Chapter 86: Encountering the Green Dragon!
Chapter 86 - Encountering the Green Dragon!
Luke, accompanied by Ais, wandered around Rivira for a while.
It didn't take long before Finn found them again.
He then led them, giving a detailed introduction to this adventurer town.
…
Time passed by, and the maintenance, lasting less than three days, concluded without any unexpected incidents.
Few dared to cause trouble for the Loki Familia, so everything proceeded smoothly.
With the maintenance over, the 16 selected adventurers for the next stage of the expedition were ready.
Among them were three level 5 adventurers, the high-ranking executives of the Loki Familia, three level 3, eight level 2, and two level 1 adventurers.
Among the two level 1 adventurers were Luke and Ais.
Luke earned recognition for his combat prowess, while Ais was allowed to join as a supporter for the team.
In the central area of the 18th floor, at the base of the giant tree, there was a massive hole at its roots—the entrance to the 19th floor.
Passing through it would lead to the "Large Tree Labyrinth" spanning from the 19th to the 24th floor, representing the latter half of the middle floors.
The dungeon's division of floors was as follows: the 1st to 12th floor as the upper floors, with the first five floors known as the novice area.
The middle floors ranged from the 13th to 24th floor, including special floors like the 17th-floor Monster Rex area and the 18th-floor safe zone. Therefore, the middle floors were further divided into two sections—front and back.
From the 25th to 36th floor were the lower floors of the dungeon. The expedition's goal this time was the floor boss on the 37th floor, marking the entrance to the deep floors.
Despite the expedition team's numbers being reduced by almost half, their combat strength remained intact.
Conversely, the absence of weaker and lower-leveled members accelerated the overall team's progress.
Several days later, the expedition team safely entered the 24th floor.
However, upon reaching this floor, the entire team's pace slowed down.
This time, they deliberately slowed down, not due to external factors like thick fog or monster attacks that forced them to reduce speed, as it happened on the 10th floor.
It was a proactive choice.
The reason was the abundance of dungeon resources on the 24th floor, known as the "Large Tree Labyrinth."
The walls, ground, and ceiling are made out of wood, making it seem like the inside of a giant tree.
Instead of phosphorescent light, radiating moss grows across the floor and gives off blue light.
These floors contain a large amount of unexplored areas and a large variety of insect-type monsters.
At every corner or cave visited by adventurers, they encountered different landscapes, with some areas even resembling beautiful gardens.
The plant diversity on these floors often provides ingredients used to make healing items, resulting in many resource gathering quests being issued for this area.
After research in Orario, it has been confirmed that various plants/herbs in this area, even if consumed directly, have rapid effects in restoring stamina or detoxification.
Therefore, alchemists who craft restorative potions and other items highly value these ingredients.
Even the dazzling moss that forms the labyrinth's light source in this area can be exchanged for a considerable amount of wealth upon returning to the surface.
The Expedition team slowed down their progress here to collect some precious materials.
Many of the herbs in this area can save their life in critical moments.
"Captain, look quickly, it's a Gem Tree!"
(PS: It's called Gem Tree, right? I can't remember what the heck the tree's name was.)
Just as Luke and the others were carefully searching for herbs around them, suddenly, a level 3 Familia member pointed in a direction and shouted.
Upon hearing the words 'Gem Tree', almost everyone who knew its value instinctively stopped their actions.
Riveria looked at the rare Gem Tree in the distance, her tone showing unusual hesitation, and asked Finn:
"Finn, what should we do? Should we give up the Gem Tree?"
Finn stared at the direction of the Gem Tree, thinking seriously.
He wasn't looking at the Gem Tree but was focused on the monster lying beneath it, the 'Green Dragon.'
The Gem Tree is an extremely rare tree species that produces high-quality red or blue gems on its branches.
Gems produced by the Gem Tree, when placed on the surface, would attract the attention of many goddesses, making it a literal money tree.
Similar to the Gem Tree, 'precious items' in the dungeon are always guarded by powerful monsters known as 'Treasure Guardians.'
The guardian of the Gem Tree appearing on the 24th floor is the 'Green Dragon' that Finn is closely watching.
If the floor boss is considered the dungeon's final boss, then the 'Treasure Guardian' is akin to a wild boss.
Green Dragon's parameters have also reached level 4, and being a dragon species, it possesses formidable strength far surpassing ordinary monsters.
In other words, this Green Dragon is not inferior to Goliath, the floor boss of the 17th floor.
However, for the Loki Familia expedition team, composed entirely of elite members, a monster of this level is not much of a challenge.
But for Finn, the consideration was not merely about defeating the Green Dragon.
There were additional factors to contemplate, such as the distribution of team experience, the consumption of potions and supplies, the time spent, and whether the gains outweigh these factors.
In addition to these considerations, there was a crucial issue at hand – Ais's hatred for dragon-type monsters.
Finn discreetly glanced in Ais's direction and confirmed his suspicions.
The moment Ais saw the Green Dragon, she was consumed by hatred and rage.
If it weren't for Luke intervening in time, Ais might have already rushed forward.
After some thoughtful deliberation and receiving an affirmative response from Luke, Finn made up his mind.
"It's a bit of a waste to let go of this wealth and excelia."
"Riveria, Gareth, get ready. Assemble the team to conquer this Green Dragon."
With Finn's command, the expedition team swiftly moved into action.
Dozens of adventurers arranged themselves in formation directed by Finn, steadily approaching the Green Dragon.
At this moment, the Green Dragon also noticed the hostile intent from this group of adventurers.
Its massive body, as it stood up, seemed to block out the sky.
"Roar!"
With a tremendous roar echoing, the battle was about to commence.
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