Thanks to Ningguang's presence, and with Welf, a professional blacksmith, assisting, mold-making and all the forging work on Aether's side was progressing very smoothly.
After all, Ningguang, the Authority Star, is Liyue's top business strategist. With her personally overseeing production and quality control, there was no worry about the final product's standard.
In short, the surface world's forging work was firmly on track.
As for Lumine…
Aether had misunderstood something earlier.
You have to remember: due to some unusual events, the expedition that had lasted only a week had just ended yesterday.
And the floor boss of the 17th floor, Goliath, had already been defeated by Loki's peerage members on the first day of their expedition.
So, under normal circumstances, Goliath wouldn't respawn for nearly three weeks.
This means when Lumine passed by the Big Wall of Grief, there was absolutely no way she would encounter Goliath.
Unless some deity, who's neither foolish nor kind, snuck into the dungeon to release a divine power… then the fight would no longer be against a mere Level 4 potential ordinary floor boss, but the enhanced Level 5 Black Goliath.
Speaking of which, the armor made from materials dropped by that latter version is among the very rare gear capable of withstanding the destructive claws of the Destroyer Zagnath.
In the original timeline of this world, if not for a certain red-eyed rabbit boy killing Black Goliath first and obtaining the Goliath's Guard armor, he would have been shredded by Zagnath just after leveling up to Lv.4.
After all, years ago the Asteria Peerage was almost wiped out by another Zagnath, and they had nine Level 4 adventurers at the time, including the swift Liu Lian.
Among them, the team leader Alise Roffel, titled Crimson Vanguard, was about to reach Lv.5 and already capable of challenging foes beyond her level.
You can only sigh: "No matter what special powers one has, none beats a priority-level aggro aura."
Thinking this, Lumine, who had been alone in the dungeon for several hours, had already reached the 20th floor.
Today, she planned to explore as far as the 22nd floor, then finally aim for the 24th floor, carefully searching those three levels for the Bloody Hive.
This time…
"Personal expedition… uh, since I didn't report to the Guild beforehand, strictly speaking, this doesn't count as an expedition."
Lumine's face showed an eager expression.
"Anyway, with no team to worry about, I can finally enjoy some pure slaughter fun."
"Maybe tonight I can even boost Ningguang and Barbara's Genshin levels to Lv.20."
Thinking of this, the scatterbrained little sister accidentally revealed her trademark crazed grin.
At the same time…
"I finally understand why Ishtar-sama thought that if the Star Twins kept growing, it would spell endless trouble."
Far behind Lumine, Tammuz, who had repeatedly decided to increase his tracking distance, sighed heavily.
His tone was low and grave.
The distance between him and Lumine was so far now that without his magic to lock onto her position, he would have surely lost her.
In this cautious state, the two tracked one after the other all the way down.
One could say, passing through the upper layers, some things were still unclear.
But as the floor number rose, the danger level in their surroundings grew…
"Is this little girl really just Level 2?"
Next to Tammuz, the Level 3 high-stat Aisha couldn't help but question:
"Her physical ability is nearly catching up to mine."
"Fake level report?"
Hearing this, Tammuz lowered his voice:
"If she really is faking, that's terrifying."
"How long has it been since the Star Twins hit Lv.2?"
"No, I think not leveling up is even scarier."
Aisha frowned deeply:
"Imagine someone already having Lv.3 level physique at Lv.2, what happens next…"
Tammuz fell silent.
In truth, what they discussed was only the basic combat strength.
What truly unsettled Tammuz was that girl's madness.
Madness.
Not long ago, when facing a Minotaur on the 17th floor, her reckless attacking style looked to others like sheer suicide.
Several times, the Minotaur's axe swung so close it nearly grazed Lumine's nose.
If Lumine possessed exceptional dodging skills, such moves would be somewhat understandable.
But those watching from behind clearly saw that golden-haired, golden-eyed girl in a white dress was simply baiting the Minotaur.
Tammuz had accomplished great feats before, but no matter what, he wouldn't dare to be that reckless.
That girl… no, that madwoman, was basically dancing on a razor's edge.
"Even now, which normal adventurer would rush down like her?"
Tammuz wondered aloud,
"Doesn't she fear death?"
Only family knows family matters. Lumine: Sorry, I really don't fear death.
Come to think of it, so far, since Aether was expending huge amounts of magic maintaining Ningguang's long summoning, Lumine hadn't summoned any Genshin beings herself yet.
But…
"Once I find the Bloody Hive, I'll wait until nightfall and finally have my unmatched thrill."
With that thought, Lumine quickened her pace, even faster than before.
More than half an hour passed again…
For the same reason: moving alone meant no team would slow her down.
Also, between dungeon floors, there were always a few vertical gaps…
Lumine had already arrived at the 22nd floor.
Now, she wasn't rushing to the 23rd floor yet.
Because this floor might already have the Bloody Hive.
So…
"Better to clean the whole area first."
Lumine, or rather, Aether's main body bound to the Genshin System, had mapping capabilities.
Running through here, she would likely find some secret spots even the Guild didn't know about.
Or…
"If I'm lucky, maybe I'll even run into an Outsider."
She thought so.
"But before that…"
Lumine suddenly stopped, her golden eyes narrowing.
A dangerous glint flickered in her gaze.
"Those two tails behind me… it's time to deal with them."
"You agree, don't you… Paimon?
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