Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for just $7 to get early access to all upcoming chapters!
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations
─────
Chapter 27: Departure
The day of the expedition had finally arrived.
"Hey. You made it."
Tsuna arrived at Babel to find the members of the Loki Familia and their allied escorts already gathered. As Finn noticed his approach, all eyes turned toward him.
"S-Sorry. Did I keep you waiting...?"
"Don't worry about it. We still have time before departure. If anything, I just arrived a bit too early," Finn replied, completely unbothered by the fact that Tsuna was the last to arrive. "I'm expecting great things from you. Show us what you can do."
"P-Please don't put that much pressure on me..."
"Hahaha. My apologies. I didn't mean to make you nervous," Finn chuckled, realizing his attempt at encouragement had backfired.
"Is this the guy you suddenly added to the roster?"
A woman stepped forward. She had dark skin, long black hair, and an eye patch over her left eye. This was Tsubaki Collbrande. She was a Level 5 adventurer, the Captain of the Hephaestus Familia—Orario's premier forging faction—and the sole bearer of the title High Smith. Despite being a half-dwarf, she stood tall, having inherited more of her human bloodline's physical traits.
"Yes. This is Sawada Tsunayoshi. The one I mentioned yesterday," Finn introduced.
"I see. The name's Tsubaki Collbrande. Captain of the Hephaestus Familia."
"Eh? There are other Familias coming too?" Tsuna blinked in surprise, having assumed it was strictly a Loki Familia operation.
"This is a massive expedition," Finn explained. "During our last dive, we encountered a monster that secretes a weapon-melting acid. To counter it, we requested the Hephaestus Familia to accompany us. If we're aiming for the 59th Floor, we'll need an endless supply of weapons, and proper maintenance is beyond our Familia's expertise."
"You can do weapon maintenance inside the Dungeon? I'd think you'd be too busy fighting off monsters."
"There are areas known as Safety Points where monsters don't naturally spawn. They aren't perfectly safe, but they afford us enough time to rest and repair our gear."
"Wow. I didn't know places like that existed down there."
"I heard from Finn that you're fresh off the boat, but are you really sure about taking a rookie this deep?" Tsubaki asked, her single eye narrowing in concern.
"It won't be an issue. His strength is more than sufficient for the deep floors. As long as you adhere to the condition we agreed upon—no prying into his background—he'll be fine."
"Well, if you say so. I'm looking forward to working with you, Tsuna-kichi."
"T-Tsuna-kichi!?"
"Ah, sorry. We've got a guy in our Familia who's just as secretive as you. I call him Wel-kichi, so it just slipped out. Do you mind?"
"I don't mind, but... no one's ever called me that before, so it startled me..."
"Is that so? Then Tsuna-kichi it is. Let's have a good run."
Recognizing her eccentric but friendly nature, Tsuna shook her hand.
Fifteen minutes later, the time had come.
"All forces! The expedition begins now!!"
Finn stood at the forefront of the formation, his voice ringing out clear and true. The moment he spoke, the entire army of adventurers snapped to attention, their expressions hardening with resolve.
"As we descend, the unit will be split into two groups! Riveria and I will command the Vanguard! Gareth will take the Rearguard! We will merge at the 18th Floor, and from there, push straight to the 50th! Our ultimate destination is the unexplored territory—the 59th Floor!"
The surrounding area was packed with citizens and other adventurers, all watching in awe as the Loki Familia prepared to conquer the abyss.
"We have no need for false glory built on sacrifice!! I want every single one of you to swear upon the light of the surface!! Swear that you will return alive!!"
"..."
Hearing those words, Tsuna thought of Bell and Hestia waiting for his return. And somewhere, far beyond this world, his true family was waiting for him too.
"Expeditionary Force!! Move out!!"
.....
The descent began smoothly. Tsuna was assigned to the Vanguard's First Unit alongside Finn, Riveria, Ais, Bete, Tiona, Tione, and several elite second-class adventurers like Raul. The Second Unit, led by Gareth, primarily consisted of mages like Lefiya.
They were currently marching through the 7th Floor.
"Hey, hey."
"What is it?"
"I've been wondering for a while now, but your head is literally on fire! Doesn't it hurt?"
"You moron, Tiona!! The Captain strictly forbade us from prying into his secrets!!" Tione shrieked, panicking as her sister casually broke Finn's primary condition.
Tsuna, currently in Hyper Dying Will Mode, calmly glanced at the Amazoness. "I don't entirely understand how it works myself. All I know is that this flame doesn't harm me."
Judging that answering wouldn't compromise his identity, Tsuna offered a half-truth to brush off the question.
"Hmm. What about those things on your ears?"
"These are... to protect my ears. Losing my hearing mid-battle would be a fatal disadvantage."
Tsuna easily lied about the headphones. He couldn't exactly explain that they were specialized targeting gear built by a mafia mechanic, especially since this world didn't even have the technology for portable music.
"Indeed, protecting one's hearing is crucial," Riveria noted approvingly.
"And unlike a heavy helm, they don't compromise your agility. A highly rational choice," Finn added.
Wow, they really bought it... Tsuna was slightly taken aback by how quickly the top executives praised his makeshift excuse.
"Tch. For someone so damn strong, you're a cautious bastard," Bete scoffed.
"..."
"What? You got a problem with me?" Bete growled, irritated by Tsuna's unblinking stare.
"Nah. I was just a little surprised because you remind me of a guy I used to know."
Looking at Bete, Tsuna couldn't help but remember Byakuran—the white hair and the cheek tattoos were strikingly similar. Their personalities were complete opposites, but the visual parallel was undeniable.
"Someone looks like Bete? Who!?" Tiona leaned in, practically vibrating with curiosity.
"Just their hair color and the tattoo on their cheek. They aren't the same race, and their faces are different," Tsuna clarified. "He's a guy who always smiles. He seems laid-back and optimistic... at least on the surface."
"Is he strong?" Ais asked quietly, sensing the subtle weight in Tsuna's tone.
"Yeah. His strength is the real deal. He's incredibly reassuring as an ally, but absolutely terrifying as an enemy. He's one of the few people I'd rather never have to fight again."
"""""!?"""""
The Loki Familia executives were stunned. For Tsuna—a boy whose sheer power defied logic—to admit he dreaded fighting someone sent a chill down their spines.
Even against Ais and myself, he held back effortlessly. For him to fear someone else's strength... just who on earth are you? Finn thought, his curiosity deepening.
As they continued their march, the Vanguard eventually reached the 9th Floor.
"That's...!?"
Tsuna's eyes widened in shock. Stumbling toward them from the darkness was Lili, completely covered in blood. Her legs gave out, and she began to collapse forward.
"Lili!!"
Moving in a blur, Tsuna caught her before she hit the ground. Ais and the others immediately rushed to his side.
"Lili! Are you okay!?"
"M-Master Tsunayoshi...!? Why are you...?"
Lili weakly cracked her eyes open, utterly bewildered to see him. Because they were heading to the 59th Floor, Bell had kept Tsuna's involvement a secret from her.
"Never mind that!! What happened to you!? Who did this!?"
"A Minotaur... it appeared out of nowhere... Master Bell acted as a decoy so I could escape... At this rate, Master Bell is going to be killed..."
"!?"
Tsuna and Ais froze.
"Master Tsunayoshi... please... please save Master Bell!!"
Tears streamed down Lili's dirt-streaked face. Gritting her teeth, her small hands grabbed Tsuna's shirt with a desperate, white-knuckled grip. Tsuna understood instantly. She was furious with herself. She hated that she was too weak to fight, that she had to run, and that all she could do was beg for help.
"You did well to tell me. Leave the rest to me."
─────
Support this fanfict by leaving Positive Review, Comments, and Power Stones.
For Advance Chapters:
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations