The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

The crimson earth was barren, with rocks and soil as dry as desert sand.

The entire space seemed scorched by magma, transformed into a blazing hellscape.

Towering goat-headed monsters roared incessantly, their blood-red eyes rolling with savage killing intent.

"Eek!"

A terrified shriek erupted from the ten-person squad at the rear, burdened with bundles of iron tools.

For those who had never ventured this deep before, the sight was nothing short of hellish.

Monsters rivaling floor bosses were everywhere, utterly shattering their worldview.

Were it not for the protection of powerful adventurers surrounding them, they wouldn't have been able to take a single step forward.

"Oh no!"

Suddenly, one of them let out a panicked wail.

"What the hell are you screaming about?"

Their leader was a tall, brown-skinned woman with a powerfully built yet curvaceous figure. She glared at her subordinate upon hearing the cry.

"The defensive line on this side is about to break!"

To their left, a horde of goat-headed monsters had gathered, overwhelming the line of high-ranking adventurers and tearing through it completely.

The monsters howled in delight, charging into the formation, ready to slaughter.

"Everyone else, hold your positions! Eiji, handle the rear guard!"

"Understood!"

Like a gust of wind, a figure too fast for the naked eye to track inserted itself between the two forces.

Slice!

Slice!

His sword moved like lightning, leaving dazzling trails of light in the air.

At the forefront, Ais cast a determined glance backward.

The three Formor that had breached the formation were sliced apart like butter in the blink of an eye, their faces still twisted with sadistic glee even in death.

His speed was so overwhelming that even Level 4 monsters couldn't react in time!

"Ooooh!"

"So strong!"

"As expected of the famous rising star!"

Relieved by the swift resolution of the crisis, the ten-person squad erupted into cheers.

"We can't fall behind either!"

Several defensive adventurers quickly regrouped, reestablishing the protective line around the non-combatants.

"Push a little harder—we're almost through this floor!"

Finn's voice rang out, reinvigorating the exhausted group.

This was the 49th Floor.

Undoubtedly part of the deep levels, where Level 4 monsters spawned in droves and at a far higher frequency than in the upper floors.

For Eiji, the scene was eerily familiar.

A few months ago, he had come here as a weak Level 2, tagging along with the expedition as a supporter, only occasionally getting the chance to fight.

But this time was different.

Now a newly appointed executive of Loki Familia, he was one of the main forces spearheading the breakthrough of the 49th Floor. Trusted by everyone, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Ais and the others in safeguarding the team.

Gazing toward the front of the formation, he saw the expedition advancing steadily toward the passage to the next floor, with Ais at the vanguard.

Dozens of Formor swarmed around them, while Tiona, Bete, and others swept through the horde relentlessly.

For the current Eiji, clearing out an entire pack of Formor alone was no challenge at all.

But in group battles, following orders is paramount—acting independently is strictly forbidden.

"I've been assigned to provide central support."

Eiji steadied his mind.

His speed was unmatched within Loki Familia, even surpassing Bete's footwork. Finn had determined this to be the most suitable role for him after careful consideration.

"Eiji, right side!"

"On it!"

As new commands came, he transformed into a firefighter, rushing wherever the flames of battle flared.

Ten minutes later, the expedition successfully broke through the Formor horde.

...

After conquering the perilous 49th floor—the most dangerous level of the deep layers—the expedition arrived at the Dungeon's fourth safe zone: the 50th floor.

The terrain resembled a tropical rainforest. In the distance, forests were tinged gray by volcanic ash, while towering trees framed vein-like rivers. Dozens of meters above, stalactite-like pillars emitted a pale blue phosphorescence from the ceiling.

On a massive rock slab not far from the entrance to the 51st floor, Loki Familia's expedition had set up camp.

The group was busy establishing their base. The sound of footsteps echoed everywhere as iron stakes were driven into the ground, ropes tied, and canopies raised to complete the shelters.

"Ah, having one more executive really makes a difference!"

"No kidding! Breaking through the 49th floor felt smoother than ever!"

While pitching tents, Loki Familia's junior members gathered, their voices buzzing with excitement.

Their spirits were high, pride evident on their faces, the fatigue of their forced march completely forgotten.

Previously, reaching the 50th floor took at least seven days, including departure time. Yet this time, they'd arrived by the sixth day.

Moreover, veterans of many expeditions noticed how much easier it had become to clear each floor. The 49th layer, which usually required Herculean effort, had been conquered with surprising ease today.

This, of course, was because Loki Familia had gained another first-class adventurer and executive!

Gratitude and admiration shone on every face. Only those who'd experienced combat firsthand could truly appreciate how uplifting it was to have an additional leader.

At one corner of the camp...

Several Loki Familia adventurers formed a circle around a group carrying various rock samples—the very squad Eiji had protected earlier.

All unfamiliar faces.

"I've never seen blacksmiths at work before!"

"It looks incredibly demanding!"

Raul Nord, Lefiya, and others had gathered, watching the weapon maintenance process with keen interest.

Ten blacksmiths—all upper-class adventurers specially borrowed from Hephaestus Familia by Finn—were wholly focused on their tasks. Their role wasn't combat but maintaining Loki Familia's equipment.

"Those acid-spitting caterpillars last time ruined our weapons... we couldn't even charge properly..."

"Having blacksmiths along makes all the difference!"

This was precisely Finn's intention.

The defining trait of adventurers is that even if an expedition fails, proper preparation for the next attempt will overcome any obstacle—embodying their indomitable spirit.

"Hey, kid!"

Suddenly, Lefiya felt someone wrap an arm around her shoulders from behind.

Although she wasn't the haughty type of elf who strictly followed old-fashioned rules like "no one unworthy may touch my skin," the sudden contact still startled her.

She turned her head in surprise, only to come face-to-face with an enormous pair of... assets.

***

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