As soon as all the clones shouted, they split into small groups and disappeared.
"Even if it's on the 24th floor, I think everything will be fine."
Before starting my hunt, I contacted the clones to give them one last instruction.
To all of them:
'If you see a girl on the 20th floor, don't kill her. She's a Xenos, a monster with consciousness.' I didn't want to cause any trouble for Wiene. I don't want any of my clones hurting her.
With everything set, I resumed my hunt on the 24th floor.
While hunting, I took occasional breaks to check on Frieren.
She still hadn't met Loki.
That meeting only happened a few hours later.
Tiona took her to the Loki Familia home, and the two spent hours together. Not just Tiona—Ais showed up a while later, and the three of them had tea together.
Everything seemed fine at first, but when Loki entered the room, the mood shifted.
The once cheerful atmosphere became tense.
Frieren grew nervous.
'Frieren, it's okay. Loki won't do anything to you. Just talk to her. Act like you always do.'
[Okay, Master.]
After her reassuring reply, I hid on the 24th floor and watched their conversation.
"So, you're Frieren."
"Yes, that's me."
"Tiona told me about you. Not just Tiona—Ais and Tione spoke highly of you too."
"Ais did?"
"Yes. It's not like her to say things like that, so I was eager to meet you. You're exactly as they described." Loki walked closer to Frieren and stared at her.
Our eyes met.
It felt like she knew I was watching.
But to my relief, it was just my imagination.
"Your eyes are beautiful."
"Thank you."
"You're an elf, right? Why have I never heard of you before? I only found out about you recently. Do you know Riveria?"
"Riveria? I've never met her before."
"I see. You've only recently arrived in Orario, haven't you? Where were you living before coming here?"
Seeing that Loki would keep asking questions, I started helping Frieren.
'Say you used to live in the Beol Mountains and came to Orario with a group of adventurers you met by chance. You're a clone, she can't sense whether you're lying or not.'
[Got it.]
Frieren told Loki the story I made up.
Since she's a clone, Loki couldn't sense any lie.
Things become so much easier when you can lie to gods.
"I see. You must have had quite the adventure."
"No, not really. It was a very easy trip."
"Right, right." Loki nodded and sat down. Tiona then served her some tea.
"So, why do you want to join the Familia?"
Loki looked at her seriously.
"Because I'm tired of being weak. I'm tired of working in shops to earn money. If I keep doing that, I don't think I'll be able to... It's such a lonely place... I don't have anyone here with me."
"Frieren..." Tiona looked saddened by Frieren's words.
Little did she know, Frieren was just repeating exactly what I was saying in her mind.
"Did you have a family where you lived?"
"No family, just friends."
"I see."
"The only friends I have here are the members of the Loki Familia. I met them by accident at the guild, but I really like all of them... even though they treat me like a child."
"Hahaha." Loki laughed. "Well, I can't blame them."
"Do I really look that much like a child?"
"Hmm… You do look quite young, but I wouldn't say you look like a child."
"Thanks for that." Frieren glanced at Tiona, who didn't quite understand the look.
This time, I hadn't asked Frieren to say that.
She said it on her own.
She's really upset about being treated like a child... how cute.
"Well, if you really want this, it's fine by me."
"Are you sure?" Tiona asked.
"Of course. But she has to promise she'll work hard."
"I promise I will."
This is a great opportunity.
I also want Frieren to explore the dungeon and grow stronger, just like the other clones.
After that conversation, I disconnected from Frieren's eyes and ears and told her:
'Good job. Receive your Falna and have fun.'
[Won't I need to do anything else after this?]
'Just live among the Loki Familia members and gather information. I want to know what they're planning against me.'
[Alright, I'll do that.]
I cut off my connection with Frieren and smiled.
"Perfect."
I opened my status and noticed my EXP gain had literally tripled. I thought it would only double... but it tripled.
I'm earning so much EXP that it won't take long to reach my next evolution.
This is great.
####
Some time passed, and I finally decided to head to the next floor.
Starting from the 25th floor, the dungeon's structure would change completely.
"Water City," I think that's what they call those floors.
'I'm heading to the 25th floor. Any clones who want to come with me, meet me at the passage to the 25th floor.'
Many clones responded positively.
I smiled with satisfaction and made my way toward the 25th floor passage.
I assimilated to receive the clones' memories.
To my surprise, Rock Lee's group had already found the passage, making it easy to get there.
When I arrived, Rock Lee's group was waiting for me.
"Master!"
"I forgot that many clones don't know the way."
I contacted the clones who wanted to join me and started bringing everyone over.
Once I finished gathering all the clones, I received a system notification:
[Clone "Frieren" has acquired a Falna]
'She actually did it.'
####
If you want to encourage me to keep writing and read more chapters, here is my patr eon:
patr eon.com/ZhangYe
Next chapters: Chapter 69 - 25th floor. / Chapter 70 - It finally started. The war. / Chapter 71 - Shadow.