"So the first group will grind as many points as possible, do their best to make it out on time, and that would be all."
"The other will be more offensive, going forward to clear the dungeon boss' chamber," Michael said.
"Since we're seven, I'll lead the second team and Zeta the first. I don't have time to split you all based on my personal assessment, so it should be down to preference mostly," he continued.
"I say mostly because I need Rean to be on with Zeta, clearing the masses. You four can then be split among myself and Zeta. I hope that's clear."
"I have a question," Miles said.
'I literally made things as clear as possible because I wanted to avoid any further delays,' Michael thought.
"Out with it," Zeta said. She was growing concerningly frustrated.
"Why aren't you letting Rean have his pick? I mean, is there more to this rivalry stuff I am not getting?" Miles said.
"Yeah, I notice the tension. It seems you're out to get Rean, but don't you think you shouldn't let your personal feelings cloud your judgment as a leader?" Rose added.
Michael nodded. He initially didn't want to respond, but he had to.
"Ok, ok, it's simple, nothing malicious really. Rean's the best on the team when it comes to clearing small fry," he said.
"Second to me, of course. My strength is needed for the boss. Not to brag or even imply it, but you guys just don't stack up," Michael ended.
He had made his point clear. His decision did in fact seem unbiased, but was it really? Rean was shocked. He couldn't believe Michael was being mature about the whole thing despite what had just happened not too long ago.
Rean turned to Michael and apologized for earlier. He realized he was out of turn. Michael extended his hand; it seemed like they were going to shake it off. Michael pulled him in, smiled—no one could see.
"You will regret this as well," Michael said.
Michael pretended to smile it off, like they were all cool. Everyone bought it, even Porter. No one knew that whatever was brewing under the surface was about to get even more intensified.
Before long, the sub-teams were set up. Zeta, Rean, Rose, and Lin made up the first team.
Michael, Porter, and Miles made up the other.
"Ok, good luck," Michael said to his sister with a clear smile.
His expression changed when he told her not to overstay her welcome.
"The moment you realize the boss is down, I want you and the others headed for the gate. Make it as fast as possible out of here," Michael emphasized.
He dismissed the other team and said to his own, "Let's go boss hunting, boys."
"Hey, no fair. Zeta, you're not the only one on the team, you know," Rose said, following a dozen goblins' deaths.
"Yeah, Rose is right, you know," Lin added.
'That wasn't all me. The majority, maybe, but not all twelve,' Zeta thought. She looked to Rean.
"There's something about you, huh," she said.
Rean noticed she was catching on. He was clearing almost as much as her. Rean was only C rank; it would make no sense for him to be keeping up with Zeta. He needed to change up his strategy, and that he did.
"Here comes another. If you want one, go for it," Zeta said. She decided she wouldn't charge this time. It wouldn't be fair if she got all the reward and experience points.
Lin and Rose simultaneously began firing pulses of concentrated mana. It didn't compare to Shom's.
Mana releases were dependent on three stats: mana output and pool, but one more than the others. The hunter's rank was the ultimate deciding factor in all things system; mana was no different.
Their pulses only killed a few. The goblins fell individually this time. Previously, they had been taken out in bulk by Zeta, Rean, and even Michael.
If only they weren't so weak, with their numbers, maybe they could have a fighting chance against Rose and Lin.
"We are pretty slow, but we're making progress," Lin said to Rose.
Zeta looked to Rean. He wasn't moving or making any actions at all.
'Why though?' she thought.
"Ahhhh!" Rean charged towards another batch that had just entered. He slashed one head off, then another, but before long he was surrounded.
Before Zeta could react, Rean got slashed from behind. He fell.
In the instant that followed, all the goblins in the area were slain. No one saw how. All they knew was that it was Zeta's doing.
"Are you hurt?" Rose called out to Rean.
"Why did you charge in head first? What happened to your ranged attacks?" Lin asked.
"I... I... was running low on mana," he struggled to let out.
'Those two knew the risk and decided to use mana pulse attacks despite its limited practicality. From my perspective, Rean's probably on the brighter side of the team, so how could he not put that together? He could have just done nothing,' Zeta thought.
'All that time he spent thinking, what was going through his head? I don't get it.'
Zeta walked towards Rean; she was ready to ask him all sorts of questions.
When she reached him, before she could say anything, Rean spoke up.
"I think you guys should go ahead without me. I wouldn't want to be a burden," Rean said.
Rose and Lin were shocked. Their surprise came nowhere close to Zeta's, however. Before she could think, she responded, "Fine."
Not long after, Zeta and the others left, promising to make it back in time to help Rean evacuate the gate if need be.
"It seems they're finally gone," Rean said.
"Ok, let's go silent hunting," Rean said. He positioned himself to sleep before chanting aloud.
"Man, not main."
"Project maximum reward, no credit begins now."
*********
The other team had just reached the dungeon boss' chamber.
Michael said but one thing before they headed in.
"If you want the massive reward points, you have to seize it faster than I can".