After smoothly regrouping with the Familia, Liang Yue decisively began their dungeon exploration—this time without relying on his Selfless Sword Qi.
The reason was simple.
If the Apollo Familia caught wind of such an overwhelming combat ability, then faced with that absolute gap in strength, they would simply refuse a War Game. All his careful preparations would go to waste.
There was another reason as well. He wanted to train his own ability values. Using Selfless Sword Qi to mow down monsters was nothing more than numerical suppression. It certainly boosted experience gain, but within the DanMachi system, ability growth would stagnate in comparison.
It was like giving an average adventurer the sharpest, first-class weapon. They could cruise through battles with ease—but if the weapon were lost, their power would plummet.
Liang Yue's thinking was straightforward: the stronger his foundation, the more power the Sword Soul Template could draw out. Polishing every aspect of his swordsmanship was also preparation for the upcoming War Game.
"This dungeon dive," Liang Yue declared, "we'll settle everything with the sword. As many battles as possible, as much training as possible—forge the path of your swordsmanship."
He wasn't only speaking to Mikoto. He was reminding himself as well. With that, Liang Yue took the lead. On the upper floors, unless they encountered a rare monster, there was little value in fighting.
As for sweeping away monsters, that task naturally fell to Mikoto, who had only just transferred into the Familia.
Her swordsmanship, trained under Takemikazuchi, was elegant and smooth, though heavily defensive—no doubt a result of her previous Familia's environment.
Liang Yue didn't give much instruction. He had no intention of "teaching" swordsmanship—after all, his own skill came largely from the Sword Soul template. What he could do was point out her shortcomings.
"You lack offensive edge," he had told her bluntly before the expedition. "You can't always fight while worrying about protecting your allies."
As a former supporter, Mikoto was used to holding back in expeditions. But now, with Liang Yue in front—a warrior who could stand against monsters alone—she had no more reason to hesitate.
Watching him fight was all the motivation she needed. This time, she would go all out.
Her style had already begun to shift slightly. Following Lili's guidance, she cut down enemies while keeping herself safe. By the time they reached the 10th floor, a mist trap had covered the area.
Mikoto hesitated. She glanced back at Liang Yue and Lili, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. With his strength, he would surely press forward—but she wasn't him.
"Should we keep going?" she asked.
"Of course," Liang Yue replied without hesitation. "But let me set an example first."
On the 10th floor, Liang Yue stayed sharp. Even when not fighting, his gaze swept the surroundings, wary of Apollo Familia pursuers. But after so long without incident, the greater concern was Mikoto's stamina.
A perfect chance for training.
Drawing the mithril dagger Hephaestus had gifted him, he led the group toward the mist-shrouded area. Before stepping in, he turned and spoke seriously.
"There's something I need your help with."
Mikoto blinked at the sudden formality. "We're Familia. Don't say it like that—just tell me what you need."
"If we run into a Monster Feast," he said, "I want you to use your magic. Pin down as many monsters as you can."
"That's no problem..." she agreed, but her brows furrowed in puzzlement. With Liang Yue's strength, there was no need for such measures. Was he worried about safety?
She asked directly, "Is it because your weapon feels lacking? Don't worry—Lili's safety, I'll take responsibility for it."
Liang Yue shook his head. "No."
He paused, noticing her curious gaze, then finally explained.
"Normal dungeon training feels too slow. But if I fight under stronger pressure—say, inside a heavy-gravity environment—the results should be much better."
"...What?"
The corners of Mikoto's lips twitched, her expression freezing. Did he just say that?
Training inside a Monster Feast was already dangerous, something even Level 2 adventurers rarely attempted. But to add gravity magic on top of that...
Her eyes widened. "Do you even hear yourself? That's not training—that's insanity!"
Yet the results proved him right.
In the crushing weight of the gravity field, Liang Yue's battle against the surging monsters pushed his body to the limit. Every swing of his weapon demanded multiple times the effort.
The cost was immense stamina drain.
But the benefits were undeniable—strength, agility, endurance, even dexterity, all surged upward at once.
By the time the Monster Feast ended, Liang Yue could feel the difference in his body.
"If I keep this up for four or five more days..." he mused, "I should be able to max out all my ability values."
With the Sword Soul Template already in play, he had no intention of holding back his advantage.
He looked toward Mikoto, whose face was pale from excessive mana use. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Once we clear this floor, let's take a proper rest."
Mikoto, though exhausted, clenched her teeth. "I can still keep going a little longer..."
But Liang Yue didn't answer.
Instead, his ears picked up a faint snap—the sound of a twig breaking underfoot.
His gaze sharpened, shifting toward the misty darkness.
"It seems," he said quietly, brows furrowing, "we have other matters to deal with first."
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