Finn's decision to end the expedition was unsurprising.

Despite ample potions and food, weapons and armor couldn't withstand further wear.

The enhanced Virga's corrosive venom had decimated their gear, slashing combat effectiveness.

Starting from the 51st floor, danger escalated sharply.

Losing equipment was deadly for adventurers, especially with stronger, more numerous monsters.

Breaking through for exploration was nearly impossible under these conditions.

Moreover, Roy and Lefiya reported the 59th floor's environment—a dense jungle, not the guild's recorded glacier domain.

With these anomalies piling up, Finn prioritized safety, abandoning the expedition.

Roy saw no fault in Finn's call—it was for the Familia's sake.

He felt fortunate; the Valgang Dragon's floor breach had let him reach the 58th floor, completing his random task.

Otherwise, Finn's decision would've complicated things.

Roy's replicated Hephaestus forging skills could craft weapons, but without a proper forge or materials, it was impractical.

Creating gear with durandal attributes required high-grade materials and time—unfeasible for supporting the Loki Familia deeper.

Returning to the surface was the better choice.

Roy had memorized the route to the 50th floor, enabling solo returns later.

After a night's rest, the group packed and began the return journey the next morning.

"Waaah!" Tiona wailed, gasping with grief.

Her weapon, Urga was destroyed.

It costed 180m valis.

For a first-class adventurer, that was no small sum.

Without windfalls, earning it back meant a year in the dungeon.

Not everyone matched Roy's earning speed.

On floors before the 45th, he could disengage easily, ignoring risks, making valis faster.

"Tiona, after the expedition, let's dungeon-dive to earn valis together," Ais reassured.

Desperate, though intact, had dulled from Virga's venom and needed costly maintenance.

Tiona nodded, then looked at Roy pitifully. "Roy, you coming?"

"If I've got time," Roy nodded.

"Finn's too cautious. We worked so hard to reach the 50th floor—could've gone deeper," Bete grumbled, dissatisfied.

"Bete, questioning the captain?" Tione glared.

"So what?" Bete shot back, unyielding.

"Enough," Riveria interjected.

"Finn explained: without gear, deeper floors are too risky. We'll order durandal weapons and try the 59th later."

"We didn't gain nothing. We learned the 59th floors mutated. Next expedition, we'll be prepared," she added.

"Thanks to Roy," Tiona chimed excitedly.

"Really owe you, Roy," Finn's deep voice rang out.

"I'm not satisfied either. We prepared so much, yet fell short."

"But we'll return with vengeance, recouping our losses with interest," Finn rallied, lifting the Loki Familia's spirits despite their battered gear.

The return took longer than the descent due to most first-class adventurer's ruined equipment.

On the 28th floor, they rejoined stationed Loki Familia members.

"Line, Bete's gay!" the cat girl who'd questioned Roy rushed to Line, spilling the gossip.

"Alicia, don't joke—that's not funny," Line forced a smile. "Bete likes Miss Ais. How could he be gay?"

Bete's affection for Ais was obvious within the Familia.

"I'm serious. Ask Gareth—they all know," Alicia said confidently.

"No way," another girl, an elf, added mysteriously.

"Bete's faking his crush on Ais to hide he's gay."

"Think about it—besides saying he likes Ais, has he ever pursued her?" Alicia pressed.

"Exactly! It's a cover for his secret," the elf girl said, detective-like.

"No way—someone as proud as Bete wouldn't," Line's face paled.

"That pride hides his secret," another girl joined, fueling the Bete gossip.

On the return, heavy tasks kept Level 2 adventurers too busy for rumors.

Now, nearing the surface, these gossip-hungry girls couldn't resist.

A/N: Thanks for the support, this arc finally ended. We'll have some smut chapters for our waifus, and please lemme know who you think would be suitable for the smut.

- Lefiya

- Ais

- Tiona

- Others

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