The 24th Floor was the bottom-most level of the "Middle Floors." The standard for clearing it was Level 2 adventurers with stats from C to S.
For Roy and Ryuu, it wasn't a huge risk. But for Daphne and Cassandra, it was a death trap. If the rookies got injured, Roy and Ryuu would be burdened. If a "Monster Party" occurred, they could easily be overwhelmed.
Roy had every reason to suspect Royman. As a leader, Royman focused on the "big picture" and profit, often ignoring morality. To prevent the chaos and risk that would come if the information about the Juggernaut were leaked, he wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice a few adventurers.
Faced with Roy's accusation, Royman maintained his arrogant stance. "I don't know what you're talking about. The expedition is non-negotiable!"
As Royman turned to leave, Roy noticed his body stiffen for a split second when the Juggernaut was mentioned.
"If we die," Roy said calmly, "the information about the Juggernaut will spread across Orario by the very next day."
Royman stopped, his hand on the doorknob. He turned back, the contempt for adventurers gone from his face. As the man who ruled the Guild—with only the god Ouranos above him—he viewed adventurers as fools who traded their lives for money while he sat in an air-conditioned office.
But in this moment, he realized he had miscalculated. He looked Roy over, reassessing the youth.
Roy let out a cold laugh. "Chairman Royman, don't underestimate my resolve."
Sensing the genuine killing intent in Roy's voice, Royman's pupils shrank.
Even a commoner, when pushed, will stain the floor with blood!
As the ruler of the Guild, once Royman walked out of that room, he had a thousand ways to make Roy's life a living hell. But as long as he remained inside, he was nothing more than a weakling who could be instantly killed by the youth before him.
This boy was crazier than he had imagined.
After staring at Roy for a long time, Royman finally seemed to see the true nature of the person in front of him. "You're different from Alise Lovell. You are a qualified leader."
Roy maintained a thin smile. They were both old foxes playing a dangerous game; there was no need for pretenses.
"Considering the potential fallout, I can grant you an extension of one week at most..." Royman began.
Roy interrupted him immediately. "One month."
"What would the other Familias think? Two weeks—"
"One month."
"You... WIN!" Royman hissed through gritted teeth, his predatory gaze fixed on Roy's handsome face.
The door to the meeting room opened. All the tension and hostility vanished instantly, replaced by an atmosphere of apparent harmony. Roy shook Royman's hand firmly. "Chairman Royman, thank you for your generous support."
"Don't mention it. The Guild's primary mission is to support adventurers in their exploration of the Dungeon," Royman replied with a plastic smile. He didn't want to exchange another word; he turned and left immediately.
Roy called out behind him, "Take care, Chairman Royman!"
As Royman reached the stairwell, his legs buckled, and he nearly tumbled down. Clutching his aching stomach, he hurried away with a speed that looked suspiciously like a frantic escape. Remer, watching from the sidelines, felt his heart skip a beat. He saw the muscles in Royman's face twitching. If even the "Pig of the Guild" couldn't handle Roy, was there anyone in the world who could tame this little demon?
Having successfully secured a month of time, Roy was in a great mood. "Remer, want to go out for a drink?"
"No, no, no! I have a mountain of work to finish!" Remer shook his head violently, fleeing in the opposite direction. He wouldn't get involved with Roy again if his life depended on it.
"What a pity," Roy mused. He had actually wanted to thank the man for his earlier help.
Roy left the Guild headquarters and strolled leisurely through the streets, greeting adventurers and shop owners he knew. In terms of popularity, he was beginning to rival Hermes. After all, business was about making as many friends as possible and keeping enemies to a minimum. Of course, once someone was confirmed as an enemy, they had to be dealt with decisively and uprooted completely.
"Buying apples?"
Roy stood before an apple stall, debating whether to pick some up, when suddenly, a heavy, suffocating pressure washed over him. He stiffened and turned around.
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Starting with an Elf (232 Chapters, Ongoing)
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At the end of the street stood a figure as massive as a great bear—a brown-haired Boaz, 210 centimeters tall, rippling with muscle. He wore a red breastplate and carried a massive black greatsword on his back. The moment this giant appeared, every eye on the street was drawn to him.
"The Warlord," Ottar.
The Captain of the Freya Familia, Level 7, and the undisputed strongest adventurer in Orario!
Ottar walked toward Babel, his footsteps heavy as falling boulders. Pedestrians scrambled to clear a path, fearing they would be crushed under his sheer presence.
"None can block the true will of the Goddess!"
As Ottar brushed past Roy, his low, heavy voice vibrated in Roy's ear like the strike of a war hammer. Roy's lips curled into a manic grin. Perfect. This time, I wasn't the one looking for trouble.
Back at the Starry Court.
"It's done!" Roy tossed the document, bearing the Guild's official seal and a one-month extension, to Ryuu.
Ryuu took it, her eyes widening in amazement. How did he convince Royman? Even Alise had gone to the Guild many times to argue over various issues and was nearly driven to madness by that stubborn fat man.
With a month's time, they could accomplish a lot: train the newcomers, raise funds, and purchase supplies for the expedition. But most importantly, they could enter the "Dungeons."
He needed to grind Daphne and Cassandra's stats and push himself to Level 3. Roy's Level 2 status allowed him two teammate slots. He manually adjusted the panel, temporarily "kicking" Ryuu out to add Daphne and Cassandra.
Meanwhile, at the Tower of Babel.
Freya stood like a queen ruling over the world, gazing at the night view of Orario, though she had long grown bored of it. Ottar's bear-like shadow appeared behind her. "Lady Freya, the Astraea Familia's expedition has been delayed by one month."
Freya pursed her lips. "How annoying. I wanted to see that child's light bloom sooner. Is that ready?"
"It has been hidden in the cages prepared by the Ganesha Familia for the Monster Festival. It will be sent back to the 24th Floor afterward."
"Very good."