Chapter 266 - Targeting Another Monster Rex
Whether it was Mahiro's strength or his easygoing demeanor, he'd won over the Loki Familia.
Still, their expedition team was mid-journey, and despite their growing fondness, they needed to hasten toward the deep floors.
"No need for the parting look," Mahiro said with a wry smile, flicking Tiona on the forehead as she pouted reluctantly.
"We'll likely be together for much of the next floors."
"Oh? Mahiro, what do you mean?" Tiona's eyes brightened, her gloom vanishing as she gazed at him expectantly.
"May I ask which floor you're aiming for this expedition?" Mahiro asked, turning to Finn instead of answering directly.
"It's no secret," Finn replied generously.
"We've reached the 58th floor on past expeditions. This time, we're targeting beyond that."
"The 58th floor—impressive, as expected of the Loki Familia," Mahiro said with a grin.
"Looks like we'll be traveling together up to the 37th floor, then."
"The 37th floor?" Riveria gasped, caught off guard.
That floor marked the boundary between the lower and deep floors.
"Your target's the 37th floor?" Tione ventured, her mind racing.
"There's a monster rex... You're not planning to—"
"My goal's the monster rex on the 37th floor," Mahiro confirmed with a nod.
"I'm unfamiliar with the lower floors' layout, so I figured I'd tag along with your Loki Familia."
Udaeus—a Level 6 monster—was Mahiro's mark.
With the Loki Familia on an expedition, they'd likely take it down themselves.
Floor bosses respawned every one to three months, and if the Familia beat him to Udaeus, Main Quest 4: Floor Boss Terminator could stall for months.
Rather than waste time, Mahiro opted to ease up on Main Quest 3: Monster Hunter now—mobs respawned constantly, after all.
"That's a Level 6 monster," Riveria said, inhaling sharply.
"Even we need all our high class adventurers above Level 5 to take it down."
"Challenging it now—don't you think it's a bit reckless?"
Udaeus, a Level 6, far outclassed Level 3 monsters.
Thousands of them couldn't bridge that gap.
Even Finn, also Level 6, wouldn't bet on soloing it—defeat and a hasty retreat were more likely.
Only the Loki Familia's full force guaranteed victory, a force that could've trivially crushed the monster horde Mahiro just faced.
In short, Udaeus outmatched that horde by a tier.
Riveria didn't doubt Mahiro's strength, but she wondered if he should wait until he was stronger for a safer shot.
"Adventurers thrive on challenging greater heights, don't they?" Mahiro replied, smiling lightly at the group.
"Your expedition team should know that better than anyone."
Finn nodded, a spark of approval in his eyes.
"You've got the makings of an exceptional adventurer."
"Who knows if he's just tagging along to lean on us as insurance against Udaeus," Bete muttered acidly.
His logic wasn't baseless.
Soloing Udaeus head-on was a feat neither of Orario's top Familias—had achieved.
Except Freya Familia.
Mahiro's odds leaned toward a bruising defeat.
"Bete, that's low," Tiona snapped, her face hardening.
"That's a bit much, Bete," Tione added, frowning in disapproval.
"With Mahiro's speed, even if he lost, couldn't he escape?" Riveria countered.
"Too far, Bete," Ais said softly.
"Bete, don't overcomplicate things between youngsters," Gareth rumbled, breaking his silence.
The grizzled dwarf understood Bete's animosity all too well.
Lefiya glanced at Bete timidly but stayed quiet, lacking the nerve to chime in.
Bombarded by criticism, Bete nearly choked on his frustration.
Wasn't he just stating the obvious?
If Mahiro fell to Udaeus—wounded or dying—wouldn't the Loki Familia step in?
Teaming up might be Mahiro's safety net.
"My apologies for my Bete's rudeness," Finn said, his tone sincere.
"I'll make amends on his behalf."
"It's fine," Mahiro replied, unfazed.
He didn't fully grasp Bete's grudge, but the werewolf's sour expression was oddly satisfying—teammate-inflicted damage hit harder.
"If Bete's got a problem with me, he should just say it," Mahiro continued casually.
"No need for middle-aged auntie sniping from the sidelines."
"Or we could settle it adventurer-style: a duel, loser shuts up."
'Middle-aged auntie?' Bete's eyes flared with fury.
The proud Vanargand likened to that?
Mahiro's challenge was exactly what he craved, though.
He tensed, ready to accept—
"Enough, Bete. Quiet," Finn cut in, his face icing over with authority.
Bete's momentum faltered under Finn's glare.
His flush deepened, but he clamped his mouth shut, fuming silently.
With that, Finn agreed to Mahiro's request, setting their course together toward the 37th floor.
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