The Explorer Test Tragedy, that is what they are calling it… well, used to call it.
With more than 200 of the 435 aspiring Explorers dead, Rhys had initially thought this news would last for an entire month — but no. Just 3 days later, Rhys was now watching the news that said that Hanamichi Rukawa, the world's top 9th Explorer… was now single.
And as a matter of course, the won that were loitering and idling in the sa lobby as Rhys were all giggling and fawning over the fact, perhaps more so than the other won outside as Rhys is actually inside the Explorer Association building, where the female explorers actually had a chance to et Rukawa in person.
He had been sitting in the lobby for an hour, and yet not a single news of what happened in the Explorer Test was being shown, not even once. Rhys had also tried searching the internet, but all he could really find were small headlines… and Hannah's na was nowhere to be seen in all of them.
Just what sort of power and authority does the deputy mayor actually have to—"
"So, have you thought about it?"
And almost like a creeping–no, the guild master of the Laughing Bronze truly was very slowly creeping near him. Rhys has no idea how Kenneth was doing it while completely seated. But it didn't matter, Rhys just let out a sigh and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, sir Kenneth. But my answer still remains the sa."
"You're not even going to hear my offer?" Kenneth started bringing out his check, subtly but obviously waving it in front of Rhys,
"$250,000. And that's just the signing bonus, your annual and commissions are completely separate. I was thinking maybe another $250,000 for your annual?"
"..." Rhys almost accepted Kenneth's offer there and then when he started throwing out numbers, but he quickly started shaking his head as he rembered the advice of the three won in his life.
'Do not join an Explorer guild in your first year.'
"$300,000! 300,000 and you do not even need to do anything!" Kenneth's sweat started to form on his face as he negotiated by himself, "Just go out there and do so missions once or twice a month. And then—"
[Wilder, please proceed to counter 6.]
"That's , Sir Kenneth."
"Wait, w—You have my number! Call , or I call you!"
And as Kenneth's loud voice caught the attention of the crowd, the only thing Rhys could really do was let out a long and very deep sigh. The crowd was already busy thanks to Rukawa turning single, but now, they were all staring at Rhys and his black hair as he walked past.
"Look, it's the Lowborn."
"How long has it been since a Lowborn beca an Explorer? 10 years ago? 15?"
"Pft, they passed everyone who survived the incident."
"Zeus, I wish I had his luck. It took 3 tries before I got my license… and he got one just by surviving?"
"Sshh, not so loud. He might hear you."
"Let him, he's just a Lowborn."
And once again, all sorts of negative rumors and gossip echo in the air, but all of it just goes through one ear to the other for Rhys — basically just white noise at this point. He ignored all of their snickers and breaths of disdain until he reached counter 6… in which he heard an even louder groan of disdain from Hannah, who was the one sitting on the other side of the counter.
"Ugh… seriously, why do we need to pretend like you're just getting your license now?" Hannah rolled her eyes as she just randomly moved her hands on the counter, "Just pretend you're doing sothing."
"..." Rhys couldn't really say anything as he also placed his hand on the counter… accidentally touching Hannah's hands as he did so. Hannah, however, seed completely oblivious to it as she just sighed and grabbed a piece of paper, pretending to be writing sothing on it. He hadn't really noticed it before…
…but there was nothing floating above Hannah's head. Is it possible she swings the other way?
"Congratulations," and after a few seconds, a very professional and courteous smile appeared on Hannah's face as she stretched her hand to Rhys… her right hand, fully knowing Rhys was missing his.
Rhys did not mind, however, as a small smile also crawled on his face as he still grabbed Hannah's hand; placing his fingers between hers,
"Thank you, Ma'am."
"Let go of my hand, you little shit," Hannah said with a sweet voice as the smile on her face did not disappear.
"I thought we were shaking hands."
"I was being professional. Now, stop wasting my ti and give your license so we can choose your Explorer na," Hannah swatted Rhys's hand away as she gestured to him to give her his license, "You've been waiting there for an hour, please…
…tell you've already chosen a code na."
"Dreggerman." And without even any hesitation, Rhys handed his license back to Hannah.
"Dre—You almost made say it," Hannah glared at Rhys, "Do you want to be canceled? Is that it? Do you have sothing against , Mr. Rhys Wilder?"
"I am serious, Ma'am," Rhys, however, just returned Hannah's gaze and looked her in the eyes, "Dreggerman."
"Your nas will be used once you go on an Exploration with other people, you really think soone is going to call you that?"
"They have been calling that all my life, Ma'am," Rhys smiled, "It's ti I own it."
"...Fine. But don't co crying back to , you can only change your code na once a year. First one is free, the 2nd one will cost you," Hannah scoffed, before a small smirk crawled on her face as she started processing Rhys's license, putting it inside so sort of machine,
"Now, just smile back and go. Celebrate with your friends, if you have friends," Hannah might as well have thrown Rhys's license back to him as soon as the stamping was over.
"What about you, Ma'am? Do you have friends?"
"Stop wasting my ti, you're really starting to piss off."
Rhys observed if hearts would start appearing above Hannah's head, but there was still nothing there. And so, after a few more bickering and banter, Rhys left the Explorer Association building while staring at his license, and next to his na, was his code na;
Dreggerman.
Rhys had thought long and hard about what his code na would be — even wanting to do a play of words and using the na of the god flowing through his veins. If there were pyromancers, necromancers, cryomancers…
…then he would be the Eromancer.
But he thought about it, and it would not really make sense for other people — he needed sothing with impact, which people would gradually talk about once he slowly showed himself to the world.
And for that, he needed to accept his first mission. But for now, he should go visit Lina and Katarina back—
"You shouldn't have that."
And before Rhys could even plan the rest of his day, a boy suddenly blocked his path; pointing at the license he was holding.
"My dad died during the test…
…but a Lowborn like you is alive?"
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