After more than a month had passed, Aisha had naturally not remained without any progress.
Now, she had officially risen to Level 4, becoming a powerful figure among the Second-Class Adventurers and standing only a single level away from the realm of the First-Class Adventurers at Level 5.
However, that single level was a heavenly ridge.
Countless people, both within and outside Orario, remained stuck at this stage for their entire lives, unable to advance any further. In the entire city, there were fewer than forty adventurers at this level, because those who lacked sufficient potential, or were merely half-baked geniuses, simply had no chance of crossing that barrier.
At the very least, however, Aisha had already reached the threshold of that narrow gate and now possessed a chance to step through it.
If she could receive Haruhime's level-boosting at this point, then she would possess combat power worthy of a true First-Class Adventurer.
Unfortunately, compared to Riezel's progress, Aisha was completely outmatched.
One had already risen to Level 7, while the other had only risen to Level 4.
Needless to say, the gap between them was what truly deserved to be called a heavenly ridge, and this ridge was so vast and overwhelming that Aisha, who had already been defeated twice by Riezel and had ended up in miserable, wretched states each time, could no longer muster even the slightest desire for revenge.
In fact, after Riezel entered, the members of the other familias were all watching him.
"He's Liberator, right?"
"It's my first time seeing this monster rookie..."
"Reaching Level 7 at a time like this... honestly, that's kinda perfect."
"With someone like him here, no way the success rate of this operation's gonna be low."
"Honestly, when I first heard about the Man-Made Dungeon and that deadly ceremony, I was pretty uneasy. But after hearing he reached Level 7, I suddenly feel way more at ease."
"Same here."
"Let's just hope he can still fight above his level like the rumors say."
"Yeah, that'd really put our minds at ease."
Voices of discussion spread continuously throughout the crowd.
At this moment, even Finn—who would normally be the center of attention in every sense—was completely overshadowed by Riezel.
Both of them were Level 7, and Finn had even leveled up earlier. In terms of status and foundation, Finn also stood higher. He was like a golden signboard, making him one of the most eye-catching figures wherever he went. Yet today, Riezel had outshone even him to the point that most people were beginning to overlook Finn's existence entirely.
Yet Finn did not voice any opinion about this and instead merely stood to the side with a smile on his face, as though he were genuinely pleased.
Tsubaki and the others naturally noticed this as well, and they exchanged knowing smiles among themselves.
"Honestly, I really didn't expect that the next time we met, you'd already be Level 7."
As she spoke, the bitterness on Asfi's face finally eased somewhat, and she revealed a faint smile toward Riezel.
About three months ago, she had entered the Dungeon's 24th Floor together with him to carry out the investigation mission regarding the Pantry. At that time, he had only just reached Level 5 and was still merely a rookie among First-Class Adventurers.
Who could have expected that in just three short months, he would complete successive breakthroughs one after another—rising to Level 6 two months ago, and now reaching Level 7?
In her view, his growth rate was practically exponential, exaggerated to an almost unbelievable extreme.
Naturally, she felt deeply moved by this, but like everyone else, she also felt an overwhelming sense of reassurance.
No, more than the others, she trusted Riezel's strength far more deeply.
After all, she had personally witnessed him display combat power far beyond his own level back when he was only Level 5.
Now that he had already reached Level 7, while others still questioned whether he could continue to challenge opponents above his level, she was already seventy to eighty percent convinced that he absolutely could.
Of course, Tsubaki felt the same way, since she had already gone on an expedition with Riezel before.
"Give us a hint, Riezel. Just how strong are you now?" Tsubaki threw an arm over his shoulder as she asked curiously. "Can you really go toe-to-toe with a Level 8 now?"
When that question was asked, not only Asfi and Aisha, but even the representatives from the surrounding familias who had been quietly observing from nearby couldn't help but perk up their ears as well.
"You really just asked that directly, Tsubaki?"
Finn could only smile helplessly as he spoke.
"What's the problem?" Tsubaki shot back without even hesitating. "We're about to risk our lives together anyway. Letting us know a little would make us feel a whole lot more at ease."
"I'm curious too..." Aisha revealed a seductive smile as she lightly licked her lips and spoke to Riezel. "Out of all the men I know, you're the strongest one. While the Little Rookie who defeated me is a good man too, he's still too green. He still can't compare to you yet."
Aisha, who had once fought Bell and been defeated by him, clearly held him in extremely high regard.
It was well known that amazonesses worshipped strength above all else and would actively pursue men they considered powerful enough to attract them.
Bell was someone Aisha admired and had already taken a liking to, and she was even considering when she might find an opportunity to thoroughly 'devour' him.
But Riezel stood far above even Bell, causing her interest in him to grow just as intensely.
Even though she spoke about being defeated by him and mentioned revenge, amazonesses were simply like that—once they were defeated by a powerful male, they would not harbor resentment toward him, but instead become even more drawn to him.
If not for the fact that she clearly understood she stood absolutely no chance against Riezel, she might have already searched for an opportunity to abduct him somewhere and thoroughly 'devour' him herself.
Because of that, what remained in her heart now was simple curiosity—just how strong had Riezel become exactly?
Had the young man standing before her truly already reached the level of someone like King, just as the rumors claimed?
It was likely that not only Tsubaki, Asfi, and Aisha were curious about this, but that Finn and the others from his own familia were probably curious about it as well.
Yet, in the face of everyone's curiosity, Riezel merely smiled faintly.
"Even if you ask me, I wouldn't be able to say..." Riezel replied calmly. "I haven't fought the current Ottar, so unfortunately, I can't satisfy your curiosity about who's stronger."
As he said this, he suddenly let out a soft laugh.
"But even so, I don't think I'd lose."
At those words, everyone felt a slight chill run through their hearts.
Riezel had not shown any particular intensity—if anything, he appeared completely calm and composed. Yet precisely because of that calmness, his words carried an unusually strong sense of conviction.
In truth, that confidence was justified.
Now that he could fully release his status as a Level 7, if he were to face someone at Level 8, he genuinely did not believe he would lose.
Even without factoring in 'cheat-like' magic such as Uchide no Kozuchi, based solely on his standard combat power, he believed he could still challenge opponents above his own level.
It was only natural.
In terms of potential, development abilities, combat experience, combat techniques, and the wide variety of magic at his disposal, he was now far stronger in every aspect than when he had first reached Level 7.
Back when he had just advanced to Level 7, he had already been able to contend against those standing at the very peak of Level 7 under normal conditions—and even defeat them. Now that all of his abilities had improved even further, if he still couldn't cross levels and challenge Level 8 opponents, that would instead be the truly strange outcome.
Even though Ottar was extremely powerful—as a warrior, he had virtually no weaknesses—and even among Level 8s, he would be far from ordinary, with the immense boost from Beastification and the support of his magic, he undoubtedly possessed the ability to defeat most opponents of the same level.
Unfortunately, Riezel's methods far surpassed his, so being only one level ahead was no longer a decisive advantage.
In short, if Riezel were still at Level 6, Ottar might have been able to fight him on equal footing, but now that Riezel had unlocked his Level 7 status, Ottar's chances of defeating him in this state had already become quite low.
Just as everyone was shaken by Riezel's simple statement, a hoarse voice suddenly rang out.
"Since everyone's here, let's begin."
As these words fell, everyone present was immediately startled.
Only then did they realize that, before the wide round table at the center of the hall, a pitch-black figure had silently appeared without anyone noticing.
The figure wore a black robe that completely concealed the entire body, along with a hood that obscured the face. Even the hands were hidden beneath gloves etched with intricate patterns, leaving not a single trace of skin exposed, making their presence mysterious and eerie, enough to make one question whether this figure was even human at all.
At the sight of this ghost-like figure, the others quietly raised their vigilance.
Only Asfi moved slightly closer to Riezel before speaking in a lowered voice.
"It's the magus from that quest when we went to investigate the Pantry on the 24th Floor."
Yes, this black-robed figure was the same mysterious magus whom Riezel had not encountered again since the incident on the Dungeon's 24th Floor. Back then, the grimoires he had used to awaken his second and third magic had also been the reward from that investigation quest, granted by this very individual.
Like Asfi, this figure was a magic item craftsman who possessed the extremely rare development ability known as Mystery.
"I am a magus affiliated with the Guild. You may call me Fels."
At last, the mysterious magus formally introduced themself, their calm and steady voice instantly drawing everyone's attention toward them.
"For this Man-Made Dungeon expedition, I will provide whatever limited assistance I can. However, please do not expect too much from me. I will only offer support from the rear—the true main forces in this operation will still be the Loki Familia and the Ganesha Familia."
As they spoke, Fels slowly shifted their gaze toward Finn and Shakti, both of whom had remained silent from the very beginning with stern and serious expressions on their faces.
"You two will preside over this meeting. Is that acceptable?"
Before Finn could open his mouth to respond, Shakti spoke first without hesitation.
"I'll pass. Let Braver take the lead."
Shakti said as she calmly took a step back, clearly showing that she had no intention of competing for authority in this meeting.
"We may be part of the main force, but our First-Class Adventurers are all only Level 5. We're nothing like the Loki Familia, where powerful fighters are abundant and high-level adventurers are gathered in large numbers."
"Braver is also known throughout Orario as an excellent tactician, and the Loki Familia has directly clashed with those underground forces before. Compared to us, they understand the enemy far better."
"I'm sure Braver already has a complete strategy prepared in advance, so our Ganesha Familia will follow the Loki Familia's lead during this expedition."
As soon as those words were spoken, the eyes of everyone present immediately turned toward Finn.
"Well, I won't refuse then."
Finn answered without the slightest hesitation as he calmly stepped forward and sat down in the central seat prepared for the meeting leader—his composed attitude alone was enough to make many people unconsciously feel a little more reassured.
"Please, everyone, take your seats."
"Next, I will explain all of our planned strategies in detail."
"Listen carefully. Do not lose focus."
Finn's expression gradually became serious as his sharp eyes slowly swept across everyone gathered inside the hall.
"Because if we fail, everyone here will die."
As soon as these words fell, a heavy and oppressive tension immediately spread throughout the entire hall like a massive stone pressing down onto everyone's shoulders.
No one spoke.
No one dared to relax.
And so, under that suffocating pressure and deathly silence, the pre-battle meeting officially began.
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[A bonus chapter for every 300 Power Stones.]
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