Compared to the monsters on the upper floors, the experience gained from killing Hellhounds was noticeably higher overall — good news for Liang Yue.
For now, he decided to stop using sword energy.
With pure combat technique alone, the sharp blade could still easily break through a monster's defenses.
It was far from troublesome — if he combined it with the "Inner · Ghost Sword Style" sword-energy slash, things would be even easier.
With a clean upward slash, he split the Hellhound in two. The corpse turned into gray dust and vanished.
"Still not enough monsters."
"I wonder if, during this Familia expedition, I can push my Sword Soul class to level 35…"
After confirming the surroundings were safe, Liang Yue bent down to pick up the dropped magic stone. Improving monster farming efficiency was simple — "Draw Sword Slash."
But using it barehanded couldn't match the original's full range.
Even with "Flowing Heart" for amplification, the maximum reach of an ordinary sword-energy slash was still only about three meters ahead.
Unless he advanced to a higher-tier Extreme · Ghost Sword Style after a future job change.
"There's still a long road ahead."
Liang Yue
Level: 28
EXP: 0.001%
He never expected to get strong overnight — steadily raising his level and gradually mastering more Sword Soul skills was the most important thing.
Taking his eyes off the class interface, he felt no fatigue worth mentioning from battles of this intensity.
Turning toward the Takemikazuchi Familia members preparing to support him, his expression remained calm as he reminded Lili:
"Pack up. We're moving on."
"…"
Being ignored didn't bother Kashima much — in fact, it made sense. Aside from the common monsters in the upper floors, Liang Yue hadn't needed help once.
Even in the middle floors, where monsters forced most adventurers to treat battles with utmost seriousness, Liang Yue crushed them purely with his own strength.
Kashima glanced at Makoto, feeling the pay they were getting was almost too much for what they were doing. His voice was conflicted:
"We'll see how things go. If he really needs our help, we'll step in. Otherwise… just treat it like we're accompanying the expedition."
"Mm."
Watching without any real need to intervene, Makoto could clearly see the difference in their abilities.
Against monsters of equal level, she would always take a cautious approach — never like Liang Yue, who would even choose to go on the offensive while surrounded. His fundamentals were rock-solid, and his dual-blade sword technique unlike anything she'd seen.
It wasn't hard for her to acknowledge the gap between them. She spoke sincerely:
"In both adventuring skill and swordsmanship… Liang Yue, trained under such high-pressure conditions, is far stronger than I am."
"At least you still have room to catch up," Kashima said awkwardly, sensing a bit of frustration in her tone.
Room to catch up?
Makoto looked at Liang Yue's back and stayed silent. The difference between them was something only a true swordsman would understand.
More accurately, it was the difference in their pursuit of the Way of the Sword.
With a bitter smile, she muttered, "I hope so."
——
From then on, the dungeon exploration was entirely Liang Yue's stage.
As he became familiar with the Hellhounds' attack patterns, his sword-energy slashes dealt with them swiftly.
The trade-off was a bit of stamina and mental energy, but in return, his stats grew and his Sword Soul class gained experience. Without needing to track time, he kept up a relentless pace.
He fought at high intensity until his stamina finally ran dry, forcing him to rest. Of course, he didn't leave the night watch to the Takemikazuchi Familia adventurers without reason.
"That's it for today."
The first day of the expedition ended with their progress reaching the 14th floor. At this pace, they could easily reach the Guild's target — even factoring in the return trip — in five days.
As the supporter, Lili had no objections. She found a relatively safe area and began setting up camp, dropping her massive backpack to the ground.
Kashima and Chigusa exchanged glances.
Their party was strong enough to push to the 16th floor in a day, but looking at Liang Yue's calm expression, they stayed silent.
It was obvious — he was using this expedition to train his stats.
"I'll take first watch tonight," Kashima finally said, breaking the silence. It was the least he could do to earn the expedition support pay.
"No problem."
Liang Yue didn't refuse.
Proper rest and replenishing energy were essential to recover from exhaustion. Until the Soma Familia incident was fully resolved, even with Lili along, traveling the dungeon without an adventurer to keep watch at night carried risks.
As long as there was no major threat, the Takemikazuchi Familia could be trusted.
"…This is one of the few things we can do," Kashima sighed, remembering their god's instructions to hide the real reason for their hire.
He joined Lili in setting up camp.
Makoto, unable to help, kept her eyes on Liang Yue as he sat against the wall, eating. She knew their gap wasn't about sword technique, but about their attitudes toward the Way of the Sword.
After a long day of intense dungeon battles, she could see the fatigue in his expression. Asking for a spar now would be selfish.
"Um…"
Sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees, she hesitated, changing her intended sparring challenge into a question about his pursuit of the sword.
"I wanted to ask—"
Before she could finish, Liang Yue swallowed the last bite of his meal and turned his calm gaze toward her.
"You mentioned wanting to spar earlier?"
That was unexpected — she hadn't thought he would remember something she'd said offhand after such a long day.
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Of course. Think of it as after-dinner exercise."
Since it would please his expedition teammate — and because he wouldn't go to bed right after eating anyway — he agreed.
Glancing at their weapons, he fell silent for a moment before asking, "Right now… do you have anything that can serve as a substitute weapon?"
"…No."
Makoto shook her head. It wasn't like she could bring a wooden training sword into a dangerous dungeon.
And there wasn't much in this cavern that could be used as a replacement.
Instead of disappointment, she felt more respect — this wasn't about politeness, but about respect for her as a swordswoman.
"In that case…"
Liang Yue was curious about the sword style Takemikazuchi had taught her. Spotting Lili preparing the campfire with some straight branches, he walked over.
Under Lili's puzzled gaze, he picked out a straight one and suggested casually:
"Why not just use a tree branch?"