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Chapter 31: 18th Floor (Under Resort)
Meanwhile, Tsuna and Finn had arrived at Babel.
"I see. So that is what happened..."
Bell and Lili were currently fast asleep in the beds of Babel's medical facility. Sitting by their side were Tsuna, Finn, and Hestia, who had bolted out of her part-time job the moment she received word from Tsuna. With a grave expression, the Goddess listened as they recounted the harrowing events that had unfolded in the Dungeon.
"I am truly sorry. It is because I invited him on this expedition. Had he been with you, this would not have happened," Finn said, bowing his head in apology.
"You are not to blame," Hestia replied, shaking her head. She didn't offer a single word of reproach. "Besides, Bell knew perfectly well that Tsunayoshi wouldn't be with him today."
"U-Ugh...?"
A soft groan broke the silence as Lili slowly opened her eyes. Seeing that she was awake, Tsuna immediately stepped up to her bedside.
"W-Where am I...?"
"We're in the medical facility at Babel," Tsuna answered softly.
"Medical facility...? Gasp! Where is Master Bell!?"
Though still hazy from sleep, the memories of the Dungeon rushed back in a violent flood. Lili shot up from the mattress, panic stretching across her small face.
"Bell's fine. He's sleeping right next to you."
Lili frantically followed Tsuna's gaze. Seeing Bell breathing steadily in the adjacent bed, the tension drained from her body, and she let out a long, shuddering breath of relief.
"I'm sorry. Even though this happened, I couldn't be there with you," Tsuna said.
"No... Bell had told her beforehand that Tsuna wouldn't be able to dive with them for a while..." Lili trailed off, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But... why were you in the Dungeon, Master Tsunayoshi?"
"A-Ah, well..."
Lili had assumed he was busy on the surface due to some prior engagement. Yet, Tsuna had appeared in the deep floors, traveling with another adventurer. She couldn't wrap her head around it, and Tsuna hesitated, unsure if he should reveal his involvement with the Loki Familia's deep-floor expedition.
"Allow me to explain."
"Y-You're...!? Lord Finn!?"
Lili's eyes widened in sheer disbelief as the Captain of the Loki Familia stepped forward. There wasn't a soul in Orario who didn't recognize the legendary Prum standing before her.
"The truth is, starting today, we requested his assistance with our Familia's expedition," Finn explained smoothly.
"Expedition...!? Master Tsunayoshi is traveling with the Loki Familia!?"
"Yes. As his supporter, I'm sure you're aware, but his strength is utterly incomprehensible for a rookie adventurer. That is why I personally requested his cooperation. To reach the 59th Floor."
"The 59th Floor!?"
Lili let out a cry of surprise. She knew Tsuna's power defied all logic, but the idea of a boy who had only been an adventurer for a week diving into the unexplored abyss was staggering.
"Both he and Goddess Hestia granted us permission. That is why he was with us today instead of you."
"A-Are you truly going down there, Master Tsunayoshi!?"
"I-I suppose..."
"..."
Lili was left completely speechless, her jaw hanging wide open. Her mind bluescreened at the sheer absurdity of it all. Diving to the 59th Floor merely a week after becoming an adventurer was simply unheard of.
"And that brings us back to my apology. What happened to you today was partially my responsibility. I am truly sorry," Finn said.
"No... Master Bell told me you couldn't come, and we chose to enter the Dungeon anyway," Lili replied, quickly waving her hands. She couldn't possibly blame Finn. "Besides... a rookie adventurer diving into the deep floors isn't exactly something you can announce to the public..."
"You have my gratitude. Now, we really must be going. We've kept the rest of the Vanguard waiting on the 18th Floor."
"Thank you, [Braver]. Leave the rest to me," Hestia said warmly.
"I'll be back soon," Tsuna added.
"Yeah. Tsunayoshi. [Braver]. Make sure you both come back alive."
"I will."
"You have my word."
Leaving Hestia to watch over their sleeping friends, Tsuna and Finn exited Babel and plunged back into the abyss.
As a brief digression, neither of them realized it yet, but while Tsuna was away on the expedition, Bell would soon achieve a Great Deed, shattering the historical record to become the fastest adventurer to ever Rank Up in the history of Orario.
.....
Re-entering the labyrinth, Tsuna and Finn dashed toward the 18th Floor like a flash of lightning. Though Tsuna had never personally progressed past the 10th Floor, he effortlessly obliterated any monster that dared block their path.
"The 18th Floor is just ahead."
In less than ten minutes, they arrived at a room just before the 18th Floor. Unlike the standard cave structures, a colossal, bone-white wall loomed at the end of the passage. They walked past it at a brisk pace.
"The 18th Floor is a Safety Point—a place where monsters do not naturally spawn. But before we enter, a word of caution. Did you see that massive white wall back there?" Finn asked.
"Did something happen with that?"
"That wall is where the Monster Rex—the Floor Boss—is born. Riveria and the Vanguard already slew it on their way down, so the room is empty right now. But it respawns every two weeks. Keep that in mind."
When a monster was killed in the Dungeon, it would eventually regenerate as long as enough time passed. It was the reason adventurers would never run out of prey or lose their livelihoods. Stepping through the exit of the 17th Floor, the world suddenly opened up into a breathtaking, cavernous expanse illuminated by glowing crystals and lush, vibrant nature.
"Amazing... I can't believe this is still inside the Dungeon..."
After the savage atmosphere of the upper floors, the sheer tranquility of the subterranean paradise left Tsuna in awe.
"You can deactivate your state now. Maintaining that form puts a considerable strain on your body, doesn't it?" Finn suggested.
"You sure?"
"I need to brief the Vanguard on our strategy moving forward anyway. Take this chance to rest your body."
"Got it."
At Finn's word, Tsuna let the dying will flame on his forehead extinguish, dropping out of Hyper Dying Will Mode. The two of them walked leisurely through the crystalline forest.
"Not only do monsters not spawn here, but there's also an entire settlement known as the Town of Rivira," Finn explained.
"A town? Inside the Dungeon?"
"Yes. It was built entirely by adventurers. Rivira has inns, equipment shops, and an exchange counter for drop items."
"Being able to buy gear mid-dive must be a lifesaver."
"It is, but... the merchants there charge rip-off prices, and the drop item exchange rate is less than half of the Guild's on the surface. It's highway robbery."
"Eh... is that even allowed?"
"The Guild's authority doesn't reach this deep. They can't monitor or govern it. But despite the corruption, it remains a vital lifeline for adventurers. Losing Rivira would be a devastating blow to all of us."
"I guess you can't put a price on your life..." Tsuna muttered, understanding that even if it was a scam, having a safe haven in the abyss was a necessity.
"I'd like to stop by, but we don't have the time right now. We need to push forward. We'll drop in on our way back."
"Understood."
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