(A couple days later, Rocky’s apartment)

A couple of days later, the team reunited at Rocky’s apartment to discuss their plans for the next floor raid and the future of Crystal, the Abyssal Dragon.

From the gloomy expressions on everyone’s faces, Rocky could easily tell that no one really wanted to be there.

The harsh reality of having to embark on weekly floor raids had finally begun to sink in, and Rocky could make out from everyone’s expressions that they were all secretly frustrated at being forced to be in this meeting.

Two days had not been nearly enough time to rest and recover from the exhausting ordeal of the Floor 23 raid, yet in less than 24 hours, the team were going to be forced to set off on another adventure.

“I’m sorry guys, all of you look really exhausted, but we will have to set off in less than 24 hours anyhow.

The new week starts tomorrow and we have no clue how long it will take for us to complete the next Floor Raid–” Rocky said, starting with an apology, as he expressed his sympathies for his friends’ suffering.

“It’s okay Sir Rocky, sure my spine is still a little beat, but I’m happy to continue with our adventure–” Erin said, as despite him wearing a back brace for support and recovery, he expressed his eagerness to continue.

“I’m okay too, Puny Human….. Everyone in Buhara’s clan is proud of Buhara for being friends with you.

Buhara’s wife is too.

She understands….” said Buhara, as he gave Rocky a thumbs up sign and a smile.

“I’m cool–” said Kronos, as he expressed his understanding in just those two words.

“Thanks guys….I really appreciate it” Rocky said, letting out a deep sigh, as it was moments like these that made him realize that these were the guys to die for.

His team was not too big, but it was amazing.

“About the dragon…. I don’t mind your sister raising it Sir Rocky, if it helps your sister recover from her depression, I’m all for it” Erin said, as he was quick to give up his claims over the egg in favor of Rocky’s sister.

“Buhara has no issues either–” said Buhara, as all eyes turned to Kronos at this point, who seemed hesitant to talk his mind.

“Look guys….” He said, scratching his head, as he struggled to find words that would place this more delicately.

“I’ll be blunt here. I don’t mind giving the dragon to Rocky’s sister either. He’s our friend and his sister has grown attached. It’s fine.

I’m sure he will do the same for us if given the chance, but this is about principle.

We are risking our lives together for rewards like these and while it’s absolutely okay to give up one’s claims over a specific reward if someone else in the team needs it more, but at some point we need to draw a line.

That newborn dragon is conservatively worth approximately 240 million tower gold, that’s 60 million gold each.

If it’s some super high breed, with good genetics, it can be worth over a billion and while I’m not objecting Rocky’s requirement for it, I do want to know how he’s planning to make it fair to all of us” Kronos said, as he boldly spoke his mind, expressing his opinion as carefully yet concisely as he could.

“What you’re saying is completely fair, and that’s exactly why I haven’t promised my sister ownership of the dragon baby yet.

I don’t take any of your help for granted, nor do I take your kindness lightly.

As you pointed out, if the roles were reversed, I’d absolutely do the same for you, and to show my sincerity, I have decided to not take any share of the rewards until we reach Floor 29.

For the next six floors, everything we gain will be split between the three of you, and if when we reach floor 29, the aggregated value of what we earn is not equal to 60 million or more, I will continue to abstain from taking a part until it is.” Rocky said, as Kronos nodded in appreciation.

It wasn’t that he did not want Rocky to get a share of the loot, but it was just a matter of establishing principle.

The team was still young in their friendship and if they wanted to make it last for a long time, then undermining the interests of any member was not going to prove healthy.

“Well, I feel like this compensation is more than fair.

I too don’t have any problems with your sister keeping the egg any longer” Kronos agreed, as Rocky let out a sigh of relief.

Riva had really grown attached to Crystal, and it would have proven hard for him to pull her away from the baby, if the team did not agree.

Thankfully, his friends were all very kind and sensible and had decided to let Riva keep it.

“So Sir Rocky, what did you wish to discuss with us about floor 24? The usual clearing time for the floor is under 3 days. Why are you rushing to go in?” Erin asked, as with discussions about the dragon out of the way, the team turned their focus on the next immediate agenda at hand.

“The next floor is home to a man I really wish to meet. If everything goes smoothly, I want to stay back on the floor for a few more days after completing the mission and try to seek this man out. However, it all depends on how fast we can clear it. Find adventures on empire

The man I want to meet might have some answers to problems that threaten our lives constantly, so I feel like it’s a must for me to hold an audience with him” Rocky explained, as Erin nodded in agreement.

It seemed like it was extremely important for Rocky to seek that man out, and hence the team just decided to roll along.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep