Chương 25: A Special Situation

At sunset. The evening clouds dyed the sky a deep orange. Outside the gates of Blackstone Town, everything looked the same as usual. Hunters and farmers returning from the outskirts lined up for inspection.

"Routine check." A guard's lazy voice rang out.

"Name, origin, purpose, and identification. Show them." Nothing was different from before. As the party leader, Marcus briefly explained their purpose before the three of them handed over their badges. However, this time, Zelier presented the badge issued by the Mage Guild rather than his Iron-rank Adventurer Association badge. When the guard saw Marcus and Vaelis's Bronze-rank badges, his expression remained unchanged. But when his eyes fell upon Zelier's mage insignia, a flicker of surprise appeared in his gaze.

He quickly looked up at Zelier, seemingly trying to memorize his appearance. Even the way he returned the badge became noticeably more respectful.

"So you've already become an Apprentice Mage?" Vaelis asked after noticing Zelier's badge.

"Yes. I obtained it from the Mage Guild after we separated last time." A thought suddenly crossed Zelier's mind.

"Speaking of which... how do Adventurer Association ranks work? I noticed both of you are Bronze."

"Diamond, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Iron. Iron is the easiest. You get it when you register. After completing ten tasks, you can advance to Bronze rank." Vaelis explained casually.

"Silver rank is where things get harder. A Bronze adventurer has to complete ten Low-tier Tasks before they can advance."

"And most Low-tier Tasks involve monsters rated as [Difficult]. There are also factors like success rate and mission evaluation. If you want the exact rules, ask receptionist Aila."

"After that comes Gold rank. Most people at that level are experienced Mid-tier professionals."

"There are also some Upper-tier professionals among them. I never bothered looking into how they advanced... but I doubt the Blackstone Town branch has many."

"I see..." Zelier recalled the quest document for their latest mission. It had only been classified as an Ordinary Task, not even reaching the level of a Low-tier Task. He nodded thoughtfully.

"So technically, I've only completed two Ordinary Tasks?"

"That's right. Just eight more errands and you'll become a Bronze adventurer." If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Vaelis rarely smiled, but this time he did.

"Though honestly, you don't need to care about that. A Mage Guild badge carries far more weight than an Adventurer Association badge."

"If I were you, I'd probably only show the Mage Guild one while traveling." Back at the Adventurer Association, Marcus went to the counter to submit the mission.

"These are the quest items from the abandoned cavern. We cleared out twenty-four Slimes." Marcus placed a bulging sack of magic cores on the counter.

"There was also an abnormal situation during the mission that I need to report." Aila had just poured the magic cores onto the counting tray. Hearing those words, she blinked in confusion. Another unexpected incident? During the previous Wild Wolf mission, wasn't this the same group that encountered a juvenile Mistwraith?

"Could you explain what happened?" Aila asked.

"The monster information in the quest description was incorrect. Deep inside the cavern, we discovered a Giant Slime. It was the true source of the water contamination." Marcus took out another, much larger magic core from his pack, along with the condensed gel.

"But we eliminated the Giant Slime. Please report this abnormal situation to the town administration." A [Difficult]-ranked Giant Slime... Aila froze slightly. That was a troublesome monster. It wouldn't have been surprising if a fully equipped party had defeated one. But this time, Marcus's team only had three members. As that thought crossed her mind, Aila's eyes unconsciously drifted toward the newest adventurer. Zelier. When she had registered him as an adventurer, she had been surprised to learn he was a mage.

Back then, Zelier had been inexperienced and awkward. He looked exactly like a complete beginner. Yet that same beginner had now participated in the kills of both a Mistwraith and a Giant Slime. It was truly unexpected. How much had he contributed in those two battles? Aila couldn't help but wonder. Among the countless adventurers coming and going around her, Zelier looked completely unconcerned. He leaned casually against the counter and yawned.

Perhaps because he had spent so much mana, he felt far more exhausted than usual. His lazy gaze swept across the room. And happened to meet Aila's eyes. Zelier gave a small nod in greeting. Aila, however, awkwardly looked away.

"Alright... I'll report this to the town administration immediately." She quickly lowered her head and pulled out a document.

"Shouldn't you count the Slime cores first?" Marcus asked, confused.

"Oh! Right, right... I forgot." Aila hurriedly picked up the counting tool and began checking the number of cores. Twenty-four Slimes. Quest reward: 72 Silver Coins. Twenty-four Slime cores. Recovery value: 48 Silver Coins. Giant Slime core. Recovery value: 4 Gold Coins. High-quality gel. Recovery value: 2 Gold Coins. Total mission earnings: 7 Gold Coins and 20 Silver Coins. Just as Marcus picked up the money and prepared to leave, Aila stopped him.

"By the way, this mission was affected by incorrect information in the commission details. After the town administration confirms it, they will provide additional compensation. Please come back in three days to collect it."

"Understood." After receiving their reward, the three split the money outside the Adventurer Association.

"I won't ask you to join permanently again. I know you prefer freedom." Marcus handed Zelier his share of the reward.

"But if you ever need a frontline fighter for another mission, come find me."

"I live at the Redbeard Inn." In Marcus's eyes, Zelier's importance was obvious. The money earned from these two missions was equivalent to nearly half a year's worth of his usual efforts. Zelier had played a crucial role.

"Got it. I'll definitely come to you if I need help." Zelier accepted the pouch. Two Gold Coins and eighty-eight Silver Coins. A very generous reward. Watching Zelier's retreating figure, Vaelis finally looked away.

"Marcus, I don't think I've ever seen you lower yourself like this."

"He already rejected your offer to join your permanent party last time, and now you're the one actively trying to keep close to him?"

"Mages are just like that." Marcus didn't seem bothered. He waved his hand.

"Anyone who becomes a mage has some pride. Of course they don't want to be tied down by a fixed party."

"But that being said, pride is one thing."

"Because their physical bodies are weaker, mages naturally become wary of other adventurers." Marcus continued confidently.

"At times like this, all you need to do is show them patience and reliability."

"Even if you lower your stance a little, it doesn't matter."

"You need to make them understand that you're someone they can trust."

"Then next time they need a party, they'll naturally come looking for you." Vaelis's eye twitched slightly.

"How did I never realize before that you had so many schemes hidden away..."