The Loki Familia's heightened security naturally found nothing, as the Shadowkhan had no blood or tears and left no evidence when dispersed, making them very energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Takatsuki, on the other hand, was received as an ally. Four people sat on opposite sides of a long table, Finn and Takatsuki conversing face-to-face, while Riveria and Gareth, both LV6s, sat beside them.
Takatsuki's two "supporters" did not take seats and remained silent behind Takatsuki.
"So, you came all the way here, conquering the floors alone with two supporters, to find materials for your Familia companion named Fu Hua."
Finn licked his right thumb, speaking with a hint of disbelief.
"Indeed. I didn't expect to meet you here. I'm just passing through. If possible, I hope to rest on the 50th Floor for a night and continue exploring the lower levels tomorrow."
Takatsuki said casually, then took out a list, glanced at it, and showed it to the three, saying, "According to Miach's list, the last materials I need to collect are from the Fifty-eighth Floor, dropped by dragon-type monsters there."
The three exchanged glances. Riveria coughed lightly and said, "Excuse me, if I may be so bold, I would like to ask again, what is your current level, Mr. Takatsuki?"
"LV1."
Takatsuki put away the list and shrugged: "I know you're surprised, but I can only say that in this world, there's more than just the Falna to grow stronger. It's just that the Falna is the most profound method of growing stronger. In ancient times, even without the Falna, countless heroes were born, weren't they?"
"Mr. Takatsuki is right. However, our two gods have a good relationship. Since we are fellow adventurers who met, I would like to invite Mr. Takatsuki to join our party. Naturally, we will pay for Mr. Takatsuki's services, and you can also prioritize selecting materials collected along the way as compensation. What do you think?"
Finn did not dwell on that point and instead extended an invitation to Takatsuki.
This move, surprisingly, silenced Takatsuki, who had originally wanted to quickly disassociate himself. However, after some thought, he realized.
"This is indeed a good method."
"If he were to conquer the Dungeon alone, he would inevitably need to release the Shadowkhan to scout ahead. If the Loki Familia were on the same floor, they would surely notice the Shadowkhan, and then they would suspect him."
"In that case, it would be better to use the Loki Familia's strength to explore the subsequent floors. After all, his goal is to collect materials, and the method doesn't matter at all."
"Since Captain Finn has extended such a warm invitation, it would be wrong of me to refuse. I accept. My demands are not many; I only need the materials on the list."
"Then it's settled. However, our the Loki Familia will never treat our allies unfairly; we will pay the remuneration as usual."
A large and a small hand clasped together. The spokespeople for the two Familia adventurers thus held a negotiation on either side of a small table on the 50th floor. Although Finn, a Pallum, looked like a child, in reality, his age was already twice Takatsuki's, and he was far more cunning than Takatsuki.
Takatsuki also roughly understood this. However, instead of being secretly suspected and discovered more, it was better to openly expose some things that could not be hidden.
Just as the several people, each with their own thoughts, finished their discussion, a signal suddenly came, accompanied by a scream.
"It's an enemy attack!"
The few people instantly looked in the direction of the scream and rushed over quickly.
When they arrived, they already saw a large group of monsters resembling giant green caterpillars crawling out of the passage from the fifty-first floor. The leading few worms suddenly raised their heads towards the sky.
"Not good! Everyone, pay attention to defense!"
Seeing this attacking posture, Finn immediately made a judgment.
Then he heard his ally, Takatsuki, with whom he had just signed an agreement, say, "Since we've agreed to cooperate, let me show you what I can do this time."
As he spoke, the monsters that had raised their heads had already sprayed purple liquid towards the sky, like ordinary water guns. It was not hard to see that if not stopped, it would fall like raindrops into the Loki Familia's camp.
Although he didn't know what these liquids were for, he imagined they wouldn't be good.
Just then, a huge explosion sounded beneath Takatsuki's feet, and everyone saw Takatsuki already in mid-air, with a scorched crater where he had been standing.
Takatsuki, suspended in mid-air, was about to be showered by the purple liquid when he suddenly raised his leg.
"Rankyaku: White Ray!"
A huge, visible vacuum slash erupted from Takatsuki's kick. As the vacuum slash swept through the air, the flow of air was also altered, and the liquid that would have fallen in a parabola into the Loki Familia's camp was instantly swept back towards the monsters.
Although these purple liquids had no effect on the monsters, when they landed on the ground, the immediate corrosive pits caused everyone's expressions to change.
"Everyone! Be careful of the monsters' bodily fluids! Do not touch them with your weapons!"
Finn's battlefield experience was very rich, and he immediately made the correct decision. The others had just responded when Takatsuki had already landed back on the ground.
"Then let's burn them all."
Riveria also stepped forward at this moment. Before she could say anything more, Takatsuki spoke.
"Don't worry, leave the rest to me."
It took him a few seconds to switch back to the Fire Demon character card.
Watching the worms begin to crawl out of the cave and up the side of the mountain wall, Takatsuki raised his right fist.
Although the use of Fire Demon Tao did not require any words or forms, Takatsuki still put on a show.
"Burn to ashes!"
A massive torrent of flames surged towards the passage.
This time, Takatsuki unleashed the full range of his Fire Demon Tao. Although he still limited its power to prevent it from melting the cave and destroying the passage below, even so, it left the people of the Loki Familia behind speechless.
"The power… it's no less than Riveria's Flare Burn is it?"
Gareth, who had been carrying two shields, now put them down and spoke, looking at the heatwave that made everyone sweat. Even now, the flames had not stopped, as if they were going to completely purify this passage.
"Hmm, no wonder he could reach the fiftieth floor alone with two supporters. That martial arts just now, and the high-power magic with short incantations, might even be at LV7 level. Thankfully, he's not our enemy."
Meanwhile, the several LV5s nearby naturally recognized Takatsuki.
"Captain, Captain, isn't this the companion of that young man who defeated Bete a few days ago?"
"Hey! You damn Amazon! What are you talking about?!"
Tiona's seemingly innocent words deeply wounded Bete's heart. Although he had been beaten by someone he looked down on that day, partly due to his underestimation and being drunk, looking at this person's current performance, he might not even be an opponent if he got serious.
But even so, he still said stubbornly, "That guy named Fu Hua, if I hadn't underestimated him, I definitely wouldn't have lost! When I go back, I'll find him for another fight."
"Then you'll be disappointed. Fu Hua's injuries should be healed by the time we get back. Her strength is much greater than mine."
While they were talking, Takatsuki had already "disinfected" the passage from beginning to end with flames. Not only the monsters, but even their corrosive bodily fluids were completely burned away.
Seeing Bete's surprised expression, Finn confirmed Takatsuki's words.
"Indeed, Mr. Takatsuki came to the deep floors this time to collect materials for making medicine for his companion. And we just reached an agreement; Mr. Takatsuki will join us as an ally for the subsequent exploration."