Floor 8 (saphira - Etrian Odyssey III)

After a lot of trepidation, I've reached Floor 8 o.o. It was a bit of a surprise; I was prepared for a boss battle given all the warnings I'd received from the various sentries. Thinking about it now though, this premonition was a bit unfounded since the boss battle would be on the last floor of the stratum, floor 8. My main party (Front: Gladiator, Hoplite, Monk; Back: Princess, Arbalist) is around level 22 and I'm thinking I'll be able to do a few more Sea Quests and FOE encounters before I attempt the boss battle. 

I just maxed my hoplite's parry skill. It doesn't activate as much as I hope it would though, I was expecting 10 to be the max level. I also got Call Cow for my Wildling; I've yet to try it but I'm really excited for it. The TP demands on Wildlings are so great, I'm not sure if I'll continue pursuing it.