Flavia (Part 1)

No matter who they were, when they first registered as a mercenary, their mercenary rank started at the lowest: one star. This had no direct connection to their personal strength.

A mercenary's rank rose by relying on points, and points were obtained from missions. Complete a mission, and you would receive the corresponding reward along with a certain number of points. Once those points accumulated to a certain level, naturally, the mercenary's rank would rise as well.

Diya, for example, was now a one-star mercenary. To rise from one star to two stars required one hundred points; from two stars to three stars required three hundred points; from three stars to four stars required one thousand points; from four stars to five stars required five thousand points; from five stars to nine stars required ten thousand points; from nine stars to seven stars required one hundred thousand points; from seven stars to eight stars required one million points; from eight stars to nine stars required ten million points. As for the ten-star Mercenary King, that was no longer calculated by points.

This kind of promotion system meant that, in the mercenary world, low-level mercenaries were the most numerous. Because the points required for promotion were relatively low, they were comparatively easy to obtain. Mid-level mercenaries were fewer in number, while high-level mercenaries were extremely rare—and every single high-level mercenary possessed no ordinary strength.

Just like mercenary ranks, missions were divided into ten levels as well, likewise ranging from one star to ten stars. However, apart from a single ten-star mission three thousand years ago, the highest-level mission to appear in these past three thousand years had only been nine stars.

A mercenary could accept missions one level higher than their own rank. For a one-star mercenary like Diya, the highest he could accept was a two-star mission.

Of course, there was another rule. Some fairly strong cultivators became mercenaries starting from the lowest rank, one star, but they could not accept missions higher than two stars. Yet those with strength disdained doing low-level missions that offered no challenge whatsoever, so raising their mercenary rank became even more difficult.

Therefore, the Mercenary Guild had a rule: low-level mercenaries could form teams with other mercenaries. As long as the other mercenaries' ranks were sufficient to accept a relatively high-level mission, then after completing it together, everyone could obtain the corresponding points, thereby raising their ranks quickly.

That was one method. The second was through accidents. If a low-level mercenary, intentionally or unintentionally, completed some high-level mission, then as long as the mission was completed, even if they had been unable to accept the mission because their rank was insufficient, bringing the mission item back to the Mercenary Guild would still count as completing it. However, because they had not directly accepted the mission before completing it, they could only receive half the reward. Even so, the points provided by a high-level mission, even at half, were still many times better than those from low-level missions.

Beside the counter stood a huge magical panel, on which mission after mission was being displayed. After being reminded by the young woman registering mercenaries, Diya walked up to the magical panel and began examining it carefully.

Mercenary missions came in two modes: exclusive and public. As the names implied, an exclusive mission, once accepted, could no longer be accepted by other mercenaries unless the mission failed. Public missions, on the other hand, could be accepted by anyone, so long as they were a mercenary. In the end, it all depended on which mercenary—or which team of mercenaries—was more capable and could complete the mission.

The missions displayed on the magical panel were all exclusive missions that had not yet been accepted, along with all public missions. Like a giant screen from his previous life, one mission notice after another slid past.

Looking at these missions, Diya could not help feeling bored. There were quite a few exclusive missions, but not a single one met his requirements. They were either delivering letters to so-and-so, sending flowers to so-and-so, and the like. The points for such missions were only one point, making Diya shake his head again and again.

But for those relatively high-level missions, Diya's mercenary rank was not enough, so he could not accept them. He could only leave the Mercenary Guild in disappointment.

"Sir, where are we going now?" Nataya walked beside Diya and asked.

"To an inn," Diya said, looking at the sky. It should be around ten o'clock late at night by now. After a day of rushing about, he was a little tired.

"All right, sir. Follow me." As Nataya spoke, she skipped forward. Seeing how happy she looked, Diya could not help revealing a knowing smile. The lives of people at the bottom were just that simple. If they could eat their fill and have clothes to keep warm, they would be very satisfied.

Before long, Diya and Nataya stopped in front of an inn.

"Sir, this is an inn. There are other inns farther ahead," Nataya said, pointing forward.

"This one will do," Diya said as he walked into the inn.

"Hello, guest. How may I help you?" A waiter immediately walked over.

"Two rooms."

"Guest, what kind of room would you like? We have ordinary rooms, high-class rooms, and suites."

"A suite, two bedrooms and one hall," Diya blurted out at once, his interest instantly piqued when he heard that.

"Yes. We have two bedrooms and one hall, as well as three bedrooms and one hall. Two bedrooms and one hall costs five silver coins a day, three bedrooms and one hall costs seven silver coins a day, with three meals included," the waiter immediately began introducing enthusiastically when he saw Diya's expression.

"Two bedrooms and one hall. We'll stay three days first," Diya said at once. Though his heart ached a little—fifteen silver coins, another fifteen silver coins gone—fortunately, three meals were included. He absolutely had to eat back the five silver coins' worth.

"Guest, this way, please." After receiving the fifteen silver coins, the waiter beamed with delight and led Diya toward the stairs. They went upstairs, and only upon reaching the third floor did they leave the stairwell and walk forward another dozen meters or so before stopping at the door of a room. The waiter took out a key, opened the door, and let Diya and Nataya enter.

This so-called hall was about twenty square meters. It had a set of long chairs and a table, and some decorations were arranged nearby. It looked simple yet stylish. On the left and right sides of the hall were two separate rooms, and behind the hall was a bathroom. After the waiter finished introducing the place to Diya, his gaze turned strangely over Diya's and Nataya's faces, and then he said, "I wish you a pleasant stay," before leaving.

Diya did not know whether to laugh or cry. So this guy had actually taken him for a lolicon. "Nataya, it's already very late. Go to sleep. Which room do you want?"

"This one." Nataya happily bounced toward the room on the left, opened the door, and walked in. "Good night, sir."

"Good night." Diya also walked into the room on the right, closed the door, took off his long robe, leaned against the bed, and began cultivating Battle Qi. As he cultivated, before he knew it, Diya fell asleep, only waking when daylight came the next day.

He washed up, then ate the breakfast the waiter brought over.

"Sir, where would you like to go today?" Nataya asked after finishing breakfast.

"Take me around everywhere so I can get familiar with the place," Diya said after thinking briefly. At present, Diablo had not yet awakened, and he himself temporarily did not know exactly what he should do. He would first wait until Diablo woke up, then see.

The two of them left the inn. Led by Nataya, Diya wandered all around Luo City. They had lunch outside as well, costing Diya several more silver coins. He could not help cursing inwardly. This damned place—the prices were outrageously high. Copper coins were practically useless.

Only at dusk did the two return to the inn. Under the waiter's utterly astonished gaze, Diya once again had a hearty meal, then rested briefly, washed up, and afterward slipped into his own room. Taking off his long robe, he did the calculation. It should be about time for Diablo to wake up.

Nataya stayed in the hall, looking here and touching there. Diya had told her that he was going to cultivate, so she should not disturb him. Nataya had no choice but to find something to do by herself.

Not long after Diya entered the room, just as he sat down on the bed, a voice suddenly rang out. "Xiao Li, did you miss me?"