According to the guild's regulations, to operate on the 24th floor, one must at least possess upper-tier Level 2 capabilities.
And if one wants to venture into the 27th floor and below, it's best not to bring along any Level 2 third-tier adventurers.
Of course, this applies to a three-person party. If the party size is much larger and includes strong adventurers of Level 4 or above, then bringing a few third-tier or even lower-tier adventurers wouldn't be a problem.
As for Eiji, of course, he wanted to form a three-person party.
When it comes to party formation, unless absolutely necessary, the number of members shouldn't be too large, as experience points can easily be divided among teammates.
Moreover, since Lefiya could no longer serve as a midguard in the lower floors and could only act as a rearguard, if Eiji wanted to train in the lower floors, he would at least need to bring along one midguard-type adventurer of Level 3 or above.
"Sorry, Line."
"It's fine. I saw this coming."
Eiji explained the party situation to Line.
Line forced a bitter smile but quickly expressed her understanding with a forgiving attitude.
"By the way, because of you, the training atmosphere in the familia has become really intense lately. You should have no trouble finding teammates willing to go to the lower floors now."
"Is that so? Thanks."
No wonder he hadn't seen many people around these past few days.
It seemed that his achievement of leveling up twice in forty days had completely ignited the training enthusiasm of his familia companions. He wondered if there were any midguard-type members still available now.
Eiji left Line's place and began considering suitable candidates for the midguard role.
Ideally, it'd be a Level 4 midguard—that way, Lefiya could be better protected, and Eiji could fight monsters even more recklessly.
"Loki, what are you doing?"
At the familia's entrance, Loki was dressed in a gorgeous sky-blue gown, looking utterly pleased with herself.
Normally behaving like a rough uncle, Loki now carried a somewhat dignified, goddess-like air—though her chest remained as flat as a cliff.
One must never let the children suffer.
So Eiji had absolutely no intention of making a move on Loki.
"Oh, it's you…!"
Seeing him approach, Loki shuddered, her face instinctively showing a hint of retreat.
But then, remembering that she was the familia's chief god, she straightened up and tried to exude an air of authority.
Beside her was a rented carriage, with the driver being a familiar face everyone liked—Mr. Raul.
Upon spotting Eiji, Raul paled in terror, hunched his shoulders, and turned his back, pretending to be an ostrich with its head in the sand.
Ahem… "I'm off to attend the divine banquet hosted by the Ganesha Familia!"
"Divine banquet?"
"Simply put, it's a casual banquet held among gods! This time, it's Ganesha's turn, next time it'll be another god. The host and venue aren't fixed—it's held whenever someone feels like it. This time, it's apparently to discuss the Monster Festival."
"You actually attend these kinds of banquets?"
"Originally, I didn't want to go, but I heard a certain rival of mine will be there."
Loki's rival… Could it be Freya?
Eiji immediately tensed up. If Freya were to expose him, he'd be in big trouble.
"Who's this rival of yours?"
"A goddess named Hestia. She just descended to the lower world—you wouldn't know her!"
Oh ho!
Now that's an old acquaintance.
You wouldn't believe it, but I've seen her doujinshi!
But as long as it's not Freya, it's fine.
What happens to the original heroine doesn't concern him. Though her blue ribbon is tempting, since she's a virgin goddess, better not go there.
Besides, he's been abstaining lately.
"By the way, Loki, do you know which midguard-type adventurers in the familia are relatively free these days?"
"You want to form a party? Hmm… Alicia should be free lately. She's an all-rounder-type adventurer—handling midguard duties would be a breeze for her!"
Alicia?
Eiji recalled her—the elf girl who kept hovering around him after the expedition. She was one of the core members of the second group, a magician with formidable archery skills who could also handle swordsmanship.
And she was Level 4, more than capable of handling the lower floors.
"Thanks."
"Wait, I've got something to tell you."
Loki was about to board the carriage but suddenly remembered something. With a serious expression, she grabbed Eiji's arm and pulled him into a corner of the courtyard.
"You haven't been using Charm randomly these past few days, have you?"
Using it randomly?
Well… does using it a dozen times as a playful skill during that standoff with Freya count?
"Of course not. How could I? Do I look like that kind of person?"
Eiji denied it solemnly.
"Good."
Loki let out a relieved sigh, then adopted an expression so stern it was almost frightening.
"I must warn you—never use Charm lightly, especially not on members of my familia!"
Or I'll never forgive you.
She didn't say it aloud, but Eiji understood the implication.
"Don't worry, you know what kind of person I am!"
Eiji thumped his chest confidently.
"I always wear a cloak when I go out. I never sell my body to strangers!"
"…Glad to hear it."
Loki's expression was complicated.
It's precisely because I know what kind of person you are that I'm worried!
But upon reflection, since joining the familia, he had indeed kept his promise not to actively flirt with the girls. It seemed he did honor his commitments, so Loki reluctantly set her worries aside.
"Alright, I'm off!"
Loki hurriedly climbed into the carriage and urged Raul to drive.
She'd heard that that shorty had just established her familia and was dirt-poor right now—she probably couldn't even afford a proper gown. Loki was determined to mock her thoroughly!
"Charm, huh…"
Eiji lowered his hand, watching the departing carriage in quiet contemplation.
It truly was an immensely powerful ability. With a wave, he could defeat even the strongest enemies. Wealth, peerless beauties, empires—all could be obtained effortlessly with a single charming smile.
Honestly, he had indeed considered using Charm to gain everything.
How convenient would that be? No effort is required, yet he could reign supreme over all.
"But that's not the strength I seek."
Eiji shook his head, gradually coming to terms with his thoughts.
Ultimately, what he pursued was his own personal strength—absolute, invincible power, the antithesis of weakness.
Back in the Rakudai world, Eiji's dream had been to surpass Edelweiss and become the strongest in the world. That dream hadn't changed even now. If anything, with the ability to traverse worlds, his ambitions had only grown.
If he was going to do it, he'd go all the way to the top!
If there were countless worlds, then he'd fight his way through them one by one!
This was a mission he would pursue and accomplish even if it took a lifetime—it was Eiji's current meaning of survival.
At best, Charm was merely a part of the power he had acquired, a means to an end—not the strength he sought in itself.
Clearing the dust from his heart, Eiji's mind became clear. He turned and walked into the spire.
***
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