The Fukaros Familia, starting from DanMachi.

"That's all we can do."

The robin nodded and said helplessly.

Tifa and Sumire agreed, saying it was the only way at the moment.

Fen Yu took a deep breath, just about to turn around and rush into the dimly lit passage to "raise funds" for this bottomless portal, when a clear and somewhat curious voice rang out behind them without warning.

"Mr. Fenyu, what are you doing? And... what is that thing?"

Fen Yu and the others froze in unison, turning around almost simultaneously.

In the dim phosphorescent light, two slender figures stood not far away, curiously observing them and the eerie blue-purple vortex behind them.

Leading the way was a blonde girl with golden eyes. Her features were exquisite, like a work of art, and she had a cool and aloof demeanor.

Her light blue and white combat outfit accentuated her beautiful figure, and at her waist hung an elegantly designed rapier—the first-class weapon known to everyone in Orario, the "Sword of Despair".

It was Ais Wallenstein, the "Sword Princess" of the Loki Familia.

Following behind her was an elven girl.

She had bright, long, wispy brown hair, neatly tied into a single ponytail that hung down her back. Beneath her cute pink and blue dress, her long, straight legs were encased in white stockings, giving her a unique charm that was both childlike and elegant.

She is Rafia Viridis, the "Thousand Fairy".

Upon seeing these two figures, who were practically iconic figures among Orario's upper-class adventurers, Fen Yu's lips twitched involuntarily.

Alright, we can't hide it anymore.

He sighed helplessly to himself.

These two people, especially Ais, who is a top explorer, are very familiar with the environment of each level of the dungeon.

They had passed through the entrance from the twelfth to the thirteenth floor countless times. To suddenly have such a huge portal, unlike anything they had ever seen before, and to try to fool them with nonsense like "this is a normal phenomenon in the dungeon" was simply a fantasy.

"ε=(´ο｀*)))Alas..."

Fen Yu sighed deeply, giving up any struggle, and simply pointed with his chin to the blue-purple vortex behind him, "Come and see for yourselves."

With such a large instance portal standing here, instead of wasting time making up lies, it's better to let them confirm it themselves.

"Huh?"

Although Lefia and Ais were filled with doubt, they still stepped forward as instructed.

They exchanged a glance, and the bolder Ais reached out first, carefully touching the rippling halo.

Lefia followed closely behind.

Instantly, just like what Fenyu and the others had experienced before, a massive stream of information about the secret realm dungeon flooded into their minds.

"What...what...what is this?!"

After processing the information, Lefia was completely dumbfounded. Her beautiful blue eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, utterly confused about the situation before her.

Secret Realm? Dungeon? Clearing a Level? Adventure Album? These terms all sounded like languages ​​from another world to her, completely incomprehensible.

Ais's reaction was completely different.

She silently withdrew her hand, standing still without saying a word.

But her right hand, which was gripping the hilt of the "Sword of Despair" at her waist, tightened slightly.

Her gaze was fixed on the description of the "Adventure Album" in her mind—"Randomly increases an adventurer's ability value by 1-100 points."

Her ability level has become extremely, extremely slow.

Each update, seeing those almost stagnant numbers, filled her with a deep-seated anxiety and resentment.

This was an unbearable torment for her, who yearned for power deep within and longed to take revenge on the one-eyed black dragon.

And now, a treasure that can directly increase ability values ​​has suddenly appeared in front of her.

Even on her usually delicate, doll-like face, which was almost expressionless, a subtle but dramatic change appeared—a complex emotion mixed with shock, longing, and struggle.

After a long while, the clever Lefia finally managed to piece together the situation.

She glanced worriedly at Ais, whose breathing was clearly unsteady beside her, before turning her gaze to Fenyu and the others. Lowering her voice, she tentatively asked, "Um... Mr. Fenyu, may I ask how many magic stones you've already put in?"

Judging from the helpless and pained expressions on Fen Yu and the others' faces, and their unwavering presence here, the answer was already quite clear.

"All our stockpiles have been invested," Fen Yu said with a wry smile, spreading his hands. "I was just about to go kill some monsters and collect magic stones by myself when you guys showed up."

Lefia looked troubled.

She hesitated for a moment, seemingly engaged in a fierce internal struggle, before finally saying in a low voice, "You found it first, we can't take it. We have some magic stones on us, you can lend them to us to open it first, and you can return them to us later. Besides... didn't the message say we have three chances?"

After saying that, she turned to Ais beside her, her tone becoming decisive: "Miss Ais, we'll wait for a second chance. Now, go back to the Familia Headquarters as quickly as possible and bring back a lot of magic stones."

Ais's body trembled slightly, and a struggle flashed in her golden eyes.

But she eventually nodded slowly, agreeing with Lefia's suggestion.

It is an unwritten rule in the dungeon that you cannot steal monsters or treasures that others have discovered first. This rule is the cornerstone that maintains the fragile trust among adventurers.

Even when faced with such an unprecedented dungeon, they, as one of Orario's top clans, must abide by this rule.

Of course, this unspoken rule can only restrict those in the Loki Familia who lean towards the lawful camp and cherish their reputation.

If it were any other domineering and powerful clan, they would probably have cleared the area by force without saying a word and driven Fenyu and the others away. Why would they have kindly lent out the magic stone and prepared to wait patiently for a second chance?

"How about this?" Lefia's sincerity was evident, and Fenyu was not the kind of person who was oblivious to romance.

He immediately suggested with a smile, "Let's go in together. The limit is 10 people, and there are only six of us in total, so there's plenty of room."

"However," Fenyu added immediately, "I'm afraid Miss Sword Maiden can't come in with us."

Why?

Upon hearing this, Ais pouted almost imperceptibly, a clear hint of dissatisfaction flashing in her golden eyes as she stared directly at Fenyu.

Why leave her alone?

......