A Weapon Was Needed?

The commissions posted after being sorted and screened by the guild were not ranked according to the amount of compensation, but according to their sheer difficulty and danger.

In other words, the higher-ranked the commission, the harder and more dangerous it was to complete, though the reward would also be greater.

However, that was not absolute.

Among low-ranking commissions, there were also some with very high rewards.

Those commissions were the sort that involved little danger and were not particularly difficult to complete, but required a great deal of time, strong luck, or even specific conditions to fulfill.

For example, among Black Iron commissions, there were requests to serve as a weapons tutor for the child of a noble family. Only adventurers whose relevant weapon skills had reached a certain level could accept them. The commission was not considered complete until the child had learned the skill, and the reward was thirty gold coins—a very generous sum.

Because such high-paying commissions were not dangerous and were not impossible to complete, they usually were not classified as high-ranking commissions. Even first-rank Black Iron adventurers could accept them.

However, as had been mentioned before, ordinary people usually needed several years to learn a skill.

Unless the student was a genius, accepting such a commission meant spending several years completing it.

And if the student was completely talentless, then no matter how many years they were taught, they would never learn. The commission would ultimately fail, wasting a great deal of time while yielding no reward.

Therefore, a commission's rank depended solely on the difficulty and danger of completing it.

For that reason, the three commissions Vivian's Squad had accepted at once were all the kind that could be completed in a short time, yet carried a certain degree of difficulty.

Such commissions were generally of a higher rank, and their rewards could rival those of safe, low-ranking commissions that took years to complete. At the same time, though, they also carried danger.

Still, judging by Vivian and the others' relaxed expressions, commissions of this level should not have been much to them, right?

Otherwise, Vivian and the others would not have wanted to accept three commissions at once.

Of course, they had accepted three commissions at once because all three followed the same route.

"There is a medium-sized Magic Power Source in the Mangal Mountain Range, where Fire Lizards live. The main road to the northern town of Fressia also passes through the Mangal Mountain Range, so we can complete all three commissions together."

Vivian explained it to Shien, helping him understand that adventurers usually conducted their activities this way, accepting several commissions at once depending on their destination.

Originally, Shien had thought adventurers accepted and completed commissions one at a time, like in most games and novels. But in reality, accepting several commissions at once like this seemed to be the norm for adventuring.

Just as Vivian had said, since there was a medium-sized Magic Power Source in the Mangal Mountain Range where Fire Lizards lived, and the main road to the northern town of Fressia had to pass through the Mangal Mountain Range, then the three commissions could indeed be completed together.

With that in mind, when accepting commissions, adventurers not only needed to choose ones of suitable difficulty based on their own strength and circumstances, but also carefully consider how to complete their adventures better, faster, and more conveniently.

Besides that, adventurers also needed to possess all kinds of knowledge in order to complete commissions.

Among the three commissions Vivian's Squad had accepted this time, they needed to know what a Magic Power Source was and where it usually appeared, how to strip a Fire Lizard's membrane after defeating it, and how to carry out Clearing Blood Sucking Vines. Without such knowledge, even someone with outstanding strength would still find it difficult to complete adventuring work.

That made Shien realize once again that reality was reality after all. It differed from novels and games, and not just anyone could make a living as an adventurer.

Under those circumstances, Vivian's Squad left the guild in full view of everyone, carrying their three completed commission forms.

"Oh, right."

After leaving the guild, before they had even started toward Lamigium's city gates, Vivian suddenly looked at Shien.

"Do you need to get your equipment together before we set off?"

Vivian had good reason to say that.

Adventurers had to enter places infested with monsters to carry out commissions, where they would encounter all kinds of dangers. Naturally, the more complete and higher-quality their equipment was, the better.

Not everyone needed to wear airtight, heavy full-body armor like Vivian, but surely they could not go without even the slightest bit of protective gear, could they?

Lumnya wore leather light armor that would not hinder her movements too much. Tier also seemed to have protective gear beneath her black robe, such as a breastplate, bracers, and knee guards. Only Merika wore a mage's robe, but it gave off remarkably powerful magic fluctuations. It was probably an extraordinary Magic Item.

As for Shien, aside from the long bundle he carried, he was dressed entirely in casually chosen black clothes. Rather than an adventurer, he looked more like a traveler.

Going out adventuring dressed like that, it was no wonder Vivian made the suggestion.

"If you're short on money, I can help you out a little, within my means."

Vivian's implication was obvious: she could lend Shien money to put together some equipment.

Shien hesitated a little at that.

In truth, Shien had considered this issue before.

It was just that...

Leaving aside the protection I receive when using the Holy Sword, which practically prevents me from getting hurt, even without it, I probably don't need any armor with Physical Resistance and Magic Resistance.

Shien had already raised both skills to their maximum level. They might not have been as absurd as the Holy Sword, which could reduce damage by ninety-nine percent, but Shien felt that unless he faced some truly terrifying big shot, it would be difficult for anyone to harm him.

In that case, what use did he have for armor?

However...

"Leaving armor aside, I really do need a weapon."

That was what Shien told Vivian.

"A weapon?"

At that moment, not only Vivian, but even Tier, Lumya, and Merika, who had remained silent all along, found that strange.

Vivian spoke up in confusion.

"Don't you have a weapon with you?"

Vivian was naturally referring to the long bundle Shien carried.

Whatever was inside, it looked like a weapon.

However, Shien rubbed his nose.

"This weapon of mine isn't very easy to use. I'd better not use it."

That was all Shien said.

Actually, one could tell from the description that there would be a "godly twist" later on.

The pacing of this book was meant to use the early "clichés" to lay the groundwork for the later "reversals," then deliver the proper "sweetness."

Smart readers should have already noticed, but the word count is still too low right now, so I can understand why you're anxious.

In any case, I hope everyone can continue supporting this book.

This is Ru Qing's first original novel. How well it performs will directly determine Ru Qing's future path.

So, as always—please bookmark! Please recommend! Please tip! Please read! Please support!