"Next is the Joint Expedition."
"This one won't be like the previous runs. Per my plan with Tsunayoshi, we've deliberately publicized his puppet and spatial abilities. This expedition will serve to fix those abilities in everyone's minds."
Loki laid out the specifics.
"Your children—the smiths—will mainly handle logistics. My lower-level kids will serve as supporters, while the high-level ones take on their challenges. Right now they're all hungry for the next step—Great Feats that justify promotion."
"After this expedition," she added, "many of them should gain enough Great Feats to rank up."
Loki didn't hide the current state of her Familia. Crossing from Lv.1 is the shot of courage that lets a child keep growing; crossing from Lv.2 isn't about courage anymore—it's about building the scaffolding for future possibilities. So the jump to Lv.2 is slower. They spend more time filling gaps until their ability scores truly reach their limits. And to go further, Great Feats become essential. Hard trials a single adventurer can't clear become surmountable with many hands.
That's why this Joint Expedition is placing real emphasis on those at Lv.2. One by one, they're sharpening their claws, waiting for this chance to ascend.
"With Tsunayoshi's ability supporting them, none of the kids will let opportunities slip once they see them," Hephaestus-kami said, unsurprised.
"And your side…?"
"My children are smiths. Even if they level, it's mainly to fight for the Development Ability 'Forge.' Aside from Tsubaki, who seeks stronger materials, no one wants to leave the workshop and spend time grinding levels."
That was the production Familia's dilemma. Most who choose such a home aren't "pure adventurers"—they're craftsmen. For most craftsmen, the 'power' adventurers chase isn't that attractive; iron and flame are. If a smith does take interest in leveling, odds are they're really after a Development Ability—Forge. It's a specialization. For a craftsman, 'Forge' greatly strengthens their smithing and deepens their craft.
Of course, if they level and don't get 'Forge,' most will rein in their ambitions, drop the Development Ability path, and go back to the workshop to hone their skills by hand. Craft demands focus; who has the bandwidth to chase levels? Better to hammer more steel.
"The children who joined my Familia didn't come for levels; they came to temper their craft," Hephaestus-kami said. "For this expedition I'll send some of the older smiths. Compared to the young ones, they handle the unbelievable better."
Older craftsmen were steadier—and tighter-lipped.
"Your kids… there won't be problems, right?" Loki pressed.
"Relax. Anyone who would be a problem was already screened out thanks to Tsunayoshi's help—and expelled. The ones left are solid." Hephaestus-kami cared about this even more than Loki did. After finding so many 'nails' in the Familia earlier, she was stricter than ever about who she accepted. "Compared to Orario's gossip, my children care more about materials and technique."
Loki watched her for a moment—thinking of the impression Hephaestus made—and nodded slightly. "So this expedition can push deeper?"
"No problem."
"With your Familia handling weapon maintenance and repairs, my kids can focus on the deep-floor monsters. The usual supporters can put down their packs and chase Great Feats instead—to push for the next stage."
"Before Floor 50, progress won't be fast," Loki continued. "After 50, Finn and Alise will have to lead the exploration."
Beyond that point, low-level adventurers aren't suited to scout. Past Floor 50 lies the Dragon's Urn—a crucible for the strong. From Floors 52 to 58, Cannon Dragons can ignore floor boundaries and strike upward from 58 to 52. With their abnormal perception, the moment adventurers step onto 52, the dragons lock on and begin continuous bombardment from below, relentless salvos that never stop. If a party can't pass through the Urn quickly, the ceaseless strikes tear it to pieces.
Crossing the Dragon's Urn isn't a task for ordinary adventurers; it demands challengers above Lv.4.
"In the past, whenever the Dungeon kicked up trouble, it collapsed the expedition's schedule—because Floor 50's 'safe floor' wasn't safe," Loki said. "Finn has to consider the whole party's safety."
Those memories were bitter—so close to deeper discovery, yet forced back.
"But this time, nothing like that will happen," Loki said, utterly certain.
Hephaestus-kami knew why. With Tsunayoshi's ability, teams that can't push on don't have to linger on Floor 50 at all. They can all enter the Rest Space—cleanly sidestepping the Dungeon's tantrums and keeping the expedition's pace intact.
(End of Chapter)
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