Stone Wall Lucky visited Team Kelly in their guest quarters and took Sam, Tamako, and Jen out for drinks with the rest of the dungeon raid members. True to his word, Lucky bought all the drinks for Sam, but he also insisted on paying for Tamako and Jen. After witnessing their skill and teamwork in the dungeon, the raid party treated Team Kelly like they were brothers in the guild. They knew Team Kelly was going to be Deck jumping in a few weeks, and they did their best to tell them everything they knew about the higher decks, which really wasn't that much.

Over the next few days, while they waited for their Deck Jump, Sam commissioned a jeweler to make teeth molds. He then placed mana-infused steel and mana-infused gold ‘ring’ enchantments on the teeth caps for each member of Team Kelly for them to store their weapons and gear.

Sam spent his “spare” time enchanting several hundred more cross bow bolts for his enchanted wooden repeater rifle. His biggest and constant complaint to Jen and Tamako was his almost complete lack of a defensive mana shield.

Jen finally said, “Sam, lock up your inner boomer. We’re more prepared than most Deck jumpers, and just don’t forget to Dodge!”

Sam nodded in embarrassment and replied, “you’re right boss.” Sam hated to realize that he was being the whiner in the group.

Finally, a few days before they were to Deck jump, Slim joined them and they all went to the System Shop and transferred to Slot City where they were greeted by Deck Director Constance herself. She escorted them to the Arc Guild’s facilities, and thanked Sam for the bracelet charm Jen had given her during Jen’s last visit.

Jen messaged Sam, “Reminder, like we discussed, I had told her it was a dungeon drop.”

Sam replied to Constance, “It was a wonderful loot drop from Hot Streak Dungeon, I’m glad you like it.”

Deck Director Constance simply gave Jen and Sam a knowing smile, and then said, “Tomorrow you will party up with Paul Pascal. He dropped from the Second Deck six months ago. He has served his First Deck tour and will be jumping back to the Second Deck with you.”

The morning of the Deck Jump, Slim noticed everyone putting the metal and gold caps over their teeth and asked Jen, “What’s up with the metal teeth, are they supposed to be some kind of weapon?”

Jen replied, “I forgot you were off playing with the Rolling Dice felines when Sam made these. They are storage devices. We are hoping with the caps on our teeth, while keeping our mouths shut, the system will not force-drop them on our rainbow teleportation to the Second Deck.”

Slim shrugged, “It might work. I’ve always been able to keep my loot when Deck jumping or dropping.” Slim then hissed saying, “Vicki Chang always treated me like her personal purse between the decks.”

Jen was not shocked at how Vicki Chang treated Slim, but then felt ashamed for the request she was about to make, and asked Slim, “This is only a request, but we have some very unique items from Earth that we cannot replace. Everything else we will carry ourselves in the teeth caps, but do you think you could carry one storage ring for us?”

Slim looked like Jen had betrayed him with her request, but before he could reply Jen said, “In exchange, we will give you the first loot drop we receive in the Second Deck.”

Slim didn’t really understand favors between friends, but he could sense through his mana bond with Jen that she wasn’t trying force him to do anything. It felt more natural when she offered to pay him for his service, and he calmed down and countered, “First two loot drops, and you have a deal, but you should be aware that after a rainbow jump between decks, I will be completely out of mana. It will take maybe 10 minutes before I have enough mana generated to give you your ring back.”

Sam was ecstatic when he learned that Slim would be carrying their gear from Earth. They were all just wearing simple robes, but Sam couldn’t stop grinning on the way to party up with the Arc Guild’s Deck dropper, and finally leave for the Second Deck.

Constance introduced them to the Honorable Paul Pascal, who was an Alchemist. Paul seemed like a fairly nice guy, but Team Kelly could see that Paul was in a constant state of nausea from mana on the First Deck.

Sam said, “No wonder why no one wants to return to a lower deck.”

Tamako replied, “Exactly. They may be powerful, but every minute on a lower deck is miserable. As part of their bargain to jump to the next deck, the jumpers are then obligated to return a few years later and spend a minimum of 6 months on the First Deck teaching and training.”

Without another delay, Paul added them to his System Party, directed them all to stand on the transfer pad, and when the system options appeared, they all closed their mouths tightly and selected teleportation to the Second Deck.

As the rainbow and fireworks enveloped them, Sam thought, “Kelly, I’m on my way!”