There was no other option.
Although Link had been tasked with bringing a large number of spare weapons this tim.
Facing those worms meant that even killing one would render their supplies insufficient.
If they continued, they risked losing all their weapons, making the journey back perilous.
Confronted with this situation, Finn finally issued the order to retreat.
After deciding to return, he planned to seek out some blacksmiths to see if they could address the issue of their weapons dissolving and prepare for a deeper exploration next time.
The Loki Familia regrouped on the 18th floor, splitting into two teams once again.
Riveria led the first team while Link and Ais remained together in the second.
Bete, not wanting to see them paired up, took the lead alone.
As chaotic footsteps and heavy breathing echoed from ahead, a large group of Minotaurs approached.
Bete's face lit up with excitement; he was finally ready to unleash his fury!
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
A pterosaur suddenly burst forth from a vertical hole nearby, about five meters long, and immediately spewed flames upon its emergence.
Link swiftly blocked the flames and dispatched the pterosaur with ease.
Ais, Tiona, and the others quickly armed themselves and charged toward the Minotaurs.
Link began running as well...
He leaped onto the fallen pterosaur and cleanly severed its head before jumping down just in time to catch Alicia staring at him wide-eyed.
"What's wrong, Alicia?" he asked.
The elf shook her head in confusion. "Why isn't Mr. Link helping?"
"It's just Minotaurs anyway…"
Before Link could finish his thought, he noticed that the group of Minotaurs was staring in shock at the fallen pterosaur.
The next moment, they turned tail and fled in all directions as if they had seen something terrifying.
The Minotaurs rushed out of the cave like frightened animals and disappeared deep into the passageway.
Link watched in surprise as they scattered.
"Everyone! Go after them!"
Riveria commanded immediately.
It was crucial to prevent these panicked monsters from encountering other adventurers in the dungeon; it would be a nightmare if they did so.
Moreover, if left unchecked, the Loki Familia would surely face condemnation from both the guild and other Familias afterward.
Link sprinted down a passageway after them.
He managed to catch up with the last fleeing Minotaur just as it kicked off in fear; he swiftly killed it before turning back to assess their progress.
Using his Haki, he sensed that Tiona and others had pursued another group of Minotaurs down to the 16th floor.
"This is troublesome," he sighed as he made his way toward Floor 16 when suddenly an idea struck him
This scene resembled an early moment from the anime where Bell first met Ace! Should he go over and take a look?
Perhaps he'd even run into Bell himself.
With that thought in mind, Link changed direction and headed toward Ais instead.
On Floor 5, the last Minotaur had run wildly into view just as Ais and Bete were hot on its heels.
"Ahhhh…"
The creature bellowed as it desperately tried to escape while holding tightly onto its long knife
Its solid muscles glistening under pressure
It looked surprisingly handsome for a monster!
"Wait… she's actually a beginner girl?" someone exclaimed.
"Link?"
Ais called out as she caught sight of him alongside Bete, Asagi, Olga, and Celestine who had also arrived quickly behind them.
Did he really not expect Bell to turn into a girl?
"Can you stand up?"
Link asked gently as he extended his hand toward a white-haired girl who lay on the ground before him.
"Um…" Tears still glistened on her cheeks as she quickly stood up; she was almost a head shorter than Link.
"Thank you… thank you!" she stammered before disappearing in an instant down another passageway.
Behind him, Ais and Bete exchanged curious glances at each other.
"Well, that's certainly interesting…"
…
In northern Orario's labyrinthine city streets, dusk settled in as streetlights flickered on one by one
Casting warm yellow halos around them.
"I'm finally back…"
Tiona sighed heavily.
"Ah… I'm so exhausted! I could really go for some meat right now."
"I want to take a bath first," Tione chimed in beside her.
A male and female gatekeeper greeted everyone warmly as they opened the door for them upon arrival home.
"You're back! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"
Just then Loki appeared dramatically
Her crimson hair flowing behind her like an eagle swooping down towards its prey
Charging straight at Ais, Tiona, and Tione!
They easily dodged aside without breaking stride while Lefiya
Walking at the rear...
Was caught completely off guard by Loki's antics.
"Hmm? Lefiya! Have you grown?"
Loki teased playfully.
"N-no!!"
The red-faced elf protested vehemently against his advances.
Loki grinned mischievously
Her once-enviable features now took on an absurdly comical expression that lightened everyone's mood despite their fatigue from earlier battles
They entered their mansion with tired smiles plastered across their faces nonetheless.
Link along with Asagi ,Olga ,and Celestine were invited into Twilight Mansion where profits from this expedition awaited distribution
A gesture which Link naturally accepted without hesitation following everyone else inside…
Once inside bathroom area first
The strong physique resembling that of sculptured perfection drew envious gazes from fellow male members present including Raul and Bete who couldn't help but compare themselves against him feeling disheartened afterwards…
"How did Mr.Link become so big?"
One murmured quietly amongst themselves while another added:
"It's only natural didn't do anything special."
"Well…"
They sighed collectively hugging their legs tightly doubting life choices made thus far…
Meanwhile within girls' bathing quarters…
"Lefiya! You traitor!"
Tiona shot daggers at her friend filled with jealousy over recent events unfolding around them all too quickly!
Link's mental presence lingered nearby causing Lefiya feel unexpectedly small compared against sisters standing beside her
Celestine too appeared quite impressive stature-wise compared against others present here today…
Wait...
Is that Ais?
Her proportions seem perfect?!
Though snow-white breasts weren't quite as ample compared against Celestine's own
They still held allure enough draw attention upward along slender legs leading towards perfectly rounded backside forming ideal silhouette overall!
At that moment however Ais suddenly sensed something amiss covering herself instinctively looking around nervously:
"What's wrong Ais?"
"Nothing," came her reply though hand remained half-covering body defensively still…
On opposite side meanwhile
Link covered nose feeling slightly dizzy overwhelmed by sheer volume of thoughts swirling through mind regarding figures belonging various girls within Loki clan…