"Actually, we've already been on an expedition once before. Last time, we reached the 18th Floor."
Along the way, Takatsuki and Finn walked at the back, watching the several LV5 members actively killing monsters at the front. Finn said: "However, that time we suffered a bit because we didn't understand the mechanisms of the deep floors. We originally planned to explore with a larger group this time, but the previous situation made me feel that something might have happened in the deep floors, so this exploration needs to be extra careful."
"Suffered?"
"Mm, you'll know when we reach the 52nd Floor. After the 52nd Floor, you absolutely cannot stop, because you'll be targeted by snipers."
After that, Finn didn't explain anything further but went to the front lines to direct the people ahead in conquering the Dungeon.
Riveria, however, followed by Takatsuki's side and said: "The dragon-type monsters on the 58th Floor, their surprise attacks can strike across floors, and they seem to have some method of locking onto us, with the range extending to the 52nd Floor."
"I see. So the final materials I need are those dropped by those dragon-type monsters, right?"
Riveria nodded: "They are called Valgang Dragons. However, we don't know much about the 58th Floor. Last time we came, we were hit and fell down. Although we killed some monsters and returned, all our supplies were burned, so we could only turn back."
"Is this okay for me to say? What about Finn's side?"
Finn was unwilling to speak earlier, he must have had his own thoughts, and then Riveria exposed this part of the information, leaving Takatsuki speechless.
To say that Riveria is a bigmouth, that's definitely false.
"It wasn't a big deal to begin with. Last night, because of Ais's willfulness, I troubled you."
Takatsuki nodded. It seemed Riveria already knew about last night's events.
Looking at Ais, who had already begun using Shave to move on the battlefield, it seemed she had barely mastered it yesterday. Now, she just needed to increase her proficiency to become more skilled.
The speed of conquering with the Loki Familia was much faster and easier than Takatsuki doing it alone, but it didn't provide much training.
Because the Loki Familia had already explored the Dungeon once, they were very familiar with the paths in the deep levels. Unlike Takatsuki, who still needed to send out the Shadowkhan to scout and die, they directly chose the quickest path to reach the next level.
And the monsters along the way were quickly dealt with by several energetic LV5s.
Standing at the entrance to the 52nd Floor, Finn turned back again and said to Takatsuki and the others, "When we reach the next level, we'll have to start running. Don't get entangled with the monsters on the way."
After the instructions were given, everyone entered the 52nd Floor together.
"Bete! Lead the way!"
Following Finn's voice, the ferocious wolf Bete immediately rushed out, and the others quickly followed.
However, perhaps to accommodate the others, Bete's leading speed was not fast, even Raul, an LV4, could keep up.
Because of Riveria's earlier explanation, Takatsuki maintained the state of Koby's character card, keeping his Observation Haki fully open and constantly observing his surroundings.
Soon, he felt a scorching fluctuation entering his perception range from below.
No way, they can detect us from so far away? Even further than Observation Haki!?
Clearly, the opponent's attack, whether in sensing range or distance, was beyond normal. Takatsuki could only attribute it to the special mechanism of the Dungeon.
"Bete! Turn!"
Soon after Takatsuki sensed the attack entering range, Finn suddenly spoke.
"Tch!"
Bete paused his steps and immediately jumped to the side, changing direction and running out.
The moment he jumped away, orange-red light suddenly erupted from the ground of his original path, and a pillar of fire burned through the ground, engulfing it.
The pillar of fire dissipated, leaving only a large pit four meters in diameter.
"I see, the monsters below must be judging positions based on the movement of people above, and they will also predict the direction and position of movement in advance to snipe. That's why Bete, with the highest mobility, runs ahead to attract firepower, covering the large group behind."
The monster's prediction for sniping seemed like an instinct, seemingly without much intelligence, otherwise, they would definitely be attacking them, not Bete.
"You're right, but this isn't a solution either. We need to get through these levels as quickly as possible and reach the 58th Floor."
Riveria, standing nearby, affirmed Takatsuki's statement.
After the first snipe, subsequent snipes became more frequent. The group, led by Bete, constantly changed direction.
Although their perception range was not as far as Takatsuki's, they could still sense the attack just before it arrived and avoid it with their excellent reaction abilities.
"Raul! Be careful!"
Just as Takatsuki was focusing on the front, a sudden cry of alarm came from behind.
A spider-like monster on a nearby wall suddenly spewed white silk towards Raul, the supporter running at the back.
Lefiya instinctively pushed Raul away, and she herself got stuck by the silk.
"Ah!"
As the monster reeled in its web, Lefiya was pulled upwards.
"Be careful! Many monsters are coming!"
Just then, Finn suddenly spoke. Takatsuki also noticed monsters continuously breaking out of the surrounding walls and ground, and the feedback from his Observation Haki indicated that many more monsters were constantly arriving from afar.
"It's a Monster Feast! Many other monsters are surging towards us from afar!"
While speaking, Takatsuki did not stop his feet, sending out a Wind Blade to cut the spider web that had stuck Lefiya.
For deep-level monsters, ordinary Tempest Kick alone was difficult to cause damage. If he wanted to rely on Vacuum Slash for damage, it would have to be a large-scale destructive move like Tempest Kick: Around the World.
But there were too many people around, using Around the World would inevitably harm the innocent.
Lefiya screamed as she fell from the air, landing in a warm embrace.
Ais…
Unfortunately, Lefiya's dream scenario did not occur. It wasn't Ais, who always saved her, who caught her in time, but Takatsuki, who had just cut the spider silk.
At this moment, Ais and the others were already entangled by the surging monsters and temporarily couldn't rush over to support.
"Lefiya! Don't just Stand there! Use your magic!"
While Lefiya was still nervous about being in an unfamiliar male's arms, Riveria's scolding voice had already reached them, and Takatsuki also took the opportunity to put her down.
"Be careful yourself. The deep-level Monster Feast is very troublesome, and also, watch your step."
After putting Lefiya down, Takatsuki didn't delay any further. He used Shave to disappear from the rear and arrived at the front of the battlefield.
Black Haki enveloped his fist, and he slammed it onto the head of a charging rhinoceros monster.
"Finger Pistol: Fist!"
It wasn't a single-finger piercing, but using the entire fist to expand the attack range and impact force. Although it lacked the penetrating ability, after being covered with Supreme King Haki, one punch shattered the monster's brain.
"Everyone, don't prolong the fight! Break through to the south!"
Finn also issued the breakthrough order from the rear…