In the space between the 60th and 61st floors, time had slipped by without notice. Several hours passed in a blur as Leon, after thoroughly testing the limits of the Leviathan, finally dealt the finishing blow with brutal precision.
"It's over." Alise murmured, relaxing her posture as she observed the conclusion.
Others followed suit, stretching and loosening their shoulders. Though the battle had been intense, watching for so long had become monotonous.
Leon, after storing away the massive magic stone from Leviathan, reappeared before the group, stepping out from the fading mist of battle.
"Need a break?" Finn asked with a smile.
"No need." Leon replied calmly, his tone light but resolute. "You all had enough rest while watching me fight. Let's push forward to the 61st floor."
Finn chuckled and glanced at the rest of the group. No objections. Everyone was ready.
With Ais reopening a portal using her space ability, the party departed, leaving behind the now-silent chamber where Leviathan had once slumbered.
The monsters on the 61st floor were similar in strength and type to those on the 60th floor, offering little surprise. As soon as they stepped foot into the new floor, they were greeted by fierce resistance.
A prolonged battle ensued, dragging on for more than six hours. Eventually, the team advanced to the 62nd floor. Then the 63rd. The 64th. The 65th. Floor after floor, time slipped away and fatigue built up.
By the time they breached the 65th floor, even Finn's stamina had been stretched thin.
"Let's call it here." Finn said softly, eyes sweeping across the weary expressions of his companions.
Though Leon remained unfazed, the others were undeniably exhausted, despite Leon's Gate of Heaven frequently restoring their stamina and injuries. Two full days of high-intensity combat had taken its toll.
Moreover, their equipment was beginning to show wear, and they would have to retrieve the floor key to proceed. It was time to turn back.
No one argued with the decision.
Unlike their dangerous descent, the return journey was swift and effortless. Leon cast his flying magic once more, enveloping the party in a sphere of gentle force and lifting them through the dungeon's vast chambers.
In just two hours, they soared from the 65th to the 50th floor.
"Everyone's back!"
A familiar voice sounded as they emerged from the tunnel connecting the 50th and 51st floors. Raul, who had been on standby for days, leapt up with joy.
Immediately, the stationed adventurers surged toward the edge of the cliff platform, abandoning their work and rushing to greet their returning comrades.
"We're back." Finn announced with a tired but genuine smile.
"Ohhhhhh!" Cheers exploded like wildfire.
"To celebrate everyone's safe return, let's throw a party!" Raul bellowed, unable to contain his excitement.
"Party! Let's have a banquet!" The others roared in unison.
Leon and the others were swarmed by excited voices and welcoming hands as they made their way back to the 26th camp. With practiced efficiency, the members split up to prepare for the celebration. Before long, a lively banquet was underway.
As the night deepened, Leon sat quietly within his tent. Encased in dark magic to muffle his presence.
Another update.
With steady hands, he channeled his energy and began renewing his status. As expected, all of his stats had maxed out at SSS1999.
Without hesitation, he chose to level up, selecting "Divine Healing" as his new development ability.
Leon stared at the words etched upon the paper and muttered softly, "When I return to the surface, I'll test this power on Hephaestus."
"If it works, I'll heal her face. If not…" He trailed off.
A rare flicker of uncertainty appeared in his eyes, but he quickly banished it. He closed his eyes and began to internalize the vast changes that came with his update.
No surprises, his strength had reached the realm of Level 9. Even without activating any special modes, he now stood at the threshold of the strongest adventurers.
He tested Tenseigan Mode again. As expected, it no longer increased his base strength. The same applied to Hyper Dying Will Mode.
However, the techniques and finishing moves derived from those modes, especially after kindling the Dying Will Flame, had grown overwhelmingly powerful.
It was hard to gauge how much stronger, but the amplification compared to his Level 6 state was massive. By his estimation, he now stood on par with a fully-maxed Level 9 adventurer, perhaps even stronger in certain aspects.
Without another word, he lit the paper and watched as it burned away into soft golden embers. Then he lied down, eyes fixed on the tent ceiling, letting the silence take him.
The expedition, at least for now, had come to an end.
The next morning, everyone began packing up the camp, preparing for the return to the surface. This time, unlike the rapid flight from deeper floors, they took the long way, on foot.
The battle-hardened elites had received their training, but those who had stayed behind needed their chance.
Leon didn't mind dragging the return trip out a few extra days.
Standing once more at the edge of the battlefield, Gate of Heaven shimmering above him, he watched as the supporting adventurers fought with everything they had.
Yet even as he observed their efforts, his thoughts drifted toward the surface.
"It's been nearly half a month." He muttered under his breath. "Lili and the others, they should have leveled up by now."
"Belle should come with us next time." Leon's words were casual, but firm.
The others nodded in agreement. The expedition had been a resounding success, so much so that everyone agreed the next one should include their newer companions.
It took five days for them to return. And when they finally stepped foot on the ground again, the sensation of solid earth beneath their feet felt strangely surreal.
"…We're back." Someone muttered, and everyone stilled for a moment, letting the reality settle in.
Inside the Tower of Babel, Finn turned to the group with a gentle nod. "Let's head home."
With that, he led the way, and the rest followed without question.
Naturally, the moment Leon and the others exited the Tower of Babel, they drew attention.
A crowd of adventurers had already gathered nearby, many of whom turned to look, murmurs breaking out across the square. The sight of Orario's strongest returning from another deep-floor conquest stirred awe and curiosity in equal measure.
The gazes didn't bother them anymore. Whether it was Loki Familia, Astraea Familia, or Leon himself, they had long since grown used to being the center of attention.
Still, Leon's focus drifted to a familiar silhouette standing quietly not far from the plaza.
"Finn, go on ahead." Leon said, his tone light but unmistakably intentional.
Finn followed Leon's line of sight and immediately understood. He offered a knowing smile and a nod. "See you later."
Leon broke away from the group and made his way toward the person waiting for him.
"Hey. Long time no see, Eina." His voice was warm, a genuine smile tugging at his lips.
"Mm. Long time no see, Leon," Eina replied, returning the smile softly.
'In the blink of an eye, he's become an adventurer who stands on his own.' Eina thought. 'I can't help him anymore…'
Eina's heart carried a quiet pang. As an adventurer consultant, her job was to guide, to assist those climbing the ladder of strength. She had been Leon's consultant once, but how many times had she truly helped him?
Very few.
Too few.
If anything, Leon had grown on his own, surpassed expectations, and walked ahead before she could catch up. The distance between them now seemed like a gulf. It was painful.
If she could, she would've wished to always be of use to him, to be someone he could rely on because only then would this fragile bond remain intact.
But maybe… she was just being selfish.