SWNOVELXO Chapter 86: Target : Goliath[BONUS]
Chapter 86 - Target : Goliath
Hestia stood at the mansion's door, brimming with determination.
"Orsted, Lili, Tifa, while you're in the dungeon, I won't sit idle."
"I'll recruit new Familia members. Just wait and see!"
Orsted waved lightly.
"Looking forward to it."
"Go for it, Hestia-sama!" Lili gave out a supportive smile.
"You've got this, Hestia," Tifa added.
With that, Orsted, Lili, and Tifa parted ways with Hestia, heading toward Babel.
Orsted sighed, rubbing his forehead.
A familiar, searing gaze prickled from above—Freya, perched somewhere high, watching from Babel.
'Again?'
He could do little but ignore the goddess's relentless scrutiny.
Once inside the dungeon, her eyes couldn't follow.
The trio reached babel, where Naaza awaited.
The Miach Familia's shop, was too far from Hestia Familia Mansion for her to detour, so they'd agreed to meet here before dungeon dives.
Orsted had initially recruited Naaza as the team's pharmacist, envisioning her crafting potions for future expeditions.
Potions, while portable, could run dry in prolonged campaigns.
A dedicated pharmacist ensured supply.
Unexpectedly, the system had granted Orsted Mixing.
Still, he kept Naaza on—her skills were valuable, and he had no desire to juggle yet another role alongside forging magic items, grimoires and magic swords.
"Good morning, Orsted, Lili, Tifa," Naaza greeted, her smile gentle as always.
"Morning, Naaza," Lili replied brightly.
"Good morning," Tifa echoed.
Orsted skipped pleasantries, handing Naaza a sleek quiver.
"For you."
Naaza's brow furrowed as she accepted it.
"What's this?"
"A magic item," Orsted gave her a quick look.
"It auto-retrieves arrows you shoot."
"No need to collect them post-battle."
"Also comes with thirty high potions."
Naaza's eyes widened, a rare grin breaking through her calm.
"Auto-retrieves arrows? Perfect for me."
"Thank you! I'll get those potions to you soon."
The quiver's enchantment was simple, not costly, but tailored for an archer like her.
Her delight was palpable.
She paused, then added, "Since you make magic items, could you craft some arrows with effects?"
"I haven't tried arrows before, but I can experiment," Orsted agreed.
"Thank you," Naaza softened her tone.
"Let me know how many potions you need."
"Speaking of," Orsted said, "want a magic item? Like Lili's."
Naaza's eyes lit up.
"The ones boosting strength and speed? Yes!"
"Alright. For you, teammate discount—two high potions for both," Orsted offered.
A single high potion cost over 50,000 valis; two was a steal compared to the 100 million valis he'd charged Tsubaki for seven pricier magic items.
"Deal," Naaza said without hesitation.
"I'll deliver them soon."
With that, the group entered the Tower, descending into the dungeon.
As adventurers capable of tackling the middle floors, the upper floors held no challenge.
They beelined for the passage to the deeper strata, aiming for the seventeenth floor.
"I wonder if Goliath's refreshed," Orsted mused, his pace brisk.
A week had passed since the Loki Familia's recent expedition.
Goliath hadn't appeared, likely felled by another major Familia—perhaps Loki's, post-expedition, or another group earlier.
Orsted hoped for the latter.
He needed excelia to rank up, and among middle-floor threats, only Goliath sufficed.
"Orsted-sama, you're targeting Goliath?" Lili's voice trembled with worry.
"Isn't that too risky?"
She knew Orsted strength was formidable, but Goliath was a Level 4 monster rex.
Their group seemed outmatched.
"Don't underestimate me," Orsted ruffled her hair with a grin.
"I don't fight battles I can't win."
Lili hesitated, then nodded.
"Alright. If it goes south, we can escape."
"Let's head straight to the seventeenth floor."
"Tifa, Naaza, thoughts?" Orsted asked.
"I'm in," Tifa giggled.
"Same," Naaza agreed, quiver at the ready.
"Then it's settled. Seventeenth floor, here we come!" Orsted declared.
"Let's go!" Lili cheered.
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