Feeling relieved that Frieren had finally joined the Loki Familia, I focused on the dungeon.
"The 25th floor is very different from the previous ones, so be careful. You're strong enough to explore this place, but even so, it's best to stay cautious."
The clones gathered behind me, and I moved forward.
First, I had to pass through the "Second Line."
But that turned out to be easy.
As soon as we entered the 25th floor, I held my breath for a moment.
"Seeing it in person is so much more beautiful..." There was water everywhere—small waterfalls scattered throughout.
Beyond the smaller falls, I could see the beginning of the large waterfall that extended all the way to the 27th floor.
"What an incredible place," Natsu said.
"Yeah, it's amazing. I've never seen anything like this before," Ken added.
"It's beautiful, but dangerous. Be careful not to fall into the water. If you do, you'll definitely die. I don't want you to lose all the levels you've gained."
"Don't worry, we'll be fine."
The clones split into groups and began spreading out across the 25th floor.
Rock Lee's group stayed with me, but I asked them to go ahead. "Don't worry. Go on without me. I want to take a better look around."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, don't worry."
Hearing my response, Rock Lee's group disappeared instantly.
I walked closer to the water, where the sound became almost unbearable. I activated gravity magic, and my body began to float. I hovered out over the waterfall and looked down.
"This view is otherworldly."
Thankfully, there were no monsters nearby.
"There are multiple paths over there... and there too." All of them were uneven, wet, and slippery. Fortunately, it seemed impossible to fall all the way down even if you slipped.
I returned to where I had been before and deactivated the gravity magic.
Drawing my sword, I decided to move forward.
I activated notifications and immediately started receiving alerts of EXP gains. The clones had already begun killing monsters on this floor.
'If I remember correctly, there are some pretty interesting monsters starting from this floor.'
I was looking forward to encountering some of them.
The monster that intrigued me the most was one called the Carbuncle. It wasn't dangerous, but it was rare, and the item it dropped was quite valuable.
"But should I even care about money right now?"
I smiled bitterly.
I was more interested in facing one than getting the money.
####
POV: Frieren
I had finally joined the Loki Familia, just like Master asked, but now what? I was given a room in the Loki Familia's home, right next to Tiona's. Master told me to gather information—but how was I supposed to do that?
Should I ask the other Familia members questions?
I remembered hearing about Riveria, the vice-captain of the Loki Familia. She's an elf, like me, though I imagine she's a very different kind of elf. 'I feel like meeting her.'
I got out of bed and was about to leave my room when someone knocked on the door.
"Frieren? It's me."
"Tiona? Come in."
"Excuse me," she said as she entered and quickly approached me. "Hey, want to go grab something to eat with us?"
"Hm? Again?"
"Again? It's already dinner time!"
"Ah, right... I didn't even notice."
"You've been in your room all day. Were you doing something?"
The only thing I'd been doing was thinking about what Master asked me to do. I still wasn't sure how to go about it.
"Ah, no. I was just sleeping."
"Got it. Are you going to take a bath?"
"I don't..." I don't even bathe—I don't sweat, and I can't even take my clothes off. Only Master can do that. What should I say to her?
"I'm not dirty, so it's fine."
Tiona leaned in and sniffed me.
"You smell great as always. What perfume do you use?"
"Perfume?"
"You don't use any?"
"No, I don't."
"What? Then it must be your soap. Here, come on, hold my hand."
"Why?"
"Because I want to hold hands with you."
"..."
This girl is just as strange as always.
Does she really like me that much? Could it be romantic?
"No, definitely not. Women only fall in love with men, right?"
Tiona definitely sees me as nothing more than an older sister.
####
POV: Third Person
While Frieren was "having fun," search parties had already been formed and were actively looking for Zane's clones—not only them but also his original body.
The search wasn't limited to the dungeon; it extended to Orario as well.
Of course, they had no idea that Zane's original body was already miles away.
Group after group began scouring the dungeon, but they were searching the upper floors. Zane and his clones were already deep in the lower levels.
Still, it wouldn't take long for them to cross paths.
Zane and the clones were focused on exploring from the 25th to the 27th floor, and 32 of the clones shared the same appearance. It was only a matter of time before this attracted the attention of adventurers from other Familias.
He knew this but wasn't worried.
He believed he was strong enough now.
Zane even believed he could take on Ottar. He was feeling incredibly confident.
Then, a few days passed.
In just a few days, Zane reached his next evolution.
He had evolved, the clones who had gone through their second evolution were now close to their third, and most of the newly summoned clones were nearly at their second.
His power had increased significantly.
But there was no time to celebrate.
The clones were finally attacked for the first time on the 25th floor.
####
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Next chapters: Chapter 70 - It finally started. The war. / Chapter 71 - Shadow. / Chapter 72 - I want people to be paranoid.