Four-Star Mission

After meeting Old Walker, Rhode didn't leave the Mercenary Association immediately. After all, the mercenary group was still short of a main tank and a damage dealer. If he could find a defensive class like a shield warrior, Rhode's subsequent missions would be much easier. Unfortunately, this time Rhode couldn't find a mercenary who met his expectations. After all, these types of professionals always stood on the front line during battles, facing far greater danger and pressure than other mercenaries. Generally, only soldiers would choose such professions, but these people were either not interested in the mercenary life or had already been recruited by major mercenary groups, making them hard to encounter. Rhode walked around the lobby with Lize and approached a few swordsmen, but because none of them met Rhode's requirements, they were all eventually eliminated.

In the end, Rhode had no choice but to abandon his original idea and focus on improving the strength of the two of them first. During this period, there wasn't much potential to tap into in Deepstone City. Although there were a few mercenary teams with good strength, Rhode couldn't afford to hire them, and he was also worried that the other party might have some improper thoughts of turning the tables due to their numerical advantage. So, Rhode simply put this matter aside, as there were more pressing matters to attend to.

That was the mercenary group's points.

Lize was right; the most urgent need now was to increase their points as much as possible to avoid being forcibly disbanded during the winter recess. This was the top priority and the most pressing issue for Rhode to consider, at least—at least it couldn't be zero anymore.

Mercenary group points came from missions, and missions were divided into two categories... One was where clients posted missions on the Mercenary Association, and mercenary groups would undertake them themselves, receiving rewards from the client deposited at the Mercenary Association upon completion. The other was where clients actively commissioned mercenary groups, and both parties signed a commission agreement at the association before executing the mission.

Points were determined by mission level. In the Mercenary Association, commissions were divided into six levels: besides normal missions, the rest were divided into one to five stars. The points represented by these missions varied, and they also had strict restrictions.

Mercenary teams were only allowed to accept normal, one-star, and two-star missions. Completing normal missions awarded 1 point, one-star missions awarded 2 points, and two-star missions awarded 3 points. Mercenary groups only earned points for accepting two-star, three-star, and four-star missions. Although they could also accept normal and one-star missions, the association would not give them points even if they completed them. The top-tier mercenary guilds were the same; they only earned points after completing three-star, four-star, and five-star missions. Below these levels, they also received no points.

These regulations were set by the Mercenary Association, and anyone who overstepped them was strictly prohibited. This meant that even if a mercenary team or mercenary group completed a five-star mission, the association would absolutely not accumulate any points for them. However, the possibility of this was extremely slim, as five-star missions were almost always extremely dangerous, even for many large mercenary guilds, they were a matter of life and death. For mercenary groups and teams with far less strength, undertaking them would be a sure death.

Under these constraints, various mercenary groups had their own methods. Some mercenary groups, like the Blue Collar Mercenary Group, diligently undertook the lowest-level and safest missions, accumulating points one by one to ensure their existence. Other mercenary groups adhered to the principle of "either don't make a sound, or make a stunning one," either doing nothing or undertaking a big job for a huge harvest.

Rhode chose the second approach. After all, the mercenary group was short-handed. Diligently undertaking the lowest-level missions, while safe, wouldn't increase points quickly. As the saying goes, even the strongest fists can't fight off four hands; the disadvantage in numbers could never be eliminated. Since there was no way to play it safe, the only path left was to complete high-level missions as much as possible to obtain a large number of points.

However, when Rhode placed the mission named "Pavel Cemetery" in front of Uncle Hank, the old man at the Mercenary Association looked at the young man as if he had seen a ghost, like he had seen a walking dinosaur fossil.

"Are you really sure you want to accept this mission? Young man?"

Old Hank wiped his glasses and then looked at Rhode with a serious expression.

"This is a four-star mission. Even a fully staffed mercenary group would have a hard time coming out on top."

Saying this, the old man frowned and tapped the table.

"I'm not trying to scare you, Hank. The Blue Valley Mercenary Group and the Black Lion Mercenary Group have both taken this mission before. They had no shortage of skilled fighters, but what happened? They suffered heavy casualties, and even their leader almost lost his life. Those guys sent more than a dozen people and still couldn't take it down. You... with just a few people, want to handle it? It's good to have ambition, young man, but..."

"I don't think there's anything to hesitate about."

Rhode paid no attention to Hank's words. The standard for "skilled fighters" in this world and the standard for "skilled fighters" among players were too different. Using them as a comparison was meaningless. Rhode chose this mission not only for its high points but also for its content and rewards.

Pavel Cemetery was located in the mountainous area north of Deepstone City. It was an abandoned cemetery where a necromancer named Pavel lurked. The mission was to eliminate that necromancer and his subordinates. As long as Pavel's head could be brought back, the mission would be considered complete.

Rhode had his own reasons for choosing this mission. Besides the high-level points, it was also due to the cards he held. Frankly speaking, with the combat power Rhode currently possessed, it was only very effective against undead creatures. Fighting bandits would be more troublesome. Another objective was a skill book held by the necromancer named Pavel.

Legend had it that this necromancer named Pavel was once a highly respected bishop. Later, due to some widely popular events, he degenerated into a necromancer. He possessed a holy book called the Book of Holiness, and this book was Rhode's target because it recorded the skills of a Spirit Master.

Here, it's necessary to explain the difference between players and NPCs in terms of leveling up in the Dragon Soul Continent.

Players had obvious advantages in all aspects because of skill points, allowing them to upgrade their skills at will. Like Rhode, at level ten, they could possess the skill level of an NPC at level thirty or forty. But NPCs couldn't. Except for a few geniuses and kings, most NPCs had skills corresponding to their level. In comparison, it was obvious who was stronger.

Another aspect was that NPCs' advantages lay in their talents not being categorized like players'. Many NPC professions' talents were integrated, and they could even choose freely. This made many players quite envious, as their talents were separated, and due to skill point limitations, they couldn't be as free as NPCs. Not to mention that many talents were exclusive to NPCs, which would make anyone jealous.

Besides these, there was also a huge gap in leveling up. Players leveled up by consuming experience. But NPCs' leveling up was more like a burst of cosmic power. They didn't consume experience or level up in their daily lives. There were only two ways to make them level up: one was that after the favorability between both parties increased, the NPC would propose a task, and as long as the player completed it, the NPC's level would instantly increase. The other was to give NPCs skill books. They learned skills without level or special restrictions, so even a level five NPC, as long as they learned a level ten skill, would immediately rise to level ten.

Of course, this also took time.

If he could get this book, Lize wouldn't have to worry about anything until level forty. Moreover, the Book of Holiness also contained many true holy attack spells, which could compensate for the girl's current mediocre attack power and make her a truly qualified cleric who could fight on the front lines. Considering that there would inevitably be a war with the Kingdom of Night in the future, allowing those around him to familiarize themselves with fighting undead creatures early was also very important.

If it weren't for these reasons, Rhode wouldn't want to run into piles of dead bodies all day. He was, after all, still alive and didn't have much interest in the undead... In fact, if possible, Rhode would rather hire a mage, even a mage apprentice... But unfortunately, mages were even rarer than Spirit Masters, and most of them stayed indoors, let alone coming to the Mercenary Association...

"I've made up my mind, Uncle Hank. Please rest assured, we will complete the mission."

"I hope so."

Seeing that his eloquent persuasion had failed to convince the other party, Uncle Hank could only sigh helplessly and shake his head. Then he bent down, wrote something on the paper with concentration, and nodded at Rhode.

"Alright, Mr. Rhode, it's registered. After you complete the mission, as long as you bring back the token according to the mission commission's requirements, once it's verified and confirmed, we will issue the reward to you."

"I understand."

Hearing this, Rhode nodded and said nothing more, then quickly turned and left. Uncle Hank watched the slightly thin figure disappear into the crowd before shaking his head helplessly.

"Young people... so reckless, taking on such a dangerous mission. Sigh... I really don't know what to say. It's a pity, he looks so young... yet..."

Muttering to himself, Hank picked up the wine pot beside him, completely unaware of the figure that had appeared behind him at some point.

As the figure appeared, a clear and bright voice rang out.

"What's foolish? Mr. Hank?"

"Ah, Miss!"

Hearing the voice, Hank jumped up in fright. He awkwardly put down the wine pot in his hand, turned around, and looked at the figure behind him with an awkward, bitter smile.

"Miss, what brings you here? I thought..."

"I'm here to ask you about the matter I entrusted to you earlier. How is it going?"

"This..."

Hearing her question, a fine layer of sweat appeared on Old Hank's forehead. He took out a handkerchief, wiped his face, and then said with a forced smile.

"This... I'm working on it, Miss. As you can see, these recent fellows aren't very good. I haven't found a suitable one yet, so..."

"I see."

The beautiful voice, like the chirping of birds in the early morning, skipped slightly.

"Then, what did that person who just left want with you?"

"Oh, that kid."

Hearing this, Old Hank's expression immediately changed, and he began to sigh.

"Alas, that fellow truly doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Miss, please listen to me..."

Perhaps finally finding someone to confide in, old Hank quickly recounted how Rhode had accepted a four-star mission. Of course, his tale included complaints about the young man's arrogance and lack of grounding. However, as a member of the Mercenary Association, he refrained from cursing Rhode to his death. Mercenaries are sensitive to such matters; their profession is already a bloody one, and to curse someone to die would be utterly heartless.

"I see."

After listening to old Hank's complaints, the figure chuckled lightly.

"How interesting. A mercenary group with only two members dares to accept a four-star mission. This is truly a rare tale, isn't it?"

"Indeed. And I heard that young man is highly regarded by Sereck. I truly don't know what it is about this arrogant little fellow that Lord Sereck fancies..."

"Uncle Hank."

Before old Hank could finish speaking, the figure suddenly interrupted him.

"I have something I hope you can help me with. Are you willing?"

"Willing. As long as it's within my capabilities, there's absolutely no problem."

"Very good, then..."

The mercenaries in the hall grew noisier, and after hearing the figure's request clearly, old Hank's face turned ashen.