“Th-this… You actually pulled it off? Did you really take this down yourself?” the woman behind the counter stammered in utter astonishment after seeing the monster core I handed her.
“I did. If you don’t believe me, just ask those adventurers over there,” I said, pointing toward the group sneakily glancing our way from a short distance.
“Alright. Per guild rules, fifty thousand points grants immediate promotion to Silver-rank adventurer. Congratulations—you’re the first in our guild to reach Silver rank in a single mission. Even Hero Cherthesis never did that. We’ll attach a silver sticker to your badge in a couple days. Oh, and here’s your reward: one million mana coins.” She placed a coin pouch into my palm as she spoke.
“Any other tasks? That one was utterly boring.”
“Well… that *was* the top-tier mission. Unless you join the army campaigning against the Demonkin. Slay over a thousand Demonkin on the battlefield, and you’ll jump straight to Diamond-rank adventurer.”
“So… are there enrollment restrictions?”
“Naturally. You must be human and pass a combat proficiency test. But for someone who crushed even the monster Juelian? Should be easy. Next Demonkin campaign recruitment opens in one month.”
“Fine. But I urgently need mana coins now—any high-paying tasks?” I asked, recalling the holy maiden I still needed to auction.
“Certainly. Highest coin rewards come from guarding nobles or royalty. They pay generously, though points earned are minimal.” She gestured toward a row of posted quests.
“Hmm. I’ll take this one.” Without hesitation, I pointed to the top bounty: escorting Prince Sradon of Sradon Kingdom to the Tianduo Republic. Reward: two million mana coins. Points: ten thousand.
“Are you sure? Adventurers usually avoid escort missions—they carry the highest hidden risks,” she warned.
“Certain. Just arrange it. Any other adventurers assigned?”
“None. Only you. Though the prince travels with his knight corps. Their captain is Aifei, Sradon Kingdom’s strongest magic knight—a fighter who goes toe-to-toe with a Champion.”
“Hmph. Not that impressive.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing! I mean… she’s decent. That knight, Aifei.” I backtracked quickly. *Right—I haven’t seen Chelseas in action while in human form.*
“Since you’re decided, I’ll send someone shortly to escort you to the prince’s residence.” She turned and walked inside.
“Elle, I may be gone a day. Stay at the inn and train hard. These spells I’m granting you are all human magic. As my follower, you *must* carry prestige.” I placed a finger on Elle’s head, transferring magical memories into her.
“So amazing! Are these the spells Master Ling Xie commands?” Elle gasped, eyes sparkling. She truly felt she’d uncovered a treasure trove.
“Luolie, you and the others wait here at the Adventurers’ Guild. Don’t worry—I’ll secure the funds.” I turned to the beastmen.
“We know, Mr. Ling Xie. We trust your strength,” they nodded earnestly, still awed by my defeat of the monster Juelian.
“Good. Crush this if trouble arises.” I pulled a bead from my spatial ring and tossed it to Luolie.
This perception bead originally belonged to my Isolated Realm. To stay low-key, I’d moved select items—including this—into the spatial ring Elle gifted me.
“Th-this… How can we accept it, Mr. Ling Xie? We already owe you… taking such a precious item feels wrong,” Luolie mumbled, scratching his head sheepishly.
“Just take it. No arguments. Accepting a gift from *this one* should be an… ahem. Just take it.” I hastily corrected my tone. *Right. I’m human now.*
“Thank you deeply. We *will* return it. Our beastman tribe will repay your kindness,” Luolie said, gratefully pocketing the bead.
“Mr. Platinum God of Heresy, please follow my daughter. She’ll guide you to the prince’s residence,” the receptionist said warmly, nudging a little girl toward me.
“I leave it to you,” I told the girl. She was rather cute.
“Okay! Follow me, Uncle,” she chirped, skipping toward the door.
*Uncle??* …Well. I take back what I said earlier.
