When they heard Roy had awakened, the two rookie girls rushed over and burst into tears at his bedside, clinging to the bed so hard that the injured Roy had to comfort them instead.
Other adventurers from the subjugation party also came to thank him, crowding the room.
The enhanced mermaid's individual combat ability had not been particularly strong. Five or six experienced Lv. 2 adventurers working together could have taken it down.
But its eerie song could control others.
One moment of carelessness—and you were finished.
It was a harsh lesson for everyone.
After regaining consciousness, Roy's recovery accelerated. By the third day, he could get out of bed. Though Bors had a foul mouth, he never actually drove him out.
Roy took out some of the expedition supplies to thank the adventurers.
All of their purchased provisions had been stored on him. During his coma, Ryuu, Daphne, and Cassandra had received considerable help from the others.
No one suspected anything. They assumed Roy's group had hidden their supplies somewhere in the forest.
Inside the Dungeon, the value of any resource multiplied several times over. The adventurers celebrated wildly.
Several days later, under the effects of healing magic and potions, Roy had mostly recovered. Only a faint pallor remained on his face.
The blood drained by the Oni King Armor wasn't so easily restored.
Roy estimated it had consumed nearly a thousand milliliters. In his previous life, even donating blood hadn't required that much.
After placing flowers at the graves of Alise Lovell and the others, Roy's group left the 18th Floor and began their journey back to the surface.
The regenerated Goliath had already been subjugated.
For a battle-hardened team like theirs, the dangers of the middle and upper floors were practically negligible.
Four or five hours later, they stepped out of Babel Tower.
Warm sunlight poured over them, bringing a sense of healing to the soul. Anyone who had spent too long in the Dungeon felt this way upon seeing daylight again.
And beyond the sunlight—
They saw the breathtaking figure of Goddess Astraea.
Two days earlier, an adventurer returning to the surface had delivered a letter informing her of their imminent return.
Astraea already knew, in general, what they had endured in the Dungeon.
She stood waiting in the plaza, gazing at Roy and the others with gentle eyes—like a mother welcoming her children home.
"Welcome back. You've worked hard."
At her greeting, Ryuu, Daphne, and Cassandra's eyes grew moist.
Roy rubbed his own eyes.
Damn it. Something must have gotten in them.
Was the wind in Babel Plaza always this strong? Maybe the Guild should pay more attention to environmental maintenance.
Time flowed strangely in the Dungeon.
To Roy and the others, it felt like only ten days had passed.
In reality, a full month had gone by on the surface.
Everything in the world changed with time.
Only the gods remained eternal.
That eternity brought comfort.
Even ten thousand years later, she would still be the same—speaking to you like a dear friend, never once feeling distant.
They returned to the Stardust Garden.
Those who needed rest rested. Those who needed baths bathed.
They could have rested on the 18th Floor, but it was still the Dungeon. No one knew when disaster might strike. Only their own home felt truly safe.
Astraea had prepared a lavish meal.
This was merely an appetizer. Once everyone had stabilized, they would celebrate properly at a restaurant.
They devoured the food ravenously—even the two girls.
Roy had preserved plenty of delicacies in his spatial ring, but none of it compared to this meal.
What they were savoring wasn't just flavor—
It was peace of mind.
Only Ryuu maintained her elven elegance.
"You've leveled up."
Astraea announced at the table.
Roy blinked. "Who?"
"Everyone except you."
As she said that, Astraea shot Roy a faintly resentful look.
So love fades, does it? Where is my sense of participation?
The pouting goddess looked adorable—
Though in Roy's eyes, it was just an ancient being acting cute.
His gaze swept over Daphne, Cassandra, and finally stopped on Ryuu.
"Lv. 2? Lv. 2? And you—Lv. 5?!"
"Yes!"
Daphne and Cassandra could barely suppress their excitement.
They had become upper-tier adventurers in one leap—surpassing more than half of Orario.
Ryuu nodded lightly. Even her normally calm expression carried a trace of joy.
Nearly half a year after her Familia's destruction—
She had reached Lv. 5.
A first-class adventurer.
Roy wasn't surprised.
This expedition had been filled with feats worthy of legend.
Clearing the Monster Party of the 17th Floor.
Facing an enhanced mermaid while surrounded by dozens of high-level adventurers.
And defeating the floor boss, Amphisbaina.
Seeing the entire team level up made Roy itch with anticipation.
Though much of the credit for killing Amphisbaina had come from his equipment—
A Lv. 3 slaying a Lv. 5 floor boss was undoubtedly a grand feat.
His ability values had already met the standard.
The next day—
Roy and the others headed to the Guild headquarters to submit their expedition report and exchange magic stones.
Although they hadn't explored the 24th Floor, the discovery of an enhanced mermaid capable of controlling adventurers through song was valuable intelligence.
It was more than enough to satisfy the Guild.
During Roy's recovery on the 18th Floor, adventurers had already spread the news.
The Astraea Familia defeating Amphisbaina with only four members had become the talk of Orario.
Wherever they went, they drew astonished gazes from citizens, adventurers, and even gods.
Upon entering the Guild headquarters, Roy spotted Eina Tulle.
Wearing her Guild uniform and thin glasses, she looked sharp and intelligent.
As a half-elf with delicate features, she had become the Guild's new poster girl.
"Mr. Roy."
Eina's eyes lit up when she saw him, and she walked over quickly.
"Miss Eina. Long time no see. The Guild uniform suits you beautifully."
Roy greeted her with a relaxed smile.
"Mr. Roy, you're just like the gods…"
Eina muttered softly. In recent days, quite a few adventurers and even gods had deliberately complimented her.
Despite her complaint, her cheeks flushed faintly, making her look even more radiant.
Across the Guild hall, adventurers and gods watching the scene felt their hearts sink.
It's over.
Justice Budding—that beast—wasn't he on an expedition this past month?
When did he make his move?!
Roy casually asked one of the few acquaintances he had at the Guild.
"Where's Leomer?"
"Section Chief Leomer said that from now on, all Astraea Familia matters will be handled by me!"
Eina straightened proudly, puffing out her chest—no less impressive than Miss Ryuu.
Technically, the Astraea Familia didn't require a Guild advisor.
But this Familia caused far too many incidents.
The Guild had no choice but to assign a dedicated staff member.
Leomer, at heart, was just a salaryman earning 3,800 valis a month and living with an easy smile.
How could he handle Roy's constant upheavals?
Especially after hearing Roy had killed Amphisbaina—
He could already foresee more trouble coming.
So he decisively handed the responsibility to Eina.
Roy could only laugh helplessly.
Was he really that terrifying?
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