Chapter 390

Chapter 395: Like Thieves in the Night (Please Subscribe!)

Under the cover of dim hues, a small expedition team navigated through the dungeon where only monster roars echo, finally reaching the Sighing Wall on the seventeenth floor.

“Is this…a trace left by magic?”

As soon as she stepped into the hall of the Sighing Wall, an intellectual girl with silver-framed glasses, her lithe figure hidden under a white cape, stopped in her tracks. A look of astonishment gradually crept onto her face.

“Magic? Asfi, do you mean someone used magic to alter the environment of this space?”

Hearing her words, a goddess cloaked in black robes asked from beside her.

“Hmm, that’s right.”

“This kind of exaggerated thing…it’s just too absurd, isn’t it!?”

“To you all, it might seem so, but in reality, powerful magicians can indeed accomplish this. And these traces of magic, I know of one person who could leave them.”

Facing the adventurer dressed in Far Eastern attire who let out a shout, Asfi calmly narrated without any ripples in her tone.

“Ize Alward, the first-class adventurer of Loki Familia, this is his magical signature.”

Following her words, the elf walking at the front of the group spoke with certainty.

Ryu was still wearing her usual combat suit of emerald-green coat, blouse, and boots, her shorts resembling gymnastic wear, slightly hugging her tender thighs. It looked strangely alluring, subtly visible under the coat.

On ordinary days, aside from Ize occasionally visiting The Bountiful Mistress tavern for free meals, and Ryu going to the eighteenth floor every month to mourn her fallen comrades, she would temporarily team up with Ize.

This had been their routine for nearly two years.

Though arriving at the eighteenth floor was effortless for both of them, they didn’t need to use magic.

But over time, Ryu became extremely familiar with Ize’s abilities.

Not to mention his Earth Magic, which was unmatched throughout Orario, with his dark golden rock constructs being particularly distinctive.

“Half a month ago, Loki Familia set out for an expedition. Calculating the time, it’s about when they should return. It’s not strange that Young Master Ize would appear here…”

A Hermes cloaked in black robes stroked his chin, suddenly considering a possibility.

And he wasn’t the only one who came up with this idea.

“Judging from the surrounding traces, the battle must have just ended. Ize might have just left. If Miss Beier intends to head to the safe floor on the eighteenth level, they wouldn’t be able to avoid Floor Lord Goliath. Thus…”

“It’s highly likely that Bell Cranel and the others were saved by Ize?”

After carefully observing the battle traces with Ryu, Asfi arrived at the same conclusion.

“What are we waiting for!? Let’s go now; we might still catch up with them!”

Worried about the safety of her child, the young goddess with black hair immediately prepared to step into the passage leading to the eighteenth floor.

“Hey, don’t rush, Hestia. Since we’re already here, it’s almost certain Bell is safe. There’s no harm in taking a little break～”

Hermes indicated that Bell was definitely below and couldn’t possibly escape. Hestia, why are you in such a hurry? You ran all the way down from the surface; aren’t you tired?

Even though they were all human bodies after sealing their divine powers, Hestia seemed to have boundless energy, whereas Hermes, who followed her, felt like he was about to collapse.

“Loki Familia…”

Noticing the young goddess running ahead, Ryu hesitated while standing in place.

She was wondering whether she should temporarily leave the group once they reached the eighteenth floor.

Most likely, the next destination of the group would be the temporary campsite of Loki Familia, meaning if she stayed with the group, she’d end up at Loki Familia’s base.

However, her identity wasn’t convenient to expose to the higher-ups of Loki Familia, since there was still a bounty issued by the Guild hanging over her head.

Both coming from the dark times, the “Hero” faction would undoubtedly recognize “Gale.”

So, should she continue following along?

At this moment, Asfi, who was guarding the rear of the group beside Ryu, slowly approached, looking at her curiously.

“Ryu, what’s keeping you? Are you coming with us?”

“…Hmm, okay.”

…

At the edge of the great forest on the southern end of the floor.

Ize led Bell and the other three for about ten minutes through the great forest until they finally arrived at the temporary campsite of Loki Familia.

It was deep into the night, and the campsite was eerily quiet.

Apart from the illumination of magic stones and the patrolling members on night duty, everything was tranquil.

As they approached this area, Bell and the others couldn’t help but slow their breathing, afraid of disturbing others’ rest due to their arrival.

Earlier, Ize casually healed their wounds with magic.

Only then did Bell understand what Ize meant by “treatment takes no time.”

It was merely the flick of a hand releasing magic; within two breaths, all her injuries were completely healed. Weirfu and Lily were the same.

It really didn’t take any time at all—amazing!

“Feels kinda like we’re sneaking around, huh… Am I imagining things?”

Weirfu whispered as he crossed the fence into the campsite.

“Coincidentally, Master Weirfu, Lily also has the same feeling…”

“Uh, actually, me too…”

His comment resonated with Lily and Bell, especially when they climbed over the fence.

“Don’t overthink it. Just climbing a fence, don’t randomly come up with such strange insights, alright? The camp is surrounded by fences everywhere.”

Ize glanced at the three of them disapprovingly.

To prevent monsters from sneaking in from below, the campsite would be entirely fenced off at night, with patrolling members on watch.

Ize wanted to bring them in through the main entrance, but the problem was that the entrance was closed too!

Just ignore those details.

“Who’s there!?”

The moment they finished their conversation, a voice filled with caution rang out.

Ize hadn’t lowered his voice when speaking earlier, so he was immediately noticed.

“Don’t worry, Anqi, it’s me.”

Just by hearing the voice, Ize knew who had spotted them.

From around the corner of a nearby tent, the black-haired cat-eared girl emerged from the shadows holding a magic stone lantern.

“Ize? What are you doing wandering around at night?”

Upon seeing him, Anqi’s cautious tone immediately dissolved into resentment.

Honestly, the cat-eared girl thought someone had infiltrated the camp just now, given how the voice sounded like people conversing.