Chapter 169: Challenge
Translator: AtlasStudios Editor: AtlasStudios
When Rhode once again arrived at the rcenary Association, the place was already starting to get crowded. Although it was still a little bit deserted, it was a lot better than before. After the rcenary Association got information of Rhode’s arrival, they imdiately greeted him and brought him to the waiting room. They respectfully told him to wait for a while and then left. Right now, Rhode was leisurely looking at the surroundings. After a while, he saw the Old President and Sereck happily walk toward him.
Looking at the “warm smile” from the both of them, Rhode frowned.
He was really suspicious.
However, he said nothing and relaxedly drank his tea as usual, nodding to the both of them. Both of them seed not to care about it and kept smiling at him. They sat in front of him and the Old President glanced at Sereck. Sereck helplessly shrugged his shoulder then looked at Rhode and said, “You finally co, kid. Judging from your face, it seems that your mission has gone smoothly? Very well.”
“It’s alright.” Rhode shrugged his shoulder and put down the tea cup in his hand, looking up. Both of them looked expressionless, and it seed like both of them had sothing to ask of him. Else, judging from the Old President’s temper, there would be no way he would let Sereck praise him. His first reaction would probably be complaining about whatever Rhode did, saying that it made the entire Deep Stone City beca not peaceful. Else, he would hold a grudge toward everything that he had done and then signalled Sereck to tell Rhode the reason the he had called him here. Now what? “Why are you two looking for ?”
“Hm... it’s like this.” Hearing Rhode’s question, Sereck stayed silent for a while, after which he rubbed his hands while looking at the Old President then said. “Starlight’s point have reached...12 right?”
“If the point from the previous missions are counted there, then that’s right.” Hearing Sereck’s question, Rhode frowned. He thought that the two of them might call him because there was a mission or sothing. Did he guess wrong? Were they worried about his rcenary group?
“It’s not even the early sumr, but you guys have already achieved 12 points. Have you ever thought about your next plan if this keeps going on?”
His next plan? Hearing until here, Rhode was surprised, but his expression didn’t change. “I think both of you clearly know my next plan. As the leader or rcenary Association, I think both of you know that the No.1 ranked rcenary group can be promoted to an ordinary guild.”
“That’s right.” Hearing Rhode’s words, Sereck nodded and smiled. “Then do you think based on Starlight’s current strength, your rcenary group will be able to stabilize your position as a guild?”
“This is my problem, not yours, Mr. Sereck.” Rhode frowned, seeming to know where this topic was going.
“I think you guys can just get straight to the point. As a mber of rcenary Association, do both of you need to worry about any rcenary group that’s upgraded into a guild?”
What Rhode said was the truth. Usually, the relationship between the rcenary Association and a rcenary guild was just like boss and subordinate, but it wasn’t as clearly shown as the relationship between the rcenary Association and a rcenary group since rcenary guilds had their own power, stronghold, and could even get outside support. That was why they often didn’t obey the rcenary Association’s order. It was a bit like the relationship between the official league organizations and clubs; usually, small clubs had to act according the official league organization, but to the contrary, strong clubs could make the official league organization act according to what they want...
Of course, at first, the rcenary Association wouldn’t be happy about it and even deliberately try to find fault and not let rcenary groups upgrade into rcenary guild. Unfortunately, the Dragon Soul Continent wasn’t like earth, where if one’s was wronged, they could continue the matter in the court. Because rcenary groups couldn’t accept this fact, they got violent with the rcenary Association and created an organization to oppose the rcenary Association. This chaos continued for several years until the death of thousands of rcenaries. It could already be considered a small scale war. The chaos had also alerted people who held authority in the Dragon Soul Continent. In the end, under their diation, the rcenary Association choose to concess. From that mont on, the rcenary Association and rcenary guilds were no longer hostile toward each other, but they no longer had any relationship with each other. Until a rcenary group reached a qualified level, they could report to the rcenary Association and followed their procedure; after the docunts had been stamped by the rcenary Association, they were no longer related with each other. You do what you have to do, I do what I have to do.
That’s why Rhode was very surprised when the Old President of rcenary Association worroed so much about it. From what he had experienced, the rcenary Association wasn’t really that friendly to him.
“Enough! Kid!” When Sereck seed like he wanted to explain, the Old President couldn’t stand it anymore and heavily hit the table. “Anyway, there’s nothing to hide now, so I’ll tell you directly. Before, we just got news from the Munn Headquarter rcenary Association because our Paphield region didn’t have a stable rcenary guild in the last two years. Under the current Headquarter rcenary Association’s Head, Mr. Drake, other branches have requested the association to cancel our regional rcenary guild quota and distribute the quota to them!”
Hearing until here, Rhode frowned. “Did the Headquarter agreed?”
“Of course they wouldn’t agree that fast, since the current Munn Kingdom only has five regions and there’s one rcenary Association per region. The sa goes for rcenary guild quotas. Suddenly asking for the regional rcenary guild quota to be abolished isn’t a small thing, so the HQ wouldn’t agree so quickly.” Sereck finally found a room to explain and said. “But it’s also a fact that our area isn’t stable. In these few years, our situation hasn’t been too good and is a lot worse than that of other regions. Frankly, the top 5 rcenary group in other regions could all be No. 1 here... so that has led to their dissatisfaction. That’s why the HQ was considering this request.”
“Then, do you have any other way?” Rhode was finally worried about this matter. It had to be said that if the rcenary guild in the Paphield area was abolished, all of his hard work would turn into nothing. However, he still didn’t understand how this matter was connected to him.
“Although the HQ hasn’t made any decision, they are considering this matter. We also received their last ultimatum. We of the Paphield region must send a representative to attend the Midsumr Festival Competition in two months. If we can get a good mark, then the HQ will keep our quota. But if we can’t, then...”
The so-called Midsumr Festival Competition was the contest held by the rcenary Association in the third month of each sumr. rcenaries display their strength to all participating in this festival. The rcenary Association also displayed their strength through this event. Outstanding rcenaries can not only get huge rewards, but may even win the favor of powerful authorities. For the rcenaries, it was also a good opportunity to show themselves.
“But from what I rember, the Midsumr Festival can only be attended by rcenary guilds, right?” Rhode curiously asked. The Midsumr Festival was divided into three parts, and the two most important parts were the battle between rcenary guilds, including group and a 1v1 battle. Idle rcenaries could only attend the last part, which was a field ga. Honestly, every year, the Midsumr Festival was an event for the five regions to display their strength, while the stronger rcenary guilds could earn more support. Weaker rcenary guilds could only serve as the stepping stone of the strong. With maximum of 20 people in each group, in the 1vs1 battle, each group could send out 5 people. Although this competition was a good opportunity for rcenary guilds to display their strength, no one wished to sustain any damage. So the scale of the competition wasn’t to big. But even so, rcenary guilds were still elite groups, and would still be hard to face.
Because of that, it could be seen that HQ was really planning to take out the Paphield region rcenary guild quota, since they didn’t have any group that was qualified as a rcenary guild. How could they even participate in the competition? It was just like asking a handicapped person to participate in track and field competition. It was simply bullsh*t.
“I already said so, but those damned sons of a b*tch!!” Having said that, the Old President suddenly jumped up and waved his hands in anger. “Those sons of a b*tch! They actually gave us ‘special permission’ to send a rcenary group to join this competition! Saying that our Paphield rcenary groups and rcenary guild don’t really differ much... Those scoundrels! Dragon Soul above, I hope those motherf*ckers will shut their mouth!”
After the Old President finished venting, he sat back and glared at Rhode as if he was his mortal enemy. “Since those stupid fools underestimate us, we also don’t have to be courteous. It’s you, kid, go and finish those b*stards who only know how to hide behind the tent. Let them see our power!”
Seeing the angry Old President, Rhode didn’t show any expression. He extended out his hand to pour tea for himself. After that, he took a cookie and put it in his mouth then asked, “Why ? Aren’t Burning Blade or Dark Fang more suitable than ?”
“Hiller won’t do.” The Old President sighed and shook his head.
“Don’t you know what kind of situation the Burning Blades are in? Hiller, those fellows are also strange. He’s pretty energetic when he leads a rcenary group, but when he upgraded into a rcenary guild, he imdiately wilted even though his rcenary group still maintained ots rcenary guild standard. However, he can’t do this kind of thing. It’s not like we never looked for them, but those guys knew that they couldn’t do it and so he rejected our request. As for Shawn, don’t even bring him up. I can’t even found him.. Sigh, although it’s not difficult to look for them, guessing from his temper, he definitely isn’t interested.”
Having said that, the Old President stopped and look at Rhode.
“That’s why I can only depend on you now. Starlight’s performance isn’t bad at all, whether it’s in the Silent Highland or Twilight Forest, your performance is always very exceptional. Your commanding skill is also above Hiller’s, and you know the situation in our Papheld area. It’s already lucky enough for the other rcenary groups to be alive, much less the fact that they can help or not. Don’t show your expressionless face; it’s not like this competition has no rits for you. If your performance is good, then your rcenary group would be upgraded into a rcenary guild imdiately. You’ll be even more famous! Other rcenary groups need to struggle for many years, but you will only need months to achieve that position. What do you think? You must be happy inside, right!”
“Everything has to be done in order, step by step. I still know this principle, Old Man.” Rhode drank the tea in his hand to cleanup the cookies crumbs in his mouth then said. Honestly, he was indeed interested with it. If the Old President was telling the truth, then he didn’t have to try that hard to accumulate points. Especially since the prohibition was about a month, it would be really botherso. However, he still showed his emotionless face. Since he was requesting his help, at least Rhode needed to con him sothing.
Rhode’s way of thinking was just like that of a typical player. Every mission had to have a benefit. If ordinary missions weren’t enough, then take the bonus mission. If the bonus mission wasn’t enough, then take the hidden mission. In short, a player will squeeze out every layer of oil until the last copper was pulled out; else, they wouldn’t give up. In the Dragon Soul Continent, missions also work like that. There was a commission entrusted to players by a father to rescue the son he had lost in the mountains. For most online gas, after the player sends the child back, the NPC will say thank you and pay for it, and the player will accept the reward and the task is completed. But there are in fact many hidden parts. If you could just nicely describe how difficult was it to find that child in such a dangerous environnt, then the NPC will increase your reward. If the player still thinks that it wasn’t enough, they could show off their strength and tell the NPC that their lives were a lot more valuable than their money. Doing so, the player would be able to accept their family heirloom. In just a mission like that, if the player tried harder, then they would be able to get unexpected rewards and equipnt.
He already did this once in High Cliff Village, and he didn’t mind doing it again. “Our mbers are limited, and the ti left isn’t much. Not only are we a rcenary group, but facing the rcenary guild from different regions will be really difficult.”
“Of course I know this.” The Old President waved his hand. “That’s why the rcenary Association will aide you. Whether it’s equipnt or a person, just tell what you want!”
“Really?!”
“Of cour...” Before the Old President wanted to say “of course,” but after looking at Rhode’s face, he imdiately stopped. The Old President rembered that the kid had been asking him for so requirents! “If it’s within our rcenary Association’s strength, then it’s no problem!”
“Then, I want so people and so magic equipnt. There’s no problem, right?”
“It depends on the person and the equipnt, kid.” The Old President laughed. After interacting with Rhode for soti, he thought that he had begun to understand Rhode’s greedy personality. “If you said that you wanted Sereck, then keep dreaming. This competition will be supervised by the rcenary Association HQ, so don’t be too much. Be careful; they won’t let you succeed.”
“I don’t plan on letting Sereck join . I only need so idle rcenaries.” Rhode shrugged. “I need two smiths and four clerics... Yes, those girls that have accompanied to the Silent Highland before. That’s right, I need to tell you this first. I’m not borrowing them; they will be permanent mbers. There should be no problem with this point, right?”
“What do you need them for?” Hearing Rhode’s request, the Old President was surprised. “I heard about the previous situation from Sereck, but kid, this ti we’re not facing undead creatures.”
“Of course I know, but that’s not the reason I want them.” Rhode stretched out his hands and made a gesture. “And, I want so magic materials, including ore and woods. Of course, I hope that the rcenary Association will show so sincerity. Provide it for free... since I don’t have that much money to buy those things.”
“... Alright, no problem, I agree as long as it’s not too much.” The Old President took a very deep breath, reminding himself to be patient. Just think of his words as fart. Be careful not to give him any opportunity... Although the Old President had already made a ntal preparation, Rhode’s requests still left him a little bit shocked.
“That’s right, I want to confirm. Is is considered as a mission from rcenary Association?”
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