At this point, Asta had completely cast aside the defensive role of her shield. Both hands gripped her battle axe tightly as she swung it with full force, cleaving through the approaching monsters like butter. Each powerful strike of the axe summoned a gust of wind, as if even the air itself recognized the sheer strength behind her blows.

Meanwhile, Neze and Iska chose a much more direct and savage method of combat—barehanded brawling.

Relying solely on their formidable physical prowess and expert hand-to-hand techniques, they pummeled the monsters mercilessly. The beasts didn't even get the chance to counterattack before being crushed by iron fists.

Lyra wasn't to be left behind. With her sword gleaming in the dim light, she danced between enemies like a phantom. Every flash of her blade was followed by a shriek, a fall, and a monster laid low.

Even Ryana, who typically specialized in long-range magical bombardments, changed tactics. She swiftly holstered her staff and unsheathed a one-handed sword from her waist. Using parallel chanting, she seamlessly weaved spells while diving into the thick of battle, her blade and magic working in flawless harmony.

In a surprisingly endearing twist, Maryuu clung to Akira's arm with a pout, pleading with puppy-dog eyes, "Akira~ leave a few for me too! I need them to boost my stats."

In contrast, poor Celty looked utterly helpless. She clutched her staff like a lifeline, staring at the chaotic battlefield with watery eyes.

"Akira, what should I do? I feel completely useless. Wuuwuwu..."

There was despair in her voice as she tugged on the corner of Akira's robe. With the entire battlefield locked in melee combat, casting large-scale magic was too risky.

Sighing, Akira rummaged through his backpack and offered her a spear.

"Try dual wielding your staff and this spear. You can practice parallel chanting while engaging in close range."

The confused expression on Celty's face instantly gave way to determination. Nodding vigorously, she accepted the spear, took a deep breath, and adapted her grip—staff in her left, spear in her right.

With a battle cry, Celty charged.

Akira blinked. "Wait, are you serious?!"

She was. Lightning erupted from her staff, striking down enemies while her spear accurately pierced their skulls. She moved like a seasoned warrior, relentless and fierce.

"..."

Still, Akira knew better than to let the momentum make them careless. He shifted into Swift Master mode, manipulating storm currents to deflect potential lethal attacks.

But even that had its limits. The battle raged until they reached the 33rd floor—the furthest point previously reached by Astraea Familia.

By then, the girls were battered and exhausted. Their elegant features were masked with bruises and dirt.

Akira led them to a secluded corner and raised his arms. Ice blossomed from the ground, forming a crystalline shelter that enveloped them. He followed up with a cloaking spell. Thick black mist spilled from his palm and veiled their haven, ensuring privacy and safety.

Crossing his arms, Akira scolded, "Training's over. If we keep pushing like this, we'll never reach the 34th floor."

His gaze locked onto Alise, Ryuu, and Kaguya. "And you three—our captains—should not be risking yourselves recklessly."

"Ahaha. I get it." Alise scratched her head, laughing sheepishly.

Ryuu turned slightly, her cheeks pink. "I'm sorry. I'll reflect."

"Hmph." Kaguya huffed, ready to retort, "Don't worry, we know ou—"

Before she could finish, Akira teleported right in front of her. He grasped her cheeks and touched his forehead to hers, their eyes meeting.

"I understand now." He said softly.

Kaguya's pride melted into flustered panic. Seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, she sighed and mumbled, "...Okay. I understand."

"That's more like it." Akira grinned and patted her head.

Turning to the rest, he said, "Let's take a break. No safe zone ahead. We'll need our strength."

Responses echoed through the group.

"Okay."

"Understood!"

"Haha, Akira really sounds like a team leader now."

"Even Kaguya couldn't argue."

Lyra, swinging her legs on a rock, smirked, "At this rate, Alise should give up her position to Akira."

Laughter erupted.

"That's mean, Lyra!" Alise pouted and jumped behind Akira, hugging him from behind. "Right, Akira? You wouldn't want that, right?"

"Of course not." Akira chuckled. "Alise is our irreplaceable captain."

Still, as she clung to him, he found himself hoisting her up slightly by the waist. Despite his exasperation, his expression was full of affection.

After everyone took their panaceas, Maryuu used her healing magic. In moments, wounds closed and bruises faded, leaving behind flawless skin.

Raising his fist, Akira declared, "Expedition team! Move out!"

"Ohhhhhh!"

Energized and united, the girls answered back, their spirits once again reignited by trust and camaraderie.

The 35th floor.

This floor, a nightmarish carnival of monsters, pulsed with a suffocating atmosphere of dread and brutality.

Just before Astraea Familia's expedition team reached the threshold of the 36th floor, a battle erupted without warning—a chaotic and deadly clash that would test the mettle of even the bravest adventurers.

A tide of more than twenty monsters surged toward them, a twisted parade of horrors surrounding them in every direction.

The first to appear were the Black Rhinoceros Minotaurs—towering, hulking beasts resembling obsidian hills brought to life, their massive forms exuding raw power.

Each one wielded an enormous trident with terrifying ease, their wild swings generating powerful gusts like underwater cyclones—as if they hailed from the fabled Water City, living nightmares in the form of Mermaid Guards.

Following them came a sweeping swarm of floating fish, each creature radiating a numbing cold. They rolled in like a pitch-black tide, and the moment they passed, the temperature dropped precipitously. These predators were ice incarnate—once surrounded, a person would be frozen solid, turned into a fragile statue incapable of resistance.

Most troublesome of all, however, were the gargoyles. These winged monstrosities, sculpted from dense obsidian, soared through the air with eerie grace. Their bodies were a nightmare for magic-users. Due to the nature of their material, spells barely scratched them. For mages, they were the worst kind of opponent—a living wall that ignored magic altogether.

There was no doubt why this deadly assortment had gathered. All were drawn to the 37th floor—the Arena.

There, they would engage in a brutal contest of evolution, consuming monsters and their magic stones to grow stronger, faster, and deadlier.

Amidst the chaos, Ryuu led the enemy astray. Darting through the battlefield like a wisp of wind, she pulled aggro with calculated movements—taunting, dodging, and striking in unison. Her voice rose in a steady chant, and her magic took shape.

"Luminous Wind"

From the heavens, radiant bolts descended like stardust, crashing down with divine fury. A dozen light bombs slammed into the vanguard of monsters, their bodies shattering under the sheer force of the impact, torn apart in a ballet of carnage.

Scarlet flames burst forth next, wrapping around the petite frame of Alise. She was engulfed in fire, her every step blazing with righteous fury. Her sword, alight with brilliant hue, cut down anything it touched. Monsters howled in agony as her flaming blade carved through them, burning some to ash, severing others with ease.

Her battle cry rang out, clear and resolute.

"No passing through here! I won't let any of you hurt my companions!"

Beside her, Kaguya moved with deadly grace. Her demeanor wasn't flashy, but her skills were honed and lethal. She wielded her katana like an extension of herself, its every swing a promise of death. With every draw, a crimson bloom of blood erupted, deadly and poetic—the embodiment of a red spider lily blooming at hell's gate.

"Eyes forward! Don't get distracted!" She said sharply, cutting down another foe.

Behind the vanguard stood Asta, their sturdy dwarf defender. Her massive shield gleamed as she pushed forward, unwavering, drawing the monsters' attention. Her taunts rang out, pulling the beasts to her like iron to a magnet.