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Chapter 293 – Ranker Application
The next day, I temporarily visited the town of Rosberia due to various circumstances.
When I handed the mission completion certificate to the lady from the mercenary guild who had taught me a lot, she froze the moment she saw its contents.
“Um, Miss?”
“Ah… Huh? Is this real? And why are you here?”
Rosberia is at the northernmost tip of Freyville, while Guinier is in the southwest.
I totally get why she’d wonder why I’d go out of my way to bring the job completion certificate here!
“It’s genuine. The mercenary guild in Guinier has fallen into the hands of the Bernard brothers, and all the members have been captured by local soldiers.”
“No way… I thought. Sorry, but that’s the situation, huh?”
Ideally, I would have handled the paperwork in Guinier, where they are familiar with the situation in the town.
But when I went this morning, the mercenary guild was deserted. The enslaved soldiers were bragging about capturing everyone, so there’s nothing I can do now.
Maybe it was beyond this lady’s capacity to handle. After being led to the private room, I was made to wait a while. Instead, a strangely smartly dressed older man came out.
Unlike the Hunter Guild’s guildmaster, he gave off a merchant vibe—definitely not a combat type.
“I’m Oswell, the manager of the Rosberia branch. I’ve heard much about you.”
“Nice to meet you…wait, huh…?”
“I hear you possess remarkable teleportation skills. Apparently, you’ve been quite the handful in Quoitz, too.”
“Ah—haha…”
Who the hell is leaking my info?
I thought about it, but I’m called a monster at the dismantling site. I’m also constantly watched by other hunters in the hunting grounds. It’s impossible to pinpoint who it is.
This is just what I deserve.
“This request is complete upon presentation of this Completion Certificate. Would you like the bounty paid now?”
“Eh, yes, that would be helpful, but that’s rather abrupt, isn’t it?”
“The certificate is official, and the person undertaking the request is deemed capable. There’s no room for doubt.”
“Is that all?”
It feels awkward, but I’m actually grateful that someone leaked the information.
It seems like I’m gaining trust without even knowing it.
“Just one thing to confirm.”
“What is it?”
“Why did you accept this request?”
“Ah…”
“With all due respect, considering your estimated income as a hunter, I can’t imagine you’d find a bounty of this level particularly appealing. So, I was wondering if there might be some other reason.”
I don’t know the exact timeframe, but it was a request that no one who could complete it in under a year had even considered.
I figured people would wonder why I got involved.
But I never expected them to be so direct… Well, whatever.
“Simply because it piqued my interest.”
“…Interest, you say?”
“Two former rankers dominating an entire town? That’s a level of dominance I’ve never seen before. Wouldn’t that spark your curiosity? Just how capable are the people orchestrating this, and how exactly are they maintaining control?”
“I can understand that sentiment. But wouldn’t one ordinarily weigh the rewards against the risks before deciding whether to act?”
“Of course. I acted because I judged it would be ‘profitable.’ There’s the hassle of converting it to cash, but with a large-scale operation, there are often plenty of spoils beyond just the bounty.”
“I see. Understood. Thank you.”
Under no circumstances would I say it was ‘just a side interest.’
Saying that could imply low monetary ambition and potentially affect future rewards.
Perhaps sensing my intent, Oswell-san offered me a strangely shaped, translucent pebble with a broad smile.
“Given your skill, Loki-san, I expect you’ll receive direct commission requests in the future. You don’t seem to have one yet, but please wear this in your bangle.”
“Um, is this a Resonance Stone?”
“Exactly. Only when a direct commission request is made will the Resonance Stone glow softly for a full day.”
“I see… That’s quite a long time. Where should I go if it glows?”
“All designated requests are managed exclusively by the Central Mercenary Guild in the royal capital, Grazil. Regional guilds don’t receive information about closed designated requests, so please be mindful of that.”
“Understood. Since I haven’t been to the royal capital yet, I’ll confirm the location as soon as possible.”
“Also, I, Oswell, will recommend you for the ‘Freyville Domestic Mercenary Rankings.’ I will submit your registration application, Loki-san. Is that acceptable?”
“You mean that thing on the ranking board, right?”
“Yes, if your achievements are lacking, your name won’t be known. You must make a name for yourself through the rankings. Otherwise, you won’t receive many commission requests.”
Well, that makes sense.
Since I’m not from this country, only parts of Rosberia and Guinier know about me.
That makes perfect sense,” I thought, nodding deeply.
“Rankings are updated quarterly, four times a year. Although it may not be reflected immediately, based on this result, we’ll review your ranking, Loki-san. It should be updated within two months at the latest.”
“Understood. Just to confirm, is it possible to apply for registration without being included in the ranking?”
“That’s highly unlikely. Completing that troublesome request, which had been left unresolved for over a year, carries significant weight. Above all, you took on not just two rankers—formerly 25th and 38th—but an entire organization: the Bernard family. But…”
“But?”
“I can’t guarantee the exact ranking. It’s not just about individual combat strength. Past achievements and request completion rates are also taken into account. Defeating the former number 25 doesn’t automatically mean you’ll rank higher. It’s not that simple.”
“Ah, that’s fine. I’m not that fixated on the ranking anyway.”
Besides, I won’t be basing my activities out of Freyville going forward.
This is just an experiment to see what happens when I become a ranker.
If it means receiving great commission requests, then I’ll energetically pursue ranking in other countries as well. That’s all it is.
After confirming a few other minor details and receiving thirty platinum coins—something I hadn’t seen in quite some time—my business was done.
Deciding that now would be the perfect time to leave Rosberia, I began flying eastward, a direction where mapping progress was completely stagnant.
▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽
Olea, the receptionist at the Rosberia branch of the Mercenary Guild, frowned when she saw Oswell return with light steps.
The cause was clearly that boy.
She knew that, but was it really such a big deal that it made the ever-present crease between his eyebrows disappear?
Admittedly, from the branch’s perspective, completing the nation’s longest-standing unpopular request and reporting it in this town was a significant achievement.
“Guild Master, is it really good news?”
The question slipped out before she could stop it. In an instant, the familiar deep frown returned to his brow.
“Such a question arises because you do not understand that boy’s true purpose.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“I believed that request had a purpose beyond money. Only someone who could see beyond that would accept it.”
“Meaning?”
“Don’t you see? It’s about connections. Although small, the town also serves as the provincial capital. Saving a town like that naturally builds ties with the lord. Simply put, he’s done the nobility a favor.”
“I see?”
“That boy wasn’t fixated on the surface bounty. He saw it far ahead and judged it ‘lucrative.’ Not only is he strong in combat, but he’s also intelligent. Truly a rare talent.”
She sort of understood what he meant.
But why is the Guild Master so pleased?
Sighing deeply at Olea, who still tilted her head in confusion, Oswell continued his explanation.
“Still don’t get it? That boy actively seeks connections with nobles. That makes him perfectly suited for mercenary work. Give him money and status, and he’ll likely become a lapdog for the country and its nobles.”
“Well, the Mercenary Guild does seem to want people like that, doesn’t it?”
“Fufu, ahahaha… That look of his? He hasn’t obtained a Resonance Stone yet, let alone become a ranker in other countries. Judging by his appearance, he’s probably a pure-blooded hunter from the eastern lands aiming for A-rank. I’m the one recommending him. I unearthed an incredible raw talent. With this, my reputation will—”
With a cold gaze fixed on Oswell’s back as he continued laughing loudly at the wall, Olea recalled the former Bernard brothers and that boy.
During their active days as mercenaries, both the elder brother, Ash, and the younger brother, Ask, had based themselves in Rosberia.
Back then, they were merely party companions, but as A-rank hunters, they hunted in Quoitz while also handling VIP protection contracts for the guild.
Olea had handled their affairs even then while working as a receptionist.
Ash was a man of few words, yet she remembered him as sincere in his work.
She wondered whether he could become a convenient pawn for the nation.
Thinking about it, Olea couldn’t help but feel that the boy didn’t seem like the type to become a “dog.” Somehow, she sensed an aura similar to Ash’s.
Come to think of it, both Ash and Ask were removed from the rankings due to a major dispute with a noble client.
It’s probably impossible for her.
There was no real basis for it. It was mostly a receptionist’s intuition and a woman’s gut feeling.
But—
—If Oswell, the person in charge, was satisfied, then that was fine. Olea gave up on thinking deeply about it.
She wasn’t paid enough for such a position or salary.
It was beyond her station, something she needn’t concern herself with.
(It’s about time I stopped looking for the country and started searching for my next “dog” who’ll obey me.)
With such thoughts swirling in her mind, Olea began trimming her nails.
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OMG, I love the way these people ‘court death’ lol. Loki someone’s dog? LMAO
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It’s quite funny how he just overthought it so beyond anything Loki has ever considered, he was just doing it out of curiosity and will leave the country soon. 😅😂
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