As for whether Takumi was lying to him?
Douglas didn't think Takumi would lie about such a thing.
Let's not talk about the current situation. Being watched by people on the 18th floor, any lie would definitely be discovered later.
There was no need for Takumi to lie to him about something that could easily be exposed.
After all, they would know soon enough if the people from the Loki Familia were coming. More importantly, Douglas had already seen the green figure appearing in the distance.
With his Level 4 eyesight, he could naturally tell that it was the number one magician in Orario with the title of Nine Hell, Riveria!
"Just like that, we are going back to the surface. I'll treat you to a drink when I get the chance. Goodbye."
Seeing this, Douglas didn't want to waste any more time. He hurriedly exchanged polite words with Takumi, then turned back to his team and started to lead them toward the exit.
He planned to give up the resources here so that he could at least prevent further loss. There was no need to take risks.
The other members of the Ganesha Familia looked confused, but they still obeyed the order, quickly gathered their things, and left.
After they left, Riveria and her companions approached Takumi and his group.
The reason they were moving relatively slowly was mainly that they were held back by Lefiya.
This elf is only Level 3, and her physique and endurance may not even be as strong as Kanao.
"Well? Why did Ganesha's people leave?"
Tiona looked at the crowd disappearing at the entrance of the passage and couldn't help but be a little confused.
Didn't it mean that Ganesha's people had been waiting for the respawn since yesterday?
Why are they retreating now when the boss is about to appear?
Riveria didn't speak; she just looked at Takumi with a smile.
Takumi shrugged: "I told them that you were here too and that I wanted to take the kill, so they left."
"Oh, that is so cowardly."
When Tiona heard this, she couldn't help but curl her lips, expressing disdain for Ganesha's perceived cowardice.
However, Riveria looked at Takumi deeply with a faint look in her eyes.
"He is indeed not a simple character, being able to subdue others without fighting."
Soon, both sides fell into an awkward silence.
After all, the two parties were not very familiar with each other, and being in a dungeon, there wasn't much to discuss.
In the end, it was the carefree Tiona who took the lead in breaking the silence.
"By the way, looking at your clothes, could it be that you are from the Far East?"
Tiona asked the three Kocho sisters curiously.
Kanae was not used to Tiona's familiarity, but she still answered:
"No, our ancestral home is the Far East, but we live in another place."
Thanks to Haruhime joining them, she had some understanding of the Far East in this world.
Although the basic style was similar to Japan, it was fundamentally different.
"I see. I thought you were from the Far East."
Tiona scratched her head and did not continue to ask. She just thought that Kanae and the others were a branch of the Far East nation.
This situation is actually quite common in this world.
Except for the Amazons and Elves, who don't have much contact with the outside world, most ethnic groups have branches spread around the world.
The small humans and dwarves are the main examples; they can be found almost everywhere.
"So what's the difference between your place and the Far East? I'm quite curious."
"Everything else is no different, mainly because there is no divine protection there, so it is threatened by evil, man-eating monsters."
Due to Takumi's previous instructions, rather than saying nothing and making people suspicious, it was better to reveal a mixture of truth and fiction.
So Kanae did not avoid answering but presented the situation using concepts familiar to this world.
For example, Demons are described as evil monsters, and their Demon Slayer Corps is a tribe born specifically to eliminate them.
She explained that they met Takumi by coincidence in a dangerous situation and then decided to travel with him to gain experience.
"So, what about you, little brother? Where are you from?"
Tiona nodded and then stared at Takumi again.
"Me? I am..."
Takumi was about to answer, but at this moment, there was a sudden "click" sound.
"Coming!" Riveria reminded everyone.
Everyone immediately looked at the crystal wall above the entrance of the passage.
They saw that a crack had appeared in the crystal wall, and a pair of huge red eyes lit up from inside.
"Kanae, please take Shinobu and Kanao and step aside first."
"Yes!"
"Lefiya, you should go too. You won't be able to participate in the next step."
"Okay."
Boom!
After the four non-combatants left, a big hand stretched out from the crystal wall.
Then came a huge head.
"Roar!!!"
Goliath let out a long roar, and the terrifying sound waves shook the entire maze.
But Takumi and the others remained very calm.
Takumi even took out a coin and smiled at Riveria: "Heads or tails?"
Riveria glanced at him, nodded in agreement, and said to Ais: "You choose, Ais."
Ais withdrew her gaze from Goliath and looked at Takumi, tilting her head in confusion.
Takumi found the gesture so cute he was momentarily distracted, but seeing her innocent eyes, he cleared his throat. "Ahem, choose a side. The one who guesses correctly goes first."
Ais nodded to show her understanding, looked at the coin seriously, hesitated, and said: "Heads."
Clink!
Takumi flipped the coin. The four of them ignored the Goliath that had discovered them and stared at the coin as it bounced and fell to the ground.
It was heads!
With a swish, Ais had already rushed out.
This result made Takumi feel a little depressed.
"Could she have a Luck development ability?"
"No, it's just that you, Takumi, are just unlucky."
Tiona ruthlessly dismissed his excuses.
"Puff!"
Seeing this, Riveria also smiled unkindly.
Takumi looked over faintly, and Riveria quickly suppressed her smile, looking seriously at the battle ahead.
She reminded Tiona: "Tiona, stop chatting and concentrate on supporting Ais."
"Mhm."
Tiona also looked over seriously and gripped her weapon.
As long as she saw Ais in danger, she would be able to rescue her immediately.
Seeing this, Takumi no longer wanted to chat and watched Ais instead.
He was ready to see exactly how strong Ais was now.
On the battlefield, facing a Goliath more than ten times her size, Ais rushed forward like a sharp arrow.
"Roar!!!"
Goliath seemed angered by the previous neglect.
It roared, swung its huge black sword, and aimed for Ais's head.
Unlike its bulky appearance, Goliath was very fast. In the blink of an eye, the black sword was less than half a meter away from her.