The group spent some time collecting the magic stones, Shurry helped out as well. While this happened, Maxim decided to ask the Werewolf woman something he'd had on his mind since a few moments ago.
"Earlier you said something about a rare birth. Care to elaborate on that, it might change how we train him." Maxim asked, with a serious look of intrigue.
"First, Leon, have you seen Shurry's status yourself? If so, can you tell me if anything was different with his beastification skill?"
Leon sighed, wondering for a moment if it was alright to say anything about it. "Yes, I've seen it, though, I don't think it would require any change in training-"
The Werewolf woman grabbed Leon by the collar. Her instincts took full control. "Did it say anything like "Alpha" in there? Even a simple mention of it. Even a small mention of it from Lord Baldr would be enough."
Leon, completely taken by surprise. Isn't she level 6? How is she managing to push me around like this? I'm not that far off from their familia's training regiment. This isn't possible.
The Werewolf seemed to notice it herself. "Forgive me… I should thank you… For delivering the new Alpha to us."
"Alpha?" Maxim asked, a little surprised. Not that he didn't know they existed, but rather shocked about it. "You're saying that boy is this generation's Alpha?"
Empress with a similar shock had something else to ask. "Sister, hasn't there been generations since there was last a properly born Alpha among the werewolves?"
"That's right, and that means, he was born without a direct lineage to the Alphas of the past. He is an entirely different type… He is the Alpha werewolf. Though it's hard to tell if he even realizes it for himself."
"Their transformations are said to be far stronger than even a normal one. With normal ones being enough to become uncontested. And furthermore, he can use this power whenever, wherever…" Maxim noted, taking a good look at his hand, then met Empress' gaze and the pair sighed.
""They were right to give him to Lady Hathor.""
"Indeed, with the right influence he'll grow up into a powerful being, capable of fighting off whatever we can't finish. It's a relief, knowing that even if we fail. There'll be someone else there to continue pushing forward." Zald added. "Better not get yourself hurt out there Leon. The kid'll still need his uncle."
"You stop that, don't talk as if you're going to die-"
Maxim shook his head. "That boy, without realizing it, has a debuff skill that weakens monsters to a considerable degree. I imagine, from the story you told, Leon, The ability he used drained the Leviathan of 3 levels of its basic abilities. And even with that freaky powerful magic of yours, you still couldn't kill it. That means it's level 12, or, at the very least confusable with level 12."
"Wait, now that I think about it, I do seem to remember level 2 monsters instantly dying underneath that radiant light, ones that barely had any of it touch them."
"Yep, I'd say that confirms my thoughts on the matter. Our past generations of members were right all along, those detestable creatures have grown stronger over the years. Two level 12 monstrosities, and then that Black Dragon being above them. We've got our work cut out for us, Don't we, Maxim?"
"It'll be difficult, but together, we could probably handle the Behemoth, and Leviathan right now. A guarantee if we were allowed to bring the boy with us. Looks like our mission this time will be to get as much experience as possible."
…
With the realization that Shurry wasn't just any ordinary werewolf that so happened to have a contracted spirit, but an Alpha on top of that, the expedition party continued marching through the floors, limiting the number of monsters in the area via the occasional high level attacks scaring the floor's landscape. They continued this process until they arrived at the Green Dragon's location.
"Is that the Green Dragon!!!" Shurry asked, pointing in a direction of the rare gem producing trees. "It looks a little weak for me to have much fun with it though." His excitement quickly died down.
"Hmm, it looks like there's just one of them. So this time, it'll be Alfia, Meteria, and the Pervy Bunny who take care of this one."
"Awe, I wanted to play with it." Shurry pouted, glancing at the magic crystals they'd gathered already.
"I've got an idea, you can sit on my shoulders and watch them play with it?" The werewolf from Hera familia offered, she got a bunch of odd looks.
"Hmm? But I can just stand on the light? See?" Shurry said jumping up and resting on a platform made from light. His face eagerly waiting for the monster fight.
"He really is something else."
"You're not falling for the boy are you?"
"No, I just want him to get used to being the Alpha."
"Then what's with that reaction?"
"Stop it, you don't know what it means to finally have our Alpha return. I feel stronger than ever."
Leon put a hand to his chin. "You're not an amazoness so that's weird. He has a skill that boosts Amazonesses nearby. But not one for Werewolves."
"That thing he's got is a curse as far as I can tell. But this is different! So different! All of us gain a boost just knowing there's an Alpha. We have a goal to shoot for, and someone to properly represent us. It's totally different from a curse!"
Shurry's expression changed, unbothered by the shouting below. Instead he smiled. "Hey Uncle Maxy? Can I interfere in the fight if I want to?"
"If you want, I'll let you handle the Amphisbanea on the 25th floor after this. It's officially rated level 6 due to the environment, but for you, I doubt there's an environmental advantage. So it'll be level 5."
"So no interfering with the dragon here then?" Shurry pouted, but just then someone threw up a small leaf wrap filled with jerky. Shurry grabbed it, started eating, and shut up loving the snack.
Soon after, the group finished the Green Dragon off, harvested some materials they'll need for the upcoming floors, and then continued down to the 25th floor. Shurry's eyes lit up.
"SO MUCH PREY!"