, then who was?
After all, the number of elixirs in an expedition was limited, while a healer could keep everyone alive as long as she had enough mind.
How could they compare?
"Mr. Emiya, please take care of me," Riine greeted timidly. Standing next to Shirou, who had already become the secret crush of so many girls in the Familia, Riine felt a wave of pressure.
Seeing her nervousness, Shirou assumed she was worried about the dangers of the expedition.
He patted her shoulder and gently reassured her: "Don't worry, Riine. I'll keep you safe."
Watching Shirou comfort her, Riine felt a twinge of melancholy.
Although she was only Level 2, thanks to her healing magic she had already joined the Loki Familia on countless expeditions.
"Emiya-san, you're a rookie, aren't you?"
As a veteran, being comforted by a novice felt strange.
"Yes, I suppose you came from the same school as Lefiya, didn't you?"
Looking at Shirou's gentle expression, Riine hesitated, not knowing what to say.
Finally, she nodded reluctantly and whispered: "Yes."
The others listening in couldn't hold back their laughter at the scene.
---
On the 13th floor of the dungeon,
Shirou, having rejoined the main group heading for the middle floors, once again experienced the power of teamwork.
The middle floors, once swarming with monsters, now felt as peaceful as a spring outing.
The team, aside from Riine, were all Level 3 or higher, crushing every monster in their path.
Walking near the middle, Shirou, stationed in the rear, only loosed arrows at monsters, providing covering fire.
Most of them were Level 4 or 3, so facing Level 2 monsters was effortless.
"I see, so this is how group battles are fought? It feels completely different from squad formations."
Every attack was carried out in perfect sync.
Soon, the second group led by Gareth reached the 18th floor and merged with the first.
Looking up at the light emitted by the sky's crystals, Shirou couldn't help but sigh.
They were clearly in the dungeon, yet on the 18th floor, sunlight was replaced by glowing crystals on the ceiling.
Moreover, these crystals dimmed at night, making it feel like the real world.
"Haha, you're only scratching the surface, lad! The dungeon has far more to offer!"
Hearing Shirou's sigh, Gareth patted his shoulder with a smile.
Shirou flushed slightly.
He was the only newcomer in this expedition, which meant everyone else here was more experienced than him.
He stayed quiet, using the opportunity to carefully observe the 18th floor. On his previous solo visit, he hadn't had time to examine it properly.
Now that he had the chance, he had to take a closer look.
Lush forests and a variety of crystals filled the air — this was Shirou Emiya's first impression of the 18th floor.
It truly was another fantastical world.
After a brief rest and preparations, the Loki Familia was ready to move out.
According to the plan, the goal for the first day was to reach the 24th floor, rest at the entrance of the 25th, and then continue their advance the next day.
From there, they would keep pressing forward, descending five to six floors daily, until reaching the safe 50th floor.
"Loki Familia, onward!"
After regrouping, Shirou moved to the center of the formation, joining the mages to provide rear-guard magical attacks.
After all, Shirou's Broken Phantasm was a powerful magical strike.
Though he still didn't know how much damage it could inflict on Level 5 monsters.
In addition to his rear support, he could also act as a central guard, protecting the mages around him.
His combat abilities were formidable.
As the group advanced, the Loki Familia quickly reached the 19th floor, where everything — from the ceiling to the walls and the surrounding ground — was made of trees.
According to guild records, the 19th to 24th floors were known as the Great Tree Labyrinth.
The passages deeper into the dungeon teemed with all kinds of plants, while lush moss radiated a soft blue-green glow, making the place feel especially mysterious.
Only then did Shirou truly grasp the grandeur and wonder of this dungeon.
A wide variety of plants and grasses grew there, turning the Great Tree Labyrinth into a natural treasure trove.
Many ingredients used in commercially available elixirs were harvested from this area.
The monsters here, too, were formidable.
Creatures such as: Mad Beetles, Mammoth Fools, Firebirds, Lizardmen, and Battle Boars—
As well as troublesome beings like Black Fungus and Green Dragons.
Thus, adventurers had to be extremely cautious, wary of the many monsters' attacks.
But that only applied to ordinary adventurers.
"Bete, Tiona — these monsters are yours!"
"Hmph, I couldn't wait any longer!"
Bete grumbled as he immediately rushed forward, and Tiona — who normally clashed with him — followed right behind.
And so the battle began.
---
(End of this chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."