'I see. So this is what you meant, Ater…'

As Rey trailed behind Billy and Adonis, he had a hidden smile on his face.

After their earlier conversation, the three hadn't spoken very much. In fact, it was mostly Billy talking to Adonis, and that was perfectly fine.

However, something had definitely changed, and Rey could see it.

'We've gotten a bit closer. I understand the two of them a lot better.'

Billy most likely regretted what he did that led Alicia into such dangers based on his words and actions. It also seemed like he wanted to be a better person.

'I can't dismiss that he could be lying, but if I cross reference what he said with his [Additional Information], then it's easy to see that he's telling the truth.'

Rey found it almost comical how detached he was to Billy when they had been the closest of friends merely months prior to this entire incident.

'I guess a lot can happen within such a short span of time'

Barely two months had passed, and things had become this way. It showed just how fleeting experiences and human life generally was.

'In any case, Ater was right. This whole thing should prove beneficial to the whole group, and it helped satisfy my curiosity as well.'

Rey figured that a similar occurrence would have happened between the two other groups, and Ater would probably record all that information for him somehow.

'This is good…'

There was nothing better than a common understanding among members of a group for effective teamwork.

'I still don't fully understand how he was able to go about this and get this result, but I can make a few guesses.'

For one, by causing the atmosphere to be tense and pulling at certain heartstrings, he caused Clark and Justin to be the first to display some measure of emotion and reveal parts of themselves that they normally wouldn't.

This lit a fuse that inevitably led to everyone else being more open and predisposed to sharing information given the right circumstances.

'The next thing he did was to divide us into groups that would increase chances of revealing said information.'

Justin, Eric, and Clark were close friends—and they were boys—so it was a given that they would share deeper conversations with each other.

Girls were also more prone to discuss personal things if left alone for a long period of time.

Finally, placing the weakest of the group and the strongest in the same team made for a very compelling arrangement.

Conversations were bound to occur.

'Since we're in smaller groups, it is easier for everyone to speak their minds. Also, the absence of Ralyks in the groups allows everyone to be more comfortable.'

In the end, Ater planned all of this well.

'I'm impressed.' Rey smiled as he increased his steps to gain more ground.

'Looks like the next round of Monsters are incoming.'

*********

Once the team concluded their journey through the corridors, they all converged at the exit point.

Justin's group seemed as cheerful and optimistic as ever, while the girls looked to be the opposite of that. They had an awkward atmosphere among one another, though it didn't seem like they were on negative terms.

Finally, Adonis' team arrived with a similar vibe as the first group.

They were all smiling.

Once Alicia saw Rey with Adonis' team, she rushed to him. As for Belle, she subtly made her way to Justin's group. Trisha also joined Adonis and Billy.

Before anyone noticed, they were back to the status quo.

"Well done, everyone. I've been waiting."

Ralyks appeared out of a distortion in space, his body covered in sheer darkness.

His crimson eyes glowed and his magnificent robe flapped with the pressure of the energy he gave off.

"Glad to see you all in one piece."

The Otherworlders shrugged.

Sure, the Centipedes were tough in the beginning, but after splitting up and fighting them they became relatively easier to handle.

… Nothing too special.

"It's time to challenge the Boss. I hope you're all ready."

The moment Ralyks said this, the looks on the faces of some people soured.

They seemed to scream out "No break?!"

Unfortunately, Ralyks didn't seem to care about their feelings. None of them could even complain at all since they were on the clock.

They still had two more Floors to conquer.

********

[Several Hours Later]

"Congratulations, everyone. You did well."

The Otherworlders beamed as they stood in the Royal Estate's open field. The second day was officially over, and once again, everyone had made reasonable progress in their Levels.

The average Level was around the Level 35, though outliers like Billy had a Level of 39.

Trisha was understandably in Level 37, though Alicia already caught up to her and went a step further.

She was in Level 38 now.

Belle was in Level 35, the average for most of the Otherworlders to fall under.

Justin was the lowest, as usual, with Level 34–just one Level shy of the expected number.

Rey decided to boost his outward Level to about 19, which he considered to be fair—all things considered.

As for Adonis, no one knew, but he was in Level 69.

He would have probably had a much higher Level, but he was asked to sit out the entire Boss Fight for all the Floors.

In the end, all of them had grown reasonably stronger than they were at the start of the day.

"Tomorrow, we'll finally be putting that Familiar of yours to use." Ralyks looked straight at Alicia and narrowed his gaze on the rabbit that she held.

"We'll begin the Seventh Floor with Snow trying her hardest to solo the Floor. I want to see how she'll do as an offensive force on her own."

"W-what?!"

Most of the Otherworlders were shocked, but Ralyks maintained his calm demeanor.

"It's not fair that you're the only ones who get to grow. Snow is still in Level 1 because I made her sit back and let you all Level Up."

In order to make things balanced, it was better to make certain Floors exclusive to the Grand Summon so she could decently hunt and grow.

Since she had incredible potential at just Level 1, there was no debate as to her use if she could grow even stronger than normal.

"That's the end of today's announcements." Ralyks gave a slow nod at everyone and subtly vanished from the open field.

"See you tomorrow."

*

*

*

Thanks for reading!

I can't wait to see the growth of our dear Snow. I wonder how many Stat Points she'll get per Level.

Make a guess.