Mathew did his best to keep his balance as Jeffery pulled him across the sand. The fact his plan worked spoke volumes at how little he understood magic, let alone Rituals.

He had to be careful where his feet were placed. On the giant piece of wood was the Ritual of Acceleration modified to be Beginner rank. The effects allowed Jeffery to sprint at speeds equal to trains across the open desert.

Zachary either slowed down on purpose, or couldn’t have kept his pace up forever because Jeffery was gaining on him. A small thought that Jeffery was simply gaining speed came across his mind.

Mathew could see the pillar of light and a crowd of people surrounding it. Several people were standing and waiting. He did see the occasional brightly colored attack or explosion of power.

“Looks like there were more people than I expected to show up. Just how large of an area was this quest? There’s so many people!”

Jeffery was now evening out with Zachary. The man noticed the wolf and nearly tripped as he looked back at Mathew with surprise.

“Ha! That’s what I’m talking about!” Zachary shouted before he lept again, pulling ahead of Jeffery.

His actual running was slower, but he could jump far ahead. Mathew didn’t know who would win in all honesty. At this point he knew two things.

The first was that it wasn’t just a competition between the two of them anymore. With all the other people located around that quest reward, it would be a bloodbath.

The second was that if Mathew really wanted that item for Agnox, he would need Zachary’s help or he could kiss his chances goodbye.

Mathew didn’t know if Zachary was going to keep his word, but he was planning a private bet on it at this moment. This could become a great relationship between him and the strongest person in the world. There was a hesitant moment to let Zachary win so he would feel indebted to Mathew for helping him acquire the Sundrop.

Yet, he realized Zachary would say it was part of the bet, and they were even. He needed to win this childish race.

He wanted to be upset or angry, but he couldn’t find the emotions. Instead a laugh of excitement and thrill found its way out of Mathew’s mouth. “The odds of a Student rank item being mine is reliant upon a childish race across the desert. What have I gotten myself into.”

Determination overcame Mathew. He refused to lose his chance of a power boost because of a childish race. Cherry and Agnox were already unsummoned, letting Jeffery pull only him. He had nothing to lighten his weight further.

There was nothing for him to do, but a small idea came to him. “Could I use an Axiom on my Summon?”

He had never tried it, since he typically only focused on himself with his Axioms in combat. Yet, his Summons were an extension of himself. It made sense he could do so.

Mathew took a steadying breath and focused on the connection he had with his summons. His Ability [Attentiveness] allowed him to know where his summons were at all times. He always had a sliver of connection with them.

Since Jeffery was the only creature he had summoned, it was easy to focus on him. Mathew focused on his Axiom of Bolster. When he used it on himself, it improved the overall output of his body. Enhancing it to work harder, faster, and more efficiently.

It was a weird sensation for Mathew. He knew the Axiom was being used, but not with his body. It was the first time using this Axiom not on himself. The sliver of connection between him and Jeffery was solidified and a burst of energy came from Jeffery as he slowly passed Zachary.

Zachary was now behind him. Mathew continued to push his Axiom into Jeffery as the crowd of people grew closer.

It seemed everyone was looking toward them. Nobody was fighting anymore. Less than a mile away and Mathew looked back to see Zachary look worried.

Jeffery charged through the crowd, forcing people to move out of the way as he came to a sliding halt. Mathew deactivated the ritual and looked at the crowd. He was on edge, expecting trouble.

Zachary landed in front of him, sweat covering his entire body. “That- huff - was awesome! Where did you get all that speed from?”

Mathew didn’t answer. He felt dozens of eyes stare at him and Zachary. “Zach, relax. People are staring.”

Someone shouted from the group. “You ain’t getting my Sundrop! You both got here last!”

More people agreed, nodding and shouting their own personal complaints. Mathew felt the tension grow. “Listen everyone, The item isn’t even ready yet. Let’s all remain calm, and figure out exactly what will happen. There-”

“Oh, so you think talking your way out of this will save you? Get outta here!” A man shouted followed by more angry calls.

A hand grabbed Mathew’s shoulder and pulled him. Mathew turned around and almost went to blast them with a [Mana Bolt] when he recognized the person. It was Captain Henderson.

“Mathew get the fuck back before you get killed, your friend too.”

Mathew let himself get pulled back, Jeffery let out a low growl at everyone before following his Summoner. Zachary didn’t seem worried, but stuck with Mathew. Following him.

Several people were standing to the side. A group wearing similar colored outfits were standing behind Leo and a Japanese man with a katana.

A wave of emotions overtook Mathew seeing his old friend again. Fear that Leo knew who Bob was. Worry that Leo would want to harm him. The relief that his friend was back, someone he could trust as well as Captain Henderson.

Leo walked up to Mathew and nodded. “Glad to see you still think you are better than everyone else. I was worried you changed for the better.”

Mathew faked an insulted expression. “Leo, you and I both know I am better than most of the people here. At least, not including Zachary here.” He ensured he said his name loudly. Enough for plenty of people to hear him.

Henderson raised an eyebrow, “Zachary? You mean he is Zachary Mann?!” She pointed at the muscular man, sounding shocked.

Zachary chuckled. “Yea that’s me. Not the knight in shining armor you thought I was Ma’am?”

“Ma’am? I think you are the same age as me.” Henderson said, looking insulted. “Only my troops call me Ma’am. You can call me Susan, or, if you must like everyone else, call me Henderson.”

“So, what’s with so many people here?” Mathew asked. “I thought it was an area quest, not an entire floor wide quest.”

“I was here when there were only ten of us.” Henderson said. “I showed up an hour before day time. That was really freaky with the sudden light. But I was nearby when the quest showed up. About twenty more people were here, but have all either popped their tokens, or were killed. Their bodies were looted for whatever treasure they’ve gained.”

Mathew tsked. “Disappointing. So, what’s the plan to get this thing? Any other allies we can pay off, strong arm to our side, or at least ensure they won’t get in our way.”

“What makes you think we are going to even try to get it?” Leo asked.

“I have a fire imp who wants it.” Mathew said. “Unless someone else wants it.”

Henderson made a face that showed she was interested in it. Mathew sighed. “Alrighty, explain why you need it.”

“It’s not that I need it, but it will be beneficial to me. A body tempering item related to the sun might be useful to me. Especially if I stick with the path I came up with recently.”

Mathew raised an eyebrow at that. He didn’t think Henderson would do anything related to fire or light. He had her pegged as a true swordswoman. “Care to explain a bit more?”

Henderson thought it over. “It’s related to light to say the least. You have that ritual to identify things right? We can figure out the exact details with that and Di when we go back home. Right now we need to secure it at the least.”

Mathew agreed with that idea fully. “Okay. Leo, are you down to help us, or are you against us?”

Leo nodded toward the pillar of light. “Nope. None of us need or want it. We will help keep you alive so long as you help us find an Undead Dungeon and beat a floor boss.”

“And what about your elder friend here?” Mathew asked.

“Oh I’m Mr. Naoki. Kawamoto Naoki. I see potential in Miss Henderson here, and thought of offering my services.”

“What’s the catch?” Mathew got right to the point. “What is it you want from her?”

The old man smiled confidently. “A date.”

Everyone stared at him. Henderson’s face flushed red with embarrassment. Zachary laughed. “See, I wasn’t the only one to think she was older!”

“No dates!” Henderson half shouted. “If I knew you were a creep I would have sent your ass packing!”

“Oh ho, I didn’t say it was for me. My Grandson needs to stop sitting in his room. He didn’t even bother to join me in this place, leaving me all alone!” He seemed hurt that his grandson left him alone.

“The answer is still no!”

Mathew held up a hand, “Hold on there Henderson, at least see what the guy looks like. He could be future Mr. Henderson, if you want to keep your name.”

Leo laughed. Even with the tension of a possible death battle for a student rank item, they all found their mental stress lightened. Mathew felt safe with them. Safer than he had the past month and a half since entering this place.

Henderons’ eyebrow twitch, “No. I refuse. I’m sure someone else would be great for your grandson, but not me.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Bah, oh well, can’t say I didn’t try to find him a strong wife to help lead the family business.”

“I think we need to come up with a real plan here.” Leo said. “Are you actually with us Mr. Naoiki?”

“Oh sure. You seem like good folks. I have no problem helping you all, I still want something in return, I’ll think of something.”

Mathew eye’d the old man. Trying to see if he had ulterior motives. “You can make that trade with Henderson. Not me.”

“What about your friend there Mat?” Leo asked.

Mathew looked at the current highest leveled individual. “Zachary lost our race. So he has to help me. A promise is a promise.”

The man nodded. “Yea yea. What he said. I didn’t expect to lose though.” Zachary seemed embarrassed that he lost.

That ment, in total, they had twelve people. Mathew, Zachary, Henderson, Naroki, Leo, and seven of Leo’s people.

Mathew opened his menu to see how much time was left. “We have over twenty minutes. We need to come up with a plan.”

“That’s fine, but I don’t want to kill people for no reason.” Henderson said. “They might be greedy, but not everyone is bad. We should avoid pointless bloodshed.”

“As much as I hate to, I agree with Henderson.” Leo said. “We can harm, but let’s avoid killing.”

“Why? If they stand in our way of power, then let’s knock them down and out.” Zachary enunciated with a punch into his hand.

“We aren't murderhobos.” Mathew pointed out. “But you both have a point. If it’s us or them. I choose us every time. Let’s try to avoid getting in that situation. We have Zachary with us. We can use his fame as a deterrent. With our size of people, and enough showfare, we could win this without a single drop of blood.”

Their conversation was broken up by the sound of people starting to fight. They all looked at two people throwing chunks of sand at one another. It seemed both of them were able to control the sand and earth.

One of them raised a wall of sand to block pellets of rock being thrown at him. Neither of them seemed to have any friends to help one or the other out. They were both fighting alone.

The one who raised the wall pushed the sand forward like a wave, sending the pellet thrower backwards. He somehow raised his own earthen shield to block a spear of stone from impaling him.

“You forget, I know where your earth is! I can detect it all! I even feel you moving a large chunk of stone below us now!”

“Don’t try to trick these people. We were friends! Why lie about something I’m not doing! You tried to kill me first!”

“I feel it coming to me. You don’t think I can’t-” His sentence was cut off as a giant mouth burst out of the sand swallowing him whole. Connected to the mouth was a pillar of sand covered flesh.

Its mouth opened up from four parts, dozens of teeth lined the inside of it. Mathew’s eyes went wide as he stepped back. The worm was gigantic. It was roughly twenty meters wide, and the length was anyone’s guess.

“That’s the Floor Boss!” Someone shouted.

The worm let out a groaning roar. Its low pitch caused everything nearby to resonate. The sand started to shift, forcing some people to sink in. Mathew quickly continued to move his legs, trying to remain on top of the sand.

A few dozen ranged attacks flew out toward the worm as it turned in a U shape in the air, heading back into the sand. It snaked downward. Mathew saw some of the sand move, showing where the worm was.

“New plan. Kill that thing!” Leo shouted, firing his gun. White pellets flew toward the part of the body that was still sticking out of the sand.