Chapter 124

"Is it because of the compensation?"

Gao Jianli spoke up, but quickly contradicted himself. "I don't think so."

"I haven't decided on my future path yet. The world of hunters is too unfamiliar to me. I want to fully understand this world before making any plans."

Castorice explained.

"... I understand. I've already arranged for someone to make your hunter's identification. Someone will be looking for you after you go downstairs."

Gao Jianli didn't try to stop him any further and stood up readily. "I didn't let you drink my favorite tea. I usually don't even drink it myself. It seems I'll have to enjoy it all by myself this time."

"If I change my mind, I will discuss this matter with you again."

Castorice actually had a pretty good impression of the old man. Anyway, she didn't know much about this world and didn't have any sense of belonging, so coming here was indeed a good choice.

"You are welcome anytime; the conditions I promised always stand."

Seeing that Castorice hadn't completely rejected him, Gao Jianli's smile deepened, and he said to Wu Zhenzhe, "Send Miss Castorice downstairs, and remember not to get too close to her."

Wu Zhenzhe had also gotten to know Castorice's temperament to some extent. Whether it was that she didn't want to sit opposite the Chairman because she wanted to keep her distance, or that she had to stand diagonally opposite her to avoid getting too close to people before, he realized that she was a girl with an eccentric personality.

If it weren't for the fact that it was a private elevator that no one else could use, they probably would have been forced to take the stairs because of her personality.

Chapter Seven: The Suddenly Appearing Dungeon.

Although Castorice's personality was somewhat abstract to me, upon closer reflection, aside from not liking close contact with people, this newly promoted S-Class had no other problems. She was also very polite, and her stability among the S-Class was basically second only to Che Huiyi.

Maki there are more stable S-Class units like this...

Although he sighed inwardly, Wu Zhenzhe maintained a calm and composed expression on the surface. Apart from Gao Jianli inviting Castorice to join the association, he did not show any inappropriate expression.

"Castorice, please wait here. Staff will be here to find you soon."

After leading Castorice to a reception room, Wu Zhenzhe said.

"Thank you, um... I have another friend who will be here in a little while..."

Seeing that Wu Zhenzhe was about to leave, Castorice asked apologetically, "Excuse me, how long does it typically take to process a hunter's license?"

She was indeed not used to her own 'bullying' behavior.

"Hmm... it shouldn't take long, maybe ten minutes or so?"

Wu Zhenzhe was quite surprised by the girl's attitude. In this era, strength and specialness are taken for granted, so to feel embarrassed about such privileges... was almost frighteningly pure.

It's as if they've never been exposed to this society.

"If my friend comes, can they wait here with me?"

Castorice pressed for an answer.

"Of course, I will explain to the staff. May I ask if Castorice's friend is also a hunter? What is her name?"

"Han Songyi is also a hunter."

"OK."

Wu Zhenzhe took out a business card from his pocket and placed it on the table in the meeting room. Then he gently swiped it in front of Castorice: "If there's anything, you can call my private number, and I'll take care of it as soon as possible."

"Alright, I'll have to trouble you then."

Castorice didn't refuse, and put the business card away. After Wu Zhenzhe left the room, she took out her phone and sent a text message to Han Songyi: "Songyi, the documents will probably take another ten minutes or so to get them."

Han Songyi: 'Huh? You got it so quickly? Is Sister Castorice A-Class?'

She really wanted to ask if it was S-Class, but fearing that disappointment would upset Castorice, she lowered the rank by one level.

Castorice: 'It's S-Class. Although there hasn't been an official test, the Chairman said that if it can exceed the branch's testing limit, it's undoubtedly S-Class.'

Han Songyi: 'Wow! Sister Castorice really is a sadist!'

Han Songyi: "Let's go eat barbecue together later! It's on me, as a celebration for Sister Castorice!"

Castorice: 'Song Yi is still a high school student, right? It's better for her to save on her living expenses. Besides... I'm not suited to going to places like restaurants.'

Han Songyi: 'Oh, I see. Then let's find another way to celebrate!'

After sending the message about going to eat barbecue, Han Songyi realized that Castorice didn't like going to crowded places. She had indeed forgotten about it in her excitement. Worried that trying to get closer to her would only cause her to dislike her, she was about to make amends when she received this reply.

This left her feeling both relieved and conflicted.

Indeed, I am currently very short of money... but being able to use money to maintain my relationship with S-Class is a win-win situation.

Thinking of Castorice Die's unapproachable attitude, Han Songyi was at a loss as to how to increase the other party's favorability.

However, she immediately realized something else. Castorice had specifically mentioned a time, perhaps implying she wanted to know how much longer it would take for her to arrive, but...

Han Songyi glanced at the congested lane ahead and her eye twitched.

Han Songyi: "Sorry, Sister Castorice! It seems there's been a traffic accident here, and it's completely jammed now."

Castorice: 'The traffic jam wasn't Song Yi's fault, she doesn't need to apologize to me.'

She has such a great personality! Are all foreigners this gentle? No, no, no, it's not like I've never met foreigners before.

Han Songyi stared at the message on her phone with shining eyes, momentarily dazed. Powerful yet not arrogant, she was always kind and gentle. Apart from not liking to get close to people, Sister Castorice was just like a hero in a comic book.

On the other side, in the guild area comprised of towering buildings, in the Chairman's Office of the central building, a man with a neat red three-seven parted hairstyle and black-rimmed glasses was holding a phone with an interested smile on his lips.

The voice on the phone continued, "Her name is Castorice. She's a girl with long, white-purple hair. She's just turned 18. Her student ID is from XXX University. She seems to be an international student who hasn't been in Country H for very long."

"Castorice, or perhaps Senatus Castoria Polyxia... I never expected that a student from Country Y Student Council awaken in Country H, and... even at the S-Class."

The red-haired man fiddled with the pen in his hand. Although he hadn't hung up the phone, he was already thinking about what conditions he should use to recruit another S-Class hunter.

"Yes... yes! Chairman Choi Jung-in, she just left me not long ago, and she should be on her way to the Hunter Association headquarters now. She should get her credentials soon!"

"I remember you just said you were the head of the rating department at the City B branch?"

"Yes!"

"I understand. Don't tell the other guilds about this."

Upon hearing this, the director knew that the other party had remembered him, and he figured he would probably get some benefits from it.

"Yes, yes! I was the first to tell you, and I absolutely won't tell anyone! But there were so many people around at the time..."

"You don't need to worry about that."

Choi Jung-in spoke calmly and unhurriedly. So what if a bunch of people saw it? The other guys would only be able to find out about him by looking at his appearance, which would already put them a step behind him.

After hanging up the phone, Choi Jung-in immediately got up and put on his coat.

It would be better if he personally invited them, especially since they are S-Class.

'It's so slow, why isn't it resolved yet? What are the traffic police doing...'

Leaning back in her seat, Han Songyi yawned boredly, when she suddenly received a text message on her phone.

Hunter Association (City B Branch):

A portal has appeared on Zhongkang Bridge. It has been rated D-Class and is severely impacting traffic. Hunters are requested to form nearby attack teams that comply with the rules to clear it.

[Temporary Squad Rules]

Zhongkang Bridge... isn't that right here? No wonder there were traffic problems, it turns out it was because of the teleportation portal? Does that mean we'll have to wait a long time?

Thinking of this, Han Songyi's expression instantly fell. Sister Castorice is still waiting for me...

Right! Instead of waiting here, we might as well go and help resolve the portal issue quickly. It's just a D-Class portal, only one level below, so it's not a big problem.

Moreover, if I could solve a dungeon, Castorice Die might look at me in a new light! Then I would be even more qualified to stay by her side, right?

Thinking of this, Han Songyi was instantly filled with enthusiasm. After sending a message to Castorice on her phone, she opened the car window and jumped out.

[Castorice! The reason for my traffic jam was the teleportation portal! I'll fix it right away and get to you faster!]

Chapter 8: The Red Portal.

While receiving congratulations from the staff, Castorice heard the sound of a text message on her phone and gave the staff an apologetic look, "Please wait a moment, my friend seems to have arrived."

"Alright! Please go ahead."

The staff member who was interrupted wasn't upset at all. The fact that the other party didn't ignore him without saying a word was already extremely touching to him.

Castorice then picked up her phone.

Is the traffic jam caused by the portal? Is she planning to go into the dungeon?

Castorice frowned slightly. Although she knew she didn't need to worry too much about other people's fates, the two had a brief relationship and had already called each other friends. It would be a lie to say that she didn't care at all.

Although she felt that the other party wouldn't do anything foolish or risky, she couldn't easily feel at ease without confirming it.

Even if one has the right to control life and death and resurrect the dead in this world, death is ultimately not a good experience, and it is too heavy for a high school student as a lesson.

Thinking of this, Castorice had no intention of continuing the pleasantries. She sent a message to Han Songyi and then said goodbye to the staff.

Castorice: "Song Yi, I've got my hunter's license. This is my first time in a dungeon too, why don't we go in together?"

She was afraid that saying something like "I'm worried you're in danger" would hurt the girl's self-esteem or ignite her rebellious desire to prove herself, so she chose a more acceptable way of putting it.

However, she received no response to her message.

Didn't you check your phone...? Thinking back to what happened to me before and the brief explanation from the staff, hunters aren't allowed to enter the portal without permission from the association staff. In other words, if Song Yi was allowed in, it means that the portal is probably not dangerous...

I really should go check it out soon...

Castorice left the Hunter Association building, preparing to travel in the same way she had before, she was suddenly stopped by a voice.

"Castorice, it's a pleasure to meet you."

He was a man wearing a red coat and black-rimmed glasses. Judging from his magical abilities, he was far stronger than the people around him. Although he was not as strong as Chairman Gao Jianli, he was still outstanding and should be one of the nine S-Class in Country H.

"I am Hantes, the Chairman of the Hunter's Guild. I'm here to speak with Miss Castorice..."

Before Choi Jung-in could finish speaking, Castorice had no intention of listening any further. She jumped into the air in full view of everyone. Before anyone could react, a 20-meter-long gray-purple dragon appeared beneath her feet and flew away into the distance.

The entire action was fluid and seamless, leaving only the words, "Excuse me, sir, I have important matters to attend to now," and an embarrassed Chairman Hantes.

The commotion attracted the attention of those around them, making Choi Jung-in even more embarrassed. He could only pretend to be calm and return the way he came.

But...

'That enormous dragon-shaped summon... is it a summoner? But as a summoner, even an S-Class, their physical abilities just now were far too astonishing...'

As Choi Jung-in mentally assessed Castorice's actions, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pressure.

Castorice was unaware of Choi Jung-in's thoughts. She had already memorized the road map on the way here, and with the speed of the Dead Dragon Polykertes, she arrived at the Zhongkang Bridge in less than thirty seconds.

Something's wrong, something's very wrong.

The reaction of this magic was far beyond what I had seen before; it was even more intense than any other portal within a radius of tens of kilometers... And why was the portal red?

As Castorice was examining the portal below, the residents below were also observing her.

Such a huge dragon flying in the sky could not possibly fail to attract everyone's attention. People took photos with their phones and discussed curiously what was going on with the giant dragon in the Sky Manipulation, showing no intention of turning around and running away.

This sense of relaxation is absurd... it's even more relaxing than the last world...

Castorice couldn't land directly because there were too many people here. She was worried that if she wasn't careful, they would be dragged away by the Underworld on the spot. But it seemed that even the Dead Dragon couldn't make these people give up space.

Fortunately, the staff at the scene noticed the situation and immediately asked the surrounding citizens to move back a certain distance. Although they were still standing there watching, at least they made a safe distance that Castorice considered sufficient.

So, the Dead Dragon transformed into countless butterflies in the Sky Manipulation and vanished, while the Castorice landed steadily on the ground. The landing from hundreds of meters in the air only caused her knees and waist to bend slightly. It didn't look as cool as a hero's dramatic descent, but it had a natural elegance.

"Who are you...?"

The staff member was unfamiliar with the girl in front of him. Such a huge dragon-shaped summon beast should have extraordinary strength, so he should not be unfamiliar with it. However, after noticing Castorice's appearance, he understood.

It turned out to be a foreign hunter.

"I am Castorice, the hunter here to deal with this portal."

Castorice displayed the newly acquired documents in front of her. The staff member instinctively intended to step forward to examine them, but saw Castorice making a gesture to stay away.

Another hunter with quirks, so he must be quite strong.

The staff member readily agreed and stood still, focusing their attention on the documents.

Name: Castorice (Senatus Castoris Polyxia)... As expected, she's a foreign hunter, an exchange student or something?

ID number: 401058191746.

A number starting with 4010... Country H? Oh right, it must have been rated during my studies abroad, probably not long ago?