Time quickly passed, reaching p.m., the designated time to start the rush. Aster's team was already prepared, standing at the end of the file and planning to lay low.
"We don't need to hunt the monsters around. Our priority is to reach the other end as fast as possible." Aster clarified one last time.
Right then, a loud, gallant voice echoed from the head of the line. It was the familiar voice of the Dragon's Roar's Captain.
"Everyone! Thank you for gathering! Starting right now, we will begin the rush straight toward the portal at the other end of the third floor!" He exclaimed in a clear and loud voice.
"Remember, we will not take responsibility for any injury or loss you suffer. Injuries are your responsibility, so be careful! Even if you fall behind, we won't stop running!"
In short, whatever happens, it is the team's problem, not theirs. If others want to help those who were getting left behind, then they're free to do so too, but the members of the Dragon's Roar already clarified that they wouldn't go out of their way to help others.
"That's all! We won't take any questions." He concluded his words before facing forward. "Alright then, everyone! Try to keep pace with us if you can!"
After saying that, the Dragon's Roar 177th and 178th teams started running. They were maintaining a leisurely jogging pace, but with their average levels being level 8, with some even reaching levels 9 and 10, the distance between them and the other teams was slowly increasing.
This was especially true for those carrying large bags containing supplies and equipment for their parties.
Thankfully, Aster's party didn't have any trouble keeping pace with the Dragon's Roar. Rather, as the one with the lowest CON stat in the party, he was the biggest worry about whether they could continue keeping pace with them or not.
After running for about an hour, the leading party entered the forest. Of course, there's no way to get lost in there, as the path they're following is the shortest one, the straight path to the other end.
"Ugh...!"
"We'll be setting up camp here! Everyone, keep about twenty meters of distance between each team's camps!"
"Again...?"
Aster sighed, feeling that their words were nothing but selfish now. Spreading out would mean those in the center would be the safest, and without a doubt, the Dragon's Roar party would be the one taking that position up.
Of course, the girls were feeling a little irritated about it too.
As such, the five decided to set their camp far from the rest, about a hundred meters to the right of the edge of the main camp. Of course, the main reason was to keep Tina away from others, as she might suddenly cause a commotion if they left her unsupervised.
But the girls didn't disagree and instead pushed for it with zeal. And the reason for that was being served before them at that moment.
"As always, you have amazing cooking skills, Aster!" Liz praised as she elegantly devoured the food served to them. "It's to the point that I want to hire you as our chef."
"Although it doesn't sit well with me, I agree with the sentiment." Even Tina nodded her head. "But I won't be giving Darling to you! He's mine!"
Hearing Tina claim him time and again, Aster sighed deeply. "I'm nobody's, alright?"
The scent of cooking, even though they were a hundred meters away, still reached the main camp, causing quite a commotion. Everyone tried to look for the source of the smell; however, Aster's camp was too far and blocked by the tall grasses, keeping it out of view!
This was the main reason why the girls agreed to move their camp away.
There's no way they're sharing this delicious meal with others!