My party and the clans arrived on the eighth floor where more Mana Beasts awaited us even if they dwelled deeper on the floor, they were dealt with as they came. Clan Kemonozu and Aerith as expected still supported me while Clan Naria’s Grayson and his members were stuck showing off their mindless display of power that they were to busy notice that my party and the two clans were annihilating the swarm of mana beasts.

Although Clan Naria’s flame barrage was effective despite their shortcomings. Regardless after much more battling, we finally made it to the ninth floor of the labyrinth where the sheer number of mana beasts began to dwindle.

“Uh, Xiao how’s up ahead looking like? That last group was quite troublesome," Lyra asked with some evident exhaustion in her movements as we descended down the stairs to the ninth floor.

“Looks like we’re in the clear for now,” I remarked and caused her to sigh with relief as if that was the best thing she could have heard.

"Thank goodness, it’s expected the tenth floor is a safe zone, the barrier created within it keeps threats away. That’s why the mana beasts don't gather around the floor… after seeing all those high ranked mana beasts I was beginning to think something was amiss but the tenth floors barrier being active is reassuring," she explained while her Clan nodded in agreement.

I practically ignored her while I walked along. Lyra had good intuition to believe her prior assumptions, it was unusual for mana beasts to flee from a radiating source of mana essence as powerful as the one on the thirtieth floor of the Labyrinth was.

Either way we continued through the next floor before finally reaching the tenth floor of the Labyrinth.

The moment we stepped foot onto the tenth floor I could sense the barrier I entered, I had come to learn Barriers were known as simple arts on the mainland, and still required magical energy to cast but they were similar to a mana art despite being much weaker and often served a singular purpose to designated areas.

Regardless of the barrier that’s purpose was to keep the floor clear from any mana beasts but not everything on the tenth floor was completely normal.

“We should have seen the clan members stationed on this floor by now,” Eto said scratching behind one of his fluffy ears while Lyra and her Clan's looked around in search of said clan members.

"… yeah, it’s pretty strange that we haven't met up yet. Where could they be?" Lyra pondered while she looked around with worry, even Clan Naria's Grayson couldn't help but seem concerned at the fact they had yet to run into the clan guards stationed on the tenth floor.

I didn’t quite know how exactly safe zones worked but their concern was clear as day and I couldn’t sense a single presence on this floor other than us. Although I didn’t miss the lingering feeling of mana essence that tainted the air, the same feeling that exuded from the thirtieth floor.

"I take it this isn’t normal,” I remarked to Reiner who had his usual snarl at the sight.

"Tch. Rarely, this place is abandoned… do you know what’s going on, expeditions usually aren’t this absurd. You look to have something on your mind,” he said as us and the clans came to an outpost of sorts where wooden buildings sat which clearly was where Clan operations took place.

I merely glanced toward Reiner in response, “… nothing to say for certain. I don’t like so many uncertainties, if not how important this is, I would consider turning back," I said while the clans further inspected the outpost as we stayed back to avoid their speculations of the situation.

“Seriously…? there is no one here at all. We should notify the guild, this doesn't feel right at all," Lyra said causing some of her clan members to agree.

However, Clan Naria didn't share that opinion as their Grayson simply scoffed. "And then what? Our Monarchs will think we’re some kind of laughingstock, we’re continuing. We already came this far. This is nothing and who cares where they are, we can report it after we conquer the thirtieth floor” he sneered in return to Lyra's suggestion.

Although despite my silent agreement with Lyra, Grayson was also right simply because the guild and I needed to complete the expedition to proceed with our mutual terms.

However, it was clear I needed to stay on guard while we progressed through the Labyrinth.

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It didn't take long for the clans to finish looking for those meant to be there before they eventually came to terms with the situation, which left Lyra to sigh at it all.

"Uh… Xiao did you sense any presences on this floor?” She asks still trying to find an answer despite the lifeless area.

My Amber gaze glanced her way for a moment. “No. If you’re asking if I can sense others I can’t, I’m limited to sensing mana beast and a few other things," I said not about to tell them I could do so, but it was enough for them to take my word for it.

"I see, we still should probably take this time to take a moment this is one of the labyrinths safe zones,” she said to which Clan Kemonozu agreed while Clan Naria scoffed at their actions.

“For all we know everyone is on the twentieth floor, it happens if the next safe zone is having issues… And yeah, we will be spending the next few hours here. So don’t waste it." Grayson retorted with a sneer as if she had just stolen his line or rather the pointless title, he was so proud of.

Lyra sighed once again before her, and her clan stepped forward to a building. "I also think it would be a good idea to have someone on watch just in case. I was thinking the guild’s benefactors, since the Xiao has the ability to see mana beasts in advance," Lyra said looking back at me and it wasn't an issue.

“That’s fine with me,” I remarked and honestly wouldn’t have it any other way but that left Grayson to scoff before his clan found a place to settle down.

I was sure he didn’t argue with that because he thought it was some sort of punishment even if it wasn’t.

Regardless the clans went their separate ways while my party also had a chance to settle down. After all, I would hardly have to sleep or eat but my members weren’t me, it was best to give them some time to relax.

“I’m sure they want to see someone physically standing guard, so you guys can find a place to rest if you want. I won’t need help tonight and you've done more than enough today," I said to them but two of my members didn't seem to agree.

"Tch. If you think we’re just going to sit around while you take guard duty, think again." Reiner remarked leaving Lilith to chime in next from my shadow.

“Hmph, Lilith is staying with Kazu.” She said staring up at me as if she was adamant about her decision. I didn’t overly mind and frankly didn't have much to say about it.

Although I didn’t miss Astrid’s glare hidden underneath her usual hardened expression as she turned her back away, clearly not sticking around. However, Xander wasn’t as cold shouldered as Astrid. "I could do with some sleep, and I rather sharpen my blade on something comfy. I’ll be back in a bit,” he said before he strolled away with Astrid.

That left me, Reiner, and Lilith to ourselves like it usually was. It wasn’t long before Reiner spoke up after a brief moment of silence, “I hate that you always take the short end of the stick. I get that you always have plans for everything but even you have to relax a little, Kazu." He grumbled clearly concerned about my wellbeing even if it wasn’t needed.

“Well good thing I have you two to take the stress off my shoulders," I remarked with a glance toward Reiner and caused his snarl to fade a bit as he looked away.

"Oi. That’s not the point," he muttered quietly, I was aware he not only had my best interest in mind, but I also knew he was wondering what I thought about the tenth floors situation.

Of course, I didn’t know exactly what I was dealing with but the strange Mana essence coming from the thirtieth floor was certainly becoming more apparent, and I knew there was something unnatural about it.

Reiner was likely aware of that, but something told me he was concerned over it for an entirely different reason. “There’s no need to worry about me or Lilith. That much I can say for sure," I said as a barely noticeable scoff of humor came from my lips. After all Reiner was growing a soft spot for us even if I knew he wouldn’t admit it.

“Oi. That’s not what I meant. Don’t be putting words in my mouth,” he remarked clearly saying anything just to deny his own feelings.

And yet I didn’t mind it at all. “I appreciate it Reiner, I wouldn’t let anything happen to this. It is rather nice… and if I happen to figure out whatever this Labyrinth is hiding, I will be sure to tell you both first,” I said in a way to let him know he had my full trust, although Reiner still growled and any hint of embarrassment that flushed on his face was washed away.

"Heh. No problem and that’s more like it. All I was saying is don’t go keeping every damn thing to yourself, How the hell do ya expect me to watch your back if I don’t know what were getting into?" He remarked awkwardly in return seemingly glad but embarrassed he said what he wanted even if I had no intention to keep him in the dark, but it was just proof of our bond.

Lilith watched from my shadow and silently mocked Reiner who struggled with his feelings, although a unimpressed glance from me was enough to stop her from making the faces she hid behind me, after all she knew I wasn’t exactly pleased with her recent behavior.

I glanced up at Reiner one more time. "Makes sense… and if you don’t mind, I rather not talk about all that right now or at least for the next few hours," I said in return as I wanted to spend my time like the three of us would normally do together.

Reiner didn't have any issue with that as he sat down against a nearby wall of a building. “Heh. I get ya. I could even say about time,” he remarked looking somewhat relieved at the opportunity to not think about his worries and feelings for us.

It wasn’t long before the buildings of the safe zone had almost fell completely quiet. The only thing that I cared to hear was Reiner and Lilith's idle chatter with me. Even if Lilith was quiet for the most part, she still listened in on the conversation with her own input every now and again.

The rest of the clans remained in their respective groups, while I spent my time waiting with Reiner and Lilith and that was more than enough. A moment to relax and simply enjoy each other's company.