Early in the morning people were coming and waiting in front of the guild. Seeing so many people participating in the job Sam was busy introducing himself.
"Hello everyone. Pleased to meet you. My name is Sam and I am a F rank. Let's us all help each other today and do a good job and get promoted", his energy made many gain confidence and they all shouted Yes.
[Look at you fill with energy so early in the morning. Are you happy that much?]. Running around in the ground also helped Sam warm up. The group started moving towards the dungeon.
A young boy came to Sam and introduced himself and asked, "Hello. I am Haru, a D class mage. If you are alright will you form a team with me?".
This was the first time Sam was asked by somebody to be a team and he was really touched. With a big smile Sam said, "I am in partner", and like that Sam and Haru formed a team.
"They say the danger level of 10th floor is much higher than 9th floor that is why Salmon Trading Company hired so many people", Haru told Sam. Looking around they could tell that the number was more than 50.
"Rumor is that the floor master is a dragon and it is guarding an incredible treasure", a girl joined their conversation. "A dragon? But who are you?", asked Sam.
"I am Melodia and I am an archer", pointing towards her bow she said. "Hello, I am Haru". "Hello I am Sam. Oh! Your ears". They both introduced themselves. Melodia was an elf and her archery skills were good but she was still stuck at D rank.
'This is the first time I have seen an elf this close. Whoa her ears', Sam wanted to touch her ears but controlled himself.
"I have heard many more rumors. They say the treasure is...". Just like that they became a team of three and continued chatting all the way.
"Everyone, once we enter we will not leave until we have cleared the floor. Please form a team. A team must have a minimum of three person and a maximum of seven person. A person who abandons their team will not be promoted and his rewards will also be seized. Please keep that in mind and watch each other's back", A class warrior Thunder was given the charge of operation.
After his speech, people scattered to form teams and they were given rations of food and basic potions. Teams were given position to enter and the operation moved to the dungeon. Like always Sam was fascinated by the light given out by walls.
'I guess it is due to bioluminescence activity of bacteria and algae'. Sam thought and like every time Sei could hear him.
[What is bioluminescence? What are you talking about].
'How come you hear everything?'.
[Because I live in your head. haha You can't hide anything from me].
Focusing his attention on the stairs Sam decided to ignore Sei. Reaching 9th floor they were surrounded by dungeon monster and fighting them while collecting stones were hard but everyone was doing their best. Sam was busy fighting a Night Antler while Haru was saving his mana.
"Die die die", the Night Antler gave Sam a hard time and after three strikes was laid to rest. Melodia swiftly removed the stone. They had decided to split the loot after everything was over. Like them other teams were also struggling except three. These three teams were made of ace players having long battle experience and they played strategically. Sam watched their behaviour decided to follow them.
A person will fight three to four monsters while the rest only focused on collecting stones and saving their strength. The others also liked the idea and followed it.
Haru took out his grimoire and read an enchantment that turned earth into sandtrap. "Wow Haru bro", Sam asked seeing the magic. "I am an earth mage so it is not new to me", Haru replied.
Night fell till they cleared the 9th floor and the had set their tents. "What are you cooking Haru?", Melodia couldn't help but drool from the smell. "It is a traditional soup from my hometown made using various vegetables and meat. The secret is this sauce", pointing towards a small bottle Haru replied. "Tomorrow we are going down to the 10th floor so eat and build your strength".
'What are this world dragon like Sei. are they similar to what I have read', Sam couldn't help but wonder.
[They are similar to what you have read in those comics. Nothing different].
'Hmm, they must be very strong right'.
[They are very strong that is why there are so many A rank warriors participating in this campaign. There is a special status given to the person who kills a dragon that is what I remember]
'Special status. Must be nice', sleep finally came to Sam and like that they all went to sleep.