Since Kisuke and Medusa are with them, the group went straight to the 8th floor, bypassing the 7th floor where the Killer Ants and other insect type monsters spawn.
The amount and size of rooms from 8th to 9th floors increase and the length of the hallways between them becomes shorter. Also, the ceiling changes height from three to four meters from the floors above to nearly ten meters above. Moss covers the brown-colored walls and the ground below becomes a short grass plain. The strong light from the phosphorescence above is similar to the light from the sun. No new monsters appear, however Goblins and Kobolds are stronger than above. It's recommended for Level 1 adventurers to have the status of at least E in their basic abilities to explore these floors.
"Is it fine to just jump to this floor? Even though our group became larger, it's still dangerous because aside from stronger monsters, the spawn rate is also a lot faster and can overwhelm us." Line asked in concern. She doesn't know anything about Kisuke and Medusa's capabilities, but she assumed that their abilities are also around the level of the trio, "And why are you not wearing armor? That attire is from eastern lands, right? Even if you're fond of that attire, you should at least wear some steel plates that could protect your vitals! Are you underestimating the Dungeon? On top of that, where's your weapon? Why are you bringing a cane?"
"Arshe-san, I heard that you're learning the way we use magic." Instead of answering her questions, Kisuke asked.
Line wanted to pursue her issue about their armors but when she looked at Kisuke eyes which is shadowed by his strange hat, she could help but focus on his question instead. It's as if he has strange powers that do not allow you to go against him, "...Yes." Line answered briefly, 'Their whole Familia use magic this way as expected...'
"What do you think about it?"
"What, you say... I still think it's ridiculous... Even now, I still don't fully believe if I can really do the same thing you're doing..." Line stopped walking and looked down at her own hands, "But... I hope this would be the key to my dreams. For letting me know about this kind of magic, thank you very much." She gave her gratitude to Sona's group again.
Kisuke smiled at her response, 'She's earnest and it seems that she's a hardworking too.' Kisuke thought as he noticed the bags under her eyes and traces of turbulent Mana inside of her, signifying that she's been using magic to the point that her Mana kept moving even after stopping.
Line wanted to say something else, but a group of 6 Goblins and 4 Kobolds came.
As if remembering something, Aika grinned and looked towards Kisuke, "Kisuke, have you started practicing your Flash Step?"
Kisuke looked back at her and answered, "I'm too busy with some things and couldn't do any practice. Since I'm free today, I figured I can do it today."
"Then go~! We'll give you this first batch of monsters!"
Kisuke then peeked at Line reaction, 'Although she's confused on what we're talking about, it seems she's aware of Flash Step... But not the real thing. Oh well, it'll be harder for her to accept things later so better show her some of it now.'
Facing forwards, Kisuke used the Mana the Falna provided and directly got hold of it. Circulating the Mana according to the technique, Kisuke flawlessly performed Flash Step and appeared behind the group of monsters 10 meters away.
He then pulled out the blade in his cane and did a large swing, beheading all ten monsters in an instant, 'So you can really gain excelia as long as you power yourself up with the provided Mana. And they gave a lot more than the upper floors even though they're not much stronger.'
"W-w-what was that!?" From behind them, Line exclaimed in confusion, "How did he suddenly appear there in an instant!?"
However, the girls didn't humor her, "Hmm... Here I thought that he would fail at least for the first time..." Aika pouted as she muttered.
"That's the difference between him and us... His handling is a thousand times better than us." Koneko followed.
"...Looks like we have to speed up our training." Sona also inputted.
"Eh?" Line then looked around in shock, "Eh? Is that normal? Am I the weird one here?" Line felt like she entered the wrong neighborhood. A dangerous neighborhood that threatens to undermine her understanding of the world, 'No way he's level one! He should be at least level 4 or 5 with special skills!'
But they still couldn't attend to her as another batch of monsters approached them the opposite direction Kisuke went.
The first one to react is Medusa as two daggers connected to a chain suddenly manifested in her hands. Without waiting for anyone, she dashed towards the monster after strengthening her body to the limit of her Mana. From that dash, Line estimated that she has the same speed as a Level 4 or an Agility focused Level 3.
Medusa went through the group of monsters and during the time she passed by them, she instantly beheaded two Goblins and while at it, her chains become longer and entangled two Kobolds, throwing them towards the 6 remaining monsters, destroying their formation.
Medusa turned around and threw both of her daggers towards two different monsters. The daggers then went through the targeted monster's throats. Medusa held the chains to control the dagger's flying direction and beheaded another two monsters. With another pull, the daggers went through the last two monsters. She killed the remaining monsters just through her finesse control of chains and daggers.
The chains became shorter and the daggers returned to her hand as Medusa pick up the magic stones and went back walking nonchalantly to the group. During this time, Kisuke also returned after picking up the magic stones.
"Dang it... It seems like we're really in the bottom of the hierarchy in terms of combat strength... Who would have thought that she's that strong? And she only used the Mana provided, right?" Aika muttered with twitching lips.
Koneko couldn't say anything after seeing that and only clenched her little fist as determination and desire burned brightly within her.
"...We should really speed up our training..." Sona became surer that they're falling behind... by a lot.
"...Someone... Please... Explain what's going on..." Line couldn't process the events that unfold in front of her anymore. She heard from Sona and the rest that their whole Familia comprises only of Level 1 new Adventurers. But after seeing this, she firmly believed that they're lying to her and to everyone. After all, what Sona and the rest showed her yesterday is already the limit of her understanding.