Infinite Realm

"Over here." Lu Zhen waved from a distance as he spotted Sato's figure.

  "Exposing yourself like that could attract unwanted attention." Sato said once he got close to Lu Zhen.

"Don't worry about it. I'm not a nab[1]. I've already scouted the area several times; it's clear. Follow me, the others are waiting." Lu Zhen replied nonchalantly as he began walking forward.

Lu Zhen then led Sato on a 30-seconds run after which they approached a natural opening on a small hill. The 10th floor was very huge and had quite a few of these small hills scattered all around. Similar to the rest, this one looked nothing special and unless one were to explore it with a determined focus, they wouldn't be able to find the tunnel that leads out of the floor.

"What took you so long?" Fudo smiled as he greeted Sato.

"Try facing a super guild as well as a top rank 1st tier guild's raid teams on your own." Sato replied with a plain tone.

"If I was the same level as you, blasting them to bits would be no problem." Fudo puffed his chest.

"Sure."

Ignoring his long-time best friend, Sato faced the others in the team as he asked, "Are you all okay?" 

"Yeah, why wouldn't we?" Seiichi replied.

"This was fun, honestly. Facing against a horde of monsters then taking on that 10 feet monster, this was an adrenaline-packed mission." Yato smiled.

"You know we almost died, right?" Katsuo turned to him and asked.

"Yeah, so? It's not like this is a game where we die in real life if we die here. Stop being such a buzz-kill." 

"It's called Virtual immersion. You take the game as if it were real." Seiichi commented.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Yato waved him off.

"So, what are your plans?" Sato asked Lu Zhen and Xue Yan while the others became quiet.

"I don't really know." Xue Yan said with a shy expression.

"I think I will stick with you guys, that's if you will let me. Fighting as a team is better than fighting alone."

Sato smiled at her before he turned to Lu Zhen.

"Same here. The team's already formed and it would be too bad to end things right now. You guys would now become 'Six Star Glory' rather than seven but seven sounds better." Lu Zhen grinned.

"You sure about it? Your reason is really…something." Sato carefully said.

"I'm sure, and don't underestimate me or question me about my decision." Lu Zhen narrowed his eyes.

"Good." Sato nodded.

"Yah~ Now the team, Seven Star glory is officially formed. Our goal is to attain as much popularity and glory as possible, even if it means decimating a few super guild teams." Fudo clapped his hands and announced.

"Haha. Good one." Yato laughed. 

"Hey, Sato. Next time let us all in when you're messing with some top teams. I want to know the difference between us and them." Katsuo seriously said.

"Same here." Seiichi added.

"Okay then." Sato smiled, seeing as his teammates were pumped up and willing to improve.

In a team fight, the most important element wasn't a godly player or a great commander; it was coordination and team play. If the team was willing to do something together, their progress would be in large steps and the coordination would be amazing. 

Also, seeing as the team wanted to compare their skills with top-class players, Sato felt that it would be nice to arrange a training session for them. While their skills might seem satisfactory right now, it was only so if they don't aim high. However, the team's goal wasn't just to lord over some nabs but to compete with top guilds, hence they would need to improve their skills sooner rather than later.

'I'll have to start making preparations for this then.' Sato added the idea to his mental to-do list.

"Since we've formed the team then everyone would have access to the loot." Sato announced.

Part of the deal he had with Xue Yan before was to help her slay the Kobold King while the loot would belong to them. Lu Zhen had also pleaded on her behalf and offered his own share too, hence, the duo weren't supposed to get a piece of the loot even though they were strategic figures in the raid.

"No. This can't do." Xue Yan shook her head.

"I already promised not to have a share plus what I have gained following you guys is a lot. Reaching my current level is also thanks to you all."

Excluding the fact that it was due to Sato dragging her alongside himself to escape the kobold King during their first encounter -leading to the series of events that made her reach level 11 as well as improve on her skills-, Xue Yan's major participation in the defeat of the Kobold King had led to her levelling up once more to become a level 12 [Elementalist] of the fire branch. There was also the fact that her equipment had been upgraded and her fighting style and prowess had seen massive improvements thanks to Sato's training. 

Therefore, Xue Yan felt that it wasn't necessary for her to receive any more from the team or else she wouldn't be able to return the favor.

"Don't think too much about it. You're part of the team so you deserve these. You too, Lu Zhen." Sato said as he noticed that Lu Zhen was about to say the same.

"It would be wrong for me as the team leader to be partial. From now on, everyone is family and should treat each other equally. As the leader, I have to show an example and do the same first so don't refuse me."

"...okay." Xue Yan nodded imperceptibly.

"Fine." Lu Zhen sighed. 

"Now, time to check out the loot. But before that, what level are you guys?" Sato asked. 

Only Xue Yan had set her level to public display for Sato to see her improvements. Fudo, Lu Zhen, and the others, all kept theirs to private.

"Hehe.. Why don't you take a look then."