CHAPTER 894: CHAPTER 692: PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE RAID

Underground city, 50th floor.

After traversing the 44th floor, Loki Familia spent a day and finally arrived once again at this safe floor where no monsters are born.

Here, the scene was no different from what Loki Familia saw on their previous expedition, with no changes. The entire floor appeared as a vast hollow, the ground covered in volcanic ash, the forest dyed gray. Only the veined cyan currents flowing between tall trees and the stalactite-like rock columns several dozen meters above the ground emitted a faint phosphorescence, preventing the place from being entirely grayish black.

About two months ago, the traces of the corrosive liquid that melted a large pit in the center of this floor, left by the female-type monster that Reiger defeated and self-destructed in this place, had already disappeared.

Whether it was the terrain burnt by magic or the large hole eroded by the corrosive liquid, everything had been automatically repaired by the underground city over these two months.

Thus, Loki Familia, along with the advanced forgers from the Hephaestos Clan, set up camp on the giant rock cliff that overlooked the gray great forest, erecting tent after tent here.

"We need another tent here!"

"What about the magic stone lamps? Do we still have some left?"

"Tie the magic stone lamps to the tents and supply boxes, and light the bonfire later!"

"Where’s the cooking team? Go make some food!"

"Bring over the food and water!"

"Coming, coming!"

Amidst these calls and the noise, adventurers who had unloaded their heavy armor were running around doing all sorts of tasks, creating a rarely seen bustling scene in the underground city.

Raul and Angel were directing the campers to set up, placing supplies and luggage, as the camp slowly took shape and magic stone lamps gradually illuminated the area.

The bonfire was also ready, but not yet lit. However, the cooking team had already placed the ingredients near the bonfire, ready to cook a meal for the members who had completed this nearly six-day journey as soon as the fire started.

Reiger was also there, transporting a batch of special equipment—magic swords—with Rephia, an integral part of this expedition.

"So this is a magic sword?"

Reiger curiously picked up one to scrutinize it.

It was a short sword, but its surface was quite rough, looking nothing like a metal weapon, more like some kind of stone tool, as if crafted from precious stones.

"It’s a short sword-type magic sword."

Rephia carefully took the magic swords out of the box and started a conversation with the curious Reiger.

"Mr. Reiger, you’ve never seen a magic sword before?"

Faced with Rephia’s question, Reiger nodded in admission naturally.

"Holding a magic sword like this, indeed, it’s the first time."

While feeling the magical power waves emanating from the magic sword, Reiger placed the sword back.

"I see." Rephia realized, then said: "Magic swords come in different types, there’s the short sword type, the long sword type, and even axe and blade types, just like the weapons adventurers use."

"And different types of magic swords have varying power."

"It’s said that the magic released from a short sword-type magic sword is less powerful, usually not exceeding the firepower of a Lv.4 Magic Guide, but it’s convenient to carry and use. The long sword-type magic sword has stronger magic, with the weakest even matching a Lv.4 Magic Guide’s attack spell, and the strongest can threaten first-level adventurers, possibly even injuring someone like Mr. Finn or Mr. Grace, both Lv.6 adventurers."

"Besides that, magic swords can release fire attack magic, some release lightning attack magic, and some even release ice magic, seemingly depending on the type."

"I haven’t used them directly myself, these are what others have told me."

Rephia explained obediently to Reiger, making him smile and nod.

"I see, thank you."

Reiger naturally reached out and patted Rephia’s head.

"No, no need to mention it! Mr. Reiger, it’s fine as long as you don’t think I’m just flaunting common knowledge!"

Rephia’s face turned red, holding her magic wand, she looked a bit shy but seemed very happy, quite endearing.

"I wouldn’t think so, of course." Reiger smiled and said, "Let’s go. According to the captain’s orders, we might encounter those multicolored worm-type monsters anytime now. We need to distribute the magic swords quickly so everyone has the means to fend off those monsters."

The magic swords were prepared for this purpose; Finn hadn’t given permission for their use until they reached this safe floor, the final stop of the last expedition. Only then did Finn instruct Reiger and Rephia to distribute the magic swords.

These are very expensive supplies, and even Finn dared not casually assign others to handle them, which is why Reiger, a familia executive, and Rephia, Revilia’s successor, were appointed, otherwise, they wouldn’t be the ones transporting and distributing the magic swords.

"Yes."

Rephia couldn’t care about being shy anymore and repeatedly affirmed.

In such a situation, Reiger and Rephia started moving around the camp, distributing magic swords to the group members one by one.

The main recipients were actually the dedicated rear guard members. The front guards, in close combat with monsters, basically didn’t have the leeway to use magic swords. The central guards’ main responsibility was guerrilla warfare, so the opportunity to use magic swords was also limited. Only the rear guards, responsible for support and long-range attacks, could fully utilize the magic swords.

Therefore, Reiger and Rephia primarily distributed the magic swords to the supporters or magic guides of the dedicated rear guards, with only a small portion given to the front and central guards for emergency use.

As for the first-level adventurers...

"We don’t need them."

"Even if you give us magic swords, we won’t really use them."

Theona and Theone, experts in close combat, refused the magic swords.

"I don’t need them either."

With "Wind Spirit Swift Walk" on her and wielding an unbreakable weapon, Ais, unaffected by corrosive liquids, also shook her head, letting Reiger and Rephia give the magic swords to others.

The big three equally didn’t need them, especially Revilia, whose casual magic was better than the attacks of the magic swords. Giving her one would just be a waste.

On the other hand, Bert, seeing Reiger and Rephia approaching with magic swords, glanced over and said.

"Give me a few short sword types."

With that said, Bert took away a few short sword type magic swords.

Among the first-level adventurers, indeed only Bert needed magic swords more.

However, Bert taking the magic swords wasn’t for long-range attacks but to complement his own armament.

Always equipped on Bert’s feet, extending to his knees, those metal boots were not merely armor but weapons.

The yellow jade inlaid at the center of the calf area of these metal boots allowed them to not only perform kick techniques but also had a unique property in Orario—magic absorption.

As the name suggests, these metal boots could absorb others’ magic, making the effects manifest on the boots, temporarily adding their properties and power. Combined with the striking force of the boots themselves, it greatly improved the attack power of the wearer.

The material used for these metal boots was a finely crafted metal reputed for its excellent magic power conductivity—mithril.

It is worth mentioning that these metal boots were personally crafted by Chun and were second-level special armaments named Flosvelt.

Although only second-level, their special property undoubtedly elevated their value and functionality to be on par with first-level armaments, even surpassing most first-level armaments.

To unleash the true power of these metal boots when necessary, Bert usually carried a few magic swords with him. Whenever he encountered a situation where the boots needed to unleash their full power, he would use the magic swords to feed Flosvelt, significantly increasing its power.

For the upcoming battle, naturally, Bert would not hide Flosvelt’s strength anymore, thus making a grim face as he came to Reiger and Rephia to retrieve a few conveniently portable short sword type magic swords.

"He’s really not straightforward."

"But that’s very much his style."

"Young people are like this, being too concerned about face isn’t good."

Witnessing this scene, Finn, Revilia, and Grace casually teased, making Bert’s expression twitch.

Once Reiger and Rephia distributed all the magic swords, the campfire at the center of the camp was already lit, and a large pot was set over the fire. Alicia, Navi, and Elfie were cooking there, clearly the kitchen team.

Once the meal was ready, everyone from the Loki clan and the Hephaestos clan sat around the campfire, starting to eat while chattering and laughing.

This scene was equally lively, seldom seen in the underground city.

Finn seemingly intentionally eased everyone by talking about some light topics during the meal, eliciting laughter from many female members and causing an Amazon woman, who always saw the little human leader as her favorite (target), to glare around with menacing eyes. This glare made Rephia and Elfie, who accidentally laughed a few times, almost break out in cold sweat.

After everyone finished eating, Finn shifted from the light-hearted atmosphere to a serious tone.

"Next, we are about to launch an attack on the area below the 50th floor."

With Finn’s words, everyone’s expressions instantly turned tense.

"Starting from the 51st floor, the frequency and level categories of monsters appearing are incomparable to before. So, the task of reaching the 59th floor, which we haven’t reached, can only be undertaken by a select few elites. People lacking sufficient level and power would only be cannon fodder if they came along, sacrificing themselves needlessly."

Finn said this.

"In light of this, most of you present must stay at this camp to guard our supplies and logistics."

"Only those selected by me can accompany me to the 59th floor."

"Now, I will start calling names."