Chapter 175
Chapter 175
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Special Grade Mercenary
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Yes, that's correct."
The top-grade supervisor, Gwan Mok-yeong, replied in a polite tone.
"Your mercenary registration is complete."
Normally, mercenary registration required numerous procedures and proofs. A comprehensive evaluation of one's combat prowess, equipment, past achievements, and more!
While Gigases weren't essential for space mercenary activities, over 99% of mercenaries from the 34th Earth owned personal Gigases for exactly that reason.
Even in the greater universe, mentioning a space mercenary from the 34th Earth earned an immediate nod of respect—and it wasn't unwarranted.
Not just anyone could claim a spot among the 34th Earth's renowned mercenaries, whose fame echoed across the cosmos.
'Of course, that's no longer relevant to me.'
No matter how exclusive space mercenary positions were...
A Transcendent Realm powerhouse could never be "just anyone." The moment official Transcendent Realm certification was granted, all procedures and proofs were skipped.
The Transcendent Realm itself served as proof—no further steps needed.
In lower civilizations, Transcendents were revered as gods.
The emergence of a Transcendent was a monumental event capable of reshaping a civilization's fate.
They could save a civilization on the brink of destruction or spark a world war against entrenched powers rejecting them.
On the 34th Earth, where Transcendents were commonplace, the reaction had been muted compared to becoming a Game God's Apostle—but the Transcendent Realm was an utterly unmatched realm that bowed to no one.
"So, I can head there right away?"
"You could do it this instant."
"Then let's go now."
"I've sent the relevant order via your smart pet."
After a brief wait, Cheda's eyes flashed as mana surged. I quickly changed into appropriate attire and stepped through the gate hovering in the air as guided.
Whoosh!
A fierce wind whipped around me. Before I knew it, I stood in the midst of a vast mountain range devoid of a single tree.
In the desolate heart of that enormous land stood a towering high-rise building that resembled a fortress.
'So this is the famous Mountain Range of Strife.'
As I surveyed my surroundings, a man approached.
"Welcome to the Mercenary Administration Office. Han Jaeyeon."
"Yes, nice to meet you. Gwan Mok-yeong."
The man greeting me appeared to be in his early thirties. Tall and sturdily built, with a subtle aura hinting at his considerable strength.
'A top-grade supervisor should be just below Apostle rank as a priest... and his personal combat ability looks impressive too.'
With that thought, I followed him into the building.
"Is that kid the new Transcendent?"
"Young. Too young... No way, a Transcendent in his twenties?"
"The Heavenly Slaughter Sword Ghost reached the Transcendent Realm in high school."
"Oh... So only the chosen ones make it to the real Transcendent Realm. I've trained my ass off, but..."
"What nonsense from someone who can't even glimpse the wall, let alone break through?"
I overheard the murmurs of elderly men lounging in the Mercenary Administration Office lobby.
White hair and wrinkled skin—rare sights on the 34th Earth.
I was inwardly impressed.
'Wow. First time seeing this many elders gathered like this.'
They were heroes who had turned the tide against annihilation, legendary space mercenaries whose reputations resounded across the greater universe.
Average age over 100!
Every one a Gigas rider and high-rank ability user—to think this lobby's occupants alone could wipe out an average lower civilization in a week.
"I'll escort you to the Director."
"Are there more procedures?"
"Just two, essentially. Recite the Mercenary's Creed under the supervision of the Justice God's priest and the Truth God's priest, and then..."
Mok-yeong paused briefly, so I prompted him.
"And then?"
"And then spar with the Director. But as a Transcendent, we can't do it the usual way. Truth be told, this is the first time a Transcendent has applied to the Mercenary Administration Office..."
That was only natural. Why would a Transcendent come to the 34th Earth just to fight for money?
Space mercenaries earned well, but far less than rampaging like gangsters elsewhere in the greater universe. The interference of the Truth God and Justice God on the 34th Earth made arbitrary looting or property grabs impossible.
Ding!
We took the elevator to the top floor. A massive door, at least 3.5 meters tall, slid open, revealing the occupant within.
"Ah, you must be the famous newcomer. Pleased to meet you."
His frame dwarfed my now 2-meter height. Covered head to toe in pristine white fur, with softly glowing silver eyes.
Protruding muzzle. Perked ears. Razor-sharp claws...
Yes, he wasn't human.
He was, quite literally, a polar bear.
"It's an honor to meet you, Director Cheonhyeonil."
About fifty years ago, he had naturalized on the 34th Earth as a Transcendent—not a spirit beast or transcendent species, but an ordinary polar bear. A truly unique case.
'One in a million.'
Unlike Na Taeseok PD, whose cat-like appearance belied his true Praian race heritage rivaling dragons in lineage and power, Director Cheonhyeonil was just a plain animal. Of course, reaching the Transcendent Realm proved he was a genius among bears—but still a wild animal?
Unlike spirit beasts who ascended via the Dragon Gate after a millennium of cultivation, he had simply trained, attained enlightenment, and broken through. Even with media coverage, skeptics persisted.
'I made it. Seeing Director Cheonhyeonil in person.'
His eccentric character, combined with top-tier Transcendent combat prowess, had earned him cult-like popularity despite being a civil servant.
Merchandise and brands modeled after his likeness and name spoke volumes.
"I see you're a vitality Transcendent? I heard chakra Transcendent."
Mok-yeong panicked at Hyeonil's puzzled expression.
"Pardon? But the report clearly stated..."
I raised a hand to preempt misunderstandings.
"Ah, both."
The bear and the human froze at my words.
"Two spirit abilities... at the Transcendent Realm?"
"At twenty?"
"Rather than ascending separately... they're organically intertwined. Also, I've unlocked martial arts elements and surpassed the Manifestation Gate, for reference."
"You awakened another ability using elements? Early resource management should've been impossible..."
"It's a unique case in many ways."
I left it at that. My current abilities stemmed from a tangled web of circumstances—too complex to fully explain, so vague it was.
Hyeonil nodded, seemingly grasping the situation.
"No need for all the details. Take this and read it. I'm the Justice priest, he's the Truth priest—that covers mercenary certification."
I accepted the paper Hyeonil handed me.
The content was straightforward.
"One. Within the bounds of comprehensive justice... Two. In accordance with standard mercenary law... Three. In executing commissions..."
I recited the three-page Mercenary's Creed. Hyeonil and Mok-yeong oversaw the process, emanating Justice and Truth divinity.
Once finished, Mok-yeong handed me a card.
"This is your Special Grade Mercenary License. Made of Geralt, it can be soul-bound, so no need to carry it. During ownership, you gain Special Grade info access, Special Grade diplomatic privileges, and it functions as a bank and securities account. The monthly 100 million is a dignity maintenance stipend."
Handing out 100 million monthly as "dignity fees" to mercenaries seeking profit!
Astonishing, but not the end.
"It also embeds six ultimate spells, a 30-cubic-meter inventory, and a universal language translator—useful in any civilization or dimension."
"Oh..."
Even knowing of it, I couldn't help but marvel. Such power in one small ID.
I infused mana into the license.
Flash!
It soul-bound to my spirit, and Hyeonil spoke as we watched.
"Next up: spar with me. Gigas?"
"Regrettably, no."
I'd cured my junk mana aptitude, but had no plans for a Gigas. Previously impossible to pilot, now unnecessary.
'I might check abilities sometime, but with my body tougher than any Gigas, no need.'
Piloting a Gigas nullified my strength and vitality until it broke—then they mattered.
"Hmm, a shame. Was hoping for a Gigas fight after so long."
Director Cheonhyeonil had captained a Terra-class battleship, boasting exceptional Gigas aptitude. As a mass-produced transcendent weapon captain, he might pilot Star-class, even God-class Gigases.
"You can pilot one."
"What? Hahaha!"
He laughed heartily at my bold words, no offense taken. The massive polar bear's silver eyes sparkled.
"Right. Bare-handed once, Gigas once. When suits you?"
"I have a schedule, so next week, please."
I could now, but with piled-up tasks, I wasn't combat-sharp as a Transcendent. Needed a proper opponent.
Most Transcendents lacked peers... but not me.
'Yeah, time to visit Cheonwon.'
I'd delayed too long. With power secured, time to learn why Phantom Dragon Replie stayed dormant.
"Looking forward to it."
I bowed to the grinning Hyeonil and descended to the lobby.
"He's down! Did it go through?"
"Here... There it is! Whoa! Chakra and vitality Transcendent?"
"Man, starting as Special Grade at Transcendent level. When do missions start? Wanna team up."
The elders chattered excitedly like kids.
I regarded them. None matched me—only Director Cheonhyeonil was Transcendent here.
But flaunt skill arrogantly? To elders over 100?
Not the mark of a proper adult in society.
"Hello! I'm the new registrant, Han Jaeyeon! Please take care of me!"
"Ooo! Our newbie's full of energy!"
"Welcome, Transcendent!"
"Dinner's on me tonight! Eat till we drop!"
"Ooooh—!"
The elders cheered.
That evening.
The dinner tab hit 46 million. Under 100 people, but their tastes were lavish—cheap options ignored.
"Ugh..."
Tears welled, but a necessary investment. They were future mission comrades.
Click.
Back to my one-room. Time for a new place, but money pinched.
Hum!
Booted the PC. Logged into the premier magic community, Mage Tower Net, and activated the license.
[Special Grade Mercenary License authenticated. Special Grade info access granted; Mage Tower point restrictions lifted.]
"Good."
I grinned at the awaited message. Opened [Grand Library] and [Hall of Knowledge] tabs.
"Log in."
Entered Ardania. Guided by attendants up the corridor.
"Your Majesty...!"
"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"
"Quiet down! Don't make noise!"
I ascended the stage.
Yes, a stage. Atop the Rare-grade structure, a 10,000-seat concert hall stage. Behind: massive display. Below: input pad.
"Pleased to meet you all. Han Jaeyeon."
They stared blankly up at me from the packed 10,000 seats—overflowing with standees.
'All these people are mages.'
Warming to the sight, I spoke.
"For the next week, I'll answer any magic questions. Off-topic or nonsense risks punishment. Ask only what's essential or blocking your magic practice."
"......"
"......"
"......"
The mages just gawked. Expecting a lecture, not Q&A—they looked lost.
Then.
"I have a question!"
A girl with fiery red hair, lurking in a corner, shot up her hand.
Ignoring the mages' glares, she fixed on me.
I smiled.
"Go ahead."
"I'm training Elemental school's circling! Learning Fire Spear, but it cancels before channeling over 30% required mana! The spell formula is..."
As Red rattled on, the mages recoiled in shock.
"Crazy, what kind of question is that?"
"Too specific! Not general flow, but pinpointing personal issues?"
"If spell comp fails, retry till it works—not ask outright...!"
Seeing their horror, I was glad she was here. Without her, it'd be hours of fluff.
"Excellent question. Your name?"
"Red, Your Majesty!"
"Right... Log out."
Back on Earth. Logged into Mage Tower Net, posted.
[Question]: Learning Fire Spear, but...
The day later dubbed the Magic Dao Debate.