A few days later, I found myself sitting at one of the tables in the Guild’s bar with my head on the table. Who would have thought finding a team to fulfill the Guildmaster’s requirement would be so hard? Oh, a few groups had been initially interested when I mentioned that I was planning an expedition, but when they found out it was to find the lost dungeon, they quickly lost interest. Then, there had been a couple that I was reasonably sure had unsavory intentions since, unlike the others, they were a little too eager to have me join their groups. I mentioned them to the guild, but I knew from what my father had said that there wasn’t much the guild could do without any solid evidence.

“Melissa, right?” a female voice asks, breaking into my thoughts. Lifting my head, I see the redhead from early.

“Sarah?” I ask, not sure if I remember her name correctly.

“I thought that was you,” she said, sitting on the bench seat across from me. “so what have you so down in the dumps.”

“Where is the rest of your team,” I ask instead of answering.

“Oh, they're around somewhere; today is a rest day before we head back into the dungeons. Anyway, I wanted to apologize for the way we acted when we first met. I know it doesn't fix anything, but the guild passed along information to all members that Shipwreck had a new route for solo deliveries, and I guess you were one of the first adventures to experience it. So I just wanted to apologize for not believing you.”

“Apology accepted?” I say a little hesitantly.

Apparently, Sarah sensed my apprehension. She rose and said, “Well, I let you get back to whatever you were doing.”

“Wait,” I heard myself say before I realized what I was doing. “Um, listen, I’ve been planning an expedition, and well, due to reasons, I need a group.”

“Oh,” Sarah asked, sitting back down. “what type of expedition?”

“I’m not sure how much you know about the area and its history, but in addition to the three dungeons that adventurers delve into today, there was a fourth dungeon. Due to unknown factors, the entrance was sealed, and its location has been lost over the years. A few years ago, I found information on its location and what must be done to unseal the entrance. The expedition is to head to that location and see if we can actually open the entrance. Then, we will explore the dungeon to see what happened to it.”

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“Interesting,” Sarah said with a thoughtful frown. “and what’s in it for the group that goes with you on this expedition.” She asks.

“I don’t suppose the knowledge and feeling of accomplishment of finding a lost dungeon would be enough,” I say with a waning smile; however, I was hopeful because it was by this point that the other groups had already left. I sighed at Sarah's deadpan expression: “No, I didn’t think so. Okay, if you agree to accompany me, I’ve talked the Guildmaster into giving the party the normal finder’s fee for finding a new dungeon. I’m willing to let you keep any loot we acquire while exploring the dungeon.”

“With an offer like that, I’m a little surprised you’re not drowning in groups wanting to go,” Sarah said thoughtfully.

“Well, there is always the chance that we don’t find it, which means no reward. And well, for most groups, it is a matter of practicality. It is a choice between a possible reward or delving into the known dungeons and making the same amount. None of them seem to want to take the risk. I’ll understand if your group doesn't want to take that risk either.”

“It’s not that big of a risk, at least for us. Oh, I could see groups that aren't as well off being worried. If we do agree to go with you, I’d want you to tell us everything you know about this ‘Lost Dungone’ and also that you’d join us on a few delves in one of the other dungeons before we set you. What? Did I say something amusing?”

“No,” I say with a small smile, “it just means you outlined my game plan for if I ever found a team to go with me.”

“Ah, I see,” Sarah said.

“But before you make any decisions, I should clarify some things. From everything I was able to find about this dungeon, it looks like when the entrance was sealed, the dungeon had fifteen floors, and we’ll probably have to go all the way to the bottom to figure out what happened. Meaning, at the bare minimum, the highest-level monster we’ll be facing is level 45, but after all these years, I'm pretty sure we’ll see monsters higher level than that; however, I’m not sure how much higher level thought.”

“And you're wondering if we’ll be able to handle that?” Sarah cut in.

“Yes,” I answer honestly.

“I could be asking the same about you,” Sarah asked, sidestepping the question.

“Okay, cards on the table,” I say, and I see Sarah raise her eyebrow at the unfamiliar saying, “I’m currently level 38, and since we’re planning to make a few delves together as a team, I figure by the time we set out I should be close to level 45.”

“In that case, we shouldn’t have any problems; the group's average level is in the high thirties,” Sarah said.

“um, does that mean you’ll do it?” I ask, hope tinting my voice.

“I’ll have to talk with the rest of the group to confirm it, but I’d say it’s a tentative yes. If you can meet me here tomorrow evening, I can give you a more definitive answer.”

“Sure, I can do that,” I say, fighting to hide my eagerness, and from the smirk playing on Sarah’s lips, I knew I had failed.

“well, that's settled; I’ll see you tomorrow,” Sarah said, rising from her seat and heading toward the guild entrance.