Chereads / Rise of the SSS Rank Phantom Lord / Chapter 20 - Temporary mates

Chapter 20 - Temporary mates

His eyes scanned each one of them with a scrutinizing gaze and Mei could see that the other members were looking at him intently as well and she chuckled but did not say anything, for she knew that if they were going to be a good team and succeed, they were going to need to learn to work together as well as trust each other. 

Due to past experience with her previous team, she knew how things could go, the time one may spend within a dungeon once they enter is unknown, some could feel like days. 

While others could feel like weeks or hours inside when it could be a month or more, time within a dungeon was different from real-time. This could confuse each and every person who may enter said dungeon, and she needed them to be prepared for anything necessary. 

Sion sighed then sat down at the table with the other five members and the guild master had the cook bring breakfast to their table, so that they could eat while discussing what they need to do after, for no one would pay attention on an empty stomach and that too, so early in the morning. 

Sion looked at the food placed in front of him and his stomach grumbled a bit and the members looked at him as he began eating and Mei chuckled and then joined them, in her eyes, Sion was an easily likable person and she wanted to see how the members would react to him, given he was still considered an amateur. 

"Guys, this is Sion, you can all greet while eating and we will discuss what you need to do, while we eat, since a lot will rush to go into that dungeon and we cannot afford to waste too much time," Mei said to them and they nodded. 

The others began eating while looking at Sion as he ate, but he did not care, since he was quite hungry. 

Among the five members with him, there was a tall tanned and muscular guy, with cuts on both of his arms, most likely from a fight.

"Hi... My name is Vicana," He said to him as he sipped his drink in a deadpan tone and he glanced at him. 

"Hello, my name is Lilian," The girl among them said as Sion turned to look at her. She was the group's healer, with short blonde hair, a slim and short figure, dressed in neat blue jeans and a white shirt, complemented by a silk robe and cloak. In her hand, she carried a small staff in her right hand.

The one beside Sion was a young man who had a strong presence about him, he had slightly long brown and black hair, with piercing dark brown and yellow eyes, slim, tall and muscular, he was dressed like someone in a high position. 

"Hello, I am Nethaniel, the leader of this group," He said and he looked at him as he looked at Sion with a scrutinizing gaze and Sion's eyes narrowed as he met his gaze with an unwavering one of his own. 

 It was clear to the others by that moment, the two of them would have a hard time getting along, given Nethenial reputation as a fearsome warrior and skilled leader among others within the guild. 

"Uh... Hi, I am Sano," A young man, who had dark gray hair, fair-skinned and was dressed like a noble and seemed as though he was the same age as him, said with a small smile, as he looked at him. 

"Yo! I am Ash, welcome to the team," The last member among the five said with a grin. He was taller than most of them and big built, to anyone shorter he would seem like a giant. 

 Sion stopped eating and he looked at all of them as they finished introducing themselves to him and he sighed before glancing at Mei who gave him a small nod. 

"I am Sion, I am a new member of the guild, only recruited yesterday, I have my own skills that I can contribute to the team, but I lack in experience, which I hope to gain during our time together, nice to meet all of you," He said with a firm tone and small smile, to which they smiled at him. 

"Nice to meet you as well, Sion," They replied at once with smiles on their faces, well, all except the leader of the team that was appointed by Mei, herself. 

Nethenial, who was slowly grating on his nerves, despite not doing anything at all, just sitting there and listening to them speak, many of them shared his annoyance, despite not disliking him, he had a way of naturally gaining other's annoyance without even flinching a bit. 

Mei's eyes flickered between them and she chuckled when she saw the way they were all welcoming Sion with open arms, while containing their annoyance with Nethenial, whose nerves they could not afford to get on. 

She chuckled at the scene before her eyes, finding it quite amusing how similar some of them were to each other. She had hopes for the team, but Sion had doubts since this was his first time doing something like that. A part of him felt the anticipation that came with the danger of it all as well. 

"Now that you are all acquainted with each other, let us move ahead with the matter at hand, many guilds will be competing but, I do not want you guys to join that completion, you are to simply do your jobs, this is not a game, lives could be lost," Mei addressed them and Sion as well as the others paid close attention to her words as they ate. 

"We know, this is not a joke. A dungeon is a serious thing, it is filled with many types of dangers, some of which one would never even encounter in this world, a dungeon defies logic itself, by now most know that. All those who enter have to be ready to risk their lives, which leaves a question," Nethenial added, and Mei nodded, as they wondered what question he was going to ask. 

"Are you willing to risk your life?" He asked blunt and firm with an unwavering gaze as he turned to Sion and his eyes widened a bit, as the others waited patiently for his answer.