Danmachi: Gacha Draw

Power Stone Bonus Chapter...

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After some preparations, Link stored a significant number of spare weapons provided by the Loki Familia in the system space.

Almost an hour later, Finn issued a clear combat mission.

Ais was assigned to the first tier, while Link and the other invited members of the expedition were designated for the second tier.

The deeper one goes into the dungeon, the larger and more expansive the floors become.

At the deepest levels, the area of the dungeon is nearly equivalent to that of Orario itself.

Additionally, the terrain becomes increasingly complex, making strategic planning more challenging.

However, on the upper floors near the surface, there are small areas that can only accommodate one person.

In such circumstances, if the expedition team insists on moving together, they risk forming an unwieldy long line that cannot react swiftly to unexpected changes.

Therefore, it is wise to split up and leave the narrow upper levels for a rendezvous at the more spacious lower levels.

The Loki Familia has always followed this approach; they typically divide their group on the first and second tiers and regroup on the 18th floor before descending together.

Upon learning that she would not be on the same team as Link later on, Ais's mood soured slightly.

"Okay, okay. We'll meet on the 18th floor," she said.

Link walked over and gently ruffled Ais's hair.

She nodded softly in response, surprising her fellow Loki Familia members with her compliance.

"Is she still our Miss Ais?" one member wondered aloud.

"Where has our cold ice beauty gone?" another remarked.

Noticing their comments and gazes directed at her, Ais's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Link smiled as he prepared to return to his assigned tier; he felt he had almost won her over now.

"I really want to team up with Link! It makes me so sad that we can't be together…"

Tiona chimed in with a deliberately pitiful tone, playfully teasing Ais.

Link caught Tiona's playful gaze while several members of their Familia watched intently for his reaction.

When Tiona noticed Link looking at her, she turned away bashfully and began to retreat.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Link approaching; like Ais before her, he gently tapped her head twice.

Tiona's smile faded instantly as a faint aura enveloped her; she fell silent, staring at the ground in front of her feet while nervously tightening and loosening her grip on her weapon until Link turned away.

"Idiot Tiona! Why are you still standing there?"

Tione scolded as she playfully patted Tiona's head before raising her own flushed face.

"Seriously? This is so fake…"

Seeing her sister's red cheeks made Tione widen her eyes in surprise.

Normally carefree, Tione suddenly became timid as she glanced around like a little mouse.

After confirming that Link had moved on, she focused on Tiona for a few seconds without arguing with her sister; instead, she silently chose to follow their team forward.

Tione shook her head but briefly glanced back at Link in the distance before running off to catch up with their group.

Although Link had already walked quite far away, he could still sense what was happening behind him through his keen sight and hearing.

He was somewhat surprised; this was the first time he had seen Tiona behave like this—it exceeded his expectations.

Is this what they call contrasting cuteness?

Unfortunately, it seemed he was accumulating more romantic entanglements lately.

"Alright everyone, let's go," announced Gareth, a sturdy dwarf responsible for leading their second echelon.

Under his command, they began moving slowly down into the dungeon via its spiral staircase since they were carrying a substantial amount of supplies

Much slower than their first echelon counterparts.

"Hey Link! Don't you have any supplies with you?"

Raul asked as he hefted a large bag onto his shoulder.

"I have to focus on defense," Link replied nonchalantly.

"It's better to go into battle lightly."

In truth, there wasn't much need for defense; their party comprised all Level 2 adventurers or higher who easily dominated the upper levels of the dungeon.

Although progress was slower than if he were alone, Link found no lack of entertainment surrounded by Alicia, Lefiya, Angel, and his own girls.

Occasionally they encountered other adventurers who would step aside to make way for them along their path.

"Look over there…"

Olga spoke up first as they approached a group from Takemikazuchi Familia dressed in Far Eastern attire nearby.

Their leaders Ouka and Mikoto bowed respectfully toward Link from a distance while Chigusa also lowered her head in greeting.

In return, Link offered them a slight nod and smiled back.

"Are you going on an expedition with Loki Familia? Mr. Link has really grown!"

Ouka sighed wistfully as she watched them depart.

Mikoto observed Link leave too; having witnessed his battles firsthand made it hard for her not to admire him without realizing it herself

This adventurer who had arrived in Orario less than half a year ago had already advanced from Level 1 to Level 4 while she remained stagnant in comparison.

"I need to work harder!" Ouka resolved as she watched him walk away.

"Mikoto! Why aren't you coming?" someone called out.

"I'm coming now!" Mikoto replied firmly as she drew out her long knife and returned resolutely to join her team.

…

As they descended into mid-levels where monster attacks intensified based on past experiences Gareth prepared his family members to raise their shields against incoming threats

The Rabbit's flying axes and hellhound' flames posed challenges for mages positioned behind them

But thanks to Link's quick reflexes he consistently eliminated monsters within range before they could strike.

"Hahaha! Kiddo Link! Does your perception skill really have such an extensive range?"

Gareth laughed heartily while observing from afar before continuing onward himself

Smashing aside an axe hurled toward him with his shield.

Raul sighed in relief after drawing out his own shield:

"Looks like I don't need to do anything after all."

"That's incredible!"

Alicia exclaimed alongside others witnessing Link fight for what felt like their first time

Underneath his fierce offensive maneuvers everyone quickly traversed along paths until reaching Floor 18 where they successfully reunited with those from Tier One.

Ais sat cross-legged cleaning Desperate when suddenly spotting him caused excitement to light up within her eyes

She stood up immediately walking towards him holding out some fruits she'd picked earlier:

"Link… Would you like some?"

Though asking for his opinion directly conveyed eagerness made refusal impossible for him: "Um."

Link accepted one fruit from Ais's palm popping it into his mouth

A burst of sweetness exploded upon biting down causing him frown slightly: "Lefiya! Do you want some?"

Ais extended another hand toward Lefiya who appeared somewhat gloomy but happily accepted one fruit herself taking a bite…

"Oh my! So delicious!"

Link couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by how sweet it tasted prompting him again frown slightly:

"You don't like it?"

Ais noticed immediately asking concernedly:

"A little too sweet for me," he admitted touching Ais's head affectionately

The gesture touched something deep within even if flavors didn't suit him perfectly

They exchanged smiles understanding each other well enough despite differences between tastes…

The 'big bad wolf' secretly enamored by Ais turned into nothing more than an embarrassed pup when faced unexpectedly with affection leaving behind feeling unsatisfied yet unable shake off lingering thoughts about what transpired moments prior…