After the absolute shock everyone had just suffered, they'd gathered their things, and began their move again. The shock being that, Finn's ultimate attack, commonly thought to be the single most powerful single target attack in the familia, likely even the world, did absolutely nothing. And not only that, but his spear turned to dust upon impact with Shurry, who took the full powered hit like it wasn't even a light breeze.
Needless to say… The Loki familia continued the joint expedition with a whole new level of understanding. Loki herself was walking with them, despite Shurry's misgivings about her doing so, but that was because he had a very specific training plan, and she was currently intervening in it… negatively…
"Finn, whatcha worried 'bout?" Loki asked, guarded on all sides by her familia. She was forced to walk on her own this time, and was already not happy about it.
"My attack… I'd been sure of it before. Now though, I see it was nothing more than a false hope. Is there even any chance of getting that strong?" He answered quietly.
"Hey, don't be like that. You just saw what would have happened had you gone through with that plan. So change it up, and show me how strong you grow this time." Loki snickered. "Take full advantage of this moment and grow stronger than Zeus's boys, and Hera's girls."
"I'll do my best, I'm still in shock though."
"You'd better! I lost my chance to ride the fluffy wolf to talk with you. Don't make me regret that." Loki said with a snide smile.
"We already knew he was strong, but for him to be that strong…" Riveria sighed, joining in the conversation. "What about you, Ais? Did you hear anything about him from Bell?"
"Hmm? No, only that he's strong, extremely so." Ais said, then as if struggling with an internal argument, she then ran on ahead stopping next to Shurry. "Origin Wolf… Where is the dragon in terms of you?"
"What do you mean, as I am now, or as I am after a long fight with a dragon?" Shurry asked, hinting at something else that made her shiver.
"You right now."
"Hmm, I'd say about a level higher in most stats, probably 2 levels." Shurry answered thinking about it for a moment. "Fortunately, I have ways around such problems. Now, the one I fought towards the end… That was just not fair. That overgrown lizard was definitely on the same tier as many gods. Hardest kill of my life."
"You had the power to kill a god tier being?" Ais' eyes went wide with horror.
"Yeah, but I'm sure that it won't have that kind of power this time around, for you guys. In my time, Erebus was one salty piece of shit, and gave the dying dragon a huge buff… I had to fight it off world just to actually do enough damage to it, and keep from destroying this world."
Eventually, the whole group arrived on the 49th floor, specifically where the monster rex, Balor, resides, the gauntlet began again. Everyone managed to complete the task successfully, utilizing different ideas, and the options available to them. That was until Finn came up, he was the weakest of all the level 7s, and even some of those at level 6. He had the most difficulty facing off against the revulsion Balor. However, using his wit, he managed to take care of the beast while sustaining numerous injuries, ones that instantly healed after he completed the fight.
After witnessing all of the solo competitions, it was time for the makeshift group to come together for a victory, one that contained everyone at or below level 5, with the exception of the Gulliver brothers.
With Raul, Ana Kitty, and Van being the main forces of this group, then Nernatti as well, it was somehow a nearly balanced team, especially once the rest of the lower levels did their best to create distractions, and openings for the heavy hitters. Landing them a victory of the boosted monster rex.
Several moments later, all of the necessary fights had occurred, and finished. When Bell spoke up…
"Origin Wolf? Is it possible for me to fight this monster as well?" Bell asked, already preparing to fight it.
"Didn't I say there's really no need for you to do it? I already know you're ready for this training." Shurry raised his brow.
"Yes, but I want to try something."
Bell and Shurry had a short staring contest before, Shurry gave the signal to a god to summon the monster again. To which, they did, and once more the freaky strong Balor respawned, and was instantly killed in one massive flaming slash.
"It worked! It really worked."
"Good job, Bell. That was excellent form." Shurry praised. "You're well on your way to mastering Afterglow. But, don't get too big of a head now, you still don't have enough behind your attacks to injure me. Though, that said, you're definitely the strongest right now. Not by much, since Leon is right on your heels. Once he finally gets over the hurdle with Afterglow, he'll be ahead of you again."
"I understand. Thank you for humoring me, and thank you Lord Ganesha for summoning the monster for me."
"Ahahaha! It was no trouble at all, for I am! GANESHA!" The loud god erupted with laughter. "Like the Origin Wolf said…" He possessed a few times, the wolf doing some as well adding to the ridiculousness of the situation. "That was truly an excellent showing, young man."
"Thank you."
"Isn't my Bell just the best! He's the cutest, and the strongest!" Hestia beamed with her twin tails flowing.
"He's definitely caught my heart." Freya said with a wanting smile in Bell's direction.
"Oh don't you dare pull a stunt like that again, Freya, I haven't forgiven you for it."
"Oh come now, dear Hestia, you're a woman, can you tell your own heart what it wants?"
Shurry's lips curled into a small smile hearing that line, and chuckled a little before speaking up. "Lady Freya's right, about that. A woman's heart wants what it wants… To think that's the whole reason I ended up with the relationships I have… It's quite funny." He said, showing a genuine smile for but a single moment, then… "Alright, that's enough chatter here, let's get a move on. This will be the last time we rest until we reach the safety point on the 66th floor."
…