[Warning!]
[Trap in the vicinity!]
Sigyn's signal emerged as our party was about to approach an intersection on the walled path.
"Let's stop for a moment."
I ordered my comrades whom had not let their guard down in this mission.
"Another trap. This is the twelfth one we've encountered."
Jonah said as he inspected the suspiciously empty ground ahead.
I nodded to him.
"Enemy patrols will find us if we stay here too long. We'll disable the traps and move on."
Devisha suddenly stepped toward me
"I believe we'll draw attention if we disable the trap by forcing it through your spells or Darius's arrows like earlier."
She then turned her sharp gaze toward the empty ground before us.
"I've seen its mechanism from the other traps we encountered previously. I believe I can dismantle it quietly and quickly."
"Very well. We'll be counting on you, Devisha."
I told the Tsahanam assassin.
The veiled woman then removed a tile from the road and uncovered a wooden contraption attached with dozens of tense black string.
It was quite incredible of her to know precisely which tile she should remove.
['Devisha (★★★)'s Trap Detection has levelled up to level 2!]
She then lodged one of her daggers into the contraption and used another dagger to cut three strings off.
The gears on the contraption suddenly turned and stopped mid-rotation.
They made brief crackling noise as they clashed against Devisha's dagger.
Crack! Snap!
['Devisha (★★★)'s has obtained the skill, 'Trap Disarm'!]
The empty ground before us cracked, revealing the slight tips of a row of spikes that were poised to puncture us had we activated the trap properly.
"It's safe to march on now."
Devisha announced to us.
At the same time, another red arrow in the sky streaked toward the south. Master wanted us to go forward from this intersection.
Shanny sighed as our party treaded on.
"Honestly, this whole place is a killing zone. It's dangerous enough even without the enemy patrols."
Our party had been following Sigyn's instructions in traversing the eighteenth floor's field.
I was certain that Master tried to avoid our party from most enemy confrontations.
But we had faced six patrol groups so far, consisted of 10 to 15 pirates, 20 including their war hounds.
"Wherever we are in Dunia, this place is well-guarded and well-fortified."
Darius said.
He went on with dreading expression.
"This regular mission is already quite on par to a portion of the Quintal Trials. Just how much more difficult the twentieth floor will be, I wonder."
Our enemies this time were the Storm Soarer Mercenaries.
A criminal organization active in the Varunian Sea. One that was rumored to be tied with the Circle of Kali.
Given what we had gathered so far in our climb, we were likely in the Storm Soarer's main base.
I assumed the sixteenth to the nineteenth floor were making us infiltrate into the Storm Soarer's headquarters.
And the twentieth floor would task us to handle whatever lied in the depth of their base.
In this eighteenth floor, our party had been navigating through a complex labyrinth of walled roads.
We had not seen any barracks or other particular buildings.
The way the paths and traps were laid out in this mission, this section seemed to be designed specifically to confuse and intercept intruders.
So we were likely still in the outer section of the Storm Soarer's fortress.
"Enemies ahead."
I warned my comrades quietly.
My detection field sensed a number of pirates guarding a large gate not long after we left the last intersection.
Our party hid behind the turn which led to the gate and scouted our next objective.
[Pirate Lv.16 x20]
[War Hound Lv.14 x8]
[Pirate Captain Lv.19 x5]
Upon our confirmation on our enemies, Sigyn's signal descended to the gate.
[Field Instruction: Seizure]
[Description: Suppress enemy forces present and take over the area!]
My comrades immediately readied their weapons and battle stances upon Sigyn's order.
I followed their gesture by preparing my spell.
No words needed to be exchanged for this simple tactic.
My comrades knew what needed to be done from this point on.
Maha Vayu.
Streams of deadly gale burst forth from my palm as I casted my silent spell.
The magic assault claimed all the war hounds, and eight pirates which handled them.
Darius followed my attack with a series of arrows. Nine enemies were felled by the projectiles.
With Shanny leading the charge, my three remaining comrades dashed into the ruined enemy ranks.
Shanny protected her comrades from incoming crossbow bolts with her shield.
Jonah countered the enemies with his throwing spears. Devisha aided him with her throwing daggers.
['Devisha (★★★)'s Dagger Throwing has levelled up twice to level 5!]
Once the three reached the enemies, they only had two opponents to face each.
The number was nothing when they had been sparring against 4-star heroes back in the lobby.
[Stage Clear!]
['Jonah (★★)', 'Shanny (★★)' levelled up!]
[MVP – 'Serafina (★★★★)']
[Reward – 70,000G, Iron Ore (B) x8]
The mission's clearance window emerged once the enemies were defeated and we opened the large gate they were guarding.
I managed to spy rows of roofed buildings and watchtowers beyond the gate before the bluish-white light completely engulfed us and returned our party to the mirrored chamber.
[Climb the tower and save the world!]
[Main Dungeon]
[Floor conquered - 18 -]
The furthest left mirror confirmed the completion of the eighteenth floor.
Only one floor remaining until we would begin preparing for the fourth Quintal Trial.
"Good work, everyone. Be ready to frequent the eighteenth floor starting the day after tomorrow."
I told my comrades.
They replied me with acknowledging nods.
"That trial was long. I'm starving already."
Shanny said as we exited to the first floor square.
"Perhaps we should have our meals before we continue training."
Darius proposed.
Devisha nodded to him.
"Pavarin said the cooks have prepared something special since we were climbing to a higher floor today."
"Then let's hurry to the dining hall. Graihan and Ulrica like to gorge all the meat until the ingredients run out."
Shanny said as she ran along the large stairway leading to the upper sections of the lobby.
Jonah noticed me staying behind at the square as the others were following the former maid.
"Aren't you joining us?"
"You go on ahead. I'm going to wait by the Tactical Post for now."
I told him.
I continued as I stared at the sky of the forged land painted with strange rainbow hue.
"Now that we've cleared the eighteenth floor, Master would be sending a scouting party to the next stage. I need to find out what Sigyn discovered on the nineteenth floor as soon as possible."
Jonah sighed worriedly upon my words.
"You've been much busier ever since you were appointed Vice-Master. I thought you would have more time for yourself since you now have more authority and people helping you with your work."
I smiled at his remarks.
"You are not too subtle, shepherd. I'm aware that I haven't been giving you lessons lately."
Jonah immediately chuckled and waved my words off.
"I just want to make sure you're taking care of yourself. You don't have to shoulder everything on your own. There are others now who could help you with your duties."
He said.
The man continued while looking at the Tactical Post.
"I understand that only you can communicate perfectly with Master regarding the plans for the trials. That role is something you must keep doing. But you should also leave other menial duties to your subordinates."
His time training with the Guntur Near-Kin must had taught him few things other than fighting as well.
"I do have the chiefs handling the working stations in the lobby. But I suppose I could appoint a couple of adjutants to handle broader managerial responsibilities."
I told the eager shepherd.
"Some of the 3-stars used to hold similar roles as yours back in Dunia. They could definitely help you."
Rizarde was a head knight before coming here.
I could have him handle matters regarding the raiders' climb preparation and member appointment for the Raid Team.
There were also others that could direct the equipment and supply preparation, lobby personnel and facility management, and special matters concerning the magic hall such as research and other mass projects.
If I could have competent heroes handling all those tasks in my stead, I would have more time for communicating strategies with Sigyn, my own training, and other important projects such as the grimoire research.
[Karro, Nimsha, Ahsan, Regyn, Damien! Come to the first floor square]
The fairy's voice echoed throughout the lobby.
I turned back to the shepherd.
"Thank you for your advice, Jonah. I'll be sure to take serious consideration of it from now on."
"We still have a long way to climb, Fina. You can't burn yourself out this early in the climb. We need you."
The man said so affectionately his words sounded like music to my ears.
"Well then, since you need me so much, then I suppose I have to make time for our lesson tonight. I believe it's time we cover the southern marches and the Varunian Sea."
Jonah smiled at my words and began to walk away.
"See you later, Fina."