Danmachi: Strongest Familia

"I heard from my people that Hestia ran into a bit of trouble," Astraea commented as she arrived with her group.

"Same here," Hermes replied, holding the reward list Hestia had submitted to the guild that afternoon.

Astraea, genuinely concerned, came well-prepared, bringing along her three LV5 elites: Ryuu, Alise, and Kaguya. With Tsubaki from Hephaestus's family joining them, their rescue team boasted an impressive four LV5s, as well as Asfi, an all-rounder. This formidable group was more than capable, whether facing mid-level challenges or even delving into deeper floors.

Originally, Alfia had intended to inspect the situation herself, but seeing the team's configuration at the entrance, she opted instead to report back to Sol.

Though Sol had no particular investment in Bell's situation, he saw an opportunity for his own family. The black Goliath—an upgraded threat created by the dungeon specifically to challenge the gods—would be the perfect proving ground for some of his children. Both Shyvana and the Veronica sisters, recent LV4 additions, could use this to push their skills further. Veronica, who'd approached him multiple times for an opportunity, would now get her chance.

Without delay, Sol gathered a few members and issued the assignment, briefing Veronica to take on Goliath on the seventeenth floor. Only Shyvana, however, received the complete details of the mission.

"Leave it to me!" Veronica declared confidently upon hearing Sol's instructions.

Once they reached the eighteenth floor, Veronica's team quickly prepared and even arrived ahead of Hestia's group. When the trio descended to the seventeenth floor, Goliath had already spawned, towering ominously.

However, they weren't alone—Bell was there, struggling to carry two unconscious friends, one in each arm. Though he pressed forward determinedly, the weight slowed him, making him only slightly faster than walking.

Just then, Goliath raised its enormous hand, ready to crush Bell under its weight. But Shyvana, seeing this, launched forward in a flash.

Bell, hearing the monstrous roar from behind, didn't dare to look back, focusing only on reaching the eighteenth floor in his blurred vision.

Meanwhile, Shyvana, in her dragon form, leapt onto Goliath's back, sinking her massive jaws into its shoulder. Forced to defend itself, Goliath turned, unable to ignore the pain. Shyvana's claws dug in deep, anchoring her as Goliath struggled but failed to shake her off. Shyvana's transformed weight weighed him down as heavily as Bell's friends had slowed him.

Veronica seized the moment, darting in with her sword and slicing through Goliath's heel tendons. With its balance lost and Shyvana's weight pressing down, Goliath toppled backward.

Just before impact, Shyvana disengaged, pulling Veronica back as they both avoided being caught beneath the massive creature. Then, as dark clouds gathered and an ominous blue light filled the air, Liate's magic unleashed a terrifying whirlwind. Reaching LV4 had amplified her power, and the ferocious storm whipped stones and debris around Goliath's fallen form.

Despite being a formidable LV4, Goliath was no match for the combined force of three LV4s working in sync. The team managed to bring the dungeon's floor boss to ash quickly.

"Where's the kid?" Shyvana asked once the battle was over, but they couldn't spot Bell.

It wasn't until they reached the safety of the eighteenth floor that they found Bell's unconscious team near the entrance. They looked battered, their wounds staining Bell's white hair red. His companions bore scorch marks and punctures along their legs.

"Did they run all the way from the upper levels? Are those… hellhound bite marks?"

"Seems like it. Grab the potion and let's help him out," Shyvana suggested.

After giving them a purple healing potion, the team watched as the green glow of healing spread over the wounds, restoring each of the injured adventurers to a healthier state.

"This potion works wonders," Veronica observed in surprise, examining the bottle as if it were a rare treasure.

This was the new potion Janna had given Sol, who'd passed it along to Veronica's team to test. While originally intended as a trial, it had unexpectedly served Bell's team in their time of need, demonstrating its potent effects.

"Let's set up camp for now," Shyvana suggested, noting the three were breathing steadily again. She exchanged nods with her companions, confident that their work here was done.