Gold-Ranked Special Adventurer
“The cleaning is already finished. As expected from someone the High Priest of Hor sent with his trust.”
Fafnir and Hilde, having finished cleaning the annex, immediately returned to the butler to report.
Quest completed.
Experience points acquired.
15 silver acquired.
Silver Croco Leather Long Boots (Magic) acquired.
“This is the promised reward.”
“Thank you.”
The request from the Marquis’s household ended there.
The reward itself was not as large as expected.
What mattered was the connection with the noble house.
‘If you build ties with a high-ranking noble family, you’ll receive letters or introductions when something happens.’
Conversely, you could also receive letters of introduction when taking on requests elsewhere.
It was the same context as when the merchant guild master had vouched for his identity upon first meeting the butler.
‘It’s called riding on connections… but this is also a skill.’
Once they stepped out onto the street, Fafnir spoke.
“Hilde.”
“Yes?”
“There’s a place I need to stop by. If you’re not busy, would you like to come along?”
“Sure. But let’s eat something first.”
Hilde rubbed her stomach with a tired expression.
“I’ve been moving around nonstop, so I’m a bit exhausted… Sorry.”
“No, now that I think about it, I’m the same.”
They had been so busy that they only now realized they were hungry.
It was also time to replenish stamina.
‘Might as well fill up properly while we’re at it.’
Looking around, something perfect caught his eye.
Fafnir headed to a street stall and bought two large pieces of puffed rice snack.
“Here you go.”
“What is this?”
“It’s puffed rice. I didn’t know they sold it here.”
“Puffed rice…”
Hilde stared blankly at the snack for a moment before lightly biting her lip.
“It’s a rice cracker, isn’t it?”
“It’s one of my favorite snacks. The others are too sweet.”
Fafnir boldly took a big bite of the puffed rice and coughed.
In that instant, Hilde burst out laughing with a “Pfft!”
“Sorry, here’s some water.”
“……Thank you.”
“Then, can I ask one more thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“Where are we going this time?”
At Hilde’s question, Fafnir shrugged.
“To the Merchant Guild.”
“Huh? You’re not a merchant, are you?”
“If there’s profit to be made, I should secure it.”
***
Aden City Merchant Guild.
This place, crowded with countless merchant players and NPCs, was also the location where the most money changed hands in the Baran Kingdom.
Fafnir strode in confidently.
“I came with an introduction from Red Pearl Merchant Guild Master. They said I should register as a special adventurer here.”
“Red Pearl Merchant Guild Master…… You mean that old man Yarun?”
“To receive an introduction from that tycoon, how surprising.”
The merchants were quite taken aback.
“Wait a moment.”
Shortly after, an elderly swordsman emerged from inside the guild.
It was Master Bender, the captain of the guards for the capital’s Merchant Guild!
Though he looked old, he was a level 350 super expert.
“You want to register as a special adventurer? Who’s the fool who came today wanting his rear kicked again!”
Special Adventurer.
It was an investment system by the Merchant Guild for adventurers with promising futures—in other words, a scholarship program.
Of course, there was no obligation to repay the investment.
It was purely an investment for the adventurers.
‘In the original novel, the protagonist obtained this information through sheer luck.’
At this point in time, only some rankers and a few major guilds knew about this system.
“Let’s see…… You haven’t been adventuring for long.”
Bender examined Fafnir.
“Your body isn’t bad. Looks like you’re a mage, yet you managed to raise your level well. Your growth potential is promising.”
The status section passed without issue!
“I’ve heard the name Fafnir before. You apparently made some contributions at Turtle Rock Fortress and Byron City.”
“You know quite a lot.”
“Well, it’s where that guy Guld is.”
“You know my master?”
“I know he’s an extremely troublesome friend if you make him an enemy.”
The fame and achievement sections also passed the threshold.
“Lastly, there’s the practical test. Among the monsters you’ve hunted so far, is there one that stands out as the strongest?”
“The strongest monster I’ve hunted……”
This was commonly referred to as a title-like thing……
After thinking for a moment, Fafnir answered.
“I hunted an Evil Eye. I didn’t kill it, though.”
“Hmm?”
Bender stroked his chin.
“Hey, did you perhaps mistake an Evil Eye for a one-eyed fairy? Just because it’s round and has an eye doesn’t mean they’re all the same.”
“No, it was definitely an Evil Eye, right down to the riddles it posed.”
“Don’t lie. Even I would have trouble escaping from an Evil Eye, let alone defeating one.”
An Evil Eye protected by its barrier was a terrifyingly strong monster.
Not only Bender, but even the kingdom’s top knights could not underestimate such a foe.
How could a novice adventurer like this possibly hunt one?
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll bring a witness.”
Fafnir spoke confidently.
“The Red Pearl merchants were with me at the time, so you can contact them.”
“No, a witness isn’t 100% reliable. There’s a better way than that.”
Bender grinned.
“Bring it.”
“Yes, sir.”
The guard swordsmen headed down the inner corridor and soon returned with two glove-like devices.
“Do you know that when you hunt a monster, its wavelength remains on your body?”
Bender said as he received the device.
“This is a magical tool that detects that wavelength. It has registered wavelengths of all sorts of rare monsters, including the Evil Eye.”
It meant that lies would not work!
“Wouldn’t it be better to admit your lie now? If you get caught here, you’ll end up on the Merchant Guild’s blacklist.”
Bender issued a warning.
Merchant NPCs had gathered around to watch the interesting spectacle.
“I don’t mind.”
“Hmph! Fine, place your hand on it.”
Bender gestured.
“Haven’t seen that device in a while…… Looks like something’s going to happen today.”
“What is that? Does it cut off your hand?”
“No. If no wavelength comes out, it stamps a tattoo on your palm. You know that blacklist tattoo, right?”
“Ah…… So that’s the one that says not to trade with them.”
“Anyway, I never thought I’d see that thing with my own eyes.”
Among the murmuring merchants, bets were being placed here and there.
Watching the atmosphere, Hilde hurriedly tried to stop Fafnir.
“Fafnir, are you sure this is okay?”
“I did hunt it, after all. Hilde, you should be fine too.”
Fafnir shrugged.
Meanwhile, preparations were complete.
“Now, try putting it on.”
“Alright.”
Fafnir extended his hand and equipped the device.
Bender’s smile grew even deeper.
‘The fool lied, and of all things, he lied about an Evil Eye.’
The most effective lie was 99% truth mixed with 1% falsehood.
It was time to make him pay the price for his ridiculous bluff.
However……
‘Evil Eye’ magical residue detected.
“Ugh?”
“No way!”
“Gasp!”
While the surrounding merchants were shocked,
Bender swallowed a dry breath.
“……There’s nothing wrong with the magical tool.”
After remaining silent for a long while, Bender asked,
“Young man, I have one question.”
“Yes.”
“How did you hunt the Evil Eye?”
It was the moment Fafnir passed the test.
***
“This is the Gold-grade Special Adventurer badge. It’s pure gold, so if you lose it, you’ll need to bring a lot of money.”
Bender said this as he handed over the gold badge.
The ranks of Special Adventurers began with gold, silver, and bronze.
Fafnir had been assigned the highest rank, Gold, right from the start.
‘Jackpot.’
All stats +3!
It was better than the reward from most Unique-grade quests.
That was how impressive the title Golden Special Adventurer was.
‘Higher ranks require an exclusive contract with the Merchant Guild, so this is the maximum.’
Since Flush had first obtained the Silver grade in the original work, the goal had been sufficiently achieved.
“If you have free time, visit the merchants in Midtown and Lowtown. There’s always work to be found.”
“Yes. And Bender, I have one request.”
Fafnir raised his hand.
“Could you also give a Gold grade to my companion here?”
“Companion?”
“Yes. She’s been adventuring with me and helped with the Evil Eye raid as well.”
“F-Fafnir!”
Hilde was startled, but Fafnir paid no mind.
“Since we fought together, we should share the credit too.”
“But……”
“There’s no helping it for companions. Here you go.”
Soon, a gold badge was also placed in Hilde’s hand.
“If there turns out to be any discrepancy between skill and reputation, the badge can be reclaimed, so continue to hone yourselves.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Hmm.”
As Bender turned away, the merchant NPCs quickly dispersed as well.
To them, time was money.
Rather than watching an adventurer whose event had ended, it was more profitable to resume business even one second sooner.
Amid the fading interest, Hilde looked at Fafnir with surprised eyes.
“Fafnir……! This……”
“You were recognized for your skill, so it’s fine. I’ve been thinking this should happen since the Zombie Troll incident.”
“……Thank you!”
Hilde suddenly hugged Fafnir and jumped up and down.
“Thank you so much! Fafnir!”
“W-Wait a second……”
Hilde, who had invested heavily in Strength and Stamina, made it hard to breathe when she hugged him.
At Fafnir’s protest, Hilde let out an “Ah!” and released her strength.
“S-Sorry, I did it without thinking……”
“It’s fine.”
Fafnir maintained a calm expression even though his waist felt like it might break.
“Come to think of it, Hilde, isn’t it about time for you?”
“Ah, right! You’re right.”
Hilde was startled after checking the clock window.
“Then I’ll be going now. Thank you so much for today. I’ll definitely repay you later!”
“Yes, get home safely.”
While a dark gamer like Fafnir was fine, Hilde had a separate real-life job.
Fafnir shrugged as he watched Hilde disappear with a reluctant expression.
‘Now that I’ve obtained the Gold grade, I need to make proper use of it……’
Just by carrying the Gold-grade badge and visiting shops, one could gain significant benefits.
Not only could one open high-end shops that wouldn’t easily open their doors to ordinary adventurers,
but this badge’s primary use was also to purchase discounted goods and even secret items that weren’t sold to regular customers.
‘The problem is the lack of seed money.’
No matter how many discount benefits one received, a high-end shop was still a high-end shop.
Since the items were for users level 100 and above, a single item easily exceeded 50 silver.
‘I could make money by buying and reselling elsewhere…… but then my qualification would be immediately revoked.’
It would be like slaughtering the goose that lays golden eggs out of hunger.
‘No choice…… I didn’t want to use this.’
Fafnir opened his friend window and sent a whisper to one person.
The reply came quickly.
—Jeraer: Yes, Fafnir.
—Fafnir: Can you introduce me to a trader right now?
—Jeraer: Please tell me.
To Jeraer, who responded immediately,
Fafnir said the words he most wanted to hear.
—Fafnir: I want to sell a high-grade item. Contact the person with the highest level among those you know.