After Master gave the order to attempt the 25th floor's subquest, the Main Forces took one week to prepare for the deployment.
We used that time to let the rest of the Main Forces watch the 25th floor's record as well as strategizing for the upcoming battle.
Moreover, we also managed to finish creating the magic artifacts and enchanted equipment for the other members of the Main Forces.
The mages had the enhanced version of the artifacts used by Kiran, Meifa, and Aludra.
All the artifacts belonging to those three mages were actually prototypes for what we intended to create for the Main Forces.
Yuxia had ten magic rings, one in each finger. With each ring purposed to enhance one of his elemental magic.
The elementalist also had bangles to enhance basic enchantments as well as a pendant for additional mana reserve.
Matrias had a long black metal staff specifically purposed to enhance his lightning magic and its corresponding elements. He also had a mana reserve pendant.
Vallerynne wielded a scepter with a magic crystal on each end. One crystal to enhance her enchantments. The other to enhance her dimensional magic, which should allow her to perform a Fourth Circle sorcery as if it was only a Third Circle, allowing her to cast limited teleportation and portal-making.
She also had a bangle to enhance her alchemy and golem control as well as a mana reserve pendant.
Kinnara only wanted the mana reserve pendant as the accessories she possessed were magic artifacts that already enhanced her wind magic. Her constellation symbols tattooed all over her face and body were also magic runes that reinforced her body and sorcery.
The Tsamudrans also only took the mana reserve pendants since they were already equipped with their own artifacts as well.
I did not need any of them given I also had a powerful artifact literally bonded to me, as well as a seal that far surpassed any mana reserve pendant we could ever create.
Our warriors were equipped with enchanted equipment too, of course.
Each of them were given enhanced protection ring which would offer better defense.
My comrades' weapons made by the Malaikat's Tear, the material we obtained from the 10th floor's subquest, had been enhanced to amplify their existing effects.
Their Malaikat rings were imbued with protection spell from the protection ring as well as having their effects enhanced and added with new ones.
Jonah's ring now had similar effect to Shanny which could increase his power. Instead of rage, his condition was to channel the accumulated power in his spear which was generated by striking enemies, and used the accumulated power to strengthen himself.
Shanny's ring not only enhanced her power when her rage was at its peak, it would also increase her defense as well. Since Shanny tends to be most vulnerable when she was in that state.
She was also given a new shield which could generate power by bracing impact force and unleashing it into tremendous wave, similar to Jonah's spear. That should work well with her own skill.
Tarran's bow was only given basic enhancement to increase its firing range and firepower.
But the archer was also given a magic monocle which allowed him to look into the far distance as well as detecting the surface integrity of his target. The artifact should allow him to locate enemy presence and detect enemy weaknesses much faster.
The same artifact was given to Ashni as well.
Moreover, the Tsahanam mercenary was given a quiver enchanted with dimensional magic which expanded its space, enabling her to carry more arrows than her usual quiver could.
Tarran was not given such equipment since his Malaikat ring could already summon his arrows for him.
Devisha had been granted an array of weapons given her new combat style.
Each weapon was specifically enchanted to suit her need when she wielded them.
Her daggers were imbued with strong illusion and suppression magic which could veil her presence. The blades were carved with paralyzing runes to ensure swift takedown.
Her swords, axe, and halberd were laced with magical energy that increased their sharpness and integrity.
Her spear was enchanted with wind, fire, and lightning spells which could provide a destructive burst effect that would increase its penetrative power.
Paired with Devisha's ring that could alter her stats and shift between weapons, the woman should become more lethal in the battlefield.
The weapons of members in Party 2 were also given similar enchantments.
We did not need to do it for the warriors in Party 3, 4, and 5 given who their members were.
Ulrica and Djhotti already had enchanted weapons of their own. Same as the Tsamudrans. Theirs were actually some of the most powerful artifacts the lobby had.
Meanwhile, Graihan only relied on his claws and fists in battle. Similar case with the Garudas, only they also used weapons conjured with their wings' feathers. But these heroes were still given protection rings and status enhancement artifacts to equip themselves with.
In terms of potions and other supplies, we literally had access to everything the lobby had.
Everything was ultimately prepared for the Main Forces, after all.
All in all, I believed we were ready to face whatever was waiting for us in the 25th floor.
[Party 4's name has been changed to 'Thousand Mountains Guardians'.]
[Yes (selected)/ No]
[Party 5's name has been changed to 'Royals of the Abyssal Sea'.]
[Yes (selected)/ No]
[Choosing 'Main Forces' for the mission.]
[Party Configuration – Party 1, Party 2, Party 3, 'Thousand Mountains Guardians', 'Royals of the Abyssal Sea']
[Total Heroes – 25]
[Raid Leader – 'Serafina (★★★★)']
The entire Main Forces had gathered in the first floor square.
As usual, a huge part of the lobby's population had formed a sea of crowd around us to send the parties off.
Celeste and the other survivors of the Third Advanced Scouts were among them as well.
"Forgive us, Your Excellency. If only we were strong enough, you would not have to be troubled with this subquest matter."
The mage-swordswoman said with a regretting voice.
I chuckled at her words.
"As I've told you a dozen times already, you've done wonders just by returning from the 25th floor. Your return has lifted the terrible stigma that heroes outside the Main Forces are fated to die in the Quintal Trials. You have set a precedent that would positively affect our climb to come, not just on this floor."
It was true.
No matter what we did to alleviate their worries, morale among the Reserve raiders were still somewhat low given their ultimate purpose in the Raid Team.
That was until Celeste and her squad returned from the 25th floor.
Their return would give hope to the future Reserve raiders that as long as they trained hard enough, they could also survive in the Quintal Trials.
Death was still not certain even if they were not part of the Main Forces.
This event should help motivate our raiders and turn them into courageous heroes that we would need in our army.
"Had the subquest could not be reattempted, those precious rewards could be lost forever, including the chance to reduce the difficulty on the sixth Quintal Trial. If only we were stronger, we would never have to worry of that risk."
Celeste insisted.
She was right about the risk of losing the rewards.
But the woman was still being too hard on herself.
I expected she was still in that blaming phase that every hero experienced after their first Quintal Trial.
"Do not waste your time thinking of useless matter, human. Coals would never turn into diamond no matter how much force you put into them. There are much better things to direct that force into as well as better things to think of."
Djhotti said as he drew near us.
The dwarf continued.
"You've done a tremendous feat killing a Prime Impiana. Twice even by yourself. You and your comrades.
"Dharma probably already told you, but such feat would honor you with the chance to gain the Keeper's title in our society. Many dwarves committed their whole lives just to receive that chance. For it is such a great honor to even be considered worthy to attempt gaining the Keeper's title.
"You have nothing to be embarrassed about, human. Instead, you should be proud.
"You and your comrades are made of excellent materials. And I believe you haven't finished forging and have yet reached your ultimate state."
With the Keeper's words, Celeste quieted down with a more dignified expression.
That was good.
I needed her to be confident of herself if I were going to have her by my side from this point on.
[Serafina, are you ready?]
Alam appeared before me.
I nodded to her immediately.
"We've been ready since we opened our eyes this morning."
Upon my words, the fairy flew over to the large stone gate by the square.
[Alright, then! Open the rift of space and time!]
The rift glowed with its usual ethereal light.
Cheers roared from the ocean of crowd around us as we made our way inside.
"Fortune to the Raiders!"
"Victory to the Raiders!"
The deafening voices were instantly muted once I stepped into the mirrored chamber.
I looked to my comrades as the bluish-white light were about to engulf us.
Despite this was their first Quintal Trial, there was not a hint of fear among the Garudas and the Tsamudrans, naturally.
Their eyes were sharp like a seasoned hunter's. More like a predator's.
Kinnara, Andaman, and Lauressia actually looked excited. The high-ranked heroes could not wait to get a taste of the major mission.
Meanwhile, each of the heroes in Party 1 to 3 wore steel faces. Their eyes hardened with determination.
The 20th floor dealt bitter wounds to us.
Those wounds scarred into lingering pain which constantly filled us with the urge of revenge.
That feeling to avenge the loss of our fallen comrades. That feeling to prove to ourselves and everyone that we were no longer weak.
On this 25th floor's subquest we would satisfy that urge.
[Mission is being recorded.]
[The recording will be saved.]
[Notification]
[There is a subquest that has yet to be cleared. The mission will begin from that point onward.]
The bluish-white light completely engulfed the entirety of the Main Forces.
Once the light dissipated, my party comrades and I found ourselves standing atop the central tower inside the abandoned fortress.
There were monsters frozen all around us. They were exactly the same as how the Third Advanced Scouts left them before.
The other parties were summoned below throughout the fortress, among the small gaps among the ocean of frozen monsters.
A window appeared before us.
[Master, you can instruct the heroes to perform the quest!]
[1. Perform perfectly – Survive and completely annihilate every additional hordes of enemies]
[2. Perform – Survive the additional hordes of enemies]
[3. Reject]
With swiftness, Master gave their order.
[Master, you can instruct the heroes to perform the quest!]
[1. Perform perfectly (selected)]
Instantly, time unfroze.
Monster shrieks deafened our ears. The monsters themselves rushed to reach us.
Most of all, I felt the dozens of lightning bolts descending from the sky above.
Crash!
A large dome barrier covering the entire fortress intercepted the lightning.
There was another layer to the barrier.
The first one which the lightning struck was mine. The second one was casted by Lauressia.
With a smile, I readied my spells and reached out to all the heroes.
"Master's order is here. Let's get rid of these pests."
[Floor 25 (Subquest)]
[Mission Type – Survival]
[Objective – Survive the additional hordes of enemies]
[Optional Objective – Annihilate the hordes of enemies]